Chapter 97: Qingzhou in the Morning

  The 27th was a sleepless night, but it wasn't too shocking. However, the aftermath was quite extensive, and I was exhausted from worrying and running around. The small layout of the day finally came to an end, and I didn't even have the energy to talk to Wen Huiming about the progress in the province. After returning home, I went straight to my bedroom and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I vaguely heard Ding Mei's voice, but I was too lazy to even open my eyes.

  A night without dreams!

  After three or four months of persistence, Wen Cen's biological clock is extremely accurate now. Even if he sleeps late at night, he wakes up at 6 o'clock in the morning, almost as precise as Beijing time. Wen Cen let out a long sigh and suddenly felt refreshed and invigorated. He hummed Jacky Cheung's song and with a sudden burst of energy, he jumped out of bed with a fish-like movement.

  Arrived at the living room, turned head to look at the master bedroom door still tightly closed. Wen Huiming was old after all, this period of time came back and forth, making arrangements, rarely had a chance to rest, naturally was sleeping well. Wen Rong quietly finished washing up. A white towel hung around his neck, changed into sportswear and went out for a run.

  It was six o'clock, the coldest time of the day. The north wind wrapped around the Siberian cold current and whistled through the entire city. The dry leaves on the ground made a rustling sound as soon as they were stepped on, like some kind of piston movement when the wooden bed creaked. As the night color faded away, more and more pedestrians appeared on the road. Occasionally, sanitation workers could be seen sweeping the streets. In some remote alleys or at the entrance of small lanes, simple plastic sheds were set up with a few small tables and stools scattered around. Two or three coal balls were burning fiercely. Hot pepper soup, tofu pudding, and millet porridge were all available. People who went to work early would usually eat at these places, sitting, squatting, standing, or even riding on their bicycles. They would order two tea eggs, pick up a bowl of millet porridge, finish it in three mouthfuls, wipe their mouths, pay the bill, and leave without moving their buttocks.

  The bustling breakfast stalls are always one of the most human landscapes in the city.

  However, Wen Qian, this cheap person, automatically ignored this point. The venomous eyes pointed directly at the root. The dirty water flowing everywhere, the dust flying in the wind, the bowls and chopsticks that had not been washed in time, and the bucket of dirty dishwater, the neatly dressed women quickened their pace as they walked past the stall, while the men with bulging bellies who seemed to be leaders frowned and carefully stepped over the scattered eggshells.

  Warmly smiling and brushing past these people, silently saying in her heart:

  Have breakfast and go to Qinghe!

  Not long after, Qinghe Doujiang's first commercial slogan echoed throughout Qingzhou!

  An hour later, Wen Qiang stopped in front of the soy milk shop on Bayi Road. The business seemed to be better than before, with a constant stream of customers coming and going. Standing by the road, you could hear the hustle and bustle inside.

  Wen Qian squeezed into the store, Xiao Yin was busy collecting money, Li Shengli was frying dough sticks in the kitchen. And at the window serving rice was Li Siqing. Seeing Wen Qian, Xiao Yin didn't even have time to greet him, hastily saying "Boss is inside" while busy finding change for a customer.

  Wen Qian smiled and said: "Xiao Yin sister, it's okay to be slow, just don't make a mistake with the accounts."

  Xiao Yin made a funny face at him amidst the hustle and bustle. A female customer in her fifties next to her was amused by her cute appearance and praised: "This girl is quick and agile, and she's also beautiful. Great, great!"

  Xiao Yin looked at Wen Chen with a pleased expression. Wen Chen burst out laughing and chimed in with a few words, the female customer left satisfied with two cups of soy milk and five fried dough sticks.

  Li Shengli opened the operating room partition door and was putting the semi-finished fried dough sticks made beside him into the pot. The long chopsticks in his hand moved up and down with a very regular rhythm, his focused eyes as if he were creating a work of art.

  Wen Qian stood quietly by the side, and after a moment, golden soft and fragrant oil strips came out of the pot. Li Shengli only saw Wen Qian then, smiled slightly, pushed over the plate with the oil strips, saying: "Try some!"

  "Wow! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, chewy with a lingering sweetness that stays in your mouth, delicious!"

  As they spoke, another dish came out, and Li Shengli handed it over, saying: "Try this one too"

  "Ah, the taste is very close, especially this aftertaste is great. Rarely do fried foods leave a lingering flavor in your mouth. How did you make it?"

  "Not bad." Li Shengli's face was full of pride, and he smiled: "I finally made the best-tasting fried dough sticks. All the procedures are recorded in a book, accurate to every step, every second. As long as you follow this technique, the taste will be very close, that is to say,"

  "That means our big promotion plan can finally begin!"

  Wen Cheng said the correct answer, Li Shengli tore off the waistband and threw it aside, excitedly pacing back and forth a few steps, saying: "Right! With this, we can follow your plan to develop Qinghe into a big city, all the way to opening in every city in Jiangsu Province. Let tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people eat breakfast at Qinghe every day."

