Under the leadership of County Magistrate Liu’s mother, Mrs. Han, Jufu Supermarket made its first sale.

Aside from a mirror, Mrs. Han also bought a full set of calligraphy tools for Liu Yanhong.

Just like Mrs. Han, other customers naturally took out silver once they entered the supermarket.

Even those who only came to have a look were tempted to open their money bags.

Western mirrors from Nanyang, pearls from the East Sea, silk quilts from the South, wool carpets from the border, pearl creams similar to those used by the concubines in Shengjing, pearl hairpins similar to those owned by prominent families in the provincial capital... The dazzling array of products made it hard for people to stop looking, and once they picked something up, they were reluctant to put it down.

Some reluctantly left these fashionable items behind and went to the necessities section, thinking that rice, noodles, grain, and oil are essential and not perishable, and that toothpaste is used daily; with the opening special prices, they might as well grab a bag of rice, or a bottle of soy sauce...

In short, it was rare for anyone to come out of Jufu Supermarket empty-handed; most people bought something.

A long line formed at the checkout counter.

Moreover, customers discovered that even if they didn’t buy anything, just trying out the pearl cream or powder or comparing prices with other stores, the clerks at the supermarket didn’t show any displeasure. On the contrary, they passionately explained to the customers.

As a result, word of mouth spread, and more and more people came to Jufu Supermarket.

By midday, the entire shelf was almost empty.

Fortunately, Tong Huaqiong had prepared in advance; the warehouse was stocked with categorized goods. Whenever they saw a product selling well, Gu Dahuan would lead people to restock.

This showed customers the restocking ability of Jufu Supermarket, making them even more satisfied.

The supermarket continued to be bustling from morning until closing, and the line at the checkout never shortened. The accountant was swiftly working the abacus, the clerks taking notes had sore hands, the clerks attending customers had their legs run nearly off, and their voices hoarse from shouting.

The entire supermarket staff was so busy they didn’t even find time to eat lunch.

But no one felt tired; they were all very excited.

A bustling business means the supermarket makes money, and when the supermarket makes money, everyone gets more money.

The boss said that ten percent of the store’s profits will be shared with everyone, and all clerks at Jufu Supermarket are rewarded based on their efforts. The more they sell, the more bonuses they get.

And the boss has also set up an excellent employee of the month award, with additional bonuses at the end of the month.

This bonus system is executed monthly at Taohua Dessert; everyone knows the boss doesn’t make empty promises, and the bonus is a real, tangible reward.

Who wouldn’t be proactive under such a reward system?

By the end of the day, the clerks’ faces were sore from smiling, but they didn’t feel tired. Dealing with so many customers throughout the day while maintaining an enthusiastic attitude seemed insignificant because everyone wished to earn more money.

By the end of the day, Jufu Supermarket had made a name for itself, selling out its stock.

Tong Huaqiong wasn’t surprised at all.

These were minor scenes; which store opening for Taohua Dessert wasn’t like this?

However, the supermarket had a wider reach than Taohua Dessert, attracting more people and thus being even more bustling.

It was great; in Pingchuan County, another go-to location besides Taohua Dessert had been born.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t even need to think; the Jufu Supermarket opening simultaneously in Yan Guan Town would also become a popular shopping destination.

Meanwhile, Wu Ji Department Store jointly opened by Gu Youtian and Wu Ren also had its grand opening.

Coincidentally, Wu Ji is right opposite Jufu.

Initially, Gu Youtian was unhappy with naming the store Wu Ji; he felt that since it was a partnership, it shouldn’t bear the Wu family’s name alone. With the name Wu Ji, it seemed unrelated to the Gu Family, making Gu Youtian look like a hired shopkeeper.

But when he tactfully pointed it out, Wu Ren pretended not to understand.

He had no choice but to accept it since the store and the initial capital were provided by Wu Ren; he only contributed his experience and ideas. Lacking tangible resources made him hesitant to strongly express his dissatisfaction.

Ultimately, the name Wu Ji felt like a thorn in Gu Youtian’s throat.

Gu Youtian thought that once the store made money, he’d withdraw to start his own store, to show Wu Ren who was truly supporting the shop.

When Wu Ji Store opened, both Wu Ren and Gu Youtian, as partners, were naturally present.

Old Mr. Gu brought all the people from the old residence, even calling Gu Ruinian to help out and show support as their own store was opening.

Wu Family members also came.

Gu Youtian sneered at Tong Huaqiong’s so-called supermarket.

Attracting customers with gimmicks isn’t sustainable; in the end, it was the stable sources in the store they would rely on.

Although Wu Ji was a department store, under Gu Youtian’s persistence, they mainly focused on household necessities.

This was mainly because Gu Youtian was familiar with that field, adding that he didn’t think customers would shop at one store; don’t we all know buying specialty products happens at dedicated stores? Wouldn’t customers buy pork at a butcher’s instead of a department store?

Gu Youtian was confident that his store would definitely outperform Tong Huaqiong’s.

Initially, Wu Ji Store was not set up with a large capacity, only hiring two clerks.

Gu Youtian also handled the accounts.

He had ulterior motives regarding the accounting; since it was a partnership, he wanted to grip the accounts in his hand.

Confident in their opening, yet the momentum was stolen by Jufu across the street.

By the end of the day, customers were few and far between, with only three sales, one being an old woman buying a box of sewing threads, who originally complained about the price, saying Jufu had discounts, so Gu Youtian could only sell it to her at a loss.

The comparison was stark; where one was blazing with success, the other saw a dim outcome.

As customary, after the opening day, Tong Huaqiong would treat the shop’s clerks.

After all, the first day of opening was exceptionally tiring, and every clerk performed excellently, with no disturbances occurring within the store.

Tong Huaqiong had already reserved meals at the finest restaurant in Pingchuan County.

The clerks, weary from the day, saw the fine food and drink, feeling they had indeed followed the right boss.

Tong Huaqiong had dinner and drinks with the clerks, gave a celebratory speech, and encouraged everyone to keep up the good work, of course drawing another grand plan.

"Mother, I toast to you."

Stepdaughter Gu Baishuang was utterly convinced of Tong Huaqiong this time.

As a partner of Pingchuan County’s Jufu Supermarket, Gu Baishuang was full of gratitude for Tong Huaqiong.

The supermarket’s opening preparations were entirely overseen by Tong Huaqiong, while Gu Baishuang assisted, yet it didn’t prevent her from feeling that this was her true career.

After all, even Nie Mingyuan didn’t give her 30%, yet the stepmother granted her 30% at once.

According to typical merchant conduct, renting her store and paying rent would suffice; the stepmother giving her 30% truly placed her as a daughter to care for.

Gu Baishuang spent the day in the store, attending to customers with the clerks, inventorying with Gu Dashi, and eventually reviewing the accounts, experiencing all aspects of store operation.

Seeing the sparkling sales of goods was akin to seeing gleaming silver.

Gu Baishuang reflected how initially buying the store was out of spite against the stepmother.

When her two stepsons weren’t yet married, Nie Mingyuan’s affection for her was in full bloom; he handed her the earnings and went elsewhere for business.

Upon learning she had money, the stepmother pressured her to hand it over during a visit to her parental home to see Old Mr. Gu. Angrily, Gu Baishuang went and bought a double-storey building in Pingchuan County, registering it in her name.

Fortunate for having bought it then.

Otherwise, as the stepsons grew and Nie Mingyuan became guarded, she wouldn’t even have had the opportunity to buy a store in such a prime location.

She never expected the store could be used to partner with the stepmother in business.