Mrs. Mei's Survival Diary - Chapter 28

Chapter 28 – Business

Rong Yinshuang kept looking at Gu Yean for a while, for an answer. 

Under her watchful eyes, Gu Yean felt uneasy.  “This…”

Rong Yinshuang pricked up her ears to listen.

“None of it matters! Anyway, can you understand these account books?”

“…”

Upon hearing such words, Rong Yinshuang nearly lost her balance. ‘This guy switched topics way too fast.’

Gu Yean didn’t even give Rong Yinshuang a chance to respond. “ I knew you wouldn’t get it,” He pointed at the book standing behind her.  “You can’t read this account book like that. You’re such a blockhead. Your husband is the wealthiest man in the town, yet you can’t even figure out an account book.”

Rong Yinshuang rolled her eyes and replied slowly, “What – does – that – have – to – do – with – me?”

Seeing her angry face, Gu Yean flashed a smirk which made Rong Yinshuang furious. 

Rong Yinshuang was about to toss the account book when Gu Yean snapped back to reality and pointed at it, saying, “Come on, I’ll show you how it’s done. It’s really easy.”

“…”

Rong Yinshuang wanted to say no, but staring at the numbers in front of her left her clueless. She huffed and pushed the account book toward Gu Yean, frowning. 

This time, he didn’t laugh at her; he genuinely started teaching her.

From the writing style to the layout of the account book, he explained everything to Rong Yinshuang in detail. While they were engaged in that task seriously, they lost track of time, and before they knew it, it was late at night.

Seeing Rong Yinshuang yawning, Gu Yean suggested she go to bed. 

But she was determined to keep reading the account books. 

Seeing her stubbornness, Gu Yean didn’t push it further and stayed by her side to keep her company.

The more Rong Yinshuang studied the book, the sleepier she became. But she was determined to learn, so she tried hard to keep her eyes open. 

Gu Yean sighed and said, “Forget it. Don’t read anymore. I’ll tell you.”

Rong Yinshuang looked at him and asked with a curious look, “Have you finished reading it?”

Gu Yean helplessly smiled and said, “These account books show similar details. You’ll get the gist after flipping through a few pages. It’s pointless to go through them one by one and do the math. According to this account book, the teahouse hasn’t made much profit in recent years. If it weren’t for the high foot traffic, it would have been tough to keep it running.”

“…”

After Gu Yean spoke, Rong Yinshuang looked at him with admiration and asked, “How do you know all this? Did you really figure it out from the account books?”

Gu Yean shrugged. “What else could it be?”

Rong Yinshuang couldn’t think of any other explanation, so she listened closely. She heard Gu Yean’s almost ghostly hand point to a section in the account book and say,

“Speaking of this business strategy, check out last year’s account book over there and the one from this year right here. Besides the different figures, the purchasing channels and types of goods are nearly identical. The folks managing the teahouse are really stuck in their ways.”

Gu Yean said it so casually, but Rong Yinshuang felt more puzzled. ‘How could he speak with such precision as if he had witnessed it himself?’She couldn’t help but wonder if he had been following her and eavesdropping.

“For the past few years, Manager Li has been in charge of the teahouse. He’s a decent guy, but he’s not very business-savvy and quite traditional.”

Gu Yean nodded and replied, “Yeah, with someone like that at the helm, don’t expect to make any money from investments. No matter how much cash you hand him, he’ll spend it all without saving a dime.

Rong Yinshuang stared at Gu Yean for a long time, and then asked hesitantly, “Then according to you, what should be done with this teahouse?”

Gu Yean heard Rong Yinshuang finally ask the main question, and said eagerly, “I’ve been waiting for you to ask this… Let me tell you, the geographical location of this teahouse is excellent, basically any industry can make money. Since the teahouse has been open for so many years, there is no need to change it, just continue to run the teahouse.” Gu Yean said as he paced in the yard, and Rong Yinshuang followed his figure with her eyes. “But running a teahouse also has its own rules and regulations. You have to know how to classify the guests into different levels.”

Rong Yinshuang frowned, puzzled. “Classify the guests into different levels? What does that mean?”

Gu Yean walked over to her and sat down, saying, “What it means is that the people who go to the teahouse to drink tea include peddlers, wealthy businessmen, and government officials… You can’t serve Longjing and Maofeng to everyone. Before the rain, Longjing costs one ounce of silver and Maofeng costs ten catties of silver. The price difference is huge.” 

[Tl:- Longjing tea, which is also known as Dragon Well tea, is a type of pan-roasted green tea that comes from Longjing Village in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. This tea is primarily made by hand and is famous for its exceptional quality, which has earned it the title of China Famous Tea.

Huangshan Maofeng tea is a type of green tea that comes from the southeastern part of Anhui province in China.]

“But…how should I classify people? How would I know his status? What if I misjudge the person and serve the wrong tea? Wouldn’t it damage my reputation?” Rong Yinshuang asked with a frown. 

Gu Yean:  “So, for that, we need a capable manager. However, the one you have now is not enough, not to mention that he dares not do that. Even if he dares, he can’t be sure, which will harm.”

