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Because they needed to deliver goods to Shunke Lou before noon, Ye Caiping had to adjust the time for setting up the stall and the delivery personnel.
After returning home, Ye Caiping discussed the matter with Yan Fang and her two brothers, Ye Daquan and Ye Erqian.
Ye Caiping had originally considered making an extra batch in the morning and delivering it to Shunke Lou when they set up the stall. However, she ultimately decided against it.
If it was made too early, even if kept warm, the taste and texture would deteriorate over time, so it had to be made fresh.
Yan Fang said, “For the stall in town, we can close by 9:30 AM, and then we can go home and make another batch, which Bajin can deliver to Shunke Lou. In the afternoon, we’ll have Bajin make an extra trip to pick you all up.”
Ye Caiping smiled and said, “That would be too rushed. Starting tomorrow, the stall will sell one less batch, so we can close by 9:30. As long as Shunke Lou sells well, the money will naturally come.”
Yan Fang and her two brothers were surprised. How much would they lose in earnings?
Ye Jin’er explained Ye Caiping’s reasoning in detail.
The three of them were confused, but since Ye Caiping said it would work, they believed her and decided to follow her plan.
After thinking for a moment, Ye Caiping said, “Mother, you and Big Brother go to the county town tomorrow. I’ll take care of the stall and Shunke Lou.”
“Sure.”
……
In order to attract customers, after Ye Caiping left, Shunke Lou immediately hung a sign at the door.
The sign stated that starting tomorrow, they would serve Hu La Tang (spicy soup) for lunch.
Just as some people were passing by, they saw the sign and shook their heads. “Another imitation.”
“Now even the last imitator has shut down, and there are still people daring to copy.”
“Don’t try it, or you’ll just waste your money.”
“However, Baiwei Lou (another restaurant) might be worth checking out.”
The shopkeeper of Shunke Lou, who had just turned around, sighed lightly. Although he had confidence in Hu La Tang, he was still worried about how it would fare once they moved away from that stall—it might not be well received.
The next day, Ye Caiping, Ye Erqian, and Ye Jin’er were in the small town.
Yan Fang, Ye Daquan, and Ye Huan’er went to the county town.
Today, there were only two buckets at the stall in the small town, and they sold out quickly.
Many customers who hadn’t gotten any soup yet looked disappointed: “I came early enough, how is it already gone? I remember there used to be a big bucket left at this time.”
Ye Caiping smiled and said, “There will be more at noon, at Shunke Lou. We’re supplying them with the goods.”
“Ah? I saw Shunke Lou hanging a sign yesterday and thought they were just imitating, but it turns out it’s your supply.”
“Right, you don’t have to rush here so early anymore. You can go to Shunke Lou later.”
The customer was happy and then bought a few steamed buns from Aunt Pang and left.
When regular customers came, Ye Caiping would repeat the same explanation.
By the time everything was loaded onto the ox cart, half of the regulars knew about it.
……
Just before noon, Ye Caiping and Ye Erqian delivered the goods on time.
Shopkeeper Chi remembered the reaction of the passersby when they saw the sign yesterday and became quite worried.
If there was still no improvement in business, he wouldn’t be able to keep the shop running.
“I heard the Hu La Tang from Xijie (West Street) is available here as well. Is that true?”
At that moment, a man walked over, holding a little girl in his arms, with a woman beside him holding a young boy by the hand.
Shopkeeper Chi’s eyes lit up: “Yes, yes, the soup was just delivered, it’s still hot!”
The man and the woman exchanged a smile: “This restaurant is quite spacious. It’s much more comfortable than sitting at a small stall. Come on, let’s go in and eat.”
“Father, I want Hu La Tang with youtiao (fried dough sticks).”
“I want scrambled eggs.”
“I’ll order for you right away.”
With the first customer, came the second, and soon, the once quiet dining hall was half full.
In just one hour, the Hu La Tang was sold out.
But since the customers were already there, they had no reason to turn away, so they sat down to have lunch.
Shopkeeper Chi smiled so widely that he couldn’t close his mouth.
What made him the happiest was that the customers all said they found the food in this restaurant quite delicious, and they hadn’t known it before. They promised to come again in the future.
After lunch, Shopkeeper Chi immediately hired a donkey cart to head to Qinghe Village.
He quickly signed a contract with Ye Caiping for four buckets a day, two buckets at noon and two buckets in the evening, to last for three months.
After Shopkeeper Chi left, Ye Caiping looked at the first contract she had ever signed in this world with great satisfaction.
Yan Fang and the others had returned from the county town.
The three buckets they had taken out today were all sold out, and there were even some customers who didn’t get any.
……
Baiwei Lou —
The news that Shunke Lou’s business had improved due to the Hu La Tang quickly reached Shopkeeper Lin’s ears.
Since the last time Shopkeeper Lin asked the doctor to test the flavor, they ended up testing nine different herbs. As for the proportions, sorry, nothing could be determined!
