The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 161 VIP Client Treatment

"Sister Yue'e, don't sell the rest, save half a basket for me. I'll buy it for the old lady, the madam, and the master to try."

When Yuqin saw that there was only half a basket left, she smiled and whispered in Liu Yue'e's ear.

Liu Yue'e said, "Yuqin, no, that won't do. These zongzi are displayed in the shop; I can't very well take them away right under everyone's noses."

Tong Huaqiong constantly reminded everyone to serve every customer well and not let any customer feel neglected.

And take Ma Huateng as an example. If Su Shi Yuan hadn't silently given two batches of mung bean cakes to Master Hong, would they have lost such a loyal customer as Ma Huateng?
Once loyal customers lose heart, they'll abandon you without a second thought.

None of the staff at Peach Blossom Desserts could bring themselves to serve pastries to wealthier customers right under their noses.

Wealthy customers who want to use the VIP channel should make a reservation in advance.

Even the super VIP customers, the Huang family, are no exception.

Liu Yue'e resolutely carried out her mother-in-law's policies.

Yuqin said, "Then can I buy the rest in front of everyone?"

Ma Huateng chimed in, "No way, didn't you see the line for meat dumplings is already outside? If you want to buy some, you'll have to queue outside. By the time it's your turn, there probably won't be many left."

Gu Xiaocao chimed in, "Now there's a purchase limit; each person can only buy a maximum of two."

This is a common marketing tactic of Peach Blossom Desserts. Whenever they launch a new product that is popular, they will initially limit the number of customers who can purchase it.

The main issue is that Tong Huaqiong isn't sure how well people will accept the products. The first batch of new products will always be tested, and since it's a trial, she won't prepare too much.

If people are interested after trying the samples and a long queue forms, immediately estimate the number of people and implement a purchase limit.

The popularity of meat-filled rice dumplings this time is no exception.

Yuqin was a little unhappy when she heard the waiter at Peach Blossom Desserts making excuses to her.

Could she be an ordinary customer?
The reputation of Peach Blossom Desserts was built thanks in part to her husband's efforts.

Gu Taohua was busy attracting customers when she noticed Yuqin's displeasure. She pulled Yuqin into a private room next door, poured her some hot tea, and said with a smile, "Sister Yuqin, please don't take it to heart that my second sister-in-law and Xiao Ma were being too blunt. I apologize on their behalf. Think about it, these are the rules of our Taohua Dessert Shop, and they can't very well disobey them. The zongzi in the shop are for customers, but are you a customer, Sister Yuqin? You're one of us. My mother wanted to give you these zongzi separately. Others may not know, but my mother and I are just showing our appreciation for you."

“My mother was saying today that she knows you have a discerning palate and can tell the difference between good and bad food, so she'll definitely like these meat dumplings. The meat dumplings cooking in the big pot in the yard are even better than those sold in the shops. Besides the egg yolk and meat, they have chestnuts added. My mother specially saved this pot for you, and also left a basket for Mr. and Mrs. Huang. She's already told my second brother to deliver them to the Huang family when they close up shop tonight. My second sister-in-law and Xiao Ma don't know about this, and it's my fault for not greeting you immediately when you came in, making you misunderstand them.”

Yuqin immediately smiled upon hearing this.

The zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are secondary; it's not like the Huang family can't afford them.

She was happy mainly because Aunt Tong thought of her.

Yuqin's anger subsided instantly, and she said, "Sister Peach Blossom, it's not easy for you to run a business. How can you not charge for the rice dumplings? I just ate one, and the filling inside was so generous; it must have cost a lot to make."

Gu Taohua laughed and said, "What's the big deal? It's not like we send them every day. Isn't this the Dragon Boat Festival? My mother had been planning to make some zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) that we don't have in Yanguan Town to give to your grandmother."

Yuqin had no doubt about Tong Huaqiong's sincerity.

Aunt Tong was very generous. Every time she came to buy pastries, she would give her some fresh food. If she were to say anything more polite, it would seem like she was being distant.

So he asked with a smile, "When will the zongzi be ready?"

Gu Taohua said, "It will probably be evening. Meat dumplings are different from sweet dumplings; they taste better if they are cooked for a longer time."

Yuqin said, "I don't have anything to do anyway. The old lady said I could come out and wander around and not go back in a hurry, so I'll just wait here."

Gu Taohua couldn't refuse and nodded, "Okay." Yuqin waved her hand and said, "Go ahead and do your work, don't worry about me."

Gu Taohua went out and went to the backyard. She saw Tong Huaqiong coming out of the bakery and told her that Yuqin had come to the shop to buy pastries and had eaten a meat zongzi, which boosted the sales of meat zongzi.

She took it upon herself to promise to give some of the meat dumplings in the pot to the Huang family.

Tong Huaqiong smiled at Gu Taohua and said, "You did the right thing!"

Gu Taohua, having received praise from Tong Huaqiong, went to the shop with a proud look on her face to attract customers.

As Tong Huaqiong watched Gu Taohua's retreating figure, she thought to herself that Gu Taohua had become quite successful, had gained some experience, and had developed a managerial style in her actions.

I just don't know if she still has feelings for Fan Tong.

Ever since Tong Huaqiong took Gu Taohua to the Xu family to act as matchmakers and failed to bring Xu Zaohua and Fan Tong together, she has been worried that Gu Taohua might rekindle her feelings for Fan Tong.

Although Gu Taohua chose her career over a man last time, she is still only a fourteen-year-old girl. I'm afraid that her lingering feelings might be stirred up by Fan Tong.

However, what puzzled Tong Huaqiong was that Fan Tong had not visited Peach Blossom Dessert since it opened.

Could it be that Fan Tong and the girl from the village chief of Bison Valley have become a couple?

In Tong Dajiao's memory, Fan Tong was two-timing. In the autumn of that year in her previous life, Fan Tong was secretly engaged to the village chief's daughter while also seducing Gu Taohua. Two months after the news of Gu Jingzhe passing the imperial examination with top honors spread, Gu Taohua was revealed to be pregnant out of wedlock.

In Tong Huaqiong's modern mindset, Fan Tong was the mastermind behind this premarital pregnancy incident, while Gu Taohua was considered a victim.

She was just a fifteen-year-old girl, while Fan Tong was already a ripe cucumber in autumn. He only gave up the village chief's daughter to seduce Gu Taohua because he thought Gu Jingzhe had the potential to become a success.

However, Gu Taohua had to bear the consequences of her premarital pregnancy.

Gu Taohua became a laughing stock in the Qinghewan area.

The daughter of the Buffalo Valley village chief, unable to bear the broken engagement, jumped into a well. The Gu family bore the wrath of the Buffalo Valley village chief's clan, and their house was destroyed.

In the end, Lu Zhaozhao sent someone to pay off the dispute with silver.

Because of her premarital pregnancy, Gu Taohua could never hold her head high in front of her mother-in-law after arriving at the Fan family.

Despite her domineering attitude at the Gu family's house, she suffered torment from her mother-in-law under Fan Tong's manipulation at the Fan family's home.

After Gu Jingzhe rose rapidly in rank, Gu Taohua even cried and made a scene, demanding that Gu Jingzhe carry Fan Tong's shoes.

Even though Fan Tong used the dowry that Lu Zhaozhao gave her to take many concubines, she felt that she had no right to be jealous because she was pregnant out of wedlock.

Thinking of this, Tong Huaqiong shook her head.

"Aunt Tong".

Tong Huaqiong heard Yuqin calling her.

He said with a smile, "Yuqin is here. You can take the rice dumplings with you after they're done cooking."

“Okay.” Yuqin readily agreed.

While waiting for the pastries to bake, Yuqin chatted with Tong Huaqiong.

A piece of information revealed by Yuqin made Tong Huaqiong listen attentively.

(End of this chapter)