Chapter 360 – Business
Smith looked at Megan who was hastily walking and then smiled to Zhao Hai, "Little Hai, come. I'll introduce you two. This is my daughter Megan, the little princess of my family. Megan, meet Zhao Hai, ah, he currently uses the alias Wales."
Hearing Smith saying that Zhao Hai was Wales, Megan couldn't help but stare. Then she remembered Laura who gave her milk wine yesterday.
However, Megan immediately recovered, she went forward and gave Zhao Hai a salute and said, "Megan has seen Mister Zhao Hai."
Zhao Hai got up immediately and returned her courtesy, he said, "Miss Megan is too courteous." Since she was still standing up, Megan went to sit next to her big brother.
But when Zhao Hai looked at Megan, he couldn't help but feel stunned. Not only because of Megan's name, but also because of her appearance. When Zhao Hai first saw Laura, she was surprised because Laura closely resembled a certain Taylor back on earth, but she has a bit more courageous aura.
And this time when he saw Megan, he was startled, this was because Megan not only has the same name as a certain american actress, she also resembled her appearance. Both their statures were a bit tall, a sweet and pretty appearance, but this Megan has a certain look on her eyes that the other Megan didn't have.
Currently, Megan was wearing a young lady's skirt that most Noble young ladies wear. She appeared very beautiful, as attractive as a real princess.
However, Zhao Hai also knew that staring at a girl for too long is impolite. Therefore he looked at Megan for a short while then turned his head to Smith to continue talking.
Chris and Diya were also sitting at the side and calmly listened to the people speaking on the table. Although they were of the same age group as Zhao Hai, they felt something different from him. It's not only because of his imposing aura, but it was also mainly because he was comfortably talking with Smith as though they were equals, it gave the two young men tremendous pressure.
At this time, the meals were already prepared, since it was breakfast, the dishes on the table weren't very complex, each looked very defined but still simple nonetheless.
Smith invited Zhao Hai and the others to the table, Laura and Meg were Zhao Hai's fiancees, so naturally there were also ushered to the table. In Sky Water City, Laura and Meg didn't need to play a role as Zhao Hai's maids. Presently, Zhao Hai introduced them as his fiancees.
On the table, Smith introduced Megan to Laura and Meg. Laura and Meg were of the same age as Megan, so naturally Smith was hoping that Laura could befriend his only daughter.
After breakfast, Zhao Hai asked Laura and Meg to go the city and play around with Megan while he went to his carriage and went to Shelley Hotel and see Ruyen. He also needed to see Marriott and have his cooperation with Shelley Family begin.
The bull-pulled carriage arrived at the hotel's front door quickly. When the carriage arrived at the hotel, an attendant immediately came forward to greet Zhao Hai while another one went and informed Marriott and Might.
Zhao Hai first went to the suite Ruyen was staying in. Ruyen’s room was naturally the best accommodation in the hotel. Because of her connection with Zhao Hai, the hotel has taken good care of her.
Outside Ruyen's room, Shun knocked on the door while Jill opened it. When he saw Zhao Hai, he immediately led him inside the room.
Since this was the hotel's best accommodation, there was a living room present. After Zhao Hai and Shun arrived and sat down, Jill went and served Zhao Hai some tea. Zhao Hai looked at the silent Ruyen and calmly said, "Young lady. This trouble was caused by me. I have already talked clearly with the Grand Duke. He will send a ship to come and meet you, you need only to stay in the hotel these days, you could also take a walk around the city, you're safe here."
Ruyen lowered her head and said, "I thank mister for the care and I apologize for the trouble I caused along the way, I'm sorry."
Ruyen becoming very polite made Zhao Hai feel very strange. Then he shook his head and said, "To talk about trouble, the majority we encountered on the road were mostly caused by me anyway. It should be me who'll say sorry. This time you've lost so many guards without knowing, I'm really sorry about that. If miss Ruyen has any trouble in the future, you can go look for me, I'll see what I can do to help."
Ruyen looked up at Zhao Hai, then lowered her head again as she said, "Ruyen thanks Mister."
Zhao Hai saw that Ruyen didn't want to get in contact with him, but he didn't say anything, he just stood up and said, "Then I won't disturb the young lady any further. Rest well, young lady, farewell."
Zhao Hai led Shun out of the room and saw Might and Marriott standing outside. Zhao Hai couldn't help but stare, then he laughed and said, "What are you two doing here? Are you eavesdropping?"
Might and Marriott couldn't help but stare at each other and smile bitterly, obviously they didn't come to eavesdrop, they were here to see Zhao Hai.
