rpbooks Chapter 140 Business is Getting Better
Chapter 140 Business is Getting Better
Chen Yuan was a little stunned. His relationship with Ma Wenming didn't seem to be that good, did it?
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the burly man scratched his head.
"This is my treat."
Chen Yuan accepted it and offered very polite compliments.
"I heard from the neighbors that your business has been quite good these past few days, but then again, your skills are really excellent."
"My skills are just average; it's mainly thanks to you that I've made it."
Ma Wenming pulled out a folding chair next to him, sat down, unscrewed the thermos, took a sip of strong tea, and sighed.
Chen Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and sat down next to him. The two chatted casually.
Ma Wenming said, "Ever since your stall became popular, everyone on the street has benefited. Before, I would only sell forty or fifty sets a day, but now I sell at least 100 sets!"
"Many tourists from other places can't get a seat at your steamed bun shop, so they come here to buy a set of pancakes. I've been so tired these past few days, my arms are practically sparking from all the swinging."
As he spoke, Ma Wenming pulled open his clothes, revealing the plaster on his forearm.
Chen Yuan smiled. He was hungry too, so he didn't stand on ceremony and opened the bag.
The pancakes are golden and translucent, thin and crispy with a satisfying crunch when you bite into them. The dough is spread out evenly and cooked to perfection. With the addition of chopped green onions and sesame seeds, they are simply just right.
Chen Yuan ate more than half of it in a few bites, nodding repeatedly as he ate.
"You have a really good grasp of the heat; it's not sticky or thick. You can't master this skill in less than three to five years."
"Let's stop praising each other."
Ma Wenming also smiled, a rare occurrence, a hint of mutual respect between heroes flashing in his eyes.
"The pleats on your buns are so even, it's like they were measured with a ruler. My son came over to line up for your buns, and I tried one too. You really can't learn that from outside."
"By the way, there's something you might not know."
Ma Wenming paused, his tone half-serious and half-joking.
"Do you think this counts as stealing business? Your breakfast shop sells steamed buns, fried dough sticks, porridge, and stuff like that, while I sell pancakes. It's all about what we eat in the morning."
"Now that there are so many tourists, the queues are so long that some people can't get to the front of the line, so they come here instead."
"Sometimes I feel like my pancakes aren't enough, so I just go to the newly opened beef soup shop next door."
Chen Yuan then realized that Ma Wenming had used the opportunity of delivering pancakes to tip him off.
Ma Wenming continued.
"This street sells all sorts of things now: milk tea, bread, multigrain pancakes, rice balls... I don't know what's so good about rice wrapped in all that random stuff?"
"Anyway, everyone's eyeing your signboard, thinking about how to drive traffic to their own businesses."
As he spoke, Ma Wenming pointed to the small cart.
"Even someone like me who doesn't follow trends is thinking about whether I should put up a sign for people to take photos here, and raise the price by two dollars."
Chen Yuan didn't rush to express his thoughts.
After all, he and Ma Wenming weren't that close yet, so saying too much or too little would be inappropriate.
Chen Yuan slowly chewed on the pancake, finishing one before opening his mouth.
"Actually, attracting traffic is a good thing, since I can't do it all by myself anyway. But then again, whether you can retain people depends on your real skills."
"We're not competing for business, we're complementing each other. A pancake tastes like a pancake, a steamed bun tastes like a steamed bun, and a fried dough stick tastes like a fried dough stick. You can't eat a pancake like a steamed bun, right?"
Ma Wenming nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"As for your question about raising prices and changing brands..."
"Don't think I'm being blunt, but my business will only be booming for a few days. In the long run, fewer people will come, and this street will eventually go back to what it was before."
"We earn our money through hard work. If we raise prices at this critical juncture, our neighbors may not say anything on the surface, but they will definitely have a problem with us in their hearts."
Upon hearing this, Ma Wenming's expression turned somewhat serious.
Actually, the reason he hadn't raised prices was for this very reason, but since everyone else was following suit, he was also a little hesitant.
Ma Wenming was unsure, so he came over to ask. He tentatively asked.
"And your price..."
"I definitely won't raise prices. Besides, the higher-ups are watching me. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't dare."
Ma Wenming was silent for two seconds, then burst into laughter, even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out.
"Okay! You're right, I'll listen to you."
"I'm planning to have one of my nephews come over and help me out these next couple of days. That way, we can take turns making pancakes, earn a little more money, and I won't be so tired."
Chen Yuan nodded and smiled, "That's exactly the point."
The two exchanged a smile and said no more pleasantries.
The sunlight slanted in, casting a long shadow of the tricycle.
Ma Wenming was not a good speaker; after saying a few words, he stood up.
"Alright, then I'll be going."
Chen Yuan, feeling obligated to help someone who had given him food, stood up and gave them instructions.
"They say there will be a lot of people these days, so remember to keep your stall clean and tidy. Prepare two small, snow-white towels to wipe it down all the time, so that customers can feel at ease."
"Sure, don't worry, it'll definitely be cleaner than what you did."
As he spoke, Ma Wenming climbed onto the tricycle and waved back.
"Alright, I'm leaving."
"Okay, let me know if you want some steamed buns, and I'll save two for you."
"understood."
The tricycle drove across the cement ground.
It makes a "creaking" sound.
Chen Yuan stood still and ate the last bite of the pancake.
Crispy and fragrant.
……
In just two or three days.
Across from Chen Yuan's vegan breakfast shop, the street-front shops that had been vacant for half a year have all changed in the last two days.
The one closest to Chen Yuan was converted into a milk tea shop.
The storefront design is nice, with a touch of minimalism.
The four large characters "Hoshino Tea" were spelled out with fluorescent tubes, making them very eye-catching.
Through the glass display case, you can see the cold brew equipment, shaker cups, and various uniquely shaped tumbler containers neatly arranged inside.
The shop owner is a young woman in her early twenties.
When she appeared, Chen Yuan glanced at her from a distance.
The owner of this milk tea shop is very striking, with lively eyes and a high nose bridge.
On the first day she appeared, she was wearing a black printed short-sleeved t-shirt with the hem casually tied at her waist, revealing a section of her firm and slender waist.
Her chestnut-brown, curly hair was tied into a high ponytail, which swayed as she walked.
She wore a thick, long, distressed silver bone chain around her neck, and two small silver stud earrings in her ear cartilage.
In short, she was dressed in a very trendy and avant-garde style.
It's past eleven o'clock.
Chen Yuan was cleaning the shop and mopping the floor when the girl walked straight over with light steps.
Her voice was clear and pleasant when she opened her mouth.
"Hello, Mr. Chen, may I bother you for a moment?"