VFGRC Chapter 71

Tan Shuyi originally believed that someone was deliberately trying to “swindle” his grandfather.

However, when he saw that the person who had been “swindling” his grandfather was none other than the owner of the “Galaxy Snack Shop,” Tan Shuyi’s suspicions instantly vanished.

Although Tan Shuyi had only bought snacks from the “Galaxy Snack Shop” once, the flavors of the snacks were enough to leave a deep impression on him.

Whether sweet, salty, sour, or spicy, there wasn’t a single snack at the “Galaxy Snack Shop” that wasn’t delicious or flavorful. People would eat them and crave for more, unable to stop.

How could the owner who could make such delicious snacks possibly be trying to “swindle” his grandfather!

As the saying goes, “Food is the paramount necessity of the people.”

The temptation of delicacies for the people of Huaxia is truly immense.

Being a native Huaxia person, although Tan Shuyi had only been to the “Galaxy Snack Shop” once, he had completely become a “fanboy” of this snack shop. If anyone dared to say that the snacks from the “Galaxy Snack Shop” were not tasty, he would be the first to step forward and argue with them.

Seeing Yu Bai, Tan Shuyi could also more or less guess what was going on.

After his first visit to the “Galaxy Snack Shop” and tasting snacks that clearly surpassed those of the majority of snack shops in the market, Tan Shuyi understood that this snack shop was not an ordinary establishment. Before long, it would definitely become one of the most popular snack shops in J City.

However, the rapid increase in customer flow was a double-edged sword.

The production capacity of the “Galaxy Snack Shop” and its physical space was limited. If the owner of the “Galaxy Snack Shop” did not increase the number of outlets, expand the store area, and increase snack production, then the business of the “Galaxy Snack Shop” would be bottlenecked, and it would never reach a higher level.

Therefore, upon hearing Grandpa Tan mention that Yu Bai was interested in collaborating with the food processing factory, Tan Shuyi understood that Yu Bai was obviously planning to increase snack production by partnering with the factory to avoid supply shortages.

“But if we collaborate with the factory, there might be subtle differences in the taste compared to handmade snacks…”

Yu Bai’s concerns were not a problem at all in the eyes of Tan Shuyi, Grandpa Tan, and Yue Qing.

You see, on the market, there was hardly a snack shop that could compare to the flavors of Yu Bai’s snack shop. Even if some other snack shops’ flavors were somewhat comparable to those of Yu Bai’s, their value for money was far inferior to Yu Bai’s.

Creating delicious food relies on excellent culinary skills and precise control over ingredients.

In his previous life, Yu Bai, with years of rich culinary experience, had already reached a level of culinary mastery that was unparalleled in the field of cooking. In this current world, individuals who could match Yu Bai’s culinary skills were few and far between.

Even if Yu Bai’s collaboration with the processing factory resulted in a slight reduction in the flavors of his snacks, the overall taste was still exceptional enough to outshine other snack shops.

Of course, collaborating with the factory was not a trivial matter and couldn’t be decided immediately.

Yu Bai needed to discuss this matter with Chen Jing, the project manager at the G Group who was assisting him in opening the snack shop.

“Xiao Yi, let me tell you something. Running a shop all by oneself is very demanding for Mr. Yu. When you lease the abandoned processing factories from our family to Mr. Yu, make sure to charge him less rent, you hear?”

Tan Shuyi nodded vigorously, resembling a little chick pecking at grains.

“Yes, yes, Grandpa, I understand.”

Just then, Tan Shuyi’s phone began to ring.

Answering the call as he walked towards the outside, Tan Shuyi said, “Hello? Dad, this is the current situation…”

Listening attentively from the side, Yue Qing thought that if Yu Bai could indeed finalize a contract with Grandpa Tan and the others, it probably wouldn’t be long before her friends scattered throughout various parts of Huaxia could buy Yu Bai’s snacks online.

Thinking about this, a slight smile tugged at the corners of Yue Qing’s lips.

She needed to quickly share this good news with her friends.

—

As the most experienced project manager at G Group, Chen Jing, upon hearing Yu Bai’s mention of the processing factory and online store, immediately grasped Yu Bai’s intention. While still on the call with Yu Bai, he continued to provide several suitable new ideas.

