75 Old Friend Returns
◎I don't know which of these words touched Madam Sun's heart.◎
After what happened with He Yuan, Song Jinyi was no longer surprised. Selling milk tea was now her side job, and attracting franchisees was her main business.
She joked, "Could it be that Madam Sun is also addicted to milk tea and feels that just drinking it isn't enough, so she wants to open a milk tea shop?"
Madam Sun said, "I know you're looking for a partner. I come here often to drink. I know your business is profitable, and I know you wouldn't cheat anyone, so I came here."
She said it bluntly, that making money is a good thing, and everyone who talked about it had an excited look on their face, as if they could become a millionaire tomorrow.
On the other hand, Sun Niangzi's expression showed a subtle bitterness. She didn't seem to want to make a fortune, but rather to do business at a loss.
Song Jinyi thought it was her first time doing business, and she was nervous, so she said, "Our business is so busy every day that we can't handle it. Even if we split a few more stores, we can't keep track of the business.
When I went to North City before, the supply was insufficient to meet the demand, so I came up with the idea of opening a branch..." Song Jinyi first boasted about her own business.
She also mentioned her life goals: "Mrs. Sun can see the potential of the tea source. It's obvious that she has the potential to do business. Staying at home is a waste of talent. It's free and easy to make money out here."
Thinking back to the past, Madam Sun came to take care of my business regardless of wind or rain. I only regret that I didn’t open a store in North City. Now, if Madam Sun could open a store of her own, I wouldn’t have to run around when I want to drink some drinks, and I could still make money. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?
I know that Madam Sun is not short of money, but who would complain about having too much money? If she makes money, it would be easy to buy more clothes every month, or even every day.
Madam Sun's beauty is too vulgar to go with these peach blossoms. In my opinion, a peach-colored gemstone hairpin with pearls would be a better match for you."
I don’t know which of these words touched Madam Sun’s heart.
Her eyes suddenly turned red, her body trembled slightly, and she wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingertips. "Madam Song is right. This person doesn't make money, and even drinking a sip of cold water will make people look down on him."
Hearing the tone, Song Jinyi put her arm on Madam Sun's shoulders and handed her a clean handkerchief. "Madam Sun, what has wronged you? If you don't treat me as an outsider, tell me and I'll see if there's anything I can do to help you solve it."
She then asked Li He who was standing beside her to pour a cup of hot water and bring it over.
Madam Sun said with tears in her eyes, "Please judge for me. I have been married to my husband for so many years. I have taken care of my widowed mother and given birth to children for him. I can't say I have done anything meritorious, but at least I have worked hard.
Although he was a scholar, he was just a scholar for so many years, making a living as a teacher in Nanling Academy. It was still me who took out my dowry from time to time to supplement the family income.
"Madam Song, tell me, don't I like gems and gold? I pawned most of my jewelry, so I only wear flowers when I go out. I don't have any other hobbies, so I just come out to appreciate the flowers and drink tea. Now I'm being criticized for drinking tea."
As she spoke, the tears she had been holding back welled up again, and she suddenly couldn't help blurting out, "They just can't stand seeing me idle, nor can they stand seeing me spending money.
This time I will be determined to build my own business, earn money for myself, and let them see it."
Song Jinyi chimed in, "They're going too far. How can they ignore the efforts of housewives?"
Madam Sun seemed to have found a confidant. She held Song Jinyi's hand and said, "My dear sister, you don't know how hard I've been working. They are content with what they have done, as if the food was cooked automatically and the clothes were washed automatically..."
Song Jinyi knew that this dilemma was not limited to this one. It was also common in her previous life. When a woman became a housewife, she was tacitly considered a vassal of the family, and giving her living expenses was like a great gift from heaven.
Little do they know that hiring a nanny from outside would cost more than three people’s living expenses.
Song Jinyi said, "I support Sister Sun in coming out to work, but there are still some things that need to be thought through. For example, if you come out to work, what will happen to your family? Will they object? And..."
Madam Sun took a deep breath, gradually calmed down, and said, "You are right, this business is not playing house, I have already thought about the problem you mentioned.
I won't be cooking for the family anymore, and I'll let them wash their own clothes. I'll just keep busy. If you have any questions, Madam Song, feel free to ask."
Song Jinyi discussed the required funds for opening a shop and the rules to follow...
"I still have a little bit of my dowry left, which can make up half of it. I have a brother from my mother's family who only has me as his sister, so he'll lend me some of the rest. Your business is good, maybe my brother will hear about it and join me."
The dowry was made piece by piece for her by craftsmen hired by her deceased mother. She treasured it so much that she was reluctant to wear it. She just used it to supplement the family income over the years.
She laughed at herself in her heart. Now that she had become the one who paved the way for herself, why was she reluctant to give it up? It was rare for her to be willful. She didn't want to work hard at home for a long time, and in the end, not even say thank you.
This is her last chance to turn things around, so naturally she has to spare no expense.
Although she has never done business, she understands the meaning of "willing to give up". People who seek small profits will never make big fortunes.
Sun Niangzi was a practical person, so she immediately agreed with Song Jinyi and pawned her belongings to collect fifty taels. The next day, she went to her brother from her natal family to collect a hundred taels.
