Republic of China, 1928: Starting from a Wonton Shop

As soon as the door opened, someone was already waiting outside.

"Boss! Just one! Sharing a table is fine too!"

"I want braised pork belly! Two servings!"

"Boiled pork slices! And a serving of stir-fried liver tips, please!"

In the blink of an eye, the store was full of people, and even the aisles were filled with people standing.

"Don't push! Don't push! Line up!" Da Hu shouted at the top of his lungs, but his voice was instantly drowned out by the noisy crowd.

Yunniang was so busy in the kitchen that she was dizzy with sweat, and her hair was soaked and stuck to her face.

"Chunsheng, table five is asking about their food! Also, the customers over there say they're out of rice!"

"Right away! Big Tiger, bring another bucket of rice!"

Li Chunsheng's spatula flew across his hands, the firelight illuminating his handsome face.

[The store's customer traffic has reached saturation, triggering a business crisis.]

[Temporary Task Issued: Orderly and Complete]

[Description: Excessive crowding not only diminishes the customer dining experience but also harms the health of employees. Please resolve the congestion issue within one week.]

[Reward: Reputation Points +500]

Li Chunsheng sighed.

By 2 p.m., the crowd had finally dispersed, leaving the shop in a mess.

Old Wu slumped into a chair behind the counter, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples. "Boss, this can't go on. This noon, although our turnover was higher, it was so chaotic. Several tables even got angry because the food was served slowly. If word gets out, it'll ruin our reputation."

Da Hu was sweeping the floor with a broom, looking exhausted. "Yeah, boss," he said, "I almost lost my temper with someone just now. That person kept trying to squeeze in and almost knocked over that pot of freshly boiled pork slices. If someone had been burned, we couldn't afford to pay for it."

Yunniang came out carrying several bowls of water and placed them on the table, her face also filled with worry: "Chunsheng, how about we limit the quantity each day? I've seen many restaurants in the Eight Great Buildings do this; once they're sold out, they stop selling."

Li Chunsheng took a big gulp of water and shook his head: "Limited supply isn't a long-term solution. People have already come all this way; if they can't get a meal, that's our fault. Besides, we're in business; why should we turn away money?"

He stood up, walked to the door, and his mind raced through various management models of modern restaurants.

"Let's set some rules."

"What are the rules?" Old Wu asked.

"Limited license plate number".

Li Chunsheng walked to the counter, picked up a pen and paper, and said, "Starting tomorrow, we will no longer allow people to enter the store and wait for a table at will. We will issue number plates."

"License plate?" Everyone was taken aback.

"That's right," Li Chunsheng explained. "We make a hundred bamboo tags, with numbers from one to one hundred written on them. When customers arrive, they go to the counter to get a number. When there are empty seats in the store, we call out the numbers. Whoever's number is called comes in to eat. Those whose numbers aren't called either wait outside or go look around and come back later."

"This..." Old Wu, being an old-fashioned man, hesitated. "Boss, is this really alright? Won't the guests get angry and leave if we make them wait outside?"

"No," Li Chunsheng smiled faintly, "I call this scarcity marketing."

"Hunger marketing?" Old Wu and Da Hu looked at each other, not understanding the term, but it sounded very impressive.

"Also," Li Chunsheng continued, "we need to change the menu. In the main hall, we'll only sell those signature dishes that are quick to prepare and have high profit margins. The time-consuming and labor-intensive dishes can only be reserved in private rooms. This will reduce the pressure on the kitchen."

"Also, Da Hu, from now on, don't just focus on serving the food. You'll be responsible for handing out and calling out numbers at the door, maintaining order. Anyone who dares to cut in line will be disqualified!"

Big Tiger's eyes lit up: "This is great! I hate those people who cut in line!"

"Mr. Wu, could you please do me a favor? I'd like to take over the shop next door as well," Li Chunsheng said, pointing to the west wall.

"Take it over?" Yunniang asked in surprise. "Chunsheng, we've only been open for a short time, and you're already looking to buy another shop?"

"If business is good, we have to strike while the iron is hot," Li Chunsheng said. "There's a general store next door, but business is so-so. The owner has been wanting to go back to his hometown for a long time. If we take over it and open it up, the store can be doubled in size! Then even if more people come, it won't be as cramped as it is now."

"Alright! Boss, leave this to me! I'll go talk to that grocery store owner!" Old Wu slapped his thigh. "I've dealt with Old Wang next door a few times; he definitely intends to sell his shop. I'll go and negotiate a lower price with him!"

"Alright!" Li Chunsheng waved his hand. "It's settled then! Let's finish work early tonight and make bamboo tiles overnight! Tomorrow, we'll try out the new rules!"

The next day at noon, people were surprised to find that a table had appeared in front of Li's Restaurant, and Da Hu was standing behind the table, holding a stack of bamboo signs with numbers written on them.

A newly written notice stood nearby:

To ensure a smooth dining experience, our restaurant will implement a numbered seating system starting today. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be cancelled if your number is missed. Only 100 seats are available per meal, while supplies last.

This novel rule immediately caused an uproar.

"Wow! This Li's restaurant really thinks it's some big restaurant? You need a ticket to eat here?"

"Hey, this is interesting! Isn't this almost like going to the Guanghe Tower to watch a play?"

"Who cares about the rules? As long as I can eat that braised pork, what's a little badge! Give me number one!"

Some complained, some watched and waited, but most people still chose to queue up and get a number.

After all, the aroma of meat wafting out was simply too tempting.

Meanwhile, at the meat market a few miles away...

A carriage bearing the Dongxinglou logo stopped in front of Butcher Zheng's butcher shop.

Sun Dehai got out of the car, looked at the busy Zheng the butcher, and said with a forced smile, "Boss Zheng, business is booming!"

Butcher Zheng looked up and saw it was the head manager of Dongxing Restaurant. He quickly wiped his hands and said, "Oh, Manager Sun! Why did you come in person? Just tell me what kind of meat you want, and I'll have my staff bring it to you!"

"No rush, no rush," Sun Dehai waved his hand. "Boss Zheng, we've known each other for a long time. I'm here today to discuss a big deal with you."

"What kind of business?"

"From now on, Dongxinglou will buy all the top-quality pork belly and tenderloin in your shop," Sun Dehai said, taking out a money pouch from his sleeve and placing it on the counter. "I'll give you the market price plus 10%, but there's one condition."

A cold glint flashed in Sun Dehai's eyes: "You can't sell any of this meat to that Li's Restaurant, not even a single ounce! If you break the rules..." Sun Dehai leaned close to his ear and whispered something.

Zheng the butcher looked at the silver note, then at Sun Dehai's expression, and his heart skipped a beat.

This is like gods fighting, and mortals suffering the consequences.

But he's just a butcher. Even though he's the only butcher in the market, Dongxinglou won't dare to mess with him then.

Moreover, an additional 10% interest...

Butcher Zheng gritted his teeth and reached out to press down on the man's money bag.

"Manager Sun, you are a distinguished guest, so you are in charge."