Since returning from the village, Zhang Xuemei has been preoccupied with one thing: the matter of contracting the canteen that Zou Yu had mentioned.

After much thought, she mentally reviewed all her brothers and sisters and concluded that the fifth brother, Xu Mingjiang, was the right person to be the manager.

Of course, it's not that the others can't do it, it's just that they all have their own things to do and probably don't have that much energy. I heard Lao Wu say a while ago that he wanted to find something else to do. The braised food business on the snack street has gradually declined. There is usually a three-month downturn every year, and now the business is not as good as before. He was thinking about whether he could do something else.

Thinking this, Zhang Xuemei called Lao Wu directly and also invited Lao Si and his wife, since Yan Hong's help was still needed in the process.

After receiving a call from his third sister-in-law, Xu Mingjiang rushed over immediately and bumped into his fourth brother and sister-in-law at the door.

"Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law, were you also invited by Third Sister-in-law?"

“Yes, they said they had something they wanted to discuss with us. What? You two are too?” Xu Yanhong chimed in.

"Yeah, I just got home when I got a call from my third sister-in-law. She didn't say what it was about, just that we'd talk when I got there. I figured I could just grab a meal at her place, so I came over." Xu Mingjiang chuckled, scratching his head.

“We were at my mom’s too. My third sister-in-law probably called my mom’s house because no one answered, so she called my mom’s. I figured she must have something urgent, so she and your fourth brother came over,” Xu Yanhong explained.

"Alright, alright, there's no point in guessing here. We'll find out when we get to Third Sister's house. Let's go up!"

Seeing them guessing, Chu Xiaoxiao spoke up directly, saying, "What bad thing could it be? Maybe Third Sister-in-law has something good in mind for them!"

Xu Mingjiang was impatient. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted, "Third Sister-in-law, we're here! Tell us quickly what you need our help with?"

Zhang Xuemei asked them to sit down first, and then got straight to the point: "Let me be frank, do you want to make money?"

“Look at what you’re saying, Third Sister-in-law, who doesn’t want to make money?” Xu Mingjiang was the first to reply.

"What? Third Sister-in-law, do you have a good idea? Or have you seen some business opportunity?" Chu Xiaoxiao asked excitedly. She knew that her third sister-in-law must have something good in mind for them.

Seeing their excited expressions, Zhang Xuemei smiled and continued, "I only got this idea from Zou Yu. I know every school has a cafeteria and a convenience store, right? Yan Hong, your school has those too, right?"

"Yes, what's wrong?" Xu Yanhong asked, looking puzzled.

Chu Xiaoxiao was the quickest to think and asked directly, "Third Sister-in-law, do you mean you want to take over the school's cafeteria and convenience store?"

Zhang Xuemei laughed, "Xiaoxiao, you're quick-witted. That's exactly what I meant. Are you interested? Let's work together."

Xu Minghe said thoughtfully, "That's not bad. Hey, Yan Hong, do you know how your school's cafeteria is contracted out?" Among the people present, Xu Yan Hong probably knew the most about this.

Xu Yanhong shook her head. "I don't usually pay attention to these things, but I heard my uncle say that contracting the cafeteria depends on who pays more money. Of course, the business plan is also very important. After all, the cafeteria is where students and teachers eat. Putting aside the price, food safety must be guaranteed."

"We can definitely do that. We're not those heartless people who only think about making money and don't care about other people's lives. I just want to ask Yan Hong, has your school's cafeteria contract expired yet?"

Zhang Xuemei had her reasons for asking this question. If the contract period was about to end, they could try to get it through Uncle Yanhong's connections. As the saying goes, it's easy to get things done if you have connections in high places!

Xu Yanhong wasn't stupid, so she naturally understood what her third sister-in-law meant. She turned to look at her husband before replying, "I don't know the specifics. When I get back, my uncle should know. But if they really want to take over the contract, it's definitely not appropriate for Minghe and me to show up, since it's still a bit sensitive."

Zhang Xuemei nodded repeatedly after hearing this, "I know that. You help me find out the details first, and we'll handle the rest. If it really works, the three of us will partner up. What do you think?"

“We’re all fine with it. I was just thinking of finding something else to do. Third Sister-in-law, you’ve come up with a job right away. Just let me know if you need any help or money,” Xu Mingjiang said generously, patting his chest.

Zhang Xuemei was amused by him. "Don't worry, you'll definitely have to contribute your time and money. Now we just need to see what news Yan Hong has to say."

Xu Yanhong replied with a smile, "I'll call my uncle as soon as I get home. Third sister-in-law, just wait for my news! Or I can just call from your house. There should be someone home at this time."

As Xu Yanhong spoke, she got up and sat down next to the telephone. After dialing a few familiar numbers, she waited for the other end to answer the phone.

"Hello, who is this?"

A familiar voice came from the other end of the line, and Xu Yanhong quickly replied, "Uncle, it's me, Yanhong."

"Ah, Yan Hong, no wonder this number sounds unfamiliar. What's up? Need to contact your uncle?"

"Yes, Uncle, I just wanted to ask if our school cafeteria's contract period has expired yet?"

"Why are you asking this? It was originally contracted out again, but now there's a problem, and no one is taking over the cafeteria for the time being. What? You want to take it over? Yanhong, it's not easy for a teacher like you to take it over. Just listen to your uncle and focus on your job."

Upon hearing her uncle's words, Xu Yanhong quickly explained, "Uncle, no, it's not me. It's my husband's third brother and sister-in-law who have these ideas."

“Ah, is that so?” Principal Xu pondered for a moment before continuing, “Here’s what you do: tell them that if they really have any ideas, they should come to my house tomorrow, and I’ll take them to meet the person in charge of outsourcing the cafeteria.”

"Oh, okay, then I'll bring them to see you tomorrow."

"Okay, I'm hanging up." Principal Xu said and hung up the phone immediately.

Xu Yanhong hung up the phone and said with a smile, "We're really lucky. The contract had already been awarded, but now there seems to be a problem. We'll go see the person in charge tomorrow and try to secure it directly."

Hearing her say that, the rest of them breathed a sigh of relief. Although Tianshui City has more than one school and more than one canteen, it would be best to know someone at the school, as it would make things more convenient.