In fact, the content related to this matter was already outlined in the development plan that Chen Jing had previously prepared for Yu Bai’s snack shop.

However, at that time, Yu Bai was just a snack vendor, and the returning customer flow and online presence were quite limited. Coupled with Yu Bai’s preference for a steady approach, when Yu Bai and Chen Jing initially discussed it, they decided to start with a single snack shop.

After all, no one could have predicted that after opening, numerous internet-famous food bloggers would actively promote Yu Bai’s snack shop online.

The effective promotion brought in a significant customer flow. Coupled with the meticulously designed snacks by Yu Bai, he managed to capture the taste buds of new customers, turning many of them into loyal returning customers.

These returning customers also willingly introduced Yu Bai’s snack shop to their friends and family, thereby attracting even more customers…

Less than a week after the opening of Yu Bai’s snack shop, the customer flow he received was something that many ordinary snack shops couldn’t achieve even after operating for half a year.

Yu Bai trusted Chen Jing quite a bit because this project manager sent by G Group was very capable. During the early preparations of Yu Bai’s snack shop, Chen Jing raised many useful questions.

So, this time, Yu Bai handed over the full responsibility for the online store and the collaboration with the processing factory to Chen Jing.

“There’s still a significant amount of investment funds remaining. If you’re willing, we can actually consider purchasing these several processing factories outright…”

Chen Jing was capable in many aspects, except for one thing that made Yu Bai a little uncomfortable.

That was the fact that Chen Jing was overly “non-frugal.” Regardless of what it was, his first reaction was to buy it.

“No need, let’s stick with renting.” Yu Bai said, “If we buy these factories outright at the full price, there won’t be much investment funds left.”

G Group provided him with a generous investment, but money was ultimately limited. Although according to the current operating situation of his snack shop, Yu Bai could break even in a few months, he still wanted to spend every penny judiciously.

Chen Jing said, “It’s okay. If the amount is insufficient, you can directly request additional investment…”

When Chen Jing finished speaking, he noticed an indescribable expression in Yu Bai’s gaze directed at him.

Chen Jing was puzzled, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

Yu Bai replied, “…Does your company invest in restaurants like this, throwing money around so casually? Just because you mention additional investment, you can get additional investment?”

“Well… not exactly,” Chen Jing smiled, “According to the company’s evaluation, your snack shop has great development potential. So, if you want additional investment, you can get additional investment.”

Of course, Yu Bai’s snack shop was indeed the one with the greatest potential among the various snack shops Chen Jing had been overseeing for these years.

However, even if G Group had a lot of money, they wouldn’t casually provide additional investment to a snack shop.

Chen Jing had a smile on his face, but he muttered to himself in his heart.

Isn’t this still because of the special relationship between Yu Bai and their boss!

Chen Jing definitely wouldn’t tell Yu Bai these thoughts.

Before coming into contact with Yu Bai, the assistant named Hang, who was the most trusted by their boss, had repeatedly warned him not to tell Yu Bai about the fact that their boss and Yu Bai were friends.

As Chen Jing was thinking about this, his boss, the elusive dragon, appeared in the “Galaxy Snack Shop.”

“Yu Bai!” Ji Rongyu didn’t even spare a glance at Chen Jing. He walked briskly to Yu Bai and said, “Have you finished work now? I intentionally came when you were off work!”

As Ji Rongyu said this, his face was beaming with a smile, resembling a lively large dog that had just seen its owner.

This was the first time Chen Jing encountered their boss in Yu Bai’s snack shop. It was also the first time he saw their boss, who usually had a poker face and a cold attitude towards everyone, showing such a “rich” expression.

Chen Jing felt a lump in his throat.

If he were drinking water, he would have probably sprayed it all over the place by now!

The person who appeared in the shop now was their boss? Could their boss have been possessed by some wandering spirit or ghost?!

Yu Bai spoke calmly, “Why did you suddenly come?”

Ji Rongyu’s lips curled slightly, revealing a touch of displeasure.

He whispered, “I didn’t suddenly come. You said that before I came, I should send you a message. So, this afternoon, I sent you several messages, but you didn’t reply to any of them…”

As Ji Rongyu said this, his tone carried a slight sense of grievance.

