Chapter 84 (Poaching)
Song Xinran was speechless. Adhering to the principle that all guests are welcome, she gave the man six cents in change and said, "Take care."
The man smiled, took the six cents, and counted them before putting them in his wallet, since they were all one-cent coins.
The one-cent coin was completely out of place in terms of color and size compared to the hundred-yuan bills, but the man didn't care. He closed his wallet and put it in his pocket, then asked, "Boss, do you have a place to sit here?"
Song Xinran said, "No."
She didn't mean anything by looking down on anyone or being spiteful. There are many stalls selling braised meat in town, and everyone does it the same way. They just push a cart to set up their stall, and most customers who buy braised meat take it home to eat.
The man looked around and said, "Boss, your business is so good. If you add a few benches and tables so customers have a place to sit, your business will definitely take off even further."
Song Xinran finds these kinds of comments quite annoying. In the years since she started her stall and shop, many people have tried to "give her advice," mostly middle-aged men who claim they are doing it for her own good but say that she is just a young girl who doesn't understand much.
Song Xinran always just smiled and let it go with people like that. Doing business is all about being kind to others. But if the other party goes too far, the smile on her face disappears, and her cold and hard expression keeps people at arm's length. If this person doesn't come to buy anything in the future, Song Xinran doesn't care. She doesn't need this person, and it'll give her some peace and quiet.
However, the man in front of her hadn't crossed her line yet, so Song Xinran pretended not to hear. It was normal for her not to hear anything in the crowded and noisy market today.
The man shut up after saying that, stood there for a moment, hesitated, then opened the package and tentatively took a bite of the braised food.
After taking a bite, his expression changed slightly. He had been somewhat indifferent at first, but now he was much more serious. He slowly finished all the braised vegetables, took out a tissue from his pocket to wipe his hands, and glanced around at the customers who came to buy things.
The braised food stall was always packed with customers, and Song Xinran didn't have much free time. The amount of braised food on the stall was visibly decreasing.
The man watched the customers buy their food and pay, muttering something under his breath. Finally, seeing that the braised food was almost sold out, he went up to them again and asked, "Boss, how much are these chicken feet?"
Song Xinran: "Five cents each."
In Lingde Town, braised chicken feet and similar items are still sold by the piece, but Song Xinran knows that no one has taken the initiative to change this. Outside, they are sold by weight, but she earns more by selling them by the piece, so she maintains the status quo.
The man said, "Everywhere else, it would be weighed."
Song Xinran didn't respond to that question, but simply asked, "Do you want some?"
The man glanced at the stall and said, "Give me one of everything you have on the stall, but no more."
This time she was a bit more generous, but there weren't many items left on the stall. After packing them up, Song Xinran handed them to the other person: "Two yuan and fifty cents."
The man returned the six cents she had just given him to her intact, and even added two dollars: "Add another ten cents for vegetables, and here's two dollars and sixty cents for you."
There was only a little bit of vegetarian food left, and it wouldn't fetch a good price even if sold. Song Xinran usually gave it away to customers who bought a lot. No one had asked for a dime worth of vegetarian food yet, but she added it anyway.
The man took the bag and started eating right there. Compared to the first tentative attempt, this time it went much more smoothly because many people on the street were eating as they walked, some holding braised food and others holding steamed buns.
After selling all her braised food, Song Xinran was about to go to the mala tang shop to see if she could help out, and also to find an opportunity to talk to Song Xinwen about the future. Just as she was packing up her stall, the man came over and said, "Boss Song."
He imitated them because he heard the customers call them that.
Song Xinran asked, "Is there something you need?"
The man said, "I wonder if Mr. Song has ever thought about doing business somewhere else? Your skills are so good, it's a waste to leave them in Lingde Town. You could make much more money in a big city and wouldn't have to work so hard."
The man handed over his business card, which Song Xinran took and read: Fang Jianmin, Chairman of Jinyusheng Catering.
