Chapter 282: Chapter 282 Grand Opening Chapter 282: Chapter 282 Grand Opening The hotpot restaurant was set to open on March 1st, the first day of March! That day coincided with the second day of the second lunar month, considered an auspicious date.
The couple had decided on the na: it would be called Bai Family Spicy Hotpot.
Worried about poor business on the opening day, Bai Xiao had co up with a solution. He prepared so flyers, essentially mini newspapers, as the advanced flyer technologies of future generations weren’t available yet. After all, high-quality color printing was expensive, and they didn’t want to let their money go to waste.
Therefore, newspapers were the best option. Though only black and white, the provocative text paired with images was indeed very seductive and attractive.
After all, many people had never seen such things before.
The hotpot restaurant hired two waitresses, and together with their family of four, Wang Yan, and a handyman especially responsible for washing and plating vegetables. Bai Yue was in charge of managing finances, and Li Haiping would arrive at the restaurant early every day to prepare the base spices and set them aside. Whenever necessary, Wang Yan would scoop them directly out of the pot. During the remaining ti, he, Li Haian, and the two waitresses would attend to the custors outside.
Of course, they were all nervously uncertain, no one knew whether the shop would be teeming or empty on the grand opening. If it were the latter, they would have to cover the wages of the waitresses and handyman on their own. Not just Bai Yue and Wang Yan, but also the young fellows Li Haiping and Li Haian, were filled with worry, afraid they might squander Bai Xiao’s investnt.
Bai Xiao had specially taken leave on March 1st and invited doctors and nurses from her departnt to support them. Naturally, she would treat her guests, especially on the first day to boost morale for her sister and brother-in-law’s business.
When Bai Xiao arrived, the business hadn’t started yet; Bai Yue insisted on waiting for Bai Xiao’s arrival before they began the celebration with fireworks.
As soon as Bai Xiao arrived, Li Haiping promptly went out with Li Haian to set off a loud series of firecrackers that attracted many onlookers. After all, everyone wanted to see what this so-called spicy hotpot was all about.
The doctors and nurses from work could only co by during lunchti. Bai Xiao, Bai Yue, and Wang Yan sat inside the restaurant, feeling sowhat deserted despite the loud crackling of firecrackers. In fact, many were just spectators! Not a single person actually ca inside, most just looked from the outside.
Bai Yue’s palms were sweating with nerves, “Xiao, this…”
“It’s okay! Big sister, building a business reputation takes ti. You can’t expect people to know right off the bat that your food is delicious!”
Sitting there until noon, with many onlookers still hesitant to enter, nobody had co in.
Bai Yue and Wang Yan felt disheartened. They had prepared well and imagined a bustling scene with custors, but not a single person showed up.
The couple felt terrible inside.
Bai Xiao sighed. She too was talking big without practical experience. After all, she had learned everything through employnt! But when it ca to real business acun, she didn’t possess it, nor had she studied it. In her past life, later on, she was just in charge of dressing up and treating the master’s patrons, while others handled everything else. Why would she need to hustle for money, this mundane concern?
Should she call An Zhiyuan to ask him to bring so people over to pretend to be custors and help draw in a crowd?
Before she could make the call,
suddenly there was the sound of gongs and drums from behind, startling Bai Yue, Bai Xiao, and Wang Yan.
Could it be they were so unlucky that soone else was opening their business today?
They had only set off a couple of strings of firecrackers, while the others had a full-on drum and gong parade — the atmosphere was completely different! It was quite possible that all the onlookers might disperse to the new attraction, making their opening impossible.
But unexpectedly, the drumming headed towards their Bai Family shop.
People at the entrance parted to make way, and a uniford drum band in festive red attire and red satin headbands marched right up to their door.
Upon reaching the entrance, the band split into two lines, ten people on each side, with resounding drumbeats.
Now, the three of them had no choice but to go out.
This was clearly directed at them.
As soon as they stepped outside, the drumming stopped and they saw ten young n in suits and ties, each holding a flower basket. These exquisite baskets were placed at the entrance of Bai Family, five on each side, looking imnsely impressive.
The ten n announced, “Mr. An Zhiyuan wishes Bai Family Spicy Hotpot a very prosperous opening and booming business. He has reserved two tables for ten and will arrive around 12:30!” Their voices were in perfect unison, and everyone around heard them clearly.
They couldn’t resist whispering amongst themselves.
Bai Xiao’s heart ward up. She had not expected that An Zhiyuan, this guy who didn’t show much on the surface, would be so calculated inside. He did everything so thoroughly—things she hadn’t even thought of. An Zhiyuan’s grand actions indeed brought fa to the Bai Family.
This man really did substantial work without much fuss.
Bai Yue’s face was all smiles, flowers seemingly blooming across it. Even though she knew An Zhiyuan was here to show support, she still felt comfortable inside.
“Thank you, thank you! We will definitely be ready.”
The drum band continued to play for another five minutes before they finally disbanded and left.
Already, three to five people couldn’t hold back their curiosity and wanted to co in and try.
“Shall we go in and give it a try? We’ve never eaten here before; might as well see what it’s like!”
“Sounds like it’s for hotpot, we’ve got to eat anyway, might as well try it!”
“Is it any good?”
“Even if it isn’t good, it’s just one al. If we don’t like it, we just won’t co back next ti.”
People were chattering on.
Just as they were talking, suddenly they saw two people carrying baskets of flowers over. They looked at the signboard of the Bai Family and placed their baskets at the entrance, “Mr. Zhang Duo wishes Bai Family’s Spicy Hotpot Restaurant a hugely successful opening and prosperous business!”
Such square, proper congratulations once again dispelled people’s doubts.
Bai Xiao whispered a few words to Bai Yue, who then gritted her teeth and spoke loudly to the people at the entrance.
“Today, our Bai Family’s Spicy Hotpot is opening for the first ti. To welco the presence of both new and old custors and friends, our Bai Family will offer a 10% discount for the first month of opening. We welco everyone to co and taste.” Upon hearing this, those who were hesitant just a mont ago nodded imdiately, impressed by the generosity of the owner.
“The owner is generous. Okay, we’ll dine on this spicy hotpot today for the discount.” Several people were imdiately invited in by Bai Yue, while others looked at each other and three more followed them in.
Wang Yan quickly led the way, ushering people to their seats.
Bai Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for An Zhiyuan and Zhang Duo’s considerate help that helped them get through the first challenge. Once people began to dine, she knew they need not fear the word not getting out, but the first hurdle was always the toughest.
She turned around, ready to go inside! To lend a hand, attend to the guests a bit, but she hadn’t even made it inside yet.
A whole crowd of people ca walking over.
This ti, it was even more impressive. A truck stopped at the door of Bai Family’s Spicy Hotpot. About a dozen people jumped off the truck—such a sight was rare in this city given the weather! It’s hard to see green plants here, usually only indoors. Now, they unloaded pot after pot of plants from the truck, including money trees, iron trees, and blooming orchids. Knowing in their city, orchids were astronomically expensive last year, almost everyone had an orchid or two in every household, each plant adorned with red ribbons and bows.
Without a word, they just carried them into the shop. Bai Xiao, Bai Yue, and Wang Yan were all stunned.
Who were these people?
Aside from An Zhiyuan and Zhang Duo, they seed to have no other acquaintances.
All of them were strangers in this life, and they didn’t expect anyone else to make such a grand gesture of congratulations.
“Hold on, what is this?”
Wang Yan stopped these people! As the owner and a man, it was right for him to do so.
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