Chapter 188 - Shop Opening-Congratulations
Chapter 188: Shop Opening-Congratulations
Translator: Lonelytree
Mother Xiao and the rest were nervous when they heard the middle-aged woman. What to do? The customer was already complaining about the price.
The middle-aged woman thought her offer was reasonable. After all, she could get the vegetables at a lower price at the market. She was only making this offer because she saw how fresh the vegetables were. Her family was rich, but it didn’t mean she was going to spend money casually.
Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “I’m sorry, Madam. Our prices are fixed!” In other words, if you want low prices, then go to buy from the other shops.
The middle-aged woman’s face was a little pale. She thought Xiao Lingyu was rude. She said with an unpleasant tone, “You won’t even allow customers to bargain?! Look at your prices. They will only sell in your dreams! An eggplant costs 2 RMB each, but the market only sells them for 70 cents per catty. The market sells cabbage for 50 cents a catty, and you’re asking for 15 RMB each. Are you that money-hungry?”
If Xiao Lingyu wasn’t sure that she didn’t know this woman, she would suspect she was there to create problems.
Xiao Lingyu still said in a good-natured manner, “Madam, there is a reason behind my high price. I mark them at these prices because they are worth it! If Madam wishes to buy something, then we’ll welcome you. But our shop hasn’t officially opened yet, and we’re actually planning to go and have breakfast.”
‘So if you want to buy, hurry up. If you don’t want to buy, then leave!’ Xiao Lingyu did not specifically say this, but that was what she implied.
The middle-aged woman’s expression became unsightly. She put down the eggplant and growled, “Fine, I’m not buying. Do you really think your vegetables are that precious?” With that, she left.
Liu Chunhua said worriedly, “Lingyu, are our prices too high?” They hadn’t even opened, but they had already scared away their first customer.
Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “Fourth aunt, don’t worry! Have faith in our products. But for now, let’s go eat. Everyone must be hungry already!”
Xiao Lingyu locked the door and led his mother, fourth uncle, and aunt to a nearby eatery. They didn’t have much time to enjoy breakfast, so they bought quick food like steamed buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, and so on.
After the four of them had breakfast, they returned to the shop. They were surprised when they saw a large group of people in front of the shop.
Mother Xiao asked, “Yu ‘Er, why are there so many people in front of our shop?”
Liu Chunhua asked suspiciously, “Are these people here to buy vegetables?”
Xiao Mingyang guessed, “That’s possible!”
“The Miss is here!” One person in the crowd shouted when she saw Xiao Lingyu.
‘These people knew Lingyu? So they’re really here to buy the vegetables?’ Mother Xiao and the other two thought.
Xiao Lingyu recognized the woman who called her. She smiled and said, “Miss Yang, it’s You!”
Yang Yan nodded and looked at the shop sign that said Taoyuan Village Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. She asked, “Miss Xiao, this place is yours, right?”
Xiao Lingyu nodded and then asked in confusion, “Yes! Miss Yang, how did you know that my family has opened a shop here?” She didn’t think she had told Yang Yan that.
Yang Yan smiled and said, “I heard it from someone.”
“Heard it from someone?” Xiao Lingyu was even more confused.
“I heard it from Yifan.”
“Yifan? Qian Yifan?”
“Yes. Qian Yifan is my eldest sister’s son.” Yang Yan explained. “Miss Xiao, how can you treat me like this? You have my number, so why didn’t you call me when you’ve decided to set up a business here?
“Do you know how much my kid missed your vegetables when you were not here? He cried to eat tomatoes every day. One day, we went to my sister’s place to eat. Only then did we realize Yifan only got his vegetables from you! From then on, my son has gone to his aunt’s house to eat every day.”
Xiao Lingyu, “…” Can the world be smaller?
