"I plan to set up a stall at the night market, where there are a lot of customers," Zhou Libo said, explaining his plans.

This morning, when Zhou Libo heard He Wenlin mention taking on apprentices, he kept thinking about it.

If he hadn't seen He Wenlin's thriving business with his own eyes, he probably wouldn't have had any ideas. But with He Wenlin's business booming every day, it's hard not to be tempted.

Zhou Libo added, "Anyway, I won't steal your business. Besides, your business is so good and you're so capable, I can't take it away from you."

“The night market is definitely a good option. There’s a lot of foot traffic. You could customize a food cart, rent a place nearby, and do two shifts of business each day. You could sell near the school in the morning and at the night market in the evening. If business is good, you should be able to make 300 yuan a day. It’s just a bit hard work, and you need to be a little shameless. Many people have the idea, but they don’t start because they’re too embarrassed to set up a stall,” He Wenlin said. “The investment for this business isn’t high.”

"Can the tuition be cheaper?" Zhou Libo asked.

"Brother, I've already given you a discount."

"Less, less."

"Then how much do you want?"

"one thousand."

"Brother, you're really going too far with your bargaining. You're cutting it in half! I already charged Aunt Liu two thousand this morning. Here's the deal: I'll give you another two hundred off, sixteen thousand now, that's the lowest I can go."

"One thousand and five."

"Brother, this price is no good, it's too low."

"Let's make it 1,500. You can earn less, just consider it helping me out."

He Wenlin hesitated for a moment and said, "Okay, but you have to pay first. Also, you have to keep the tuition a secret from outsiders. Just say it's 1,800."

It's not easy to collect debts from acquaintances, and there are many people who don't repay their debts, so He Wenlin would rather earn less as long as the money is paid in one lump sum.

The reason why He Wenlin agreed to let Mr. Liu pay her in two installments was because He Wenlin also needed Mr. Liu to order pork every day.

As long as Mr. Liu doesn't want to lose He Wenlin as a customer, he won't renege on his debt of five hundred yuan.

“Okay, I’ll give you the money tomorrow,” Zhou Libo readily agreed.

"Then come back to me tomorrow and we'll sign the agreement."

The two agreed verbally and were both very happy.

Zhou Libo doesn't usually save money, especially now that he has a girlfriend. He orders meals for two people from He Wenlin every day, and he pays for them all. His expenses have increased significantly, leaving him with even less money.

Zhou Libo then approached He Hui, told him his idea, and asked to borrow money.

"You're going to set up a stall at the night market to sell sticky rice balls?" He Hui was quite shocked when he heard this.

“Yes, if I learn it, I’ll need to rent a place nearby, make a food cart, buy raw materials, and pay for Linlin’s tuition. All in all, I estimate I’ll need to prepare about three thousand yuan, so I’d like to borrow one thousand five from you.”

“You really think too highly of me. My salary is less than 1,500 a month. It costs more than ten yuan a day for Dandan and me to eat. My sister is studying at a university in the capital. I just transferred 400 yuan to her for living expenses a few days ago. Where would I get the money?” He Hui laughed. “If the factory pays wages tomorrow, I can lend you 600 yuan.”

Six hundred is more than half a month's salary for him.

He always keeps some money for his own living expenses.

Zhou Libo then went to three fellow villagers, including Li Haibing, and each of them lent him two hundred yuan.

So Zhou Libo borrowed 1,200 yuan, and he still had some money left over, which was enough for his tuition.

The news that Zhou Libo borrowed money to learn how to make glutinous rice balls from He Wenlin quickly spread.

Everyone envied He's parents. Putting everything else aside, He Wenlin earned three thousand yuan just from taking on apprentices.

That's equivalent to three months' salary for them.

Because Zhou Libo borrowed money to learn the craft from He Wenlin, others also had the idea. The glutinous rice ball business was so good, should they also learn it?

However, the thought that He Xing's business had failed made many people give up.

Huang Dandan, on the other hand, kept encouraging He Hui to learn it too...

"He Xing's business didn't take off because he wasn't punctual and his fast food wasn't good. But Linlin's glutinous rice balls taste great, and she sells so many every day, you've seen that. You're already closer to them than to others, so go learn from them, ask them for a discount on tuition, and learn from their experience to see how they do business."

He Hui: "If I learn how to set up a stall, who will go? You go? I'm too embarrassed to go."

Huang Dandan was furious.

Seeing this, He Hui quickly coaxed, "Oh, okay, if Zhou Libo's business is good, I'll go learn it, alright?"

...

At the same time, He Xing also had an idea and discussed it with Liang Xiaoying, saying, "What do you think about me learning it too?"

Liang Xiaoying rolled her eyes at him: "He Daming hates you to death. Do you think he would agree to teach you? Teach you and then steal his business? Who do you think would be that stupid?"

He Xing was speechless.

Liang Xiaoying added, "If we hadn't fallen out back then, it would have been possible for you to pay some tuition to study. Now..."

“I can learn from Zhou Libo.”

“We’re just not cut out for business. We should just stick to our jobs,” Liang Xiaoying said. “Even if we learn the skills, we’re too embarrassed to go to the factory and haggle for orders. How many deals can we get just by relying on acquaintances? We’ve already offended the people at the Boss Factory. They definitely won’t come to us to buy things in the future. So don’t bother. Just stick to your job.”

He Xing was still unwilling to give up.

Having run a fast food business for a while, he was well aware of the profits and could estimate He Wenlin's daily turnover. The more he thought about it, the more envious he became, and he couldn't sleep because he was so anxious.

...

Mr. He was also awake.

He was complaining to his mother about his incorruptible daughter: "You raised such a good daughter. If she really fired me, she wouldn't even call on me when she needed to do things. She just acts like I don't exist."

"Didn't you ask for that?"

Mr. He choked for a moment, then paused and said, "Isn't that matter over?"

"Just because it's in the past doesn't mean it wasn't a mistake. You went out to play cards, didn't even open the shop, and didn't do any proper work. It's only right that you were fired!" Of course, He's mother knew what He's father meant by saying this. He just wanted her to go and beg Linlin for leniency.

She refused!

Mr. He's face was already very pale.

Aunt He continued, "You should find a job honestly. With your condition, none of us feel comfortable leaving you in the shop. We even wanted Linlin to open a new shop for you, but thankfully she didn't. If she had, you would have ruined it anyway. You should go work in a factory. If you're worried that people at the factory will laugh at you for being fired by your own daughter, just say that your mother and nephew have come, and the shop isn't making much money, so we don't need so many people."

"Couldn't you go and say a few good words to Linlin and my mom for me?"

“I’m not going to tell anyone,” said Aunt He. “Who told you to keep playing cards and neglecting your work? Just go to work at the factory and save everyone from worrying.”

Mr. He was so angry he almost vomited blood. In this family, he, as the head of the household, was losing his status more and more!

One, two, three, four—none of them took him seriously!