Zhang Tianxing didn't give the old couple much time to object.
"I've already discussed this with my second uncle, we'll set up a barbecue stall at his restaurant."
Zhang Qiang was taken aback for a moment, then thought about it and said, "That location is quite good, with high foot traffic and many nearby residents. It's a good spot."
Upon hearing this, Liang Juan gritted her teeth in anger and could only secretly pinch Zhang Qiang's waist a few times. Zhang Qiang immediately understood and immediately changed his tune, "These crayfish are good, I'll eat more first. The only downside is there's not much meat, but the portion is generous. It's just a hassle to peel them. Honey, you have one too."
As he spoke, he offered a peeled crayfish to Liang Juan's mouth.
Zhang Tianxing said to the two of them, "We'll prepare things tomorrow and plan to have a soft opening in the evening. We'll probably be back quite late. You two should rest early."
"You child, you haven't prepared anything yet. Is it that easy to open for business?" Liang Juan said exasperatedly.
Zhang Tianxing thought for a moment, "There's not much else. Tomorrow morning, I'll have Da Yong and Gao Tianming get some crayfish. If business is good, I want to ask my second uncle to collect some from their village for me. It will be more convenient to get the goods directly then."
"How much are you planning to buy the crayfish for?"
"Eighty cents a jin. No one is buying them now. We won't collect much, only two hundred jin a day. We'll talk about other things once business picks up."
Liang Juan pondered for a moment, "That should be fine. Your second uncle is recuperating at home and has nothing to do anyway. This task isn't difficult. Have him help you for a couple of days and then bring him some gifts."
Hearing this, Zhang Tianxing felt reassured. It seemed Liang Taihou had given her approval.
Zhang Qiang added, "Don't buy too much when you're sourcing. It won't be worth it if it all ends up unsold."
Zhang Tianxing nodded, indicating he understood.
Zhang Qiang and Liang Juan exchanged glances. Their son had suddenly grown up, making them feel a little unaccustomed. Moreover, their son's performance over the past couple of days had brought them great comfort.
Their son's culinary skills had astonished the old couple. Was their son a culinary genius? If so, even if his exams didn't go well, becoming a chef in a restaurant would be a good option.
As long as one has a skill, it's easier to establish oneself in society. Liang Juan and Zhang Qiang had no other desires, they only hoped that Zhang Tianxing could rely on his own abilities to make a living in society.
Unlike them, who worked hard and tedious jobs for little pay, unable to attend to family matters.
They dared not take leave, dared not fall ill, and no problems could arise at home.
Once a problem occurred, it would be the last straw that would break the camel's back for the family.
...
The next day, Zhang Tianxing found Zhu Da Yong, Gao Tian Ming, Wen Qing, and Li Fang.
"Dear partners, our barbecue stall is set to open tonight, so let's get everything ready today and open for business tonight. Any problems?"
The four were stunned by Zhang Tianxing's words. Wen Qing gave him a dissatisfied look, "Zhang Tianxing, you're not reliable at all. We haven't prepared anything yet, and you want to open tonight? What's the point of opening without anything?"
"Exactly. Give us a reliable plan. Let's prepare things today and open tomorrow. Besides, there's no promotion, so no one will come when we open."
Zhang Tianxing smiled confidently, "That's not a problem. My second uncle has ready-made cutlery and barbecue equipment, so we can just take them over."
"Actually, we have two main tasks today. The first is to get the crayfish, let's start with a hundred jin. The second task is the meat skewers. I'll go choose the meat later and then marinate it."
Wen Qing listened and nodded, "Okay, that sounds more like it. But getting a hundred jin of crayfish might be difficult, right?"
Zhang Tianxing smiled, "You can try to collect them there. Eighty cents a jin. See if anyone is selling. Just make it clear we won't take more than a certain amount. Don't accept too much."
There were too many clever people in the countryside. He feared that one collection might bring in over a thousand jin, and they wouldn't even have enough money to sell themselves.
"However, since we're opening a barbecue stall, we'll probably be home very late. Do you two ladies have any issues with that?"
"We'll probably have to go home by eleven o'clock. Any later, and our parents won't agree."
Zhang Tianxing thought about it. That was fine. By eleven o'clock, there wouldn't be many customers left. By then, the three of them could manage. The plan was perfect.
...
Splitting into two groups, by noon, Zhang Tianxing was exhausted. He hadn't realized how much work it entailed until he started.
There were so many details to prepare.
And the difference between these two beautiful schoolmates was too great.
Children from poor families grow up faster. Li Fang could handle the work with ease.
Wen Qing was slightly less adept, but not bad. Both of them exceeded Zhang Tianxing's expectations.
Zhu Da Yong and Gao Tian Ming also performed exceptionally well. They had initially planned for a hundred jin of crayfish but ended up preparing two hundred jin.
According to Zhang Tianxing's estimate, without any advertising or flyers, not many people would come.
However, since they were all beginners, fewer people would be better, so they wouldn't be overwhelmed.
They would take it slow. Generally speaking, a barbecue stall could earn enough for a year's tuition and living expenses.
The average salary in this era wasn't high, especially in a fourth-tier county town like Yangcheng, which was only slightly better than a fifth-tier town.
The average working-class person earned around three hundred yuan a month. A family's expenses usually wouldn't exceed one hundred yuan a month.
Accustomed to watching various short videos in his previous life, Zhang Tianxing found it difficult to adapt to an era with virtually no internet connection, having used 5G networks. It would take time to adjust.
Fortunately, Zhang Tianxing wasn't focused on that. When he started cutting meat, he realized it was a big project.
Seeing Zhang Tianxing stop, Zhu Da Yong chuckled, "Let me do it. See my skills."
He snatched the cleaver and started cutting. Zhang Tianxing saw the large and small pieces of meat and exclaimed, "Stop, Da Yong. These pieces are too large, some too small. The large ones will be undercooked, and the small ones will burn. It's best to cut them evenly."
Zhang Tianxing took a deep breath. Earning money was not easy. Thinking of the grand opening ahead, his knife work quickened.
Barbecue is a skillful craft. To make the meat taste good, the marinating process is crucial, as is the quality of the meat, both of which directly affect the texture of the grilled meat.
The cleaning and processing of the crayfish were also a major undertaking.
However, while busy, Zhang Tianxing found he had a natural affinity for the cleaver, as if it cut exactly where he intended.
The five of them quickly got into their rhythm and worked at a rapid pace. Gao Tian Ming couldn't help but complain, "I've never done any work at home. My meals were always served, and my clothes were laid out for me. I never expected to be a waiter here today."
Zhang Tianxing pursed his lips, "The door is over there. You can leave anytime you want."
"I can't leave. You and Zhu Da Yong have ulterior motives and have your sights set on Wen Qing."