CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44 GRAND OPENING SUCCESS

The next day was Saturday.

Zhang Jingdong and Yuan Mei along with the employees arrived at the store before 8 AM, fixed everything up, and laid a red carpet at the entrance.

Soon, a truck parked nearby, and three people got off and efficiently moved big red flower baskets from the vehicle, filling both sides of the red carpet.

Looking out from the store, it was a festive sight.

At that moment, Zhang Jingdong’s phone suddenly rang; it was An Lu calling. He quickly answered: "Hello..."

"I’ve arrived at Self-Reliance Road. Is it the store front filled with red flower baskets?"

"That’s right, it’s this one. I’ll come out to meet you!"

After hanging up, Zhang Jingdong immediately stepped out of the store and then saw An Lu approaching.

Today, she wore a black dress with a V-neck that revealed her beautiful collarbones.

The hem of the dress just reached her knees, exposing her slender, white legs that emanated a captivating beauty.

Zhang Jingdong wasn’t particularly a leg man, but at this moment, he felt an inexplicable palpitation.

Moreover, most importantly, she had even changed her hairstyle to have bangs.

She looked very young, almost like a college girl.

Zhang Jingdong, of course, knew why she did this. Instantly moved, he stepped forward, his gaze intense as he observed her: "You came so early!"

Seeing his look, An Lu couldn’t help but think of their last conversation the night before, and her face turned slightly red.

"I was worried the store might be busy, so I came early to see if there’s anything I could help with..."

Zhang Jingdong said meaningfully: "You don’t need to do anything. Just seeing you blows away the fatigue of the past few days, and I feel full of strength!"

An Lu’s pretty face turned completely red, even her ears reddened: "You... you are exaggerating too much, I... I’m not that impressive!"

Although she said this, her eyes were filled with joy and excitement.

Seeing her shy appearance, Zhang Jingdong didn’t tease her further and simply said: "Let’s go inside and have a look."

An Lu obediently nodded: "...Okay."

As soon as the two entered the store, they immediately caught everyone’s attention.

It couldn’t be helped. Firstly, An Lu was just too beautiful, almost like a TV actress.

Secondly, she was personally brought in by the boss Zhang Jingdong. She could possibly be the boss’s wife!

Some people like Yuan Mei were okay; after being astounded by An Lu’s beauty and figure, they quickly recovered their composure and went about their business.

However, the most beautiful waitress, nearly 1.7 meters tall, was slightly agitated.

Mainly because when she joined the store a few days ago and saw the young boss Zhang Jingdong, she began to entertain the thought of becoming the boss’s wife.

She started by actively drinking with Zhang Jingdong on that day, and these past two days, she was consistently attentive to him.

Though Zhang Jingdong noticed her efforts, since she didn’t do anything inappropriate, he let her be. Still, in her view, it was a sign of Zhang Jingdong’s approval.

She even thought she had everything under control, and some colleagues privately called her the boss’s wife, which she gradually accepted.

But the moment she saw An Lu, she felt a deep sense of shame.

Not only because she wasn’t as pretty as An Lu, nor was it because her figure or fashion wasn’t as good, but the key was An Lu’s indescribable charisma.

And, unfortunately, this charisma matched perfectly with Zhang Jingdong’s!

At that moment, she fully understood that the woman before her was truly worthy of being the actual boss’s wife.

Zhang Jingdong took An Lu around the store briefly.

As she looked around and listened to his explanation, she couldn’t help but exclaim: "I didn’t expect your store to be this big, and the decoration is really beautiful too!"

Zhang Jingdong said a bit proudly: "Right? I specifically hired a very professional interior designer, and he personally supervised the construction, ensuring every great idea was implemented."

An Lu genuinely said: "No wonder."

Finally, the two returned to the counter.

At this time, Yuan Mei came over.

Not knowing An Lu’s exact status, she hesitated to address her directly, but as an experienced restaurant manager, she knew she must give her boss face in front of others, especially the opposite gender.

