Chapter 57

In order to discuss the cake business, Lin Shengnan invited the two into her office.

It wasn't that Lin Shengnan didn't want to worry about her daughter's affairs, but since they were all here, discussing the cakes first was just as good. Besides, what could she do when her daughter simply wouldn't listen to her?

"Sit." Lin Shengnan, after sitting in the main seat, pointed to the chairs.

Jia Fuhai sat down a little nervously. The first time he went to Lin's house, he was almost thrown out. This time, the treatment was different.

Seeing the two of them sitting closely together, Lin Shengnan frowned and asked, "How do you plan to cooperate?"

"Auntie, here are a few more for you to try." Jia Fuhai brought out other cakes below the five-star rating, showing cakes from all levels so she could better understand.

Lin Shengnan quickly picked one up to eat. Earlier, she had held back out of professionalism and maternal restraint, but now she could indulge openly.

"Hmm, why does this one taste so much worse than the one before?" Lin Shengnan immediately said, a little annoyed. Although this cake was still delicious, it was far inferior to the one she had tasted earlier.

"Auntie, this is a three-star cake. Here, let me show you." Jia Fuhai opened the website he had hired someone to make, showing her the rating system.

Earlier, Lin Shengnan had only looked at the production video, but the website also included an introduction to the star ratings.

"So that's how it works. Well, I'll try them all." After reading the introduction, Lin Shengnan understood the rating system.

Out of professionalism, she refrained from eating only the five-star cakes and began carefully tasting each variety.

Seeing Lin's mother restrain her appetite and focus on a detailed evaluation, Jia Fuhai began to understand the intimidating aspect of a career-driven woman. She could withstand temptations that most couldn't.

After all, how many people could resist his cakes once they had tasted them?

"Your mom is amazing." He whispered into Feifei's ear.

"Huh? What's amazing?" Lin Feifei didn't catch his meaning.

"I'm saying your mom is really dedicated as a store manager."

Hearing this, Lin Feifei sighed softly and said, "Too bad she's not as good as a mother."

She had some resentment toward her mother, even though she had come to terms with it.

"It's okay, you have me from now on." Jia Fuhai quickly hugged her to comfort her.

"Mm!" Lin Feifei felt his warmth and relaxed into him.

"Ahem!" Lin Shengnan, who had been tasting the cakes, looked up to see the two hugging each other. She immediately cleared her throat.

Lin Feifei, startled, tried to pull away, but Jia Fuhai held her tightly.

"... Your cakes are very good, and I welcome cooperation. How do you want to proceed?" Lin Shengnan thought for a moment. It was better to seal the deal first. These cakes were too delicious and would undoubtedly attract many customers.

They would be a big boost to her plans, providing much-needed foot traffic to the store.

Jia Fuhai quickly explained his collaboration model, one that he had developed together with a few women from his circle.

Lin Feifei also joined in, helping her fiancé negotiate with her mother, trying to secure the best terms.

Most things were easy to discuss, but there were a few points where Lin Shengnan was particularly insistent. However, she didn't want to lose the opportunity to sell these cakes, so she eventually compromised.

Exclusive rights were non-negotiable. Jia Fuhai's cakes could be sold anywhere, and he knew they were destined to be popular, so he couldn't tie himself to just one store.

This was partly for Feifei's sake; otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered coming to the 3A supermarket at all.

Lin Shengnan knew this was unrealistic, and after trying to negotiate a bit, she gave up. It was just part of her duty as a manager to try, after all.

Then there was the issue of pricing.

Jia Fuhai had stipulated specific pricing rules, which Lin Shengnan found hard to accept.

He set a minimum price that the supermarkets couldn't go below, but the upper limit was flexible.

As long as the price was clearly marked, the store could sell the cakes at any price they wanted. If they could sell it for more, it was up to their skills.

He had discussed this with the women beforehand and had agreed to position the cakes as high-end products. They couldn't be sold too cheaply.

Otherwise, if a supermarket decided to sell his cakes at a loss to attract customers, it would lower the reputation of the Jia brand. He had bigger plans for Jia Ji beyond just supplying supermarkets.

Therefore, the minimum price was a must. If the conditions weren't met, he would stop supplying the cakes.

After an intense discussion, both sides reached a verbal agreement, pending further negotiations with lawyers.

"I didn't expect you to be so capable," Lin Shengnan praised Jia Fuhai, somewhat unexpectedly. Despite his stubbornness in sticking to his principles, she found him more likeable than before. After all, business is business, and she appreciated that.

It was a pity, though. Because of her daughter, she could only use the cakes to attract customers and not for broader promotions.

"Alright, now let's talk about you and Feifei." With business settled, Lin Shengnan turned her attention to the personal matters at hand.

"Mom, I'm going to be with Haige for the rest of my life, and I'm already pregnant." Lin Feifei, emboldened by the cake negotiations, went full throttle.

"Auntie, don't worry. I'll take good care of Feifei," Jia Fuhai immediately chimed in.

"You... you two... I knew these cakes wouldn't come easy!" Lin Shengnan pointed at them, almost at a loss for words. Were they using the cakes to manipulate her? How bold!

"Mom, your grandson will be born in a few months. You'll have to help take care of him." Lin Feifei said mischievously, hinting at her mother's past lack of involvement.

She was already imagining how she would let her son see what kind of grandmother he had.

Jia Fuhai was amazed at how much Feifei was saying. He stared in surprise, his mouth wide open.

"Get out, both of you." Lin Shangnan, frustrated, slapped the table.

"Uh, Auntie, are we still doing the deal?" Jia Fuhai quickly asked, worried it had fallen through.

"What do you think? My daughter's already with you. Hmph!" Lin Shengnan gritted her teeth. She couldn't lose everything now. Her daughter's rebellious phase was hitting her hard.

"Then, Auntie, we'll leave now. We'll sign the contract later." Jia Fuhai said as he and Feifei headed toward the door.

"Fine!" Lin Shengnan spat out the word through clenched teeth.

"Bye, Mom! I'm going to rest and take care of your grandson now." As they left, Lin Feifei turned around and waved at her mother, emphasizing the last few words.

Hearing this, Lin Shengnan slumped in her chair, muttering, "Is my daughter here to collect a debt from me?"

"She's driving me crazy. When did she change like this?"

Thud!

The papers on her desk were knocked into the air.

"Damn it!"

On the other side...

After walking out the door, Jia Fuhai asked, "Feifei, weren't we supposed to be smoothing things over with your mom? Is this your way of doing that?"

"Don't worry, Mom is tied to your cakes now." Lin Feifei confidently replied.

"You're amazing!" Jia Fuhai quickly gave her a thumbs-up.

"Hehe, I'm just happy." Lin Feifei smiled, feeling pleased for standing up to her mother for the first time.

Seeing her so happy, Jia Fuhai suggested, "Feifei, how about we go shopping? We haven't gone out together much."

"What about Sister Qi and Nana?" Lin Feifei wanted to go but asked about the other two women. After all, they were very close.

"It's fine. They've gone out with me before, especially Nana, who goes out with me all the time, you know." Jia Fuhai smiled and took her hand.

"Alright, let's go." Lin Feifei smiled back.

And so, Jia Fuhai spent some time enjoying himself with Feifei, spending Qi's money.