In Chapter 786, Lu Qingyang devised a qi-tonifying soup. The ingredients weren't particularly rare; they were simply common warming and tonifying herbs like astragalus, goji berries, and eucommia, simmered with old hen and pork bones over a low flame to create a soup that was both rich and flavorful.
He promoted the product to "replenish qi and blood, and strengthen muscles and bones." As for the less-than-explicit effects, he considered them as incidental benefits recorded in the ancient Chinese medical classics. He didn't publicize them, but secretly confided in Liu Dong and Ma Hongxia.
Upon hearing this, Liu Dong blushed and asked, "Qingyang, does this thing really have that effect?"
"Of course, Dong-ge, do you want to give it a try?"
Liu Dong waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no more."
Even if he were to try it, he would do so secretly when no one was around.
Initially, most of the male customers came because of the soup's aroma and reputation for replenishing qi.
After a bowl of hot soup, the saltiness and freshness were just right, and the medicinal taste was not overpowering. After drinking it, I felt warm all over and it was really comfortable.
Some people felt less tired after working, while others felt more energetic. They all thought it was just psychological or a normal reaction to eating better.
Several days later, some subtle changes began to quietly occur.
First, there was Mr. Wang, a regular customer who drove for the transport team. He used to always complain about back pain, but after drinking the soup, he was radiant with health a few days later. He whispered to Liu Dong:
"Dongzi, your soup... is quite something. My husband's face has been all smiles these past two days."
Next up is Grandpa Chen from the next alley. He used to have to get up two or three times a night, but after drinking the soup for a few days, he was able to sleep soundly until dawn.
His wife came to the shop not to buy soup, but to give Ma Hongxia two large cucumbers with flowers and thorns still on top, which she had grown herself. Her eyes were full of gratitude, but she mumbled, "Your soup... is very good. This old man enjoys it."
The most interesting one is Xiao Li, a young staff member from the neighborhood office. He hasn't been married long and used to always seem a bit listless when he came to eat.
After drinking the soup several times, I felt completely different, and I walked with a spring in my step.
Once, his wife actually came to the store arm in arm with him, her face flushed with a shy yet satisfied blush, and asked to pack two bowls of soup to take away.
This effect spread like wildfire, quietly reaching the men through unspoken, knowing glances and ambiguous praise.
"Boss, the usual, one bowl of soup, extra toppings." There was a familiar yet barely perceptible urgency in his voice.
"Give me a bowl too, it's hot today, I need to nourish myself." Another person sat down, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The Qi-boosting soup at Xinweiju became an open secret among the gay men.
As the business of 눃意 (a type of local snack) continues to improve, good news has also come from Guangzhou: 눃意 is booming.
He then thought about opening another branch.
Lu Qingyang spread out the map of Beijing on the table. He knew the situation very well. In the current situation, cadres and their families were a group of people who had stable incomes and paid attention to their quality of life. The key was that they were willing to spend a little money on food.
He set his sights on a quiet oasis in the bustling Dongcheng District.
There are several small-to-medium-sized residential compounds for government ministry employees there, with shady trees and pedestrians who look neater and more presentable than elsewhere.
The shop he was looking at used to be a grain and oil store that always seemed half-dead, with its windows always looking gloomy.
Lu Qingyang called Gou Dan over, handed him a dollar, and casually mentioned, "Gou Dan, I heard there's a shop near the cadre compound in Dongcheng that makes really crispy sugar-coated fried dough. You're so clever, why don't you go buy a few for Uncle Lu to try? And while you're at it, see if that area is lively."
Dog Egg is so shrewd. As soon as he heard the words "Dongcheng" and "cadre compound", and thought about how Lu Qingyang had been staring at the diagram lately, he immediately understood.
He took the money and puffed out his chest, giving me a knowing look: "Uncle Lu, don't worry, I guarantee I'll complete the mission and know that area inside and out!"
"Look at you now, you call me 'uncle' so naturally."
Gou Dan didn't hold it against him, after all, Lu Qingyang was his "bread and butter".
On the second day, Gou Dan set off with his old canvas backpack and went straight into the bustling street of grocery stores opposite the compound.
He moved like a slippery little fish through the crowds buying groceries and chatting, his ears perked up high.
At the pastry counter, while handing over his ticket to buy fried dough sticks, he struck up a conversation with the saleswoman: "Auntie, do you think the uncles and aunties living in the courtyard across the street all like to buy these cakes with cream?"
The aunt was busy calculating with her abacus, not even looking up: "Isn't that right? They buy the most, and they only pick the best ones."
Next to the shoe repair stall at the entrance of the alley, he saw an old man idling around, so he went over, gave him half a sugar-coated fried dough, and asked, "Grandpa, do you think the uncles living in this compound mostly eat at home after get off work, or do they eat out more often?"
The old man chewed on his fried dough stick and said slowly, "Cooking at home is fine, but if guests come or I'm too lazy to move, I'll just go out to eat. It's just that there aren't any decent restaurants around here."
He even mingled with a group of children playing jump rope in the courtyard, and "bribed" a little girl with a few animal crackers, learning that "my parents always take me to eat delicious food in faraway places on weekends, saying that the food nearby is not good."
After going around in circles, Gou Dan had a clearer understanding of the accounts in his mind than the grocery store's purchase invoices.
He ran back to the shop, not even bothering to drink some water, and began reporting to Lu Qingyang, Ma Hongxia, and Liu Dong like a junior chief of staff:
“Uncle Lu, Dad, Mom, I’ve found out. The uncles and aunties in that area are rich and willing to spend money on food. The expensive snacks in the grocery store sell out the fastest. They think the restaurants nearby are too expensive and not good enough. When they’re entertaining guests or too lazy to cook, they’d rather travel a long way. Also, they have a lot of kids, and they’re all craving it!”
In his concluding remarks, his eyes sparkled: "If we open a branch there, put our brand up, and make the food affordable and delicious, it's guaranteed to be a success. Those kids will definitely love milk tea even more than the kids on our street!"
As Lu Qingyang listened, the smile on his lips deepened.
He ruffled Gou Dan's hair: "Well done, kid. You did a great job with this intelligence work. You're almost as good as your Uncle Lu. It seems we have no choice but to go to this place."
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