In the afternoon, Yu Bai was busy with the business in the shop and discussing matters related to the online store and the factory, so he didn’t have time to check his messages.

Therefore, Yu Bai naturally didn’t know that Ji Rongyu was coming.

Yu Bai replied, “I was busy at the time…”

“I know you were busy.” Ji Rongyu blinked his eyes. He reached out and encircled Yu Bai’s arm, then rubbed his chin against Yu Bai’s shoulder. “So, I’m not upset.”

Before Yu Bai could “react” and pull his hand back, Ji Rongyu’s gaze fell on the big pot containing peach blossom wine sweet rice balls nearby.

“These peach blossom wine sweet rice balls smell so good. I see there’s a little bit left. Can I have some?” Ji Rongyu tilted his head, “I haven’t tried the peach blossom wine sweet rice balls you made. I see many people praising them online…”

“Sure.” Yu Bai sighed helplessly, “Hand.”

Ji Rongyu blinked his eyes, then obediently released his grip on Yu Bai’s arm.

Ji Rongyu sat down at a seat next to the freshly made snack window, with Chen Jing beside him.

Feeling like an “outsider,” Chen Jing had the sensation that he was covered in ants crawling all over him ever since the boss sat next to him. He even discreetly wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and tried to subtly create some distance between himself and Ji Rongyu. However, a piercing cold gaze fell directly on him.

At this moment, Ji Rongyu put away the smile on his face and reverted to his usual cold expression.

The boss was staring at him!

Chen Jing was a smart person. He understood that Ji Rongyu was watching him to prevent him from moving to another seat.

After all, if Ji Rongyu moved over and Chen Jing changed his seat, it would undoubtedly lead to Yu Bai making more speculations.

Chen Jing could only sit in his original position, sweating profusely.

“Clank!” The porcelain bowl was placed on the table, emitting a light sound.

“This peach blossom wine sweet rice ball looks so good.” Ji Rongyu, with a brilliant smile, took a bite of the peach blossom wine glutinous rice ball, “Mmm! Yu Bai, the sweet rice wine balls you made are so delicious! The peach blossom fragrance and the sweet rice wine are perfectly combined, with a subtle sweetness that isn’t overwhelming!”

As Chen Jing listened to the boss’s extravagant praise, even more sweat formed on his forehead.

Bowing his head, Chen Jing covered his forehead with his right hand, concealing the nervous expression on his face.

The “Galaxy Snack Shop” would always prepare two large pots of wine sweet rice balls for each business day. Usually, both pots of peach blossom wine sweet rice balls would be sold out before closing, occasionally leaving only a small bowl’s worth.

Coincidentally, when Chen Jing arrived at the “Galaxy Snack Shop,” it happened to be the time when the second pot of peach blossom wine sweet rice balls was being restocked.

Chen Jing remembered clearly that the person making the second pot of peach blossom wine sweet rice balls was definitely not Yu Bai, the owner of the “Galaxy Snack Shop,” but…

Yu Bai raised an eyebrow, “You think this bowl of peach blossom wine glutinous rice balls is delicious?”

Ji Rongyu nodded and smiled, “Exceptionally delicious! Only you could make such tasty snacks…”

Yu Bai revealed a faint smile, “Is that so?”

Yu Bai continued, “Thank you for praising the peach blossom wine sweet rice balls in my shop. However…”

“This pot of peach blossom wine sweet rice balls weren’t made by me.”

Yu Bai walked over to Yun He’s side, patting his shoulder, “This pot of peach blossom wine sweet rice balls was made by Yun He.”

Yun He looked up in bewilderment, looking at Yu Bai.

He had been busy cleaning up the stove earlier and hadn’t paid attention to the conversation between Yu Bai and Ji Rongyu.

Yu Bai smiled at Yun He, “Yun He, I think your culinary skills are quite good as well.”

Yun He, who was unexpectedly praised, replied, “Thank you?”

Sitting next to Ji Rongyu at the freshly made snack window, Chen Jing was trembling. He silently shrunk his body and tried to reduce his presence as much as possible.

Chen Jing could feel that his boss, who was now patting the horse’s leg, was probably furious.

Terrifying!

 

Author’s note:

PS: There’s a second update!