Chapter 458

Chapter 458: Candy Lottery Draw

“Meaning, Miss Reisia wants to use my store to help sell some candies?” The boss confirmed with a query.

“Yes.” The blonde-haired, red-dress clad young lady nodded.

She wouldn’t stay here for long, so to make things convenient, she would leave some candies in the store for consignment.

“But what’s in it for me? Selling candies feels out of place for us, and it will also take up space meant for jewelry,” although there was no business at the moment, the boss still did not want to easily give in.

“This… do you still have some with you, Mira?” Reisia thought for a moment and asked the girl next to her to take out several beautifully wrapped candies from a small pouch at her waist. These were made by the rabbit-eared people of Tixilan before she left.

Unwrapping the candy with engraved patterns, a light golden semi-transparent candy appeared on the table. The boss picked it up and smelled it, feeling a refreshing sweetness.

This was top-notch candy, free of impurities. After checking it over, he placed it in his mouth and savored it slowly.

A delicate sweetness spread from the tip of his tongue, a special sensation that was hard to resist, making him close his eyes slightly and savor every bit of it.

“The candies from Lagertis Trading Company are indeed exceptional. These must contain minute amounts of extraordinary ingredients to have such an impressive effect,” as a merchant, he had some insight.

Reisia nodded and continued looking at the boss without further words.

Seeing this silent young lady, the boss knew he was dealing with a seasoned professional and thus gave up on trying to lower the price any further, instead taking the initiative to agree.

“In that case, we seem to have room for cooperation.”

Thus, they began discussing the venue price and commission rates.

After signing the agreement, Reisia bid farewell for now. Tomorrow, someone else would bring over another batch of candies. For this tour, she had prepared many different kinds of candies.

“So, I wish you well, Miss Reisia.” The boss watched as they left.

Once they were far enough, the store manager approached and asked,

“Why did you suddenly agree? Didn’t you say earlier that you wanted to maintain the store’s taste and style?”

“You don’t understand this, just focus on doing your job well. Don’t try anything tricky, and don’t create any unpleasantness with them. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.” The manager still had questions but knew better than to push for more explanations. He shook his head and turned back to start thinking about how to clear space.

Seeing the manager busy with tasks, the boss sat down at the table and slowly finished his tea, reflecting on everything that happened.

Yes, he was right. The maid who poured tea for him was Fenny, the talented niece of the former mayor of Evet City. Didn’t she go to the royal academy in the Imperial Capital a few years ago?

To think she survived the chaos and was likely now at Sequence 4. Moreover, being a descendant of a criminal, she could move around freely. Hiring such a maid indicated that Miss Reisia was no ordinary person.

Making money was one thing, but if he could build a relationship with someone like her, it would truly be lucky. Knowing that many merchants were currently struggling with the law enforcement department in Clancia, they couldn’t afford to simply bribe their way through as they used to with the West Wind.

Under strict regulations, finding loopholes became incredibly difficult. Even abiding by laws, they had to deal with various inspections and audits. If this continued, the trade bureau would soon have a complete record of all their assets.

Even though he didn’t engage in anything illegal, sometimes he felt insecure. It was because he had seen too many of his peers fall due to the harsh crackdowns.

He still remembered that night when the enforcement team knocked on doors house by house according to the list. One by one, they were detained and sealed off. All their accounts, both public and private, were uncovered, and each of them was questioned about the origins and destinations of their funds.

The judge with glasses looked at them like sheep waiting to be slaughtered, cold and indifferent. Fortunately, his business was small and couldn’t compete with bigger deals, so he remained relatively compliant and managed to survive that ordeal. His fellow merchants who couldn’t escape the fate were taken outside the city and executed, a nightmare scene that kept him from sleeping soundly for a long time.

After that, the merchants in Whitewood County became law-abiding citizens, good citizens even better than ordinary people.

—

The next day, in the market of Evet City.

A unique stall appeared in today’s market, decorated with colorful ribbons and bells that fluttered in the wind, creating soft chimes. Three stalls merged into one, with a person playing a flute, another shaking a handbell, and another tapping a small drum, creating music.

A staff member in a white coat stood in front of the stall, holding a large bronze bell, drawing everyone’s attention.

“We are the Lagertis Trading Company, and today we’re here specifically to hold a lottery draw. The process is transparent, honest, and fair. Even if you don’t win, you’ll get a candy as a gift.”

Then, he stepped aside to reveal a crystal instrument resembling a Ferris wheel behind him, filled with differently colored balls.

Someone shook the instrument, causing the balls inside to roll, while on one side, there was a small exit. As the door opened, the balls could roll out.

According to the explanation, the winners would be determined by the color and markings on the balls that rolled out.

Prizes ranged from high to low. At the top was a superlative fruit from the Tixilan Mountains, which could improve physical condition. Below were other items, all beautifully wrapped in exquisite ribbons and boxes, making them look very attractive.

Grand Prize: [Green Mandarin Fruit] (Rare Silver Grade), valued at approximately 12 Extraordinary Gold Coins.

First Prize: [Seven-Color Candy Jar] (7 candies are excellent Silver Grade), valued at approximately 6 Extraordinary Gold Coins.

Second Prize: [Red Pomegranate] (Rare Bronze Grade), valued at approximately 2 Extraordinary Gold Coins.

Third Prize: [Pearl Candy Jar] (5 candies are excellent Bronze Grade), valued at approximately 50 silver coins.

Consolation Prize: [Lagertis Milk Candy]

Although the highest prize wasn’t gold grade, the transparent instrument allowed for a clear view of the entire process, making the odds high and impossible to cheat. Under the staff’s demonstration, some customers were eager to give it a try. Even the third prize was considered a significant gain, and a single draw cost only 10 copper coins.

Soon, people gathered around, watching the central instrument and queuing up to participate in the lottery.

Amidst the bustling crowd, as some won prizes and returned with their rewards, the atmosphere ignited, and the crowd grew denser.

On the side of the market, under a light red awning, a rabbit-eared girl asked the young lady next to her:

“Didn’t those people calculate that the probability of winning is low and risky?”

“That’s true, but our goal isn’t just about winning. We’re using this to increase our fame and pave the way for future candy sales. Those who taste the candies will likely become our customers.”

Though this was just a side business during the trip, Lolan Hill didn’t mind having her subordinates gain more experience. Many of them would later become either helpers or competitors to domestic merchants.

Only by experiencing it firsthand can one truly understand, right?

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(End of Chapter)