Chapter 1997 Make Use of the Shop
"Thanks to you, our family is doing very well financially now. I want to bring my kid out for a holiday, so we're going on a family trip! This is the first time I've seen this gentleman. Is he your relative? The two of you share some resemblance," Alice said as she sized up Gao Ming curiously.
Qiao Mei was a little surprised. This was the first time someone had said that she and Gao Ming looked alive! Qiao Mei had alway been very curious about whether she and Gao Ming shared any similar features, but she had never been able to tell. It seemed that the onlookers would always have a clearer view of things.
"Indeed, he's my cousin. Alice, I have come by today because I have something to discuss with you," Qiao Mei said.
"Do you have some new ideas? Or do you already have a new product?" Alice asked expectantly.
"We do have a new product, but we want to test the market first. Do you think I can sell it in your shop?" Qiao Mei asked.
Alice was a little hesitant. After all, they had already planned for the family trip. If they delayed it because of Qiao Mei's suggestion, they would miss out on the best season to travel. Then they would have to wait until next year.
"I'm sorry, my dear. We might not be able to stay and help you with this," Alice said awkwardly.
Qiao Mei immediately said, "We have sufficient manpower and we think our product is good. It's just that it's too c.u.mbersome to apply for a food license, so I want to make use of your shop and try selling it for a period of time. You can name your price!"
"Oh I see! We're good friends, so there's no need to talk about money! You can use my shop to do whatever you want! You can use it for as long as you want!" Alice said generously.
"That's great! Alice, you're really my lady luck!" Qiao Mei said excitedly as she went forward to hug Alice.
"You're the real lady luck of my family. This is the key to the shop. You can start whenever you want. We're setting off today. I'm looking forward to seeing what the shop looks like when I get back," Alice said.
"I'll definitely give you a surprise!" Qiao Mei said.
Although Alice said that Qiao Mei could sell the dumplings at her shop rent-free, Qiao Mei could not bring herself to do that. In the end, they signed a simple agreement. During the period when Alice was away, they would give Alice 5% of the profits from the sale of the dumplings.
After returning home, Qiao Mei gathered everyone to make dumplings together. As she needed to keep the recipe a secret, she could ask the people living in the house to help and they could not hire people from outside.
Early the next morning, they brought all the raw ingredients to the shop to make the dumplings there. After two hours, everyone was sore in the back and the waist, especially Auntie w.a.n.g and the other women. They could not even lift their arms anymore.
"This is really too tiring..." Xia He looked at Qiao Mei pitifully.
"Just hold on a little longer!" Qiao Mei said.
By 10 in the morning, they had made 6,000 dumplings. Qiao Mei started to cook the dumplings in the pot and the fragrance quickly spread outside. Many people began to search for the source of the delicious smell.
"Eh? What are you selling now? I remember that this used to be a snack shop? Are you the new owner?" a woman stood outside the door and asked curiously.
"h.e.l.lo! We're selling dumplings! Are you interested in trying some?" Qiao Mei greeted the woman warmly.
These dumplings were the most basic type made with cabbage and pork filling. The cabbages and pork came from their own farm, so the cost was relatively low.
Soon, the entrance of the shop was chock full of people. Most shops served dine-in customers, but Qiao Mei did not intend to do that. Alice's shop could only accommodate a limited number of customers. It was better for them to do takeaways rather than dine-in. She operated it like a fast food kiosk, where everyone could eat standing up or bring the food home.
Time pa.s.sed quickly and all the dumplings in the shop were sold out very quickly. Even though there was still a long queue, Qiao Mei did not intend to make more. She wanted to engage in hunger marketing so that these people would look forward to coming again tomorrow.
The family returned home exhausted. Xia Fan and Xia Xing seemed to know that everyone was very busy with work. The two of them took care of Xia Yue and played with him. The three children were very obedient in the house. The new helper said that she had never seen such obedient children.
"I really can't take it anymore... I just want to lie down on the bed and rest..." Xia He said as she ma.s.saged her shoulders.