It wasn't an apple that hit Newton.

Upon seeing his daughter, Stoller smiled genuinely. He stepped forward and gently hugged Annie: "Why aren't you with your friends? What brings you to your father's?"

"Of course something's wrong."

Annie broke free from the hug, took two steps back, and put on a more comical than serious expression: "Dad, I have something to discuss with you today."

Stoller's smile widened: "Oh? What is it? Tell your father."

Despite saying that, Mr. Stoller clearly didn't take Anne's words to heart. No one knows a daughter better than her father, and Mr. Stoller was at his wit's end with this rather dim-witted daughter.

He used to think about taking good care of Annie, sending her to the most famous school, hiring tutors to come to her home for tutoring, and personally supervising her studies.

But after all these years, Stoller has completely given up the struggle and is now only thinking about finding a suitable son-in-law so that Anne can have children soon and the family business can be handed over to his grandson.

“It really is important!” Annie was very dissatisfied with her father’s perfunctory attitude.

“Alright, alright, tell your father,” Mr. Stoller continued perfunctorily.

Seeing this, Anne stopped keeping him in suspense.

She took two steps to the side and disappeared at the door. About a minute later, when she reappeared at the door, she had changed her clothes—she was carrying a small wooden bucket filled with water in her right hand, holding a pale yellow rectangular object in her left hand, and had a dirty towel hanging on her arm.

Stoller: ?

Anne didn't bother to explain further. She placed the wooden bucket on the ground, put the dirty towel in to wet it, applied soap, and then began washing the towel right there...

Stoller: ? ? ?

What's going on? Why did she bring in the wooden tub? Why did she suddenly start washing towels? Is she trying to show me that she's learned how to wash towels? But what kind of serious business is this?

Even someone who has been a seasoned businessman for decades and has weathered many storms couldn't keep up with Annie's train of thought.

It must be emphasized here that the idea was not Li Cheng's, but rather Annie's sudden inspiration, because she felt that this would be the most direct way to demonstrate the function of soap to her father.

Li Cheng initially tried to persuade her, but after thinking about it, he realized that Anne was Mr. Stoller's biological daughter, and Mr. Stoller should be used to it, so he gave up.

......

About ten minutes later.

After her efforts, Anne proudly held up her handiwork to Stoller—a clean and neat towel that showed no trace of its previous filthy state.

She boasted, "Isn't it clean?"

Stoller stroked his stubble-covered chin, stared at the towel in front of him, his brows furrowing deeply once more as he fell into thought.

You know what, this towel is actually pretty clean...

He initially wanted to ask what was going on, but after staring at it silently for a long time, he was surprised to discover this. Moreover, this wasn't just ordinary cleanliness, nor did it resemble bleaching; it was exceptionally, exceptionally clean.

So why is it so clean?

Stoller turned his gaze to the yellow square on the ground.

His daughter was clearly not an expert, and the water and basin seemed fine, so the problem was obviously with these things.

Chapter Twenty-Three Not Bad

Rewind about fifteen minutes.

About ten steps from the study door, someone waited anxiously.

He watched as Anne went inside.

Annie came out.

Anne went back in with the prepared basin and towel.

It's just baffling.

This feeling of unease lasted for about fifteen minutes.

Anne reappeared at the study door and waved to him.

Li Cheng knew it was his turn to go on stage, so he went up.

"I've already convinced my dad, so you don't need to be nervous."

When Li Cheng walked in, Annie said something smugly, then patted him on the back encouragingly.

"I don't believe you for a second..." Li Cheng nodded and replied in a low voice, "Leave the rest to me."

After he finished speaking, he pushed the door open and went inside.

This is a study. Two rows of bookshelves and some potted plants line the walls on either side. The bookshelves are filled with Latin books, so new they don't seem meant for reading...

Directly opposite the door was a heavy, dark wooden desk, behind which sat a middle-aged man with a casual posture. He was a native Englishman with standard blond hair and blue eyes, and a deep gaze.

“Mr. Stoller”.

Li Cheng placed one hand in front of his chest and bowed politely, a basic sign of respect for his elders.

Stoller first carefully examined Li Cheng from head to toe, and seeing that he showed no fear, he slowly said, "Annie told me that your name... is Li Cheng?"

“Yes,” Li Cheng added. “My full name is Albert Lee, but people who know me usually call me Li, or Li Cheng.”

Stoller said, "Okay, then I'll call you Li Cheng too."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Stoller didn't waste any more time on small talk and instead asked Li Cheng to share his thoughts.

Li Cheng was absolutely confident in this matter. Putting aside actual combat, his theoretical knowledge of military strategy was at a level he had mastered to the max, as a keyboard warrior.

He spoke eloquently, listing one, two, three, four, and five points in one go, and also made full use of advanced management experience.

