The people queuing were all stunned. They said there were queues, implying such confidence in their service and the sheer amount of stock they must have prepared.
To be frank, everyone knew the usual routines of street restaurants: a grand opening discount, and rarely would one see an establishment giving out gifts on their opening day.
However, this crayfish hotpot place had quite the audacious claim, saying everyone queuing would get something.
Those who were about to leave instead rejoined the queue.
“What a bold statement! Daring to say everyone queuing will get something. I’m here today to see just how generous this boss is!”
“I refuse to believe it. They’re not afraid of their words coming back to bite them. I want to see if this boss’s wallet is thick enough.”
Yan Ruyu felt both joy and a pang of heartache. Joy that on the opening day, the turnout was significant, setting a record for any opening in Zhonghai City.
Never before had a store opening been so popular; it surpassed her imagination. Although Zhang Tianxing's method involved spending money, the effect was undeniably immense.
Yan Ruyu was confident that at least eighty percent of customers who visited the crayfish hotpot would become repeat customers. With her experience in the catering industry, she had already determined that the crayfish hotpot was destined for immense success.
Yet, its immediate popularity was beyond her expectations.
Her heartache stemmed from the sheer number of people, and thus, the amount of gifts to be given away. Zhang Tianxing had also said there would be a gift for everyone who entered.
How much would this cost? Especially since the gifts were of considerable value. She remembered when Zhang Tianxing mentioned spending ten thousand, and she had strongly disagreed. Now, she realized her perspective had been too narrow.
Seeing the crowd before her, Yan Ruyu couldn't help but smile. Fortunately, she had a good eye for people.
Thinking back to the first time she met Zhang Tianxing, a smile involuntarily appeared on Yan Ruyu's lips.
He had just graduated from high school then, wearing his school uniform, running by the roadside.
It was precisely because her own skills were lacking, and she was on the phone, that she carelessly bumped into Zhang Tianxing.
This collision was truly remarkable. Without it, she wouldn't have crossed paths with Zhang Tianxing.
If this crayfish hotpot venture succeeded, she would finally have the courage to face her family.
Looking at it this way, it was unclear who was the benefactor to whom, her or Zhang Tianxing.
Yan Ruyu fell into contemplation.
“General Manager Yan, gifts for the first store are more than half distributed.”
“General Manager Yan, gifts for the second store are more than half distributed.”
“General Manager Yan, gifts for the third store are more than half distributed.”
“General Manager Yan, gifts for the fourth store are more than half distributed.”
Yan Ruyu's heart finally settled. Victory was assured. With the foot traffic and the positive reputation, making money would be a matter of minutes.
“Alright, excellent work everyone. On behalf of Boss Zhang, I promise you all bonuses if we meet our performance targets.”
“General Manager Yan is mighty!”
“Boss Zhang is brilliant!”
Just then, a discordant voice chimed in: “Boss’s wife is so generous!”
The crowd burst into laughter. Yan Ruyu said sternly, “Don’t talk nonsense. Boss Zhang and I are just friends.”
The chubby Zhou Futai stuck out his tongue. He had thought Zhang Tianxing and Yan Ruyu were a couple. So they were just friends? This boss’s wife, no, this General Manager Yan was truly beautiful!
Plans change faster than the weather. While the crayfish hotpot was distributing gifts.
The large crowd caused a traffic jam.
Cars were lined up on the road, and bicycles filled the roadside.
Those who lived nearby had walked over directly.
Passersby were dumbfounded.
What was going on? This road had never been congested before.
Upon closer inspection, they discovered it was the opening of the crayfish hotpot that had caused this chaos.
This incident greatly angered the traffic bureau.
Law enforcement officers approached Zhang Tianxing and Yan Ruyu.
“Bosses, firstly, congratulations on your grand opening. However, your opening has affected our traffic, so we need your cooperation.”
What the… Hearing this news, Zhang Tianxing was also bewildered. What was going on?
Was it really necessary? I’m just opening a store, and you’re causing a traffic jam.
It made me think something serious had happened.
I’m a law-abiding citizen. Just now, I thought I’d encountered some collaborators demanding payment.
“What do you need us to do? We will cooperate fully,” Zhang Tianxing stated directly, unwilling to take responsibility for the traffic jam.
The enforcement officers smiled. “You just need to ask your crowd outside to disperse.”
Zhang Tianxing immediately pulled over a stool, stood on it, grabbed a small megaphone, and shouted loudly.
“Thank you all for coming. I promise you that even if you don’t get one today, you will when you visit again. However, I hope you can first allow traffic to move. We are all gathered here, directly affecting the traffic. This impact is not good!”
The crowd burst into laughter. This Boss Zhang was interesting and generous.
Everyone present saw how many gifts the crayfish hotpot place had prepared. Even after giving so many away, there were still some left.
They were impressed. This boss was truly reliable; he really gave gifts when he promised.
Countless people decided that it didn't matter where they ate; they would come to the crayfish hotpot. Not for any other reason, but because Boss Zhang was genuine.
The crowd slowly dispersed, and traffic was eventually restored.
This incident quickly spread.
“Have you heard? The crayfish hotpot’s opening caused a traffic jam. I thought it was a major accident. After asking around multiple times, I realized it was a traffic jam caused by the opening.”
“This Zhang Tianxing really has some talent. Whether it was his pioneering the crayfish industry or establishing this crayfish hotpot today, this person acts with great generosity and is reliable.”
“You’re absolutely right. Take the gift-giving, for example. A small gift isn't worth much, but the sheer quantity is overwhelming. Our store alone gave out quite a few. I estimate at least a thousand items were distributed.”
“My goodness, how much did Zhang Tianxing spend on this? It must be tens of thousands. That’s money I could earn in several years. I never expected him to spend it in less than a day.”
“Hearing you say that makes me want to cry. I haven’t even seen that much money. He spent so much in one day. The gap between people is truly vast. I need some quiet time.”
“Who is Quiet Time? Is she a waitress at the crayfish hotpot?”
“You haven’t identified the core issue. Have you eaten at that crayfish hotpot?”
Countless people shook their heads. “With so many people, each store can only serve dozens of tables. Not to mention, how many people can enter Zhonghai City in a day? It’s only a matter of a few hundred people.”
“Let me tell you, I went in and ate. Their hotpot broth is excellent, the shrimp meat is tender, the beef is fatty and fresh. It was truly satisfying. I want to eat there again next time. But eating is secondary; the attitude of the waiters there is genuinely good. It’s better than the service attitude in the five-star hotels I’ve stayed at!”