Fang Jianmin said, "Boss Song, I'm in the catering business, and I'm planning to open a braised food shop. I wonder if you'd be interested in working there? This braised food shop I'm planning to open isn't one of those small stalls; it's a chain, with a very promising future. I tried the braised food from your stall today, and I thought it tasted great. Coming to our shop will definitely allow you to maximize your strengths and let more people taste your culinary skills!"
After a pause, Fang Jianmin continued, "I observed your business today, Mr. Song. The customer flow is about seventy or eighty people, and the average transaction value is relatively low, with most customers spending around ten yuan. Based on this, the final profit is about three or four hundred yuan, but the process is quite energy-consuming. If you come to work at our store, Mr. Song, I will definitely pay you more than that, but the work will be much easier!"
"I am someone who cherishes talent, and I really can't bear to see someone as capable as you, Mr. Song, buried on the street. It's fate that we met today. I believe in fate. Mr. Song, you can ask around and check. This business card I'm giving you is my identity. I don't lie."
After speaking, Fang Jianmin waited quietly for Song Xinran's reply. He felt that the conditions he had offered were already very good. He also owned a restaurant business, where an ordinary chef earned 1,800 yuan a month, but he would definitely offer Song Xinran more than that. However, after eating the braised food made by Song Xinran, Fang Jianmin felt that paying more was worthwhile.
Although Fang Jianmin had a relatively large business like restaurants, the investment was also high. So he didn't just limit himself to opening restaurants, but also wanted to invest in a wide range of businesses. He then discovered that braised food was a very profitable industry.
Although the average order value is low, many people buy from it, and it doesn't require a large shop area; a small room is enough. Just put a refrigerated display case at the entrance, filled with all kinds of braised food, and two small tables inside. Customers can easily buy a few things for ten yuan.
There are many such braised food shops in big cities, but Yongyan City has not yet developed them into a systematic industry. Fang Jianmin felt that he had found a good business opportunity and had been looking for talent. Unexpectedly, he was invited to come by Lingde Town for investment promotion today and found what he wanted.
He felt that Song Xinran would not refuse. Setting up a stall is a very hard job. You have to work in the wind and sun, do everything yourself, and bear the risk of losing money if business is bad and you can't sell your goods. But working is different. The risks are all with the boss, and the employees just get paid.
However, Song Xinran glanced at the business card and returned it to him: "Chairman Fang, I prefer my current job and don't want any changes. Thank you for your kindness."
Fang Jianmin was taken aback for a moment, then immediately said, "Boss Song, do you have any concerns? I genuinely admire you."
Song Xinran said calmly, "I have no concerns. I just don't like working for others. Chairman Fang, with your large business, you can find someone more suitable than me."
This sentence completely shut down Fang Jianmin's remaining words. After thinking about it, he realized that it was indeed difficult to mediate, so he said, "Okay, sorry to bother you."
Fang Jianmin left the braised meat stall with a bit of regret. He had already tried many so-called century-old braised meat shops in Yongyan City, but none of them could compare to the taste of what he ate here. However, since the stall owner didn't want to work for him, Fang Jianmin didn't force him.
Back at the guesthouse, there was another round of pleasantries. Quite a few people had come to the Lingde Town investment promotion conference.
Lingde Town now has a promising future. The Zhang Family Ancestral Hall and the archway complex have been declared cultural relics protection units. With the funding, they have been protected and maintained in recent years. The town's roads have been renovated, and a new road has been built specifically to lead from the town to the ancestral hall.
Later, it applied to become a cultural town, and the leadership team intends to develop Lingde Town into a tourist attraction, and is vigorously developing the tourism industry.
Fang Jianmin came to visit because he knew about these preferential policies, but after seeing the actual situation, he felt that there was still a lot of room for development in the tourism industry of Lingde Town, and he has decided to come back to visit again later.
The guesthouse was well-prepared to accommodate these investors, with a wide variety of dishes for lunch. Fang Jianmin, who works in the catering industry, has tasted many delicacies, so these dishes were not to his liking. However, he tried them all and found them to have a unique flavor and local characteristics.
