It’s currently the winter season, and enjoying hot pot in winter is a real treat.
She acted first and reported later—she resigned first before telling her family and friends.
When Yu Xiangyan found out, he was speechless, staring at his younger sister for a long time without saying a word.
He had always known his sister had her own ideas, but weren’t these ideas a bit too bold?
And her husband didn’t oppose her?
Lin Chuanbai: “Second Brother, I don’t oppose it. She can do whatever she wants.”
Wen Ruzhen glanced at Yu Xiang’an with envy. She couldn’t understand her choice either—giving up a secure government job to become an unstable private business owner. But the couple’s relationship was truly solid.
Yu Xiangyan: “…Fine. If you agree, does the family know?”
Lin Chuanbai: “We’ll write home and tell them after the business opens.”
Yu Xiangyan: So, acting first and reporting later? He probably knew most would oppose it.
Yu Xiangyan was worried. What if her in-laws started holding a grudge against her?
Yu Xiang’an: “Second Brother, help me keep it from the family.”
Yu Xiangyan: ???
Yu Xiang’an calmly said, “It’s so far away. If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, who would know? Once I achieve success, they’ll accept it more easily. You don’t want to upset the family, do you?”
Yu Xiangyan: !!!
His face twisted in distress. If their father found out later, he’d definitely be blamed too, accused of being an accomplice in this “collusion.”
How unfair!
All the blame would fall on him for keeping it a secret.
Yu Xiang’an pretended not to notice: “Second Brother, you know Grandpa and the others are getting older and can’t handle shocks. I have some confidence in myself. Once I return in glory, they won’t worry about me anymore.”
What could Yu Xiangyan do? He had no choice but to become her “accomplice” and help her keep the secret.
Liu Hengbo was another who didn’t understand, but he knew Yu Xiang’an had always been a bit unconventional. Back when she worked at the bookstore, it was already evident.
After sighing, he could only offer his blessings. On opening day, he brought a crowd to support her.
Zhao Li also came. He was utterly baffled and disapproving, but since she was his comrade’s daughter-in-law, he couldn’t interfere too much. He just thought that if she failed, Lin Chuanbai would be there to support her.
With her education, if she suffered setbacks, finding another path wouldn’t be hard.
On opening day, when Zhao Li arrived with his plainclothes police subordinates, he was stunned.
Flower baskets lined both sides—two shops were opening at once: a hot pot restaurant and a braised food store.
He led his group into the hot pot restaurant. The walls were painted white, with bright lights hanging overhead. The tables were spaced apart, and one wall displayed a menu listing various soup bases: beef bone broth, clear broth, mushroom broth, sour soup, spicy broth, tomato beef broth, numbing-spicy broth… Just reading it made mouths water.
On the opposite wall stood a large glass cabinet, divided into sections for ingredients—one side for meats, the other for vegetables. The meat selection was extensive: sliced pork belly, lamb, chicken offal, chicken pieces, fish slices, beef offal, meatballs, fish balls, mushroom-stuffed meatballs…
Even in winter, the vegetable selection was impressive—radishes, Chinese cabbage, potatoes, spinach, bok choy, chives, cilantro, mushrooms, and more. Zhao Li knew these were greenhouse-grown off-season vegetables from the suburbs.
It all looked incredibly appetizing.
A “Grand Opening: 20% Off” poster at the entrance drew many onlookers. By the time Zhao Li’s group of eight arrived, there weren’t enough seats left, so Yu Xiang’an led them to a private room inside.
“Business seems good here.”
Yu Xiang’an smiled. “Many friends came to support us.”
Zhao Li laughed. “Just recommend something for us. Whatever you suggest must be delicious!”
“Then let’s go with a beef bone broth and a spicy broth. Uncle Zhao, since you can handle spice, I’ll adjust the heat. For the rest, we’ll get the full set.”
The eight men he brought were all in their prime. If they ate to their heart’s content, it’d be a bottomless pit.
“Grand opening special—each person gets a free cup of soy milk.”
Next door, the braised food store was also doing well. It operated like a fast-food joint, specializing in braised dishes but offering other options too. Some ate in, while others, drawn by the aroma, took food home to share with their families.
