Tie Jun, unlike Fang Qing, is relatively thin-skinned. Even at a table full of drinks, he couldn’t let loose. He thought about it but was too embarrassed to ask his old buddy to fulfill the boasts they had made in their youth.
He couldn’t bring himself to speak, but Jiang Chen, who could effortlessly toss a billion to their alma mater, noticed his hesitations and put down his chopsticks.
"Sothing on your mind?"
Tie Jun felt awkward and shook his head, "No, it’s just a bit emotional. We all ca from the sa compound, so why’s there such a big difference?"
"Jun, you’re thinking about it all wrong."
Fu Zili spoke with deliberate calm, filled with earnest sincerity, "If you were sitting in a detention house, watching Gohan face the threat of Sharu, pushing himself to his limits and successfully transforming into a Super Saiyan, you would know how happy it is to run your small business, and soon marry the girl you love and start your own family."
Upon hearing this, even Jiang Chen was surprised.
In Jiang Chen’s mind, Fu Zili used to be rather flamboyant, not bad to his people but very materialistic, with a sowhat narrow view of the world.
Yet now, clearly, he’s undergone significant change.
"I’ve learned a lot..."
Tie Jun was deeply inspired and had just raised his glass to toast when he saw Fu Zili suddenly turn to Jiang Chen and said, "During my ti inside, besides the temple, I thought of quite a few good projects. Jiang Chen, interested?"
Wow.
Just a mont ago, he was advising him that contentnt brings happiness, but now he’s turned around to pitch investnt?
"What the hell."
Tie Jun couldn’t hold back any longer; he hadn’t cursed in a long ti.
Laughter once again echoed through the barbecue shop.
Ti is indeed the world’s greatest magician.
It lets those who clearly set out together move onto entirely different life paths and also allows them to sit together as they used to, jokingly and casually.
A crate of beer was quickly consud amid laughter.
The waitress, an older woman, brought another crate.
As ti went on, the shop got livelier, empty tables vanished one by one, even outside the barbecue shop chairs and tables were set up, the barbecue master was sweating profusely in the kitchen, custors conversed with their mouths full, managers earning re thousands were run off their feet... The essence of street life perated the hundred-square-ter Junzi Barbecue Shop.
"Are there actually people waiting for a table?"
Fu Zili drank his beer and pulled back his gaze, "How much daily turnover is your shop getting?"
"The best was once 40,000."
"Tsk. The profit margin in barbecue shops is generally 40%-60%, with net profits usually between 15%-30%..."
Fu Zili calculated, then laughed, "Why don’t you quickly set up a second shop?"
With this shop’s performance, it could give Tie Jun an inco of over ten thousand a month easily.
A million a year, surely.
In Sha City, that definitely makes you wealthy.
"It’s only started picking up in the past half year. Besides, your formula’s outdated. It’s the group shopping era now; if you don’t offer discounts, you can’t compete. At least thirty percent of custors are attracted by group deals, so profits aren’t that high."
Tie Jun picked up a grilled fish, "Steady is good, I don’t have the guts for blind expansion."
"You’re just too steady. Your custors are willing to wait, showing your shop is recognized. At such tis, you should capitalize on it, expand the shop, capture market share, boost your reputation, and form a positive cycle..."
"Boss Fu, I’m not like you. I don’t have such big ambitions; I strive for small comforts."
"That’s what you’re thinking now. Once you have kids, can you still be ’comfortable’? Tis have changed. It’s not like before. We competed against ourselves and education, but now parents are on the line. Only capable parents ensure their children won’t be diocre. Scoring 100 alone can still get into a top school."
Extremity?
Not at all.
Because what Fu Zili stated is the stark reality.
"So there are no incapable kids, only incapable parents. Jun, do you want your kids questioning why you didn’t strive when you had the chance?"
Tie Jun was torn between crying and laughing but couldn’t argue back.
"You weren’t watching the news while inside."
"So you can’t be complacent; you have to run, kid, run."
"Why is our generation so unlucky? We fought hard as kids, and as parents, we still have to fight hard..."
Tie Jun raised his beer, feeling sentintal, when the young cashier girl strode over, standing beside the table, stooping with an uneasy expression.
"Bro, Captain Cheng is here."
Why hire young people for cashier roles? Because they’re quick-witted, know how to use a computer, and are less likely to make calculation mistakes.
"Captain Cheng? Which Captain Cheng?"
"From the city managent bureau, Captain Cheng."
Tie Jun turned his head and indeed saw a crowd standing at the counter, at least seven or eight people, all in civilian clothes.
Here to deal with road occupation?
Though by regulation, tables shouldn’t be set on the road outside the shop, rules can be flexible. When a barbecue shop is busy, who doesn’t need to borrow so space outside?
Besides, sotis the charm of barbecue is its outdoor vibes.
Of course.
Rules can be eased, and as a boss, you need to be sensible; greasing palms is indispensable.
Tie Jun often "sponsored" related departnts as part of operating costs.
"They’re here for barbecue, right? Get them a spot."
The industry has its codes; when proper decorum is observed, Tie Jun naturally knows they’re not here to make trouble.
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