Seeing the instruction manual, Lin Jiang grumbled to himself.
'Just as I thought. This stuff can improve the flavor of the noodles.'
'I just didn't expect that besides enhancing the flavor of the soup base, it could also improve the texture of the noodles. That's a pleasant surprise.'
He lifted the box; it was seriously heavy.
Lin Jiang was a bit curious, so he placed the large box on a scale. It weighed about 113 pounds. If he subtracted the weight of the cardboard box, the Delicious MSG inside would be about 110 pounds.
By his calculation, that meant there were fifty thousand bags inside.
A 110-pound batch of soup base could make about 200 bowls of noodles. With the boost from the Delicious MSG, business would definitely get even better, but 400 bowls a day was already enough to sell out.
He definitely didn't use 50 liters of water every day for kneading dough. Taking everything into account, he'd probably use about three bags of Delicious MSG per day.
Lin Jiang pulled out a calculator and did the math. If he worked year-round without a day off, the supply would last for 45 years. Even if he expanded the shop later, it would still be enough for over twenty years. He didn't have to worry about running out at all.
Back in the kitchen, Lin Jiang checked the soup base. He put it on the scale; there were about 11 pounds left.
Lin Jiang took one bag of Delicious MSG, divided its contents into ten equal portions, and poured one portion into the soup base.
After stirring it evenly, he took a taste. His eyes instantly lit up.
'You call this freaking stuff soup stock?'
'Even the Jade Emperor himself has probably never tasted anything this delicious!'
'With this stuff, I can crush the competition next door even without lowering my prices.'
'But something this important definitely shouldn't be left at the shop. I'll keep it at home and just bring a few bags with me every day.'
With that in mind, Lin Jiang found another box and split the Delicious MSG into two portions to make it easier to carry.
"Is there anything else to do? Do you need my help?" Chen Jingxian asked, turning back to look at Lin Jiang bustling around in the kitchen.
"No need. I'm just cleaning up. I can handle it."
Chen Jingxian nodded and didn't offer to help further. She had her own task to attend to: checking the day's accounts.
After all, with her background as an accountant, it had become a professional habit.
RING RING RING—
Just then, Chen Jingxian's phone rang. It was her younger sister, Chen Jingjia.
"Sis, do you have class today? I'm free tonight, so I can come pick you up."
"No class today, but I have one tomorrow."
"Alright then, I'll pick you up tomorrow. Gotta go."
"Wait a second," Chen Jingxian stopped Chen Jingjia.
"What is it, Sis?"
"I saw your social media post today. You bought a lot of stuff. Must've spent quite a bit of money, huh?"
"I did. All in all, I spent over forty thousand. My card is maxed out."
A flare of anger shot through Chen Jingxian.
"Do you think getting a divorce means you're completely free now? You finally saved up a little money and you spent it all in one go. What were you thinking?"
"It's not that I wanted to. It's mainly because of a change at work. I had to spend some money to upgrade my appearance."
"What does changing jobs have to do with you spending money?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you! I got promoted. I've been transferred to Century Triumph to be a manager."
Chen Jingjia worked at a property management company. Her company was responsible for the property services of over twenty residential communities throughout Zhonghai, almost all of which were mid- to high-end properties.
"You mean that top-tier luxury residence in Zhonghai?"
"Yep, that's the one. My salary went up by over 1,000 yuan, too. The benefits are a lot better."
"What does that have to do with you spending money?"
"See, this is what you don't get. Century Triumph is the most exclusive luxury residence. The homeowners there are all big shots. My wardrobe can't be too shabby, or else when I'm trying to do my job, people won't even give me the time of day. Tell me, how am I supposed to get any work done then?"
"Well..."
Chen Jingxian thought about it. Her sister did seem to have a point.
"But you didn't have to spend it all, did you?"
"I was already being very frugal! You'd know if you went to the mall. Money just isn't money anymore; it flows like water. It's gone before you even realize it."
"I'll let it slide this time, but you need to be more mindful," Chen Jingxian lectured.
"Spending so far beyond your means will be a problem sooner or later. When you start dating again, no man will dare to marry you if he finds out how much you spend."
"A man who complains about a woman spending money is usually just not very capable himself," Chen Jingjia said.
"Sis, your way of thinking is just too old-fashioned. The more frugal and domestic you are, the less a man will take you seriously. You can't let yourself be tied down like that."
"I don't want to hear your twisted logic."
"How is it twisted logic? It's the truth," Chen Jingjia said. "Besides, I don't even spend that much. These were all essential purchases. It definitely won't be like this in the future."
"That's more like it."
"Okay, I have to go now. I'll pick you up tomorrow, and we can check out the night market, grab a late-night snack, or something."
"My class ends at ten. That's too late. You don't have to come."
"How could I not? You're my sister. My schedule is flexible, so of course I have to pick you up."
"If you really see me as your sister, then listen to me and be more frugal from now on."
"I know, I know. I'm not bad at managing my life, you just don't know it yet. Anyway, I'm hanging up now."
Chen Jingjia hung up, and Chen Jingxian shook her head helplessly.
'She's not getting any younger. I wonder when she'll ever get married.'
Just then, Lin Jiang walked in from the kitchen, grabbed an ice-cold soda from the fridge, and started chugging it down. GULP, GULP.
"Drink that slower. It's rough on your stomach," Chen Jingxian reminded him.
"It's fine, just this once... BURP..."
"I swear, I don't know what to do with you." Chen Jingxian waved him over. "Hurry up and come here."
"What's up?"
"You'll see when you get here."
Holding the half-empty bottle of cola, Lin Jiang stood behind Chen Jingxian. In that moment, his past education came full circle.
As the poem goes, "I must scale the highest peak, to see all mountains in a single glance."
Chen Jingxian was wearing a white T-shirt with a loose collar, and looking down from above, the view was simply spectacular.
'I thought Chen Jingjia's size was already unrivaled, but I never expected Chen Jingxian to be even more... formidable.'
"Hm?"
Seeing Lin Jiang remain silent, Chen Jingxian turned and tilted her head up to look at him. She noticed his gaze was a bit evasive and glanced down at her own collar.
"I told you to look at the computer, not at... other things," Chen Jingxian said with a playful pout.
"Right away."
[You have gained favor with NPC Chen Jingxian. Affinity +10]
[Affinity: 40]
'I can gain Affinity from this?'
'If that's how it works, then I'm just going to look openly from now on.'
"We sold 347 bowls of noodles today, for a total revenue of 5,531 yuan. If Spring Harmony Noodle Shop hadn't also lowered its prices, we could have sold even more," Chen Jingxian said.
"But I don't think we can keep fighting a price war. It'll just end up hurting both of us."
"Don't worry, I have a secret weapon. Dealing with them will be a piece of cake."
"As long as you're confident."
Chen Jingxian closed the laptop and picked up her bag.
"I'm heading out. I'll come over early tomorrow to help you."
"In that case, why don't you just stay? I have room at my place. You can just crash for the night."
Chen Jingxian paused, as if considering the offer. "Won't I be troubling you?"
"I sleep with clothes on even when I'm home alone. It won't affect me."
"You're so annoying! Who asked you whether you sleep with clothes on or not?"