"Firstly, regarding personnel, I will prioritize hiring locals with wives and children, and strictly manage the recruited workers by dividing them into work processes. Each group of workers will only be responsible for one process at a time to ensure that the process is not leaked as much as possible. At the same time, I will also sign contracts with them, and those who leak information must pay a huge sum of money in compensation and also face imprisonment."

"In terms of publicity, we will initially give away a batch of free gifts, and at the same time hire itinerant doctors to go out and promote the concept that 'frequent hand washing with soap can prevent diseases' in people's minds."

"Once the technology is developed, we will hire a group of doctors to study the benefits of using soap for washing clothes and bathing, and to improve the formula."

"Finally, the soap-making process will be leaked sooner or later, so we need to establish a first-mover advantage for the brand and explore the high-end market."

"I will specially customize a batch of high-end soaps with exquisite designs, fragrant scents, and beautiful packaging, exclusively for wealthy people. In this way, even if there are cheaper products, citizens who can afford it will tend to choose our products first."

"..."

Li Cheng revealed his pre-planned scheme in its entirety—of course, he couldn't mention the part about using Annie as a tool.

"well."

The plan was unexpectedly comprehensive and reliable. Stoller nodded slightly as he listened, his gaze towards Li Cheng revealing appreciation, and he even felt a sense of admiration for Li Cheng's talent.

There aren't many talented young people like this anymore, unlike Annie, sigh...

Thinking of Anne, Stoller's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at Li Cheng: "I have another question. Was the idea of ​​washing towels yours?"

No, no, no, I won't take the blame for this... Li Cheng said earnestly, "I advised Miss Annie, and she said that this is what you taught her, 'Speak and act simply and clearly, so that people can understand at a glance.'"

"..."

Stoller tapped his fingers lightly on the table, changing the subject: "Your proposal isn't bad."

Li Cheng raised his head and stared intently at the other person.

Ignoring his gaze, Stoller continued, "I'm very optimistic about it; it should be able to be done."

Li Cheng continued to stare intently at the other person.

Stoller couldn't take it anymore. He had originally planned to have a chat, but he changed his mind and said, "I promised Annie that this is a matter for you young people, and I won't interfere. I'll have my men talk to you later. You can go now."

After saying that, he gestured for Li Cheng to leave quickly.

"Thank you for your understanding and support, Mr. Stoller."

Li Cheng couldn't help but smirk, then he bowed and turned to leave... He didn't expect it to go so smoothly; it seems Stoller really cares about Annie.

He had just stepped out the door when Annie darted back inside, and the two brushed past each other.

Stoller heard the noise, looked up, and saw that it was Anne who had come in. He immediately asked with a headache, "What is it now?"

Annie glanced back at Li Cheng as he walked away, then turned back and asked, "Why did you talk for so long? Dad, you didn't make things difficult for Li Cheng, did you? He's a very nice guy."

"No."

Stoller, recalling what had just happened, became somewhat annoyed and said, "Is this all you're asking about?"

Annie then remembered her purpose and hurriedly said, "Dad, I wanted to ask if there are any salons being held recently? I'd like to participate."

Her words shocked Stoller.

A salon is a social activity that originated in France a few years ago, where Parisian celebrities often turned their living rooms into famous social venues.

Those who frequented the gathering were mostly playwrights, novelists, poets, musicians, painters, critics, philosophers, and politicians. They shared similar interests, gathered together, sipped drinks, enjoyed elegant music, and engaged in long, unrestrained conversations about various topics of common interest.

This interesting social practice quickly spread to Britain, where many idle noblewomen began to organize similar events. However, the salons they hosted were mostly attended by women, with few men present.

Anne has never liked those kinds of places. She thinks it's very boring for a group of people to pretend to praise each other, read out some random stuff they've written, and then gossip.

"what?"

Stoller wondered if he had misheard. Abandoning his usual composure, he asked again somewhat impatiently, "What did you say? You want to attend the salon?"

Anne forced a smile and said, "Is there a problem? Haven't you always wanted me to do that?"

Stoller frowned.

Anne struggled to say, "Really! I sometimes want to experience that kind of environment!"

Stoller's brow furrowed into a deep frown.

As if struck by a sudden thought, his brow relaxed, and he asked, "Is it because of Li Cheng?"

Anne was shocked by her father's wisdom, but she couldn't admit it, so she could only say with a flickering look in her eyes, "No, no, it has nothing to do with him."

"I understand."

Stoller seemed relieved, nodding and saying, "I don't know much about this either, but I'll ask around for you later."

"Thank you, Dad."

Anne breathed a sigh of relief.

"As expected of my dad, I almost saw right through him..." she thought to herself, feeling immense pressure, before turning to leave as quickly as possible.

As he watched Anne's slender and beautiful figure leave, Stoller realized that Anne was no longer the little girl who followed him around.

He murmured, "Li Cheng, huh? Interesting. He seems like a good choice."

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Little Mare