Chapter 92: To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools

TL: Etude

Three hundred a month!

In the village, even after working oneself to death for two months, one might not earn that much money.

Lin Wanqiu bit her lip, expressing her concern with some trepidation, “Jianghai, isn’t this… too risky?”

In Lin Wanqiu’s view, stability was preferable; there was simply no need to spend so much money to rent such a shop.

Chen Jianghai could probably guess what Lin Wanqiu was worried about, and gently patted her back to reassure her, “Wanqiu, don’t worry, we will definitely make money, and it will be a substantial amount.”

Xue Chunli glanced at Chen Jianghai, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she did not speak.

Just then, Li Detian (the raws says Li Desheng but it’s probably a mistake) came over with someone, greeting them with a smile plastered on his face.

“Brother Chen, you’ve come quite early!”

Chen Jianghai nodded and said, “Big brother, I’m eager to start the business, so naturally I have to hurry.”

Li Detian, seeing the two people next to Lin Wanqiu, guessed their identities, but still asked, “And these two are?”

Chen Jianghai introduced them, “They are my father-in-law and mother-in-law.”

“Hello!” Li Detian also greeted them.

Lin Jianguo and Xue Chunli seemed a bit stiff, but they smiled and nodded as a way of greeting.

Chen Jianghai noticed that the two were not quite comfortable, so he suggested that Lin Wanqiu take them to have a look around the county town first.

“Brother, this is Master Ma, who specializes in decoration, his workmanship is beyond question,” Li Detian introduced, pointing to the person beside him.

Chen Jianghai took out a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes, offering one to both Li Detian and Master Ma, saying, “Master Ma, hello.”

Master Ma received the cigarette with a smile, but did not say anything.

Li Detian then added, “Brother, just tell Master Ma directly about any requirements you have; he’s a familiar face, his craftsmanship and reputation are trustworthy!”

Master Ma was in his early forties, with dark, weathered skin and rough hands that looked exceptionally strong.

Chen Jianghai, of course, trusted Li Detian and gestured with his hand, “Let’s go inside and talk, Master Ma!”

“Alright,” Master Ma nodded in agreement.

Li Detian did not rush to leave but followed the two inside.

Once inside the shop, Chen Jianghai pointed around and discussed his ideas.

He wasn’t very demanding about the renovation; it was enough to just repaint the walls and floors.

The most important was to set up a repair bench.

For one to do good work, the proper tools must first be prepared.

Chen Jianghai took out paper and pen, wrote down the specifications, and especially instructed that the materials used must be the best.

After listening, Master Ma pondered for a moment before speaking, “Boss Chen, you want to make the table this big? And with tempered glass on top? That won’t be cheap!”

“It’s okay.”

Chen Jianghai said with a smile, “Please do it according to these specifications.”

Master Ma looked at Chen Jianghai and then said, “The cost might be a bit high then.”

Chen Jianghai waved his hand generously, “Let me finish first, you just need to strictly follow my requirements, and give me a total price.”

“Well… okay then.” Master Ma glanced at Li Detian, who nodded in confirmation.

After that, Chen Jianghai described the arrangement of other areas as well.

After hearing the requirements, Master Ma voiced his doubt, “You’re wasting a lot of space like this!”

“It’s okay, it’s meant to be left empty,” said Chen Jianghai nonchalantly.

Master Ma couldn’t help but ask, “Then why rent such a large shop? Renting a smaller one would save money.”

Nowadays, a typical shop consisted of a long counter, behind which were cabinets, filled with all sorts of goods.

While space was fully utilized, it didn’t give customers a good feeling.

After all, if the space felt too oppressive, it would affect the customers’ mood and naturally also impact the business.

Master Ma and Li Detian had no knowledge of how deep the study of customer psychology would be in later generations. They exchanged glances, truly unable to comprehend such a notion.

In fact, what Chen Jianghai had described was all designed according to the cell phone stores of the future: simple and spacious.

Once customers walked in, what they would see were various electrical appliances placed conspicuously, and there was ample space to wander around.

However, at this moment, Chen Jianghai had no intention of explaining, and simply stated, “Just do as I say!”

“Master Ma, just follow his instructions! You won’t be shortchanged!” Li Detian spoke up at this time.

Hearing Li Detian’s guarantee, Master Ma finally nodded, “Alright, I’ll take the measurements now and start work tomorrow.”

After all, this involved carpentry, and Master Ma needed to be clear on the measurements.

“Okay, please do it as soon as you can, the quicker the better.”

Chen Jianghai instructed.

Master Ma grinned and said, “Don’t worry, Boss Li knows my skills. As soon as the measurements are set, there will be no delays.”

After that, Master Ma began to take measurements.

It was only then that Li Detian pulled Chen Jianghai aside and asked, “Little Brother Chen, I’ve been listening for a while, and the renovation of your shop seems different from others!”

“Big Brother, you’ll know once it’s done,” Chen Jianghai replied with a smile that seemed to hold a secret.

Seeing Chen Jianghai playing coy, Li Detian became even more curious.

Li Detian tried to probe for a while, but Chen Jianghai still revealed nothing.

Unable to get any information, Li Detian didn’t stay much longer and left after saying goodbye.

Chen Jianghai took out the shop keys, “Master Ma, here are the keys to the shop. I’m giving you a set.”

Master Ma, without a word, took the keys and nodded, then went back to his work.

Seeing that there was nothing left for him to do, Chen Jianghai greeted and turned to leave.

Not knowing where Lin Wanqiu had gone with her parents, Chen Jianghai decided to go to the vegetable market first to buy some groceries.

Arriving at the Yangqiao vegetable market, Chen Jianghai, who had already purchased some spare ribs, stopped at a stall with particularly fresh vegetables and asked.

“How much for these vegetables?”

However, after waiting for a moment, Chen Jianghai realized that no one was paying attention.

It was then that he noticed the stall owner was engrossed in a book.

“Boss, I’d like to buy some vegetables!”

Chen Jianghai couldn’t help but raise his voice.

When the person looked up, Chen Jianghai was surprised to recognize the individual.

“It’s you?”

The person running the vegetable stall was Zhu Yinyin, who he had previously bumped into.

“Ah… Big Brother Chen, hello,” Zhu Yinyin said, her face turning slightly red upon seeing Chen Jianghai.

Chen Jianghai couldn’t help but laugh, “Wow, it’s a small world, isn’t it?”

“Big Brother Chen, what vegetables would you like?” Zhu Yinyin promptly stood up and asked.

Chen Jianghai pointed to the water spinach and said, “I’ll take a pound of that.”

Without any hesitation, Zhu Yinyin grabbed a large handful, which clearly was more than a pound.

Chen Jianghai quickly said, “Less, less, I don’t need that much.”

“It’s okay, take it and try, it’s on the house!”

Zhu Yinyin said this while packing the vegetables and handing them to Chen Jianghai.

“You also need to make a living, I should pay for it.”

Chen Jianghai shook his head as he spoke.

…

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