Chapter 738: Specialized Accounting "Let's find a time to discuss this matter in detail."
"Okay." Lu Qingyang agreed to come.
This time, the venue was chosen to be a relatively quiet teahouse in a state-owned guesthouse.
The tea was ordinary jasmine tea, but Mr. Wen’s words were not ordinary at all.
He first smiled and praised the soup of Xinweiju for its "unforgettable aftertaste".
Changing the subject, Mr. Wen gestured in the air, as if describing a grand blueprint: "Xiao Lu, you see, the policies are good now, encouraging the revitalization of the economy.
Your Xinweiju has a unique flavor and visible results, but it's confined to this one location. It's really like... a hero without a place to use his skills. I have some connections in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
If we cooperate, I will take care of the funding and venue, and you will only be responsible for the technology and... the supply of the core ingredients.
How about we hang up the Xinweiju signboard all over the country? Then you will be the true 'King of Medicinal Cuisine'!"
The assistant added at the right moment: "Mr. Wen is very sincere, and the dividend ratio is negotiable."
Lu Qingyang held the teacup and blew on the floating tea leaves, his mind was busy calculating.
He put down his teacup and smiled a shy yet resolute smile. "Mr. Wen, your blueprint is really well drawn. Just hearing it makes my heart surge."
Mr. Wen's eyes lit up and he thought it was funny.
"But, I'm a bit stubborn. I think running a restaurant, especially making medicinal food, is like making soup. If you overcook it, the flavor will be too strong and not penetrate the essence. Now, Master Chen and I can still oversee this restaurant. We treat every soup like our own child and dare not be careless. If I really open so many restaurants at once, as you said..."
He paused and used a more vivid metaphor: "It's like scattering sesame seeds. It looks lively, but you can't even taste the flavor of each sesame seed. I'm afraid my Xinweiju will become an assembly line."
Mr. Wen was stunned for a moment and tried to explain: "We can set standards and strictly manage..."
Lu Qingyang smiled and said, "Mr. Wen, I appreciate your kindness.
I know you're a big businessman, and you value scale and efficiency. My Xinweiju is not big, but every corner has its own unique flavor. If the external east wind blows too strongly, I'm afraid this small temple won't be able to hold on and will lose its flavor."
He said this sincerely but with a hint of cunning, pointing out the concerns without completely blocking the way.
"We'll discuss the matter of cooperation in the long term. Why don't you just stay here for a few days and drink my soup to get yourself in good shape? That's better than anything else. As for opening a branch...it won't be too late to talk about it later when the soup in my pot is thicker and the heat is higher."
Mr. Wen felt both regretful and amused.
He had seen too many young people eager to seize opportunities, but this was the first time he had seen someone as clear-headed and a bit "stubborn" as Lu Qingyang.
He understood that this matter could not be rushed, and a forced melon would not be sweet.
"Okay, follow your rules." Mr. Wen smiled helplessly and picked up the teacup.
"Then I will follow your wishes, old man. I will stay here for a few more days to try your perfectly cooked soup."
…
Xinweiju’s medicinal soup is very popular.
Lu Qingyang also thought of a way to ease the conflict between Zhao Rui and his family, which was to ask him to bring some medicinal soup home.
"Dad, Mom, the Qingyang store has a new Poria cocos and barley dehumidifying soup. It's said to be good for sleep. I brought some back for you to try."
"Mom, this is the Ginseng and Ophiopogon Soup to moisten the lungs. It's dry in autumn, so it moisturizes the lungs."
At first, Zhao's mother was still arrogant. She glanced at the thermos and said "hmm" indifferently.
Father Zhao was very considerate and always drank with relish, even commenting: "Well, this soup is cooked just right."
But this soup is really good.
Over the past few days, Zhao's mother could feel that the autumn cough that was easy to occur at this time of year was gone, and she slept much more soundly at night.
She didn't say it, but her prejudice against "restaurant food being unclean" slowly melted away in the rich soup.
On the other side, Xinweiju.
Seeing that Xiaohua was careful and smart, Lu Qingyang discussed it with Ma Hongxia.
"I think Xiaohua is actually very smart. I find it troublesome to always do the accounting. Why not let her take over these things?"
Ma Hongxia waved her hand: "How can Xiaohua do this?"
"If I say yes, it's okay. I'm at ease with your family."
So, during her break after work, Xiaohua changed from reading newspapers to learning how to read account books and use an abacus from Master Chen.
The densely packed numbers made her dizzy at first, and dialing the round abacus beads was more tiring than carrying ten plates.
But she was stubborn and knew that she had never been to college, so this opportunity was more precious than anything else.
While others were resting and chatting, she was checking the old account book over and over again.
Her fingers were rubbed red by the abacus beads, but she just shook them quietly and continued practicing.
Good deeds will never let you down.
Before long, she was able to remember the daily account clearly and occasionally point out some insignificant omissions on the purchase list.
Once, Lu Qingyang deliberately tested her by giving her a long list of numbers to do mental arithmetic. She concentrated on thinking for a moment, and surprisingly gave the answer quickly and accurately, shocking Zhou Zhe, who was watching the excitement nearby, so much so that he smacked his lips.
"That's incredible, Comrade Xiaohua! You're becoming more and more proficient in your job."
…
That day, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao thought about not having visited Xinweiju for a long time.
Besides, the taste of the medicinal soup was really unforgettable, so he strolled back there.
She chose her old seat by the window and habitually glanced at the busy waiters, but didn't see the familiar figure.
She was a little surprised, and looked again carefully, and indeed there was nothing.
"Strange..." she muttered softly.
Father Zhao was studying the newly added menu. Hearing this, he looked up and asked, "What's so strange?"
"Um...Liu Xiaohua is not here."
A thought even occurred to her: Could it be that she couldn't do this anymore and had to leave?
This thought made her feel inexplicably regretful.
Fortunately, the waiter came over to pour tea. Zhao's mother asked casually, "Hey, didn't you see that...very hardworking girl in front of me today, whose surname is Liu?"
The waiter laughed when he heard this, and while setting the table for them neatly, he said, "Are you talking about Sister Xiaohua? She's not busy in front right now!"
"Not here anymore?" Mother Zhao's heart skipped a beat.
"Yes, she is in charge of the accounts now."
Zhao's father and mother looked at each other in surprise.
Zhao's mother was even more stunned.
Father Zhao smiled first, took a sip from his teacup, and gave his wife a meaningful look: "Oh, I didn't realize this girl was so capable? Accounting is not an easy job."
Mother Zhao didn't respond, but just picked up the menu silently, her eyes a little vague.
She remembered that her son had mentioned something about Xiaohua learning before, but she hadn't taken it to heart at the time. Now she thought about it, the girl wasn't just complaining about the hard work, but was actually working hard.
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