CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 401 OPENING FOR BUSINESS

Yang PeiMin was busy with her own affairs these past few days, but also helped Yingzi set up the fast-food stall.

Shen Yiguang was hurried by her to retrofit the hand-pushed flat cart.

Because these few days were for preparation, Yang Peiying was particularly nervous, so much that the family ate the same three dishes for all three meals every day.

Considering Yingzi’s confidence issues, everyone held back and didn’t make any comments.

On the first day, as a trial, they made enough for about ninety people, thirty servings of each of the three dishes, thinking that some people wouldn’t buy extra rice, so they cooked sixty servings.

Disposable lunch boxes were not yet produced, so they served food like the cafeteria, one scoop per serving. Yang PeiMin also prepared oil paper bags for Yingzi, which could be used as packaging. If someone didn’t bring their own lunch box, they could use these.

Shen Yixiang also specially took time off to come back and help prepare.

Early in the morning, Yang PeiMin promoted the venture in her dorm and to her classmates, "My sister, because she is timid and introverted, is afraid to speak to strangers. Our family is really worried about her. We don’t know how many times my mother has secretly sighed out of concern for her, always saying that we don’t know what to do when she’ll have to leave our side. We can’t bear to let her suffer, and scolding or disciplining her doesn’t help... So, we came up with an idea to help her build some confidence. We thought about setting up a stall outside the school gate to sell some things. She doesn’t have many skills, but she cooks really tasty food. We decided to let her cook some dishes and sell them. If any student wants to improve their meals, they can try my sister’s cooking. The prices are fair and affordable... And my sister is gentle and soft-spoken, so please don’t tease her. If someone else does, I hope you will help us fend them off..."

Everyone laughed and agreed playfully.

Yang PeiMin discussed the opening time and suggested that those interested bring their own lunch boxes.

The group asked about the dishes she would be offering.

Yang PeiMin described the three dishes, "Each portion is generously sized, with plenty of oil and flavor. Just these few dishes for now, and we’ll rotate in some others after a few days."

So, about half of them were interested in trying it out.

Of course, there were some who didn’t want to try, and there were even some who made snide comments, like Tan Yan, "Pei Min, your family really knows how to make money, even earning from our fellow roommates and classmates."

Yang PeiMin looked at her, "Tan, this is a matter of mutual willingness. I haven’t said that my classmates have to buy anything out of favor for me. For everyone, I say the same thing: if you want to eat, go buy it; if you don’t, please don’t force yourself on account of me. My sister gets up before dawn to go to the market to buy vegetables, then comes back to wash and cook, staying busy for half of the day just to earn a hard-earned penny. By your logic, do we have to give it to you for free?"

Tan Yan turned her face away, the corners of her mouth twitching, "It’s not that I’m not reminding you, Pei Min, but doing business is ultimately opportunistic. I’m concerned about your reputation. You’re a university student, but you’re allowing your sister to sell food at the school gate. What if the school administration finds out?"

Yang PeiMin smiled coldly, "Well, thank you for the reminder. We haven’t done anything sneaky; why should we be afraid of what others say?"

Tan Yan also smiled, "Then it’s up to you."

Yang PeiMin didn’t bother with her anymore and went to class after speaking with everyone.

On the day Yingzi opened the stall, since Yang PeiMin still needed to attend classes, she planned to help out after school.

However, Li Yue was even more anxious than her. After the final class of the morning ended, she pulled Yang PeiMin to run towards the school gate, and of course, Li Yue was holding a lunch box in her hand.

When they arrived at the school gate, Yang Peiying and Shen Yixiang were already there, both dressed inconspicuously. But the stall was in a conspicuous spot, and the side of the cart had the words "stir-fry" written on it. Shen Yixiang had even opened the lid to show the warm dishes steaming and emitting a fragrant aroma, quickly attracting a crowd.

Yang PeiMin and Li Yue hurried over to join them.

Yang Peiying saw their ecstatic faces, flushed with nervousness, and Yang Peimin couldn’t help but want to laugh, but she held it in.

Someone had already asked about the price, and Shen Yixiang’s crisp voice gave the details.

The inquirer nodded, pulled out the money upon knowing the portion size, and bought a serving of tomato and scrambled eggs.

Since he didn’t bring a lunchbox, Shen Yixiang packed it for him in a wax paper bag and called Yang Peiying over to take the money. The man handed it to Yang Peiying, who was somewhat stunned, holding the one yuan handed to her until Li Yue nudged her and reminded, "You need to give change."

Yang Peiying’s face turned beet red as she realized and quickly fumbled through the money box under the cart. In a fluster, she gave the man 50 cents in change, Shen Yixiang’s dish was also ready, handed over to the customer with a reminder, "Hold it from this side, be careful, it’s hot."

With someone starting the motion, more people were soon tempted, and several approached all at once. Nervously, Li Yue asked Shen Yixiang to scoop out a serving for her, fearing she might forget later and miss out.

Yang Peimin then asked people to form a line, standing at the front to maintain order. Later, seeing Yang Peiying in disarray, mishandling the money, she quickly came over to help.

As the portions made were not many and both the smell and appearance of the food were enticing, they sold out quickly.

Of course, she also saw her classmates; some who hadn’t arrived in time began to complain to her, "You should make more. I’ve been running around until my feet wore thin and still missed out."

Embarrassed, Yang Peimin said, "Alright, I’ll make more tomorrow. Here are some rice and some sauce left, how about I spoon some out for you? No charge."

The classmate took her up on the offer.

After the bustle, only half an hour had passed.

They hadn’t expected to sell out so quickly. There were many people who hadn’t managed to buy any, clamoring for her to come earlier the next day.

Both Shen Yixiang and Yang Peiying’s faces turned as red as lanterns, Shen Yixiang from excitement, while Yang Peimin was from nervousness, still not having calmed down.

Yang Peimin helped pack everything up, and they pushed the cart back home for dinner.

Li Yue, holding her own lunchbox, headed back to the dormitory, "You go back, I want to read for a while." She declined Yang Peimin’s invitation to join her for dinner at the rented place.

Walking home, a twenty-minute journey, Yang Peimin, worried about her son at home, rode her bicycle back first.

Upon arriving home, she went to feed her son straight away.

She nearly forgot.

Chen Guizhi couldn’t help but criticize her, "Can’t Shen Yi and Yixiang handle things? Lele was crying from hunger." Her face was filled with affectionate distress.

Yang Peimin quickly picked up her son, "I’m sorry, Mom, I thought since it’s the first day, they’re a bit flustered..."

Lele, now held in her arms, had stopped crying, but his eyes still brimmed with tears, and he occasionally made sucking motions with his mouth, pitifully pressing his head against his mother’s chest for comfort.

It was an instinct.

Chen Guizhi added from the side, "When I held him earlier, he was doing the same, crying a bit and then this."