These two business models give completely different impressions.
Opening a large shop makes one feel powerful. Most people have habitual thinking; a bigger shop is more reliable.
Opening four small shops in different locations allows people to buy with minimal travel, greatly convenient for customers.
It also attracts as many customers as possible and is beneficial for customer retention.
The difference in business models chosen by the two might be related to the difference between a county town and a provincial capital.
Undeniably, both chose the most suitable business model.
Upon entering, the spacious shop front had glass display cases arranged in an orderly fashion, with various braised products categorized within.
From meat to vegetables, everything was available.
Su Xiaotian scanned them briefly; pork, beef, chicken, duck, goose, all were present.
Pork included braised pork belly, pork ribs, pig heads, pig ears, pork hocks, pig trotters, offal, and more.
Beef included braised beef and beef offal.
Chicken, duck, and goose included chicken feet, duck feet, braised duck gizzards, braised goose intestines, and so on.
As for the various braised dishes, the variety was even greater, with most common and uncommon vegetables available.
The scope of business was actually a bit larger than she had anticipated.
She wondered where all these ingredients came from; in this era, it was not easy to source such a complete selection of ingredients in a small county town.
Behind the glass counter, Li Zhuzi's wife, wearing a white apron and cap, along with two similarly dressed young girls, was busy serving customers.
There were quite a few customers coming and going, buying meat and vegetables; no one left empty-handed.
After serving a customer, Li Zhuzi's wife looked up and saw Su Xiaotian.
She was overjoyed and hurried out from behind the counter.
"Xiaotian, why are you here? When did you get back? You didn't say anything in advance, so your fourth uncle could pick you up from the train station."
She reached out to hold Su Xiaotian's hand but realized her hands were greasy and quickly withdrew them.
As for Teacher Xie Nan, who entered with Su Xiaotian, Li Zhuzi's wife mistook her for a customer who had just walked in.
"Auntie, I arrived yesterday, and I'm returning to the capital on the train tonight."
Li Zhuzi's wife's face instantly fell.
"Why so rushed? You only have a little time. I'll bake some flatbread for you to eat on the road."
As she spoke, Li Zhuzi's wife was about to wash her hands.
Su Xiaotian quickly held up the bag in her hand and said, "Auntie, please don't bother. Uncle Changjiu and Auntie have prepared a lot of food for us."
"You went back to the village?" Li Zhuzi's wife asked in surprise.
The young girl hadn't said she was coming back, yet she had returned directly. Li Zhuzi's wife guessed something must have happened.
But Zhuzi hadn't mentioned anything about any issues at Auntie Su's home.
"Auntie, Teacher Xie and I went to the village."
Su Xiaotian introduced Teacher Xie Nan to Li Zhuzi's wife.
Li Zhuzi's wife quickly greeted Teacher Xie Nan.
"I'm so sorry, I mistook you for a customer buying braised food just now. I didn't realize you were a guest brought by Xiaotian."
Li Zhuzi's wife now remembered seeing this elder sister in the capital before.
When the two children had their full moon celebration, this elder sister was also among the invited guests, but at that time, there were too many people, and she couldn't remember clearly.
However, why had this elder sister come to their poor, remote place?
"Hello, Teacher Xie. You look a bit unwell. Please come to the back and sit down to rest. Don't mind if my place is a bit messy!"
Anyone Su Xiaotian brought was the most honored guest, so Li Zhuzi's wife immediately invited her to the back.
When buying the shop, Li Zhuzi's wife had also bought the small courtyard behind it.
Besides the large kitchen for making braised food, there were also three small rooms used for resting.
Teacher Xie Nan was indeed feeling unwell. Upon reaching the resting room in the back, she sat down on a chair to rest without any hesitation.
Li Zhuzi's wife poured water for Teacher Xie Nan and thoughtfully added a bit of tea.
"Elder sister, you look like you're carsick. Drinking some tea water should help settle it."
After thanking her, Teacher Xie Nan took small sips of the tea.
Only then did Li Zhuzi's wife have time to talk to Su Xiaotian.
"You've come all this way, why only stay for one day?"
"I still have to go back to school. I've come to see you and Uncle Zhuzi."
"My family is making dinner, we'll make dumplings for you."
Li Zhuzi's wife abandoned her shop and was about to go home to prepare dinner for Su Xiaotian.
As a result, Su Xiaotian and Teacher Xie Nan followed Li Zhuzi's wife home.
By listening to the conversation between Li Zhuzi's wife and Su Xiaotian, Teacher Xie Nan learned that the braised food shop actually had shares belonging to Su Xiaotian.
It sounded like the shop could earn a considerable amount of money each year, with Su Xiaotian holding a twenty percent profit share, which amounted to at least several thousand yuan in annual income.
She couldn't help but sigh, this child was truly incredibly capable.
Not only did she have her own factory, served as the chief translator for two factories, but she also held shares in the shop.
She wasn't even an adult yet; by the time she came of age, who knew how great an achievement she would accomplish. Su Dan Novel Network.
While eating dumplings, Li Zhuzi returned and was greatly surprised to see Su Xiaotian.
"Xiaotian, my child, when did you get back? Why didn't we hear anything?"
Li Zhuzi was wearing a well-fitting suit, giving him the aura of a successful person.
He was completely different from a few years ago.
"Uncle Zhuzi, this suit looks great!" Su Xiaotian complimented.
Li Zhuzi said somewhat bashfully, "This was recommended by someone when I went south to purchase clothes last time. I felt it looked good, so I kept a set."
"Don't just chat, hurry up and eat your dumplings. After eating, take Xiaotian and Teacher Xie to the train station. This child is taking the train tonight."
Li Zhuzi's wife served Li Zhuzi a bowl of dumplings and urged him.
Su Xiaotian quickly said, "No need, Auntie. Let Uncle Zhuzi rest. He's been busy all day. Teacher Xie and I can go to the train station ourselves."
Li Zhuzi took a dumpling, mixed a spicy and sour dipping sauce, and said while eating, "That won't do. You've come all this way, how can your uncle let you go to the train station by yourselves?"
Li Zhuzi ate quickly, finishing a bowl of dumplings in just over ten minutes.
After Li Zhuzi finished eating, Li Zhuzi's wife came over with a mesh bag containing four lunchboxes.
"Xiaotian, the top lunchbox has dumplings for you to eat if you get hungry tonight. The two in the middle are braised dishes; I've included the braising sauce, which will be perfect for eating tomorrow morning. The bottom one is fruit, for you to enjoy and pass the time on the train."
Su Xiaotian couldn't help but put her forehead in her hands. She already had quite a bit of food prepared by Su Changjiu's wife in her bag. If she took these as well, she wouldn't be able to finish it all by the time she got off the train.
Just as Su Xiaotian was about to decline, Li Zhuzi's wife stopped her.
"Okay, Auntie, I'll take them all."
Su Xiaotian thought about it; this food, at most, could be stored in the system space and wouldn't spoil, which was much better than eating boxed meals on the train.
Teacher Xie Nan felt that with the weather getting warmer, carrying so much food on the train might lead to food wastage.
However, it was for Su Xiaotian, so she felt awkward saying no.
After finishing dinner, Li Zhuzi drove Su Xiaotian and Teacher Xie Nan to the train station in a small three-wheeled vehicle.
Their tickets had already been purchased when they alighted from the train. By the time they arrived at the station, it was almost time for boarding.
Su Xiaotian exchanged a few words of farewell with Li Zhuzi, then pulled Teacher Xie Nan to join the queue for ticket inspection.
As the two stood in the crowd for ticket inspection, they suddenly spotted two familiar figures.