After Jiang Xiaocai began working at the steamed bun shop, life was truly difficult. Every day, before nightfall and the dawn, Jiang Xiaocai would fight his sleepiness and struggle out of his warm bed. The cool air on his face would instantly sober him up.
He quietly washed and dressed, then headed straight into the dimly lit kitchen of the bun shop. A faint aroma of flour filled the air, and under the dim light, various cooking utensils and ingredients lay quietly laid out. Jiang Xiaocai expertly tied his apron and began his day's work.
Kneading dough is a job that requires both strength and skill. He gripped the dough tightly with both hands and kneaded it vigorously, over and over again, as if kneading all his determination into it. Soon, his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, which flowed down his cheeks and dripped onto the snow-white dough. But Aunt Jiang Xiaohuang had extremely high expectations of him. Even the slightest mistake in such basic work as kneading dough would result in severe criticism.
"Xiaocai, the dough isn't firm enough! How will the steamed buns taste good? Redo it!" Jiang Xiaohuang's crisp yet commanding voice echoed from the kitchen, making Jiang Xiaocai nervous. He gritted his teeth, regained his spirit, and kneaded the dough even harder, exerting all his strength with each stroke.
Jiang Xiaocai didn't hesitate to make the dumplings. He carefully picked up a piece of rolled dough, placed it in his palm, scooped a spoonful of filling, and gently placed it in the center of the dough. Then, he tried to remember the technique his aunt had taught him, trying to create beautiful folds. However, ideals are full of promises, but reality is very flimsy. The dumplings he made were crooked and, as Jiang Xiaohuang said, looked like they were chewed by a dog.
"Xiaocai, how did you wrap the buns with those folds? They look like they were chewed by a dog! Can't you be more careful?" Jiang Xiaohuang's voice rang out again, with a hint of disappointment. Jiang Xiaocai's face flushed red instantly, and he felt wronged. He felt that he had tried very hard, but why couldn't he do it well?
Wiping the table is also a meticulous job. Jiang Xiaocai took the rag and wiped each table carefully, not leaving out any corner. But even so, there would still be mistakes. Once, when he was giving change to a customer, he was too tired and his mind was confused for a moment, and he actually gave the wrong change. When the customer found out, he complained dissatisfiedly. Jiang Xiaohuang hurried over to deal with it. While apologizing to the customer, he glared at Jiang Xiaocai fiercely. Jiang Xiaocai felt so wronged that tears welled up in his eyes. Several times he wanted to throw away his apron and quit.
However, every time this thought crossed his mind, he would recall the debt he owed and the earnest words his grandmother had spoken to him. She had said that life is like a long journey, and business is even more so. There will inevitably be difficulties and setbacks along the way, but as long as you persevere, you will surely see the light at the end of the tunnel. With this thought, Jiang Xiaocai gritted his teeth again and silently persevered. Throughout this process, he gradually realized that running a business is truly not a simple matter. It requires not only the ability to manufacture products but also understanding how to sell them, as well as the ability to understand customer psychology and meet their needs.
That day, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patches of golden light on the floor of the bun shop. Jiang Xiaocai was diligently wiping the table as usual when the sound of two customers chatting at the next table reached his ears.
"Hey, have you heard? A new sugar factory has opened in the south of the city. The sugar they sell is white and sweet, and the price is very cheap." A customer said with a little excitement on his face.
"Really? We have to go and check it out. It's much better than Wangji Sugar Factory, right?" another customer responded, his eyes full of anticipation.
Jiang Xiaocai's ears pricked up instantly. A newly opened sugar mill in the south of the city? Could it be... His mind immediately flashed to the image of Boss Wang, the man who had deceived him, and a surge of hatred welled up in his heart. But he quickly calmed down and thought to himself, perhaps this was an opportunity to turn the situation around.
After get off work, Jiang Xiaocai sneaked out of the bun shop while it was still light and headed south. He felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement along the way. When he finally arrived, he saw a newly opened sugar factory. The entrance was bustling with people, and business seemed to be booming.
Jiang Xiaocai pretended to be an ordinary customer and walked into the sugar shop. He searched around the shop and soon saw a familiar figure - Boss Wang was standing behind the counter, greeting customers with a smile on his face.
"It was you!" Jiang Xiaocai clenched his fists in anger, wanting to rush over and ask Boss Wang why he had lied to him. But at this moment, his grandmother's words echoed in his ears: "When encountering problems, don't be impulsive. Think calmly and find solutions to the problem." Jiang Xiaocai took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and turned to leave the sugar factory.
After returning to the bun shop, Jiang Xiaocai told Jiang Xiaohuang everything he saw and heard at the South City Sugar Factory.
Jiang Xiaohuang frowned after hearing this and asked in confusion, "That Boss Wang again? How come he opened another sugar mill so soon? Did he have enough capital after cheating you out of your money last time?"
"I've taken a closer look, and the candy he sells is indeed of good quality," Jiang Xiaocai said helplessly. "Auntie, what do you think we should do? Will his candy factory affect our business?"
Jiang Xiaohuang pondered for a moment, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes, and he said, "When the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth. He sells his candy, and we make our buns. However, we can't just sit there and wait for death. We have to think of ways to make our caramel buns more distinctive, so that we can be invincible in the competition."
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