How much of each ingredient to add, you’ll have to figure out and decide for yourselves!
Shopkeeper Lin had no other options left. Even if he worked on it himself, he couldn’t make the flavor exactly the same.
“Shopkeeper, this is the tenth version we’ve made. Please try it,” the chef said, a bit impatient. Over the past few days, he was almost saturated with the strong herbs.
Shopkeeper Lin took a spoonful, accompanied by two assistants, and tasted it.
He felt that it wasn’t much different from the previous versions.
However, one of the assistants’ eyes lit up. “Although it’s different, I think ours tastes better.”
“Really?” Shopkeeper Lin was delighted. To be honest, after all the testing over the past few days, he couldn’t tell the difference anymore.
Since the assistant said it tasted good, it should be fine.
Besides, he didn’t have time to test anymore, so he decided, “This version is it! Xuanzi, hang up the sign.”
The sign read: “Baiwei Lou’s Newly Crafted Spicy Soup, available at the morning market tomorrow, limited supply for lunch and dinner.”
Passersby stopped in their tracks when they saw the announcement, intrigued and excited.
Baiwei Lou was an established brand, and its dishes were quite good, which made people look forward to it.
When Shopkeeper Chi heard about this, his face turned pale.
He had worked hard to build up a customer base—would Baiwei Lou steal all his customers?
However, the outcome was unexpected.
The next day, Baiwei Lou was packed with customers. After tasting the soup, they all shook their heads and left.
The morning market sold out due to the high number of people trying it, but by lunch, less than half was sold, and by dinner, only a quarter of the soup was sold.
Baiwei Lou’s so-called new flavor had no impact on Shunke Lou . On the contrary, with the comparison, Shunke Lou ’s business improved.
Seeing this, Shopkeeper Chi felt a wave of satisfaction.
The next morning.
Because Shunke Lou offered options for lunch and dinner, Ye Caiping’s stall was no longer as bustling as before.
In the past, she would sell three barrels in three hours; now, it’s only two barrels in the same time.
Customers, unable to get it at her stall, weren’t in a rush—they could wait for lunch or dinner at Shunke Lou .
Shopkeeper Chi walked over with two boxes of snacks, smiling broadly. “Boss Ye, thank you so much.”
“Now, with lunch and dinner service, not only has the spicy soup become more popular, but my restaurant’s dishes have gained attention as well. Everyone knows my dishes are delicious now! All thanks to you, thank you.”
Ye Caiping smiled, “The reason your restaurant is doing well, aside from the signature spicy soup, is because your dishes are delicious.”
Shopkeeper Chi laughed heartily, “You should come by and try our food sometime.”
“Alright.”
“Well…” Shopkeeper Chi rubbed his hands, feeling a bit awkward. “I noticed that you’re only selling two barrels a day… How about I buy those two barrels from you in the morning? That way, you could have more free time.”
He expected Ye Caiping to hesitate, but instead, she smiled and nodded, “Sure! I’ll supply you with two barrels in the morning, and I won’t set up my stall.”
Shopkeeper Chi was excited, “Thank you, haha! By the way, Boss Ye, do you plan on supplying other places later on?”
His tone carried some concern.
Ye Caiping smiled and said, “One in the morning market, and two in the lunch and dinner markets. I can’t supply more than that.”
Shopkeeper Chi sighed in relief and chatted for a while longer before leaving in a cheerful mood.
Just after he left, two people walked up together.
One was a young man in his twenties, and the other was an older man in his fifties.
“Boss Ye, I’m from the Decai Inn.”
“I’m from Daxing Restaurant. I heard you’re supplying Shunke Lou , would you be willing to supply us as well?”
Ye Caiping nodded. The three of them sat down, and after some discussion, they agreed that she would only supply them for lunch and dinner markets.
After they left, Aunt Pang walked over with a look of regret. “Caiping, are you not setting up your stall anymore?”
“Yes, I’ll only be supplying these three places from now on.”
Aunt Pang felt reluctant.
She also had some envy and apprehension. With Ye Caiping leaving, wouldn’t her business return to its original state?
Aunt Pang hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Well… Sister, could you give me one barrel? I’ll pay the same price they’re paying.”
Ye Caiping smiled, “I just promised Shunke Lou to supply them two barrels for the morning market. I plan to give you the remaining one. I really can’t produce any more.”
“Caiping, thank you!” Aunt Pang said, excitedly grabbing her hand.
Ye Caiping still had half a barrel left. Every time a customer came by, she would explain that she wouldn’t be setting up her stall tomorrow, but Aunt Pang would have some for sale.
The customers looked regretful, some feeling reluctant.
After all, it was always a bit disheartening when a stall that had been around for so long suddenly stopped operating.
After selling the last half barrel, Ye Caiping packed up her things, and with Ye Erquan and Ye Jin’er, she took the ox cart and left.
Watching her stall gradually fade into the crowd, Ye Caiping felt both reluctant and relieved. She smiled faintly.
The first stage of her career was complete!