From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!-Chapter 819 - 815: Restaurant Management (Second Update)
Mu Shuangshuang’s proposal was agreed upon by everyone. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
However, by noon, it was about time to have lunch.
Lu Yuanfeng always knew what Shuangshuang was thinking. Just as Mu Shuangshuang had this thought, he said, "Shuangshuang, why don’t we go to Fulin Restaurant for a meal and take the opportunity to get to know the staff and how the restaurant operates?"
Mu Shuangshuang certainly had no objections, but she also wanted to see what Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang thought.
"Dad, Mom, what do you think?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
"Your mother and I have no objections. We also want to see what the restaurant is like. It’s funny, we own the place now, but we know nothing about it."
"Checking it out will help us understand it better." Mu Shuangshuang blinked and said.
With laughter, everyone changed their spot and headed to the restaurant.
At this time, Fulin Restaurant was still in operation. Because it was noon, the business was better than when Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng last visited, yet it still seemed quite empty.
The people dining there were mainly drawn by Fulin Restaurant’s nostalgic charm and the cheaper meals compared to other places.
Mu Shuangshuang glanced around and noticed that the shopkeeper was not there. Instead, there was a man in his thirties at the counter, whom she suspected was Brother Xiuxiu, as Xiuxiu mentioned her brother was a steward at Fulin.
Mu Shuangshuang looked carefully and noticed the man’s facial features resembled Xiuxiu’s.
Mu Shuangshuang approached the steward and asked, "Is your shopkeeper not here?"
The steward was slightly taken aback as he was unaware of Mu Shuangshuang’s identity. On the day Mu Shuangshuang took over the restaurant, the steward was not present and later when she was introduced to the staff, he was still absent.
Therefore, he naturally did not recognize Mu Shuangshuang or Lu Yuanfeng, assuming she was just there for a casual chat or to inquire about some matters.
Being a steward, he had encountered many people like this, so he did not find it strange.
With a natural demeanor, the steward looked at Mu Shuangshuang without any signs of disdain.
"Our shopkeeper has already moved to the county, and the work here is managed by me. But after the Lunar New Year, I won’t be here either," the steward said.
"Not here? Is it because the restaurant was taken over?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
"No, I bought eight acres of land in the countryside and plan to farm it with my wife and several kids."
Eight acres of land in the countryside is at least sixteen taels’ worth of property, possibly even thirty if it’s good farmland.
Mu Shuangshuang was increasingly certain that the man in front of her was indeed Xiuxiu’s brother. Xiuxiu had mentioned that her brother had earned some money at Fulin, but the rise of Jiu Si Xuan and First-class Residence took away Fulin’s business, making it less profitable.
In Mu Shuangshuang’s opinion, the basic salary should still be there. A steward like him would earn at least a few hundred copper coins a month, maybe even one tael of silver.
"Why not work at another restaurant? Given your experience as a steward at Fulin, finding another job shouldn’t be a problem," Mu Shuangshuang said.
The steward shook his head, "I’ve been here at Fulin for so many years, and I’ve formed a bond. Going to another restaurant might not suit me. So, I’d rather farm some land and at least be with my family."
To explain, a restaurant can operate in two ways. If the shopkeeper only owns one establishment, they oversee it personally, without the need to hire a steward.
However, if the shopkeeper has several restaurants or other businesses to attend to, they would need to hire someone to manage the restaurant.
Take Fulin Restaurant, for example. Xiuxiu’s brother was hired as a steward and has almost the same authority as the shopkeeper, with even better connections with the staff.
Currently, Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t decide whether to continue hiring Brother Xiuxiu as the steward, because if she became the shopkeeper, she would be able to keep an eye on the restaurant.
Moreover, she didn’t need to be there every day as long as she entrusted it to a reliable person.
"Do you know Yu Xiuxiu?" Mu Shuangshuang suddenly asked.
"You know my sister?" The steward looked surprised.
"Not only do I know her, but we are also sisters. It was Xiuxiu who told me that Fulin Restaurant was up for grabs, which is why I came over."
"Are you the new shopkeeper?"
At this point, the steward understood why Mu Shuangshuang was asking so many questions.
"Yes! Today I came with my parents and another shopkeeper to have a meal and get to know the restaurant’s operations in advance. However, I still have a few questions to ask Brother Xiuxiu, if that’s okay?"
Referring to him as Brother Xiuxiu moved the steward.
Being a friend of his sister, the steward was willing to give her this courtesy.
"My name is Yu Dahai, but you can call me Da Hai. I have worked at Fulin Restaurant for nearly ten years. It used to be a popular brand in this area, but unfortunately, it hasn’t changed much over the years, whether in terms of the chef or the restaurant’s decor.
It’s nostalgic, but it tends to make customers lose interest," Yu Dahai said.
An old brand can’t rely on its age alone to keep running; it needs competitiveness as well.
However, these modern business ideas might not be immediately understood by Yu Dahai even if he was told.
Still, it was evident that Brother Xiuxiu had put in great effort and truly knew Fulin Restaurant inside and out.
Mu Shuangshuang didn’t want Yu Dahai to leave after all.
She was already thinking about how to keep Yu Dahai there and let him use his abilities.
In a restaurant, the front yard manages people, the office manages finances, and there’s also procurement in the kitchen, which are all profitable positions.
For the kitchen, Mu Shuangshuang would definitely use her own people.
As for the front yard management, she could always give instructions, so Mu Shuangshuang decided to keep Yu Dahai.
"Steward Yu, are you interested in staying as the steward at the restaurant? The restaurant staff and the waiters will still report to you, and when I’m not here, you have decision-making authority. How about it?"
Yu Dahai nodded repeatedly after hearing Mu Shuangshuang’s words.
If he could stay at Fulin, it would be the best scenario, even if the salary was lower, he didn’t mind.
The land in the countryside could be rented out to support his wife and children.
"But... but I don’t want to stay just because of Xiuxiu," Yu Dahai hesitated.
"It’s simple. After the restaurant opens, I’ll assess for three months. If business improves, you continue. If not, I’ll find someone else.
Of course, I have a special business method, but how to implement it depends on you. Okay?"
The special business method was something Yu Dahai had never seen before.
For some reason, he instinctively trusted the young girl in front of him, as if what she said was very convincing.
"Okay! We’ll do it as you said."
