Chapter 887: I Don't Want a Single Cent
To successfully open his own shop in the Underworld, Yang Haoran had spent the vast majority of his time there recently. However, he would occasionally return to the mortal realm, though his stays were brief before he hurriedly rushed back to the Underworld.
Each time he returned to Lecheng during this period, the city had undergone considerable changes, and this instance was no exception.
To be precise, Lecheng was actually changing every day; he simply hadn't witnessed it, having spent most of his time in the Underworld.
Under Zhu Rong's leadership, Lecheng was gradually returning to normal. The damaged buildings within the urban area had been repaired. While not entirely new, they were significantly better than their former dilapidated state.
Furthermore, centered around the urban area, buildings rose from the ground, most of which were residential. Zhu Rong intended to integrate all residents within Lecheng, and as the urban housing was insufficient, another batch of residential buildings had been constructed.
Due to limited materials, these newly constructed residential buildings weren't particularly grand, but they were perfectly adequate for habitation.
Currently, within Lecheng, with the exception of a very small number of stubborn individuals unwilling to move to the urban area, everyone else had been relocated to the city center and was under twenty-four-hour protection from official forces.
As for those few stubborn individuals who refused to move to the urban area, Zhu Rong did not force them, nor would she dispatch troops solely to protect them, leaving them to their own devices.
In addition to these, other official institutions were gradually coming online, such as education, healthcare, and communication. If all went as planned, it wouldn't be long before Lecheng fully returned to normal under Zhu Rong's leadership.
Regarding all matters, big and small, in Lecheng, Yang Haoran had consistently refrained from interfering, leaving everything entirely to Zhu Rong's discretion. From the current situation, it was clear that Zhu Rong was doing quite an excellent job.
Since Zhu Rong could manage so well on her own, Yang Haoran naturally wouldn't intervene. Furthermore, he had been incredibly busy during this period and lacked the energy to meddle in these affairs.
Of course, if Zhu Rong encountered trouble she couldn't handle and sought his help, he would certainly step in to resolve it for her. But since she hadn't, he naturally had to focus his energy on the matters he currently needed to address.
Upon returning to Lecheng, Yang Haoran didn't alert anyone. After a quick glance at the city's current state, he immediately went back to the villa and found Feng Xiao.
Initially, when Yang Haoran was preparing to open a general store in the Underworld, he hadn't discussed it with Feng Xiao. Opening a general store didn't involve her, so there was no need to consult her.
However, when he changed his plan and decided to convert the general store into a pharmacy, he had no choice but to discuss it with Feng Xiao. The drugs he would sell depended entirely on her alchemy; without Feng Xiao, his pharmacy simply couldn't operate.
The last time he returned to the mortal realm, he had already discussed opening a pharmacy in the Underworld with Feng Xiao, and she had agreed. However, this was no trivial matter, and he felt it was absolutely necessary to reconfirm with her.
If Feng Xiao still had no objections, then he would proceed with the plan, having her begin mass-producing the various medicines the pharmacy would sell. Otherwise, if only a pitifully small amount of medicine was on the shelves at opening, it would appear far too shabby.
Conversely, if Feng Xiao had changed her mind, he would have to find a way to persuade her. However, based on his understanding of Feng Xiao over the years, he believed she wouldn't go back on her word, as she wasn't that kind of person.
Upon meeting Feng Xiao, Yang Haoran brought up the matter of the Underworld pharmacy. Feng Xiao's response was exactly as he expected; her choice was still to fully support him, showing no intention of changing her mind whatsoever.
With Feng Xiao's renewed affirmative reply, Yang Haoran began discussing some of the finer details with her. Their previous conversation in Lecheng about the pharmacy had been predicated on finding a satisfactory store manager, but circumstances had changed, so adjustments to the details were naturally required.
What was called a "discussion" was actually Yang Haoran speaking the entire time. No matter what he said, Feng Xiao simply agreed. Rather than a discussion, it was more like Yang Haoran issuing instructions, which made him feel a little awkward.
However, Yang Haoran wouldn't, for this reason, treat Feng Xiao as free labor. He simply couldn't do something like that, at least not to those close to him.
It was naturally confirmed that Feng Xiao would refine the medicines for the pharmacy, as she was currently the only one in his team capable of handling this task.
All the spiritual herbs and materials required for refining the various medicines would be his responsibility. Feng Xiao only needed to focus on the refining process. He would bear the losses of failed attempts, and if the refining was successful and the medicines sold, they would split the profits evenly.
Since Underworld Currency and Soul Pills were of no use to Feng Xiao, he would opt to pay her share of the profits in various spiritual herbs and materials.
Of course, Feng Xiao could also specify one or more types of spiritual herbs, or even other items. As long as they were obtainable, he would do his best to acquire them for her. If unavailable, he would find a way to get them to her. For items that proved impossible to procure by any means, Feng Xiao would simply have to change her request or continue waiting.
Originally, Feng Xiao hadn't said a word; whatever Yang Haoran said, she accepted without any objections.
However, when Yang Haoran brought up the matter of profit distribution, she finally voiced an opinion. Her objection, however, wasn't that Yang Haoran was giving her too little, but rather that he was giving her too much.
"Brother Yang, you don't need to give me any of the profits from the medicine sales. Even if you offer them, I won't take them."
Feng Xiao spoke, her words firm and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
Hearing this, Yang Haoran couldn't help but show confusion in his eyes.
In his impression, Feng Xiao exuded a unique aura only when refining medicine or saving lives. At all other times, she seemed like a delicate young girl, timid yet very gentle, speaking even in soft whispers.
He had known Feng Xiao for so long, yet he had never heard her speak to anyone with such resolute certainty, and that, of course, included Yang Haoran himself.
"Heh heh, you've put in the effort, so you should receive a return. These are what you deserve, why won't you take them?"
Although puzzled, Yang Haoran maintained a faint smile as he asked Feng Xiao.
"Because we're family. Brother Yang, you said it yourself back then. Since we're family, why do we need to be so clear about everything?"
Feng Xiao's words left Yang Haoran momentarily stunned.
"I did say that, but if I don't give you anything, wouldn't that be treating you as free labor? How could I possibly feel good about that? " Yang Haoran said with a wry smile.
"Brother Yang, you're being too much of a stranger. Back then, you led me out of the mountains, letting me see the outside world. I wore beautiful clothes I'd never seen before, ate delicious food I'd never tasted, enjoyed a safety I'd never known, and gained friends I never had before. Truly, if we're talking about debts, it's I, Feng Xiao, who owes you too much."
"Although my master and I lived happily in the mountains back then, and he treated me very well, he's no longer with us. And I have completely integrated into this big family. In my eyes, all of you are my kin. Since we're family, helping each other is only natural; how could I possibly expect any compensation?"
"Moreover, my greatest hobby is researching various medicines, as well as refining and compounding them. The fact that you can provide me with spiritual herbs and materials, giving me the opportunity to improve my alchemical abilities, is already more than enough. After all, spiritual herbs aren't cheap."
"Previously, most of the spiritual herbs I used for alchemy were self-cultivated. But now that we're opening a pharmacy, many of the elixirs are ones I've never had the chance to attempt. When I start refining them, failures will undoubtedly be common, which means I'll need a large quantity of spiritual herbs for practice. Not to mention other costs, just purchasing these spiritual herbs alone will be a huge expense."
"To have a continuous supply of precious spiritual herbs for me to practice with and improve my alchemical skills, I am already more than satisfied. So, I won't take a single cent from the profits earned by selling medicines. Even if you offer them, Brother Yang, I won't accept them."
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