Several people stood at the doorway, talking loudly. Passersby overheard them and began pointing at the shop.
“I remember their food used to be quite good. Ever since they changed chefs, it’s terrible.”
“Yeah, haven’t you noticed the drop in customers? I ate there once a while ago and got sick that same night. I thought it was my own problem, but now that I think about it, a sudden stomachache must have been their fault.”
“…”
Listening to the gossip, Liu Yuemin and Gu Xingmin’s faces turned red and then dark. Liu Yuemin grabbed a mop and swung it at them, “I told you to stop talking nonsense! Get out, all of you!”
The men, seeing she was a woman, didn’t intend to actually fight. They were just frustrated and wanted an explanation. Seeing her so unreasonable, they could only leave dejectedly.
But everyone knew their shop’s reputation was ruined.
In this era of limited information, running a business relied on word-of-mouth reputation. Once the reputation was gone, no one would come to the shop anymore.
In the following days, barely any customers entered the shop for the entire day. Anyone who did was likely unaware of the situation.
This couldn't continue. The couple discussed it and decided they had to invite Master Tang back, even if it meant spending more money.
Only then did they realize they had made a mistake.
Greedy for small profits, they had driven Master Tang away, and the shop’s business plummeted. Their income was less than a fraction of what it used to be, and recently, there had been no business at all. Yet, they still had to pay rent, which was a lot of money.
When they told Liu Renfa’s wife and the helper that they were no longer needed, both were unwilling and made snide remarks. If Gu Xingmin hadn't stopped her, Liu Yuemin would have argued with them.
In the afternoon, the couple closed the shop, bought some gifts, and went to the Tang family’s home. However, they were told that Master Tang had already started working at another restaurant and would never return.
Liu Yuemin: “What if we offer more salary? How about eighty-five?”
Eighty was already very high in the industry. An additional five yuan was considered a sky-high price.
Master Tang’s wife shook her head. “You dismissed our Old Tang without a word back then. That’s no way to treat people. Our Old Tang said he works for happiness, and he wouldn’t go back even if you offered him a hundred.”
Liu Yuemin and Gu Xingmin were too embarrassed to show their faces and could only turn to leave.
After much thought, the couple could only go to Liu Yong again.
“Chefs are in demand in this industry, so it’s hard to find someone right away. How about I keep an eye out for you?” He already knew about Master Tang’s situation. If it weren't for their years of cooperation, Liu Yong would have liked to scold them, but he swallowed the words as they came to his lips.
Their relationship wasn’t at that level, so there was no need.
With no chef in the shop, the couple was completely stumped. They had hired two people in the meantime, but after what happened, the shop remained in a state of semi-dormancy.
“After the land distribution, you don’t have to go to the production team every day. Besides cooking at home, your sister-in-law now earns over a hundred yuan a month from her work, and your fourth brother’s salary is also high. I heard he earns a hundred yuan a month externally, and your third sister-in-law secretly gave him money at the end of the year. You’re all brothers, so why don’t you close the shop and work with your fourth brother?”
When the business was good before, Liu Yuemin wouldn’t have cared about this. But now, her earnings were less than what she got from Chen Lishu, and she began to regret her decision.
Gu Xingmin thought for a moment and said, “I’ll call my fourth brother tomorrow to ask.”
…
“Second brother wants to come to the provincial capital too?”
Upon hearing Gu Xingye’s words, Chen Lishu’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
“He said business at his shop isn’t very good, so he wants to come over and help.”
Gu Xingye felt embarrassed to say that Gu Xingmin’s original request was for a position similar to his own.
“Second brother doesn’t have much skill. If he wants to come, it’s fine, but he’ll have to accept the same salary as other workers, forty-five yuan. However, to be clear, if he doesn’t perform well, I won’t give him special treatment just because he’s family. If he’s willing, then you can let him come.”
When doing business, it’s best to keep relatives at a distance. Gu Xingye’s character is beyond reproach, and he is eager and willing to learn, so she is happy to promote him. Gu Xingmin, while not having any major flaws, has a lot of self-important little clevernesses. Moreover, in terms of diligence and hard work, he is inferior to all his brothers, especially with a wife like Liu Yuemin.
If they are willing, Chen Lishu doesn’t mind offering job opportunities, but entering leadership is absolutely out of the question; she wants to have a peaceful life.
Gu Xingye nodded upon hearing her words. “Okay, third sister-in-law, I understand.”
“How is the construction of the primary school teaching building coming along?”
“It will be completed next month.”
Chen Lishu nodded. Once this money comes back, she can arrange for people to go south to purchase equipment. A craftsman must first sharpen his tools. With the right equipment, she can take on better jobs.
Ding Chen had been working part-time for Chen Lishu. Because Chen Lishu paid him well, Liu Yang, from the same dormitory, also wanted to join. Chen Lishu agreed.
Liu Yang is studying mechanical engineering and should know more about equipment. He can be sent to accompany them.
If these two individuals are managed well, they can continue to work part-time for her even after they start their careers.
Chen Lishu remembered that it was only in the next few years that due to a shortage of skilled talent and the inability of private and township non-state-owned enterprises to recruit people, a plan was devised to hire professional talent at a higher price to work part-time at factories on Sundays, hence the term “Sunday Engineer.”
Instead of scrambling to find people later, it’s better to nurture them now. Perhaps in a couple of years, if policies improve, she can poach them directly at a high price.
After returning, Gu Xingye relayed Chen Lishu’s decision to Gu Xingmin. Upon hearing that Chen Lishu wanted him, the eldest brother, to work as a laborer, Gu Xingmin and Liu Yuemin’s faces immediately fell.
“I’ve never seen such an ungrateful person! They disown their relatives once they leave? Fourth brother can manage people for her, so why can’t Xingmin? We at least ran a restaurant and managed two people. Fourth brother didn’t know anything at first either.”
At home, Liu Yuemin complained to Gu Shoufu and Li Xiulan with great displeasure.
Zhang Xiaoju sat quietly to the side. Although she was displeased with Liu Yuemin comparing Gu Xingye, she remained composed and did not interject.
“The third wife’s company needs to make money, it’s not solely for bringing in relatives. If you can’t help, don’t hinder. You two have hands and feet. If not, you still have land at home; it’s not like you can’t make ends meet. Besides, fourth brother started with Lishu from the beginning, so even if he didn’t understand at first, he certainly understands now. What are you complaining about?”
Gu Shoufu nodded. “Since work has been offered and you don’t want it, do something else. You earn enough at home, don’t always have your eyes looking up at the sky.”