I Came From Heaven [Transmigration/Time-Travel] - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The attendants helped me find a large bundle of bamboo skewers, and then they got busy with kitchen matters. Since it was still early before the evening opening, I patiently taught Sixiao how to properly skewer the meat. Sixiao was a quick learner, but he was already being overly meticulous, arguing that the amount of meat I was putting on the skewers was too much and wouldn’t be profitable to sell.

“Little fellow, you just noticed today? Your brain is full of crooked ideas! Why are you so stingy?”

“Look at the way you skewer it. You put so much meat on, we’re definitely going to lose money.”

I reached out and flicked his forehead: “You don’t know what you’re talking about. This is called being generous! How do repeat customers come back? This is how. Do you know? As a merchant, you must be shrewd and cunning, but you cannot be deceitful.”

“Oh! Alright!”

“Little one, do you know where to buy flowers in Changshun City?”

“Of course, I do! Mama has connections!”

“That’s easy then. Once our stall is stable, I’ll give you a crucial mission!”

“What mission! What mission!”

Hearing that I was going to give him a goal, the kid got instantly excited, like he’d been given a shot of adrenaline. I quickly pulled him back:

“Quiet down. I’ll tell you later tonight.”

…

🔥 The Grand Opening

The sky was painted with the glow of the sunset—it was time for me to shine. I had the attendants help me push the wooden cart and ingredients to the open space outside the Chun Sheng Lou. I set up the iron rack, used tongs to pile the burning charcoal underneath to preheat, and tied a makeshift apron cut from some old cloth around my waist.

I didn’t plan on making money on the first day; breaking even would be enough. After all, if you want to start a business, you have to accept some initial losses. I patted Sixiao’s head: “What did I teach you? Hurry up and start shouting.”

I stood in front of the rack and placed a few skewers of tenderloin, grilling them enthusiastically and quickly sprinkling the seasonings. Soon, the smoke mixed with the aroma of meat spread throughout the air. Sixiao, his face flushed, shouted loudly:

“Passersby, don’t miss out! Chun Sheng Lou introduces special snacks today! The first five customers get a free skewer! No charge! You won’t be cheated, and you won’t lose out!”

I watched him jump up and down, shouting non-stop, and couldn’t help but laugh. I might have accidentally led this child astray. Hahaha, but it was really fun! However, there was a small hiccup: I couldn’t control the heat perfectly. The first few skewers I tried to grill were slightly burnt. But Sixiao was my guinea pig, so I quickly called him over:

“Sixiao, come here quick.”

He stopped shouting and ran to my side: “Big Brother Ji, what’s wrong?”

“Hurry up and taste it.”

Hearing the skewer was for him, he raised it and danced excitedly. I quickly pulled him back: “Hurry up and taste it.”

“Delicious!”

He was being really kind; it was burnt, yet he still said it was delicious. I held his hand and leaned closer to take a small bite. Oh, not bad! It was much better than I expected!

Soon, passersby on the street gathered around, whispering, wondering what I was selling. I quickly grilled a few more skewers and had Sixiao distribute them for free to the onlookers. The customers who tasted it exclaimed that it was delicious and flavorful, and the news quickly spread through the crowd. Just like that, our business successfully opened.

“Young man, young man, give me three meat skewers.”

“Boss, do you have any other options?”

“How much is this?”

Instantly, a crowd of customers surrounded the grill stall, eager to try something new, and the public’s demand surged. I had to sincerely marvel that no matter the place or the dynasty, the existence of foodies is truly great!

The commotion on my side attracted the guests inside the Chun Sheng Lou, who also ran out to join the fun. In no time, customers for the grilled skewers came one after another. I quickly spotted another business opportunity. Customers eating skewers don’t necessarily drink alcohol, but in Da Xuan, a place without modern resources, there weren’t many beverage options.

So, I decided that tomorrow, I would add a limited-time fresh-pressed juice item to the menu. Sixiao stood by my side, helping me out and simultaneously acting as the cashier. ‘Bao Xia Ju’ also ran out. Seeing the good momentum of my business, she instructed the attendants inside to come out and help.

It seems I’ll need to make another grill rack tomorrow; otherwise, I really won’t be able to keep up. After sending away wave after wave of customers, I was drenched in sweat. Damn it, this grill rack was going to roast me alive too! I continued until all the ingredients I prepared were sold out, yet customers kept flocking to the stall.

“Oh, esteemed guests, I apologize. We’ve sold out of ingredients. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

I sent off all the remaining customers with apologies, though my heart was blooming with joy. Where there’s life, there’s hope. People who didn’t get to eat would feel uncomfortable and annoyed, partly due to the trend, so the chances of them returning tomorrow were very high. I extinguished the charcoal fire under the grill rack and finally leaned against the side to rest.

“Kid, come here.”

After a busy night, Sixiao was also exhausted, no longer bouncing around as he did initially. It really was hard on this child. We simply sat down on the ground. He patted the bulging pouch in his clothes: “Big Brother Ji, we made a lot of money today.”

With that, his small hands reached into the pouch and transferred handfuls of silver bits and coins into my bag. His simple, sincere look was endearing. I truly had high hopes for this child. He was nothing like modern children, who are all born with a silver spoon. At five or six years old, they are usually pampered and spoiled.

Forget about earning money; they probably need to be hand-fed. Growing up under this roof, I could see how much hardship he had endured reflected in his diligent and sensible demeanor.

“I see the kids around here eat candied skewers. How much does that cost?”

Confused by my question, Sixiao thoughtfully propped his head up and finally held up one finger, probably meaning one coin. So, I took out two coins and placed them in his hand: “This is for you to buy candied skewers.”

“Big Brother Ji, this money is for you to pay back Mama. I can’t take it.”

This adorable, sensible child! I really wanted to kiss his little face. I put my arm around his shoulder, educating him like a big brother:

“Listen, every bit of labor deserves its reward. This is what you earned through your hard work today. Your capability is worth more than this price. Big Brother Ji actually underpaid you, but after we earn more for a few days, I’ll give you even more in the future. Come on, let’s close the stall.”

Do you know how to be a good leader? Firstly, as a leader, I set a general direction. Secondly, Sixiao is a capable and obedient employee. To secure an employee’s loyalty, you must reward them financially while acknowledging their strengths. This is more effective than criticism or scolding because by validating his ability, he understands he is useful, and thus, his motivation will be even stronger.