Tong Huaqiong was surprised and said, "Inspired by me?"

Master Wen smiled and said, "Yes. When Taohua Dessert opened, you put up a big sign saying that it was the same as the pastries loved by Magistrate Yao. Since then, those pastries have become our store’s signature. I thought maybe I could use this idea too... With the skills of our bakery masters, they would definitely bring out their expertise at this point. Instead of developing new pastry recipes, I figured out how to sell them better, and I remembered the sign from opening day..."

It has to be said, Master Wen has learned very well, even to the point of excelling her mentor.

Tong Huaqiong said with a smile, "So you went to Wanliu Academy to find Jingzhe, and then collaborated with Miss Lu for a joint event?"

Gu Jingzhe’s title as the top of the class could be used; after all, it was a family business, so he would definitely agree. He even helped write the words and the copy.

But using Mr. Lu’s name required authorization from the Lu Family.

Master Wen nodded and said, "Thanks to the support of the Third Young Master, he helped me write the sign. And thanks to Miss Lu, originally I mentioned a discount for purchasing rouge or soap with a Furong pastry receipt, but Miss Lu offered it as a direct gift, saying it’s a joyous occasion if her brother becomes the Champion Scholar, and money should be shared to celebrate."

"Moreover, Boss, I calculated, I made two hundred pieces of Furong pastry, and if Mr. Lu becomes the Champion Scholar, providing an 80% discount on the purchase of pastries on record is still profitable for us. Even for this win, I won’t jeopardize the overall interest of the shop."

Master Wen explained the costs and profits to Tong Huaqiong.

Very good, she already has cost control awareness.

"And Su Pingting’s butterfly pastry."

"I spoke with Miss Su. Using her name, she gets a commission. Buyers of Miss Su’s butterfly pastry are usually young gentlemen. We can price a bit higher, and even giving Miss Su a 30% cut per pastry, we’re still making a profit. Miss Su is very willing for us to name the pastry after her, she said being a beauty doesn’t last forever, better to make money while you can."

If it weren’t for Master Wen mentioning Su Pingting, Tong Huaqiong would have forgotten that Master Wen even got Tianxiang Building involved.

In this era, Tianxiang Building was a legal establishment, but generally, people preferred not to associate with it.

Yet Master Wen came up with the idea of co-branding with the lead of Tianxiang Building, earning from the gentlemen, which showed she was business-savvy and flexible.

It was like when Tong Huaqiong was in Yan Guan Town, targeting the ladies of Tianxiang Building for birthday cake sales.

This further demonstrates that Master Wen’s skills aren’t limited to the bakery; she has potential as a marketing master.

She just wanted to train her talents to later distribute them to various business stores.

She saw hope in Master Wen.

Tong Huaqiong looked at Master Wen with satisfaction, then turned to Manager Sun.

In her heart, Master Wen was the best candidate for the bakery manager, but it was also necessary to show respect for the shopkeeper’s authority.

Manager Sun nodded repeatedly, sincerely admiring Master Wen this time.

Manager Sun voluntarily said, "Boss, in this competition, Master Wen indeed won. I am impressed. From tomorrow on, the bakery will be entrusted to Master Wen."

Master Wen solemnly assured Tong Huaqiong and Manager Sun that she would not disappoint.

Among the bakery professionals, some accepted defeat willingly, some unwillingly, and some neither accepted nor agreed.

But that didn’t matter.

The final result was that Master Wen won, and everyone had to accept the fact she was a woman and now the head of the bakery.

Master Wen stood at the bakery entrance, taking a deep breath.

This was her first time going to work as the head of the bakery.

She needed to steady herself.

Master Wen’s gaze was firm.

She knew some people inside still didn’t accept her.

The owner said she got the position through fair competition, thus she deserved the head position.

So she was deserving.

Looking at the busy figures in the bakery, except for her standing outside, all were male workers.

Master Wen had a bold idea in her mind; she could recruit some girls to become pastry chefs.

Lu Zhaozhao’s Rouge Shop was run almost entirely by female clerks; Taohua Dessert had female clerks too, why couldn’t the bakery?

Many poor girls around the capital city were serving as slaves or maids in wealthy families for a living.

Is it because they are unwilling to learn a skill?

Is it because they are naturally unsuited to learning a craft?

No, the main reason is that some shops are unwilling to hire female apprentices, let alone have female workers.

Like when she worked in another pastry shop for years, had great skills, but the owner always made her sift flour and barred her from the bakery.

If it weren’t for Taohua Dessert’s owner Tong Huaqiong breaking convention and letting her into the bakery to make pastries, she wouldn’t be here today.

If those poor girls could learn skills at Taohua Dessert Bakery, they would surely be grateful and work harder.

As she thought, Master Wen walked steadily into the bakery, first holding a meeting like the owner used to, planning to establish a reward and punishment system... she didn’t care who opposed or supported her anymore.

After a day as the manager, Master Wen gained confidence.

"How was it today?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

At closing time, Tong Huaqiong met Master Wen who was still working on the reward and punishment system and asked.

Master Wen smiled and said, "It wasn’t as hard as I thought."

Tong Huaqiong gave Master Wen an approving look and said, "Once you start doing something, it isn’t hard."

After all, tasks are done by people, what Master Song could do, Master Wen could do as well.

Master Wen thought for a moment and said to Tong Huaqiong, "Boss, I have an idea..."

Master Wen then explained her plan to recruit some impoverished girls as apprentices in the bakery.

Tong Huaqiong immediately understood what Master Wen meant. Now, with Manager Sun as the head in the city’s shop, he might not agree to recruit female apprentices, and Master Wen hoped Tong Huaqiong would support her.

Tong Huaqiong would not do that way. She said, "Master Wen, your idea is great. I support it, but I won’t press Manager Sun to agree. After all, the shop is entrusted to him, and as the owner, I must consider his views. You are now the head of the bakery, you have to persuade Manager Sun to adopt your ideas. This is just one thing, there will be many things in the future where you’ll need his support, you must learn how to get along with him."

Master Wen thought about it and understood. She gathered her smile and said to Tong Huaqiong, "Boss, I got it. I won’t overstep in the future, I’ll definitely consult Manager Sun beforehand at times."

Tong Huaqiong said, "As long as you understand."

No shop owner wants subordinates to cross the line, and Manager Sun is no exception.

Anyone bypassing him and going directly to the owner would undermine his authority.

Master Wen didn’t understand on her first day as manager, but lack of understanding can be taught.

Fortunately, she immediately understood when Tong Huaqiong pointed it out.