Xiao Hua then took out a bunch of papers from his robe and slapped them on the tea table in front of Yu Dong " I have done my homework and finally come up with this plan, you seem to be quite apt in home-brewed alcohol, aren't you? Then I was thinking of starting a mer bar with you as a sixty per cent partner"
Yu Dong picked up the papers and skimmed through them, she didn't show it on her face but she was indeed really surprised by Xiao Hua's capability. Just as she expected the mer was really smart and his business mind wasn't something to be trifled within just a few days he came with such a detailed plan " and you thought of it all by yourself ?"
" of course I did, who do you think I'm?" said Xiao Hua arrogantly, lifting his chin up with a haughty snort " I have already rounded the mers who wants to leave the tavern, and they are quite beautiful and talented, with me around I can easily poach them. I don't even need to give them anything except for their redemption from that place, these mers are quite popular as you already -"
Yu Dong raised her head and lifted an eyebrow making Xiao Hua to choke on his words, he coughed and then cleared his throat before continuing "anyway what I'm saying is that they have a bunch of customers who appreciate their beauty and talents. Just like me, these mers are clean and I assure you that if you agree to my terms then I promise you I will return every penny that you spent on us. If the business fails then it's all on me, I will willingly do whatever you want to do with me, I won't even fuss if you sell me to a woman and -"
" I agree" Yu Dong didn't wait for Xiao Hua to complete his oaths, she wasn't worried about the business failing either. What Xiao Hua came up with was a modified version of a maid cafe, mers dressed up like little princes and serving the customers. While Xiao Hua will be responsible for entertaining the guests with his singing, though Yu Dong didn't have any interest in Xiao Hua, she has to admit that his voice was magical.
He might be arrogant and brash but he had the brains and talents to act overbearing.
And lastly, even if by any miraculous pull the business failed, she will just let Xiao Hua and those mers work in her fields as rent-free workers instead of selling them, she wasn't afraid of losing a cent.
With her capabilities, she will never suffer a loss silently.
" you..you agree?" Xiao Hua was surprised, he didn't think that Yu Dong would agree so soon. He wanted to convince her some more, he even thought that he will go as far as to make a blood oath but looks like there was no need for it? Really it was that simple?
Yu Dong's lips curled up and she asked in a teasing manner " do you not want me to agree?"
" no, no! Of course, I want you to agree" said Xiao Hua slightly flustered, he tugged on his sleeves and swallowed before continuing " but I - I only came up with the plan. I have no money, I can't buy a shop in the town either nor can I redeem the other mers as well, it's -"
"Just spit it out, I know you are here for money, so how much is it?" wasn't this guy straightforward what's with this dilly-dallying, he can insult anyone without thinking what was coming out of his mouth but he was hesitating so much while asking for money?
Xiao Hua sputtered and then nervously scratched the back of his hand " thirty -"
" silvers?" asked Ye Liu, his eyes widening that was a lot of money, his monthly budget was of five to six silver taels.
" what do you mean silver? Do you think I'm so cheap? It's gold you dumb-" Xiao Hua paused under Yu Dong's glare and immediately changed his words " master, it's thirty gold taels, you know we have to look a decent shop, plus redeem other mers together with me so how can it just be thirty silver taels?"
" thirty taels of gold?" shrieked Ye Liu, his mouth dropping to the floor " that's absurd! How can it be thirty taels of gold? That's equivalent to three thousand silver taels! I - that's -"
" calm down brother Liu" when Chen Mi saw that Ye Liu was huffing and puffing like an angry bull, he was really scared. His brother Liu hardly ever got angry but when he did it meant everyone suffers. Ye Liu's temper was fickle, he can get angry in a second and then calm down the next after Chen Mi thumped on his back to ease his stress attack, Ye Liu calmed down and then once again looked at Xiao Hua.
" that is some astronomical sum you are asking for Mr Xiao, are you sure you can take this big of a risk on your head? I mean you can always continue with how you are doing currently "
Xiao Hua looked down and his heart dropped out of his chest. Though he knew his plan was full proof and was confident, he knew the money that he was asking for was really too much. Thirty gold, they weren't easy to earn, even he with his status as the most beautiful mer of the town didn't have thirty Silvers to rub together much less thirty gold taels but he " I understand that the risk is too high and I will understand if you are not willing to pay me, after all, I have given you nothing but a baseless plan. But just believe me for this once, just once I promise that I will make this plan succeed. I will! I swear! If I can't you can sell me anywhere or to anyone without a doubt!"
Xiao Hua knew the risk when he came here, he knew what he giving up here but he would rather take this risk and give up everything that he has than become someone's pet toy!
He hasn't forgotten what happened to his daddy yet!
Yu Dong leaned back, she has seen all kinds of desperations. And it didn't matter to her if Xiao Hua was in a compromising situation, but the plan he came up with was indeed flawless" fine, I agree to your terms but remember it very carefully that if you don't succeed I will sell you without batting an eye"