Their current foundation is still the restaurant; they can’t ruin that.
"Xiao Gu, how’s our rice wine selling these days?"
"Sister Xiao Wan, the rice wine is doing okay, but we’ve been selling a lot of boxed fruit wine lately, especially iced fruit wine." Every evening, Xiao Gu prepares two barrels, fills them with cold water, and chills the drinks overnight in them.
"Mm-hmm," Lin Wan replied while checking yesterday’s accounts.
The crayfish sales have been quite good lately. The night market hasn’t even been open for a month, but word has already spread around the city. Nearby restaurants have started to imitate them, some even selling cheaper than them.
"Sister Xiao Wan, should we lower our prices?"
Lin Wan shook her head. "We’re not competing on price; we just need to perfect our flavors. Besides, we offer complimentary dishes in the evenings, which is a kind of promotion. Remember, don’t engage in price wars unless absolutely necessary."
"I understand, thank you, Sister Xiao Wan," Xiao Gu said, feeling grateful for everything Sister Xiao Wan had taught him.
The next day, after buying groceries, Lin Wan went to the kitchen to teach Aunt Gui and Aunt Liu a spicy gluten dish and a cold mixed loofah tip dish.
"Store manager, we can eat loofah tips cold ?" Aunt Liu, who had worked in kitchens all her life, was surprised they could also be eaten.
"Not only are they delicious, but they also lower blood lipids, which is good for health. They don’t sell them in markets, but if Aunt Gui and Aunt Liu know anyone who grows loofahs, you can tell them we’ll buy loofah tips for ten cents a pound." The ones she brought were grown in her family’s small courtyard; not many.
"Sure, these days farmers like to grow them as they grow well and produce a lot."
When Lin Wan left the store, she was carrying a sunshade, planning to go to a workshop. But at the bus stop, she happened to see the date on the sign and realized it was already July. She couldn’t quite remember which day she’d met Han Yi in her previous life, but she knew it was July.
Ever since the Lantern Festival, she hadn’t seen Han Yi again. In February, she visited Grandma once, but as she left, Grandma refused to take money for the soap she bought, even though Grandma sold soap to make a living. Lin Wan hadn’t visited since; she preferred not to go if it meant not paying.
Initially, she thought meeting Han Yi early in this life would lead to something, but so much time had passed without any progress. Lin Wan occasionally wondered if she had been too reserved, causing things to be ... Could it be that she would miss the chance in this life too? Lin Wan absentmindedly walked under the umbrella towards the community where she had tutored in the previous life.
Han Yi was probably on a blind date at this moment. If she couldn’t find him in the community, what should she do? Ask Grandma? Go to the military district?
If she found him, what should she say? Should she bluntly confess that she likes him and wants to date him? Or... say she wants to marry him? Would he think she’s crazy if he heard this?
At this moment, Lin Wan wished Han Yi would appear like before, like he had descended from the sky. Burdened with emotion, she walked down a familiar yet unfamiliar road and crossed the street mechanically without noticing the car behind her. It wasn’t until the horn sounded close that she reacted but hadn’t managed to avoid it when a large hand pulled her back.
"Why aren’t you watching the road?" The cold, firm voice held a slight anger, making Lin Wan’s heart surge with joy.
She looked up and, unsurprisingly, saw the man she had missed. He was like a ray of light in the darkness, instantly dispelling her gloom.
"Thank you," Lin Wan said, smiling brightly at Han Yi, her joy evident in her eyes, paying no mind to the driver’s scolding.
Han Yi glanced at the distancing driver with a frown, then quickly scanned Lin Wan, seeing she was unharmed. He nodded slightly at her, discreetly let go of her hand, and stepped back to put distance between them. "Long time no see."
"Um... oh, are you... here on business?" Lin Wan noticed Han Yi wasn’t wearing a military uniform today; instead, he was in a white short-sleeved polyester shirt, black pants, and green military sneakers.