Courtyard House: Inheriting the Restaurant, the Jia Family Wants to Get It for Free

Cheng Shuhai took the lunchbox, his hands still busy, and asked, "By the way, Director Li, didn't Old Shi say he wanted to eat boiled fish last time?"

Li Weimin's eyes lit up when he heard this.

"Oh! Boss Cheng, you've finally brought this up! How's it going? Can we get it done? Old Shi's been talking about it several times these past few days!"

Cheng Shuhai thought for a moment. The fish in the space had just been put in, and even with a time flow rate of a hundred times, not much time had passed. They needed to be nurtured for a while longer to absorb the spiritual energy of the space so that their meat would be of better quality.

"Don't rush, the fish have been obtained, but we'll have to wait another day or two while I prepare."

Cheng Shuhai said.

"Okay, okay, no rush, no rush. As long as it's available, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes!" Li Weimin rubbed his hands together with joy.

As long as we can serve this great master Shi well, the factory's machine renovation project can proceed smoothly, which would be a tremendous achievement.

Looking at Cheng Shuhai, he found him more and more pleasing to the eye. This young man was not only skilled, but also reliable.

He thought for a moment, then lowered his voice and said to Cheng Shuhai, "Brother Cheng, if you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, just let us know. Our factory will definitely help in any way we can!"

Cheng Shuhai's heart skipped a beat.

He knew that this was Director Li Weimin trying to curry favor with him and do him a personal favor.

Although he now has the Blessed Land Space at his disposal, and basically nothing can stump him, having more friends means having more options, especially someone like the deputy director of the steel rolling mill.

"Alright, then I'll thank Deputy Factory Director Yang and Director Li in advance." Cheng Shuhai nodded, not making any definitive statements.

Li Weimin was pleased to see that he appreciated the gesture.

He came today not only to buy groceries, but also mainly to convey goodwill. Now that he has achieved his goal, he won't stay any longer.

After Cheng Shuhai packed the two large lunchboxes of spicy chicken, Li Weimin paid and happily carried the lunchboxes away.

After seeing Director Li off, Cheng Shuhai continued his work.

Guests came in waves, one after another, in an endless stream.

The aroma of spicy chicken filled the entire Nanluoguxiang alley, becoming the most tempting signboard in the vicinity.

As Cheng Shuhai cooked the dishes, he was making plans in his mind.

Business was getting better and better, but problems were also arising.

He's all alone with just one stove; he simply can't manage it all.

From morning till night, they didn't even have time to drink water. Although her younger sister Ling'er was sensible, she was only five years old and could only help with small tasks.

If this continues, he won't be able to expand his business; he'll just exhaust himself.

We absolutely have to hire someone!

However, recruiting people in this era was not as simple as it is in later times.

It is now 1951, and various social reforms are underway.

His small restaurant is now a sole proprietorship; he works there and earns his own money, so there's no problem.

But once he hires people, the situation changes.

If you hire workers, then you become a "small business owner".

In this era that values ​​class background, once you're categorized into that group, everything you do will be restricted, and you might even become a target of persecution.

This is not a joke.

Cheng Shuhai frowned, feeling troubled.

This is actually a bit tricky.

If you can't hire people, you can't expand your business.

They hired people, but then worried about getting into political trouble.

Is this all I can do, just stay at this little stall and work myself to the bone all day long?

Cheng Shuhai was unwilling to accept this.

He has the incredible advantage of a blessed space; it would be a waste to only use it to run a small family business.

What should we do?

Is there a way to have the best of both worlds?

As Cheng Shuhai tossed the ladle around, his mind raced as he considered a solution.

Just when he was at his wit's end, a familiar voice came from the doorway.

"Comrade Cheng, what trouble have you encountered? Your brows are all furrowed."

Cheng Shuhai looked up and saw Zheng Chaoyang, Bai Ling, and Hao Pingchuan standing at the door.

They weren't wearing uniforms today; they were dressed casually and looked like ordinary diners.

"Brother Zheng, Sister Bai Ling, Brother Hao, you've arrived!" Cheng Shuhai smiled when he saw them.

"Please have a seat!"

Hao Pingchuan was a straightforward guy. As soon as he sat down, he got straight to the point and asked, "Xiao Cheng, you looked like someone owed you money earlier. Tell me, and I'll figure something out for you!"

Cheng Shuhai gave a wry smile, poured each of them a glass of water, and then expressed his concerns.

"...That's the situation. Business is so good that we want to hire more people, but we're afraid of being classified as small business owners. We're caught in a dilemma."

After listening, Zheng Chaoyang and the other two exchanged glances.

They are all government employees, and their understanding of policies is much deeper than that of ordinary people.

Zheng Chaoyang pondered for a moment and said, "That is indeed a problem. The higher-ups are being quite cautious about their policies toward the private sector right now."

Hao Pingchuan slapped his thigh: "What's so difficult about that! It's just a matter of class background, right? At worst, you can quit. With your skills, you'd be in high demand everywhere. Come work in our bureau's cafeteria, I'll talk to the boss, and I guarantee you'll get a good position!"

"Shut up!" Bai Ling glared at him. "Xiao Cheng is his own boss, free and easy. Why would he want to go to your smoky cafeteria?"

Hao Pingchuan was speechless after being rebuked. He scratched his head and remained silent.

Bai Ling looked at Cheng Shuhai, and a rare hint of concern appeared on her usually expressionless face.

She thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "I do have a suggestion."

Cheng Shuhai, Zheng Chaoyang, and Hao Pingchuan all focused their attention on her.

"Go ahead," Cheng Shuhai said.

Bai Ling slowly said, "If you hire your own family members instead of outsiders to help, then it's not considered an employment relationship."

"Helping each other among relatives is a family matter, it's only natural and doesn't involve exploitation, so it's not considered a small business owner."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shuhai's eyes lit up instantly.

Yup!

How could I not have thought of that!

Family!

As long as they are family members, they are not considered employees!

This method is absolutely radical; it solves the problem at its root!

"Comrade Bai Ling, you are truly my Zhuge Liang!"

Cheng Shuhai slapped his thigh and said excitedly.

The problem that had been bothering him for so long was solved by Bai Ling with just one sentence.

He was so fixated on recruiting people from outside that he completely forgot about having relatives as a backup plan.

Zheng Chaoyang laughed as well, giving Bai Ling an approving look: "Comrade Bai Ling is quick-witted and has a good grasp of the problem. Xiao Cheng, this method is feasible."