In particular, the braised beef dish caught Fang Jianmin's eye. Since Mr. Song, the owner of the braised food shop, didn't want to change jobs, he decided to ask the chef who made the braised beef.
Whether you're working at a guesthouse or working for him, it's all the same. As long as he offers better benefits, he won't have trouble poaching people. Since you're both working now, he certainly won't give the same reason for refusing you.
But...
Fang Jianmin carefully tasted the braised beef and felt that the flavor was very similar to that of the braised meat from the street vendor, as if they came from the same pot, although the taste of the braised meat from the street vendor was slightly better.
But his culinary skills are more than enough to be a chef at his chain stores.
As for why they are similar, Fang Jianmin convinced himself that the methods of making braised food in the world are mostly the same, so it is normal for the taste to be similar. This is probably similar to how beautiful people are generally the same, but ugly people are ugly in their own way.
Fang Jianmin straightened his sleeves and said to the waiter, "The food at your guesthouse is really delicious. I wonder if I could meet the chef? I'd like to know who makes such a wonderful dish."
The waiter beamed with joy upon hearing this. The leader attached great importance to this investment promotion conference, and now that someone had mentioned the good taste of the food at the guesthouse, the waiter was also very pleased: "These dishes were not made by one chef. I wonder which chef you would like to see?"
Fang Jianmin asked, "Which chef makes the braised beef?"
The waiter's smile widened: "He's Chef Fang from our guesthouse!"
Fang Jianmin smiled and said, "Since we're family, I definitely have to meet him."
Chef Fang was quite surprised when he heard the news. If someone liked his cooking and wanted to meet him, it meant they were very satisfied with the food. He washed his hands before going to meet the person.
Upon meeting him, the other party praised him, saying that his braised beef was lean yet tender, and tasted excellent, leaving a lasting impression.
Chef Fang was now at a loss for words, wondering how he was going to explain the origin of that braised beef dish.
Strictly speaking, he made it all by himself, including cutting and plating the braised dishes, but the most important braising liquid was bought.
Chef Fang sighed inwardly, realizing that he still had a lot to learn about kitchen matters: "Boss Fang, you flatter me."
Fang Jianmin could tell from Chef Fang's expression that he wasn't arrogant or conceited, but rather very calm and easygoing. He felt more at ease having someone like that working for him, so he simply stated his purpose directly: "Chef Fang, I'm interested in opening a chain of braised food shops. I tasted your braised food and really liked it; it's exactly the flavor I've been looking for. Would you like to work for me? If you come now, you'll be a founding member with huge potential for future development, and the benefits are generous. Whatever your monthly salary at the guesthouse, I'll give you three times that."
Chef Fang's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He couldn't help but glance at Fang Jianmin, feeling that this man was not very particular. However, most bosses are similar; those who are too particular and moral will not make a fortune.
But... these big bosses came here to invest in and develop Lingde Town, so why do they want to poach him, a local from Lingde Town?
Chef Fang shook his head, but since they were guests invited by the leaders, he couldn't say much. He simply said, "Boss Fang, to be honest, I didn't make this braised beef."
Fang Jianmin was taken aback: "Chef Fang, you must be joking. Who else could it be but you?"
Chef Fang said, "The braising liquid for this braised beef was bought from someone else, the owner of the braised meat stall in our town."
Upon hearing this, Fang Jianmin's heart skipped a beat.
No way...
But I still asked, "It's not that braised meat stall across from the rural credit cooperative, is it?"
Chef Fang glanced at Fang Jianmin again, wondering how this man knew so much about the place, but still nodded: "Yes, that's the one."
Fang Jianmin was momentarily at a loss for what expression to make...
*
On the other side, Song Xinran also pulled Song Xinwen, who was now free. Usually, there weren't many people in the mala tang restaurant after a while, so everyone could clean up the tables, wash the dishes, replenish the vegetables in the refrigerator, and then rest.
When Song Xinwen was pulled out, he was still a little confused: "Xinran, is there something wrong? I still need to chop the vegetables for the afternoon."
Song Xinran said, "Sister, I'm going to the city."
