"Why isn't it free today?"
The questioning voice came from an old customer who had visited every day for the past few days.
Song Qiao smiled slightly at everyone and said, "Esteemed customers, my shop has been open for two days. I'm sure you've all had a taste of our stinky tofu."
"However, I need to make a living for my family. I can't give it away for free every day. I hope you can understand my difficulties."
"But, today is my official grand opening, and it's buy-one-get-one-free on stinky tofu."
The people at the door were slightly disappointed, but they understood boss Song Qiao's predicament when they put themselves in his shoes.
Many of them had already become addicted to the aroma wafting from the shop, and after two days of tasting, they were hooked.
"Then, boss, how do you sell it?" a voice called out from the crowd.
"One dollar a skewer, buy one get one free," Song Qiao replied to everyone.
"Alright, young man, give me five dollars worth first." The voice of a middle-aged elder came from outside. After tasting the free stinky tofu his wife brought home yesterday, he hadn't had enough and had come early to queue.
"Coming right up, please wait a moment."
Song Qiao responded and signaled Li Lili to pack the stinky tofu for the elder.
He, along with Lin Jing, moved the preparation tables and tools to the doorway where customers could see the entire process.
"High-end ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods."
While our stinky tofu may not be a high-end ingredient, the preparation method has its own secrets. All our valued customers are welcome to watch!
Song Qiao prepared the food while shouting loudly. Lin Jing and Li Lili helped him, and the three of them were busy and happy.
This action attracted a lot of attention. Many people who bought stinky tofu didn't leave immediately but stayed to watch.
In the 1990s, people's lives were not yet very prosperous, and their consumption habits were relatively backward. Many people, though praising the stinky tofu, still held the principle of saving wherever possible.
If they could learn the boss's technique, not only could they open their own business and become wealthy, but they could also achieve stinky tofu freedom at home.
There's a strange phenomenon in business: the emptier a shop is, the more dismal its business; the more bustling a shop is, the longer the queues.
With so many people gathered, it immediately attracted countless passers-by. Coupled with the irresistible aroma of stinky tofu that could travel for miles, it quickly led to people scrambling to buy.
Song Qiao busied himself with a calm demeanor, sometimes even deliberately slowing down the preparation process.
As an experienced businessman, he understood that it was better to channel the flow than to block it. Since the barrier to entry for stinky tofu wasn't high, being open about it would attract more attention than hiding it.
"Everyone, watch my preparation carefully. I earn honest money. I guarantee I won't use gutter oil. In a word, it's clean and hygienic!"
Song Qiao shook the oil barrel in his hand and introduced it to the crowd.
His repeated shouts earned widespread praise from onlookers and customers.
Lin Jing and Li Lili, one busy collecting money and making change, the other busy packing orders for customers, were both immensely excited. They never expected the shop's business to be so booming, and their high-paying jobs of 500 yuan a month seemed secure.
About three hours later, all the raw materials Song Qiao had prepared were made into stinky tofu and were quickly snapped up by the crowd.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Song Qiao straightened his back and, holding a megaphone, called out to the crowd behind him, "Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize, but today's stinky tofu is sold out."
"Friends who didn't get any, don't worry. Tomorrow, at the same time and place, we'll still have buy-one-get-one-free."
The people in line heard that it was sold out and left Song Qiao's shop with regret.
They secretly thought that they would definitely wake up early tomorrow to queue.
...
After all the customers had left, Lin Jing couldn't contain herself and excitedly said to her boss, Song Qiao, "Boss, your strategy is brilliant! The business today has far exceeded our expectations."
Song Qiao was naturally very pleased, but he didn't show too much excitement in front of them.
After all, in his previous life, as one of China's top ten entrepreneurs, he had experienced countless ups and downs in the business world. This small success, while delightful, was not enough to make him lose his composure.
Turning to Li Lili, who was in charge of cash, he asked, "Roughly how much did we earn today?"
Li Lili, still immersed in the joy of counting money, winked at her boss, Song Qiao, and said mysteriously, "Why don't you guess how much we earned today?"
Song Qiao pondered for a moment. Based on the amount of materials he had sold, after deducting costs, he estimated it to be over 800 yuan.
Hearing Song Qiao's answer, Li Lili shook her head and smiled at him, "Boss, you've underestimated the power of your stinky tofu. We made a net profit of a full thousand yuan today." Her voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement.
"So much?" Song Qiao was slightly taken aback. With this, he would soon have enough to earn thirty thousand yuan.
For the next three days, Song Qiao's shop had long queues every day, and he made a fortune, earning a total of five thousand yuan, which was equivalent to half a year's salary for a laborer.
After dinner, Song Qiao bought some gifts and went to his mother-in-law's house.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Xia Xueqing opened the door.
As soon as she saw Song Qiao, she frowned and covered her nose, saying, "Song Qiao, what are you up to? Why do you smell so bad?" Her words were filled with contempt and disgust.
"I came to see Yuqing." Song Qiao ignored her sarcastic remarks and showed his wife the gifts in his hand.
His wife, Xia Yuqing, was currently angry and treated Song Qiao with great indifference.
However, their daughter, seeing her father whom she hadn't seen in several days, became excited and made funny faces at him.
"Let him in, or he'll stand outside and be laughed at by the neighbors," came the voice of his mother-in-law, who was always concerned about appearances.
"Hmph, our house is about to be foreclosed, and he still has the nerve to spend money on gifts," Xia Xueqing moved aside to let Song Qiao into the house, unable to resist taunting him again.
Song Qiao lowered his head and walked into the Xia family home. Blushing, he explained to Xia Yuqing and his in-laws:
"I'm starting a business these days, and I've already made some money. I believe I'll soon be able to earn enough to redeem the house."
"Tch, your so-called business isn't just gambling again, is it?" Xia Xueqing once again mocked him.
"Xueqing, say a little less."
His mother-in-law stopped Xia Xueqing and then looked up at Song Qiao coldly, saying:
"No matter what honeyed words you say today, I won't let Xixi and Yuqing come home with you. Talk about it again when you've redeemed the house."