CHAPTER 416: CHAPTER 416: VICTORY

Manager Zhang did not hesitate and directly voted for Pei’s.

He felt his conscience reproached him for voting for Liu’s in the second round, and felt deeply guilty, now he no longer cared about the Commerce Association.

He too was in the pastry business, and more than anyone, he wanted such delicious pastries to be known widely, not buried.

As for the crowd voting, only twenty votes were cast for Liu’s, the rest went to Pei’s.

The crowd account for 8 votes, plus 2 votes from the judges, making a total of 10 votes, while Liu’s only received 5.

When the results were announced, Hong Dachu sat dejectedly on the ground, looking desolate.

"Impossible, it’s impossible, I’ve been making floral pastries for so many years, renowned for my flowers, how could I lose to a little girl."

In his middle age still honing his craft, his pastries were just starting to gain some recognition, not even having one or two standout pastries.

Yet this young girl had made such delicious pastries and received so much recognition.

It wasn’t just about defeat and dignity, it made his decades-long career seem like a joke.

He could accept losing anywhere else, but not with his floral pastries, which he had spent most of his life researching, traveling across mountains and every corner of Dayan to learn.

Now it was shown so directly that his pastries couldn’t compare to those made by this little girl named Pei Shu’er.

He was exactly fifty now, his health had been good, but in this moment, he felt old.

His steps were unsteady as he slowly walked to Pei Shu’er’s cooking station.

"Young girl, may I taste your pastries?"

His lips trembled, his face pale.

Pei Shu’er handed him a piece.

After eating the piece of pastry, Hong Dachu froze for a moment, then whimpered.

"So delicious, how can it be so delicious? Why is it so much tastier than mine?"

His pastries were completely trampled upon.

He tried to stand up, only to fall headfirst to the ground, fainting.

Pei Shu’er did not expect Hong Dachu, such a large man, to faint just like that.

This isn’t just being overweight, is it?

He immediately went over to start rescue efforts, pressing on Hong Dachu’s philtrum, and soon enough, Hong Dachu woke up, the first thing he saw was Pei Shu’er.

His eyes were filled with tears.

"Young girl, give me another piece."

Pei Shu’er dared not give him another piece, afraid he might faint again after eating.

Hong Dachu stood up by himself, after successive blows, he had to admit.

"There are people beyond people, mountains beyond mountains, young girl, you’ve taught me a lesson."

Pei Shu’er said, "I just have a good teacher, that’s why I’m so skilled."

Hong Dachu’s eyes brightened: "Where’s your master? Would they take me as a disciple?"

Pei Shu’er hesitated for a moment, then coughed lightly.

"My master is traveling, not sure where they are now."

Hong Dachu sighed.

Tang Zan looked at Manager Liu.

"Announce the results."

Manager Liu felt the man before him was somewhat intimidating, full of murderous air and a regal presence.

He looked at the vice president, who nodded, prompting him to grit his teeth and announce.

"Pei’s received a total of 32 votes, Liu’s received a total of 13 votes, Pei’s wins."

As these words were spoken, Pei Shu’er’s face lit up with a smile, Hong Dachu remained despondent.

Manager Liu looked even gloomier: "Since the results are out, let’s leave, everyone disperse."

After saying this he wanted to leave, Pei Shu’er laughed, "Wait, Manager Liu, haven’t you forgotten something?"

Manager Liu gritted his teeth, "We’ve collected all our things."

Pei Shu’er chuckled, "Stop pretending, you forgot our bet, Liu’s must now withdraw from the Jingzhou Chamber of Commerce, let’s go together to take down your firm’s name from the Chamber."

Manager Liu’s face turned pale, he couldn’t have predicted Pei’s would win, anyone else wouldn’t believe it either.

That’s why he had agreed.

Now, Liu’s withdrawal from the Chamber posed huge losses for him.

He was eager to leave to dodge the bill, unexpectedly Pei Shu’er, unashamedly, held him to it.

Manager Liu said, "I can’t do that."

Pei Shu’er raised an eyebrow, "What, Manager Liu, are you trying to evade? The Vice President of the Chamber and so many members are present."

Manager Liu instinctively glanced at the five Chamber judges, seeing they indeed were eyeing him.

He was at a loss for words for a moment, then suddenly said, "I... I can’t make the decision, let our Manager Liu come."

Pei Shu’er laughed, "How could you not make the decision, if you can’t, shall I bring the Prefect to see?"

After this was said, Manager Liu wasn’t afraid anymore, who didn’t know the Prefect was lazy and unwilling to meddle in such matters.

Moreover, they’ve been here for so many years, their relationship with Prefect Xie was good.

Prefect Xie likely wouldn’t help Pei Shu’er.

"Sure, go ahead and call them."

Pei Shu’er looked at Tang Zan, her voice taking a coquettish tone.

"Husband, isn’t it time for you to invite the Prefect~"

Tang Zan adored the way Pei Shu’er called him husband, even though he knew this little fox always had intentions when calling him that.

But it was precisely because Pei Shu’er relied on him that she spoke this way.

Tang Zan immediately arranged for Xuan Yi to handle it.

Xuan Yi was a steadier person, plus Tang Zan had given him an official rank.

When Xuan Yi went to visit Prefect Xie, he found him lounging in a pavilion, watching his concubine dance.

After Xuan Yi reported his status as Commander, Prefect Xie noticeably became more courteous, immediately dispatched a government officer.

"Bring some of your brothers, let Liu’s fulfill the agreement."

When Xuan Yi arrived with those officers, he was indifferent, what was the use of officers, just a formality.

Manager Liu laughed as he stepped forward, offering five taels of silver, yet the officers, looking at the silver, did not accept.

Manager Liu’s heart skipped a beat, he began to panic.

After all, in the bureaucracy, there were some rules, if they couldn’t accomplish something, they wouldn’t take money.

Sure enough, he quickly heard the officer speak.

"Manager Liu, go to the Chamber to withdraw the trademark and remove it from the Chamber."

Manager Liu’s face turned paler, cold sweat breaking on his forehead.

"I... I can’t make that decision."

The officer ignored him: "You were appointed by Manager Liu, how can you not make decisions, hurry up, stop dawdling."

As he spoke, the officer pushed Manager Liu.

Manager Liu dared not delay, before leaving, he quickly instructed the staff next to him.

"You go find Manager Liu and go to the Chamber."