Chapter 378: Reunion, Clan Members Be Attacked [Request for Monthly Votes]

Chapter 378: Reunion, Clan Members Be Attacked [Request for Monthly Votes]



Nanning.

Yan Shuwen, following the address given by her cousin, found her cousin's clothing store. It was a small shop, about twenty square meters, selling men's, women's, and children's clothing.

It was already past four in the afternoon, and there were no customers in the store at this time. Yan Shuwen immediately spotted her cousin sitting inside reading a magazine and, without hesitation, called out, "Cousin."

Cousin QinFollowing the sound, Qin Cousin looked over and, seeing it was her aunt's daughter, immediately put down her magazine and stood up to greet her with a smile, "Cousin, why didn't you give me a call when you arrived? I could have come to pick you up."

Yan Shuwen smiled, "Cousin, you know what I used to do, and you're worried about meICQ Qin Cousin laughed, "You're right, who could deceive you!"

Yan Shuwen placed her luggage on a nearby stool, glancing around around the store while praising, "Cousin, you're really capable, managing such a large clothing store all by yourself."

"It's alright," Qin Cousin smiled, "When we talked on the phone, Aunt didn't tell me much, just that you quit. I wanted to know what really happened. You had a good job, with a decent salary. Why did you quit so suddenly?"

Yan Shuwen sighed, "My parents thought this job was too dangerous, and kept persuading me to quit. I couldn't resist them, so I had to resign and do something else."

Qin Cousin understood, "I see, but Aunt and Uncle are right. Your job is indeed dangerous, dealing with criminals all day long. I admire your courage, but I wouldn't dare to deal with those criminals. If somethinghappened, it could ruin your life."

Yan Shuwen said, "It's not as dangerous as you imagine. We always plan our actions meticulously."

Qin Cousin shook her head, "I can't agree with you. As the saying goes, matter how little dense, one tiny mistake, and it could be dangerous."

Yan Shuwen smiled, "There is some danger, of course, but dealing with criminals, how can you ensure absolute safety!"

Qin Cousin said, "Fortunately, you quit now. Let's not talk about this. Are you hungry? I'll close the store and take you to my husband and children. We'll go eat hot pot.

...

An hour later.

Wuyue Square, Spicy Girl Hot Pot.

Yan Shuwen looked at the huge and impressive hot pot restaurant, amazed, "Cousin, this hot pot restaurant is so big!"

Qin Cousin laughed, "This is the largest and most upscale hot pot restaurant in Nanning."

Yan Shuwen walked around, looking at the grand and luxurious restaurant, truly broadening her horizons.

Especially the design of the hot pot tables was truly impressive.

After finding a seat, Yan Shuwen looked around again. When her gaze met that of a middle-aged man at a nearby table, both were startled, clearly recognizing each other.

At this moment, Yan Shuwen's mind raced.

The middle-aged man whose gaze met hers, if she remembered correctly, should be the man she sat next to on the train years ago.

At that time, Yan Shuwen was on a mission, using herself as bait to get close to the criminals, to uncover the criminal organization behind them. She remembered clearly, the man next to her slept the whole time, from the beginning to the end, until she and the criminals got off the train, he never opened his eyes.

Now, through their brief eye contact, Yan Shuwen was sure thetheHow did this man recognize her? He was asleep on the train, wasn't he?

Unless they met somewhere else?

Yan Shuwen thought back carefully, but dismissed the idea. Her memory was astonishing. If they had met elsewhere, she would have remembered. They only met that once, on that train years ago.

Yan Shuwen's mind raced, while Deng Shirong was also surprised. He didn't expect to meet her again after that chance encounter years ago.

Seeing the surprise in the other's eyes, Deng Shirong knew she recognized him. He nodded at her as a greeting.

Yan Shuwen, noticing his gesture, nodded back.

Qin Cousin, holding the menu, intending to ask what her cousin wanted to eat, noticed and asked, "Cousin, did you run into an acquaintance?"

Yan Shuwen replied, "Not really an acquaintance, just a seatmate from a train ride years ago."

Qin Cousin said, "Oh," and handed the menu over, "Cousin, what do you want to eat?"

Yan Shuwen said, "Cousin, you and your husband choosechoose what you like. I eat anything, I'm not picky."

On the other side, Zhang Xiuping also asked the same question as Cousin Qin: "Dad, did you run into an acquaintance?"

Deng Shirong replied, "I met him on a train a few years ago."

