Chapter 20: Opening a Restaurant
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After hearing about Bai Jiang's plan, Bai Shu was delighted and wholeheartedly supported it.
Opening a restaurant, was his lifelong dream!
He wanted to be a chef, and the kitchen was the place where he could fulfill his dreams.
On the other hand, Xu Hua believed that since they had already taken over the mountain and made a good amount of money from selling fruits in the past few days, why not continue doing that?
Besides, doing business required capital. So, where did Bai Jiang get the capital?
"Mom, these two kinds of fruits are seasonal. We've already harvested them now, but what about winter? Fruits don't grow much during that time. Can we rely on this money for a whole year?"
"If Dad goes to town and opens a restaurant, we'll have a steady income throughout the year. Isn't that better? Speaking of capital, I made 160,000 RMB from selling fruits this month. I'll make the same amount next month too. Isn't 320,000 RMB enough to start a business?" Bai Jiang explained.
"Yes, yes, you think my cooking skills are good, right? If we don't open a restaurant, it would be a waste. Our daughter said she has 320,000 RMB..." Bai Shu's words were cut short as his eyes widened.
He couldn't believe what Bai Jiang had just said. "Jiang'er, did you say you have 320,000 RMB? Where did you get so much money from?"
Bai Jiang smiled and showed Bai Shu the text message confirming the recent payment. "This is 169,000 RMB, the money I earned from selling fruits. That family will need the same amount next month, so I have 320,000 RMB now," Bai Jiang explained.
Bai Shu and Xu Hua swallowed their saliva silently, realizing that 320,000 RMB was a huge amount. As farmers, it would take them several years to save up that much money without spending anything.
Their daughter earned 320,000 RMB just by selling fruits! It was incredible!
"Wouldn't it be better if you continue selling fruits? It's a safe and profitable business," Xu Hua suggested.
Bai Jiang smiled and replied, "Where in this world is there a business that guarantees profit without any risks? Making money and taking risks always go hand in hand."
"Mom, have you thought about how long that family can sustain themselves by consuming lemon and waxberry as medicine? The combined weight of two month's worth of fruits is 1200 catties. How long do you think an average family can consume 1200 catties of medicine?" Bai Jiang questioned.
"Moreover, there aren't many fruits in the back mountain. Even if we have a good harvest this year, can we be sure about the next year? Selling fruits is not a sustainable long-term plan."
Hearing Bai Jiang's explanation, Xu Hua fell silent. It seemed to make sense.
"So, are we just going to abandon the back mountain like this? You spent 2000 RMB per month to rent it!" Xu Hua inquired, expressing her dissatisfaction with letting the land go to waste.
Bai Jiang had paid to lease the large area of the back mountain, and Xu Hua was reluctant to see it go unused.
"Don't worry, Mom. Since I've already contracted the back mountain, I won't give up on it. I have another plan. By the way, Dad, do you know someone who operates an excavator?" Bai Jiang turned to Bai Shu.
Bai Shu nodded and retrieved a number from his phone to give to Bai Jiang. "This is from the neighboring village. It's Uncle Xu's daughter. She knows how to operate an excavator."
"A woman operating an excavator? That's impressive!" Bai Jiang added the woman's contact information. After the other party passed, she went straight to the point and told her what she needed.
"Hello, I'm Bai Jiang from the neighboring village. I heard that you're Uncle Xu's daughter. May I know your name? I want to develop the back mountain, and I heard that you can operate an excavator. I wanted to ask if you are available."
"I'm Xu Liang, and of course I'm available. You're from the neighboring village, right? When do you need the excavation? Just let me know, and I'll bring the excavator over." Xu Liang promptly replied.
Seeing that she was straightforward, Bai Jiang confirmed the price with her and provided the time and location.
The next day, Xu Liang indeed arrived with the excavator.
When the villagers saw the excavator, they were shocked. However, when they saw that the excavator was going to the back of the mountain, none of them said anything.
It made sense. Growing fruits in the back mountain required significant investment, and since Bai Jiang had contracted it, she must be planning to grow fruits.
Bai Jiang and Bai Shu watched Xu Liang work at the foot of the mountain. Bai Shu couldn't help but ask, "Jiang'er, what do you intend to plant after excavating the back mountain?"
"I want to grow some medicinal herbs and sell the good ones. It can be quite lucrative," Bai Jiang said.
"Jiang'er, since you aspire to be a doctor and are interested in Chinese medicine, why don't you open a pharmacy? That way, people can seek medical advice from you and get their prescriptions filled at your pharmacy. Wouldn't that enable you to earn even more money?" Bai Shu suggested.
Bai Jiang was astonished. Yes, why hadn't she thought of that?
She had been solely focused on establishing her reputation, but why didn't she consider opening a pharmacy to generate income?
-- Gift
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