Chapter 318 Ye Jiayao's Advice
Ye Jiayao didn't know when Xia Chunyu came back, nor did she know how she got from the couch to the bed. She just heard a rustling sound in the morning. When she opened her eyes, Chunyu was putting on his shoes and she was in bed.

"When did you come back?" Ye Jiayao stretched out an arm to hold down the quilt, but felt cold and quickly pulled it back.

Xia Chunyu rushed over and kissed her: "Don't wait for me in the future, go to bed first, I'm a bit busy these days."

Ye Jiayao hooked her arm around his neck to prevent him from leaving. Her voice was soft and sticky, revealing the lazy atmosphere of the morning: "What are you busy with?"

Xia Chunyu kissed her again: "It's the end of the year, and there are a lot of things to do in the palace."

Ye Jiayao thought about it and realized that he didn't seem to be so busy at this time last year.

"Be good, take care of the family. I'll spend more time with you after this busy period." Xia Chunyu coaxed her like a child.

Ye Jiayao reluctantly let go of her hand, sincerely feeling that it was not a good thing for both of them to be so busy.

After Xia Chunyu left, Ye Jiayao thought of the important things she had to do today, so she quickly got up.

Let Steward Zhong go to Chunfeng first and call Ziming back. At this point, Chunfeng should not have gone to the Dali Temple yet, so Chunfeng can take charge. Otherwise, we have to ask Liuli, and that damn woman might start to complain again.

Manager Zhong asked what he would do when he returned.

Ye Jiayao had thought it through yesterday: "Let him stay by your side and help you out first."

This position was arranged with great meaning. It seemed that assisting Manager Zhong was a good job with bright prospects, but it was not an important job, and Manager Zhong could still help her keep an eye on things.

Manager Zhong had no objection and went to the Third Young Master's residence after receiving the order.

Ye Jiayao then went to Tianshangju, wanting to discuss the food festival with Zhong Xiang and Cui Dongpeng. Everyone put their heads together, and three heads are better than Zhuge Liang.

However, this was the first time they had heard of the food festival, and they really couldn’t think of any good ideas. Every idea they came up with was rejected by Ye Jiayao.

Taking advantage of the fact that there were guests at noon, Ye Jiayao conducted another customer survey to find out what kind of food festival the guests most wanted to see.

To sum up, some guests asked for tangible discounts. These people belong to the middle class and put benefits first. Some guests said they wanted to see new things. These guests are relatively high-end. They don’t care about money and want tangible good things. Some guests also think that Tianshangju might as well hold an event and they will definitely support it. These people are Tianshangju’s loyal customers.

Ye Jiayao had a plan in mind. After lunch, she asked Qiao Xi and Xiang Tao to help in the dessert shop. The two had been fascinated by making desserts recently. She then took Zhong Xiang to the Chamber of Commerce.

Everyone arrived early, including Mrs. Rong, who was specially invited by Lu Xiaotian.

"I'm really sorry for delaying everyone's work due to my personal reasons. Fortunately, there is still time. Please speak freely and try to finalize the plan for the food festival today." Lu Xiaotian's opening remarks were concise and went straight to the point.

Lin Changchun was the first to speak: "The food festival can be held by the Qinhuai River, because there are the most people who come there for leisure and entertainment, and the place is spacious, which will not affect people's travel, and it is also convenient to maintain public security."

This suggestion was recognized by everyone.

Soon the location, time, number of days and cost allocation were decided.

The most critical question is how to do it and in what form should it be held.

Everyone has different opinions.

Because the booths were simple, each restaurant had one booth, the space was limited, and the guests could only taste a little. What effect would it have? No one was sure.

After much discussion, everyone's attention was finally focused on Ye Jiayao, who had remained silent.

"Shopkeeper Ye, what do you think?" Duan Qilin asked.

At this time, Ye Jiayao already had a rough plan in mind. She swept her eyes over everyone's faces. Seeing those expectant eyes, she decided not to hide her secrets and said, "The Food Festival can actually not be limited to three days. Instead, we can use these three days to promote our own restaurant. We can divide the Food Festival into two parts. The first part is what everyone just said. In three days, we can bring out the special dishes of our own restaurant for the guests to taste, introduce our own restaurant, and launch a series of subsequent preferential measures, such as discounts for booking banquets during the Food Festival, or distribute coupons, and all consumption with coupons will be discounted, etc. The second part will be held in everyone's own restaurant. The preferential measures launched must be in place to let the guests feel your sincerity, rather than deceiving them to consume. If the guests are satisfied, maybe new customers will be converted into old customers. I think, as long as everyone does a good job, this year can be a good year."

Lu Xiaotian's eyes brightened as he grasped the key point in Ye Jiayao's words, which was the word "discount".

