The next morning at seven, Song Qiao set out from home and arrived at the shop.
Industry flourishes with diligence but withers with idleness; success is achieved through contemplation but ruined by carelessness.
In this era where gold was everywhere and hard work could earn money, Song Qiao's heart was filled with fighting spirit.
Around seven-thirty, the secretary of Director Yang from the Administration for Industry and Commerce personally delivered the business license to Song Qiao in her car.
After a few pleasantries, Song Qiao packed two portions of stinky tofu for Secretary Zhao and then saw her off.
Before long, Li Lili and Lin Jing also arrived together. Li Lili was holding the firecrackers Song Qiao had asked them to prepare.
The three of them worked together to move the stall to the entrance.
As the firecrackers exploded outside, Xiang Piaopiao Stinky Tofu officially resumed business.
People might not have known that this future business magnate, renowned throughout China, had taken his crucial first step in the food industry.
Business was as booming as ever. As the familiar aroma wafted into the air, a long queue formed again at the shop's entrance.
Different from the previous two days, Song Qiao had specially prepared two subwoofers at the entrance, playing Andy Lau's most popular songs of the time. Mixed with the chatter of the queuing customers, the entire shop was filled with a strong sense of daily life.
To maintain the shop's good reputation, the top-up promotion originally scheduled to end yesterday was extended today. Many people held up their money, calling out to Lin Jing to top up for them.
This bustling situation lasted for the entire morning before the excitement gradually subsided.
In just one morning, including top-ups, Song Qiao had earned a profit of two thousand yuan.
The reason the queue didn't continue was that Song Qiao had underestimated the customers' craze for his stinky tofu. The raw materials prepared for the whole day were sold out in just one morning.
"It's truly crazy."
Thinking this, Song Qiao couldn't help but smack his lips.
To ensure normal business in the afternoon, Song Qiao decided to go to the department store during the lunch break to buy materials.
Borrowing a three-wheeled cart from a neighbor, he braved the scorching sun and arrived at the department store in the city center.
Upon entering the department store, a blast of cold air conditioning hit him directly.
He immediately felt a sense of coolness.
"Sigh, once I save enough money to buy back our house, I'll definitely install air conditioning at home."
Song Qiao wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking to himself.
In the 1990s, although China's economy was steadily taking off, it was still quite lacking in material possessions compared to developed countries in the West.
Especially for high-end home appliances like air conditioners, most families could not afford them.
Having a large television was already considered a sign of a wealthy family.
Only department stores in city centers like this would have a few air conditioners installed for customers.
Without hesitation, Song Qiao headed straight for the tofu shop in the vegetable section of the department store.
The shop owner was dozing under a fan. Seeing a customer, he quickly stood up to greet him.
"Boss, what's the wholesale price for this tofu?"
Song Qiao asked as he lifted the curtain, carefully examining the quality of the tofu in the shop.
The owner's eyes lit up, thinking he had found a big client. He quickly replied,
"Fifty cents a pound. There are discounts for larger quantities."
The price seemed reasonable, and Song Qiao nodded subtly.
However, he didn't agree immediately.
Instead, he haggled with the owner for a while, managed to lower the price a bit further, and finally paid for two large slabs of tofu.
These tofu, as raw materials for stinky tofu, would be enough to sustain his shop for two days.
He didn't buy more at once to save himself trouble, as the weather was hot, and even in the refrigerator, it would easily get moldy and spoil over time.
After all, hygiene was the most critical issue in the food industry.
In his previous life, countless food industry giants had fallen due to issues in this area, such as a certain brand of sauerkraut instant noodles and a certain brand of ham sausage.
Saving a little effort now would lead to great trouble later, proving to be a loss rather than a gain.
Since it wasn't too far from the shop, he could just make a few more trips.
Contentedly carrying the tofu, he left the vegetable section. As he passed the clothing area, he couldn't help but browse.
A light green dress caught his eye. It was his wife's favorite color, and the style was very elegant.
In Song Qiao's memory, he hadn't bought his wife Xia Yuqing new clothes for many years.
Ever since he became addicted to gambling, Xia Yuqing's life had also declined. She was reluctant to buy herself new clothes throughout the year.
Even now, she was still wearing old clothes, many of which had faded from washing.
Thinking of this, Song Qiao felt even more guilty towards Xia Yuqing.
He turned around, beckoned a sales assistant, and without bargaining, bought the dress for his wife.
"I truly envy your wife, having a husband who cares for and cherishes her so much."
The saleswoman said enviously as she packed the dress for Song Qiao.
In those days, it was rare for a man to proactively come and choose clothes for his wife.
Song Qiao gave a wry smile, secretly vowing to work hard to make Xia Yuqing the happiest woman in the world.
After buying the dress, Song Qiao, carrying the tofu and the dress, knocked on his mother-in-law's door.
The entire Xia family was having lunch at the dining table.
His daughter Xixi saw her father arrive, immediately put down her chopsticks, and ran into his arms with excitement.
"Daddy, you're finally here. Are you hungry? Have you eaten?"
Song Qiao dotingly stroked his daughter's head and was about to speak.
A sharp, piercing voice came from the room.
"Oh, who do we have here? It's the big shot who makes a fortune every day."
"What brings you to our house today? You've bought so much tofu, it looks like you've had enough to eat. Besides, we don't have extra bowls and chopsticks, so we can't keep you for dinner."
Song Qiao gave an awkward smile, not bothering to argue with the sharp-tongued woman. He said, "It's fine, I've already eaten outside."
"I was just passing by today. I came upstairs to give Yuqing a gift."
Saying this, he took out the light green dress from his bag and presented it to Xia Yuqing with both hands.
"Wife, I saw this dress at the department store, and I think it suits your temperament perfectly. I bought it for you."
Xia Yuqing, who had been ignoring Song Qiao, was first surprised when he took out the dress, then her expression turned grim.
She angrily rebuked Song Qiao, "You spendthrift! What time is it? The house is about to be repossessed by the lenders, and you still have spare money to buy such things?"