Lin Jiayi thought about how Li Guangyuan in her past life had also started from a small business and gradually made it big. She didn’t know what kind of business Lin Chuxia and he had started, but considering the Li Family’s circumstances, it couldn’t have been a big business. Perhaps it really started with selling vegetables. Thinking this, she nodded, “Well, it’s agreed then, once you have some capital, you’ll expand the business.”
“Definitely, we will become wealthier and wealthier.”
Lin Jiayi believed this; she had seen Li Guangyuan when he was prosperous.
Thinking of something, she extended a hand, “Then return the money I originally gave you. Selling vegetables doesn’t require much capital, the leftover money should stay with me. I still need to buy some fabric to make a cotton dress.”
Li Guangyuan was momentarily stunned, then he pulled her into his embrace, “Jiayi, it’s like this, the vegetable selling business doesn’t need much initial capital. I can frequently travel to the county on the day after tomorrow. I definitely need to buy a bicycle, and luckily Li Ergou is willing to sell his bicycle to me, so I bought it.”
Lin Jiayi’s voice raised a couple of notches, “That bicycle outside, you bought it from Li Ergou’s family? How much?”
She recognized that bicycle; it was the one Li Guangyuan rode when he married her.
She thought it belonged to the Li Family, but a few days ago, Li Ergou took it back.
Li Guangyuan just brought it back, she thought maybe after finishing the work in the field, Li Guangyuan was going to take her to the county for a stroll, that he borrowed the bicycle for this purpose.
It was previously agreed that after fertilizing the corn, he would accompany her to the city to get fabric.
Li Guangyuan weakly held up a finger, “One hundred yuan.”
“One hundred yuan?” Lin Jiayi sprung to her feet, “One hundred yuan for an old bicycle? Do you know how much a new bicycle costs?”
Of course, Li Guangyuan knew, “Nowadays, bicycles are not that easy to buy, we don’t have any connections to get a bicycle ticket. Even for a used bicycle, many people are unwilling to sell. It’s just that Li Ergou and I have a good relationship, his family agreed to sell the bike to me. I finally found a way to make money, we can’t just give up because of the bicycle, can we?”
Lin Jiayi looked reluctant, “Even so, you should still have one hundred yuan on hand, give me seventy.”
The Li Family’s bridal gift to her was taken by the two daughters of the Li Family, her new cotton dress was still unresolved. Initially, she thought of buying it when Li Guangyuan made money from the business. Now it’s simpler; the vegetable business doesn’t need much capital, so she’ll get the fabric for her new cotton dress first.
Li Guangyuan’s eyes flickered, he coughed lightly, “Jiayi, it’s like this, when we got married, to gather your bridal gift, my family borrowed fifty yuan. Recently, when that family urgently needed money, they came to our house to collect the debt, so I paid them back first.”
Lin Jiayi was truly upset now, “Li Guangyuan, do you know what you are talking about? You actually used my money to fill the gaps of the Li Family? That was my bridal money, intended for investing in your business, and you spent it without even consulting me?”
She pushed Li Guangyuan away, her eyes almost red with anger, “I don’t care, you must get that money back for me, every single penny.”
Li Guangyuan lowered his eyes to hide a hint of dissatisfaction, then lifted his face again, appearing pitiful, he took Lin Jiayi’s hand and placed it on his face.
“Jiayi, I know I did wrong. If you are angry, slap me twice, it’s my lack of capability that made me resort to using your bridal money. What can I do? I’m my mother’s only son, and it was borrowed for our marriage. If I don’t pay it back, who will? I originally planned to get the business up quickly and use the profits to repay the debt. Little did I know things would turn out this way, and I ended up using your bridal money. I’m truly incapable.”
He held Lin Jiayi’s hand, and gave himself a hard slap.
Lin Jiayi pulled her hand back, already having calmed down significantly by the time he admitted his fault.
This was President Li, revered and respected by everyone in her past life, now speaking kindly and pleading for her forgiveness in front of her. Such a disparity, Lin Jiayi couldn’t have even dreamt of in two lifetimes.
His attention to her went far beyond what she had imagined.
Moreover, although Li Guangyuan used her dowry money to alleviate the famine, it showed his credibility and sense of responsibility towards the whole family.
These were things she had known long ago, as the Li Family’s business did so well in the past precisely because of their good reputation.
Li Guangyuan was always observing Lin Jiayi’s expression, and seeing her soften, he hurriedly said, “I didn’t tell you about the business opportunity because I wanted to surprise you, Jiayi. I will definitely make life good for you. All the money earned in the future will be managed by you. The financial power of our family must be entrusted to you, please forgive me this time.”
Upon hearing this, the last bit of resentment in Lin Jiayi’s heart dissipated, “I know you are a man of your word, but you should still discuss things with me.”
Li Guangyuan hugged her again, “I was wrong this time. I’ve never seen you as an outsider, I just forgot to tell you about it. Don’t be angry, seeing you upset hurts me more than if you were to slap me twice.”
Lin Jiayi nestled in his arms, feeling a surge of sweetness, thinking that she really shouldn’t be quibbling with him over fifty yuan. Considering Li Guangyuan’s future achievements, what’s fifty yuan?
Furthermore, Li Guangyuan valued her so much, much more than the cold-hearted Qin Yang. What more could she be dissatisfied with?
…
The location was set, and next, preparations for the cooked food had to be scheduled.
The courtyard was somewhat dilapidated and needed refurbishment. Since the courtyard was now hers, Lin Chuxia decided to refurbish it thoroughly.
This was also why she had some savings and directly took out a loan of three thousand yuan.
With the rent from the rooms and the money she had, it was enough for her to invest.
Business is about making money from money, how can you make money without having any?
Su Wensong was experienced, and Lin Chuxia entrusted all the activities of his Bun Shop to Sun Bingnan, specifically to oversee the renovation of the courtyard.
In two days, she replanned the courtyard.
The main house’s roof was old and leaked in several places, so she directly renovated the roof. The clay beds inside were removed, and the four rooms in the main house were changed into three rooms that shared one door, and one room with a separate door, which would serve as a workshop and office layout once the business developed.
Both sides of the courtyard had annex rooms erected, with the east side arranged as employee dormitories, one for men and one for women, and the west side made into a large kitchen.
Finally, the whole courtyard was covered with a simple shed, ensuring that even if the weather was bad, it wouldn’t affect production inside.
At the same time, a large stove was set up in the courtyard, and the water pipes and sewer system also needed to be reinstalled, along with a special cleaning pool.
As always, in catering, food hygiene must be ensured.
For this type of meat product, raw and cooked foods must be separated, and wastewater from the raw meat processing must be promptly drained.
Although by Lin Chuxia’s future standards, this setup was still a bit simple, it was considered very good for that period.
While the courtyard was being refurbished, it was also a good time for the employees at the Bun Shop, as their salaries were distributed.