Zhang Xiuping nodded and then looked at her sister-in-law, smiling and asking, "Azhu, tomorrow is your birthday. How do you plan to celebrate it?"

Deng Yunzhu smiled and said, "When I was young, I loved birthdays because I could eat delicious food. Now that I don't worry about food, birthdays are just casual."

Zhang Xiuping responded, "Birthdays only come once a year. Your father specially came from our hometown to celebrate with you. How can you be casual about it!"

Deng Shirong added, "Tomorrow is Sunday, so let's take Xiaodong and Dongzi out for a picnic!"

Dongzi started preschool this year and no longer stayed in Bobai; instead, he came to Nanning to study.

Hearing this, Xiaodong immediately asked, "Grandpa, what is a picnic?"

Deng Shirong laughed and explained, "A picnic means finding a beautiful place, then using local materials to start a fire and cook food. Do you want to go?"

Xiaodong excitedly said, "Yes, Grandpa, I want to go."

Dongzi also chimed in, "Grandpa, I want to go too."

Deng Shirong chuckled and said, "Then we'll go to the Yijiang River for a picnic tomorrow and celebrate Auntie's birthday."

Xiaodong and Dongzi were overjoyed, and the plan for the next day was set.

...

When the hot pot was ready, Yan Shuwen praised it again. She had traveled extensively over the past few years on various missions, visiting more than two-thirds of the provinces in China and trying various local delicacies. She had also eaten hot pot before.

However, the hot pot she had eaten before couldn't compare to the one at this restaurant.

She wasn't a food critic and couldn't pinpoint the difference in taste, but she knew that this hot pot was so delicious that she couldn't stop eating it.

Half an hour later, Yan Shuwen, without any ladylike decorum, rubbed her slightly overfilled stomach and sighed, "Cousin, this is indeed the most upscale hot pot restaurant in Nanning. It's well-deserved. With such delicious food, it's no wonder it's so popular."

Cousin Qin laughed and said, "Not everyone can afford to eat here. I earn a decent amount from my clothing store, but I only come here two or three times a month. If I came more often, I would feel the pinch."

Yan Shuwen smiled and said, "Cousin, you're already doing great. I've been to many places, and some are so poor that people can't even afford basic meals and have to forage for wild vegetables. You can come to such an upscale restaurant two or three times a month, which is better than most people. I certainly can't match your capabilities."

Cousin Qin was delighted by her cousin's praise and asked, "Cousin, is there anything else you want to eat?"

Yan Shuwen shook her head, "No, Cousin, I'm already full."

Cousin Qin laughed and said, "Let's rest for a while before heading back."

"Okay!"

...

Before they knew it, it was already the ninth month of the lunar calendar.

At the mooncake factory, Deng Shirong picked up a can of eight-treasure porridge that was still a bit warm.

The production process for the eight-treasure porridge was as follows: first, the ingredients were mixed in the correct proportions, then the impurities were removed by machine and manually inspected. After that, the mixture entered the production line, where it went through seven steps: rinsing, draining, mixing, blending, canning, sterilizing, and steaming. Finally, the cans of eight-treasure porridge were packed and shipped out.

So, the eight-treasure porridge wasn't pre-cooked and then canned, as many people might think. Instead, the raw ingredients were canned, and then the cans were subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure cooking to turn the ingredients into porridge. This method ensured that the cans were sterile and could be stored for a long time without spoiling.

The can of eight-treasure porridge in Deng Shirong's hand was produced this way.

Initially, Deng Shirong had planned to name the product "Yinlu," as this brand had been the world's first canned eight-treasure porridge and had dominated the market for decades without any real competition.

However, upon reflection, he decided that using the "Yinlu" name might not be the best choice.

Using the "Yinlu" name would mean starting from scratch, gradually building a reputation, and even spending money on advertising.

Instead, he chose to use the "Kangshifu" brand name.

Kangshifu was already a well-known brand nationwide, and using its label would give the product a level of recognition that "Yinlu" couldn't match.

With that recognition, the eight-treasure porridge could quickly gain a foothold in the market.

As the first canned eight-treasure porridge, it would leave a lasting impression on customers, allowing it to enjoy a long period of market advantage.

This was the reward for being the first to venture into a new market.

Therefore, Deng Shirong ultimately decided not to use the "Yinlu" name but to directly use the "Kangshifu" brand label.

At that moment, under the watchful eyes of Deng Changyu, Deng Changpei, and a few eight-treasure porridge experts, Deng Shirong opened the plastic lid of the can, took out the foldable plastic spoon, and pulled open the can's seal. Inside was the thick, appetizing eight-treasure porridge.

