22. Business Picture

"Brother, do you think older brother will like the idea as much as father did?"

"Don't worry. Father said don't worry, which means you have his full support. I haven't seen father so sure of something succeeding in a very long time till this evening."

Even his face glowed with great expectation as he was talking about it. It reminder of when we were very young.

He had the same kind of look whenever he was about to venture into an unpopular and yet a risky business arc.

It's usually not easy but he will eventually succeed. It's only after he has managed to make it hit that the other me-too competitors will copy him.

I sometimes feel sad that he should not be sacrificing his time to nurture something, only for others to copy later but he seems very satisfied with the results anyway.

In fact, he seems more satisfied and happier with the little reward from such business ventures as compared to the others that gives more profits and less uncertainties.

I became convinced that he values the intrinsic motivation much more that the physical rewards. So do not worry as he said. Believe me, he will protect you and your business. That's for sure.

With that they both went to sleep.

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Chi Yuan and Chi Lan came to the family's main house in the afternoon. Everyone was at home today. They have left the guild in the hands of two of their trusted employees after sorting out some of the more important matters.

Yun Lui was helping Mama Chi prepare lunch so Chi Lan went to join them but later left to play with the twins who were then playing with Chi Muchen.

Lunch was set and everyone sat to eat except the twins who wanted to sit on the laps of Papa Chi and Chi Yuan while they eat. The table was cleared when they finished and then they started with the meeting.

"Lulu, go and bring what you showed me yesterday before we start." Papa Chi instructed Yun Lui and he did as such. He quickly went into the kitchen and brought the bowl with the bottles in it.

Mama Chi collected the bowl from his hands and placed it on the dining table as she removed the bottles and put them all on the table. She took the now empty bowl off the table to the floor.

"Thank you honey.", Papa Chi said. He then turned to Yun Lui and said, "Lulu, now tell your brother and his moon what you told me yesterday.

Chi Yuan and Chi Lan became alert as they turned their attention to Yun Lui. Yun Lui repeated the business idea that he had presented to Papa Chi yesterday. As usual, Mama Chi opened each bottle of spices for her oldest son Chi Yuan to taste.

He asked similar questions like Papa Chi did the previous night. He tasted them the same way that Papa Chi did, drinking water before tasting the next one till he had tasted the all.

Chi Lan did not bother to taste anything. He, together with Mama Chi and Yun Lui have been preparing them for use for years now, so he knows what they tasted like.

He didn't ask any questions yet because he already has the answers to those questions that his husband asked. So, instead of letting Yun Lui answer, he gave the answers to his husband's questions just like Mama Chi did when Papa Chi had asked those same questions.

Papa was surprised to hear his son-in-law say the exact same things his wife had said when he asked those same questions. "Lanlan, so you too know of this?"

"Yes father, it's what I use for cooking at home."

"Okay, but knowing you, I am sure you would've seen the business potential of this, or it never occurred to you too then?"

"Oh father, I thought of it but I also thought Yun Lui might not be interested. He had so many concerns then and I didn't want to add to it."

"Wife, you could've still discussed with me.", Chi Yuan chipped in.

'Like father like son. All they see with their eyes is business and work.' Mama Chi mused.

"Well it's not too late to start now.", Papa Chi said.

"I had called you two here to get your opinions but from the look of things it seems we're all on the same page. Am I right to assume that we all think this is a great business idea?", Papa Chi asked and they all affirmed it.

"So now since we all agree let's brainstorm more ideas on how to proceed. But first, Lulu, we need to know the picture you have for this business first before we add ours.", he said and all their focus turned to Yun Lui.

"Father, you had asked me to think on this same thing and report to everyone here today on how I pictured this but I am sorry in advance should my picture disappoint anyone here.", he said with a solemn face and bowed his head down.

"Lulu, don't worry about us. Your father and brother are the business experts not us. You say whatever that's on your mind and they'll help direct you. It doesn't have to be grand. Your father is only excited to try something new in a long time.", Mama Chi said.

"Yes, Lulu, we're all here to support you and not to put pressure on you to come up with some grand idea." Chi Lan added.

"Lui, do not mind father and I. We're always excited to try something new whether big or small, whether it will fail or succeed. We go in with this much energy and they usually become successful." Chi Yuan said.

"Oh my dear. I didn't know this is how you felt. Forgive father okay? Come here.", Papa Chi said and made his way to Yun Lui's side.

He handed Yun Zhao that was on his laps to Chi Lan. He sat on the chair next to Yun Lui and raised his head to look at him.