Before, when they heard that Zhao Hai would visit the City Lord, they thought that it would only be an ordinary visit. After all, the status between Zhao Hai and Smith was quite too far.
But who would've thought that Zhao Hai would actually be given a residence inside the City Lord's mansion? The City Lord even sent some people to tell them that Zhao Hai will now live inside the mansion and that they were here to collect his things.
They didn't dare stop them, one must know that Calci Family was the hegemon inside Sky Water City. They immediately handed Zhao Hai's things over.
This made the two of them worried, they didn't think that Zhao Hai would have such a good relationship with the Smith. If Zhao Hao chooses to cooperate with the Calci Family, then what would happen to them? This became a problem, after all, the Calci Family is much stronger than Shelley Family.
Yesterday, they were very worried that Zhao Hai would cut off his cooperation with Shelley Family. If this was the case, their losses would be very huge. Although losing 10,000 jin of milk wine isn't a big deal to Shelley Family, Zhao Hai was. Zhao Hai was a Space Mage. For such a person to have a connection to them, it would be very good for Shelley Family.
So when they heard from the attendant that Zhao Hai came, the two of them couldn't sit still. They immediately went to Ruyen's room and wanted to intercept Zhao Hai. But when they looked at Zhao Hai's joking appearance, they immediately sighed with relief, this meant that Zhao Hai wasn't intending to cut their partnership.
Marriott immediately smiled and said, "How could we just let you go. Come, come, let's drink a couple of cups" Zhao Hai didn't refuse and followed Marriott to his office.
After the three sat down, a waiter poured the three of them a cup of fruit wine each then he retired. The people that remained in the room were the three people and Shun who stood at the side.
Marriott saw that Zhao Hai didn't make Shun leave, so he reckoned that Shun must be Zhao Hai's confidant. He didn't hold back and asked Zhao Hai, "Wales, you're close with City Lord Smith?"
Zhao Hai smiled and said, "It's just okay, the City Lord was being overly hospitable, so I have no choice but to accept his invitation. He also gave me Sweet Plum courtyard, but I don't like living there, it's too constrained, I might as well live outside."
Marriott can only smile bitterly, if others heard what Zhao Hai just said, they would think of him as a hypocrite. Inside Sky Water city, if you can manage to live inside the City Lord's mansion, then you certainly are someone with extraordinary status. Not to mention, Smith gave him Sweet Plum Courtyard, this was one of the best courtyards inside the mansion.
Might gave a smile and said, "Come on, stop showing off. Right, did you make a partnership with the City Lord?"
Zhao Hai nodded, "Yes, we're also partnering up for milk wine as well as other things. Thus, there would be no way for me to increase how much I supply here. We only have to wait until later on when the output of my wine increases, then we can slowly increase the supply. What do you think?'
Might and Marriott relaxed, it was like piece of heavy stone fell out from their hearts. They were very afraid that Zhao Hai wouldn't be able to cooperate with them anymore. As long as they have a partnership with Zhao Hai, everything was good.
Marriott immediately responded, "Of course, we'll wait until you increase your production."
Zhao Hai looked at Marriott and smiled faintly, "I also have several things that may be used for our cooperation, I don't know if you'll accept?"
Marriott stared, then quickly nodded, "What kind of products? Let me see."
Zhao Hai gave a faint smile as he waved his hand. On the ground, there was a pile of things. Might and Marriott saw very ordinary things, Bamboo rice, and various magic vegetables. These were very common in the continent, not really remarkable.
Seeing their appearance, Zhao Hai just smiled as he said, "Make your people prepare some dishes using these. After he have a meal, then we'll continue discussing."
Marriott wasn't a fool, he knew where Zhao Hai was getting at. So he immediately ordered an attendant to take these rice and vegetables to the kitchen to prepare some dishes and have them sent to the dining hall.
Before long, the group arrived at the dining hall and saw the dishes. The dishes were very ordinary, Zhao Hai smiled and let Might and Marriott taste it. Marriott wasn't polite, and he immediately tasted the food.
Marriott immediately noticed the differences on this dish. Although these were ordinary dishes, they were cooked by the chef who made his food everyday. But today he felt that even though he had eaten the exact same dish, this one was much better than what he usually ate.
Marriott could confirm that the improvement of the dish's taste wasn't related to the chef. This was surely because the vegetables used were very good, so when adding on to the chef's exceptional skills, the dish made was naturally a delicacy.
Marriott placed his fork down, then he turned to Zhao Hai and said, "You're saying that you'll cooperate with this?"
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, "Right, what do you think? Can we strike a partnership? I can guarantee that the vegetables' quality will stay the same in the future."