Besides delicious food, what else can attract customers better than discounts? Of course, discounts, especially for those restaurants with average performance, should be the most powerful measure. "Isn't this just small profits but quick turnover?" Zheng Sanduo said with a disdainful tone.

"I worked so hard but didn't make much money in the end. Is it worth it?" Lian, the shopkeeper of Xiangyilou, sneered.

"Everyone is offering preferential measures. Can those small restaurants compete with you big restaurants? Aren't you big restaurants the ones who benefit in the end?" Another person raised the question.

Ye Jiayao smiled faintly: "The opportunities are equal. No one is successful from the beginning. It depends on how you do it. Small profits but quick turnover is also a channel. It doesn't mean you have to do business at a loss."

These short-sighted guys, no wonder they can only do small business after so many years, without outstanding cooking skills and unique business philosophy, how can they compete with others? If they come up with some real preferential measures, maybe they can make more money!

Lin Changchun immediately said, "I agree with Shopkeeper Ye's point of view. Big restaurants have their own consumer groups, and small restaurants have their own consumer groups. We are holding a food festival this time to expand our restaurant's business and attract more consumer groups. There are still many people who don't want to eat in restaurants in order to save money. This is an opportunity."

Lu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Shopkeeper Lin is right. Shopkeeper Ye's idea is to help everyone expand their interests. The Food Festival is just a platform, giving everyone an opportunity to promote themselves. As for how to do it, it's up to you. The strength of the discount should be within your means. However, there is one thing I want to make clear first, that is, you can't engage in vicious competition and undercut each other on price. In the end, you will suffer the consequences."

The general direction was decided, and then Lu Xiaotian began to divide the work. Duan Qilin was in charge of the venue, and he personally took charge of the communication with the government. As for the early publicity and promotion work, Lu Xiaotian glanced at Ye Jiayao, and then asked everyone: "Who do you think is more suitable to do it?"

Then, everyone's eyes fell on Ye Jiayao again.

Lu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Shopkeeper Ye."

Ye Jiayao smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if I work hard. As the vice president, it is my job to contribute to the Chamber of Commerce and to seek benefits for everyone. However, there is one thing I want to say first."

Everyone was at ease and acted as if they were listening attentively.

Ye Jiayao suppressed her smile and said seriously, "Today's plan was developed by everyone together. Everyone's thoughts and steps must be in sync. If anyone feels that participating in this food festival is meaningless, they can withdraw. I have said that everything depends on human effort. The opportunity has been given to you, and it is up to you to what extent you can achieve it. Don't complain about anything later and make everyone's good intentions go to waste."

The few people who had raised objections just now looked embarrassed and avoided Ye Jiayao's gaze awkwardly.

Duan Qilin said, "That's right. Participation is voluntary. The registration period is three days. Each family must pay a deposit of 200 taels. When the time comes, the amount spent will be refunded or supplemented. Make your own decision and don't complain."

"That's for sure. Everyone else is making money, but you can't. It's because you are not capable." Lin Changchun said indifferently.

No one raised any objections, and Lu Xiaotian made the final decision: "That's settled, everyone can get ready."

Ye Jiayao originally wanted to say something to Lu Xiaotian, but Lu Xiaotian just said hello to Madam Rong and walked away while talking to Duan Qilin.

Ye Jiayao felt a little uncomfortable, but she could also understand Lu Xiaotian's distance. He didn't want to cause any misunderstandings.

Madam Rong came over and said gently, "I have seen a different side of you today."

A woman who is surrounded by a group of men is no less decisive than men, and is very courageous, which makes Mrs. Rong have a new understanding of Ye Jiayao. Ye Jiayao's success is not only based on her superb cooking skills.

Ye Jiayao smiled sheepishly: "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."

She respected Mrs. Rong very much and did not dare to act arrogantly in front of her.

The members left in twos and threes, with Ye Jiayao and Mrs. Rong falling behind.

Madam Rong said, "Your idea is really good, especially for those small restaurants. In fact, you don't have to tell them. The biggest beneficiary of the food festival will be Tianshangju. It's a pity that some people don't appreciate it."

Ye Jiayao smiled generously: "Everything is based on the overall situation. My family's well-being is nothing. Everyone can make money! As for whether they appreciate it or not, it is their own business. I won't lose anything because of it."

Madam Rong couldn't help but give her a thumbs up in her heart. The Prince of Jing'an was a leader among men, and only a woman like Ye Jinxuan was worthy of him.

She began to believe that perhaps many years later, Ye Jinxuan would really become a figure recorded in history books. At the very least, she would have an indelible place in the hearts of people who love gourmet food.

Ye Jiayao didn't know that Madam Rong had silently given her such a high evaluation. She was just moving forward step by step towards her ideal. As for how far she could go, she would just do her best.

(End of this chapter)