Chapter 087: Someone is Stealing Business

Liu Huanxi discovered that money from women is the easiest to earn. These ladies from official and scholarly families who rarely step outside are very interested in the one-stop service provided by Liu Huanxi's beauty consulting company.
While receiving beauty services, they can enjoy free fitting services for custom clothing. These outfits are one-of-a-kind and will not be replicated to ensure there is no risk of matching styles. Since Liu Huanxi has hired the best tailors and jewelers at high prices for the entire day, even if outsiders attempt to copy, they will not achieve the same level of quality.
You may ask why these tailors and jewelers choose to follow Liu Hanxi instead of establishing their own businesses. It's because these artisans have integrity and desire for personal growth in their skills. They can not only gain substantial income from Liu Hanxi, but also acquire new skills in areas such as fabric matching and exploration of new gem-setting techniques.
However, what they love the most are beauty and skincare services. Liu Hanxi's beauty and massage techniques provide them with a brand-new experience.
Today, she is at Yiwangfu, enjoying a milk bath and then a rose essential oil massage, while chatting. Also present is the wife of the Minister of Rites.
“I have something new to give you two.” Liu Hanxi stood up first and then went behind the screen to change into new clothes. When the two saw it, it was a three-piece sleepwear set, including a camisole, seven-point pants, and an outer shirt, made of thin silk.
“This is sleepwear, meant to be worn at bedtime. I've added a thin layer of cotton at the chest, so there's no need to wear a bellyband anymore. That thing doesn't cover much and isn't very flattering either.”
“Exactly! For your size, it doesn't cover much, but we still manage!” The Princess of Yi chuckled, looking at her sleepwear, which seemed quite charming.
“Hahaha! You two, hurry up and try them on to see if they fit well.” Liu Hanxi pulled them out of the bath.
Both of them looked at the outfits: one set in royal blue, which the Minister's wife favored, and the other in bright red, the favorite of the Prince Yi's wife. After trying them on, they both liked them immensely, and they were quite suitable for the season.
“With such a good thing, why didn’t you take it out earlier? I want three sets; prepare them for me and send them over.” The Prince of Yi admired his own charming appearance in the camisole in front of the bronze mirror, almost falling in love with himself.
“Sure! Recently, I've been quite busy with a lot of things, and I haven't had the time. Good things are coming one after another, so you need to give me some time to study and convert them before I can make them!” Liu Huanxi responded.
“I at least need another set to wear in rotation,” the Minister's wife said with a smile.
“You certainly can’t have too few; today is just to see if the sizes fit. If they do, I will return and have them made up for delivery to your residence,” Liu Hàn Xī quickly replied.
The three of them went for a massage again.
While getting massaged and chatting, the Minister's wife said, "Hanxi, if you hadn't invited me today, I would have been looking for you!"
"What is it that you needed to find me for?"
“Do you know about that new restaurant called ‘Wanxianju’ that opened next to ‘Tianxuan Tower’?”
"Yes!"
“Aren’t you annoyed to have them next door?”
“They have to compete with me first! With both restaurants there, which one are you going to?”
“Of course it's 'Tianxuan Lou.'”
“Exactly! I’m a regular customer; I care about reputation and product quality. How can their table full of shoddy dishes compare to mine?”
“That's true, but do you know who the boss is behind this?” the Minister's wife said mysteriously.
“It's Boss Li! I saw him the other day when I was inspecting the shop,” Liu Hanxi replied.
The Madam of the Minister of Rites noticed she was unaware and immediately sat up, stopped pressing on the pillow, and signaled for a few people to retreat.
“It’s your family’s eldest nephew! You see, you didn’t know, did you?” The Madam of the Minister of Rites patted Liu Huanxi’s thigh, “That day I passed by in my carriage and saw that boss nodding and bowing to your family’s eldest nephew!”
“You're still so attentive!” Liu Huanxi couldn't help but frown.
Liu Huanxi returned home from the Residence of Prince Yi and first went to "Joy on the Brow" to find Lou Fengzhi. Upon arriving at the office, she was surprised to see Hua Qingkong there as well, frowning and studying something intently.
“Is the prince here to make things worse again? Are you afraid that Feng Zhi is too idle?” Liu Huanxi's heart filled with joy upon seeing him, and her earlier displeasure disappeared in an instant.
“No, no.” Lou Fengzhi spoke up first.
“Didn’t you say to choose one of these two pieces of land to buy? I’m currently discussing with Feng Zhi which one to buy?!” Hua Qingkong didn’t look up, still studying the map, while pulling something out from his pocket and handing it to Liu Hanxi.
Liu Hanxi took a look at what she received; it was a round object, and she didn’t know what material it was made of. It was quite light, and it was wrapped in black silk thread.
She was unsure of what it was.
Hua Qingkong then looked up and said, "Try pulling on it."
Liu Hanxi pulled it, and it turned out to be elastic. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Rubber band!" While saying this, she tried it again and found that the elasticity was pretty good.
That rubber band she had been thinking about all along! She had never realized how important it was until now. Here, she felt that for women, it was truly more important than a mobile phone.
“What is this made of?” Liu Huanxi asked curiously.
“When I went to patrol the formation, I saw a dead little beast, its corpse almost eaten up. There was a vulture pecking at it, and it pulled a tendon quite long but couldn't break it...” Hua Qingkong answered with great seriousness.
“Alright, stop it, thank you! I should have known better than to ask…” Liu Huanxi said with a look of disgust as she brought the rubber band to her nose and sniffed it, finding it to have no scent.
“Don't worry, I've handled it, there's no smell, and I made you all of this.” Hua Qingtian said, pulling out a bunch of colorful rubber bands from her pocket. There were black, red, purple, and blue, but no green; she didn't like green.
"Did you make this yourself?"
“Of course, I’m the only one who has heard you describe the appearance of this rubber band; how could anyone else do it?” Hua Qingkong replied.
Liuhanxi held this small pile of rubber bands and chuckled softly.
“Madam, you came over to…” Lou Fengzhi glanced at the two playfully flirting, feeling a bit out of place, recalling that she must have something to discuss at this time.
“Oh no, I forgot the important matter!” Liu Hanxi slapped her thigh.
The two of them turned to look at her. She told them about the situation at Wanjianju.
“My business can be taken by anyone, but the Liu family cannot take it! They won't win either!” Liu Hanxi said indignantly. When she got to the point of her anger, she wanted to slap the table, and Hua Qingkong silently caught her hand in the air and held it in his own.
“What do you think we should do? I'll take care of it.” Lou Fengzhi said.
Liuhanshu turned to Hua Qingkong.
“Do whatever you want, as long as you're happy.” Hua Qingkong said with a doting expression.
“It costs a lot of money!” Liu Hanxi raised an eyebrow.
“The Zhen Wangfu has a large enterprise, so it's not impossible.” Hua Qingkong said with a smile.
Liu Hanxi also smiled, waved to Lou Fengzhi, and the three huddled together to discuss their strategy. Rather than a discussion, it was more two people listening to Liu Hanxi speak.
It's done, and both of them have only one thought: never offend Liu Hanxi.