Chapter 60.1

The grand opening took place on the weekend. While waiting outside, Qin Yan came over and told Qin Ao there was a back entrance, suggesting he enter through the employee passage.

Jiang Ruan observed the long queue, where everyone was holding beautifully printed cards. These cards were for combo meals, featuring classic items like burgers, chicken wings, drinks, and two side dishes from the menu. The discounts offered with the card were significant.

She asked Qin Yan, “Brother Qin Yan, how many people did you arrange to stand in line?”

Although they had indeed prepared people to fill the lines, it wasn’t necessary. Qin Yan laughed, “I went with Xun Li to check out the other three stores, and each one had a long line. We didn’t need to add our own people.”

“All these customers are real? Then the current batch of chickens won’t last a month!” Jiang Ruan was surprised.

Qin Yan took her to another branch across from Chang Linyan’s Mai Xiang Ji restaurant. Here, a lion dance troupe had been hired, and the lively atmosphere and long queues made the opposite side look quite desolate.

Jiang Ruan saw Mu Xuehui, Zhong Wenwen, and Han Qingqing there, but not Chang Linyan. When the three noticed her arrival, their expressions turned grim. There was no doubt about it; even if the fried chicken from both sides tasted similar, the new store’s opening promotions and discounts would naturally attract more business. Moreover, the quality of their chicken was a cut above the competition.

Jiang Ruan noticed an employee from across the street lining up to buy a combo meal and then saw Mu Xuehui’s group sampling it.

Jiang Ruan also wanted to try it, but the line was too long at the moment. Fortunately, Qin Yan was prepared and brought a meal from the back kitchen, specially set aside for her.

“Eat in moderation, fried food isn’t very healthy,” Qin Yan advised.

However, Jiang Ruan didn’t care about health concerns. If she had to choose, she would rather enjoy the crispy fried chicken. The carbs and calories brought her joy.

Qin Yan understood that in the early 1980s, with food and clothing still scarce, few people worried about the health risks of fried food. This type of fried chicken restaurant, which closely mimicked Western fast food, would be incredibly popular.

While eating, Jiang Ruan commented, “Chang Fuxiang did a great job, the fried chicken here is better than his sister’s restaurant. Our meal portions are noticeably larger than theirs. Can we still make a profit?”

The larger portions included details such as the burger’s beef patty being ten grams heavier than the competition’s, which wasn’t noticeable at a glance but was apparent to customers. Even the popcorn chicken contained two or three more pieces than the rival’s, and though the drink cups had the same capacity, their cups were filled to the brim.

These small differences enhanced their competitive edge, while the taste and quality of ingredients maintained it.

Qin Yan explained, “The costs have been calculated meticulously. After the initial opening hype subsides, if business remains steady at even a third of today’s volume, the profits will be considerable.”

Since Qin Yan was responsible for the restaurant’s marketing and meal planning, Jiang Ruan said, “Brother Qin Yan, you didn’t even ask for any shares. Helping this much is a bit of a loss for you.”

Qin Yan chuckled, “You own shares. If you make more money, you can take care of me.”

After finishing her meal, Jiang Ruan noticed that the cola, sourced in partnership with a local factory, was also available across the street, though with a different brand prefix.

She said, “I’d like to buy a meal to take to my brother.”

Heading over to Han Changfeng’s workplace, one meal wouldn’t be enough. Qin Yan went to the kitchen, and after more than half an hour, he returned with eight meals. “Let’s deliver these while they’re still hot.”

…

At Mu Xuehui’s restaurant, their employee had bought two more meals from the new competitor. The new opening had indeed dealt a heavy blow to their business.

Initially, the three of them had been fairly optimistic, thinking that since their own store’s launch had been successful, the real competition would come later. But after tasting the meals from across the street, Mu Xuehui’s face turned grave.

The taste seemed similar, but there was a difference in the quality of the ingredients. The competitor’s fried chicken tasted fresher and cleaner even deep within the meat, with no trace of any unpleasant chicken odor. This difference stemmed from the raw materials, not the cooking technique.

If it were a matter of cooking techniques, adjustments could be made, but the key issue was that the competitor controlled the source of the chicks. Jiang Ruan wouldn’t be supplying their restaurant with those quality chickens.

Mu Xuehui, who had become Chang Linyan’s apprentice and had more influence than Zhong Wenwen, said, “Don’t lose heart just because some business has shifted to the new store. We need to talk to our mentor about the raw materials.”

Han Qingqing fretted, “Other problems are manageable, but with Jiang Ruan in control of the chicken supply and her unpredictable temperament, what can we do?”

Zhong Wenwen, reluctant to get involved and embarrassed by her mother’s repeated attempts to push her towards Qin Ao, preferred not to face that humiliation in front of friends.

“I have something else to take care of, so you two go ahead,” she said.

As Han Qingqing linked arms with Mu Xuehui, they boarded the bus. Han Qingqing remarked, “Wenwen doesn’t seem as close to her mother as people think.”

Mu Xuehui saw this strained relationship as advantageous for herself.

“Her mother originally wanted her to study medicine, but Zhong Wenwen switched to law instead. Her mother didn’t even get angry about it—she’s more understanding than I expected,” Mu Xuehui said.

“Why doesn’t she want to follow in her mother’s footsteps?”

“I have no idea,” Mu Xuehui replied, understanding that perhaps Zhong Wenwen was trying to escape her mother’s strictness.