Song Xinwen didn't react for a moment: "Go ahead, how long are you going to be gone? Is Xiao Yu home? I'll keep an eye on her for you, you can go without worry."
Over the past three years, Song Xinran would occasionally go to the city, mainly to buy things, which Song Xinwen had gotten used to.
Song Xinran said, "I'm not going to buy things. I'm planning to take Xiao Yu to live in the city. He'll be starting elementary school soon."
"Huh??" Song Xinwen's eyes widened on the spot, and he immediately asked, "Then what are you going to do in the city? What about your business? It's doing so well now, are you just going to give it up like that?"
Then he started to persuade him: "It doesn't matter where a child studies. If you think the schools in town aren't good enough, you can send them to boarding schools. That way, the child can develop on their own and you'll feel more at ease."
Song Xinwen has learned a lot about working and living in the town over the past three years. Cai Yang is two months younger than Song Yu. He missed the start of primary school this year when he turned six and will have to wait until next year.
Song Xinwen still felt a little sad. It was Song Xinran who advised her that children, especially boys, mature later, and that starting school later is actually a good thing, as they are more likely to understand and behave better, and it is easier to manage them at school.
Song Xinran said, "Sister, don't worry. I've thought about all of this. The businesses in town won't close down. Your mala tang shops are doing very well now, and it won't change even if I'm not in town anymore."
Song Xinwen said with a stern face, "How can that be the same? If you want to leave, Xiaoxia will be the first to object. She always says that if you encounter anything you don't understand here, you can ask her."
“I’ve already spoken to Xiaoxia, and she agreed,” Song Xinran said.
This sentence baffled Song Xinwen. His first reaction was: "You told Xiaoxia first?"
Her older sister was ranked second, which made Song Xinwen's mind race.
Song Xinran could guess her thoughts and explained, "After all, Xiaoxia is practically my apprentice. The most important thing when opening a restaurant is to choose the right chef."
"So once I got through to Xiaoxia, I came to tell you first."
Song Xinwen felt a little better after thinking about it. She realized that what Song Xinran said made sense, but she was still a little embarrassed: "Don't worry about me. I'm your sister. I will definitely support whatever decision you make. We need to talk to Jingfang and Xiaosha first!"
Song Xinran smiled inwardly, but said on the surface, "I know about them. Sister, today I'm here to talk to you about the profit sharing. Since the mala tang shop opened, you've been working very hard and are practically the shop manager."
Song Xinwen quickly said no, no, but Song Xinran knew that she and Ge Xia went to buy groceries together, and she was also the one who collected the money and calculated the bill. Although Song Xinwen only attended primary school, she could calculate things clearly when it came to money, which even Ge Xia, a self-taught accountant, admired.
After that, Song Xinran hardly put any thought or energy into the mala tang restaurant. Song Xinwen also did an excellent job, keeping a clear record of the monthly profits in the ledger and handing it over to her. The mala tang restaurant was quite profitable, earning more in a month than a rural person could earn in a year. However, Song Xinwen never falsified the accounts, and all the inflows and outflows of funds were clearly recorded.
"Sister, things will continue as usual at the mala tang shop, but I'll give you an extra 20% of the profits every year."
Song Xinran explained her arrangements in detail, and Song Xinwen couldn't help but feel a little excited. If she got 20% of the profits, she would practically be the store manager.
Back in the countryside, Song Xinwen never imagined such a day would come. She was so busy with farm work and taking care of her family that she didn't have time to think about anything else, and she felt that she didn't have the ability to do so. However, after coming to the store, she started working and solving problems as they arose, and it didn't seem to be that difficult.
But she still said, "Xinran, this is too much. You and Xiaoyu will need money everywhere in the city. The city is not like the town. You don't know anyone there. We'll feel more at ease if we have more money. As for the profit sharing, Xiaoxia and I will take the same amount. I will definitely take good care of things here for you."
Song Xinran said, "It's not much. This is what I've thought of. I can't let you suffer a loss. You're my own sister, and I only feel at ease entrusting these things to you."