Song Jinyi signed the document with her and went with her to the pawnshop to reserve a suitable shop. The shop originally sold food, and the tables and chairs were ready-made. After a little cleaning, it could be used the next day.
She even found a helper, her sister-in-law. Firstly, she was a family member, so she could use the money with confidence. Secondly, fifty taels was not a small sum, so she came along to check out the situation.
Her efficiency is even more efficient than Song Jinyi's. Song Jinyi couldn't help but sigh that with such efficiency, she can accomplish anything. Doing business would be a waste of her talent, and even becoming an official would allow her to become a high-ranking official.
She went through the process with Madam Sun. Madam Sun always saw how she treated guests and others. Madam Sun herself was a generous person and could talk to anyone. With a little guidance, she could handle things on her own.
But she had never made the drink before, and she couldn't figure out the ratio of tea leaves to milk, or the right heat...
Fortunately, she was diligent and knew that a good memory is not as good as a good pen. She wrote down the details bit by bit and was careful in every step of the operation. In just a few days, she had mastered it.
*****
Now, there are already two franchise stores. Li He was sent to help He Yuan, and Song Jinyi later sent Xu Ruolan to Beicheng to help Madam Sun.
Now that the two of them have left, the store seems much quieter. Xie Wuyang is a man of few words and usually only talks a few words to Song Jinyi. As for Zhang Jinfei.
Originally, four people lived in one courtyard, but later, with the addition of one more person, there was no room for them. Song Jinyi simply cleaned up the backyard next door and made it available for Xu Ruolan and Zhang Jinfei to live in.
Zhang Jinfei didn't live with her on weekdays, so it was inevitable that they felt a little unfamiliar. He would only greet her occasionally and lower his head to busy himself with his work.
When the store was about to close that day, an old man came into the store. As soon as he entered the door, he said, "Ms. Song, long time no see!" - This man was the gourmet Mr. Feng who had been in Chuzhou for several months.
Song Jinyi greeted him with a smile and brought him a cup of milk tea. "I'm sorry for not welcoming you from afar. Consider this tea my way of welcoming you."
Mr. Feng said, "I'm not drinking your tea for nothing. I came here to bring you good news."
Song Jinyi smiled and said, "You've been away for so long, and the first thing you thought of when you came back is me. This is great news for me."
Mr. Feng squinted his eyes, stroked his beard, and was very pleased with her words. He did not like to hear good words.
He chuckled twice and continued, "It's been a few months since we last met. Boss Song has become increasingly articulate. I wasn't lying when I said I had good news. It's related to your joining us."
When Song Jinyi heard about joining, her expression became more serious and she asked in detail what was going on.
Mr. Feng pointed to the portable milk tea in her shop and said, "Your milk tea is amazing. Where did I first see it? In Chuzhou. I asked a few questions out of curiosity, and they said the name of an unfamiliar shop.
When I asked the shopkeeper about her age, I immediately thought of you, Madam Song. In Yunzhou, only Madam Song has such ability."
Chuzhou is nearly 400 miles away, which takes five or six days on foot and three or four days by water. It is not far, but definitely not close. It is remarkable that Yunzhou's products can be delivered to Chuzhou.
Song Jinyi said modestly: "It's just other people's favor."
Old Feng said, "Mrs. Song, don't be modest with me. When I first met you, I knew you would be a remarkable person in the future." As he spoke, he raised his chin proudly.
Over the years, he has not only acquired a unique understanding of food, but also a knack for judging people. Look, he's discovered a talented talent.
He gloated for a moment, then returned to the main topic: "In Chuzhou, besides seeing portable milk tea, I also saw a tabloid about Boss Song recruiting franchisees."
At that time, he thought, she was actually willing to give up such a popular business! The reason why this milk tea has been able to develop from the market to the urban area and then to the outer city is because of this unique recipe.
Once the recipe is handed over, the originality is lost.
But he saw with a sharp eye that Song Jinyi was not someone who would suffer losses. She was not stupid, but was willing to give up small profits to make big money.
Although he is not a businessman, his son is. The two of them calculated that the franchise fee is fifty taels per person, which means five hundred taels for ten people. If you add the commission every month, it will be about two hundred taels.
When you add up all these, it's a huge amount. They can make close to five or six top two teahouses a year, which is much more than what big teahouses like Zui Liu Xia and Liu Xiang Ju make.
Young people are very decisive and bold.
Song Jinyi felt a little embarrassed when Mr. Feng praised her like that. She was just a businesswoman, and helping others was a win-win situation. She did not deserve the noble and righteous words that Mr. Feng talked about.
Song Jinyi spoke frankly and sincerely.
Old Feng narrowed his eyes and smiled, "I like Madam Song's personality. She's straightforward and frank, and it's comfortable to deal with her."
He looked at Song Jinyi and asked, "I wonder if Madam Song still remembers Peng Ziyue and the other one. They were doing medicinal materials business in Chuzhou. She also heard about Madam Song joining the business, so she asked me to ask about it."
Song Jinyi nodded first to indicate that she remembered, but she was indeed a little surprised that merchants from other places came to join.
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