Chapter 94: A Promise

Chapter 94: A Promise

New officials mean new policies—how could Jiang Shu afford to give Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohé any opportunity to harm her?

She deliberately closed the shop for two days for renovation, using this time to replace the managers and staff.

Since new hires couldn’t be used, she opted to employ only experienced staff.

Jiang Shu first reassigned managers from other Jiang family shops and promoted competent staff to new managerial roles.

Then, she transferred one or two experienced staff from each location to assist the new managers in managing the reclaimed shops.

This way, although the staff changed shops, they were all familiar with Jiang family affairs and could easily adapt to their new roles.

As for the shops that had staff transferred, it was easy to hire one or two new employees, and with experienced staff guiding them, the business would not suffer.

With this move, Jiang Shu effortlessly thwarted the plot of Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohé, winning the admiration of all the managers in the Jiang family shops.

Refusing to give up, Jiang Shaohua and Jiang Shaohé visited the shops on West Street, and after seeing it with their own eyes, they were filled with frustration and rage.

“We underestimated that girl!”

Their carefully crafted scheme couldn’t be executed because all the staff had been dismissed, causing them to gnash their teeth in frustration.

Defeated and despondent, the two men randomly entered a tavern to drown their sorrows.

“Third Brother, what should we do next?” Jiang Shaohua listlessly chewed on the side dish, his furrowed brows capable of trapping flies.

Jiang Shaohé downed a cup of strong liquor, clenched his teeth, and resolutely decided, “We go find Boss Fang and collaborate with him!”

“He wants the Jiang family’s business, and so do we. Since our goals are the same, let’s join forces.”

“If that girl won’t let us have peace, then she won’t have any either.”

Their expressions were malevolent, devoid of any familial affection.

Around noon, after finishing her shop matters, Jiang Shu made a stop at Cuiyun Building on her way.

“Oh, Boss Jiang, what brings you here today?”

As soon as Jiang Shu stepped into Cuiyun Building, Yu Yuan began to tease her sarcastically.

Ever since Jiang Shu’s father left the capital to handle business, she had been so occupied with the Jiang Family's affairs that she rarely visited Cuiyun Building.

And after her father’s accident, Jiang Shu hadn’t come even once, as if she had forgotten she owned Cuiyun Building.

"Ahem!" Jiang Shu awkwardly cleared her throat and said politely, "Young Master Yu, you've been working hard these past few days."

"Hmph! If you leave me to watch the shop alone again, I’ll ask for extra pay," Yu Yuan said unhappily with his arms crossed, giving her a sidelong glance.

Jiang Shu smiled awkwardly and, with a placating smile, asked, "How much extra pay would Young Master Yu want?"

Yu Yuan looked surprised.

Jiang Shu rubbed her nose, a look of embarrassment on her face. "I might not have much time in the future either. I’ll have to leave Cuiyun Building in your hands, Young Master Yu."

"What?" Yu Yuan widened his eyes. "Did I hear that right? You’re planning to be an absentee owner?"

Jiang Shu sighed helplessly. "I don’t want to, but I’ve just taken over the Jiang Family’s business. I’m spread too thin."

"Hmph!" Yu Yuan snorted, flung his sleeves, and turned to go upstairs.

The irritable Young Master Yu was upset.

Jiang Shu took a deep breath, preparing to soothe him, when she suddenly heard the server greet guests behind her.

"Lord Jing, you have arrived."

Jiang Shu turned around upon hearing this and saw Yu Zheng enter with his attendants, Zhuiyun and Zhufeng.

Their eyes met, and both were taken aback.

"Your Highness, please, upstairs," Jiang Shu had a sudden thought.

It was hard for her to coax Yu Yuan, but it would be easy for Yu Zheng.

She led Yu Zheng to a private room and, with a look of gratitude, said, "Thanks to Your Highness’s help, my father was able to avoid danger. From now on, whenever you dine at Cuiyun Building, it’s on me."

