Song Liusao's fish soup shop is closed even during the day.
Amian and Wangwang looked at each other in bewilderment.
It seems the fermented bean curd sauce won't sell well this month, since all the staff have left. To some extent, this is due to the high turnover rate of staff in restaurants; people usually spend a year or two together and know each other well.
"Sigh. It's not just the fish soup shop that's had this problem. A couple of days ago, a young master got drunk on counterfeit alcohol, and the owner refused to admit it. So the young master brought a bunch of people to smash up the shop..." Wangwang shook his head and sighed, "They almost beat up Officer Chen who came to mediate. I don't know what's wrong with them lately, it's like they've been cursed."
Amian nudged her shoulder, "Will I be able to attend your wedding at the end of the year?"
Wangwang smiled and said, "Pretty much."
"Go in."
Ah Mian knocked on the door a few times, but no one answered, so she slowly pushed the door open.
Mr. Song was pouring a cup of bitter tea when he saw the two of them and was stunned.
"It's you guys. I thought it was those debt collectors demanding their wages."
"Hmm, let's see if there's anything we can do to help."
Song Dongjia looked at A Mian with a complicated expression, "I'm afraid the fermented bean curd sauce won't sell."
"I know."
Seeing the mess in the kitchen, Wangwang grabbed a broom and swept the floor, while Amian righted the overturned chairs one by one.
Song Dongjia said, "Don't bother, it's nothing serious, we can just hire new employees."
"oh."
An awkward silence fell over the room for a while. Mr. Song drank cup after cup of tea. "Ah Mian, tell me...did I go a little too far this time?"
Amian thought for a moment and said, "That Master Li, I didn't see him do any business, he just succeeded by teaching others, and that's how he really succeeded."
"He said he had done big business in Beijing..."
"That's all what he said, who knows if it's true or not."
"Ah Mian, I...I..."
Amian said, "Boss Song, Wangwang and I came today because you took good care of us when we were in your shop before. You really taught us some things."
“Yes. To be honest, you probably haven’t earned much more these days. Master Li always asks for money. He can always find another place to make a living in the future,” Wangwang shook his head. “The bosses are going to do business here for the rest of their lives.”
"Could he really be a fraud..."
A-Mian stopped talking. She couldn't determine what kind of person Master Li was or whether the logic in his words was correct; it all depended on each person's own perspective. After the two of them finished tidying up, A-Mian asked Boss Song if she would come to her shop's opening next month.
With tears in her eyes, Song Dongjia said, "I will go. I will go." Her eyes suddenly filled with fighting spirit. "I've spent at least fifty taels of silver on that master! No way—I have to settle the score with him!"
Ten days or so later, business at many shops on the street got worse day by day.
Many of the shop owners banded together and blocked Master Li's door, shouting insults: "Liar! Get out here!"
"Managers, guess what? I sent people to Zhoucheng overnight, only to find out that he had already been kicked out by the owners there!"
No wonder they came to this remote place.
Master Li's strategy is actually quite simple: hit a target and move on to another location, using the money earned in the previous location to buy shops and promote himself.
Five heads peeked out from behind the tofu shop: Ah Yue, Ah Mian, and three shop assistants, all watching the commotion with great interest.
"They were doing incredibly well just a few days ago, how come their fortunes have completely changed?"
"Wah wah wah".
"Sigh, autumn and winter are usually peak seasons, but there are far fewer people on the streets than in previous years."
Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast.
Ah Mian said, "We're opening in five days, and I plan to offer opening promotions to attract customers. What do restaurants usually give away when they open?"
The chef, who was quite experienced, said: "Usually, we send small snacks or pickles."
"Okay, then we'll deliver the dried tofu."
Every new shop opens with a three-day trial period. The first day is chaotic, food service is slow, and clearing dishes and taking orders are on the same side, so people often bump into each other when things get busy. There are six tables in the shop, but they are not enough to seat everyone during peak hours.
"Yes, add a long table here, facing the wall. We need to get it done quickly, we're opening in a couple of days!" Ah Mian was extremely busy. After describing the desired layout to the carpenter, she instructed the workers to set up two tables outside during mealtimes.
"Master Lu, how should we hang these lanterns?"
"Hang them on either side of the signboard, the smaller ones in the inner corner, and two in the backyard." Six lanterns in total, radiating a faint warmth on the early winter days. This was an idea Ah Mian came up with on the spur of the moment; these six lanterns weren't cheap, adding to the shop's monthly candle expenses.
To be honest, she had already "borrowed" more than ten taels of silver from Meng Chijian to open this shop, saying that she would pay him back after making money.
Meng Chijian only allowed A-Mian to borrow money from him, and forbade A-Mian to borrow money from places like money shops or banks.
“Those places charge exorbitant interest rates. Knowing you're in a hurry for money, they'll use all sorts of tricks like ‘nine out’ and ‘thirteen back’ to skin you alive. They won’t rest until they’ve ripped you off.”
There are landlords who have lent this kind of money, and in the end, they were heavily indebted, robbing Peter to pay Paul, and eventually their families were ruined and they died.
Fortunately, business was pretty good during the first three days of the trial operation. By the third day, everyone was cooperating much better, and Ah Mian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The night before the official opening, A-Mian was so excited that she couldn't sleep for the first time.
Meng Chijian listened to the little guy rolling around beside him... He said quietly, "If you really can't sleep, I have some other ideas."
"No, no, I have to get up early tomorrow." She rolled a little further away and leaned against the wall. "I hope everything goes well tomorrow."
Early in the morning, A-Mian got up and changed her clothes. Meng Chijian took a red ribbon and tied two little pigtails on A-Yue's head. "It's still early, don't rush, we won't miss the good time." He pinched little A-Yue's nose. "Your mother wasn't in such a hurry when she married me."
The family arrived at the tofu shop early, and the employees arrived one after another.
When the time came, Meng Chijian lit the firecrackers, and A-Mian covered Xiao A-Yue's ears. The firecrackers crackled and popped, making the whole street lively.
After the firecrackers were set off, congratulations were heard everywhere. Boss Song, Wangwang, and other bosses who were on good terms with Amian all sent congratulatory couplets.
Amian climbed the ladder, tore off the red silk from the plaque, and brought the lively atmosphere to a climax.
"A-Mian Tofu Shop is having a grand opening sale! Free dried tofu and 30% off all dishes! Only for three days, don't miss out!"
The waiter shouted enthusiastically.
Ordinary people love to join in the fun, and it would be foolish not to take advantage of a good deal.
After a busy morning, Ah Mian was collecting copper coins behind the counter, feeling like she was floating on air, completely oblivious to what time it was!
Just then, Wangwang rushed in anxiously and whispered in A-Mian's ear, "Something terrible has happened! Your husband... he was just taken away by the yamen officials!"
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