Marriott's eyes lit up, "Of course! With your vegetables, the services of our hotel will reach another level. By the way, how much vegetables could you supply?"
Chapter 361 – Fire Fish Business
Zhao Hai smiled and said, "Plenty, and I also have some magic vegetables not seen before in the continent. If you are interested, I can also supply you with those vegetables along with a few recipes. This will become your unique business. Interested?"
Marriott's eyes lit up even further, he looked at Zhao Hai and said, "Really? If you have vegetables that didn't exist in the continent, then we want a lot of them."
Zhao Hai laughed, "Brother Marriott, you're being too greedy, I like it. Be relieved, when I go back, I'll immediately make an inventory on how many vegetables I could produce each day. I'll tell you after then, what do you think?"
Marriott nodded and said, "Good. then I'll wait for the news. Much better if it came sooner."
Zhao Hai nodded, then looked at Marriott, "Brother Marriott, I have another business, I don't know if …" Without even waiting for Zhao Hai to finish, Marriott immediately replied, "Sure."
Zhao Hai continued, "I haven't even said what business it is. This business is risky. If they're not a big family like the Shelley family, they won't be able to handle it, even afford it."
Marriott's expression sank, then he calmly asked, "Tell me the business, as long as it's your business, the Family will be willing to cooperate."
Zhao hai smiled faintly then said, "It's not that serious, this business can also be considered as a unique business. But this one will make a lot of people jealous, Fire Fishes!
Marriott stood up, he looked at Zhao Hai and asked seriously, "Fire Fish? How much do you have?"
Zhao Hai gave a smile and said, "10,000 per month."
Marriott muttered, "Ten thousand, ten thousand." While Marriott was walking back and forth, Zhao Hai observed his appearance and couldn't help but faintly smile. Then he turned to the still surprised Might, he shook his head and said, "Hai, these two people, it seems like they went to another dimension."
After hearing Zhao Hai's words, the two people immediately recovered. They looked at Zhao Hai with eyes as bright as the sun. Marriott rushed towards Zhao Hai and said, "Brother, are you sure about what you just said? Can you really provide the family with 10,000 fire fishes per month? It's not 100 or 1,000 but 10,000?"
Zhao Hai smiled and confirmed, "Correct, it's 10,000. How about that? Would you dare take this business?"
Marriott laughed and said, "Of course! I'd be killed by the family If I decline this business. Brother, ah, you really are my lucky star! You're Shelley Family's lucky star!"
Zhao Hai smiled, "Come on, they're just fire fishes. If you have a lot of money, you can easily get tired of it. To tell you the truth, I barely eat it anymore."
Marriott didn't get angry with what Zhao Hai said, he only retorted, "Other people will beat you up if they hear what you just said. Brother, you don't understand the current situation of the Shelley Family. When we were pressured by Grand Duke Lionheart inside Rosen Empire, our businesses on other parts of the continent became affected as well. Even if we managed to deal with Lionheart, our hotel business would still be in a slump for a long time. But now that brother will supply us with fire fishes and vegetables, we could use them to promote our hotel and get good business. This is why I said that brother is really Shelley Family's lucky star. But brother, does City Lord Smith know that you have some fire fishes? How could he let go of this business?"
As a native, Marriott clearly knew the value of fire fishes to the people in the continent. The reason fire fishes were valuable was because they were very rare. If it could be seen everywhere like radishes on the street, it wouldn't be valuable.
This fire fish business was sure to be profitable. Do not underestimate 10,000 fire fishes per month. After processing, Shelley hotel could bring from at least 4,000 to at most 50,000 gold coins per day in income. For other people, seeing the amount of profit that these fire fishes could generate, how could they be willing to give it up?
Upon hearing Marriott's question, Zhao Hai shook his head and said, "This is something that brother Smith didn't know. But don't worry, when I head back I'll go and inform him. After all, these fishes are mine, so I get to choose who to sell it to. He wouldn't object as to who I partner up. Right, I can supply you with 10,000 fire fishes per month but you need to make sure to prepare somewhere the fishes could be stored. You should know that these fishes are quite fragile."
Marriott nodded, "Yes, this should be readied. Don't worry, I'll have it ready in no time."
Zhao Hai faintly smiled, "Then that's it. In two days I should have everything inventoried. You'll also have to tell me where to take the products, but I'd much prefer them delivered here. Transporting cargo to Sky Water City is very convenient."
Marriott nodded, "Ok good. Also, how would you transport the fire fishes? Will they come in a single shipment, or is it possible for you do them in batches?"
