The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 118: Triumphant First Battle

Taohua Dessert’s first day of opening ended perfectly.

Many dessert stalls that start as roadside stands often lose their reputation once they open a store.

Tong Huaqiong summarized the reasons for this: either they open the store without understanding marketing, or they fail to ensure stable production, thus losing old customers and failing to attract new ones.

This leads to a short-lived success.

Therefore, Tong Huaqiong decided to start promoting Taohua Dessert moving from roadside to a store right from the beginning, emphasizing to customers that the store opening won’t change the price and taste, and even more new product lines will be added.

Operating costs will inevitably rise with a store, sometimes forcing prices higher, but old customers won’t care; if your prices go up, you’ll lose old customers, especially for Taohua Dessert, which started as a roadside stand.

Therefore, Tong Huaqiong maintained the original prices for old products while introducing many new ones, and naturally controlled their pricing. New products lack price comparisons, so customers accept them more readily, and the deliciousness of the new products can make some customers overlook the price.

In short, Tong Huaqiong devised many ways to ensure Taohua Dessert Shop achieved both a stellar reputation and high sales right from its opening.

The success of Taohua Dessert’s first day was not only due to quality and promotional activities but also to a refreshing service approach.

Tong Huaqiong was pleased that everyone, from Gu Taohua to Liu Yueer, even Ma Huateng, who is not good at dealing with people, performed well.

Due to the overwhelming business, Taohua Dessert sold out of all pastries by mid-afternoon and had to close early.

Despite closing, Tong Huaqiong kept the shop open, fearing late-arriving customers might feel disappointed seeing the doors shut.

Though late customers couldn’t buy pastries, they still received welcoming services, including tea, fans, and promises of bonus services for their next visit.

Taohua Dessert sent off the last batch of customers at sunset.

Tong Huaqiong took Ma Huateng’s ledger, quickly calculated the profits in her mind, and beamed with joy.

Taohua Dessert’s initial battle was a victory!

Not only was Tong Huaqiong happy, but every employee at Taohua Dessert wore expressions of satisfaction and pride, despite having shouted themselves hoarse all day. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.

Take Liu Qiaoyun, for instance; she finally understood why Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua braved village gossip to set up a stall in town: for the sense of achievement that surpasses growing crops or making shoes at home with each pastry sold.

Gu Xiaocao was equally excited.

Since Xu Si tarnished her reputation, her family had to move out of the village, and she felt she had no future.

Her father, worried for her safety, didn’t dare to find work outside, making household finances tough. Now, she could earn silver with her own hands.

While everyone was happy, Tong Huaqiong gathered everyone in the backyard for a meeting.

Even Liu Yueer’s sister-in-law, Hu Family, who cooked and did odd jobs, and Liu Shan, Yueer’s brother who looked after the donkeys and horses outside, were present.

"You all did very well today. Each of you contributed at your positions, making this opening successful and business booming, thanks to your efforts. You all performed even better than I expected, and each task was completed splendidly. As the shopkeeper, I am very pleased."

Tong Huaqiong smiled, her words full of encouragement and gratitude.

"I want to particularly praise two people, Qiao Yun and Xiao Cao." Tong Huaqiong looked at Liu Qiaoyun and Gu Xiaocao.

Liu Qiaoyun and Gu Xiaocao were so excited to be named, they didn’t know how to react.

"Qiao Yun did a great job today calming an elderly lady who was about to cause a fuss after waiting too long, ensuring there were no disputes on our shop’s first day." Tong Huaqiong said.

She specifically mentioned this because it was a lesson learned from Crispy Food Garden’s operations.

Taohua Dessert managed to attract Crispy Food Garden’s customers largely because Crispy Food Garden, having grown large, became arrogant and indifferent to walk-in customers, neglecting complaints and even showing disdain.

Much like when Taohua Dessert accountant Ma Huateng joined due to Crispy Food Garden’s poor service.

Liu Qiaoyun was deeply moved.

She felt that soothing the elderly lady was part of her duties, but didn’t expect Aunt Tong to notice and publicly praise her.

"I didn’t do much, it’s just my job." Liu Qiaoyun said modestly, echoing Tong Huaqiong’s emphasis on "job duties."

"That’s not quite right," said Tong Huaqiong, "though it’s your duty, standing up in a crisis to handle the elderly lady’s aggressive manner and cleverly turning her dissatisfaction into loyal patronage is a huge contribution." Tong Huaqiong continued to praise.

Seizing the chance, she stressed: "This is what I mean by customers being our gods. We must treat them patiently, listen to their needs, and soothe their emotions. It sounds simple, but it’s not easy to do. If you encounter difficult customers like the elderly lady today in the future, don’t take it lightly, pay close attention."

Everyone nodded.

Tong Huaqiong plans to establish a guest disputes department once Taohua Dessert is firmly established, with dedicated personnel handling complaints and disputes.

"The reason I specifically praise Xiao Cao is that she brought in a big order for a full-month birthday banquet’s pastries." Tong Huaqiong looked at Gu Xiaocao, her admiration deeper than for Liu Qiaoyun.

Tong Huaqiong genuinely admired this honest and attentive girl.

The full-month birthday banquet’s pastries were ordered by Landlord Li’s family from Moon Bay; they had just celebrated their first grandson.

"Xiao Cao, tell everyone how you discovered this business opportunity."

Tong Huaqiong asked Gu Xiaocao to share her success story.

Gu Xiaocao was suddenly called upon, feeling very shy, but under Tong Huaqiong’s encouragement, she gently explained: "While packing pastries for Landlord Li’s wife, she mentioned her grandson’s full-month banquet to the lady next to her, so I just mentioned our shop caters full-month banquets. Seeing her interest, I showed her a brochure of birthday cakes, and she ordered right after seeing them."

Tong Huaqiong’s smile grew wider. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Gu Xiaocao is amazing, able to grasp customer needs from conversations and smart enough to show a brochure. Really impressive!"

Gu Xiaocao blushed under Tong Huaqiong’s praise, feeling deeply moved as Aunt Tong not only gave her a chance to help in the shop but also commended her for being capable!

Gu Xiaocao’s confidence surged.

Then, Tong Huaqiong praised Ma Huateng for efficiently handling accounts without a single mistake.

Though Ma Huateng, a scholar, felt awkward being forced into an accountant route, today’s busy business left him no time for self-pity, creating the illusion that he was quite competent.

With Tong Huaqiong’s praise, he felt even more motivated.

Of course, besides praising the shop employees, she also acknowledged family members like Liu Yueer, albeit more mildly, fearing her family might get complacent.

The wrapping-up meeting finished with summarizing, praises, encouragement, and some promises.

"Given the excellent performance and having worked hard all day on our first opening, I’m treating everyone to a feast at the restaurant."

Everyone deserved a reward.

Starting with a big feast at the restaurant.