Upon hearing this, Song Xinwen felt as if something had struck him hard in the heart, his heart aching and throbbing with emotion. He was deeply moved, and at the same time, a surge of passion welled up in his heart: "Don't worry, you can rest assured leaving it to me!"
Song Xinran smiled and said, "You're my older sister. If I don't trust you, who else can I trust?"
Song Xinwen then asked her in detail what she planned to do in the city and what her plans were. Finally, he suddenly remembered: "What about your snack shop?"
Song Xinran said, "I'll leave it to Jingfang."
Upon hearing this, Song Xinwen frowned. She still held the old belief that only blood relatives were the closest. However, even if she wanted to see how the snack shop was doing, she couldn't interfere because she didn't understand how it operated.
But upon closer reflection, she realized that she had known Chen Jingfang for several years, and Chen Jingfang was indeed a reliable person, down-to-earth, hardworking, and not one to gossip. Even if Chen Jingfang had some ulterior motives, it wouldn't be a problem for her to stay here and keep an eye on Xinran.
Song Xinwen nodded slowly: "It's good that you've thought it through."
After chatting for a while, Song Xinwen had to go back to the shop to clean up the afternoon's dishes.
She went back to the store and glanced at Ge Xia, who was chatting with Xu Sha, showing no signs of having known such important news in advance.
Song Xinwen thought to himself, "How come I never realized Ge Xia was such a tight-lipped person before? But it's good, she's better than those gossipy women in the village."
While washing the vegetables, Song Xinwen couldn't help but think of Cai Yang again. Ever since she started working at the store, Cai Yang had basically been taken care of by his grandmother. At first, Grandma Cai had a lot to say, but after Song Xinwen took the money back, Grandma Cai shut up. It's hard to believe that Song Xinwen is now earning more than Cai Yongde.
Especially in the past six months, the brickyard has not been doing well, and there has been much less work. The family relies more on Song Xinwen. Originally, Cai Yongde thought she should stay at home to take care of the children and the family, but now he no longer complains.
Previously, Song Xinwen had planned to send Cai Yang to a boarding school when he started elementary school to correct his bad habits, but after hearing Song Xinran's words today, he had other ideas.
She's now wondering what to do with Cai Yang...
*
Song Xinran met Fang Jianmin again on the next market day.
A black Santana was parked across from the mala tang restaurant. As soon as she appeared, Fang Jianmin got out of the car. He was wearing a black polo shirt today, which didn't accentuate his belly as much as a white shirt. He strode up to her and said with a smile, "Boss Song, why do you only set up your stall at the market? Your business is so good, you must have no trouble selling every day."
Song Xinran ignored the other party's pleasantries and asked directly, "Is there anything I can help you with, Chairman Fang?"
Fang Jianmin said, "Boss Song is as straightforward as ever. I like doing things with straightforward people."
"Since Boss Song doesn't want to just work for others, I have a new idea. I'd like you to work at our braised food workshop. Not only will you have a guaranteed monthly salary, but you'll also receive 5% of the workshop's profits at the end of the year. And that's not all. If you come, I'll give you an additional 5% equity stake in our technical skills, which can be considered as an investment in your craft!"
"Boss Song, I don't just want to run this braised food shop as a small business. I plan to invest heavily and open a chain store. I've already prepared the funds and the store locations. My plan is to first make this braised food shop a benchmark and achieve profitability, while opening two more branches in the city! After the model is mature, we'll expand into the provincial capital and establish the brand! Now that you're here, you're considered a founding member. This 5% profit share will be at least six figures a year, and the 5% equity in the business means you'll be one of the founders of a chain enterprise worth tens of millions! Boss Song, this isn't working for me; it's an opportunity to transcend social classes!"
Fang Jianmin's passionate speech was like a grand oratory, vividly depicting a blueprint for the future. He then softened his tone and said:
"Mr. Song, I am someone who cherishes talent, and this is the greatest sincerity I can offer."
The author's note: Look at this pancake, it's so big and round!
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