This can of eight-treasure porridge is the classic longan and lotus seed flavor. This flavor is quite representative of the eight-treasure porridge. It's particularly fitting since Bobai County is famous for its longan, making it a perfect example of using local resources.

Deng Shirong stirred the porridge slightly with the spoon, then took a spoonful to taste it. This first bite clearly conveyed the sweetness of the longan and lotus seeds, along with the rich flavors of various grains, all blending together harmoniously. The taste finally met Deng Shirong's expectations.

After a few more tastes, Deng Shirong praised, "Very good, this is the flavor we want. Have you noted down the specific production process and timing?"

Deng Changpei nodded and replied, "Grandfather, I've noted everything down!"

Deng Shirong said, "Then we can start production."

Deng Changpei responded, "Alright, I'll arrange it immediately."

Deng Changyu asked, "Grandfather, do we need to stockpile our eight-treasure porridge like we do with instant noodles?"

Deng Shirong countered, "What is the daily production capacity of our eight-treasure porridge?"

Deng Changpei answered, "If we produce continuously for 24 hours, the daily production capacity can reach 50,000 cans."

Deng Shirong said, "Then we should stockpile enough for one month. Before that, we can give some samples to our Kangshifu instant noodle suppliers to promote our Kangshifu eight-treasure porridge and accept their pre-orders."

Deng Changyu smiled and said, "That's a good idea. Using our Kangshifu distribution channels, we won't have to worry about selling our eight-treasure porridge."

Deng Changpei asked, "Grandfather, what should we set as the wholesale price for our eight-treasure porridge?"

Deng Shirong replied, "We don't need to rush to set the price. First, let's maximize production and calculate the production costs. Then we can set the price based on the costs."

Deng Changpei nodded and said, "Alright, I'll calculate the most accurate cost within a week."

Deng Shirong continued, "Once our canned eight-treasure porridge is launched, if it sells well, it will attract many imitators. If it's just small workshops, we don't need to worry much, as they can't match us in every aspect.

However, if large joint ventures or companies with Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan backgrounds also start imitating, they will be a significant threat. They can enjoy tax benefits, which gives them an advantage in cost control."

Deng Changyu, hearing this, became more serious and asked, "Grandfather, what should we do if we encounter such a situation?"

Deng Shirong replied, "We don't need to fear. We have our own advantages. Our eight-treasure porridge is the first canned version, and Kangshifu is already a well-known brand in China. Consumers trust our brand and will choose our Kangshifu eight-treasure porridge over others at the same price."

Deng Changyu asked, "But what if they engage in a price war with us?"

Deng Shirong said, "Currently, many regions are attracting investments. Some places offer tax incentives regardless of whether the company is foreign or a joint venture. We can gather information on this through various channels.

If it's suitable, we can set up a branch factory in those regions to enjoy tax benefits.

Additionally, with our first-mover advantage, our sales will increase, allowing us to further reduce costs in raw material procurement.

This way, we won't fear their price war."

Deng Changyu nodded and said, "Alright, I'll send people to gather this information and strive to establish our eight-treasure porridge branch factory as soon as possible."

"Good, let's proceed with this plan. We can discuss any issues as they arise."

"Alright."

...

A week later, the production cost of the eight-treasure porridge was calculated.

After careful consideration, Deng Shirong set the wholesale price at 1.5 yuan per can and the retail price at 1.8 yuan per can.

This price was not cheap, but it wasn't expensive either. After all, the can itself could be reused for storing other items after the porridge was consumed.

Once the price was set, Deng Shirong took a step back, confident that the team would follow the plan he had discussed with Deng Changyu and others, proceeding step by step.

...

It must be said that highly intelligent people can quickly stand out in any industry.

Yan Shuwen, after replacing her father as a railway police officer, quickly grew into a key member of the department. She could match the acting skills of criminals who were adept at hiding their true identities, and after a few encounters with them, her acting skills rapidly improved. Even compared to professional actors, she was not inferior.

Now, after resigning and coming to Nanning to assist her cousin, she became an excellent clothing salesperson in just over a week.

This is not surprising. Over the years, she had dealt with criminals who were skilled at deception, learning to adapt her words and actions to different people. Not a single criminal had ever seen through her disguise, proving how successful she was at it.

This skill in reading and adapting to people's minds also made her a natural in sales.

