Chapter 35 Persuasion
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On the first day of the trial operation, the flow of people was mainly concentrated in two time periods: from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. The most popular dishes were braised chicken pieces, braised pork belly, and braised dishes. More than 80% of the customers chose a combination of two meat dishes and one vegetable dish.
"We can make more braised pork belly and other braised dishes, as many people take them away after their meals." Looking at the data on her notebook, She Hongmei summarized, "Many customers have suggested making the braised chicken pieces mildly spicy."
Originally, we didn't add chili peppers to any of their dishes because we thought most of them couldn't handle spicy food. But since many customers have suggested it, we'll try adding chili peppers to the braised chicken tomorrow.
"Mom, are there any potatoes left at home? Let's add them and make braised chicken with potatoes," She Ning raised her hand to speak.
Since it's made mildly spicy, it would be a shame not to add potatoes.
Braised chicken with potatoes is a Sichuan dish. The chicken pieces are bright red after being caramelized with sugar, the chicken is tender and juicy, the potatoes are soft, sweet and fragrant, and the rich broth is served with white rice. One bite and you'll be completely captivated by its delicious aroma.
“We don’t have much at home, but your Aunt Guan has some. We can go over and buy some from her later.” She Hongmei, engrossed in taking notes on the recipe for braised chicken and potatoes that She Ning had described, thought for a moment and then asked, “Is there anything else that needs improvement?”
"Mom, I have an idea."
"Rice is provided free of charge, with no fixed portion size. You can get a refill, but this is only for dine-in customers."
"If you order takeout, we'll give you the equivalent of four ounces of rice."
She Ning calculated the rice consumption for the day and observed that most customers did not eat more than four liang (200 grams) of rice. The current price of rice is around 0.16 yuan per jin (500 grams). Even if there is an occasional customer with a super big appetite, on average, she will not lose money.
“Ah Ning’s idea is good.” Before She Hongmei could speak, the old lady She, who was leaning against the cushion, spoke first. “Rice doesn’t cost much, but using free refills as a gimmick can bring a lot of customers to the store.”
Their family grows several acres of rice, and they now use rice produced on their own, which is cheaper than what's available on the market.
Moreover, last year's bumper harvest meant their family had stockpiled a lot of grain. This rice could support the restaurant's rice consumption for several months. Their climate is suitable, and they can plant rice twice a year. The early rice planted in mid-April will be harvested in just over two months, perfectly connecting the rice supply.
At worst, they can buy from the village, where the price is cheaper than outside.
She Hongmei nodded; she also thought it was a good idea. "Okay, I've got it. Free refills of rice."
"Is there anything else?" she asked.
"Mom, do you want to ask someone for help?" She Ni asked, blinking at She Hongmei as she leaned over the bed, her eyes filled with concern.
When she got out of school in the afternoon, she went to the shop with the villagers. Her mother and sister were busy running around in the shop, taking money and serving food. When the food ran out, they would cook more food. Then they would clean the tables, wash the dishes and utensils, and clean the shop.
They were completely exhausted by the end of the day.
"Mom will consider it." She Hongmei had also thought about this issue. Opening a shop is different from setting up a stall. She was too naive at first. She really couldn't manage it all by herself.
When She Ni asked about this, She Ning remembered something, "Mom, I remember that Mr. Shen, the owner of the convenience store, asked us before if we were hiring."
It seems there was such a thing. She Hongmei lowered her eyes and recalled for a moment, "I'll go to the market and ask her about it tomorrow."
Boss Shen seems like a reliable person, so the person she's going to introduce should be pretty good too.
"Are there any other areas that need improvement?" She Hongmei asked She Ning and the others.
"That's all for now." She Ning shook her head.
"Alright, let's do a debriefing again after the trial operation ends in two days." Closing her notebook, She Hongmei announced the end of the meeting. She then turned her gaze to Old Mrs. She and spoke with a hint of reproach.
"Mom, your medicine is almost finished, why didn't you tell me?"
The old lady needs to take her medicine every day. In early April, she went to the hospital for a check-up and was prescribed four courses of medicine, which should last about a month. She was too busy during this time and didn't notice that the medicine bottle was almost empty.
"Isn't that enough for a few more days?" Realizing she had done something wrong, Chen Yuzhen's eyes flickered as she spoke softly.
Her medication needs to be obtained from the city. With everyone so busy at home lately, she was thinking of just holding on until everyone was done with their work. Anyway, she felt much better recently, so it wouldn't matter if she didn't take her medication for a while.
She Hongmei looked at the old lady with disapproval. Don't think she didn't know. If she hadn't found out, the old lady would have kept it a secret for who knows how long.
“I’ll accompany you to the city for a check-up and to get your medication the day after tomorrow,” She Hongmei said decisively.
“I’m not going. Your shop just opened, how can you leave?” Chen Yuzhen refused her decision without hesitation, saying stubbornly, “I know my own body. It’s okay if I don’t take the medicine.”
"Mom, how could you do this! It's okay if the shop opens in the afternoon, your health is the most important thing." Faced with her daughter's petulant behavior, She Hongmei was both amused and exasperated. "Aren't you listening to what Dr. Zheng told you?"
