Chapter 107 Suddenly there is another person in the room
Seeing that Director Yu had calmed down, Shi Xiaoai proposed her own plan.
She said, "Director, there's something I want to discuss with you. I'd like to set up a convenience point at the tea stall in the name of our office."
"To make it more convenient for the people?" Director Yu frowned. "What do you mean by making it more convenient for the people?"
Shi Xiaoai said: "The other day, when our local police officer Xiaolin came to our place for dinner, he said that in order to maintain public order, the government requires all police stations to expand patrol areas and increase patrol hours.
He said that their institute is extremely busy now, and everyone's workload has more than doubled compared to before, and the soles of their shoes have worn thin.
Hearing her say this, Director Yu nodded with deep feeling: "That's right, not only the police station, but also the neighborhood committee received the notice.
We have to conduct in-home investigations, check household registrations and temporary residence permits door to door...our workload has more than doubled compared to before."
These years have been the peak of returning to the city. A large number of educated youth have returned to the city, which has suddenly exceeded the city's carrying capacity.
This has led to a rapid increase in instability in the city and a significant increase in crime rates.
So now all regions are strengthening their prevention measures.
On the one hand, we must strengthen public security management, and on the other hand, we must allow agricultural populations who have no legitimate reasons to stay in cities to return home immediately.
"Because everyone is working so hard, I wanted to set up a convenient water point at the tea stall. Police officers, soldiers, including veterans, and people doing heavy manual labor who pass by the door, such as coal haulers, tricycle drivers, and sanitation workers, can all drink water for free at our place.
I can't guarantee anything else, but I can still afford a cup of boiled water.
In addition, soldiers and police officers can get a stone bun for free at our stall, which we give away.
Others can eat with us for a nickel less on everything they eat."
At this point, Shi Xiaoai smiled and said: "The people I'm talking about must also include the staff of our office.
Not only our current employees, but also the temporary workers we will recruit in the future, will enjoy the same top treatment as soldiers and police officers as long as they go to the stalls."
When Director Yu heard Xiao Ai say this, he could hardly believe his ears.
After all, it is still a planned economy, and everything has a clear price tag.
Not to mention small restaurants, there is no precedent for all commercial places, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, to lower prices so casually.
Of course, every place will definitely have certain preferential measures, but those are special circumstances, such as giving benefits to the people during holidays.
Situations like the one Shi Xiaoai proposed are rare.
She couldn't help but confirm: "Xiao Ai, are you talking about temporary or long-term?"
Shi Xiaoai smiled and said, "It's definitely long-term! If this gets announced, how can we change it just like that?
This activity will continue as long as our tea stall is open.
In the future, after I have renovated Courtyard No. 1 and turned it into a snack bar, I will also set aside a room as a love lounge to provide a temporary place for those in need."
Hearing her say this, Director Yu suddenly became excited.
She clapped her hands on the table several times excitedly and said, "Great! Your suggestion is very good! This is the true meaning of remembering the people who dug the well when you drink the water. Without the contributions of the working people, how could we have such a good life now?!"
As long as we can provide convenience to everyone, even if we sacrifice a little bit of profit, it’s nothing! Your idea is very good, and we will definitely support it with all our strength! "
Shi Xiaoai felt embarrassed by what she said.
I explained quietly, "Aunt Yu, I can't put it as well as you did. Mainly because Cheng Yang is a soldier. As a soldier's family member, I have received a lot of help from the organization.
I didn’t have the ability before, but now that I have some ability, I want to provide some service to everyone.”
Director Yu was naturally even happier after hearing this.
She even felt sincerely proud that she had such an advanced-thinking employee under her supervision.
She immediately promised that she would publicize this convenient measure, especially to the nearby police station and several residents who worked as laborers on the street, so that everyone would know about this convenient service provided by the tea stall.
The two of them discussed some details in detail before Shi Xiaoai came out of the office.
When she rushed back to the tea stall, it was already getting dark and the stall was full of diners.
Cheng Lin has been very excited since the call came.
In his excitement, he ran to the hardware store and bought a 40-watt light bulb, then came back and hung it on the door of the tent.
The street lights at that time were not as dense as they are in later generations. Unless it was a particularly large road, many places would be pitch black at night.
Their tea stall is opposite the hospital. Although there are two headlights at the entrance of the hospital, they actually don't provide much light, and it's still a bit dark outside at night.
But since they usually closed before dark, it wasn't a big deal.
But now with this lamp, it is obviously different.
Maybe because it's too bright here, the tea stall is very conspicuous in the surroundings and its existence can be seen from a long distance away.
There is food, drinks and seating here. I don’t know who first came up with this idea, but now the tea stall has become a new leisure place for residents in the surrounding area.
In addition to those who came here for dinner, many people brought chess boards, playing cards, and large enamel pots from their homes, and gathered here with friends to play.
So when Xiao Ai came over, I felt like I was in an open-air teahouse.
Especially the tables in the open space outside the stall, every one of them was full.