Rong Yinshuang agreed with Gu Yean’s words and couldn’t help asking, “Then what should I do? Where can I find a capable manager now?”

Gu Yean blinked at her twice, shrugged, and continued, “In addition to tea, other things also need to be changed. From the types and flavours of dim sum, everything must be changed, and the prices must be re-set from high to low. The varieties cannot be less than thirty, and not too many. There must be a few real signature dim sum. Hiring a better dim sum chef can bring you a lot of business.”

Rong Yinshuang nodded and wrote down everything Gu Yean said.

“Another thing is, with such a great location, it’s a waste that you only do business in the afternoon and evening.”

Rong Yinshuang asked, “But who would go to drink tea so early in the morning? Besides, there are only so many people in the store, and they don’t get off work until the evening. If we make them get up early in the morning, wouldn’t it be too inhumane?”

Gu Yean looked at her and calmly said, “Then hire more people. Split them into morning and evening shifts, let them work without interfering with each other, and switch at noon.”

Rong Yinshuang suddenly got it, as if a light bulb went off in her head, and she quickly jotted it down.

“Once we have enough staff, we can start making breakfast. Don’t underestimate breakfast profits; the costs are also quite low. If the skills are sharp enough, it’s feasible to sell a small bowl of wontons at a price that’s a hundred times the cost.”

While writing, Rong Yinshuang felt something was off and couldn’t help but say, “Gu Yean, why do I get the feeling you’re trying to lead me down the path of a profiteer again?”

Gu Yean rolled his eyes at her, looking at her like a child who just wouldn’t learn, and replied, “I’m guiding you on how to make money. If you succeed in this business, you won’t have to resort to those risky things to support yourself and your two sons.”

Rong Yinshuang: “I’m definitely going to keep doing that business. Since God has blessed me with this skill, it’s meant for me to use it, and I don’t see those things as dangerous. As long as I master all my teacher’s skills, there’s nothing to fear.”

“…”

Gu Yean looked at her for a long time, then shook his head in defeat, saying, “I didn’t know you had such a strong will. Did your husband know this about you before?”

Rong Yinshuang scoffed, “My husband has always treated me well and cared for me in every way. Why would I compete with him?”

Feeling a bit uneasy under Gu Yean’s gaze, Rong Yinshuang asked, “Have you said everything you wanted to say?”

Gu Yean snapped back to reality and nodded casually. “Almost. Just do what I said first, and then I’ll tell you what to do next.”

“Alright. I’ll get started on that. If I have any questions, I’ll come back to ask you this evening.”

Gu Yean nodded and replied, “Okay. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to use an abacus and keep accounts. Don’t forget to buy one.” 

Rong Yinshuang let out a loud yawn, packed her things, and headed into the house. As she walked away, she waved to Gu Yean to let him know she heard him.

Gu Yean stood alone in the yard, watching her tired figure vanish. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

The next morning, while having breakfast with her two sons, Rong Yinshuang heard a knock at the courtyard door. She went to open it and found Uncle Bao standing there.

After inviting him in, Rong Yinshuang went to the kitchen to grab another bowl of porridge, took a pair of chopsticks, and asked Uncle Bao to join her for breakfast. 

Uncle Bao declined twice, but Rong Yinshuang insisted, pulling him to sit down and placing the chopsticks in his hands before he finally accepted.

With chopsticks in hand, he said to Rong Yinshuang, “The shop assistant told me that Madam came to see me yesterday?”

Rong Yinshuang nodded and said, “Yes. I went to see you and I have something to do.”

Uncle Bao took a sip of porridge, and when he heard Rong Yinshuang mention something, he quickly set down his bowl and said, “Madam, just let me know if there’s something on your mind.”

Rong Yinshuang explained to Uncle Bao that Shopkeeper Yan had given her the teahouse, and then she shared her wish to rescue Yue Niang from Zui Xiang Lou, asking Uncle Bao if he had any suggestions. 

After a moment of thought, Uncle Bao responded, “It’s not that there’s no solution. From what Madam says, that woman is merely a swill pourer at Zui Xiang Lou. She has a scar on her face, so she likely holds no significant position there. It shouldn’t be too hard to get her out. But I’m curious why Madam is involved with the folks at Zui Xiang Lou?”

Rong Yinshuang shared her perspective. “This woman is unfortunate. She and her husband were wronged two years ago. After her husband passed away, she was sold to Zui Xiang Lou. I want to save her; it would be a good deed.”

Once he understood the situation, Uncle Bao finished his porridge, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and assured Rong Yinshuang. “Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll handle this.”

Suddenly, Rong Yinshuang remembered what Gu Yean had said the day before. When it came to judging character, Uncle Bao seemed like a decent person to accompany her husband. She wondered if he would be interested in working at her teahouse. She wanted to stop him to ask that, but Uncle Bao was quick. He had already walked quite a distance as soon as he stepped out the door, leaving Rong Yinshuang unable to catch up.

End of chapter 28

Have a nice day!