Yu Zheng’s dark eyes narrowed slightly as he heard this. "Are you offering to treat me to meals for life?"

Uh...

Jiang Shu was stunned for a moment, feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint it.

"Yes, I can never repay Your Highness’s great kindness, so I can only offer this as a token of my gratitude."

"What if I come every day? We still have a long life ahead of us," Yu Zheng said, his dark eyes fixed on her, observing her reaction.

Jiang Shu smiled and replied generously, "As long as Cuiyun Building stands, Your Highness is welcome anytime."

"What if Cuiyun Building is gone or changes ownership?" Yu Zheng asked.

Jiang Shu was taken aback. Was he thinking too far ahead?

Or does he just like being treated to meals?

His preference was quite peculiar.

Her mind raced, and she tentatively suggested, "Then what if I treat you to a meal at another restaurant?"

"For the rest of your life?"

Jiang Shu nodded uncomfortably.

"Very well, you must keep your word," Yu Zheng said with a satisfied smile.

Jiang Shu felt a strange sensation, but then thought, it’s just a meal, after all. Even if Cuiyun Building were to disappear or change hands, she could still afford to treat him.

Not to mention, she still needed Yu Zheng’s help, and considering that he had saved her father this time, treating him to meals for a lifetime was only right.

"What would you like to eat today, Your Highness? I’ll arrange it for you."

Instead of answering, Yu Zheng asked, "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zheng's eyes lit up and he coughed lightly, "I have no appetite when eating alone, would you join me?"

"Alright, Young Master Yu hasn’t eaten either, I’ll invite him to join us," Jiang Shu readily agreed, thinking it would be a good opportunity to get Yu Yuan to help persuade his brother.

His dark brows slightly knitted, Yu Zheng's expression imperceptibly hardened.

"What would Your Highness like to eat?" Jiang Shu pressed on.

Yu Zheng indifferently uttered two words: "Whatever."

Perhaps due to his usual aloofness, Jiang Shu didn't sense anything amiss and assumed he had no particular preferences.

"I’ll have the kitchen prepare a table of their specialties."

"Mm."

"Would Your Highness like some wine? What kind?"

"Whatever."

"How about some honey wine? It’s refreshing and pairs well with the food. Young Master Yu enjoys it." Jiang Shu said, before proceeding to instruct the waiter.

In the private room, Yu Zheng's handsome face was tight as he silently resolved to deal with Yu Yuan.

He needed to find a way to limit their interactions.

After a short while, Jiang Shu returned, her face lit up with a smile. "Your Highness, I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?" Yu Zheng was distracted.

Jiang Shu rubbed her hands together and said, "I’ve taken over Jiangji and can’t manage Cuiyun Building anymore. I'm leaving it to Young Master Yu to take care of, but he's furious. Could you do me the favor of persuading him?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Zheng's thoughts instantly cleared, and he readily agreed. "Alright, leave it to me."

He had been worrying about how to find an opportunity, and this was a stroke of luck.

"I'll send someone to fetch Young Master Yu immediately." Jiang Shu let out a long breath, a great weight lifted from her heart.

Though she didn't require the income from Cuiyun Building, the fact that it was her own establishment gave it unique significance, and she didn't want to give it up so easily.

Jiangji was a responsibility, but Cuiyun Building was her dream.

When the food and wine were served, Yu Yuan arrived. Jiang Shu poured wine for both of them and raised her cup to apologize.

"Hmph! Don't think that just because you're using Brother Zheng as an excuse, I'll forgive you." Yu Yuan turned his head away proudly.

Yu Zheng glanced at him and raised his wine cup. "Cheers."

"Oh," Yu Yuan obediently picked up his wine cup and clinked glasses with Yu Zheng.

Jiang Shu caught on and hurriedly joined in with her glass.

They all clinked their cups together.

Yu Yuan gaped in shock and said angrily, "Why are you joining in? Did my brother Zheng invite you?"

"I invited her to join us for the meal," Yu Zheng cut in.