From morning till night, the shops were packed. Yu Xiang’an managed both sides.
Hot pot meals took time—a single meal could last one or two hours. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Most ingredients were sourced legitimately, with Zhong Jianqiang as one of the suppliers.
After his first visit, Zhao Li returned for three consecutive days, bringing friends and occasionally sending officers in uniform to patrol the area. Their presence deterred troublemakers.
His first visit was to support her, but the subsequent ones were purely for his own cravings.
With so many soup bases, it’d be a shame not to try them all.
If not for his limited budget, Zhao Li would’ve kept coming.
Wang Mei, a worker living nearby, was lured in by the braised food’s aroma. Curious about the new shop, she stopped by for a look.
Free samples were offered on toothpicks.
She tried a piece of braised tofu.
So fragrant! It’d go perfectly with rice.
The prices were reasonable too.
Vegetables ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 yuan per pound, while braised pork was 1.5 yuan per pound—cheaper than state-run restaurants.
“I want to take some home. How does this work?”
“You can wrap it in oiled paper or dry leaves. If you want the braising liquid, bring your own container.”
“The liquid’s free?”
“Yes, free!”
Wang Mei: “Then I’ll go home and get a big bowl!”
The braising liquid was so fragrant—imagine pouring it over rice!
She hurried back, this time with two half-grown kids in tow, eager to buy something tasty.
They’d long noticed the shop’s irresistible aroma. The braised food’s scent was overpowering, carried by the wind to tempt passersby.
After queuing, it was her turn. Qi Xiaohui asked, “What would you like, ma’am?”
Wang Mei pointed at the tofu. “One pound of tofu, half a pound of peanuts, and one pig’s trotter.”
With each item named, the kids gulped audibly, especially at the sight of the plump trotter.
“Total: 1.5 yuan, with three scoops of braising liquid.” Qi Xiaohui deftly packed the items, pouring the liquid over the trotter.
“This braising liquid is made with premium ingredients—that’s why it’s so fragrant. Pour it over steamed rice, and one bite will feel heavenly!”
*Gulp!*
One of the kids swallowed loudly. Amused, Wang Mei took the bowl with the trotter while the kids carried the others.
“Be careful! If you spill it, you’ll regret it!”
The kids giggled. “Mom, we won’t! We’d rather fall ourselves than drop this…”
Their cheerful voices drew envious looks from other children nearby.
For kids living close by, the shop’s opening was both a blessing and a curse.
A blessing because the delicious smells were so close. The affordable vegetables meant even frugal parents might occasionally indulge them. But dreaming of eating there daily? Impossible.
Only when kids were truly miserable would parents spare some change for a treat.
Many were thrifty by habit—spending 0.1 yuan on braised food but demanding extra liquid.
The shop obliged within reason. Only purchases over 0.5 yuan earned a full scoop—otherwise, they’d lose money.
Located near a university district, the shop attracted students with stipends and faculty members who’d received compensation. Many became regulars, shuttling between the hot pot and braised food shops.
Compared to state-run restaurants, the prices were fairer, the service friendlier, and the flavors unbeatable. Customers left satisfied and relaxed.
Take Liu Hengbo. He and his grandson were mediocre cooks—their meals were edible but unremarkable. Once Yu Xiang’an’s shops opened, they became frequent visitors, often taking food home.
At the end of the first month, Yu Xiang’an tallied the numbers.
She’d hired four employees at 30 yuan monthly—total wages: 120 yuan.
Meat purchases exceeded 500 pounds, costing 500 yuan.
Vegetables: over 1,600 pounds, costing 350 yuan.
Miscellaneous expenses (spices, etc.): 100 yuan.
Total costs: 1,070 yuan.
Total revenue: 2,238 yuan.
Net profit: over 1,100 yuan—more than ten times her former salary.
And this was just the beginning.
Lin Chuanbai helped with the accounting. The profits stunned him.
What did a monthly income of over 1,000 yuan mean in 1982?
Most workers earned 30–40 yuan monthly.