  Wen Qian shook his head, with a dazzling light flashing in his eyes. He said softly, "No, not just Jiangdong. I want every city across the country to have a Qinghe store, so that wherever you go, you can smell the flavor of Qinghe. It's not just about tofu; wherever we go, we'll absorb the local flavors and merge them with Qinghe's characteristics, growing like a snowball into a towering tree that covers the entire republic."

  Li Shengli's expression was turbulent. The buttons on his white shirt were undone, and he said, "What's the next step?"

  This has once again returned to its original shape, and Wen Jian is now in urgent need of funds for rapid expansion. He thought hard many times, wondering if there were any opportunities to make a fortune this year? However, with inflation, economic downturn, and the prospect of a soft landing looking grim; the pain of reform was evident. The predicament of state-owned enterprises was a matter of life and death. This was the general trend, but in small ways, there were several opportunities that could be taken advantage of. However, none of them could be achieved without any cost. Speaking of achieving something without any cost, Wen Jian couldn't help but think of Mr. Che, who had been very proud and satisfied this year. Last year, he was honored as one of the "Top Ten Private Entrepreneurs in China" and a "Reform Pioneer", and this February, he was ranked fourth on the Forbes China Rich List. Who would have thought that this representative figure of "achieving something without any cost", who had changed planes, launched satellites, and developed Manchuria, would experience a four-year power struggle starting from March next year, only to end up powerless and trapped?

  So Wen Jian decided to take it steady and slow, one step at a time.

  "In the past few days, go to No. 19 Middle School and take a look around, referring to the requirements of Bayi Store, choose a storefront near the school, it's okay if it's a bit far away, I've decided that the second Qinghe store will be opened at No. 19 Middle School."

  He chose No. 19 Middle School for a reason. Qingyi Middle School is in the central district, not too far from Bayi Road. It's also on the same bus route, so it's convenient for students from No. 1 Middle School to come here to buy breakfast. And No. 19 Middle School is in Dongcheng District, which is relatively remote, and many students are boarders. Once a home-style restaurant opens, it will definitely attract a large number of students to dine here.

  This is one of them! Old one mouth I... Sun-bathing book concave not same body pick!

  Secondly, Wen Ze knew that starting next year, Qingzhou would have a planned expansion to the east. The piece of land in 19th Middle School would soon become a new and prosperous area, taking the lead. Can be ahead for a long time.

  Li Shengli nodded and just followed orders. The decision was entirely up to Wen Chen: "But this way, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep up."

  "This isn't a franchise store, the manager has to choose someone trustworthy... otherwise, how's your mom?"

  He smiled wryly and said, "I don't care, but she still clings to the beautiful dream of having an iron rice bowl and won't let go. The agricultural machinery factory can't close down, it's impossible for her to change careers."

  Li Shengli could only smile bitterly, he was someone who had jumped out of this circle, how could he not understand Ding Mei's thoughts. "What to do then? If it doesn't work, can I just run away with my tail between my legs?"

  "Stop being so petty. In the future, you'll be a big shot controlling over a thousand stores, and yet you still insist on handling everything personally? Nuan will worry about you."

  Li Siqing on that side heard his name and hastily turned his head to shout: "Wen Gege, I'm done with my work. Come chat with me!"

  It's warm and gentle, but it sounds like a lullaby for kids.

  "Are you tired? I'll go help you?"

  "No need! I can do it! You're the one who's tired, brother, take a rest!"

  This lass! Wen Jie hadn't spoken yet, but Li Shengli was already teasing his daughter, saying: "My daughter is almost an adult now, if she doesn't mention 'Wen Gege' ten times a day, she can't sleep at night, haha."

  Li Siqing clenched her small fist and glared, her big eyes sparkling with spirit, her cute expression, and her delicate skin that seemed to glow with an otherworldly light, making her look extremely adorable!

  Wen Jianhe and Li Shengli exchanged a glance, couldn't help but burst out laughing. Li Siqing pouted, looking very worried: "Brother and Dad are on the same side, what to do? Got it, I'll find Sister Ning."

  People need to have a good relationship, Ning Xiaocong is cold and has a proud temper, she's a hard person to get close to. But Li Siqing just clicked with her. Every time she loves holding Ning Xiaocong's hand, looking up at her with admiration on her face, dreaming of growing up quickly and becoming a proud girl like her sister.

  The warm time always makes people reluctant to part with it, and Wen Qing was interrupted by Li Siqing, almost forgetting to continue the topic of conversation earlier. It wasn't until Li Shengli asked again that Wen Qing smiled and said: "Don't worry, I've already found a good candidate, he's very smart, down-to-earth, and reliable. In the next few days, you choose an address, and when I have time, I'll go take a look. If it's suitable, we'll start work immediately. For decoration, we need to find a professional company to do it, design a layout that fits Qinghe's concept, as a template for future stores."

  "Uh-huh, I'll go take a look after closing time."

  "Uncle Li, love what you do and do what you love. After closing the door, never mention those two words again, just say 'retirement'!"

  Li Shengli knew Wen Qian for a long time and also got infected with some dark humor, saying: "I said why the last family gathering went bankrupt, it turned out to be 'closed door, too much talk.'"

  Wen Hehe burst out laughing, and being with these people seems to make even his mood better... If you want to know what happens next, support the author.