1
“Miss, I’ve bought your vegetables before, but I couldn’t find you after that. My pregnant daughter-in-law couldn’t eat anything without your vegetables. My whole family was so anxious.” A middle-aged woman immediately said, “Fortunately, my youngest son found out about your shop on the forum, so he quickly notified me. I came over to take a look. And, it’s really you!”
“Oh, you saw the message on the forum too? Me too!” Someone added, “I also came to verify the message. Now that I see Miss, I know that it is true!”
“Same!”
Most of them were old customers. However, Xiao Lingyu didn’t expect someone would have posted info about her new shop on the forum. When did that happen, and who did it? Not many people knew about her new shop.
Xiao Lingyu said gratefully, “Thank you for your support. But I wish to know, what forum are you talking about?”
Yang Yan answered, “Oh, that is the work of Yifan! Two days ago, I heard from him that you’re opening this shop. He also said he would promote the shop on the internet.” Yang Yan looked around and chuckled, “I bet he didn’t expect the effect would be so resounding!”
Xiao Lingyu was really surprised. “I really need to thank Young Master Qian then.”
Yang Yan waved her hand and said, “Yifan doesn’t talk too much, but he’s actually a warm-hearted kid. Miss, you don’t need to be so polite with him.” Then, she looked at the shop and asked curiously, “Miss, is your shop not open yet?”
Xiao Lingyu explained, “Today is our first day of opening. We will officially open at 8:12. Please wait a moment!”
People looked at their watches and phones. It was 8 am. People knew about the importance of an auspicious time.
The crowd said, “Alright, we can wait for 10 minutes.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded and took out the key. She opened the door. The customers were all very polite. They didn’t barge in. Xiao Mingyang went inside to grab the firecrackers. He hung them on a long pole. He would light it when the time was right.
At this moment, a black car came to the door. The door opened, and a tall and handsome man walked out.
Someone recognized the new arrival immediately and said, “Isn’t that President Gu, the manager of the Gu Family Hotel?”
Most of Xiao Lingyu’s clients were well-off people. So it was not uncommon for them to have visited the Gu Family Hotel before. They knew the general manager there.
“Yes, he is carrying a flower basket too.”
“Does he know Miss?”
Gu Ziye carried a flower basket and placed it at the door. On the flower basket was a red piece of paper that read, “The Gu Family Hotel congratulates boss Xiao on her grand opening!”
Gu Ziye was there on behalf of the hotel and himself. He walked up to Xiao Lingyu and said, “Lingyu, Congratulations!”
Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “Thank you!”
At this moment, two more cars drove over. Zheng Haiyang, Yuan Xuanhao, and Qian Yifan walked out. Zheng Haiyang drove his own car, while Qian Yifan and Yuan Xuanhao shared a ride.
They each held a flower basket. They placed them at the door and smiled at Xiao Lingyu, “Congratulations, Lingyu. We’re not late, are we?”
“No!” Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “Thank you for coming!”
At this moment, Yang Yan looked at Qian Yifan and asked, “Yifan, are you really friends with Miss Xiao?”
Qian Yifan looked at Yang Yan and asked in puzzlement, “Auntie, why are you here?”
Yang Yan smiled and said, “Two days ago, I heard from you that your friend is opening a fruit and vegetable store. You mentioned how special her stocks are. Furthermore, you have a supply of the vegetables I’ve bought from Miss before. I suspect you’re talking about Miss, so I came to look. It turns out you’re really friends with Miss Xiao!”
Qian Yifan said, “Yes, we’re friends!”
Zheng Haiyang looked around and asked, “Lingyu, we’re not late, right?”
Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “You’re not late. The store officially opens at 8:12 am!”
Zheng Haiyang raised his wrist to look at his watch and said, “Yes, there’s still five minutes left!”
At this moment, another car drove over.
After the car stopped, Jiang Tao got out of the car and picked up the flower basket from the trunk. Then, he walked to Xiao Lingyu and said, “Congratulations, Lingyu!”
