Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

It was already noon when the three of them arrived at the tavern. There weren't too many people in the tavern, after all, most people had to work or do things in the afternoon. The tavern was really lively at night, when everyone liked to come here to have a couple of drinks and chat and brag after a busy day.

The three of them found an empty table and sat down, ordering two pots of wine and a few side dishes. Xu Damao looked around but didn't see Niu Ye and Pian Ye. However, the speed of serving the dishes was not slow, and a waitress brought the food up soon.

Chen Xueru pulled the waiter's arm and asked, "Where is Huizhen? Just tell her that a friend is coming and ask her to come over."

"Okay, Manager Chen, we should go to the back to take care of the child," said the waiter.

After a while, Xu Huizhen came in from the back door, "Come, let me see which friend is here... Oh, it's Brother Damao, you haven't been here for a while."

"Ever since you left last time, Huizhen has mentioned you often and talked about you a lot." Chen Xueru said.

However, Xu Damao felt something was wrong. What did he mean by "thinking about me often"? Didn't he see that his wife was right next to him? Why was there such a big ambiguity in his words?

"Don't say that. Manager Xu is thinking about my winemaking recipe!"

"Oh, look, I spoke without thinking. She really wants your wine-making recipe." Chen Xueru said.

Xu Huizhen also said very straightforwardly: "Brother Damao, my family has been making wine for generations. My father is the director of a winery, and I am also very interested in making wine. I am indeed thinking of your recipe. Just mention any conditions you have."

Xu Damao played with the wine glass and looked at Li Huizhen with interest. "I have the recipe. You can exchange it for it. But do you have anything to exchange?"

Xu Huizhen looked around and then at herself, and found that she really had nothing to offer in exchange. She couldn't just give her body away, as the man's wife was sitting next to her, and she was much more beautiful than she was.

Xu Huizhen said dejectedly, "I...I really don't have anything to exchange."

"Then let me make a condition. If you work as my manager for ten years, I will give you this formula for free." Xu Damao put forward his own conditions.

"what?"

"Being a manager for ten years?"

"Where can I be a manager for you? All businesses are public-private partnerships now, and I can't leave here." Xu Huizhen said helplessly.

"I'm talking about the future, not now. It will be about ten years from now. Your salary and benefits will be paid as usual by then. I want to do big business in the future, which is not comparable to your small tavern. You just need to work for me for ten years." Xu Damao explained.

"I'll think about this."

Xu Damao took out a folded paper from the space and slapped it on the table, "If you are willing, let's sign a document and let Manager Chen be a witness. If you are not willing, forget it, and don't look for me again in the future."

Xu Huizhen was in a state of confusion at the moment, as she wanted the formula but didn't want to sign the contract. She felt something was strange, just like when she signed the contract to sell herself.

Chen Xueru, who was standing by, noticed her hesitation, pulled her by the hand and whispered, "Huizhen, this opportunity is rare. With this formula, you can revive your family business and pass it down to future generations. Besides, it doesn't matter where you work, especially after more than ten years."

Xu Huizhen gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, I'll sign this agreement. I hope you won't sell me out."

Xu Damao smiled and said, "That's right, don't be so angry, we are family from now on."

Xu Damao took out a pen and paper and wrote three copies of the document, signed his name and handed them to Xu Huizhen. Xu Huizhen read it carefully twice and signed her name. Finally, the witness Chen Xueru signed. Each of the three copies kept one copy, and Xu Damao pushed the secret recipe of winemaking to Xu Huizhen.

After Xu Huizhen took it, she read it carefully several times. The more she read, the brighter her eyes became. This turned out to be the lost secret recipe for brewing Liu Lingzui. It was truly a treasure that could be passed down from generation to generation.

Lou Xiao'e hadn't said anything when her husband was negotiating just now. Now that she saw that the deal had been concluded and Xu Damao's goal had been achieved, she said, "Sister Xu, don't be angry. My Damao doesn't want to force you to do anything. He just wants to use this method to cooperate with you so that we can do business together in the future. He told me at home before that you and Manager Chen are both rare strong women. He recognizes your character and business talents very much. Even if you disagree today, he will give you the secret recipe."

Xu Damao secretly praised his wife for her excellent assisting skills. Not only did she perfectly resolve the somewhat awkward atmosphere, but she also brought him closer to Xu Huizhen and Chen Xueru.

"Okay, Sister Huizhen, we are all family from now on. Today I just used some tricks to reach a cooperation with you as soon as possible. If I have offended you, I will drink a glass of wine here to apologize to you. I have a good relationship with Lao Cai. I never know when I will come to your wedding." Xu Damao guessed that their relationship was very close based on what Wobo said before, and they might get married soon. After Xu Damao finished speaking, he picked up the wine glass and drank it all, and took out the document he had just signed and tore it up.

"Okay, Brother Damao is a straightforward man. Today, let's drink a glass of wine to forget the past grudges. I'll drink it too." Xu Huizhen also picked up the wine and drank it all.

Chen Xueru next to her couldn't sit still. Lou Xiao'e had mentioned before that Xu Damao admired her very much, but now she didn't invite her to join. She couldn't let Xu Huizhen outshine her. "Brother Damao, can you tell me what you want to do? If possible, I want to join too!"

Seeing that the drinkers around him had already left, Xu Damao did not hide anything and began to talk freely about the current situation and the changes that would happen in the future. "In short, it is necessary to open up the market in the future. Then it will be time for us to make great plans and do business."

Xu Damao's long speech made the three girls excited, and they couldn't wait to have a fight. Chen Xueru said excitedly, "Brother Damao, I want to join in too."

"Okay, I'll leave it to you two sisters from now on. But this matter cannot be revealed now. Let's keep a low profile until the time is right." Xu Damao instructed.

The three women responded in unison, like female generals who couldn't wait to go into battle and kill the enemy.

When they saw another guest coming in, they changed the topic and started chatting casually.

"Sister Huizhen, if you see Master Niu's words, please tell him for me that I have a big deal and want to find him. If he is interested, he can come find me. My house is in the backyard of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang."

"Okay, sister, I promise to convey it."

"Okay, we have things to do this afternoon, so we'll take our leave now. Goodbye, sisters."