Lin Shanyue couldn’t see him, but Huo Yi could see Lin Shanyue perfectly clearly.
To be honest, by modern standards, this young girl was quite pretty—more attractive than many minor celebrities, at the very least.
Huo Yi cleared his throat and looked away.
“I noticed you bought porcelain plates today. Is it because you think the milk cakes won’t sell well if they’re presented on their own?”
Lin Shanyue nodded.
“Yes. I was thinking that the pastries themselves are good, but if I can’t convince people they’re good, then it doesn’t matter.”
“This is where the art of doing business comes in. Do you know what this is called? It’s called branding. No matter how good a product is, if your branding is poor, the chances of selling well are slim. But if your branding is excellent, even an average product has a much better chance of becoming popular.”
…
Lin Shanyue thought for a moment before saying,
“I think I understand what you mean, Young Master. I still need to promote it more. Buying the porcelain plates was also meant to elevate the value of the pastries. To be honest, I even sent some cakes to the stewardess at Huayue Pavilion today, but she’s seen too many fine things… I doubt she’ll even try them.”
“That’s the idea. But the porcelain plates are only the external packaging. What’s more important is you.”
“Me…?”
Huo Yi sighed.
“Your image and your identity can both define the perceived value of your product. That’s what status is. Otherwise, why do so many merchants strive to raise their social standing?”
Lin Shanyue understood immediately.
“I think I get it now… Thank you, Young Master.”
Huo Yi hummed in acknowledgment.
In truth, what he’d shared today was only the tip of the iceberg. His grandfather was the true master of business strategy. But the other party was still just a young girl. There was no need to rush.
Night fell, and Lin Shanyue prepared for bed.
After washing up, she returned to her room and, as usual, moved the bronze mirror to a different spot. Before climbing into bed, she glanced at it once more.
Every night she moved the mirror, yet the Mirror Spirit never complained. It seemed the young master was a gentleman who observed propriety and wasn’t overly bound by taboos.
Maybe… one day she could even take him outside?
The thought startled her.
She quickly buried herself under the blankets. Xiaobao was sleeping soundly. He suddenly rolled over and nestled into her arms.
…
2024 – Huo Group Headquarters
Early that morning, Huo Yi was awakened by a phone call from his grandfather.
The old man sounded extremely excited.
“Third grandson! I heard you got hold of some porcelain yesterday! The experts finished authenticating them—they’re from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period! Excellent pieces!”
Huo Yi was instantly awake.
Daqian…
Historical records really did mention such a dynasty. Could it actually be that era?
“Grandpa, so they’re really valuable?”
“Hahaha! Valuable? They’re worth a fortune! Well done! You’ve impressed even me this time. Where did you find such well-preserved pieces?”
Huo Yi hesitated.
“I got lucky… A friend in Yunnan helped me acquire them.”
“Very good. By the way, don’t forget to keep looking into those jade artifacts.”
“I know, Grandpa.”
After hanging up, Huo Yi splashed cold water on his face to wake himself completely.
Today he still had appointments with several renowned antique experts.
He glanced into the mirror.
The young girl had already gone out, and Xiaobao wasn’t there either. Huo Yi had no choice but to put aside his thoughts.
At that moment, Lin Shanyue was at Huayue Pavilion.
She had risen before dawn to steam a fresh batch of milk cakes, using the porcelain dishes Huo Yi had given her.
Today she had also changed into a different outfit.
It wasn’t especially luxurious, but it made her look refreshed and elegant.
Madam Liu was waiting for her as usual.
There were still no issues with the Suhe Incense, but today Madam Liu looked her over a couple more times.
“Little Sister Shanyue, are you visiting someone today?”
Lin Shanyue smiled.
“I am. I’m paying a visit to an old family friend.”
Madam Liu had spent many years at Huayue Pavilion. She immediately noticed Lin Shanyue’s different appearance—and the food box she was carrying.
“I thought you were all alone in the capital. So you actually have friends here?”
Since she had asked, Lin Shanyue decided not to hide it.
Remembering what the Mirror Spirit had said the previous night, she hesitated before answering,
“My family originally came from Yangzhou Prefecture. We ran a fragrance business for many years, but we were persecuted. Coming to the capital was partly to seek refuge, and partly to reconnect with some of my late father’s old acquaintances to see whether there might be opportunities to start a small business here. I hope you won’t laugh at me.”
Madam Liu smiled.
“I understand. Are you looking for someone? Huayue Pavilion may not excel at everything, but we do have plenty of connections. Perhaps I could help you inquire about your father’s old friend.”
Lin Shanyue thought for a moment before recalling someone.
“My father once mentioned a man surnamed Pei, with the given name Chen. But the world is vast—it may not be easy to find him.”
Madam Liu froze for a moment.
“Pei…? If it were another surname, that would be one thing. But the Pei family… that’s the Hedong Pei Clan. You actually know someone from the Pei family?”
The Hedong Pei Clan…
Lin Shanyue suddenly regretted mentioning it.
How could she forget?
This was the imperial capital, where noble clans and aristocratic families held immense power. How could someone like her possibly have connections to such a prestigious household?
Still, she hadn’t made it up.
Her father truly had mentioned the man before. It had simply come to mind naturally.
Since it wasn’t exactly a lie, she merely explained that they had lost contact many years ago and that she herself barely remembered him.
Madam Liu smiled knowingly.
“I understand. If I hear anything, I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for you.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
After thinking for a moment, Lin Shanyue took another plate of pastries from her food box.
Perhaps yesterday they hadn’t been worthy of notice.
But today… things might be different.
“It’s still the milk cakes I made myself. Just a small token of appreciation. I hope you won’t dislike them.”
When she heard they were milk cakes, Madam Liu looked at them more carefully.
Then she noticed the beautiful porcelain plate and smiled.
“You’re far too polite. Que’er, take them inside. This plate… it’s quite lovely. Where did you buy it?”
“It was brought from my family home. If you like it, please accept the plate as well.”
Lin Shanyue felt a pang of reluctance, but there was no helping it.
It would be embarrassing to ask someone to keep the pastries but return the plate.
To her surprise, Madam Liu genuinely liked it.
Taking a silver ingot from her dressing box, she handed it to Lin Shanyue.
“I enjoy dealing with you, Sister Shanyue. I hope we’ll have many more opportunities to work together.”
Naturally, Lin Shanyue was delighted.
As she left Huayue Pavilion, she suddenly had a complete realization of what the Mirror Spirit had meant.
Branding really was important.
At the very least, today Madam Liu would definitely try her milk cakes.
As for her father’s old friend…
He did exist, but Lin Shanyue had no intention of actually finding him.
Collecting her thoughts, she turned and headed briskly toward the cloth shop.
Her clothes were too worn and old-fashioned.
The outfit she was currently wearing was the only decent one she owned.
She needed at least two more sets of clothes.
Xiaobao also had very few clothes.
Children didn’t require much fabric, so she decided to have two new outfits made for him as well.
Madam Liu had always been generous, paying in advance for large quantities of Suhe Incense.
Lin Shanyue still had fifteen taels of silver on her.
That was more than enough to afford a couple of new outfits.