CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42 OPENING

Gu Yi and Ye Qian went to the market two days before the opening to buy three pounds of chicken, five pounds of pork belly, two pounds of cartilage, five pounds of chicken wings, and some small dried river fish.

Gu Yi originally wanted to buy some beef and mutton, but there were none for sale in the county yet.

After returning, the two of them got busy right away.

They washed all the purchased items thoroughly.

The chicken and pork belly were cut into small pieces, the cartilage into sections, and the chicken wings were scored.

Once everything was ready, they added seasoning, mixed it well, and covered it with a lid to marinate overnight.

The next day, the Gu Family Brothers delivered the bamboo skewers.

Gu Yi and Ye Qian washed all the bamboo skewers clean and boiled them once more.

The Gu Family Brothers didn’t leave after delivering the skewers; they waited until the skewers were done boiling and helped Gu Yi and Ye Qian skewer all the marinated chicken and pork from the night before.

In the afternoon, Li Gang also brought over eggs and vegetables.

Ye Qian washed the vegetables, Gu Yi cut them, and the Gu Family Brothers helped skewer them.

The two brothers worked until past four before leaving, knowing that Gu Yi’s business was opening the next day, and said they would come again tomorrow before leaving.

After they left, Gu Yi continued to work by putting the skewered meat into the freezer, covering the vegetables, as they couldn’t be stored in the freezer.

The two of them also started cooking Chinese five-spice eggs.

"Sister-in-law, have you decided on the prices for these?"

"Yes, I was just going to discuss it with you. I’ve figured it out: cooked meat zongzi or red date zongzi are 40 cents each, frozen ones are 30 cents, dumplings 60 cents for a bowl of 12, eggs 30 cents, fried chicken wings 30 cents, meat skewers 20 cents, veggie skewers 10 cents for two, and congee 10 cents a bowl."

"Sister-in-law, are we selling frozen zongzi too?"

"Yes, why not? Some people want to take them away, and cooked ones don’t keep well. They can buy frozen ones to cook at home. Dumplings can also be bought frozen, 10 cents for three."

"Okay, I got it."

Ye Qian didn’t really think anyone would buy frozen ones but still dutifully noted down the prices.

Once everything was prepared, the two of them washed up and went to bed early, as they had to get up early the next day.

Early the next morning, Gu Yi got up and prepared a pot of congee.

She cooked the zongzi and five-spice eggs thoroughly, then kept them warm in the steamer.

She also took out the signboard that Gu’s father had prepared in advance, which displayed the items they offered: zongzi, dumplings, five-spice eggs, congee, and fried skewers.

She thought that today was the first day of school, so most people would eat breakfast at home, and not many would come out, so she didn’t make too much congee.

Just as Gu Yi expected, there weren’t many customers in the morning.

The few who came were mainly people working nearby, who bought the food to eat elsewhere.

Around nine, the Gu Family Brothers and Ye Family’s parents arrived together.

"Mom and Dad, why are you here?"

Gu Yi and Ye Qian were startled to see Ye Family’s parents.

"We knew today was your opening day, so your mom and I came to see if we could help."

Ye Fu explained to Gu Yi and Ye Qian.

"Yes, we were worried you might feel overwhelmed on your first day, and we couldn’t rest easy just staying at home. Luckily, we caught sight of your brothers on the way, or we might have gotten lost."

"Mom, Dad, brothers, come in quickly and have a seat. You haven’t eaten yet, right?"

Gu Yi hurriedly invited them inside the shop.

"We’ve eaten. You should prepare something for uncle and aunt."

Brother Gu hurriedly said they had indeed eaten.

Ye Family’s parents hadn’t eaten; they had wanted to come early but the bus only started at eight.

They waited in the town but didn’t want to spend money at the local fritter shop, so they were hungry by the time they arrived.

Hearing this, Gu Yi quickly called Ye Qian to the kitchen, and soon they were serving four bowls of congee.

"Mom, Dad, eat something to fill up. You must be starving."

After placing the food on the table, they returned to the kitchen and brought out four zongzi, four eggs, and two plates of side dishes.

"Brothers, you should also sit down and eat something. Once we get busy, who knows when we’ll get the chance to eat lunch."

Gu Yi quickly urged her brothers to join them for a meal.

The Gu Family Brothers saw that Gu Yi had already served the food and didn’t decline, sitting opposite Ye Family’s parents to eat.

"Mom, Dad, brothers, there’s more if it’s not enough. How does it taste?"

"Mmm, it’s delicious. This is definitely going to sell well."

"Yes, it’s really good."

All four of them praised the food, each adding their own compliment.

By ten in the morning, people from the school started coming in.

Almost every student had a parent accompanying them, and some had several family members with them.

Soon enough, it was lunchtime.

The restaurant across from the school was unbelievably busy.

Some people who couldn’t find seats in other places came into Gu Yi’s shop.

Others came in to check out their shop because they heard it offered items other places didn’t have.

Initially, everyone was cautious about ordering too much, but after tasting, they realized everything was indeed delicious and ordered additional items.

The shop was bustling for a while.

The six of them naturally divided the work and cooperated effortlessly.

Ye Qian was in charge of plating and preparing food in the kitchen.

The Gu Family Brothers took orders and served food to customers.

Gu Yi was responsible for welcoming customers, handling payments, and packing food for those taking it to go.

Ye Fu cleaned tables and the floors, while Ye’s mother cooked dumplings and washed dishes.

The entire group hustled until almost two o’clock before the crowd thinned out.

Once everyone had left, Gu Yi quickly went to the kitchen to stir-fry two dishes.

Anticipating this situation, Gu Yi had also bought an electric rice cooker.

She had already washed the rice and left it soaking, ready to cook at the push of a button.

Everyone was both hungry and exhausted when they sat down to eat the meal Gu Yi had prepared.

"Watching others run a business, it seems so easy. Just from that little bit earlier, it’s pretty tiring, but the good business makes you feel incredibly energized."

Ye Fu, despite realizing that running a business is no easy task, was thrilled to see so many people come through their shop today.

"Yes, I was so happy washing the dishes, wishing I could wash more."

Ye’s mother also wore a happy expression.

"Mom, Dad, today is the first day of school and many parents are accompanying their children, so there are more people than usual. It won’t always be as good as today."

Seeing Ye’s parents so excited, Gu Yi quickly explained the reason for today’s good business, worried they might be disappointed on quieter days.

"Yiyi, with your skills, the business won’t be bad in the future. Can you and Ye Qian handle it between the two of you?"

After Brother Gu spoke, Gu the second brother also nodded in agreement.

Brother Gu believed that the people who came today would definitely return, since what Gu Yi made was truly delicious, but he and Gu the second brother couldn’t help out all the time.

"No problem, usually there will be more students, but fewer than today. Plus, with more experience and practice, we’ll definitely improve. Don’t worry about us."

Gu Yi didn’t see it as a big issue; as long as the food tastes good, customers tend to overlook other minor shortcomings.