Hong Erniang was also busy helping out, and her cooking skills were quite good as well. She could easily whip up simple home-style stir-fries.
I've been cooking for decades, so I have some experience to begin with.
The whole family gathered around the table, holding bowls and chopsticks, and began to eat.
He Shitou picked up a large piece of fish and hurriedly put it into his mouth.
The grilled fish had just been taken out of the oven, and the fish head was still steaming hot.
He Shitou had just put the fish in his mouth when it was so hot he almost spat it out. But he couldn't bear to waste it, so he swallowed it whole without really tasting it.
Everyone was used to his behavior; when it came to eating, even two dogs couldn't outrun him.
Hong Erniang has clearly become quite accustomed to He Tiantian's cooking. These days, she eats better than she does at home, three meals a day.
However, the cotton in the field will be planted in a few days. She lives alone and has to take care of more than 20 acres of land. She doesn't have time to go back to the city to look after her shop.
During a break in their conversation, Hong Erniang also told He Tiantian about her own situation.
“Girl, this is what I’m thinking. My clothing shop isn’t doing too well, but it’s enough to make ends meet every month. But look at me now, I don’t have time to worry about that.”
He Tiantian thought so too; that shop had been closed for almost a month.
"What does Sister Hong mean? Is she going to close the shop?" Judging from her tone, it seems like that's the idea.
Hong Erniang nodded, but at the same time felt a little regretful.
"There's nothing we can do if we don't close it down. It's a good thing that I bought that shop with my savings back then, so I don't have to pay rent every month. Otherwise, it would be a losing business."
The shop wasn't big, but it was in a good location and usually had a decent amount of foot traffic.
He Tiantian also seriously considered this issue. Completely shutting it down was probably unrealistic.
Because once Hong Erniang's business picks up, she'll still need to sell in the shop. She can't completely rely on Manager Guan's side, which offers multiple shops and sales channels.
So everyone started helping to come up with ideas.
There are still four or five months left, so what can this shop be used for during that time?
It can both be put to good use and not be left idle and feel like a waste.
He Shitou really wanted to show off, but his blockhead brain just wouldn't get it, and he couldn't come up with a single idea, his face turning red with frustration.
Hong Erniang proposed several solutions, but she rejected them herself.
He Tiantian sipped the fish soup slowly while deep in thought.
She had actually thought of a few, but she always felt there was something wrong with them. Suddenly, she saw that the flowers she had planted in her yard had bloomed, colorful and quite beautiful.
These flowers were all randomly dug up by the children from the hill behind the house; He Tiantian didn't even know the names of some of them.
An idea flashed through her mind, and He Tiantian suggested, "Why don't we use that shop to open a teahouse?"
"A teahouse?" Hong Erniang thought for a moment. "That wouldn't be appropriate. You know how small those shops are; they can't fit many tables inside."
He Tiantian shook her head and explained her specific plan, "We won't set up tables and chairs. The tea shop I'm talking about is for flower tea and milk tea."
"We can research some herbal teas and herbal tea bags, and also make some milk tea. These are more suitable for children and girls, especially the daughters of wealthy families; they can't resist these things."
Hong Erniang thought for a moment, and realized that flower tea had always been a favorite of those ladies and young women.
However, milk tea might not work, because they live in the interior of China and rarely drink milk. Besides, milk is expensive and not something the average person can afford.
He Tiantian naturally knew all this, but the thought of owning a milk tea shop in ancient times was truly a romantic and happy thing for her.
She's always loved challenges, and if she succeeds, she could actually make a lot of money.
Especially the area around Hongxiu Academy, which is full of young ladies from wealthy families. It would actually be better to open a shop nearby.
He Tiantian also expressed her concerns, as well as her views on the future operation and management of the tea shop.
She spoke very professionally, and apart from Hong Erniang, who was in business, everyone else present only understood a little.
After she finished speaking, Hong Erniang slapped her thigh!
“Girl, it’s decided. I’m going to sell that clothing shop and invest in your tea shop. We’ll buy a new shop near Hongxiu Academy.”
He Tiantian was still unsure, but Hong Erniang was already very interested.
"Should we reconsider? Or perhaps we could start by renting a shop..."
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