Lin Shanyue could not see him, but Huo Yi could see her clearly.
In truth, even by modern standards, the young girl was quite beautiful—certainly more so than many minor celebrities.
Huo Yi gave a light cough and looked away. "I saw you buying porcelain plates today. Do you feel the milk cakes don't sell well on their own?"
Lin Shanyue nodded. "Yes. I know the snacks are good, but if I cannot make others perceive them as such, it’s all in vain."
"That is the way of business. Do you know what this is called? It’s called packaging. No matter what the item is, if the packaging is poor, high sales are a matter of chance. But if the packaging is excellent, even if the goods are merely average, the probability of strong sales is much higher."
Lin Shanyue thought for a moment and said, "Do you mean that I need to promote them more? My intention in buying the porcelain plates was to elevate the status of the goods. To be honest, I even sent some cakes to the head mistress at Huayue Pavilion today, but since she is accustomed to finer things... I doubt she will even try them."
"That is the right reasoning, but the porcelain is only external. You are also important."
"Me...?"
Huo Yi sighed. "Your image and status can define the value of your goods. That is prestige. Why else would so many merchants strive for status?"
Lin Shanyue caught on instantly. "I think I understand... Thank you, Young Master."
Huo Yi replied with a hum. In truth, what he had shared was only the surface; his grandfather was the one who truly understood the art of business. But she was still just a young girl; they would take it one step at a time.
As the night grew deep, Lin Shanyue prepared to sleep.
After washing up, she returned to her room and habitually moved the Silver Mirror to a different spot. Before getting into bed, she glanced at it once more.
She moved the mirror every night, and the Mirror Demon Young Master had never said a word. It seemed he was a person of etiquette and did not have many taboos. Could she perhaps take him out with her in the future?
Startled by her own thought, Lin Shanyue hurried into her quilt and went to sleep. Xiaobao, who was sound asleep, suddenly turned over and rolled into her arms.
***
2024, Huoshi Group.
Huo Yi was awakened early by a call from his grandfather. The old man was very excited. "Third son, I heard you managed to get a few pieces of porcelain yesterday. The experts have appraised them; they are likely from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Real treasures!"
Huo Yi shook himself awake. Da Qian...
Historical records indeed mentioned it. It seemed that time period was real?
"Grandfather, so these items have value?"
"Haha! Not just value, but great value! Well done, well done. You’ve truly impressed me this time. Where did you dig these up? And they’re so well-preserved!"
Huo Yi replied evasively, "I was just lucky. I got them from a friend in Yunnan."
"Very good. By the way, keep pushing forward with the jade pieces!"
"Understood, Grandfather."
After hanging up, Huo Yi splashed some water on his face to wake himself up. He did have to visit some antique collectors today. He glanced into the mirror, but the girl had already left, and Xiaobao was gone, too. Huo Yi had no choice but to focus on his own day.
Lin Shanyue was currently at Huayue Pavilion.
She had risen early to steam a basket of milk cakes, using the porcelain Huo Yi had given her. She had also changed into a new outfit; while not particularly extravagant, it gave her a fresh and refined look.
Liu Niang was waiting for her as usual. The Storax Incense was fine, but today, Liu Niang took an extra look at her and asked, "Sister Shanyue, are you going to visit someone today?"
Lin Shanyue smiled. "Indeed, I am going to see an old friend."
Liu Niang, having spent so long at Huayue Pavilion, could see the difference in her today, as well as the box by her side.
"I thought you were all alone in the Imperial Capital. It turns out you do have friends here?"
Since she had asked, Lin Shanyue decided not to hide it. Recalling the words of the Mirror Demon Young Master last night, she hesitated and said, "My family is from the Yangzhou Prefecture, where we ran an incense shop for many years. We were persecuted, so coming to the Imperial Capital was, first, to seek refuge, and second, to visit an old friend of my father's to see if there might be a way to start a small business here. Please forgive my lack of stature."
Liu Niang smiled. "I understand. Are you looking for someone? You know, while Huayue Pavilion isn't much, perhaps I can keep an eye out for your father's old friend through my connections?"
Lin Shanyue thought for a moment and actually came up with a name. "My father said his surname was Pei, with the given name Chen. But the world is vast, and I am sure it won't be easy to find him."
Liu Niang was stunned. "Pei...? If it were any other surname, perhaps, but this is the Hedong Pei Clan. You actually know someone from the Pei family?"
The Hedong Pei Clan...
Lin Shanyue felt a pang of regret. How could she have forgotten that? In the Imperial Capital, under the Emperor's feet, social status and aristocratic lineage were everything. A high-ranking family like that was not someone she could hope to reach.
However, she hadn't been making it up; her father had indeed mentioned the man, which was why the name had come to her. Never mind, it wasn't a lie. Lin Shanyue chatted for a few more moments, stating only that they hadn't been in touch for years and she feared she might not even recognize him now.
Liu Niang smiled. "I understand. If I hear anything, I will certainly keep an eye out for you, sister."
"Thank you so much, Lady." Lin Shanyue thought for a moment and took out another plate of snacks from her food box. Perhaps yesterday the people there hadn't been interested, but today might be different.
"It is my own milk cakes, just a small token. I hope you do not mind."
Hearing they were milk cakes, Liu Niang looked at them with interest. Seeing the beautiful plate, she laughed, "You are truly too kind. Que'niao, take them. And this plate... it's quite lovely. Where did you buy it?"
"I brought it from home. If you like it, you may keep it." Lin Shanyue felt a twinge of heartbreak, but there was no helping it. She couldn't leave the snacks and take the plate back; that would be shameful.
Liu Niang was genuinely fond of it—it didn't seem like she was merely being polite. She smiled, took a small silver coin from her vanity, and handed it to Lin Shanyue. "I enjoy dealing with you, sister Shanyue. Let us keep in touch often."
Lin Shanyue was naturally delighted.
After walking out of Huayue Pavilion, she suddenly had a profound realization regarding the Mirror Demon Young Master's words. Packaging was indeed important.
At the very least, today, Liu Niang would definitely taste her cakes.
As for the old friend, he was real, but Lin Shanyue didn't actually intend to find him. She composed herself and turned to head quickly toward the fabric shop.
Her current clothes were a bit worn and outdated. The only one that looked decent was the one she was wearing; she needed to add a few more outfits to her wardrobe.
Liu Niang was generous, and since she always paid for the Storax Incense in advance, Lin Shanyue now had fifteen taels. A new outfit was well within her means.
Xiaobao didn't have many clothes either, and since a child didn't require much fabric, she decided she would get a couple of new sets for him as well.