Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Seeing Acquaintances Again
The business was good on the first day, and on the second day, there were quite a few returning customers.
Some returning customers brought their neighbors and colleagues to patronize the store.
Because there were many customers, those who came later had to wait and chatted nearby.
“Don’t mention it, this newly opened marinated food shop has really delicious flavors. My daughter, who usually doesn’t like eating, had two extra bowls of rice yesterday,” said a middle-aged woman who was buying marinated meat.
Another customer who came with her took over the conversation, “Exactly, my husband ended up pouring himself two drinks yesterday, saying that with such good dishes, it would be a shame not to drink. He made me laugh so much!”
“Ha ha ha!” Everyone present started laughing.
Xia Chu, with her smile, didn’t join the conversation but diligently sliced the marinated dishes and plated them.
“However, the comrade at the counter, although looking quite young, is very efficient in the business,” the conversation turned to her. “Hey, young comrade, I think your shop should have a sign too. Yesterday when I recommended your place, I could only say it was at the old rice noodle shop.”
This was a well-meaning reminder.
After Xia Chu finished preparing a dish for one customer, she handed it over and said, “Comrade, here is your marinated dish, cold mixed with spice.”
After the transaction, she turned with a smile to reply to the earlier customer, “Hello, elder sister, actually, our shop isn’t officially open yet.”
“Ah? Not officially open yet?” The people present were surprised.
As she weighed the marinated meat chosen by the second customer, she continued, “Yes, the store will officially open after the New Year. These past few days, I thought since the New Year is approaching, I’d start selling a bit as an additional dish for everyone’s celebration! It also helps to attract some New Year’s luck.”
While she spoke, another person’s marinated dish was ready. The shop was bustling with activity, and business was exceptionally brisk.
Even though more ingredients were prepared, by noon, all the marinated food had sold out.
“Hey, young comrade, your marinated dishes sell so well, you should have prepared more!” the later customers felt quite regretful.
Xia Chu apologized with a smile, “Sorry, we didn’t have enough hands on deck and didn’t prepare too much, but we will prepare more tomorrow.”
Though that’s what she said, she had never intended to increase the amount of ingredients from the beginning.
What a joke; she wanted to make money, but not to exhaust herself.
The shop wasn’t even officially open yet, no sign had been hung, there was no need to expand the business too much, and besides, a certain amount of hunger marketing was necessary.
Anyway, now that the business was up and running, the feeling of small coins clinking into her pocket was exceptionally delightful.
After sending off the customers, she began to clean up, preparing to close the shop, when she heard voices not far from the entrance.
“It’s the marinated dishes from this shop, I heard they are delicious!” a particularly young girl’s voice said, full of excitement.
“What’s so tasty? Can it be better than the dishes made by the chefs at the state-owned grand restaurant?” a proud female voice responded, filled with disdain for the small shop and pride in having dined at state-owned grand restaurants.
Funny, the voice sounded quite familiar.
“Definitely cannot compare, but places like the state-owned grand restaurant aren’t accessible to ordinary people, right?” the girl’s voice said, somewhat ingratiatingly, “Xiao Ling, only someone like you would have the chance to go there!”
Xia Chu looked up and saw.
Well, it was an old acquaintance—Zhang Xiaoling.
She wasn’t surprised at all.