Chapter 343: Successful Joining

**Chapter 343: Successful Franchise**

Zhang Wanqiu was forced out of the Hu family. Though he received compensation, he still felt humiliated.

Back in Shanghai, although he wasn’t particularly wealthy, no one had ever dismissed him so rudely before.

With his and Wang Lei’s bags in hand, Zhang Wanqiu decided to visit Wang Lei at the hospital first.

Back at the Hu house, it was already very late, and Hu Yaowen wanted to ask Qu Miao to stay.

Qu Miao said, “I’m not your family’s private doctor, and I’ve already performed a Zhuyou ritual on your mother today. She’ll be fine—just follow the prescription.”

Hu Yaowen didn’t dare insist further. The intimidation Qu Miao left him with was too strong, so he politely showed them out.

It was already quite late. Ye Xiaoxiao treated Qu Miao to a nice dinner.

Qu Miao now lived in employee housing belonging to Rende Pharmacy, which was very close to Ye Xiaoxiao’s home.

His route back to the dormitory passed by Ye Xiaoxiao’s alley entrance.

After finishing their meal and heading home, Ye Xiaoxiao found Song Guoxian waiting at the alley entrance.

“Xiaoxiao, Master called for you.”

Ye Xiaoxiao asked, “Does Master know we went to the Hu family this afternoon?”

Song Guoxian replied, “You went to the Hu family?”

Ye Xiaoxiao hesitated. “…Not that… Then why does Master want to see me?”

Song Guoxian explained, “It’s about franchising. Several of Master’s junior brothers have decided to join, and he wants to discuss the terms.”

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded—it made sense now.

Then Qu Miao could go back and rest first.

Song Guoxian added, “The Hu family and Wang Lei’s group are working together. It’s too dangerous for you to go alone.”

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, “No, Sister Hong was with us.”

She passed the keys to Sister Hong. “I’m going to Master’s place.”

Sister Hong took the keys but didn’t leave. “We should all go. It’s already dark.”

Even though they were in the city, the narrow alley wasn’t the safest place.

Song Guoxian said directly, “We should all go. We can also hear about what you two were up to this afternoon.”

So Qu Miao couldn’t return to rest either—all of them headed to Old Mr. Song’s place together.

Everyone else was already there.

Before discussing franchising, Ye Xiaoxiao explained their visit to treat Old Mrs. Hu.

“Hu Yaowen showed up at Rende Pharmacy himself. Refusing would’ve made us look scared.”

Ye Xiaoxiao said firmly.

Song Guangjing wasn't scolding them. After asking about the formula Qu Miao had prepared, he simply nodded.

He knew Qu Miao was Ye Xiaoxiao's classmate, though he didn't know much about the young man personally.

Now it seemed Qu Miao also had great aptitude for studying traditional Chinese medicine.

Moreover, as a member of an ethnic minority group, Qu Miao had some special treatment methods.

"If you have any medical questions in the future, you can come directly to me," Song Guangjing said to Qu Miao.

Although he no longer took on apprentices, he could still offer some guidance to younger generations.

Though such privileges were exceedingly rare.

Qu Miao was surprised but happy: "Thank you, sir."

After graduation, Qu Miao stayed at Rende Pharmacy just because he was comfortable there and didn't want to start over somewhere new.

Actually, he hadn’t thought much about long-term goals like career advancement—his current salary was already quite high.

With meals and accommodation provided by the company, he sent part of his monthly income home and saved the rest. He estimated that in two years or so, he’d be able to buy a small apartment.

This made Qu Miao remarkably calm and content.

His joy soon settled back into quiet composure.

Others who saw this young man would simply think him steady and virtuous.

When it came time to discuss franchise details, Song Guangjing asked Qu Miao to leave first.

Song Guoxian took a flashlight and accompanied him to the main road, only heading back after giving it to him.

...

Ye Xiaoxiao had already opened the contract template.

It was just as they'd discussed earlier—Song Guangjing had only specified the franchise fee and a tiny cut of the profits (less than one percent).

However, all medicines used in the branch stores had to be purchased from Rende Pharmacy.

Same idea as giving away razors for free but requiring proprietary blades.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Master, seems fine to me."

Song Guangjing: "Good. Then if there’s no problem, go ahead and sign. Don’t keep hanging around here. Once you’ve signed, I’ll send managers over to help open your stores."

Zhou Zhonghua muttered quietly, "Hanging around? This place belongs to you, Master!"

Strictly speaking, that wasn’t exactly true—the original property had been just a small courtyard, now expanded into several combined courtyards.

But Zhou Zhonghua figured they had every right to be there.

Song Guangjing paid no mind to his blunt second apprentice.

"You all ran the business into the ground and still dare to show your faces here."

Liu Dai smiled. "Not everyone is like you, eldest brother, from a business family—you’ve got a knack for it."

Song Guangjing was gentler with his youngest junior and didn’t argue.

"That’s all water under the bridge. Your success is up to you now."

After a few encouraging words, Song Guangjing had the signed contracts collected to be stamped by legal affairs the next day.

"I think the franchise stores don’t need to be too far from the capital," Ye Xiaoxiao suggested. "We can start with soft-opening locations in suitable areas of each district."

They already owned stores, each in different districts.

This was settled by lottery back then. Their late master had foreseen that the brothers might turn on each other, so he separated them early.

If not for those ten years, perhaps Rende Pharmacy would have become the premier brand in Chinese traditional medicine through the brothers’ efforts.

Now, better late than never.

Wu Xuanzhong said, "Let’s check out our stores first. If the locations are good, we’ll keep them."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. This matter needed quick action—she had to fill in Manager Ma and personally inspect the sites.

After signing the contracts, the others could finally relax.

Though they had invested money, they were pleased.

...

A week later, Song Guangjing’s junior brothers finally left with their disciples.

Manager Ma led a team to check out each person’s store to see if they were suitable for franchising.

If not, new spots would have to be scouted.

These men may have played poor in front of Song Guangjing, but they had the means—scouting new spots wouldn’t be a problem.

The important thing was that they got the Rende Pharmacy name back.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiaoxiao and Qu Miao visited Old Mrs. Hu again.

This time, Ye Xiaoxiao also checked the old lady’s pulse.

Her condition had clearly improved.

"Dr. Ye, Dr. Qu, last time I didn’t realize how skilled you were and offended you both. My mother has been doing much better these past two days—she only goes to the bathroom two or three times a day, all in the morning, and it doesn’t affect her rest at all."

Hu Yaowen spoke with excitement, looking at Ye Xiaoxiao and Qu Miao as if they were saints.