Starting from a Bankrupt Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant

Wang Wei and Xiaohuang each ordered forty cents' worth of braised vegetables, putting an end to their argument.

A mixed plate of five-spice vegetables and a mixed plate of spicy vegetables arrived at their table. The two of them looked at each other and smiled.

"You know, your five-spice braised vegetables actually look pretty good."

"And your spicy ones are making my mouth water."

"Comrade Xiaohuang, come on, let's eat together!"

"Comrade Wang, don't be shy. Dig in."

Before any of their other dishes arrived, the two had already picked up their chopsticks and started digging in with gusto.

Crisp, flavorful braised lotus root and soft, tender braised potatoes. The joy of getting a pound for only forty cents was practically unheard of at Zhou Yan Restaurant.

The exquisite texture and flavor of the braised tofu skin, not to mention the crisp and savory braised kelp, were simply out of this world.

"This is absolutely the best braised vegetarian food I've ever eaten!" Xiaohuang exclaimed in amazement. "I thought what I had at Zhao's Braised Shop in Jiazhou City was the peak of perfection, but it can't hold a candle to this."

"Forget Jiazhou. I've never had braised vegetables this delicious even in Rongcheng." Wang Wei took a bite of kelp and glanced toward the kitchen, marveling, "Zhou Yan is incredible. His braised pig's trotters are amazing too. You have to try them next time. The satisfaction of devouring a whole one all by yourself is unparalleled."

"Mmm, but pig's trotters are one-twenty each. I can't be as extravagant as you. I've got a little mouth to feed at home." Xiaohuang smiled and shook his head. His eyes drifted to the steaming trotter just served at the next table, and he couldn't help but swallow. He hesitated before adding, "How about... next time you're craving one, you give me a call, and we go halves?"

"Oh, come on. You're a dual-income household," Wang Wei laughed. "Fine, let's come back for them tomorrow. You've got me craving one now, too."

"Deal!" Xiaohuang nodded.

The launch of the braised vegetables was like a stone tossed onto a calm lake, sending ripples far and wide.

Twenty cents could get you a packet of braised lotus root and potatoes, wrapped in oil paper with two bamboo skewers. It was the perfect afternoon snack.

And for another twenty cents, you could add the "meaty" tofu skin and crisp kelp.

For the first time, Zhou Yan Restaurant—a place usually associated with high prices—gave the textile factory workers a taste of affordability and real value.

Of course, the most important thing was that it was delicious!

No one who tasted it could resist pulling out their money to buy some.

There seemed to be a lot in those basins of vegetables, but the crowd of people surrounding them was actually pulling out cash to buy them.

One person would ask for thirty cents' worth, another for forty, and in the blink of an eye, half the basin of spicy braised lotus root had vanished.

This made the customers who had planned to buy some after their shift ended rush to get in line and pay.

At Zhou Yan Restaurant, it wasn't unusual for items to sell out completely. If you came late, you couldn't buy it even if you had the money.

Meanwhile, many of the customers dining in also chose to order a portion as a side dish.

Ordering the spicy braised vegetables was no different from getting a cold appetizer, and a mixed plate only cost around sixty cents—an incredibly reasonable price.

After the Huang siblings, Huang Ying and Huang Bing, took their seats, they also ordered two plates—one five-spice and one spicy—with a little of everything on each.

"Whoa! This lotus root and potato are incredible! And this tofu skin... it tastes better than meat! The price is way too cheap, isn't it?!" Huang Ying exclaimed, her words muffled by a full mouth.

Huang Bing was also eating one mouthful after another, nodding along. "It is! This braising liquid is so good, you could probably braise a shoe sole in it and it would still be delicious."

"What do you know?" Huang Ying shot him a look. "The braising liquid is one thing, but the technique is just as important." She picked up a piece of potato. "Look at this. It's braised until it's perfectly tender and has absorbed all the flavor. It's so soft it practically falls apart when you pick it up, yet it holds its shape on the plate. That's good presentation.

And these thick-cut lotus root slices have to be flavorful while still having a bit of a crunch. That requires a high level of Fire Control and Knife Skills. You think you can just dump everything into the brine and fish it out?

Don't even get me started on the tofu skin. Braise that stuff for one minute too long, and it'll disintegrate in the pot."

Huang Bing listened, completely stunned. He silently gave Huang Ying a thumbs-up. "Alright, you're the one with all the words. I'll take your word for it."

"It's so good. We should take some back for Mom and the Old Man later," Huang Ying said.

"Are you thinking of selling braised vegetables at our restaurant?"

Huang Ying shook her head and lowered her voice. "No, that wouldn't work. Our customers are mostly hosting banquets or treating guests. As good as these are, they don't quite fit our menu. They're not formal enough. We'll just bring some back for them to taste."

"I think the tofu skin and kelp are great, though. If this were on the table, I'd definitely grab a few extra bites." Huang Bing popped a piece of tofu skin into his mouth. "Wouldn't it work as a cold appetizer?"

"We'll let Mom and the Old Man decide," Huang Ying said.

After finishing their meal, the two got two orders of the braised food to go, then got on their bikes and headed back.

When the lunch rush was over, Zhou Yan looked at the basins of vegetables that were brought back to the kitchen. They were nearly empty.

The spicy braised lotus root and potatoes, in particular, were completely sold out.

The tofu skin and kelp had also sold very well; he estimated that less than a third remained.

"They sold incredibly well! People were buying by the half-pound and the pound, and everyone said it was delicious." Mrs. Zhao's face was wreathed in smiles, a hint of disbelief still in her eyes. She looked at Zhou Yan and asked, "Should we make some more for this afternoon?"

"No need. Selling what's left will be enough. Let's have an easier afternoon. Otherwise, it'll feel like the day's work is never done." Zhou Yan shook his head, refusing to work overtime.

'Braised food is a long-term business,' he thought. 'There's no need to rush it.'

'Still, for it to be this big of a hit right after launching today was a pleasant surprise.'

'The sampling strategy was a huge success. And according to Mrs. Zhao's observations, female factory workers made up seventy percent of the customers.'

'That ratio was already close to the overall percentage of female workers at the textile factory.'