The bowls, chopsticks, and other utensils were all prepared. As for tables, chairs, and benches, Zhao Qinglan found some old ones at a scrap metal recycling station.
Repair what needed repairing, repaint what needed repainting, and make everything clean and brand new.
It took several days to finish all these tasks.
When painting, the two kids were eager to help, treating the job as a fun activity.
These past few days, whenever Zhao Qinglan brought the children into the city, she would run into Qian Hongxia on the bus.
After this happened several times, Zhao Qinglan began to feel a little strange.
She had no choice but to bring her child into the city every day, but she had never met any other military wives who did so.
Although she had her doubts, she didn't like seeing Qian Hongxia, so she naturally wouldn't ask her.
Little did she know, Qian Hongxia's mission was to track and investigate what she was doing every day.
In the past few days, Qian Hongxia has actually made some progress.
The main reason was that Zhao Qinglan and the others had eaten such delicious mala tang that day, and they had also cooked bone broth wontons before, which, although not as strong, smelled just as good. So someone couldn't help but ask.
Anyway, my family is going to open a snack shop to sell food. What we need is a big reputation and many customers, so that we can make a lot of money.
Whenever someone asked, Zhao Qinglan told the truth.
They stated that they would be opening in a few days and would be selling delicious bone broth wontons, welcoming everyone to come and support them.
When Qian Hongxia inquired again, she learned the news.
"What? You're saying Zhao Qinglan is going to open a shop in the city?" Yang Qingmin stood up.
“Yes, that’s what everyone says, and I’ve seen it too. They’re preparing to open the shop,” Qian Hongxia affirmed.
Zhao Qinglan naturally cooked the food indoors.
But painting and repairing tables and chairs can't be done indoors, especially painting, the smell is too strong, and it's not good for your health if you smell it too much, so she does it all outside.
Although it's cold, I can still get through it by wearing gloves and working hard.
They even used up several pairs of work gloves for this.
Yang Qinmin paced around the room several times with his hands behind his back, then suddenly said, "She's a military wife, yet she dares to try to become a capitalist. I think she not only doesn't want to live herself, but she also wants to bring disaster to her whole family."
At this point, a meaningful smile appeared on his face.
Although the overall environment is changing, whether it is socialist or capitalist is a foregone conclusion.
If Zhao Qinglan dares to do these reckless things, then don't blame him for being heartless.
The thought that he had caught Li Huai's family red-handed and might be able to put Li Huai to death in one fell swoop filled Yang Qingmin with excitement.
"Alright, don't follow Zhao Qinglan for the next couple of days, so as not to alert her. After a few days, once their shop opens, we'll gather ready-made evidence," Yang Qingmin decided.
In important matters, Qian Hongxia always listened to her husband's ideas, and naturally nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
The couple huddled together and whispered to each other again.
Initially, Zhao Qinglan had considered whether doing business would have a negative impact before that great leader proposed reform and opening up.
Firstly, she wanted to improve her family's living conditions, and secondly, the large amount of money she had spent recently made her feel a sense of financial crisis.
Most importantly, she never imagined that she wouldn't have to work alone and could let her mother and sister do it.
That's right, she had already planned it out. She would invest in the business herself, buy the necessary equipment, and teach her mother and sister the craft. However, once the shop was officially opened, she would not participate in its management.
Let my mother and sister do the work. She can occasionally help check the accounts and then take a share of the profits.
She has already discussed this with her mother and sister in recent days.
Actually, at first, Sun had two daughters, and she felt embarrassed that Zhao Qinglan was paying for everything.
Before they even knew what Zhao Qinglan was thinking, Madam Sun had already discussed it with her two daughters. No matter how much money they earned, apart from a small amount for their own expenses, the rest had to go to their eldest sister, Zhao Qinglan.
Neither Zhao Qingzhu nor Zhao Qingju objected to this.
In their eyes, the free and wonderful life they have now is a gift from Zhao Qinglan, and everything they have is also given to them by their eldest sister, Zhao Qinglan.
Even if they gave all the money they earned to their eldest sister, they wouldn't say a word, as long as they had enough to eat and live on.
When Zhao Qinglan suggested that she was only investing and receiving dividends, Sun initially refused, saying that everything in the shop belonged to her and should be given to her.
Zhao Qinglan could tell that her mother's words were sincere.
But she knew that if this business was to develop in the long term, she couldn't really treat her mother and sister as employees.
Besides, she didn't want to be that harsh.
Even with family, she insisted on keeping clear accounts. No matter how much the shop made, she would take 40% of the profits, and her mother and two younger sisters would each take 20% of the remaining 60%.
It also gives them motivation and a sense of purpose. Don't underestimate a small snack shop; if business is good, it can make a lot of money.
There's a saying that goes, "Those who build rockets are not as well off as those who sell tea eggs."
This is not meant to insult scientists and highly educated individuals; it simply points out a common phenomenon in society at the time: many salaried intellectuals earned far less than many small-time vendors.
Even in later periods of rapid socio-economic development, such examples abound.
She dared to start early not only because her mother and sister helped her, but also because of their special relationship.
Employment remains a sensitive topic today. The reason why people always say that capitalists exploit workers is because, in everyone's view, capitalists make the lion's share of the money while exploiting the "blood and sweat" of workers.
So later on, hiring a few people was considered "capital," and everyone had a line.
They don't directly participate in the operation of their shop, and their mother and sister are all their closest family members.
Even if someone wanted to use this as a pretext for an attack, they did not hire or exploit any outsiders.
These are all small businesses run by family members, how can you call it "employment"?
With the experience and vision of those from later generations, Zhao Qinglan had already considered everything before daring to raise this flag.
She didn't know Yang Qingmin's plans, but she knew the future trends, which was her most powerful advantage.
...
Ever since she was questioned outside the restaurant that day, Yu Huimin has been quite nervous, and this has continued for several days.
She remained oblivious to her son Li Wei's presence until he left home for school.
Even though she tried her best to hide it, her husband Li Zhenhua still noticed something.
"Huimin, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Yu Huimin laughed.
"I always feel like something's off about you."
Hearing her husband say this, Yu Huimin felt a chill run down her spine. Could it be that her husband knew something?
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