Temporary or entry-level workers made 10–20 yuan.
In less prime locations, 1,000 yuan could buy a small, run-down home.
No wonder private businesses were sprouting like bamboo shoots after rain.
Yu Xiang’an planned her next steps: “We can start wholesaling next. Mobile stalls are an option too, but let’s hold off on those.”
Wholesaling meant selling braised goods to small vendors at a fixed price. They could resell at whatever price they chose.
Mobile stalls were clearly profitable—unlike fixed shops, they could go wherever foot traffic was high.
But manpower was an issue.
She’d already hired four people:
1. **Qi Xiaohui**: A returned educated youth living nearby. Due to cramped housing, she and her husband lived separately—she with their daughter at her parents’, he with their son at his parents’. Unable to find formal work, she was diligent, clean, quick with numbers, and efficient. She managed the braised food shop, handling orders, packing, and payments.
2. **Gu Nanfeng**: Another returned educated youth. His stepmother’s son had taken his original job. He handled the hot pot shop’s accounts and customer service.
3. **Wei Funi**: A returned educated youth with children. Life was tough. She worked as a server in both shops.
4. **Lu Xiao**: A 16-year-old boy assisting Yu Xiang’an in the kitchen.
Current policies barred private businesses from hiring more than six employees—exceeding that risked being labeled “capitalist.”
So Yu Xiang’an held off on further hires.
Being the first to push boundaries wasn’t wise.
—
Every morning, people lined up outside the braised food shop early, holding buckets or large containers.
They were wholesalers.
Orders were placed one or two days in advance, specifying types and quantities. On delivery day, payment and goods were exchanged on the spot.
After collecting their goods, the wholesalers dispersed to sell elsewhere.
The startup costs were low. Even if sales flopped, they could eat the goods themselves.
Most wholesalers were educated youths, though some were older folks who’d passed their jobs to their children.
As long as they were serious, Yu Xiang’an sold to anyone.
Hot pot wasn’t yet suitable for wholesaling, but braised food was perfect—it kept well in winter and was easy to transport.
Once wholesaling took off, monthly profits hit 3,000 yuan.
But the workload doubled too.
Hot pot prep involved washing and portioning ingredients. The broth bases were pre-made by Yu Xiang’an.
Braising was simpler once the initial liquid was ready, but maintaining the heat and adding ingredients was labor-intensive.
Lu Xiao couldn’t handle it alone.
Yu Xiang’an hired a local woman to help with washing vegetables and dishes, easing the burden.
The original four employees weren’t thrilled about the new hire.
At first, Yu Xiang’an didn’t understand why—until Lu Xiao asked if their wages would be cut.
During their probation, the four earned 30 yuan monthly. After two months, their salaries increased by at least 5 yuan, plus bonuses. Meals were provided; housing wasn’t.
Their earnings rivaled formal workers’—bonuses made it even better.
Hard work?
Hard work meant they earned their pay honestly.
Qi Xiaohui had endured her sister-in-law’s disdain since returning from the countryside. As native Beijingers, she and her husband were luckier than most—they could still meet occasionally, though they lived apart.
She and her daughter slept on a makeshift bed of stools at her parents’ home, barely daring to move for fear of falling.
She’d cried and raged, to no avail. So when this job appeared, she seized it.
Income was income. Pride had long since left her.
Every day, she was scolded by her sister-in-law, and even her own daughter couldn’t hold her head up.
Now, she may have lost face, but she has money. If she can stabilize her situation, she might even be able to rent a place of her own.
Knowing her difficulties, after just ten days of work, her boss gave her 10 yuan as an advance on her wages, with the rest to be paid by the middle of the following month.
With that 10 yuan, she immediately handed 5 yuan to her mother—right in front of everyone. The moment her mother received the money, her sister-in-law’s expression softened considerably. No longer did she point fingers or berate her for being a freeloader. It was a huge relief, and her mother was so overjoyed she nearly cried. After all, being able to earn money was what mattered most.
Moreover, once she got past the initial embarrassment, she realized life wasn’t as unbearable as she’d thought.