There were people eating, but not many.
More of the neighbors around.
They surrounded the table and placed a cup of tea bought from the tea stall in front of each person. Those who were particular would also put a tea egg in front of the table.
In addition to the people sitting there, there were a few friends standing by the table, some watching chess, some playing cards, arguing, talking and laughing, it was very lively.
Shi Xiaoai really didn't expect that the tea stall had developed such a new business without her knowledge.
For a moment she was stunned.
Seeing her come back, Wang Xiaofeng came over and started laughing before she said anything.
She raised her chin and said, "Sister, what's going on? Look at this commotion. How are we going to close the stall tonight?"
"You don't know what's going on either?"
Shi Xiaoai was a little surprised: "Wasn't it like this last night?"
"No, it just started today. We didn't expect it before. I don't know who instigated it. First a few people showed up, and then more and more people started showing up. It just became like this out of nowhere."
The more Wang Xiaofeng talked, the funnier it seemed. She still couldn't figure out how things had turned out like this.
Shi Xiaoai propped up her chin with one hand and said thoughtfully, "I think we can go to the department store tomorrow and buy some sunflower seeds and sell them here in the evening."
Hearing her say this, Wang Xiaofeng turned her head in surprise.
When I saw Xiao Ai's helpless expression, I realized she was joking.
Her expression also became helpless.
Wang Xiaofeng held her forehead with her hand and said, "Sister, take the three little ones back. I'll watch over here."
"No." Shi Xiaoai refused directly: "Let Cheng Lin watch it, you go back and rest."
Seeing that Wang Xiaofeng was still trying to fight for it, she glared at him and said, "Listen to me on this matter, no discussion. He's a boy, so it's okay if he has to stay at the stall a little late. It's not safe for a girl like you to stay at the stall at night."
Shi Xiaoai said this as she walked towards the shed.
"Okay, it's settled. I'll go talk to Cheng Lin."
Wang Xiaofeng was speechless.
It was said to be eight o'clock, but in fact it was almost nine o'clock when Cheng Lin and the Kaikai brothers, who insisted on staying to help, returned home.
Shi Xiaoai and the others have already completed all the preparations for tomorrow.
Cheng Lin walked in with a look of excitement on his face, and said to Shi Xiaoai, "Sister-in-law, I think we can increase our business hours in the evening. Let me tell you, business is really good in the evening. I made more than ten yuan in just a short while!"
Can you believe it? Just by selling tea and stone buns, I made an extra ten yuan! It was effortless!
Shi Xiaoai didn't expect that the business would be so good, and she was very happy to hear what Cheng Lin said.
She immediately agreed: "Okay! After the renovation of Courtyard No. 1 is completed, we'll hire a few more people and then start doing business at night!"
When they heard her talk about Courtyard No. 1, they all stopped talking and looked at her.
After all, she hadn't formally discussed this topic with them until now.
In fact, Shi Xiaoai did not deliberately hide the fact that she bought a house from them.
Whether it was the handover with Yang Hui today or asking Cheng Lin to help with the move, she talked about it openly.
So everyone was guessing.
But speculation is just speculation, and no one has a clear idea of what the situation is.
Shi Xiaoai had originally planned to discuss this matter with them tonight, and now that the topic had come to this, she simply told them her idea.
After hearing her talk about her next plan and knowing that she had made up her mind to transform the tea stall into a snack shop and expand it into a bigger and stronger one, the three of them became excited.
They were all inspired by the vision described by Shi Xiaoai and were eager to enjoy the future.
"Sister-in-law, how many people should we hire for such a large place?"
"Probably a dozen or so. I've already spoken with Director Yu today, and I'll post the job posting tomorrow. As for how many we can hire, we'll have to see how the situation plays out."
"Sister, should we add some new varieties?"
"Yes. I'll prepare the new products. I'll prepare a few more and try them all."
“Sister-in-law, since you’re recruiting, let’s recruit a few more people. This way, we can set up a fixed stall at the school gate. It’s really possible there.”
"Besides schools and bus stations, it's not necessary to have a fixed stall. As long as we can spare some manpower to go there at a fixed time every day, it's fine."
…
The emotions that Cheng Lin and Wang Xiaofeng had suppressed for many days burst out at this moment.
The two of them were so excited that countless ideas popped up in their minds.
They kept talking until almost ten o'clock, and when Kaikai yawned several times, Xiao Ai couldn't stand it anymore and kicked them out of the kitchen.
The house finally returned to peace.
Shi Xiaoai returned to the inner room and found that no one was in the room.
Mingxi and Mingrui, who were playing on the bed just now, were not in the room at this time.
Because the new furniture has not been moved in yet, the only thing in the house besides the big bed is a bunk bed.
So even though there are more rooms, the two children still live in the inner room with Shi Xiaoai and sleep in the same bed.
It’s just obvious that the new room is more tempting to the two little ones.
Shi Xiaoai rubbed his eyebrows, walked out and knocked on the door of the cabin.