Thus, in just over a week, Yan Shuwen was thriving in her cousin's clothing store, selling as efficiently as her cousin, who had been in the business for many years. Her cousin Qin was amazed by her performance.

This Qin Cousin was also a shrewd person. She knew that her cousin Yan Shuwen was not an ordinary person and would surely make a name for herself in the future.

Thus, Qin Cousin did not hold back at all when it came to teaching her promising cousin. She began to impart all sorts of important details about running a clothing store, such as what types of clothing to stock and what to look out for when purchasing inventory.

In short, she shared every bit of her years of experience in the clothing business without reservation.

Yan Shuwen immediately sensed her cousin's kindness and quietly remembered this favor in her heart. She planned to repay her cousin once she made a name for herself.

...

Guangzhou.

Yuexiu South Passenger Station.

"Grandpa Jiu!"

"Ancestor Jiu!"

"Clan Head!"

After getting off the bus, Deng Shirong was greeted by the clan members gathered at the station.

Deng Shirong nodded at them and asked, "How is Aqiang's condition?"

Deng Silong replied, "It's not serious. He just got a head wound and lost a lot of blood. He also has several bruises. The doctor said he will recover after some rest."

Deng Shirong hummed in acknowledgment and asked, "What exactly happened?"

Deng Silong explained, "The night before last, Aqiang said he was hungry and planned to go out for some fried noodles. He didn't expect to be beaten by someone who put a sack over his head."

Deng Shirong asked, "Do you know who did it?"

Deng Silong replied, "No, according to Aqiang, they put the sack over his head from behind, didn't say a word, and just started beating him. They ran away after the beating. By the time he managed to take off the sack, they were long gone."

Upon hearing this, another clan member immediately said, "Grandpa Jiu, it must have been the Nanning bus drivers."

Deng Shirong asked, "Has Aqiang had any conflicts with the Nanning bus drivers?"

The development of Tenglong Passenger Company had never stopped. Currently, they were no longer limited to routes from Bobai to Guangdong or other places; they had also opened routes from Nanning to Guangdong, naturally leading to conflicts of interest with the original bus drivers on these routes.

So, it was not surprising that there had been conflicts between the two sides.

Deng Silong added, "Aqiang did have a conflict with the Nanning bus drivers. At the time, both sides were competing for passengers. When they couldn't outdo us, they started cursing. Aqiang also cursed back at them. If we hadn't been more restrained, they would have fought right then and there."

Deng Shirong's eyes narrowed slightly, and he continued, "After Aqiang was attacked, did you confront the Nanning bus drivers?"

Deng Silong shook his head, "No, we called you first, and you told us not to act rashly, so we held back and didn't confront them."

Deng Shirong nodded and said, "I will go see Aqiang first, and then I will confront them. If it wasn't them, that's fine. But if it was, they will have to pay the price."

Another clan member said, "Ancestor Jiu, it must have been them. How could such a coincidence happen? They had a conflict, and less than three days later, Aqiang was beaten. They even put a sack over his head. His money wasn't taken, clearly a targeted revenge."

Deng Shirong said sternly, "Don't worry. If it was them, it won't escape my notice. I will deal with them and make sure they can't stay at this station."

With these words from their clan leader, the clan members felt reassured.

So, the clan members who were free took Deng Shirong back to the dorm to visit the injured Deng Siqiang.

Seeing Grandpa Jiu personally come from their hometown, Deng Siqiang, with a bandage on his head, stood up excitedly and greeted, "Grandpa Jiu!"

Deng Shirong quickly held his shoulder and said, "Don't move, sit down and rest. How are you feeling now?"

Deng Siqiang replied, "I'm fine. I just need a few days to recover."

Deng Shirong asked, "How many people attacked you? Could you roughly tell?"

Deng Siqiang said, "There were probably three people, all with wooden sticks."

"About what time did you go out? How far did you walk before they put the sack over your head?"

"It was around nine in the evening. I didn't walk far before they put the sack over my head. They must have been waiting for me."

"Do you often go out at night?"

"Not often, just occasionally for some late-night snacks, and usually with two or three people. The night before last, they weren't hungry, so only I went out."

"Everyone should take this as a lesson. In the future, avoid going out at night if possible. If you have to go out, don't go alone. It's best to go with a few people and be alert. Don't let this happen again where someone can sneak up on you and put a sack over your head without you noticing."

"Understood, Grandpa Jiu. After this incident, we won't make the same mistake again."

...

PS: I thought someone would recognize this Miss Yan, but it seems everyone forgot about this foreshadowing. (＃－－)/

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end