…

Chang Linyan had given Han Qingqing a 10% share in the fried chicken restaurant to leverage her complex relationship with Jiang Ruan, hoping it might come in handy one day. Mu Xuehui had also received 10% because the restaurant’s concepts and products were largely her ideas. The two of them were deeply invested in the business, and they brought the meals they had bought to Chang Linyan at the herbal medicine shop.

After tasting the competitors’ food and realizing the difference in quality, Chang Linyan frowned. The disparity in raw materials was currently insurmountable.

“It’s not just the feed that matters. Even after raising the chickens for three months, the meat still falls short. The key lies in the special chicken eggs used for breeding. Without those, feed won’t make a difference,” she said in frustration.

The unique herbs required for the feed weren’t available in large quantities, so even that solution was out of reach.

Mu Xuehui and Han Qingqing stayed silent, unable to come up with a way to obtain the breeding techniques from Jiang Ruan.

Chang Linyan handed each of them an envelope stuffed with cash.

“This is the first quarter’s profit from the restaurant. You each own 10% shares, and now that the restaurant is facing competition, you need to come up with solutions. If the restaurant loses money, your income will decrease too,” she warned.

The envelopes were thick, containing at least a thousand yuan each. Both Mu Xuehui and Han Qingqing were thrilled.

Mu Xuehui knew that if she wasn’t useful, Chang Linyan wouldn’t have involved her in the first place.

Ever since Xun Li opened the fried chicken restaurants, she had been pondering potential strategies.

“I might be able to turn Cheng Xinwang into our insider. Because of his sister, he still has some connections with Xun Li,” she proposed.

Han Qingqing was skeptical, “Think about Yan Mancang when he realized Cheng Wanxia wouldn’t marry him, he left without hesitation. What makes you think Cheng Xinwang would listen to you?”

Mu Xuehui smiled at Han Qingqing, “I’m not in a hurry to get married. Don’t you think I can attract someone like Cheng Xinwang? I’m a university student; could he find someone better than me?”

Chang Linyan was very impressed by Mu Xuehui’s proactive mindset, though she wished her other apprentice, Cheng Wanxia, were as perceptive. As for Han Qingqing, she saw her as a bit dull but believed that the Han family could eventually be used to help bring down Jiang Ruan.

“Qingqing,” Chang Linyan advised, “take the money home to your mother and sister. That old Chinese doctor actually has a distant nephew who started working at the fried chicken shop about a month ago. He likes you quite a bit, so you should get to know him.”

Han Qingqing was stunned, “But Auntie Chang, I’m already engaged.”

“Being engaged doesn’t mean you can’t have male friends, does it?”

Chang Linyan put on a stern face and said, “Society keeps piling shackles on women, one after another. You need to awaken and resist. Don’t feel guilty about making friends just because you have a partner. If men can have female friends, then women can too. As long as they’re beneficial to you, you can befriend them.”

Han Qingqing was reluctant and wanted to say something, but Mu Xuehui, noticing this, pulled her aside.

“Why did you stop me, Huihui?” Han Qingqing asked, confused.

“Honestly, I think our teacher is right. Look at the men around Jiang Ruan, they’re all useful to her. Both Xun Li and Qin Ao are single, and even Qin Yan hasn’t objected. So why are you worried that Shen Tianming will be upset?”

Han Qingqing felt uncomfortable. “Tianming is different from Qin Yan. Jiang Ruan is a middle school student, while Qin Yan is in college. She’s the one reaching up, so of course Qin Yan doesn’t mind. But it’s different for me. Don’t you all say that if I give up on Shen Tianming, I won’t find anyone better?”

Mu Xuehui shook the envelope of money in her hand. “Circumstances change, and so should your mindset. Think about it. Can the Shen family give you money? Can Shen Tianming? The money you have now is what you earned yourself. With that, do you still need to live under your in-laws’ scrutiny? Deep down, you’re just upset about Shen Tianming’s attitude and frustrated that he doesn’t understand how practical money is. I’m off to find Cheng Xinwang, you should think this over.”

…

When Han Qingqing returned home, she handed the money to her mother and older sister.

Jiang Jianchun had already moved back to her parental home. Her father had promised her and Han Qingqing these two rooms, and since her child needed care, living here was convenient.

Liu Jinyun counted the money. It was 1,500 yuan, which amounted to a monthly dividend of 500 yuan. “Is the fried chicken shop really making this much? Can two shops earn 5,000 yuan a month?”

Liu Jinyun was envious. “Chang Linyan is only giving you a 10% share. Can’t you ask for a bigger dividend?”

Jiang Jianchun replied, “Mom, we shouldn’t be too greedy. That 10% earns much more than our pickled fish shop ever did. Even Jiang Ruan only gets a 10% share from Xun Li.”

Xun Li had four shops, and in comparison, Jiang Ruan was getting about 1,000 yuan a month in dividends.

Liu Jinyun still wasn’t satisfied. “Speaking of which, if it weren’t for your sister and me sending Jiang Ruan to the countryside, she wouldn’t have met that old Chinese doctor who passed on his secret recipe. I bet the breeding technique came from him too. She should share some of that with the family.”

Jiang Jianchun shook her head. “If she’s making money from the recipe, she won’t share it with anyone.”

Han Qingqing suddenly asked, “If the old Chinese doctor had descendants, would Jiang Ruan have to hand over the secret recipe?”

Jiang Jianchun replied, “Of course. If he had descendants, it would only be right for her to share it with them. But he didn’t, which is why he passed the recipe on to Jiang Ruan.”

Han Qingqing thought of the unremarkable worker at the fried chicken shop and felt uneasy.