Hearing the knock on the door, Mingrui didn't run over to open it. Instead, he stayed in the room and yelled at her, "Mom, we have to sleep with my uncle tonight! My uncle promised to take us boxing tomorrow morning!"
"I can do boxing in the morning even if I sleep in the inner room." Shi Xiaoai said helplessly.
"But we've already agreed on this." The two kids shouted together, with obvious reluctance in their voices.
Shi Xiaoai could only persuade him kindly: "You can sleep here when the new bed comes back in a few days, not now!
There are only two beds, and if you two take them up, my uncle and the others won’t be able to sleep. Get out now!”
Although Cheng Lin and Cheng Kai are not very old, they are her brothers-in-law after all.
She really couldn't go in and pull the two children out late at night.
Hearing that she was angry, the door finally opened a little, and Kaikai poked his little head out.
The little fellow smiled innocently at her and said flatteringly, "Sister-in-law, just let them sleep here. We agreed on this this afternoon. My brother has already put up the steel bed. He will sleep on the steel bed, and the two of them and I will sleep on the bunk bed. We can all sleep there."
Because Cheng Kai takes care of the two kids most of the time now, their relationship as uncle and nephew is getting better and better.
In addition, Cheng Kai had learned military boxing from his older brother and was willing to take them both to play together.
So now he is almost replacing Shi Xiaoai and becoming the object of admiration of the two little guys.
Kaikai was raised by his older brother, so he subconsciously thinks that the older ones should take care of the younger ones, which is the rule.
The moment Xiao Ai handed the two children to him, the little guy developed a strong sense of responsibility and took it as his responsibility to take care of his nephew and niece.
He is not much older than Mingxi and Mingrui, but he is serious, responsible and patient in taking care of the two children.
For Kaikai, Shi Xiaoai not only loves him but also feels a bit more grateful to him.
Hearing him say this, she had no choice but to agree even if she was unwilling.
Shi Xiaoai returned to the room again, picked up the two Huanghuali wooden items that Cheng Lin had brought back for her before, and unpacked them.
She went to the bathroom to get a basin of water, then took a soft cloth and soap, and sat in the house to wash slowly.
Both pieces of furniture are very old and are extremely dirty.
Although Shi Xiaoai had a good eye, she had no ability to repair antiques, so she didn't dare to touch anything.
She could only use a soft cloth dipped in soapy water to clean off the outermost layer of dirt on the wood little by little, and she didn't dare to do more.
But even with the simplest care, the two treasures gradually blossomed into their original beauty in her hands.
As she watched the exquisite wood grain slowly emerge, Shi Xiaoai's movements became increasingly gentle, and the joy in her eyes was once again revealed.
At this moment, she even felt like she was in a dream. She couldn't believe that such a treasure was so easily obtained by her.
This time, Shi Xiaoai fully realized what a wonderful era she was living in.
There are so many opportunities and endless possibilities.
She looked at the two wooden objects at hand, and thought about the porcelain plate that she treasured, and thought that after finishing the work at hand, she really needed to free up some energy to walk around more.
Collect as many treasures as you can.
Shi Xiaoai remembers that an uncle once lamented during a chat with his parents that the early 1980s were a time when there was gold everywhere in the collecting world.
At that time, there were so many good things that could be found everywhere. The most important thing was that people had not yet realized their value. Not only were the prices very low, but the key was that there were no fakes.
After all, the genuine goods can’t be sold at a good price, so who would be so idle as to make fake ones?
Even if you are unlucky, the best you can do is buy a high-quality imitation from the late Qing Dynasty or the early Republic of China.
But even such a high-quality imitation is still very expensive in later generations.
At that time, Shi Xiaoai felt nothing when she heard these words, it was just like listening to a story.
But now when I think about it, I just feel a burning sensation in my heart.
She realized that she seemed to have seen another way to make money.
To be honest, Xiao Ai has no obsession with antiques and collectibles. To say that she loves and likes them very much is not the case.
In her previous life, she followed her parents into the collecting circle, and most of the people she came into contact with were businessmen.
Even some very knowledgeable experts, to put it bluntly, at best just add the word "culture" in front of the word "merchant".
There are no pure literati.
When people talk about various collectible antiques, they tend to talk about their value and potential for appreciation.
In such an environment, Shi Xiaoai's first reaction when seeing good things is definitely -
How much are they worth?
It may sound a bit vulgar to say this, but Shi Xiaoai never considered herself a person of high moral standards.
She never thought money was vulgar.
In her opinion, as long as cultural relics are not sold out to the country and good things and national treasures are not allowed to flow out of the country, it is only natural to let them play their own value in the normal circulation field and bring high returns to themselves.
The point of investing is to make a profit.
So she will take good care of the items she collected.
But when the right opportunity comes one day, they will create more benefits for themselves.
Shi Xiaoai carefully wiped the treasure in her hand while her mind was empty and she was thinking randomly.
Because he was so engrossed in his thoughts, he didn't even notice that there was suddenly another person in the room.
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