CHAPTER 293: 293. BANQUET, CHENCHEN’S BUSINESS STRATEGY

After smoothly resolving the issue of returning gifts, the 23rd, Little New Year, and the 24th, when we clean house, passed by.

On the 25th, Shuzhen started organizing a big gathering, inviting her elder brother, second brother, and families of her little brother-in-law and little sister-in-law. Additionally, neighbors Feng Ju and Old Yang were invited, all under the pretext of welcoming Uncle Wu and his family back.

If not, 1981 would be over!

Although several pages of the 1982 calendar had already been torn off, we Chinese still prefer to start counting from the lunar New Year, right?

Counting them, there were twenty-eight guests, plus our family of eight, making a total of thirty-six people.

Always considerate of his wife, Lianshan frowned again, suggesting they go to a restaurant because it’s convenient, less trouble, and offers a variety of dishes.

Shuzhen laughed, "You know, if you really cared about me, just come over and help. Don’t mention going to a restaurant. Where can a restaurant find the warm and cozy flavor of our home?"

"Exactly, compared to the flashy dishes at a restaurant, the food from our own big iron pot is flavorful and enticing!

These past few years abroad, I’ve really missed Saozi’s cooking skills. Oh, the goose stewed with dried potatoes, chicken stewed with mushrooms, braised fine-scaled fish, marinated pig trotters, beef in sauce, homemade meat platter...

So many delicious dishes, seems like we can certainly indulge today!" Lian Yue, who overheard it, joined the conversation, particularly agreeing with her Saozi’s words.

Shuzhen always felt very fondly towards her sister-in-law who fervently protected her and her family in a previous lifetime.

Hearing this, she quickly smiled and asked what else Lian Yue wanted to eat, promising to make it instantly, ensuring satisfaction before she left.

"Really, you can order?" Lian Yue sarcastically looked at her brother, like she wouldn’t hold back if he agreed.

"Order? What order? Hurry up and find an apron to help! Even if you can’t cook, you can at least assist, right?" Lianshan glared at his sister who seized any opportunity to climb the ladder, and straightforwardly assigned her tasks.

He clearly instructed her on what needed washing and chopping.

Meanwhile, he took charge of tasks like chopping meat, carrying firewood, and lighting the stove, willing to busy himself like a spinning top rather than let Shuzhen do much at all.

That attentiveness made Lian Yue so jealous, she yelled at Ning Jianshe, "Old Ning, Old Ning, look at this! A man like my brother who truly loves his wife and protects his family! Look, he’s an agricultural expert outside, and at home, he’s skilled in household duties. You, you’d better learn from him! If you could pick up even thirty to fifty percent, our sons wouldn’t have to suffer from my cooking incompetence that hasn’t improved over ten years."

Left in the living room, only able to chat with Lian Xi and Xinqing, Ning Jianshe felt perplexed: Who said grown men are worth nothing if they spend all day around the kitchen? It was you who forbade me from stepping into the kitchen whenever I’m home, wasn’t it?

Such a fine tradition of thought in a good wife, yet seeing her brother-in-law doting on his wife, she changes completely!

You’re being so contradictory, wife!

Just as Ning Jianshe stood up to help in the kitchen, the real capable ones arrived.

The Liu family’s elder and second sisters-in-law, and little brother-in-law’s wife Qiu Fang — these three were all skilled hands in the kitchen.

Even his niece Jiajia, her culinary skills far surpassed those of his own wife.

With the arrival of these four, even the big brother-in-law Lianshan was sent out by them using the excuse that the kitchen was too small to accommodate everyone.

With Uncle Wu, the Liu family’s two brothers, and brother-in-law around, Ning Jianshe was relieved from having to entertain the two little nephews and niece.

When a gathering is planned, many things that can be prepared ahead were indeed prepared in advance.

With the help of his sisters-in-law and little sister-in-law, eighteen dishes were whipped up, not an especially laborious task.

They began around noon and by around two in the afternoon, when Chenchen and a few others cheered ’Finally cleared out, time to enjoy the New Year,’ and entered, most of the dishes were ready.

"I heard earlier that Chenchen, the little business genius, is using holiday time to run a small venture to accumulate funds and experience. So happy, it seems he’s made money?" He enthusiastically yelled more than once, only to find the living room packed with people as soon as he entered.

Chenchen slapped his forehead: Aw, I forgot mom told me in the morning that we were hosting guests today!

Despite trying to remain calm and composed — striving for the image of someone unperturbed even if the Mountain Tai collapsed — his facade was utterly shattered.

Chenchen still tried to smile serenely, "Sorry for letting Grandpa Wu, Grandpa Yang, Uncle Feng, the two uncles, uncle-in-law, and all brothers and sisters down. Today we finally sold all the goods, and can peacefully enjoy the New Year now. Us three brothers got a bit carried away."

"I heard you’re selling couplets and firecrackers now? Isn’t there still a few days until New Year? Have you thought about restocking and making more effort? After all, it’s a once-a-year chance; everyone needs couplets and firecrackers. This market is likely pretty sizable!" Seeing the little guy quickly calm down and handle the situation admirably.

The sympathetic Wu Liguo smiled, considering whether to test this business prodigy praised by Old Yang.

Still puzzled why Grandpa Wu, a big leader, suddenly took interest in his small business venture, Chenchen obliged, responding as one should when elders inquire, "Indeed, our country’s development is improving, and people’s living standards are rising. There’s a considerable number of households buying couplets and firecrackers.

Just over five half-days from the 21st to the 25th.

Within just Liu family village’s area, I’ve made a pure profit of 1,382.3 yuan!"

The room was filled with gasps, which made Chenchen proud: "Of course, a large part of this was because the villagers were considerate of my uncle and parent’s face, thinking they’d buy the goods wherever they were sold. Since my products were good and fully stocked, they simply supported our business."

"Ideally, I should have continued leveraging this momentum, but Grandpa Yang and my parents believe we’re young.

While we’re safe in the village, outside we’re at risk of theft, robbery, and bullying, making personal safety uncertain.

Thus, setting up stalls outside the village is strictly prohibited."

"Unable to expand market outside the village, with local market nearly saturated. Restocking now would easily lead to stockpiling. Both couplets and firecrackers belong to festive consumption.

If stockpiled, couplets can be preserved for next year.

Firecrackers, however, can only add festive atmosphere to the family."

Obviously, it would be a loss-making business, decisively stopping!

Now I can spend these days nicely accompanying my newly returned brothers and sisters, avoiding their complaints of being just a money-minded kid.

Only knowing to chase profits, almost forgetting about these sibling bonds.

You know, I’m the most family-oriented person!"