Chapter 180: Planning

Leaving the Real Estate Bureau, Ling Yao took Ma Meifang and her daughters to a nearby teahouse.

They entered a private room, and Ling Yao motioned for Ma Meifang and her daughters to sit down. She ordered a pot of tea and a few plates of snacks.

When the waiter brought the tea and snacks, Ling Yao noticed that Ma Meifang and her daughters were just sitting there, looking at the snacks on the table but not reaching for them. She picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of snack for each of them, and placed it in their bowls, “Don’t just stare. Try these snacks and see how they taste.”

Da Ni, Er Ni, and San Ni looked at the snacks in their bowls, swallowed their saliva, and then looked at Ma Meifang with questioning eyes.

“Eat.” Ma Meifang nodded with a smile.

Da Ni, Er Ni, and San Ni immediately smiled happily and picked up their chopsticks to eat.

Ling Yao took a sip of tea and gently set down the teacup. She looked at Ma Meifang, “Sister Meifang, do you have any special skills or hobbies?”

Hearing this, Ma Meifang looked at Ling Yao in confusion, swallowing the food in her mouth, “What do you mean by special skills?”

“I mean, do you have any skills you’re good at, like making clothes, cooking, or anything like that.”

Ma Meifang thought carefully, “I can make fermented tofu. Does that count as a special skill?” Fermented tofu was a specialty of her hometown. The method of making it was very simple. It involved taking fresh tofu and letting it ferment for about a week. Then, the tofu is mixed with seasonings, soaked in white wine, and then placed in a clay pot.

“Of course it does.” Ling Yao nodded with a smile. She knew about fermented tofu and liked to eat it. Fermented tofu contains various amino acids, minerals, and B vitamins that the human body needs.

It has high nutritional value, is good for opening up the appetite, clearing heat, and seasoning. It’s a traditional bean product with unique characteristics in the south.

“Then I’ll make a pot of fermented tofu for you when I get back. Let you taste my skills.” Ma Meifang said excitedly. As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly came to her senses.

She remembered that she had already separated from Zhang Huzi. Now, she and her daughters didn’t even have a home. Even if she wanted to make fermented tofu, she didn’t have a place to do it.

Ling Yao nodded slightly, “Then why don’t you open a shop specializing in fermented tofu?”

“Ah?” Ma Meifang looked at Ling Yao with confusion, not understanding what she meant.

Ling Yao smiled slightly, “Since you’re good at making fermented tofu, why don’t you open a shop selling fermented tofu? There are no shops like this in Beijing right now. If you open one, business should be good.

 Fermented tofu may not look good, but the market demand is quite considerable. Many restaurants use fermented tofu as an important seasoning, especially hotpot restaurants.” Coincidentally, her businesses included several hotpot chain stores. She could provide Ma Meifang with sales channels.

Ma Meifang was a little tempted, but then she looked hesitant, “But I don’t have any money. How can I open a shop?” She couldn’t even afford basic necessities and accommodation, let alone open a shop.

“Don’t worry about that. Just tell me if you’re willing to do it.”

“Of course, I’m willing.” Ma Meifang nodded in response.

“Then let’s go find a shop later.” Ling Yao decided. Since she had decided to help Ma Meifang and her daughters get out of their predicament, she would naturally help them all the way.

“But I don’t have any money.” Ma Meifang looked troubled.

“Don’t worry about the funds. I’ll take care of it.”

“That wouldn’t be right. You’ve already helped us, mother and daughter, so much. How can I take your money? Actually… I can just set up a stall. I don’t need to open a shop.” Ma Meifang had seen many people setting up stalls on the street before, and their business seemed to be good.

“Setting up a stall is okay, but opening a shop is more profitable. If you set up a stall, those restaurants won’t cooperate with you. But it’s different if you open a shop. You can register a brand first. Once you have a brand, you can find ways to promote it. In the future, you can not only cooperate with restaurants and hotpot restaurants, but you can also sell your products in large shopping malls.”

Ma Meifang hesitated, “Can it really work?” She didn’t have much confidence. After all, almost every household in her hometown made fermented tofu.

“As long as you’re willing to take the first step.”

Ma Meifang hesitated for a long time, then nodded, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Ling Yao smiled faintly, “Alright, let’s go find a shop later.”

“Okay!” Ma Meifang nodded vigorously. She secretly vowed to herself that she would work hard, make the best fermented tofu, and never let Ling Yao down.

After leaving the teahouse, Ling Yao and Ma Meifang and her daughters started strolling through the streets and alleys, looking for shops for sale.

“Let’s go take a look at that one.” Ling Yao saw a shop for rent across the street. She planned to ask if they were willing to sell the shop besides renting it out.

“Okay.” Ma Meifang nodded and was about to follow Ling Yao across the street.

At this moment, there was a shout and the sound of hurried footsteps coming from behind.

“Don’t run! Stop right there!”

Turning around, they saw a young man running towards them, panting heavily. Two men were chasing after him.

“Stop chasing me… I’m not refusing to repay the money… I’ll repay you as soon as I sell the shop… ” The young man panted as he ran, shouting to the two men who were chasing him relentlessly.

The two men chasing him didn’t stop at all. Instead, they sped up, caught up with the young man, and pressed him to the ground.

“Your shop is so run-down, no one wants it even if you give it away for free. Pay up now, or we’ll break your legs.” One of them threatened viciously.

The young man trembled with fear, “But I really don’t have any money… Give me two more days… I promise I’ll pay you back…”

One of the men slapped the young man hard, looking down on him, “Do you think we’ll believe you? Pay up or your legs? Choose one.”

Ling Yao turned to look and saw the young man’s face. She was slightly stunned.

She had seen this man in her previous life. But the difference was that he was already a superstar in the music industry then. He was best known for his rock music. Every time he held a concert, it was sold out.

“I’ll go take a look.” Ling Yao walked towards the three of them.

Ma Meifang came to her senses and quickly reached out to grab Ling Yao, shaking her head at her, “Don’t go. Be careful of getting hurt.”

“It’s okay. I’ll just take a look and come back. Wait for me here.” Ling Yao pulled back her hand and walked towards the three of them.

“I’m not refusing to pay you… I really don’t have any money… Please give me two more days… I promise I’ll pay you back…” The young man begged the two men.