"You're going out?"
Murong Yanran, upon returning home, saw Li Haochen putting on his jacket and asked curiously.
"Yeah, had a busy day. Treating Xiaonian and a few others to dinner. You coming?"
"No, you guys are all guys. If I were there, they wouldn't be able to relax. Don't drink too much."
Murong Yanran walked over and tidied Li Haochen's collar, acting like a young wife. "How was business?"
"Pretty good. Even reached a cooperation with a shop. A good start."
"Mm, go ahead, don't be too late." Saying that, Murong Yanran tiptoed and gave Li Haochen a light kiss before returning to the room.
Li Haochen chose Huang Fusheng's barbecue restaurant as the gathering spot. His partner, so he had to support him. Eating was eating, wherever it was. Business thrived on reciprocity.
"Haochen?"
Seeing Li Haochen and his three companions heading towards his shop, Huang Fusheng was taken aback. He immediately welcomed them warmly, "Welcome, welcome! Please, have a seat. It's an honor that my brother is gracing me with his presence. I must show off my skills. Don't bother ordering, I'll take charge. I guarantee you'll be satisfied. Please, have a seat."
"Brother Li, this Boss Huang has a good personality."
"Yes, very good."
Li Haochen waved at a beautiful young woman who was promoting beer nearby.
The woman understood and walked over. She was young and attractive, dressed like a race car girl from the Grand Prix, though lacking a certain flair; she couldn't quite shake her hips.
"What would you gentlemen like to drink?"
"A dozen Harbin beers, please. And could you bring me a menu? Thank you!"
"Gentlemen, your drinks have arrived. Shout if you need more,"
In less than two minutes, the beer girl arrived with two cases of beer. She looked slender, but her strength was not to be underestimated. The two cases of beer were handled with ease. After delivering one case to Li Haochen's group and placing the menu, she immediately rushed off to serve other tables.
Li Haochen admired her. He didn't see any complaints about life in her eyes, but rather a positive attitude. Her unpretentious smile was the best evidence.
He picked up the menu, glanced at it, and then set it aside. He had already memorized the prices and would have a good idea for the bill later.
Judging by Huang Fusheng's demeanor, he probably wouldn't charge them. But Li Haochen wouldn't take advantage of freebies. Everyone was trying to make a living; no one had it easy.
If someone invited you, it would be different. But since he came on his own, it was Huang Fusheng's prerogative not to charge, but refusing would be a matter of attitude.
Moreover, paying for meals was only natural. Of course, he would gladly accept a discount.
"Here are the dishes…"
Huang Fusheng pushed a three-tiered small food cart, laden with fragrant, steaming delicacies on all levels.
"Did you wait long? Come, taste my skills. I'm not bragging, but in this district, my barbecue is the best! Heh heh!"
Huang Fusheng was a bit narcissistic, praising himself as he served the dishes, his confidence almost making him seem like a culinary god.
However, he didn't linger. It was a busy period, and he couldn't afford to slack off.
Gu Xiaonian grabbed a bamboo chopstick from the milk powder can, rested one end on the table, held the upper end, and pulled down the plastic wrap, immediately revealing two round bamboo chopsticks.
This action caught Li Haochen's attention. He reached out, picked up a pair, and examined them, then carefully observed the shop.
The storefront was small, with only three tables inside, but sixteen tables were set up outside. Business was booming, and it was almost full.
"Brother Sheng's place must go through several hundred pairs of chopsticks a day. If this market segment can be tapped, the sales of the bamboo processing factory back home can also be solved."
Seeing Huang Fusheng busy, Li Haochen didn't feel it was appropriate to go over and ask. So, he ate and waited, intending to ask later.
Huang Fusheng's earlier boast was not unfounded; the taste was indeed excellent, which explained the good business.
"Xiaonian, you guys go back first. Be careful on the way."
After eating and drinking their fill, they chatted for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, Li Haochen told them to head back and rest.
It was nearly midnight, and there were still about half of the customers. Only around one o'clock did they start to leave. At this point, Huang Fusheng was finally free. He brought a bottle of beer and sat down.
"They've gone?"
"Yes, they have to open their shops tomorrow."
"How was it? My skills weren't a brag, were they? Haha!"
"This!" Li Haochen gave a thumbs up. This was not flattery but genuine appreciation. Huang Fusheng's skills were indeed good.
"Brother Sheng, I wanted to ask you something."
"Just say it, we Xinning people don't beat around the bush."
"It's like this, I've started a bamboo factory in the village…"
Li Haochen explained about setting up the factory in his village and wanting to increase everyone's income.
Huang Fusheng agreed immediately. He also cared deeply about the development of his hometown and wanted to contribute, but his personal capabilities were limited.
As Deng Xiaoping said, "Some regions and some people can get rich first, and then drive and help other regions and other people to achieve common prosperity step by step."
Although Li Haochen's bamboo processing factory was not in their village, it was still part of their hometown. As long as there was a leader and a tangible increase in income, those who followed could also share in the benefits.
Huang Fusheng readily agreed, "Haochen, this is a good thing, and of course, I support it. Where you buy chopsticks from is still buying them. However, the quality and hygiene must be guaranteed."
"Don't worry, it's a legitimate factory, not one of those back-alley workshops."
Huang Fusheng nodded with satisfaction and continued, "By the way, Haochen, our village isn't far either, and there's bamboo all over the mountains. You'll have to look after us then."
"Brother Sheng, my original intention for starting this factory wasn't just to lead our village, but I also have to consider the practical aspects. If I can't sell it, I can't expand the scale."
This was indeed the honest truth; it was all for naught if it couldn't be sold. Of course, Li Haochen also had his own interests. He invested his own money to start the factory, so the interests of his own village naturally came first. This was undeniable.
If there was a shortage, it would be appropriate to let other villages join in for the surplus.
"You can rest assured about the sales. My shop operates from morning to night, and the consumption is considerable. I'll just let them know. Also, many of our folks from back home make a living in Binhai. I'll ask in the group. They are all fellow villagers, and they should be very supportive of developing their hometown. Don't worry."
"That would be wonderful." Huang Fusheng's words made Li Haochen a bit excited. If he could get the support of these bosses from back home, it could at least boost the economy of three or four villages.
They chatted for a while longer. Seeing that it was getting late, Li Haochen didn't want to delay Huang Fusheng, who still had a lot of follow-up work to do.