Zhao Jianguo emerged from the house without any discernible change, nor did he notice that Cheng Tao had tampered with his seasonings.
He proceeded to pack his things.
After a barbecue, the grill would inevitably be stained with grease, and one's clothes would carry the lingering scent of grilled food.
Every day upon returning home, he would meticulously clean everything, ensuring the best experience for his customers.
In the evening, he held his wife and child, envisioning their future.
“We’ll soon be able to apply for a building plot, and then we’ll build a big house.”
Zhou Yunru tallied their household savings. She had been working for Cheng You and had now saved two hundred yuan.
Combined with Zhao Jianguo’s monthly earnings, they had over three hundred yuan.
“We can actually apply now. We still have some savings, and if we’re really short, we can borrow some from Cheng You. Let’s just get the house built first.”
When they had moved back, Zhao Jianguo had felt uncomfortable about the idea of living in Elder Zhou’s house long-term.
Wang Hongxia was not one to act without personal gain. Seeing that Zhao Jianguo was making money, if they didn’t move out soon, there would surely be more trouble later.
Zhao Jianguo also thought her suggestion was feasible.
“Then I’ll go to the brigade tomorrow and submit the application. We’ll get the building plot settled quickly.”
Zhao Jianguo didn’t keep his application for a building plot a secret from everyone.
The villagers gasped, surprised that Zhao Jianguo’s month of selling barbecue was enough to build a house!
A ripple of excitement spread through the village. If they could also sell barbecue, could they earn as much money?
Zhao Jianguo also felt a sense of unease, knowing so many people were watching him.
He went to Cheng You for advice. Cheng You chuckled.
“So now, we need to make our brand known.”
“Brand?”
It was just a small stall, how could it have a brand?
Cheng You nodded. “Brother Zhao, you can give your barbecue a name now. Once everyone knows our brand, it won’t matter if more people learn to do it.”
A cake, given enough time, would always attract someone who wanted a slice.
Cheng You never expected to monopolize the market.
Zhao Jianguo seemed to vaguely grasp her meaning but knew he needed to go home and ponder it.
“I understand. I’ll go back and think about it, and I’ll come back to you once I’ve decided on a name.”
Cheng You smiled and nodded. “In short, don’t mind others. We just need to focus on our own work, step by step, and we’ll eventually do well.”
She didn’t have much time to manage the barbecue stall as her pharmacy was exceptionally busy.
Especially after taking on the order for two hundred bottles of miscarriage-preventing pills from the pharmaceutical factory each month, Zhang Fuhai, upon hearing this, immediately asked Cheng You for one hundred bottles for himself.
This forced Cheng You, who had intended to send Zhao Lifang to the pharmaceutical factory, to keep her here to help.
The spiritual spring in her sea of consciousness was slowly expanding. As long as she didn’t increase production for the time being, she could still manage.
Winter gave way to spring, and the spring rain pattered down, coaxing new sprouts from withered branches.
Cheng You lay by the bed, listening to the rain, her expression languid.
“It’s April.”
Qi Chengyan draped a jacket over her. “It’s cold outside.”
There was still the late spring chill, descending with the fine rain.
Cheng You turned over and nestled into his embrace, his warm body dispelling the chill that had seeped into her.
Curled up in his arms, she appeared even more delicate.
Rainy days were perfect for sleeping, and she didn’t even want to go out.
“Brother Zhao probably won’t be able to set up his stall today.”
Zhao Jianguo was almost unfailingly present every day.
He had just settled on a name a couple of days ago: “Zhou Zhou Barbecue,” using Zhou Yunru’s surname.
He had always felt a pang of guilt because they had initially agreed for their child to take Zhou’s surname, but in the end, at Zhou Yunru’s insistence, the child took the father’s surname.
Zhao Jianguo’s intention was that this barbecue stall was like his child, and he would nurture it step by step.
Cheng You used to think Zhou Yunru was foolish. The Zhao family was ruthless in their dealings. Even if the child took Zhou’s surname, what good would it do?
Now, however, her perspective had changed. She felt that a marriage based on mutual devotion and understanding was the ideal state.
Unexpectedly, just as she finished speaking, Zhao Jianguo’s voice was heard from outside.
“Cheng You, I’ve come to bring you something!”
Cheng You quickly slipped on her shoes and went outside.
Zhao Jianguo was wearing a straw cape. She then noticed a device similar to an umbrella draped over the barbecue grill.
“You’re setting up today as well?”
“Yes, I am. The weather is cold now, and business is even better.”
Only the beer and sour plum soup were less popular; the barbecue items sold out quickly.
He had brought back Roujiamo, saying he had seen someone selling them and thought they tasted decent, so he brought a few back.
“Chengyan is home too? Perfect, you both should try some.”
He had traded some of his grilled meat for them.
Cheng You took the Roujiamo and quickly said, “Hurry back home.”
“Alright, I’m heading back then.”
As Zhao Jianguo began to push his bicycle away, he paused, remembering something.
“Cheng You, I saw Cheng Tao is also looking for someone to make barbecue grills.”
It seemed she was also planning to start selling barbecue.
Cheng You smiled and waved her hand. “Let her. We just need to focus on our own business.”
Even if she managed to succeed, she couldn’t surpass Zhao Jianguo.
Zhao Jianguo nodded. “Okay, I’m just telling you so you’re aware.”
Since Cheng You said it was fine, he believed it would be fine.
Cheng Tao wouldn’t be able to make any waves.
A few days later, Cheng Tao also started setting up her stall.
Everyone assumed Zhao Jianguo had given her his seasoning recipe.
However, Cheng Tao replied with a proud expression, “What are you talking about? My elder brother guards the recipe closely. He wouldn’t even tell our mother, so how could he tell me?”
Therefore, she had acquired her seasoning herself!
She hadn’t tested it thoroughly, but it looked pretty similar to Zhao Jianguo’s.
Whatever, as long as it made money. People were just looking for something new; taste wasn't that important.
Cheng Tao didn’t know how to make sour plum soup, nor could she get draft beer like Zhao Jianguo. But it was fine; she’d start with barbecue.
Zhao Jianguo remained silent, not even glancing at Cheng Tao, and calmly pulled his own barbecue stall to its usual spot.
He was still in his usual location. It wasn’t the most bustling area, even a bit remote, but it ensured that the smoke from the barbecue wouldn’t disturb others.
Moreover, the space was wide. He had hired someone to make a few small tables and chairs. Many people would order a few skewers of barbecue, a cup of draft beer, and then chat with friends, enjoying a relaxed time.
However, the space was limited, and it couldn’t accommodate many tables, so some people started urging him to open a shop.
Zhao Jianguo smiled. “In a little while.”
Once he had finished building the house and moved his family into their new home, he would consider opening a shop.
On this day, in addition to Zhou Zhou Barbecue, another barbecue stall appeared in the commune.
Cheng Tao set up her stall in the most prosperous and lively location, advertising it as a "Zhou Zhou Barbecue" imitation.
Many people found this gimmick somewhat shameless and specifically went to ask Zhao Jianguo.
Zhao Jianguo distanced himself. “There’s only one here. There’s no ‘imitation.’ She has no relation to us. However, people should go to whichever stall they prefer. When it comes to food, it should, of course, suit one’s taste.”