Her Cultivation Diary
Chapter 818 - 808. Guests Come Like Clouds

Chapter 818: 808. Guests Come Like Clouds

In the office of Youran Ecological Vegetable Garden, several people stared at the enlarged photo on the screen, silent.

[Limited Availability Specialty Menu:

Stir-fried Hollow Vegetables/288 yuan

Stir-fried Red Amaranth/288 yuan

Winter Melon Stir-fried with Pork/288 yuan

...

Nourishing Beauty Silver Fungus Soup: 288 yuan/per person

...]

What the hell? Nowadays, they’re just gouging the rich and giving them the brush-off? He allocated ten thousand yuan and this is what he gets?!

The boss was fuming inside.

His brother-in-law, the deputy general manager, the sales manager, and the head chef exchanged glances, then quickly bowed their heads in guilt.

Could it be that they had gotten a fake for 8000/5000/2000 yuan?

Furthermore...

"Promotions? A new store opening can’t possibly have no promotions at all, right?"

"There really aren’t any."

The sales manager replied cautiously: "I inquired and found out that aside from sending out a box of courtesy gifts with the invitations in the morning, the store didn’t publicize or prepare for any activities. It’s like they’re resigned to their fate."

Great, let them be resigned! The harder they fall, the bigger their desire to sell off the restaurant.

He had been coveting the piece of land that Changleju occupied for so long, but no matter what, he couldn’t secure it. It’s just across the street, but frustratingly, all the good plans are on the opposite side!

Absolutely infuriating!

Finally, when this place was catching up with the times, with big data and traffic driving from various platforms, it looked bustling. But somehow, the more upscale customers began to slowly slip away.

He set up group buying in the lobby on the first floor, which didn’t affect the private room experience at all! So why are the old customers disappearing?

For this very reason, Boss Chang has become very wary of Changleju. However, the more vigilant he was, the more baffling the things the competition did across the street.

After scrutinizing the menu for a long time, the boss finally said fiercely:

"Forget it! Chef Bai, your culinary skills are said to be on par with that surname Qian across the street, right? No matter what fancy stuff he’s up to, get the kitchen to introduce new dishes in the coming days, Changleju cannot make it!"

After this declaration, Boss Chang huffed around the office twice, then turned his head to look out the window.

And what a sight it was!

He plastered himself against the window: "Look, that couple climbing up the stairs, isn’t that Old Zhao, the wealthiest man in River City?"

What?!

Before the others behind him could find a proper view, they heard Boss Chang inhale a mouthful of dust from the window crevice: "That old man... isn’t he the judge from ’State Banquet’? The one who also serves as a star rating assessor?"

"And that—the one on the left, isn’t that the retired official from the provincial department...?"

To be fair, the flow of people coming and going at the entrance of Changleju wasn’t heavy. The crowd didn’t linger much, only glancing at the newly opened restaurant before exchanging a few courteous words and moving on.

But in just that brief moment, it was enough to make the boss of Youran Ecological Vegetable Garden grind his teeth in jealousy until he trembled.

He took a couple of deep breaths before saying bitterly: "These young people without a hair on their tongues, aren’t they just relying on the social connections of their ancestors to invite these folks? Pah! Just wait and see, each one of them, who will be interested in those outrageously priced dishes!"

...

Mrs. Zhao stubbornly held on to her teacup without letting go. Behind her, Old Zhao trailed like a puppy on a leash, despite his supposed 7 o’clock meeting. After all, he was a good capitalist, even during the Eleven holiday!

And there he was, enthusiastic upon seeing Boss Chang, "Boss Chang, is this tea also supplied by your restaurant?"

Boss Chang, all smiles and without hurry, responded, "Yes, after pulling a lot of strings, I managed to get some of these delicacies. The quantity is indeed limited, so I was a bit hesitant when delivering it... I hope you won’t take offense, Mr. Zhao!"

"Why would I take offense? My late father and father-in-law were both fans of your restaurant’s dishes. This is a friendship that dates back generations—could I possibly get ten pounds of this tea?"

Boss Chang’s smile nearly slipped off his face.

No wonder this man could be the richest—down to earth, and invoking generations of friendship at the sight of good tea...

The problem was having ten pounds of tea to give!

There were only 55 pounds in total, and he had planned not to give away any to anyone who wasn’t a close relation!

At the moment, he could only respond with a wry smile: "You must be joking. This is a limited-production tea... The provider didn’t even plan to make money off it; they even randomly sell half a pound to a pound online for ten thousand yuan a pop!"

Oh, so that’s the deal. Mr. Zhao now understood.

Money can’t sway the supplier!

He silently looked at Boss Chang, saying nothing.

Boss Chang was internally agonizing and finally gritted his teeth like a thief in the night:

"Half a pound! I can only part with a maximum of half a pound for you!"

As for the money, neither mentioned it, considering Mr. Zhao’s net worth; certainly, he wouldn’t let Boss Chang lose out.

And Mrs. Zhao, seeing her husband’s satisfied smile, couldn’t wait to ask: "Boss Chang, does your restaurant offer regular delivery service? I’d like to order afternoon tea for three months, just the silver ear fungus soup delivered today with some pastries will do."

Of course, we can!

Boss Chang regretted having forgotten about this option, but promptly nodded as if it was all part of the plan, and then quickly ushered the couple inside.

Looking up again, there it was—the local renowned gourmet and authoritative food critic had arrived!

He promptly went to greet him, but before he could speak, the person said:

"Xiaochang, we’re all friends here, no need for the pomp and circumstance. Bring out whatever good stuff you have and let me have a taste. I’ve brought my entire wallet today!"

"Look at you!" Boss Chang was enthusiastic yet restrained, "Our regular customers are here for a trial opening to give their feedback; how could we bring up money?"

"To tell you the truth, drinks and dishes are free tonight, for everyone!"

They had invited only a few guests, relying on the sale of drinks and dishes to turn a profit, but it was not necessary!

After tonight, what was there to worry about?

"Please don’t be polite, the guests today are all regulars, and there are no media people invited. We wanted to keep it quiet."

"Alright, alright!" The chubby old man didn’t hesitate: "Hurry up and bring me some good tea first!"

"Uhh..." Boss Chang appeared a bit embarrassed: "The tea leaves... We’re really short on them, and we won’t be serving it tonight. If you really want to try it, our tea house is having a tea tasting event in three days..."

As the evening darkened, more and more people filled the restaurant. Even those who had initially ignored the gift boxes couldn’t help but want to rub shoulders with the many who were there, brandishing an invitation or not, everyone seemed eager to join in!

A small-scale trial opening had created an atmosphere bustling with guests, to the extent that security at the parking lot had to be tripled.

There was no choice; the cars tonight were too luxurious, attracting onlookers who came to gawk and snap photos!