Then, She Hongmei said many words of advice.
Chen Yuzhen ignored her words, crossed her arms, turned her face away from She Hongmei, and was very determined not to go.
The old lady was like a child again. Faced with the old lady's shameless behavior, She Hongmei was at a loss. She turned to She Ning and She Ni and winked at them, asking them to help persuade her.
Seeing the two of them bickering, She Ning and She Ni exchanged a glance and then covered their mouths and laughed, not being very kind of them.
These two little troublemakers! She Hongmei sighed, then gestured to them with her lips, signaling them to hurry up and finish.
Seeing the feigned warning look in She Hongmei's eyes, She Ning coughed slightly, suppressed her smile, sat down next to Chen Yuzhen, took her hand, and said coquettishly, "Grandma, you're just worried about delaying the opening of the shop, right? You don't need to go, I'll go to the hospital with you tomorrow."
"I don't have to go to school, I have plenty of time."
"You're going?" Chen Yuzhen turned her head, sized up She Ning's small frame, and said uncertainly, "Going to the city, huh? Do you dare?"
“There’s no such thing as daring or not daring, it’s just a matter of doing or not doing. My children, like me, can do anything.” Seeing that Chen Yuzhen’s tone had softened, She Hongmei spoke up for her before She Ning could answer, afraid that if she hesitated for even a second, the old lady She would back down and refuse to go.
“Mom is right, Grandma, I’ll go to the hospital with you tomorrow. It’s settled then.” She Ning shook Chen Yuzhen’s hand, seizing the opportunity to finalize the decision.
"Grandma, be a good girl and listen to the doctor, okay? Nini wants you to come with her for a walk." She Ni hugged Chen Yuzhen's waist, snuggling in her arms and acting coquettishly.
Looking at her two well-behaved and sensible granddaughters clinging to her, and her daughter watching her with concern on the other side, Chen Yuzhen remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I'll go find the village secretary to get the certificate right now!" Seeing that she agreed, She Hongmei immediately jumped up, got out of bed and ran outside.
"You child, come back here! What time is it? Why are you bothering them?" Chen Yuzhen shouted at She Hongmei.
She Hongmei ignored him and ran outside without stopping.
"Grandma, you can let my mom go," She Ning said with a smile, stopping her. Knowing She Hongmei's personality, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if things weren't done well today.
Chen Yuzhen shook her head, deciding to ignore it.
When She Hongmei arrived at the village secretary's house, no one inside was asleep yet. She Aijun thought something had happened when he saw her come so late. After hearing her explanation, he immediately went back inside to get two travel permits for her.
"Do you need to arrange an oxcart to take your mother to town tomorrow?" She Aijun asked with concern when he heard that She Ning was accompanying Chen Yuzhen to the city.
After Grandma She suffered a stroke, the village arranged for an oxcart to take her to the hospital every time. She Weidong, the eldest son of the She family, was a martyr, and the commune specifically instructed that the She family be given some care.
When Grandpa She Aidang was alive, he refused to allow the She family any special treatment. The mission and duty of a soldier is to protect the country and the people. She Weidong's sacrifice for the country was the highest honor he could have as a soldier, and it was also the concentrated embodiment of his professional spirit as a soldier.
After the old man passed away, She Hongmei followed his wishes and did not accept any special treatment. Every time the commune came to visit, they said that everything was fine and there was nothing they needed to help with.
Grandma She's oxcart service wasn't free for She Hongmei; she always insisted on paying for it.
"No need, I'll take them to town by bicycle tomorrow," She Hongmei politely declined his offer.
"Remember to let me know if you have any difficulties." She Aijun tapped the tobacco on the water bottle and said earnestly, "We're all relatives, so I'll definitely help if I can."
"I know, thank you, Uncle. I'll head back now." After thanking her, She Hongmei quickly left.
She Aijun stood outside for a while before turning back into the house. Inside, Yang Hongli was mending clothes. Hearing the noise, she put on her coat and came out. Looking at the dark outside, she asked curiously, "Who came looking for you just now?"
“Hongmei from the Party’s family.” With a puff of smoke from his water pipe, She Aijun sat on the stool and answered.
"Why are you here so late? What happened?" She sat down as well and asked with some concern.
When they were younger, Yang Hongli and Chen Yuzhen had a good relationship. However, as things got more complicated at home and during the turmoil in the She family, Chen Yuzhen suffered a stroke and couldn't leave the house, so the two of them saw each other less often.
"It's nothing. They're going to the city for a follow-up appointment tomorrow, so they just need to get a travel permit."
"That's good. I wonder if Yuzhen is feeling any better. I'll go to their place tomorrow after they come back from the hospital."
Hearing that She Hongmei had come to get a certificate for a follow-up visit at the hospital, Yang Hongli's worries subsided, and she focused her attention on the person in front of her. Seeing that She Aijun was still smoking, she spoke up.
"You should smoke less at night, otherwise you'll cough and not sleep well."
"Okay, I'll draw from this one."
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