Zhang Tianxing, after a thousand calculations, overlooked one crucial detail: the first thing at university was a half-month military training. He had forgotten about it...
Consequently, Zhang's Barbecue near the school gate had to commence its trial operations with regret. It was intended to be a cash flow generator, but things weren't as simple as imagined.
Trial operations meant serving customers who ordered, but no active advertising or guest solicitation.
Bai Zhi's and Yang Wei's skills were inferior even to Zhu Dayong's.
However, Zhang Tianxing didn't expect the barbecue business to make money. Still, it couldn't lose money. Even a wealthy family couldn't sustain such losses, let alone a family without a mine. Zhang Tianxing's eyes darted, and an idea struck him.
"How about this, Bai Zhi, you come here. You and Yang Wei's barbecue skills aren't up to par yet. Since Zhu Dayong and I will be away for military training, we definitely can't manage the barbecue shop," he said.
"Boss Zhang, are you planning to close down or do something else? I can make fried rice, or noodles!" Bai Zhi offered, trying to win favor.
"We can try to set up a barbecue buffet. We provide the ingredients, and customers grill their own food. Food they cook themselves has a unique flavor," Zhang Tianxing decided, having considered all options.
If the chefs aren't skilled, let the customers do the work. Sell as much as possible.
Since it was his own property, there was no rent to pay.
Profit or loss, as long as the losses weren't too significant, it would be acceptable.
Upon hearing Zhang Tianxing's words, Bai Zhi and Yang Wei were stunned.
Why was there such a big difference between people?
It was one thing that their skills couldn't match Zhang Tianxing and Zhu Dayong.
But why could Zhang Tianxing solve their problem with just a slight shift in his thinking?
Bai Zhi could only console herself, thinking: He's the boss, so it's normal he knows more. Otherwise, I'd be the boss, and he'd be the employee.
"That's a great idea. I think it has a lot of potential."
"Yes, yes. Eating like that isn't about the taste, it's about the ambiance. We just need to ensure the ingredients are clean and hygienic. The customers can handle the rest."
Untamed talent can be shaped; a child can be taught.
Zhang Tianxing nodded with satisfaction. With this plan, he could confidently go for military training with Zhu Dayong.
Initially, Zhang Tianxing had considered requesting special treatment and taking a leave of absence for half a month.
After all, military training only involved practicing formations, marching, and firing a few shots.
But then he thought, forget it. He still needed to select capable individuals.
With no soldiers in hand, his heart grew anxious. It seemed his mission for these four years of university would be arduous, needing to find a few reliable subordinates.
Zhang Tianxing idly looked at his phone. Its functions were too limited, lacking any entertainment features.
There were only these two clunky games. The mobile phone industry was just beginning.
He thought of the color screen phones of later generations. If he didn't take a piece of the pie, he would be letting himself down during this trend.
But thinking about it now was useless. He had neither talent nor capital, only an idea. It was better to save his energy and focus on how to march properly.
Military training meant a lack of freedom, but it was also a great opportunity to strengthen friendships among classmates.
Just then, the class cadres for Materials Science Class Two were freshly selected.
The counselor, Ma Qiang, announced, "The class monitor for our Materials Science Class Two is Zhang Tianxing. The Youth League secretary is Tan Honghong. Please welcome them both."
Hearing this, Zhang Tianxing covered his head. This position of class monitor, which others sought, was something he truly didn't want.
Before Zhang Tianxing could stand up, he heard the cheers of his classmates.
"Great, Class Monitor Zhang is so handsome! Can our class be called the 'Little Crayfish Class' now?"
"President Zhang is also Class Monitor Zhang. How honored is our Materials Science Class Two! Can we get free crayfish from now on?"
"Alright, you bunch of rascals. All you think about is getting something for free. The key is that Zhang Tianxing himself has a very busy university life and doesn't have time to babysit these kids."
Forget it. There are policies at the top, and countermeasures at the bottom. It's just a class monitor, so he'd do it.
At worst, he could find an assistant in Class Materials Science Two. For minor tasks that required running errands, he could have this assistant do them.
Having an assistant to handle things was a viable option. He thought Tan Honghong seemed good. This girl was warm-hearted and treated classmates' matters as her own.
He believed she had great potential. So, it was happily decided: the class affairs would be handed over to her.
Zhang Tianxing immediately found Tan Honghong, "Beauty Tan, can we discuss something?"
"I didn't expect you to be the class monitor. Go ahead, what are your instructions, Mr. Class Monitor." Tan Hong's expression was one of slight displeasure. She hadn't expected not to be the monitor, but seeing Zhang Tianxing, she felt relieved. However, Zhang Tianxing approaching her still made her feel a little excited.
Zhang Tianxing had been too popular recently. Being class monitor was perfectly normal. Losing to him wasn't unfair.
"It's like this, you know I have a barbecue shop at the entrance, and I'm usually quite busy. I might not be able to fully manage the class affairs, so I want to ask for your help." Zhang Tianxing spoke earnestly.
Tan Honghong listened for a while before understanding. Zhang Tianxing wasn't planning anything good; he wanted to be a hands-off boss. What kind of situation was this?
"No, I'm very busy too. I need to study hard and improve myself every day." Tan Hong directly refused Zhang Tianxing.
"Beauty Tan, don't be so quick to refuse. I haven't even offered the terms yet. Would it be okay if you listen first?"
Tan Honghong secretly scoffed. This cunning merchant! Why didn't he mention terms earlier? Merchants don't get up early without profit. If he wanted her to do the class monitor work, Zhang Tianxing would have to pay a price.
She wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"How about this, I guarantee that in my sophomore year, I will step down as class monitor and persuade Counselor Ma Qiang to hand the position over to you."
"You want to give me the class monitor position you don't want?" Tan Honghong was almost bursting with anger. She did want to be class monitor, but she didn't accept charity.
"No, this is just one of the conditions. I can also give you a helping hand to get into the university student union. How about that?"
"With my reputation, getting in shouldn't be a problem." Tan Honghong was confident about this.
"Then, add three meals. You can eat at my restaurant anytime, with no spending limit." Zhang Tianxing felt a headache as Tan Honghong remained resolute.
Hearing Zhang Tianxing's conditions, Tan Honghong smiled. "Now that's more like it. This fits your identity as the president of the Little Crayfish Association."
Seeing Tan Honghong agree, Zhang Tianxing smiled with satisfaction.
As long as he could extricate himself, treating her to three meals was not a problem, even three months' worth.
As long as it achieved Zhang Tianxing's goal, it was fine. Moreover, Tan Honghong had both reputation and looks, qualifying her as one of Zhonghai University's campus beauties.
"Zhang Tianxing, Teacher Ma wants us to go collect the military training uniforms."
"Just send someone to fetch them. I'll call someone for you."
Zhang Tianxing went directly to the class and yelled, "A few strong guys, come with our Class Monitor Tan to collect the military training uniforms."
Before his voice even faded, nearly half the male students stood up.
Youth was great, with boundless energy. Working with a beautiful girl was something these male students eagerly desired.
Zhang Tianxing's objective was achieved; he had successfully gotten Tan Honghong to agree to his unreasonable conditions.
For the next year and a half, Tan Honghong would complete the tasks of the class monitor. If she couldn't, Zhang Tianxing would step in.
Tan Honghong looked at Zhang Tianxing. People who succeeded in entrepreneurship were different. Zhang Tianxing was clearly more mature than his peers. How did she impulsively agree to Zhang Tianxing's unreasonable terms?