CHAPTER 682: CHAPTER 59: PREMIUM FRUIT JUICE

From the plastic bag, what emerged was not the usual glossy deep purple cherries of previous years, but a few bottles of juice housed in very delicate glass containers.

The juice had a big "Cherry Juice" label, yet each bottle was rather small, about the size of a palm, holding roughly 100 milliliters.

"We ordered fresh cherries, not juice," said the irritated procurement manager of the Beijing Hotel, feeling deceived, realizing that these two women had come under the guise of Cherry Valley to promote their product. He immediately took out his phone and called the village chief of Cherry Valley. After the call, his displeasure was even more evident; Cherry Valley was now offering fresh cherry juice instead of fresh cherries.

The idea to turn cherries affected by frostbite into cherry juice was Xiao Xian’s creative solution.

Cherries with damaged skin indeed couldn’t sell for a high price, but by processing them into high-concentration juice, the unsightly and damaged skin would be out of sight, shedding all the negative adjectives associated with its appearance.

"Sorry, but let me stress again, we do not accept any processed juices," the procurement manager waved his hand impatiently to dismiss them, noting that since Cherry Valley couldn’t provide fresh fruit, he had to quickly find a substitute, possibly imported from abroad, which would significantly raise the cost. He definitely planned to settle this issue thoroughly with the Cherry Valley representatives.

"It’s not correct to say you don’t sell processed juices. We were somewhat thirsty when we arrived and reluctant to drink our samples. We sat in your lounge for a while, ordering what you call ’orange juice’ and ’grape juice.’ Xiao Xian, tell us, what was the taste?" Xuerou spoke with a typical business-like tone.

"A $188 glass of supposed Californian orange juice from the United States turned out to be reconstituted juice and even worse than the canned ones you can buy at supermarkets, watered down," Xiao Xian pursed her lips, her voice rising slightly.

The procurement manager’s face turned as his displeasure somewhat softened, "Ladies, that is an internal matter for our hotel."

"That might be your internal matter, but now that we’re consumers here, we need some clarity. Uncle Qu, nice to see you," Xuerou, spotting an acquaintance, politely stood up and greeted the arriving person.

The procurement manager of the Beijing Hotel recognized that Xuerou was greeting Deputy Director Qu of the Food Quality Inspection Bureau. He didn’t dare interrupt and whispered to Xiao Xian, "It’s a bit inconvenient to talk here, follow me to the office, I’ll have someone to authenticate the new product from Cherry Valley."

Xuerou, noticing Xiao Xian following the procurement manager into his office, gestured a "V" sign with her fingers.

"Uncle Qu, I apologize for making you come all this way," Xuerou thanked Deputy Director Qu, having made quite an effort to ensure the hotel manager maintained his silence.

After leaving the procurement manager’s office, the bottles of cherry juice Xiao Xian carried had all been sold. The procurement manager was initially reluctant, but after tasting the freshly squeezed juice—which tasted even purer than the fresh cherries—and seeing an analysis report from the Agricultural Science Academy showcasing various elements including sugar, protein, vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, he immediately changed his mind.

Since the beginning of winter, there had been a continuous increase in complaints about the authenticity of the bar drinks at the hotel. The procurement manager was under a lot of pressure; hence, he continually urged Cherry Valley to deliver cherries quickly. He planned to divert customers’ attention with rarely-seen fresh fruit in the market. In fact, during spring, summer, and autumn, the beverages supplied in the lounge were freshly squeezed, and various fruit juices had always had a good reputation, but once winter came, juicy fruits were scarce. Now, the cherry juice that was delivered had an even better taste than the hotel’s freshly squeezed juices from previous years.

What surprised the procurement manager even more was that this particular type of juice could be heated. According to the female supplier from Cherry Valley, many people suffer stomach discomfort drinking cold beverages in winter. This newly introduced juice preserved its taste whether served hot or cold, meeting the demands of both beauty-conscious young ladies and the elderly.

"Finally, as per your stated price, each bottle of cherry juice is supplied at $120, though I estimate the price here might double," Xiao Xian, after drinking a pricey bottled orange juice masquerading as top-notch juice at the lounge, was now quoting prices more shrewdly. Consumers at places like Beijing Hotel rarely look at the price list when ordering. Xiao Xian just saw two businessmen-like figures at the lounge ordering a bottle of XO priced over ten thousand, not even batting an eye.