Furious and at Each Other's Throats
After Ye Liang left "Duoduo Department Store", Qian Duoduo was still worried, so she secretly followed him to find out what he was up to.
He soon saw Ye Liang set up a stall, and the stall was selling all the goods that he had redeemed from the System Store.
What's even more infuriating is that these products are not only exactly the same as those in my "Duoduo Department Store", but the pricing and discounts are also exactly the same.
He stood at a distance, his fists clenched, his eyes practically spitting fire, staring intently at Ye Liang, who was selling goods.
"I knew it Ye Liang! Why was that bastard Ye Liang suddenly interested in visiting my shop? Turns out he was planning to steal my skills."
He's got a belly full of bad intentions and an incredibly thick skin! Luckily, I was careful, otherwise I'd still be completely in the dark."
Qian Duoduo's eyes reddened even more as she gazed at the bustling crowd in front of Ye Liang's stall.
Those potential customers who should have been his "Duoduo Department Store" were all snatched away by Ye Liang, and he felt a tightness in his chest from the anger.
But he was helpless, since the goods came from the System Store; if he could resell them, others could too.
But he certainly couldn't let it go like that. His eyes darted around, a smile appeared on his face, and he suddenly raised his voice and shouted:
Great news! Today, Duoduo Department Store in the western part of the city is having a huge sale with everything 30% off!
Our supply is plentiful and the quality is guaranteed, unlike some temporary street stalls.
Please don't buy products without any guarantee just for convenience.
These words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly attracting the attention of Ye Liang and everyone present.
The people who had been gathered around the stall stopped abruptly, their faces showing hesitation.
"The goods at this street stall look alright, the quality should be fine, right?"
"Isn't that Mr. Qian, the owner of ' Duoduo Department Store '?"
He said everything is 30% off today, how about we just go to ' Duoduo Department Store ' and buy it?
The quality of the goods in his shop is indeed reassuring.
"Exactly! The prices and discounts are the same anyway, and ' Duoduo Department Store ' has plenty of stock. It's safer to buy there; at least they sell legitimate products, so you don't have to worry about getting ripped off."
Seeing the hesitation on everyone's faces, Ye Liang looked at Qian Duoduo, who had suddenly appeared, and said angrily:
"Isn't this Junior Brother Qian? What brings you to my little stall?"
Qian Duoduo retorted with a forced smile, "I saw you setting up a stall here selling defective goods, and I was worried it would damage your reputation and affect ' Duoduo Department Store's' business."
Ye Liang's eyes darted around, and he immediately turned the tables. "My products come from the same place as your ' Duoduo Department Store,' and the quality is equally guaranteed."
"What, Junior Brother Qian, are you trying to slander the goods inside as counterfeit?"
Qian Duoduo's face stiffened abruptly. He dared not question the products in the System Store, and could only let out a cold snort:
"That's not what I meant at all, don't try to frame me!"
I'm just worried that you got these goods from somewhere else, and the quality isn't guaranteed.
Ye Liang didn't argue with him anymore. Instead, he looked at the crowd of onlookers and shouted:
"Did everyone hear that clearly? The owner of ' Duoduo Department Store,' Mr. Qian, is my junior apprentice."
My goods and his goods come from the same source, and the quality is absolutely reliable. You can buy with confidence!
Besides, Duoduo Department Store is bound to be crowded now, so why not buy from me? You can get it right away, buy it sooner, use it sooner, and enjoy it sooner!
Those present had overheard the conversation between the two, thus confirming their relationship as fellow disciples.
They also believed that the products were the same, and immediately stopped hesitating, crowding around Ye Liang's stall to buy them.
Qian Duoduo watched this scene with a sense of helplessness. He couldn't very well set up a stall here and directly compete with Ye Liang for business; that would be too beneath him.
They are even more afraid of forcing the other party to lower the price directly, which would end up as a lose-lose situation and be completely counterproductive.
He missed the Ye Liang of the past.
Back then, Ye Liang was arrogant and concerned with his image, unlike now, after being brutally beaten down by society, he has become shrewd, cunning, and difficult to deal with.
Qian Duoduo transmitted her Divine Sense to Ye Liang: "Senior Brother Ye, what a skill! You actually managed to trick me with words just now. You've really changed a lot in just a few days."
You used to call me a shrewd businessman, but in my opinion, you're no better. We're just like each other."
While efficiently handing goods and collecting payments from customers, Ye Liang simultaneously used his Divine Sense to retort:
"Brother Qian, you jest. This is my first time doing business; how could I possibly be worthy of the title 'cunning merchant'?"
Besides, the prices I sell at are exactly the same as your ' Duoduo Department Store '. I'm just setting up this stall so that more people can afford the good stuff from the System Store."
Qian Duoduo's lips twitched violently upon hearing this. He truly hadn't expected Ye Liang to utter such shameless words.
He suppressed his anger and said directly, "I'm not going to waste time arguing with you. I'll set up a feast at Flying Immortal Tower at 7 PM and we can discuss a solution."
"Okay, I'll be there on time," Ye Liang's voice came, crisp and decisive.
Qian Duoduo glanced again at the still bustling crowd in front of Ye Liang's stall, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) Flying Immortal Tower was bustling with activity.
As the most prestigious restaurant in Flying Immortal City, it was packed with cultivators from all over the country as the Flying Immortal Assembly began.
Ye Liang stepped into the building and went straight to the third floor. He immediately spotted Qian Duoduo, walked over, sat down, and teased her:
"I never expected you, the God of Wealth, to be so frugal, actually treating me to a banquet outside."
Qian Duoduo pursed her lips and said helplessly, "The private rooms at Flying Immortal Tower are all booked up, so we can only set up a table outside now."
After saying that, he gestured to the waiter to bring one of each of the restaurant's signature dishes.
After the waiter left, Qian Duoduo looked at Ye Liang and transmitted her Divine Sense:
I can let bygones be bygones regarding your plagiarism of my "Duoduo Department Store" brand.
However, during the Flying Immortal Assembly, you can only sell in the east of the city and are not allowed to go to other districts; after the tournament ends, you can no longer set up a stall in Flying Immortal City.
Otherwise, I wouldn't mind competing directly with you; even if it means a price war, I'll fight to the bitter end.
Seeing Qian Duoduo's serious expression, Ye Liang knew that this was the other party's bottom line.
He didn't want to confront them head-on, nor did he want a price war that would result in mutual destruction, so he replied using Divine Sense transmission:
"Sure. I originally had this in mind when I set up my stall in the east of the city."
If we were to engage in direct competition, it would only result in mutual harm and be a losing proposition.
Our goal is to earn Energy Points; there's no need to escalate this much.
The two reached an agreement, the tense atmosphere dissipated, and they smiled at each other.
Just then, Qian Duoduo caught a glimpse of Zheng Siqi and Lin Jing coming up the stairs out of the corner of her eye, and immediately smiled and waved to them.
Zheng Siqi saw Qian Duoduo and Ye Liang, walked over quickly, and greeted them with a smile:
"Senior Brother Ye, Junior Brother Qian, I really didn't expect to meet you two here."
Qian Duoduo laughed and warmly invited, "It's rare for us to meet here, why don't you stay and have a meal together?"
"This meal is on me today. Fellow Daoist Lin Jing, please sit down, don't stand."
"Then we shall respectfully comply."
Zheng Siqi and Lin Jing sat down in their respective chairs.