Chapter 326: You’re Just Asking for Humiliation
“This is probably a common concern, and Ah Zan, your worries aren’t unfounded. I can’t make any guarantees, but as a friend, I can at least be honest with you. If Luo City truly faces an inevitable downfall, if it is destroyed due to circumstances beyond our control, I can at least promise that your rent will be refunded.”
“Miss Yu is quite confident. Perhaps you do have wealth to spare, but if that’s the case, why don’t you manage all these shops yourself? I can understand renting them out, but why are you selling them?”
Ah Zan pressed further, relentless.
Ye Lu exploded.
“Insolence! Why do you question everything? Can’t you just hope for Luo City’s success? This city was built from nothing, and Miss Yu and her family have poured their hearts into it. If you can’t say something supportive, at least keep your negativity to yourself!”
Ah Zan felt utterly wronged.
He was being the bad guy for his master’s sake! Even if it meant offending Yu Luo, he had to protect his fool of a master!
“Your Highness, don’t be angry,” Yu Luo said with a gentle smile.
“Your subordinate has a point. These are the very concerns that many investors will have. It’s only right to clarify everything upfront. You should be grateful to have such a loyal and clear-headed subordinate. He’s looking out for your best interests.”
Hearing Yu Luo speak in his defense, Ah Zan didn’t drop his guard, but he respected her more.
It wasn’t that he doubted her sincerity, but he knew his master was too reckless.
Ever since meeting Yu Luo, Ye Lü had become increasingly impulsive—completely blinded by beauty!
Yu Luo turned to Ah Zan and spoke with calm authority:
“As for your concerns, let me explain them properly. Luo City is currently planned to have six streets. Right now, only two have been developed. When all six are completed, we’ll have nearly 1,000 shopfronts. I can’t personally manage 1,000 businesses. That’s simply not possible.
Moreover, Luo City’s strategic location means we need outsiders to keep commerce thriving. By renting out shops, we attract a variety of business owners, and in turn, they attract different customers. This stimulates trade and ensures economic growth.”
She paused, then continued.
“As for selling the shops—let’s say we have 1,000 total. I’m only selling 700 of them. Why? Because when people own property here, they will be personally invested in Luo City’s success. They won’t need me to organize tournaments to draw in traffic—they will actively bring in customers themselves.
This generates continuous economic activity, ensuring that money flows within the city. And what does that mean for me? Taxes. Business taxes, sanitation fees, management fees—all steady sources of revenue.
If I kept every shop to myself, I wouldn’t be able to collect as much tax revenue. And besides—how could my network of contacts ever compare to hundreds of different merchants bringing in their own customers?
Additionally, my own restaurants and inns will prosper alongside these businesses. Not to mention, Luo City’s future isn’t just about melons and tomatoes. We have many more unique products yet to be introduced. These will naturally spread across the four nations, making Luo City an essential trading hub.”
Yu Luo smiled slightly.
“So, you see, I’m not selling these shops for any other reason. This is purely business. And since we’re friends, I’ve laid everything bare for you.”
Ah Zan finally understood.
But while he remained skeptical about Luo City’s future, he couldn’t deny his admiration for Yu Luo’s vision and intelligence.
As for Ye Lu—he was completely captivated.
Before today, he had only seen Yu Luo as a bold, beautiful woman with a mysterious past.
But now…
Now, he felt completely unworthy of her.
Every woman he had ever met spent their days adorning themselves, scheming to gain favor, or competing for attention.
But Yu Luo—despite having stunning beauty—never relied on her looks.
She was far beyond the average woman… far beyond most men, too.
Including himself.
For the first time in his life, Ye Lu felt utterly useless.
He was a prince, yet he had spent his days idling around, never striving for power or ambition.
Now, standing before Yu Luo, he realized how insignificant he was.
Ah Zan, seeing his master’s dazed expression, cleared his throat and said:
“Miss Yu, your vision is truly admirable. Now that I understand your strategy, I apologize for doubting you earlier. Please forgive my narrow-mindedness.”
Ah Zan knew when to admit defeat.
Now that he saw Yu Luo’s true capabilities, he knew she wasn’t some opportunist trying to swindle money.
She was a force to be reckoned with.
Ye Lu immediately puffed up his chest.
“See? I told you Yu Luo isn’t an ordinary woman! You just embarrassed yourself!”
Ah Zan: …
He didn’t even bother pointing out that, if not for his persistence, Ye Lu wouldn’t have witnessed Yu Luo’s brilliance in the first place.
Yu Luo smiled lightly.
“I wouldn’t call it forgiveness. I’m merely the contractor explaining things to a potential investor. But since we’re now acquainted, Your Highness—if you ever want to make money, rest assured: As long as I’m eating meat, I’ll make sure you’re at least drinking soup.”
Ye Lu’s eyes lit up.
For the first time, he had found purpose.
He didn’t care about the throne, but he now realized: he needed to be rich!
Before, he never thought much about wealth.
But ever since meeting Yu Luo, he had come to see his own poverty.
Just recalling how he had once mocked her at the Feng City auction for being unable to afford rare goods—he wanted to slap himself.
“Miss Yu, with those words, I am truly honored! From now on, I will follow your lead and drink as much soup as I can!”