“Thank you!” Xiao Lingyu smiled and nodded.
She did not expect that the opening of a small shop would alert so many people.
“Wait… That’s Chief Jiang, right?” Someone recognized Jiang Tao, and they were shocked. However, that only made them more curious about Xiao Lingyu.
The girl opened a vegetable store, but she had attracted the attention of the Gu Family Hotel’s general manager, the eldest master of the Zheng Real Estate, the boss of Teng Fei Dealership, the county magistrate’s son, and the police chief.
‘They are all young and successful men. Are they all interested in the female boss? She is so charming!’
The men didn’t forget about Mother Xiao.
“Auntie, congratulations!”
“Auntie, congratulations to all of you!”
When Mother Xiao saw them, she smiled and said, “Thank you!”
Then, Mother Xiao’s sharp eyes captured Grandma Song and her husband coming over with a flower basket. She immediately went up to them and said, “Grandma Song, Grandpa Song!” Then, she reached out to help take the heavy flower basket from them.
When Grandma Song saw Mother Xiao, she immediately smiled and said, “Mother Xiao, long time no see!”
“Grandma, Grandpa, why are you here?” When Zheng Haiyang saw Grandma Song and Grandpa Song, he immediately went to greet them.
Grandma Song ignored her grandson and turned to Xiao Lingyu with dissatisfaction. “Girl, why didn’t you tell me that you have a new shop opening? If Haiyang didn’t mention it, I wouldn’t have known.”
Xiao Lingyu was touched. She said, “This is just a small shop. I don’t want to trouble you and Grandpa Song!”
Grandma Song tutted, “Girl, is it because you treat us as outsiders?”
“Of course not. I treat you like my real grandma. How can you be outsiders?” Xiao Lingyu shook her head.
“In that case, why didn’t you inform me of the grand opening?” Grandma Song questioned.
“Grandma Song, I’m sorry!” Xiao Lingyu apologized.
“Uncle Chen, Auntie Chen, Uncle Li, Uncle Yuan, and Uncle Qian, why are you here?” Xiao Lingyu was shocked when she saw a large group of elders coming over.
“Grandpa!” Qian Yifan and Yuan Xuanhao were also surprised by their Grandpa’s arrival. “Why are you here?”
Uncle Yuan and Uncle Qian glanced at their grandsons and shouted with a stern face, “Why? You can come, but I can’t?”
Qian Yifan and Yuan Xuanhao immediately went up to them and said, “We didn’t mean it that way!”
They were extremely shocked. They knew their grandfathers very well. The elders had many political and social invitations, but they rejected all of them. However, they had come to attend Xiao Lingyu’s shop’s small opening ceremony!
However, what puzzled them further was when did their grandfathers and the other elders become so close to Xiao Lingyu.
In truth, Xiao Lingyu wasn’t that close with the elders. She had only met them two or three times, and they were all at Uncle Chen’s place.
Uncle Chen and Auntie Chen came over with a flower basket and said, “Girl, Congratulations. We’re not late, are we?”
Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “No, no!”
Xiao Mingyang and Liu Chunhua were dumbfounded. ‘When did Yu ‘Er make so many friends in the county? And they are from all age groups! They all came to congratulate her!’
Uncle Qian and Uncle Yuan looked at the shop from the outside and frowned.
Uncle Yuan suddenly asked, “Girl, isn’t your shop a bit too small?”
Everyone looked inside and saw the shop was about 60 square meters. In the city center, this place was considered very big already. So who was this elder to say that the shop was small? He had to be extremely rich and powerful. Besides, how big a vegetable shop should be?
Of course, only a few thought that.
Xiao Lingyu smiled, “The size is just nice.” After all, her target market was small too.
“We’re ready!” Xiao Mingyang suddenly shouted. Then, he ran over to light the firecrackers.
The firecrackers boomed and crackled. The legend of Taoyuan Village Fresh Fruits and Vegetables officially began!