Zhao Hai smiled, "Okay then, let's do them in batches. Every batch will take ten days, the first two will have 3,000 fishes while the last one will have 4,000. What do you think?"
Marriott smiled, "That's good, hahaha, then it's settled. We'll just wait here for the news." Zhao Hai nodded then stood up, "Then I'll head back first, I still need to tell Brother Smith about the fire fishes as well as the other businesses." Then he walked out of the office with Marriott and Might escorting him.
Looking at Zhao Hai leave, Marriot and Might returned to the office. Marriott looked at Might and said, "Might, where did you say Zhao Hai was from? How did he have so many good things on his hands?"
Might replied with a still smiled, "You haven't checked with the family? Well, there's no point anyway since there's not much information about him. From what the family found out, the earliest period where Zhao Hai appeared was when he came from the Black Fortress. It's the only thing we got from his appearance, he was very low-key. His means were also very fierce, and he always had a lot of good things on his hands. It was precisely because of these products that he couldn't stay inside Aksu Empire because of Southern King Boris. Boris coveted the things on his hand and even made Zhao Hai form an enmity with the Markey Family. It was then that Laura had a falling out with the family and went with Zhao Hai; she even got engaged to him. It could be said that he had gained two good things, Laura's business experience as well as the amount of money he made. Afterwards, they went to the prairie. Nobody knew what he did at the Beastman Prairie, he just suddenly appeared again disguised as Wales and went straight to here."
Marriott nodded, "His identity is too mysterious. Moreover he came from Black Fortress, a very chaotic place. No wonder nobody could look him up. I suspect that he's from a powerful influence sent to get trained, and especially to amass a lot of money. Otherwise, how would Smith be good to him. We all know that Smith is a fairly arrogant fellow."
Might agreed, "This matter is truly strange. If he had a relationship with Smith, he should have immediately went to Rosen Empire in the beginning. Why did he have to run up to Aksu Empire, especially in a place such as Purcell Duchy? Moreover, with him being driven out of the duchy, the Calci Family actually never gave help. If the Calci Family pressured Boris, there was no way for Zhao Hai to suffer that much. This is really weird."
Marriott nodded, "Only Zhao Hai could explain this matter. But what struck me strange was also the fact that he was quite worried about meeting Smith. Also why did Smith suddenly accept him immediately?"
Might gave a forced smile and said, "Smith isn't an idiot. Zhao Hai is a Space Mage. How could he not regard him as important."
Marriott patted his head, "Oh, I actually forgot about that. We're actually really lucky for making contact with Zhao Hai. Right, did you ask whether it was possible to buy some spatial items from him?"
Might smiled and said, "I'll find an opportunity in the future to ask him. Anyway, it's already good to have a connection with a Space Mage. We might even be able to get some spatial equipments to play with later on." Then the two of them widely grinned.
At this time, Zhao Hai was sitting inside his carriage and headed towards Sweet Plum Courtyard. After he arrived at the courtyard, he immediately went to the Space and returned to Iron Mountain Fortress. He asked Green to perform an inventory on their products to see how much they could supply. After having everything finished, then they would start their business with Smith as well as the Shelley Family.
Today, Laura and Meg were out playing around with Megan. This was also what Zhao Hai wanted, he wanted to have the two women take a short vacation. The two had followed Zhao Hai for so long. They were subjected to the cold winds in the prairie as well as the tension of hurrying along because of the attacks, they didn't have any time to get relaxed.
Now that they arrived at Sky Water City, they had Megan accompany them around. With the City Lord's little princess with them, their security isn't an issue. Thus, Zhao Hai just let them enjoy their vacation.
Laura and Meg were quite happy, it was quite a long time since they were able to play around. They were different from nerd hermit Zhao Hai, they weren't used to always staying indoors. They were females, they liked window-shopping as well us buying clothes. It was just a pity that because of their situation, they couldn't do that. But today, since they had the opportunity to do so, naturally they would enjoy themselves well.
Megan was also delighted, after all the three's ages were very similar. Moreover, Laura had been a businesswoman for a long time, so she knew how to interact with people and with Meg's gentle disposition that was akin to calm water, the three women immediately bonded with each other very well.
But Megan was confused as to why such beautiful women like Meg and Laura would like Zhao Hai. She really couldn't see anything remarkable with the man.
Megan was only 17 years old, ladies at her age wanted to fantasize. In her opinion, her lover should have a high status, long hair, and a gentle temperament. With Zhao Hai, quite a few of those qualities weren't present. She couldn't understand why women like Laura and Meg took a liking to Zhao Hai.