After that firefight incident, Zheng Bai Cheng's life returned to its previous state. Every year, he woke up early to sell breakfast, goods, and now, he'd added lunch to the mix. In the evening, he sold dinner, and at midnight, he sold late-night snacks. It's safe to say, his days were simple, fulfilling, and happy.
With this schedule, his convenience store could now earn over 500 Hong Kong dollars a day. In this era where the average person earns between 300 to 500 Hong Kong dollars, his earnings were considered quite substantial.
“Old Man, I want to rent the shop next door and open a restaurant.”
“Oh, you little rascal! You've achieved a bit of success now, don't go boasting about it. Be low-key, you know? The more shops you open, the more gangs will come looking for protection money. It's a hassle.”
Now, Zahuoqiang didn't seem like the stingy and rude person he used to be. He appeared like a calm, elderly man educating his junior. It made Zheng Bai Cheng wonder if this was the same person.
“Old Man, but our current store is too small.”
“You little rascal, just wait a bit longer. If you can't manage, hire someone else.” Zahuoqiang tried to persuade Zheng Bai Cheng. In this current world, one shouldn't flaunt their wealth. Otherwise, all sorts of trouble would inevitably come knocking.
“Old Man, I want to make more money, then I can find a good house for you and you can move in to enjoy your retirement.”
“You silly boy! This is your grandpa's house, I don't want to leave. I'm used to it here, I don't want to move.”
Seeing Zahuoqiang’s stubbornness, Zheng Bai Cheng didn’t say much. He did think about the store, though. It was indeed quite cramped, with everything crammed in. He decided to clear out some inventory, tidy up the entire store, and reduce the items that were selling poorly.
“Hey, you don't have to show me these accounts anymore. You're a good boy. My health is failing, I don't have many years left. I don't know if I'll be able to see you get married and have children…”
As Zahuoqiang lay in the rocking chair, he began to snore softly. Zheng Bai Cheng could only go busy preparing the afternoon's lunch. But the matter of hiring someone was weighing on his mind. He was indeed very busy now, and he needed help. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to manage.
His lunch was quite simple, just the common two-dish meal. For convenience, he would make one dish himself and then prepare a selection of marinated meats. The rice was cooked by him, making the process very efficient.
The marinated meats were a bit expensive, though. He decided to think about how to reduce the cost.
In the future Hong Kong, a two-dish meal with rice would cost between 17 and 80 Hong Kong dollars. Currently, he was selling it for only 2 Hong Kong dollars, with a can of soda included. However, it wasn't easy to prepare, his space was too small.
He then thought about a future global chain restaurant, Shaxian Snacks, known for being all over mainland China. Their chicken leg rice should be quite cheap, he thought. To reduce costs, he could use chicken wings instead of chicken legs, calling them "small chicken legs" or maybe use braised pork or… in short, use whatever was cheap.
Having formed a plan, he still needed to rent a place for making all these dishes.
Before that, he should prepare to clear out some items in the convenience store. This would allow him to renovate the store a bit.
He wasted no time, taking the slow-moving items and placing them in front of the store. He put up price tags, marking them up just a few cents above the cost price. Clearance sale!
Zahuoqiang saw this and asked Zheng Bai Cheng, "You little rascal, why are you selling these things so cheap?"
“Old Man, these things take up too much space. We’ll clear them out at a low price and can create more space for doing other things.”
“Sigh, forget it, I’m leaving it to you now. I don’t care anymore. You’re like a son selling off his father’s land without a care. I’m going fishing! You’re truly a rascal.”
Naturally, the promotion had its effect. Even though these items were not necessities, they were still bought by those who found them useful.
“Ah Cheng, are you not going to stock these things anymore after this clearance sale?” the neighbor asked. Zheng Bai Cheng replied, "No, these take up too much space. I’m only selling half of them, leaving one or two in case someone wants them."
After a week of clearance sale, the outdated and slow-selling items were cleared out. The convenience store felt much brighter and cleaner.
He bought a lot of shelves and arranged them. The store became much tidier. He also placed a long counter at the entrance. There were various items on it, including hot pot, fast food, breakfast, and recently added newspapers and magazines from the Newspaper Alliance. He now also sold them.
“Ah Cheng, since you arrived, the store has become very lively. You work so hard!”
“It was very dim before, but now it's bright. In the future, the business will flourish, we’ll get rich!”
“Yes, Ah Cheng. I never thought you’d be so capable…”
…
Anyone who has been to 7-Eleven would realize that the arrangement here was very similar, the operation method was also almost the same. Of course, the renovation couldn't compare to those days, everything was done to save money. It was simple and neat, everything was clear at a glance, even if it was a little rundown.
The most important thing was that the prices hadn’t increased. More people came, and business got much better. Although Zahuoqiang didn’t say anything out loud, he was very approving in his heart. He wouldn’t say anything at home, but outside, he couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.
“Your Ah Cheng is very capable. My daughter is a beautiful girl, she’s fourteen this year, she’d be a good match for your Ah Cheng.” The fishing buddy who was fishing with Zahuoqiang began to play matchmaker.
“Hey! You’re talking about that girl who weighs 150 pounds? Forget it, don’t mention her again, or I’ll stop fishing with you.” Zahuoqiang quickly retorted, leaving the other man embarrassed. His daughter did have a tendency to gain weight.
The newly renovated convenience store also had two tables placed outside. There were a lot of people eating there every day, and he was very busy by himself.
He wrote a sign and placed it outside the store, it read: "Hiring." Requirements: sincere, patient, meticulous…
“Ah Cheng, my daughter graduated from high school and can’t find a job. Can she work at your place?”
This was Yang Shen, a neighbor nearby. Her daughter was sixteen and had graduated from high school, but she hadn't gone to university, whether it was due to lack of money or failure to pass the entrance exam, she was now out looking for work. The convenience store was right next door, making it the first choice.
“Yang Shen, let her try out for a week. If she’s good, you can stay. 300 Hong Kong dollars a month, there's a bonus at the end of the month. How does that sound?”
“Okay, Ah Cheng, you’re so kind! Thank you!”