You Make Money, I'll Spend It: Stepmother's Ultimate Pleasure in the Aristocratic Family

Chapter 13

Qi Mo's eyes glimmered faintly as he listened attentively.

Sheng Mumu became more and more animated as she analyzed the information she had gathered over the past few days wandering around the villa district and from getting to know her new neighbor Mrs. Song.

She gestured dramatically, holding up fingers to illustrate her points:

"Do you know, a bouquet from our vases costs five hundred, five hundred!"

"I've counted, there are eight vases around the house!"

Then she tapped her chin thoughtfully as she calculated:

"I've figured it out - conservatively each household in Xiyu Yue Ting spends five hundred per day, so seventy-five thousand per month."

"Also, I'm thinking of opening the flower shop in the area between several upscale residential areas near Xiyu Yue Ting, to expand the reach."

"Calculating it out, even ignoring other communities for now and just Xiyu Yue Ting, after deducting costs, at least half of that is pure profit - over three hundred thousand."

Hearing her use the term "our family," the usually inscrutable man's eyes flickered faintly.

Unaware, Sheng Mumu continued enthusiastically: "But it will definitely be harder than I imagined to actually do it. I'll have to think of some ways - what if I lower the price, three hundred per bouquet, would that be competitive?"

"It would be competitive, but there's no need." Qi Mo focused intently and responded when Sheng Mumu asked his opinion.

Sheng Mumu pouted unconsciously, a little disappointed to have cold water poured on her idea.

Her playful little expression, seen by the nearby butler and servants, actually resembled a wife coquettishly complaining to her husband.

Qi Mo said: "Your idea is very good, and your approach is also very apt. Lowering prices to attract traffic would be a good marketing tactic for an ordinary community, but here it would actually become a drawback."

With just that one sentence, Sheng Mumu immediately understood.

"You mean the people living around here would be willing to buy expensive flowers anyway, so there's no need to lower prices at all?"

She tilted her head, murmuring his words to herself again.

"No need to lower prices... On the contrary, prices could even be raised, right?"

Qi Mo's eyes crinkled faintly. "Yes, that's possible."

Sheng Mumu smiled approvingly and emphatically patted Qi Mo's shoulder three times.

"Impressive, impressive. As expected from a businessman."

As if he was a natural when it came to making money.

Not far away, the previously benevolent-looking Zhang Housekeeper stiffened when he saw Sheng Mumu patting Qi Mo's shoulder.

He had worked for the Qi family for many years and had never seen anyone dare to pat the young master like that.

What the devil.

And Young Master is actually smiling???

Seeing Sheng Mumu compliment Qi Mo, Zhang Housekeeper discreetly raised his hand towards Qi Mo.

The housekeeper immediately understood.

Soon, servants brought over a pot of floral tea and some tea snacks.

Sheng Mumu casually took a sip of tea and modestly asked for Qi Mo's opinion:

"What do you think, does this plan have potential?"

Qi Mo affirmed, "This is a very good project."

Having gotten approval from a business tycoon, Sheng Mumu felt like a cat being petted - exceptionally content.

Qi Mo's eyes were deep as he silently pondered for a moment before slowly continuing:

"For you, you could also consider incorporating a physical store."

Sheng Mumu tilted her head, murmuring his words to herself again.

"Incorporate a physical store..."

Qi Mo elegantly picked up his teacup, taking a shallow sip, his posture at ease.

"The purpose of a physical store is not just to sell flowers, but more often to serve as a brand promotion."

Sheng Mumu: "Not to sell flowers?"

She lowered her eyes, contemplating his words.

Her gaze inadvertently fell on the steaming floral tea. Suddenly she understood something and said:

"The physical store could focus on floral tea, afternoon tea. If customer traffic increases, could also open up flower arranging classes or art salons."

She recalled the wealthy madams she had seen on TV before.

After satisfying material needs, they would often want to cultivate some elegant hobbies.

Not expecting Sheng Mumu to grasp it immediately and even take it a step further, Qi Mo's lips hooked approvingly.

"Excellent idea, worth trying out."

Before talking to Qi Mo, the flower shop plan was just an outline in Sheng Mumu's mind.

After their discussion, she felt it could now directly proceed - building it into a franchise brand promoted across upscale communities seemed imminent.

Sheng Mumu was excited, then sank back down. Opening a physical store was good, but costs would be higher.

Qi Mo had struggled in the business world for many years. With one look he discerned the subtle change in her expression. Putting down his teacup, he slowly began:

"What's the estimated initial investment? I'll provide it for you."

"No need." Sheng Mumu rejected outright without thinking, then said in a volume only the two could hear: "To avoid complications with dividing assets after divorcing, better to not be entangled too much."

Qi Mo was taken aback to hear this.

He hadn't considered this aspect before.

Nor had he thought Sheng Mumu would want a share of ownership for taking his money.

Qi Mo looked at Sheng Mumu, his gaze now tinged with incomprehension.

Not long ago, she had still wanted to pretend their marriage was real.

Why could she now so nonchalantly talk about divorce?

Speaking with utter sincerity, without the slightest intention of advance and retreat tactics.

For the first time, this man - usually skilled in logic and understanding human nature - felt unable to see through someone.

After pondering for a moment, Sheng Mumu finally thought of a solution.

One that would allow her to quickly start on the flower shop project without lacking funds.

She looked straight at Qi Mo, eyes bright, smiling as she blinked at him.

"Um... I'll probably need about two million initial capital. Could I borrow that from you, at the same interest rate as banks? Would that work?"

Worried he might disagree, she quickly added:

"You can think of it as an employee asking the boss for an advance on salary, you can even earn interest on it. How about it?"

When she finished speaking, the man's hand gripping his teacup silently tightened.

Salary?

Was she referring to the five hundred thousand monthly living expenses mentioned in their prenuptial agreement?

The word "salary" was far too cold. The previously warm atmosphere was instantly doused.

Qi Mo lowered his eyes, restraining the curiosity and probing that had flashed through his eyes.

Sheng Mumu waited anxiously for his reply, brows slightly knitted.

After a long pause, he slowly raised his eyes, looking at her meaningfully and remarking with interest:

"Okay."

At his words, Sheng Mumu seemed to hear a "Funds transferred" notification chime in her ears.

She clenched her fists and cheered silently.

Yes! Success!

With the strong backing of her rich dad, Sheng Mumu was full of motivation.

After saying goodbye to Qi Mo, she bounced upstairs, planning to make a list of everything needed to prepare for the flower shop.

Reaching the second floor landing, from the corner of her eye she noticed Qi Mo walking over to the sofa holding the laptop QI Shaobai had left behind.

Sheng Mumu slowed her pace, looking over inquisitively.

She saw Qi Mo open the laptop - the screen showed the backend code for the shopping program Qi Shaobai had written.

He slowly scrolled through the pages, reading through the code carefully from start to finish.

His sharp, rugged profile sometimes taut, sometimes softened.

Sheng Mumu tiptoed slightly. Walking from the second floor stairs to the master bedroom, she tread extremely lightly. But suspicion rose to a peak after silently closing the door.

So Qi Mo wasn't indifferent towards Qi Shaobai after all.

Why wouldn't he express it openly?