Chapter 426: Chapter 426 Proposal
Yang PeiMin was quite surprised, having not expected a competitor to emerge so quickly.
“So what do you think? Has our fast-food business been affected?”
Yang Peijun shook his head, “There’s some impact, but if we reach a bit further, we can still sell out. I’m thinking, now that there’s a first one, there might be a second one coming.”
Yang PeiMin nodded; competition was unavoidable, but it was important to maintain their strength.
People tend to stick with what they’re first introduced to due to habit, and she was confident in Yingzi’s culinary skills. She knew they were on par with big restaurants, offering good value for money, generous portions, cleanliness, and nutrition. They were simply making a modest living, and these were their edges. Once customers tried their dishes and compared them to others, the regulars would come back to them.
Yang PeiMin knew that nowadays, many people’s cooking skills were only sufficient for sustenance, doing just enough to cook the food through without adding any spices. This approach made their dishes hardly different from home-cooked meals, so obviously, when paying to eat out, one would pursue a sensory pleasure.
She suggested to Yang Peijun that they should further observe their fast-food business and absolutely avoid destructive competition with others, as that would only harm both parties.
Yang Peijun grinned, “That’s what I was thinking too.”
“Around the factory area after the New Year, let’s see if we can set up a little eatery that includes delivery… more stable, healthy growth…”
Listening, Yang Peijun’s eyes slowly lit up.
Yang PeiMin asked if he had been in touch with his family, wondering what the current situation was with Li Hong. With the two of them living separately in different places, he seemed indifferent, and she wasn’t sure if Li Hong’s temperament could be improved.
At the mention of this, Yang Peijun’s face immediately clouded with worry, “Your sister-in-law, such a worry, keeps writing to me, urging me to come back… My mother, at least, is behaving better now, not squabbling with the other sisters-in-law, becoming more filial… A few days ago, she even made shoes for mom and dad… But I still don’t know if she’s truly changed…”
Yang PeiMin could hear his confusion; after all, Li Hong was once someone he truly loved and brought home as a wife. But after her disgraceful actions, his disappointment and self-loathing made it seem that he couldn’t forgive Li Hong or even himself.
Yang PeiMin felt that even though he was indecisive and troubled, the likelihood of him remarrying was slim. Now, being apart might be for the best. She wasn’t sure if Li Hong could reform and live an honest life again, but this separation allowed them to cool off and reevaluate their future and plans for each other, which was beneficial.
Yang Peijun declared he would not go back for the New Year.
Yang PeiMin raised an eyebrow at him, “You don’t want to see Li Hong, but what about mom and dad?”
Yang Peijun’s face inexplicably reddened, “I’ll see after the New Year. Mom and dad will understand. I’ll talk it out with them. Everyone will be there, and I’ll end up sharing a room with Li Hong…”
Cough, cough, Yang PeiMin felt a surge of annoyance—what was that expression for? It was as if he thought of himself as an innocent maiden, scared that being in a room with Li Hong meant she might overpower him.
Yang Peijun turned his face away, “Alright, I’m going out to discuss the upcoming menu with Yingzi. Are you done eating? If so, please take the dishes out with you.”
Yang PeiMin stopped him, “Wait, don’t go. It’s been quite a while since we’ve had a heart-to-heart.”
Yang PeiMin rolled her eyes. Had there ever been a good one?
“So, third brother, what are your plans for the future, or do you have any dreams?”
Yang Peijun rolled his eyes at her again. “Do you even need to ask? Who doesn’t want to make big money, eat well, drink spicy, live in a big house, and have a good life?”
Okay, in the end her thoughts weren’t all that different.
“Your sister has been short on money lately and wants to discuss something with you.”
Yang Peijun’s expression became serious. “How much do you need? I can scrape together two or three hundred here.”
Yang PeiMin shook her head. “I’m not borrowing money from you, I want to invest in doing some business and make money.”
Yang Peijun’s interest was piqued. “Do you have some kind of clever idea again? What do you need the money for? Has the family been taken advantage of too much lately? Spending more than earning?”
Yang PeiMin nodded with a smile. “I’m planning to start a research studio, but I’ll explain that to you slowly. Right now, I need money to buy machines. After National Day, it will soon be year-end, which is also a big shopping time. We could sell some items from here in other places and bring back some things that we don’t have from there.”
“Are you talking about reselling, little sister?”
Yang PeiMin nodded. “You could say that. It takes a lot of guts and knowing the right people. The preparations are almost done. I haven’t found anyone reliable and useful here yet, so I can only think of you, brother.”
Yang Peijun’s face showed surprise. “Have you, have you discussed this with your brother-in-law? Sister, these things, they involve risks.”
Isn’t this the era of reform and opening up?
There’s no need to worry about taking risks.
Yang PeiMin could understand his concern, so she nodded. “I’ll bring it up with your brother-in-law, and we can sit down and discuss it then.”
Hearing her response, Yang Peijun felt somewhat reassured. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his own sister, but when it came to her steady and decisive husband, he much preferred to lean toward his brother-in-law’s side. As for whether there were any risks, he would know after asking.
After discussing this with him, Yang PeiMin then handed over the finished chopsticks to him to take away.
She had previously realized that juggling academics, family, and career was too much for her to handle, especially with her son still so young. She had thought about postponing makeup and such for later, but now she had no choice but to be pushed forward.
When Shen Yiguang came back, she talked with him about her own situation.
Eventually, it came down to Yang Peijun’s matter.
“I think he could run for about three months. Now that electronic appliances are on the rise, I hope to buy a washing machine and a refrigerator. Let him handle the reselling of these. What do you think? I used to think my third brother was quite naive, always not appearing serious. Maybe I never really understood him, or maybe he’s grown up after going through what he did recently. I’ve observed him for two months and found that when he takes action, he’s earnest and has his own way of doing things. He isn’t afraid of hardship or defeat. The recent incident where he went to the countryside to transport pigs, he got conned. It was agreed on one price, and yet when he got there, because he was alone and not in force, they forced the price up by two cents per pound. Although third brother agreed, he managed to get them to add an extra hundred or so pounds of vegetables. Compared to the extra two to four dollars of meat, those hundred pounds of vegetables converted to money made him an extra two or three yuan… Afterward, third brother will still go to their village to collect…”