So she nodded at An Lu and then said: "Boss, we’re about to officially open soon, how about you say a few words to everyone now?"

Zhang Jingdong casually replied: "Alright, gather everyone here."

Yuan Mei nodded and left.

Soon all the employees, more than thirty in total, gathered in the front hall.

Zhang Jingdong gave An Lu a look and then went to the front.

He glanced at everyone and then said, "In just over half an hour, we will officially open for business. I won’t say any encouraging words because I think nothing I say can be as uplifting as this..."

As he spoke, Zhang Jingdong opened his handbag and took out a stack of red envelopes: "I have prepared opening red envelopes for everyone..."

While speaking, Zhang Jingdong began personally handing out red envelopes to every employee, and with each one, he said, "Keep it up!"

This was a trick Zhang Jingdong learned from internet company bosses of later generations.

After he finished, the faces of the employees were filled with smiles and also bursting with energy!

Zhang Jingdong then said, "Alright, everyone back to your positions, keep it up!"

At this moment, everyone shouted together: "Yes, boss!"

Then they all scattered cheerfully.

Zhang Jingdong approached An Lu, holding the last red envelope, and handed it to her: "Here, take it for some good luck."

An Lu smiled tranquilly and then took the red envelope: "Thank you, boss."

At 9 o’clock, Zhang Jingdong personally lit a string of firecrackers at the door, announcing the official opening of the restaurant.

Then at 11 o’clock, customers gradually started coming into the restaurant.

By 12 o’clock, the restaurant’s hall was already full, and all the private rooms were also occupied.

Everyone at the restaurant, including Yuan Mei, didn’t expect the business to be so booming on its first day — everyone was overjoyed.

An Lu was also amazed and once again deeply impressed by Zhang Jingdong.

Although Zhang Jingdong always had a smile on his face, honestly, he felt quite calm inside.

Because he knew that just with those flyers and his special promotional offers, the business would certainly be good for the first two days.

What’s most important now is to maintain this customer flow and keep the restaurant bustling.

At this time, all the restaurant staff were extremely busy.

An Lu approached Zhang Jingdong and said, "I’ll go help with the cash register."

Seeing Wang Yuan a bit overwhelmed and knowing that An Lu wanted to help, he replied, "Alright, thank you for the effort."

An Lu smiled and nodded, then headed straight to the counter.

Then Zhang Jingdong went to the office and brought over a DV camera he had prepared earlier, and then went to a table.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am the owner of this restaurant. What do you think of the taste of our dishes?"

One person said, "It’s very delicious. I am from Xiangnan, and your Mao’s Braised Pork is very authentic."

Another person said, "This stir-fried pork with chili is also very satisfying!"

Zhang Jingdong then gestured with the DV in his hand, "Since you all like the food, how about this? Help me record a few words. If each of you records something, I will let each of you order one more dish, anything you like."

"But I must tell you in advance, after recording, I will play the video on that big TV in a loop. Is that okay with you?"

One person candidly said, "Since everyone coming here is classmates, I have no problem!"

With this person taking the lead, others at the table also nodded in agreement.

Thus, Zhang Jingdong recorded them all, and true to his word, let each of them order an additional dish.

In the next half hour, Zhang Jingdong recorded about fifty to sixty people.

He initially thought he would record about ten or so people in the afternoon and then another ten or so in the evening, which would have been sufficient, but he managed to get it all done in just one afternoon.

By three o’clock in the afternoon, there were hardly any people left in the restaurant.

Zhang Jingdong ordered a few signature dishes, then called An Lu to join him in the office.

After eating, he copied the footage into the computer and began editing.

Driven by curiosity, An Lu went over to him.

Seeing her interest, he let her have a look.

After watching, An Lu couldn’t help but give him a thumbs up: "Your mind is simply too brilliant, what’s that saying... Golden cup, silver cup, not as good as the common people’s reputation. I think what you recorded works even better than those TV ads!"

Zhang Jingdong couldn’t help feeling a bit smug: "Definitely!"

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