She was so busy that she hardly had time to dwell on things. Every day, she’d come home and collapse into bed, exhausted.
Her first month’s wages totaled 30 yuan, and because business was booming, the boss even gave her a 5-yuan bonus.
The second month, she earned another 35 yuan. She bought her mother a piece of fabric and a pair of shoes for her nephew. Now, her sister-in-law no longer scolded her. Instead, she greeted her with smiles and even made sure her daughter got extra food at meals, asking if she wanted more. Finally, she could hold her head high. A little hardship was nothing compared to this.
But now, with more people joining the team, would she lose that 5-yuan bonus?
And would her regular wages be reduced too?
She was already calculating: if she could work here for half a year, she’d rent a small place nearby.
Lu Xiao was just as anxious. Qi Xiaohui was too embarrassed to bring it up, so while helping out in the kitchen, he asked instead.
His grandfather needed medicine every day now. If it weren’t for Yu Xiang’an giving him this job, he wouldn’t have known how to afford the medication. Without the boss’s offer, he couldn’t even imagine what would have happened to his grandfather.
Would he have had to watch helplessly as his grandfather’s condition worsened until he was left all alone?
Every time he returned home and saw his grandfather doing okay, he’d muster all his energy, terrified of making any mistake that might jeopardize this good fortune. Without it, their lives would fall apart.
What did gossip matter? What did exhaustion matter?
The money in his pocket was real. The medicine he could buy was real.
He wished he could work even harder to earn more.
Yu Xiang’an understood their concerns. “Don’t worry,” she reassured them. “Your wages won’t change. With Aunt He joining, you’ll be able to handle more work—it’s necessary.” Her words were a relief.
Wei Funi and Gu Nanfeng also sighed in relief.
As long as their pay wasn’t affected, they were fine.
Now, they had to work even harder. If one more person could be hired, a second could follow.
They knew plenty of people wanted jobs here.
The three meals a day were substantial—if they saved a little to take home, it meant extra food for their families. The wages were good too, no worse than factory work.
They cherished this opportunity.
With Aunt He’s help, the volume of marinated dishes Yu Xiang’an could wholesale increased significantly, and the profits were encouraging.
Zhong Jianqiang was now splitting his time between skewer stalls and her kitchen.
He envied Yu Xiang’an’s output and even considered renting a shop himself. But having just bought a house, his savings were tight.
From his side, Yu Xiang’an still earned a couple hundred yuan a month.
They operated on thin margins but high volume, so their profits weren’t as staggering as hers. Still, compared to factory workers, the income was substantial—enough to afford a house so quickly.
Now, seeing Yu Xiang’an’s model, he wondered if he should make changes too.
His earlier earnings had gone into the house. After saving a bit more, he’d have capital to try something else…
Yu Xiang’an’s bustling shop naturally caught the attention of certain people.
These were chaotic times—the crackdowns hadn’t yet begun.
Occasionally, police patrolled nearby, but not necessarily because of her.
Then one day, trouble erupted in Yu Xiang’an’s hotpot restaurant.
A man pointed at a rat floating in the pot and slammed the table. “What kind of place is this? Who could eat this? Cooking with rats!”
Gu Nanfeng stepped forward immediately. “Hold on, sir, let me check first.”
He frowned at the sight—the rat wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t small either. Wei Funi, who had just served the pot, insisted, “There was nothing like this when I brought it out.”
The man scoffed. “So you’re saying the rat jumped in by itself?”
His companion chimed in, “Yeah, you’d better explain this. It’s disgusting.”
Wei Funi stiffened, looking to Gu Nanfeng, who said, “Let me figure this out. Lu Xiao, come here!”
Lu Xiao emerged from the kitchen, apron still on. Seeing the rat, he was adamant: “This wasn’t here when it left the kitchen. We keep strict hygiene standards, and we even have two cats—no rat would dare stick around.”
The man sneered, raising his voice. “Oh, so the big shop bullies customers now? Everyone, look at this! The rat’s right here—I’m not lying!”
Other diners stood up, murmuring and pointing.
“Yeah, there’s a rat in the pot.”
