After Three Drinks

There was no wine.

After savoring five exquisite dishes.

Amidst the continuous praises from Zhang Weimin and Yan Huaili about the flavors.

Ye Chen calmly accepted all compliments without arrogance or excitement.

But no matter how delicious the food, it's just a fleeting pleasure. A few words later, the matter is over.

After putting down his chopsticks, Yan Huaili wiped his mouth.

Without engaging in small talk, he went straight to the point. "Xiao Ye, what's the deal with this flawless cream of yours? Even someone like me, who rarely goes online, knows about it. People at the municipal building were talking about it today!"

Ye Chen wasn't surprised that Yan Huaili knew about the flawless cream.

In fact, he had already guessed that Yan Huaili was likely here for it.

But what surprised him was that the online buzz had even reached the municipal building?

"What does Secretary Yan want to know?" Ye Chen smiled.

"A product with a conscience?" Yan Huaili raised an eyebrow with a subtle smile.

"Heaven and earth as witnesses!" Ye Chen's voice was firm. "If it were one of those scam products, how long do you think I could keep it up? Consumers might fall for it once, but would they keep coming back? In this age of the internet, even the smallest issue could drown me in public opinion. Would I risk it?"

After a brief pause, Ye Chen continued, "Also, I'm sure you know that the flawless cream has all the necessary official approvals. I owe the old secretary a lot of favors for that. Would I drag him down just to make a quick profit?"

This time, Yan Huaili was silent.

He had thought about these questions long ago.

But the promotion of the flawless cream was so incredible that it was hard not to think it might be a scam.

However, given what he knew about Ye Chen, the young man's vision and ambition wouldn't be confined to small-time profiteering.

"I told you, Ye wouldn't engage in self-destructive behavior. I wouldn't stick my neck out for him if I didn't believe he had a clear sense of priority," Zhang Weimin said with a gentle smile.

"Xiao Ye, I know you wouldn't compromise for such small gains. My political career might not be remarkable, but I trust my judgment. I don't see you as someone shortsighted. But I have to ask-does the flawless cream really work as advertised? Does it truly show results in seven days and significant improvement in two weeks?" Yan Huaili questioned.

"It does. Otherwise, do you think I'd invest so much into it? In fact, seven days is underselling it-people notice changes in just three days!" Ye Chen replied confidently.

Seeing Ye Chen's unwavering confidence, Yan Huaili's usually stoic face showed a flicker of emotion.

If Ye Chen's words held no exaggeration, the implications were clear to him.

This would turn Yi Ren Ru Xue into Jiangzhou's brightest symbol.

For Jiangzhou's GDP, it could mean a significant boost.

For any official, this was the kind of opportunity they could only dream of.

"If this product performs as promised, it could dominate the market, perhaps even monopolize it," Yan Huaili said seriously.

"It likely will. But this kind of monopoly is driven by quality, not by any malicious intent," Ye Chen nodded with a smile.

"And you're pricing it at just 399?" Yan Huaili asked, puzzled.

"So that everyone can afford it," Ye Chen replied without hesitation.

Yan Huaili was stunned.

It's natural for businesses to seek profit.

For a miraculous product like this, 999 wouldn't be too much, let alone 399.

But Ye Chen chose accessibility over maximizing profit?

Throughout his career, Yan Huaili had met countless businessmen. A few might be ethical, but none would willingly forgo profit when given a chance for massive earnings.

For Ye Chen-an orphan who had lived a hard life for over twenty years-to pass on such an opportunity for profit out of consideration for the public?

Yan Huaili found himself increasingly unable to read this extraordinary young man.

"Maybe prices will rise in the future along with income levels and inflation. But I promise the price will always remain within a range that the average consumer can afford," Ye Chen added.

Yan Huaili nodded.

A forward-thinker himself, he could already envision the future of flawless cream sweeping the nation, and perhaps the world.

He knew that if he could foresee this, Ye Chen, with his sharp instincts, surely could too.

Yet Ye Chen still spoke with such sincerity.

For the first time, Yan Huaili felt genuine respect for a young man.

"When this product takes off, countless competitors and capitalists will try to take it down. This could disrupt the entire market. Can you handle it?" Zhang Weimin, the old secretary, asked gravely.

Though his career was in politics, Zhang Weimin had witnessed enough of the ruthless nature of the business world.

"That's a difficult question, Secretary Zhang. But to speak boldly, I believe no one can shake my position in this field for decades. If I can't withstand the competition, then I deserve to lose. Besides, aren't you all here to support me?" Ye Chen joked.

This drew laughter from both Yan Huaili and Zhang Weimin.

"As long as you stay lawful and steer clear of trouble, I will stand by you as long as I am in Jiangzhou," Yan Huaili said solemnly.

"I'm near the end of my career, but as long as I live, I'll back you as well. Not just because I owe you, but because I truly hope you can contribute to society and the country," Zhang Weimin added earnestly.

The conversation grew heavy.

Ye Chen felt at a loss for words, touched by their trust.

"Will Yi Ren Ru Xue stay in Jiangzhou?" Yan Huaili asked after a brief silence.

He foresaw the future. As Yi Ren Ru Xue and the flawless cream gained fame, other provinces and cities would undoubtedly try to lure them away.

The cream alone, at 399 a bottle, could generate billions.

"Will Yi Ren Ru Xue stay in Jiangzhou?"

Ye Chen paused, then replied firmly, "If I am treated as a statesman, I will repay as one."

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The Chapter 200 is the last chapter for Volume 1.

The subsequent chapters continue in Volume 2.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/387101322-rebirth-building-a-business-empire-volume-2