Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 191: Making Money Inspired by McDonald’s
Everyone knew the timing of Liu Yongming’s sentencing, but Lin Qin acted as if nothing was happening, living her life as usual. The only difference that day was that she specially left work to pick up Yaya and Ping’an.
The students were already on winter vacation, but a few kids were still attending classes at a training center.
Lin Qin and Bai Linlin went way back. As soon as Lin Qin entered, she found a seat for herself, "A cup of coffee, please."
Bai Linlin chuckled and really brewed her a cup of coffee, "How rare, it’s not even the weekend, why are you here to pick up the kids today?"
Lin Qin took a sip of coffee and leaned back lazily, "Can’t I be in a good mood? There’s a new McDonald’s at Friendship Square, so I thought I’d take the kids to try some fast food later!"
Bai Linlin clapped her thigh excitedly, "Perfect! Let’s go together!"
Lin Qin laughed and casually asked about the kids’ studies.
Bai Linlin became noticeably more serious, "You’re familiar with Ping’an and Yaya; these two are now my star pupils. When they reach third grade, they’ll gear up for their high school entrance exams. My suggestion is to pause for a year and continue after the exams. Even if they don’t study further, with their current level, they could easily get into an arts school.
Xu Jian and Xu Kang are doing well too. Xu Jian plays the saxophone excellently. By the time he reaches sophomore year, we can assess his academic performance to see if pursuing an arts path is necessary. And your youngest one seems to have had a good foundation at home. The English teacher says his spoken English is quite good and that he can say a few sentences. There’s nothing much to worry about at the moment."
Since Lin Qin’s job stabilized, she’s been keeping a watchful eye on the children’s studies, so she was naturally aware of their progress. However, hearing about the children’s abilities from someone else gave her a more objective perspective.
A satisfied and subtle smile appeared on her lips.
Lin Qin and Bai Linlin sat together until the kids finished their classes, and then everyone rode bicycles to McDonald’s.
On the way, the children were excitedly laughing and shouting.
Upon arrival, Yaya affectionately cuddled Lin Qin’s arm, "Mom, did you win the lottery today? Why suddenly treat us to McDonald’s?"
Some classmates had mentioned that a meal there could cost several dozen yuan, equivalent to half a month’s salary for some parents. Knowing it was expensive, the kids were curious but didn’t dare ask their parents.
Lin Qin amusingly tilted her head to glance at her gleeful daughter, "Think whatever you want, your mom’s just happy!"
Bai Linlin raised an eyebrow and teased, "Being wealthy is great, you can indulge yourself!"
"As if you’re not well off yourself!"
The two women exchanged smiles.
The meal cost over eighty yuan.
The kids were pained by the cost, but Lin Qin acted as if it was nothing.
She thought to herself, "After today, she’ll completely break free from past shadows! Liu Yongming, go to hell!"
That evening, Lin Qin took the kids back to Nanyu.
When Lin Yi learned she spent over eighty yuan taking the kids out for some fast food, he was so angry that he stared wide-eyed, "What’s so quick about fast food! Is foreign fast food really that good? Such a fan of foreign things!"
Lin Qin meekly replied, "Dad! We ate fried chicken, burgers, fries, not the kind of fast food you’re thinking of..."
"What’s the difference! Wenjun, let’s go! Tomorrow, we’ll go try it ourselves, I don’t believe fast food can cost over eighty yuan!" Lin Yi shouted angrily to Chen Wenjun.
Chen Wenjun immediately got up, "Alright! Dad, we’ll go tomorrow night!"
"Daddy, daddy, can you take me too?" Yaya coquettishly pleaded.
Ping’an also looked hopeful.
Xile was already cheering, "Wow! We’re having McDonald’s again tomorrow, yay!"
Lin Yi was dumbfounded, "When did I say I’d take you all?"
"Grandpa, Grandpa’s the best! Please take us, please take us!"
....Kids took turns begging.
Lin Yi couldn’t resist at all and somehow ended up agreeing.
By this time, Lin Qin had quietly gone upstairs.
Huang Yuezhen shook her head as she watched, thinking to herself that Uncle had been tricked again.
The next day, Lin Qin went to work as usual. When she came home, only Huang Yuezhen was there, and she guessed that Lin Yi and Chen Wenjun had taken the kids out to eat.
Upon seeing her return, Huang Yuezhen quickly invited her for dinner, "It’s just the two of us, I made some simple noodles with eggs and greens, it’s quite fragrant."
Lin Qin nodded and asked, "Sister-in-law, when do you plan to take a break this year?"
While serving the noodles, Huang Yuezhen replied, "In a couple of days. This year my mother-in-law bought a piece of land in the county and built two houses with storefronts like Ah Ying.
They all moved from the village to open stores selling clothes. Shaohua didn’t want to sell clothes, so he’s selling food instead, and business is good. My mother-in-law helps with both, but it’s a lot, so I plan to resign from Boss Huang next year to assist and also arrange my kids’ weddings."
After gritting through junior high, Hong Shaohua didn’t get into high school. He really didn’t like studying, so he had to work. Fortunately, there was a food factory in their county, and his junior high diploma was useful enough to get him a job quickly.
Lin Qin thought he would keep working there, but unexpectedly, he started his own business in the food industry, which showed he had ambition.
"That makes sense! Shaoyang could get married soon too, find a partner, and the couple can run a store together, making life easier for big aunt."
Huang Yuezhen laughed heartily, "Not so easy. Once married, they’ll probably start having kids soon. We’ll have to help take care of them, so there’ll be a few more busy years ahead!"
The two chatted and laughed as they finished their dinner.
Once they tidied up, Lin Yi and the others returned as well.
Seeing Lin Yi’s mixed expression, Lin Qin laughed, "How was it, Dad? I wasn’t lying, was I! A meal at McDonald’s really costs dozens of yuan!"
Lin Yi kept shaking his head, "It’s outrageous! I don’t know how they do it, but the chicken is really tasty! If we could make it ourselves, could we also sell foreign fast food? Earn more money!"
Lin Qin and Chen Wenjun exchanged a look and both took Lin Yi’s words to heart.
Back in their room, the couple started planning.
"I think the business Dad mentioned is worth pursuing!" Lin Qin’s eyes sparkled.
Chen Wenjun mused, "Just in time, there are those mountains across from Nanxi we can lease. We can lease a mountain to raise chickens, ensuring our own supply chain. Sourcing other ingredients is simple, and we can develop our own seasoning blends. With a few tries, we can definitely get it right."
"Exactly, the key is the ingredients. We must guarantee healthy food sources." Lin Qin said earnestly.
If they were going to do it, they needed to do it seriously.
The couple discussed it all night.
Early the next morning, Chen Wenjun first went to the land bureau to meet a friend, called Gao Lei to help purchase a bigger iron boat, and then headed to South Port.
Lin Qin wasn’t idle either. She researched a lot of information, such as which type of chicken tastes best for fried chicken, and some breeding techniques.
This time wasn’t like decades later when information became so accessible, requiring many library visits or consultations with experts, which was quite an effort.
