Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 282 - 282 282 Grand Opening

?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 name: it would be called Bai Family Spicy Hotpot.

Worried about poor business on the opening day, Bai Xiao had come up with a solution. He prepared some 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 time, he, Li Haian, and the two waitresses would attend to the customers 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 investment.

Bai Xiao had specially taken leave on March 1st and invited doctors and nurses from her department 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 come by during lunchtime. Bai Xiao, Bai Yue, and Wang Yan sat inside the restaurant, feeling somewhat deserted despite the loud crackling of firecrackers. In fact, many were just spectators! Not a single person actually came 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 time. 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 come in.

Bai Yue and Wang Yan felt disheartened. They had prepared well and imagined a bustling scene with customers, 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 employment! But when it came to real business acumen, 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 some people over to pretend to be customers 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 someone 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 uniformed 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 men 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 immensely impressive.

The ten men 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 warmed 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 fame 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 come 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 meal. If we don’t like it, we just won’t come back next time.”

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 time. To welcome the presence of both new and old customers and friends, our Bai Family will offer a 10% discount for the first month of opening. We welcome everyone to come and taste.” Upon hearing this, those who were hesitant just a moment ago nodded immediately, 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 immediately 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 came walking over.

This time, 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 seemed 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.