“Did ours have rats too?”
“Is this place even clean?”
The man’s companion shouted, “Where’s the boss? Get the boss here! If there’s a rat, we’re not paying—we’ll need hospital treatment! Who knows how filthy this is!”
The man added, “They’re paying our medical bills!”
Hearing the commotion, Yu Xiang’an came out from the kitchen. She glanced at the pot and almost laughed. “This is a mushroom broth. A rat this size would’ve been noticed when served. Even if you missed it at first, how could you finish most of the mushrooms before spotting it?”
She turned to the onlookers. “You all see this rat—could you have eaten with it in there?”
Her words made the crowd reconsider. “It’s huge—no way you wouldn’t notice.”
“You’d have to be blind to eat around it.”
“Probably trying to scam a free meal.”
Yu Xiang’an ordered Lu Xiao, “Go report this to the police—tell them two people are trying to frame us.”
Lu Xiao untied his apron and sprinted out without hesitation. “On it!”
Hearing this, the two men bolted.
The restaurant’s policy was to order first, pay after, then receive the food.
They’d already settled the bill.
The other diners laughed. “Look at them run—guilty conscience.”
“No rat? Good, I can keep eating.”
Yu Xiang’an clasped her hands apologetically. “Sorry for the disturbance, everyone. Each table gets a complimentary side dish—our treat.”
The customers grinned. “Now that’s how you handle things.”
“Thanks, boss!”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be back…”
Lu Xiao returned shortly. Wei Funi asked, “Did you really report them? That was fast.”
Lu Xiao chuckled. “Nah, I just waited around the corner. Saw them run off and came back.”
Yu Xiang’an smiled. “No need for police over this. You handled it well. But if they’d pushed it, we’d have gone. We run an honest business—if someone tries to cheat us, we’ll let the law decide.”
Gu Nanfeng and Wei Funi looked sheepish. “We didn’t think of that.” It hadn’t occurred to them that customers might plant the rat themselves.
Yu Xiang’an reassured them. “First time jitters. Next time, think it through. In business, you meet all kinds…”
Later, Lin Chuanbai heard about the incident and worried. “What if others cause trouble too?”
Yu Xiang’an shrugged. “We’ll handle it as it comes. Every business faces this sooner or later. Sometimes, you even have to pay to avoid worse. Today’s pair had some shame—real troublemakers won’t care about police.”
Her grandfather’s restaurant had dealt with such types—people who’d loiter and disrupt other customers until they got their way.
“Just be careful. How much have you saved now?”
“A few thousand. Why?”
“With that much, let’s hit the antique market. The state-run shops sell genuine pieces—some pricey, some reasonable.”
Yu Xiang’an grinned. “Let’s go!”
The antique street had been desolate during the Cultural Revolution but revived after reforms. Now, with open markets, foot traffic grew—though most buyers were foreigners hunting “souvenirs.”
Stalls lined the street alongside proper shops.
Many sellers were offloading items returned after confiscation—some too afraid to keep “risky” possessions.
Bulky ceramics were common; smaller, concealable treasures often stayed hidden.
If the chaos never returned, those would be valuable.
Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai had done their homework beforehand.
They couldn’t spot fakes, but they knew enough history and periods to make informed choices.
Counterfeits existed, especially for high-value items, but they shopped mainly by instinct.
If something caught their eye at a fair price, they bought it.
They browsed stall by stall until pausing at one selling porcelain bowls and plates.
The vendor, a burly man in his thirties wrapped in a thick scarf, spoke gruffly: “These are 1 yuan each, these 5, and these 20.”
The 1-yuan pieces had chips or cracks; the 5-yuan ones were intact but small; the 20-yuan items were larger and more striking.
Yu Xiang’an crouched by the cheapest pile, examining each.
Lin Chuanbai asked, “Can I pick them up?”
“Sure, but break it, you buy it.”
“Deal.”
Some bore Qing dynasty markings—not too old, and in mediocre condition, hence the low price.
She moved to the 5-yuan section, studying a plate with a carp design when accented Mandarin sounded behind her: “This ceramic very nice—how much?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage