I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Lin Che was in a good mood, with a bright smile on his face. He stepped forward and offered a helping hand, speaking in a friendly tone: "Clan Chief Wang, there's no need for such formalities. From now on, we are family. Please have a seat, and Ling Su, please sit as well."

He personally led the two to sit on cushioned sandalwood chairs, his posture casual yet exuding the air of a head of the family.

He then pushed three jade plates, each containing a spiced braised dish, a sweet and spicy duck dish, and a spicy rabbit dish, in front of the two of them. The braised dishes looked enticing, and the aroma of soy sauce mixed with the spiciness wafted out in wisps.

"You've come at the perfect time! Come and have a taste. These are some special dishes that my Lin family has recently come up with to accompany wine. Come and try them out and see how they taste."

When Wang Yanchi and Wang Lingsu's gazes fell on the jade plate.

When they saw that the food consisted of pig ears, chicken gizzards, and duck necks—items that were usually considered unrefined and even discarded in the spiritual meals—a look of surprise flashed across the eyes of both father and daughter.

Immediately, the domineering and complex exotic fragrance entered my nasal cavity, quickly replacing my initial surprise with pure curiosity.

Wang Yanchi, the usually calm and collected clan leader who had been immersed in the spirit wine industry for decades, showed a clear emotion on his refined face for the first time when he smelled the aroma of the braising sauce, which was different from the usual fresh and delicate flavor of spirit dishes.

He subconsciously took a deep breath, his brows furrowed slightly, and his nostrils flared gently, as if he were trying his best to discern the complex layers of spices contained within with his seasoned experience, his eyes gleaming with the prudence and inquiry of an expert.

He didn't rush to pick up his chopsticks. Instead, he looked at Lin Che with a questioning gaze. Only after Lin Che smiled and nodded in acknowledgment did he calmly take a pair of jade chopsticks.

Although he tried his best to maintain his composure, his slightly hurried movements still betrayed his inner eagerness and curiosity.

He hesitated for a moment, then carefully picked up a piece of thinly sliced, evenly cut, spiced pork ear strips with an enticing dark brown color.

Before putting it in his mouth, he even habitually probed it slightly with his divine sense, sensing the harmonious coexistence of the gentle earth elemental energy and the essence of the spices contained within.

The moment the pig's ear entered his mouth, he was slightly taken aback, and then his eyes, which always carried a gentle smile, slowly widened.

The salty, savory, and mellow base flavor first firmly takes over the tip of the tongue. Then, the wonderful aroma composed of more than a dozen spices blooms and blends in the mouth like layers of petals.

He chewed slowly, savoring the unique crisp and chewy texture and the increasingly rich flavor. After a while, he let out a long, satisfied sigh, as if expelling all the pent-up emotions and doubts from his chest.

He understood why the Lin family head had invited them today.

"Your Excellency..." When he spoke again, his voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement, and his gaze toward Lin Che was filled with undisguised admiration.

"This...this is truly a divine accompaniment to wine! Its flavor is rich and full-bodied, fragrant yet not cloying, with an unforgettable aftertaste! It's a match made in heaven with my Wang family's spirit wine!"

Compared to her father's caution, Wang Lingsu was much more direct.

Her gaze was almost immediately drawn to the plate of spicy rabbit meat, which was the most vibrant red and glossy, and exuded a strong, spicy aroma.

Without hesitation, he reached out with his chopsticks, picked up a piece of rabbit meat with a few chili seeds, and put it in his mouth.

"Hiss—ha!" The intense numbing and spicy sensation exploded in her mouth like a fuse, causing her to gasp sharply. Her cheeks turned red at a visible speed, and even a few tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

"So spicy! So numbing!" She fanned her mouth rapidly with her hand, trying to relieve the burning sensation, but she couldn't bear to stop chewing. Instead, she was overwhelmed by the extreme pleasure. Although her eyes were glistening with tears, they were filled with excitement and joy.

"So satisfying! So incredibly satisfying! Dad, this! This is absolutely amazing with our family's Crimson Flame Wine!" Her voice was slightly hoarse from the spiciness, but it was full of excitement.

He even forgot his manners for a moment, pulled out a wine jug from somewhere, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp.

As he savored the wonderful synergy between the refreshing and spicy flavors of the liquor in his mouth, a look of extreme satisfaction and pleasure spread across his face.

Seeing this, Wang Yanchi couldn't help but roll his eyes at his daughter helplessly and cough lightly.

Wang Lingsu immediately realized that she had lost her composure, her cheeks turned even redder, and she lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, stealing a glance at Lin Che.

Lin Che, however, was quite fond of her straightforward and unpretentious personality.

Instead of taking it to heart, he smiled and pushed another plate of spicy rabbit meat towards her, saying, "It's alright. Since we're family, it's better to be more casual in the future. There's no need to be so reserved."

When Wang Lingsu heard Lin Che say this, she glanced at her father and saw that he had turned his head away, seemingly agreeing. So she also let go of her reserve.

Pick up your chopsticks again and continue enjoying the food.

Despite sweating from the spiciness and having her cheeks flushed, she kept eating one piece after another, unable to stop.

The girl's genuine and unpretentious reaction is undoubtedly the strongest affirmation of the snacks Lin Che made to accompany his drinks!

Wang Yanchi shook his head and sighed inwardly, feeling quite helpless about his daughter's "bold" attitude. However, seeing that Lin Che's gaze was gentle and showed no displeasure, but rather appreciation, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He immediately took out several antique-style wine jars with intact mud seals from his storage bag and respectfully placed them on the table.

"Your Excellency, these are several kinds of spirit wines carefully brewed by my Wang family. Please taste them." He had a good eye; what was missing? Naturally, spirit wine.

Soon, Wang Lingsu poured a cup of spirit wine for Lin Che, the Liu siblings, and Su Wanwan who were present.

The group understood that since the patriarch called this dish "a snack to accompany wine," it naturally needed to be paired with spirit wine, and they began to taste it with great anticipation.

Liu Yunzhou couldn't wait to pick up a piece of his favorite braised chicken gizzard and put it in his mouth, savoring its chewy and smooth texture and rich braised aroma. Then he picked up his wine glass and took a sip of the clear and refreshing spirit wine.

The moment the wine and braised flavors mingled and collided in his mouth, the taste instantly sublimated. He couldn't help but slap the table in amazement: "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Patriarch, you are truly amazing! This combination is simply brilliant!"

Hearing everyone's heartfelt praise, Lin Che smiled and picked up a piece of spiced braised pork, savoring it with the amber-colored spirit wine in his cup.

The familiar yet unfamiliar complex flavors intertwined with the tipsy feeling brought on by alcohol, and for a moment, he felt as if he had returned to before he traveled back in time.

I recalled the wonderful scene of having a drink in the evening.

……

After everyone had finished tasting and were satisfied, Lin Che dismissed Liu Yunzhou and Su Wanwan, leaving Liu Qingxue alone to wait for orders, and began to discuss serious matters with Wang Yanchi.

"Clan Chief, my Lin family intends to open a tavern in Chuyang City. It will not be luxurious, but will focus on affordability and sell snacks to accompany drinks. It can be taken away or dine-in."

Lin Che said calmly, "I want to entrust the operation of this shop, as well as the supply of alcoholic beverages, entirely to your Wang family."

He paused slightly, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Wang Lingsu, who was sipping spirit wine and whose cheeks were still slightly flushed, before continuing, "Furthermore, the previous agreement that the Wang family would hand over 50% of their annual spirit wine profits to the Lin family will be changed to 20% from today onwards."

Originally, the Wang family was just an ordinary vassal, but now, the relationship between the two sides is about to be further strengthened by marriage, and Wang Lingsu will officially become his Daoist partner.

From both a moral and logical standpoint, 50% seems like the Lin family is being rather harsh, and it's more likely to put the newly arrived Wang Lingsu in an awkward position.

Furthermore, this reduction in offerings is a brilliant move with long-term implications.

While it may seem that the Lin family lost 30% of their profits in the short term, this act of kindness not only completely binds the Wang family to their loyalty but also greatly motivates them to run the tavern.

Once the tavern's business flourishes, even if only 20% is taken, the actual profit may not be less than the original 50%, which can further boost the sales of Lin's family's snacks, creating a virtuous cycle.

This is the way of managing subordinates by "showing them kindness and winning their hearts," which is more effective than simply relying on forceful exploitation in cultivating a loyal and devoted dependent family.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yanchi was shocked and looked up at Lin Che with disbelief and surprise in his eyes.

This is undoubtedly a huge boon for the Wang family!

Although Wangjialing wine is of excellent quality, it is not the only one available in Chuyang City, and the competition is fierce.

If we can attract customers with the Lin family's unique and delicious appetizers, why worry that Lingjiu won't sell well?

Not to mention that with the share of tribute being significantly reduced, the profits that the family can retain will be extremely considerable!

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty's kindness is boundless! The Wang family... The Wang family will forever remember it!" Wang Yanchi's voice trembled slightly with excitement. He stood up to perform another grand salute, but Lin Che raised his hand to stop him.

"My Wang family will dedicate all its resources and efforts to making this tavern a thriving success, and we will never fail to live up to His Majesty's trust and kindness!"

The first tangible benefit he received from relying on the Lin family was so astonishing that he had no more worries or doubts, only gratitude and excitement.

Then, the two had an in-depth discussion on many details, including the location of the tavern, the design and decoration of the store, the stable supply of ingredients, the pricing strategy for various snacks, and daily operation and management.

Ultimately, the auspicious opening date for the tavern was set for the first day of next month.

During this time, Wang Lingsu, who was temporarily left out, seemed a little restless.

Su Wanwan and Liu Yunzhou had already gone to attend to their own affairs, while Liu Qingxue remained silently standing on one side of the hall, waiting to escort Wang Yanchi away later.

But she just stood there expressionless, exuding a cold aura that kept strangers at bay. She never interacted with Wang Lingsu at all, and her gaze never even lingered on her.

This left Wang Lingsu unsure of what to do, so she could only awkwardly sip her drink.

After Lin Che and Wang Yanchi had discussed all the details, Wang Yanchi got up and walked towards his daughter.

Looking at his beloved daughter who was about to marry into the Lin family and start a new life, the usually composed clan leader couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions: relief, reluctance, and deep expectations.

He forced a gentle smile and raised his hand to pat his daughter's shoulder as usual, but in the end he just gently put it down.

He gently instructed, "Lingsu, from now on... you are a member of the Lin family. Be sure to keep to your duty, serve your master well, and think things through carefully in all matters." All his words were reduced to these simple admonitions.

Wang Lingsu was also filled with mixed feelings. She felt a little uneasy about the unknown new environment, as well as reluctance and confusion about leaving the family where she had grown up and saying goodbye to her father.

She pursed her lips and nodded vigorously: "Daughter understands, Father... please take care of yourself too."

Seeing this, Lin Che stepped forward at the right time, stood beside Wang Lingsu, smiled gently at Wang Yanchi, and said solemnly, "Clan Chief Wang, rest assured, now that Lingsu has entered my Lin family, I will treat her well and never let her suffer any grievances."

"With Your Excellency's words, Yanchi is completely at ease. In that case... I shall take my leave." Wang Yanchi bowed deeply to Lin Che once more.

His gaze lingered for a moment on his daughter's young, slightly bewildered face, as if trying to etch her image into his heart, before he turned and slowly walked away with Liu Qingxue, who was waiting quietly to the side.

As the two figures disappeared outside the alchemy hall, only Lin Che and Wang Lingsu remained in the large hall.

The air seemed to become exceptionally quiet at this moment, with only the faint breeze coming from outside the window and the lingering aroma of the braised meat in the stove gently lingering around.

Wang Lingsu lowered her head slightly, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes. The carefree and unrestrained manner she had when enjoying the food was gone, replaced by shyness and helplessness.