Chapter 313 One Hundred Taels Thrown on the Table
Sunlight streamed obliquely into the room, casting shadows on the floor.
Only Zhu Chengye and Wan Qiqi remained in the study on the second floor of Xinglong Restaurant.
Zhu Chengye said with a smile, "I didn't realize you had the air of a manager, Qiqi. After you finished scolding them, they didn't dare to say a word!"
"Boss Zhu, please stop making fun of me. I was just imitating what others were doing!"
Wan Qiqi smiled faintly, thinking to herself, "This is nothing!"
If she were to truly unleash the same imposing aura she had in the modern world, these people would probably be scared away.
“Boss Zhu, one of us has to be the bad guy to keep them in check. Otherwise, if we were all as amiable as you, wouldn’t they turn the world upside down?”
After thinking about it carefully, Zhu Chengye realized that it made sense.
This was his first time opening a store in partnership with someone, and he didn't know much about it yet.
Wan Qiqi didn't continue the topic and asked, "Boss Zhu, have you calculated the expenses for the renovation? How much is it? I'll split the cost with you."
Zhu Chengye was taken aback when he heard her voice, not expecting her to be so proactive. "I've already calculated the cost of what I bought here, but the cost of the porcelain you bought hasn't been included yet."
He picked up his pen and said, "Tell me, and I'll write it down."
Wan Qiqi thought to herself, "How can I remember that? The prices are different!"
Then, she rolled her eyes and said, "Those things don't count. I paid for them myself at the time. If there are any losses in the future, we'll calculate the compensation."
Zhu Chengye looked up at Wan Qiqi, his eyes filled with doubt.
Finally, he smiled faintly and said, "Did you somehow manage to collect these? I checked, and you can't find these on the market."
"Boss Zhu, don't worry, I won't do anything improper. My life is more important."
Wan Qiqi appeared so sincere that no one could tell there was anything wrong with her.
Zhu Chengye ultimately didn't pursue the matter further.
By not adding it in, he actually saved a sum of money.
Wan Qiqi then reported several sums of money, which completely dispelled Zhu Chengye's suspicions.
After liquidation, the entire shop, from renovation to layout, was renovated and had its tables and chairs custom-made, costing 360 taels of silver.
This amount is not a small sum even for wealthy families!
Wan Qiqi was also somewhat surprised.
She had thought Zhu Chengye was just a middle-class family, but now it seems he's actually a middle-class family!
Of the 360 taels, more than 300 taels were advanced by Zhu Chengye, which shows that he was a man with some wealth.
Without hesitation, Wan Qiqi took out one hundred taels and handed them to Zhu Chengye.
This completely shocked Zhu Chengye!
He knew that Wan Qiqi had made some money in business, but he didn't expect her to take out the money so directly.
Although it's still a bit short, there aren't many people who dare to directly take out one hundred taels of silver.
Wan Qiqi continued, "This hundred taels will serve as the start-up capital for the restaurant. I'll take fifty, and you'll take fifty. This fifty taels will offset the three hundred taels you contributed. After that, the hundred taels shortfall from the monthly profits will be deducted from my monthly profit sharing..."
She paused for a moment, then said, "Twenty taels a month, and I'll pay off the debt in five months! If the profit is good, I can pay it off in one or two months."
"My child needs money to go to school at the academy, and the family also has expenses. Please forgive me for not being able to pay the full amount at once..."
Zhu Chengye took a while to come to his senses and couldn't help but shake his head, saying, "You're quite meticulous and calculating. Without any proof, you're handing over a hundred taels of silver. Aren't you afraid I'll pocket it and not give you any future profits?"
Wan Qiqi tilted her head and smiled, "Then it depends on whether Boss Zhu wants to make more money or is greedy for this one!"
There are quite a few people who want to harm themselves.
However, there is almost no one who can truly harm themselves without taking responsibility for the consequences!
Finally, the two called Liu Ji up and put the matter in writing, thus officially settling the money issue.
The two then discussed the opening of the business and talked about their respective business plans.
Zhu Chengye's proposed plan was too rigid and lacked any originality.
After thinking for a while, Wan Qiqi thought of the modern membership system.
"Brother Zhu, I have an idea."
During their conversation, Wan Qiqi changed how she addressed Zhu Chengye.
"On the opening day, tea was free and dishes were 20% off, but that only attracted customers to come on the same day. It was difficult to get repeat customers."
"I'd like to implement a membership system. Anyone who tops up their account at our restaurant on opening day will be eligible for discounts in the future?"
Zhu Chengye frowned slightly, "Pay up?"
"Um... it means that these people can deposit a certain amount of silver in our shop, and when they come to spend money in the future, they can directly use the deposited money. They can deposit more money when they run out," Wan Qiqi explained carefully.
"Anyone who deposits money can enjoy a discount on the dishes. For example, a first-level member who deposits 100 taels can enjoy a 10% discount when dining in the restaurant in the future, a member who deposits 300 taels can enjoy a 20% discount, and so on, up to a maximum of 40% discount."
Wan Qiqi knew that costs and labor were involved, and if the discount was too low, she might lose money.
Zhu Chengye's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Why didn't I think of this method to retain customers before?
Then another question came to his mind: "How many people would dare to do this in a newly opened restaurant?"
Wan Qiqi suddenly smiled and said, "Just make sure the food and service are good, and then find a suitable person to promote memberships."
"But there's no guarantee, and it's hard to trust people. One hundred taels is no small amount."
In Hefeng Town, very few people could afford one hundred taels of silver; it was practically impossible.
Wan Qiqi then added, "I was just making a hypothesis, not setting it at one hundred taels."
Reflecting on the current plight of ordinary people, she said, "We can set the membership price at 38 taels for Level 1, 58 taels for Level 2, and 88 taels for Level 3. We will advertise Level 1 at 100 taels as the original price. Since it's a new store opening, we want to attract repeat customers, so we'll lower the membership requirements and restore the original price three days after opening."
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