Chapter 285: It's All a Scheme

Li Xian's direct selling attempt at the retirement home failed spectacularly, resulting in a loss of his suitable oral liquid and making him the target of ridicule from Xu Mao and Wang Hongfei. Li Xian hadn't expected such an outcome.

He had thought that once the direct selling model was introduced, the elderly at the retirement home would definitely fall for it. However, not only did no one take the bait, but the only person interested ended up asking for credit.

What's one to do?

Frustrated, he drove back to the Bangye residence—he needed to fulfill his promise to Old Wu.

The old man's final years were just about these simple pursuits, and it wouldn't do to leave him unsatisfied.

…

In the large house, Su Ma had just finished preparing lunch.

Seeing Li Xian return, Su Ya was delighted, but when she saw the unfamiliar Xu Mao and Wang Hongfei, she cast a glance at Li Xian and quickly lowered her head, retreating to the kitchen.

Though it was just a fleeting glance, Su Ya's presence had still left a strong impression on Xu Mao and Wang Hongfei.

"Wow, I heard you bought a big house, but seeing it in person, it's quite something! And this golden house hiding a beauty is impressive!"

Xu Mao laughed while looking toward the kitchen, patting Li Xian on the shoulder.

Wang Hongfei adjusted his wig and commented, "I didn't expect to see such a girl in this small place. They say poverty breeds cunning people, but it seems this place breeds beauty."

Li Xian shot a glance at them and snorted before heading directly to the kitchen.

With Li Xian absent, the standard of meals in the house naturally declined. But now that Li Xian had returned with guests, Su Ma decided to add a few more dishes.

Su Ya was helping Su Ma chop vegetables. Upon hearing Li Xian's footsteps, she was afraid her mother would notice, so she didn't dare lift her head, almost burying it in her chest. She just continued chopping vegetables with a small knife, making a light, rhythmic sound.

Standing at the kitchen door, seeing Su Ya trying to turn her head to glance at him but then quickly averting it, Li Xian chuckled.

With Su Ma around, it wasn't a good time for conversation.

He took a long look at the young girl who seemed to be wandering around in her dreams and told Su Ma that he would be staying at the forest farm for a while. The forest farm was busy with a project, and they needed someone to cook and tidy up at home. He wanted Su Ya and Su Hui to go to the forest farm to help out.

"Ah!"

Hearing that Li Xian wanted her to go to the forest farm, Su Ya's heart trembled.

She lost her grip on the knife and cut her finger.

With a gasp, she dropped the knife onto the chopping board and put her finger to her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she quickly glanced at Li Xian and then at her mother—her gaze filled with unease.

It was like she had been caught passing a note in class.

"This child! How can she ask for money just for doing a bit of work?" Su Ma scolded, noticing her daughter's clumsiness.

Li Xian hadn't set any rules for the house, but whenever there were guests, Su Ma and her daughters never sat at the table. In summer, they used to sit on the steps with large bowls, and now, in the cold weather, they just made do in the kitchen.

This routine made Wang Hongfei, who was criticizing Li Xian's failed direct selling effort, accuse him of reviving feudalism and being anti-feminist.

For this annoying guy, Li Xian was tempted to snatch his drink and food away and kick him out—if he weren't planning on having this guy act as an agent for direct selling in Harbin and help open the market for the Brain and Heart Health Oral Liquid, he might have actually done it.

But Li Xian was unaware that, while he was frustrated with his first direct selling failure, Zheng Weishi, who had become a proud direct seller for Guizhen Tang Health Products Co., had begun his performance.

That evening, in the activity room.

Old Qin, who had just spent over an hour gazing at the moon and carefully stored his treasured telescope, was approached by Zheng Weishi with a large tea cup in hand.

"What's up? Is there something going on?"

Seeing Zheng Weishi's peculiar smile, Old Qin immediately felt a strong sense of unease.

After decades of working together, Old Qin knew Zheng Weishi well. When he smiled like that, it usually meant he had some hidden agenda.

Seeing Old Qin's wary expression, Zheng Weishi waved his hand dismissively, "You old man, am I going to eat you or something?"

Sitting down beside Old Qin, Zheng Weishi fished around in his pocket and took out a bottle of Brain and Heart Health Oral Liquid.

"What's this for?" Old Qin looked at the small brown glass bottle, genuinely puzzled. Zheng Weishi was notorious for being a miser; he was known for calculating every penny. Now, he was offering a ten yuan bottle of oral liquid. Such excessive kindness was surely suspicious!

In an instant, Old Qin realized something was off.

"Old Qin, don't be nervous. I just thought that since your stroke was due to blood pressure, and this stuff is supposed to regulate blood pressure and nourish nerves, why not try a bottle?" Zheng Weishi said.

Seeing that Old Qin hesitated to take it, Zheng Weishi clicked his tongue and shoved the bottle into Old Qin's hand.

"I'm not asking for money! Look how scared you are!" Zheng Weishi's eyes widened as he looked at Old Qin's suspicious demeanor.

Old Qin took the oral liquid, feeling touched by his old friend's kindness, and drank it.

Afterward, he smacked his lips and commented, "Well, this stuff from Xiao Li is a bit pricey. Four hundred yuan a box is a bit steep. But if you overlook the price and consider what that Wang from the berry research institute said about its benefits, it's actually quite good for my symptoms."

"See!" Zheng Weishi's eyebrows shot up. "That's why I came to talk to you. Let's discuss this."

"Discuss what?" Old Qin looked up, a bit dazed.

Zheng Weishi glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention and whispered to Old Qin, "I think this stuff is genuinely good. Even though Xiao Li can be a bit sneaky, he's not a bad guy, and I believe the benefits he mentioned are real."

Old Qin nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Old Qin agreed, Zheng Weishi smiled, "So, I was thinking, could we get everyone to try this oral liquid for free?"

"You have an idea?" Old Qin was taken aback.

Zheng Weishi nodded vigorously, "Xiao Li mentioned a direct selling strategy. Old Qin, with your extensive network from years in HR, it should be easy to contact old subordinates and colleagues. Selling five or six sets should be a breeze."

"What do you want to do?" Old Qin suddenly felt like he was walking into a trap.

Zheng Weishi grinned, "Well, if we take up this agency, we can make 140 yuan profit per box sold. But my personal efforts alone are limited. I estimate that among the people I know who can afford this stuff, there are only about three to five.

So, from tomorrow, we should all work together to promote this product. You can call old friends and colleagues to push the oral liquid, and count all sales under my name. If we reach a certain volume, we can buy at a 50% discount from Xiao Li. Then, if we sell more than sixty boxes in a month, I'll give a free box of oral liquid to everyone in the office. How does that sound?"

Old Qin's eyes lit up as he calculated the numbers.

"Old Zheng, this plan sounds good!"