The faint knock on the door and Liu Yuexin's hesitant call instantly chilled the heated atmosphere in the room.
Su Meilan frowned slightly in displeasure. She lifted her face from Wang Cheng's embrace, staring at the door with cold eyes.
Wang Cheng, however, smiled calmly. He gently loosened his hold around her waist, giving her a wink to signal 'Next time.' Then, he adjusted his clothes and walked over to open the door with the same kind smile of the benevolent uncle he always portrayed.
"Oh, Yuexin, perfect timing," he said naturally. "My throat was just getting dry... Manager Su, please, come have some tea brewed by my disciple. Her tea is quite excellent."
His words were filled with profound tactical depth!
Introducing Liu Yuexin as his "disciple" elevated her status above that of a mere "assistant" or "servant" in Su Meilan's eyes. And by inviting Su Meilan to drink tea brewed by his disciple, he asserted his role as the "Host" holding the highest authority without having to say a single boastful word.
How could the intelligent Su Meilan not understand the hidden meaning? She secretly gritted her teeth, but her face remained adorned with a professional business smile. "In that case, I will impose on you."
An awkward scene ensued. Two of the most beautiful and influential women in the city sat at the same table, with a seemingly simple old man sitting between them.
Liu Yuexin poured the tea with a humble yet steady demeanor. She could feel Su Meilan's sharp gaze on her the entire time, creating a pressure that made it hard to breathe.
"Such a loyal disciple is rare these days," Su Meilan praised idly as she accepted the teacup. "Uncle is truly lucky."
"Yuexin is a good child," Wang Cheng said, sipping his tea. "She is quick-witted and diligent. She will surely go far in the future."
After drinking tea for a while, Wang Cheng shifted the topic to business to break the awkward silence.
He turned to Liu Yuexin first. "Yuexin, take the reward money Patriarch Li gave us and purchase the basic herbs for the shop according to the list we discussed. From now on, I am entrusting the management of the shop's medicine inventory to you."
Liu Yuexin's eyes went wide with joy! This was a hugely important assignment! It showed just how much Uncle trusted her.
"Yes, Uncle!" she accepted the order energetically.
Then he turned to Su Meilan. "Manager Su, regarding the auction... I will bring the pills to you three days before the event starts. I ask that you maintain strict secrecy regarding my identity."
His actions clearly defined the positions of the two women. One was the disciple managing internal affairs; the other was the partner managing external affairs. He was the center of everything.
Su Meilan understood that she couldn't do much more at the moment. She stood up gracefully. "I understand... Then I will not disturb Uncle's rest any longer. I will go back and ensure the first batch of ingredients is handled properly."
She walked to the door, then turned back to leave a final remark with a smile full of deep meaning.
"I will stop by frequently to check on the progress of the shop's renovations... and... to schedule that 'follow-up examination' with Uncle as well."
She deliberately emphasized the last few words, casting a sweet, lingering look at him before walking away.
Once Su Meilan was gone, only Wang Cheng and Liu Yuexin remained in the room.
"Uncle..." Liu Yuexin spoke hesitantly. "Manager Su... She..."
Wang Cheng let out a long sigh, feigning a weary expression.
"Manager Su is a powerful woman and our most important business partner right now. We rely on her to stand firm in this city. Maintaining a good relationship with her... is absolutely necessary."
He turned to look at her, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. His voice shifted to become gentle and sincere.
"But do not forget, Yuexin... You are not a business partner. You are my disciple... the only one I chose to pass on my knowledge to. The importance you hold to me... is a completely different matter."
His sweet and profound words obliterated all of Liu Yuexin's anxiety and insecurity! Her heart swelled with pride and ultimate loyalty!
"Yes, Uncle! Yuexin understands!"
Wang Cheng smiled with satisfaction. He looked out the window at the shop nearing completion, at the list of rare herbs in his hand, and at his first disciple ready to dedicate her life to him by his side.
'One is a fierce tiger one must ride to build power; the other is a loyal crane one must raise to fly... Keeping both in balance... that is the true way of a mastermind.'
Now he had everything ready... capital, resources, and trustworthy assistants.
The next target... was preparing for the auction, and the first "scheduled examination" of the Young Miss of the Li Family.