Chapter 334: Chapter 174 Difficulties in the Beginning_1
Lian’s Breakfast Shop opened on a sunny day. When Lian Manman opened the doors of the breakfast shop, she saw that there were already some people outside. The curious onlookers were peering in their direction.
At the entrance of the breakfast shop, a big red banner hung high, gently swaying in the wind. Their breakfast shop only served steamed buns, baozi, and porridge, so they only hung up a banner without tassels.
A rectangular wooden plaque was also hanging above the main entrance, currently wrapped in red silk.
The family emerged from the shop one after the other, with Wu Lang and Xiao Qi each holding strings of firecrackers wrapped in red paper. As soon as Lian Shouxin announced the auspicious time had come, Lian Manman, who had prepared the lighter in advance, immediately set the firecrackers alight and then ran away with her ears covered.
The air was filled with the crackle and pop of firecrackers, red paper scraps were blown into the air, then fluttered to the ground like petals scattered by celestial maidens. At the same time, Wang Youheng pulled open the red silk covering the wooden plaque, revealing two large characters fluttering like dragons and dancing like phoenixes: Lian’s.
Lian Manman had asked Wang Youheng to write these characters for them yesterday when she went to town. Knowing they were opening a breakfast shop, Wang Youheng generously donated the plaque. He had it rushed by craftsmen in town and hung at the shop entrance that very day.
The commotion not only attracted passersby but also drew in some of the early-rising neighbors.
Lian Manman opened a window in the kitchen, displaying the steamed buns, baozi, porridge, and meat soup. The aroma immediately wafted out. Lian Shouxin, accompanied by Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, began to lure customers at the entrance.
Lian Manman then hurried to invite Wang Youheng inside, serving up a plate of soup dumplings, a dish of fried peanuts, a dish of sesame oil mixed with pickled vegetables and melon seeds, a dish of cold, spicy bean sprouts, and a bowl of rich pork bone and radish strip soup on the table.
"Brother Youheng, try our breakfast," Lian Manman said as she handed a bowl and chopsticks to Wang Youheng.
Wang Youheng was about to take his leave, but the Lian Family insisted he stay and eat before leaving. They were touched he had come early to inaugurate Lian’s Breakfast Shop. They might not be adept with flattering words or lavish with luxuries, but their gratitude was sincere, and they treated Wang Youheng as one of their own.
Wang Youheng felt the sentiment and thus dispensed with further formalities.
"Manman, you go help out. Don’t mind me," said Wang Youheng.
"Alright, Brother Youheng, have plenty," Lian Manman served Wang Youheng a baozi and left with a smile.
The situation outside wasn’t looking great.
Many people were peering in but hesitated to enter. With the shop being newly opened, everyone was skeptical and watchful.
"Uncles and sirs," Lian Manman saw a few men leaning against the wall, munching on dry food, and quickly greeted them with a beaming smile, "It’s cold outside, come in and warm up. We have hot, steaming bone soup, just One Wen Money for a large bowl."
"Hot porridge is also only One Wen Money per bowl, and that comes with a complimentary dish of pickles," Wu Lang chimed in.
The warm room, steaming soup, and mere One Wen Money cost were quite attractive. Once the first person entered, a second followed. The first bowl of hot soup, garnished with fresh green onions and glistening oil, brought its delicious scent to the room, and yes, it was truly only One Wen Money!
Dry food scraping the throat, mouths and stomachs clamoring, One Wen Money was slapped onto the table with a snap.
It didn’t take long before the place was full, with most customers ordering soup and porridge.
Lian Manman was not discouraged; all beginnings are hard. Bowl after bowl of pork bone soup and porridge served, Wen Money after Wen Money collected in the wooden box. Some people lingered, enjoying the warmth of the room. The Lian Family welcomed everyone with a smile and didn’t rush anyone out. These people had things to do and wouldn’t sit there too long.
Finally, someone bought Sanhe flour steamed buns. Lian Shouxin personally delivered the buns, inevitably extolling their virtues not only for the buyer but also for all the customers in the room.
"Delicious, filling, and affordably priced."
No need for excessive praise, as long as every word fits the customers’ wishes, that was enough.
One group left, another arrived.
Lian Manman, sitting next to Lian Zhizhi who was tending the fire, perched on a small stool with a wooden box on her lap, rummaging through a thick stack of Copper Coins. Just as she had anticipated, on the opening day, the pork bone soup and porridge were the best-sellers. They had already sold three pots of pork bone soup, a pot of porridge, and nearly two steamer racks of Sanhe flour steamed buns.
