Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 266 Store Layout Renovation Plan

Cut off the tail, fins, etc., cut the fish in half, and cut the fish body horizontally into long strips two fingers wide.

Put the cut fish pieces and fish heads in a basin, pour clean water over them, and soak them for a while to remove the blood. This way, the fried fish will not have a fishy smell.

While it was soaking, Shen Yu cut some scallions and ginger slices for later use.

Because it was for dinner, Shen Yu planned to soak it for a while longer and not rush to fry it.

After washing her hands, she walked around the store to see if there were many customers today, which dishes were popular, and whether she needed any help.

It was time to close the store, and Li and her friends were busy putting the tables and chairs in order and wiping the tabletops.

When Li saw her, she put down the rag in her hand and came forward happily, saying, "Yuzhi, the sweet and sour fish today was really good. The two shopkeepers praised it highly and ate up the whole table."

"When we left, Manager Han not only paid for the food, but also gave us an extra fifty coins as a reward. Manager Chen said the fish was delicious, even better than the one in his hometown restaurant."

An empty plate is probably the highest reward for a chef.

Shen Yu couldn't help but feel excited as he listened to Li's description.

After saying this, Li discussed with Shen Yu: "I think we should buy a square table and put it in the store. Usually, when customers eat in the store, most of them come alone. They don't know each other, and they all order their own food."

"If you bring people here to entertain, this long table is not suitable. The tabletop is too long, and the dishes don't look good. The guests sitting opposite can only put the dishes in a long row, which is not comfortable to eat."

Shen Yu thought about the situation of the two shopkeepers sitting there just now, and then he understood why the shopkeeper Han kept emphasizing the deliciousness of the restaurant's food.

It was probably because this long table looked like a fast food table, not formal enough, and he was afraid that the guests would think he was being neglectful, so he specifically said that.

Shen Yu nodded quickly: "Mom is right, there were no customers ordering food before, so I neglected this matter.

"Then go pick a square table that is similar in color to the long table, remove one of the long tables in the corner, and put a square table in its place. This way, when guests order food or treat guests, the square table will be appropriate."

Shen Yu thought about it and said, "We can also put up a screen or something. If there are female guests who want to eat in the restaurant, or if the guests want some quiet time, we can put up the screen and it will be like a separate private room."

Shen Yu didn't know what the situation was in the restaurant, but most of the people eating in the snack bar were men.

There were women coming into the store, but they all bought and took away, sitting at the table to eat. Apart from older female customers, young women were very rare.

Shen Yu wondered if such a small space was separated, the female guests would be able to finish their meal while it's still hot before leaving, instead of having to pack up and take away their food because they didn't want to sit with the male guests.

As soon as Shen Yu proposed this idea, Jiang and Zheng Sanniang, who were listening, also thought it was a good idea.

Although Zheng Sanniang doesn't like to talk much, she is very careful. She also said, "This is a good idea, young lady."

"In addition to merchants from the north and south, those who come to this market also include managers from the outer courtyards of wealthy families, as well as the managers and maids of the wives of the masters."

"They look like servants who serve their masters, but in fact they have to follow many more rules and regulations than wives of common people like us."

Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, Zheng Sanniang couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She straightened the wrinkles on the edge of her apron to cover it up, smiled again, and then continued, "I heard all this from my sister."

"Her family has been setting up a fruit stall at the entrance of the market for several years. I heard her mention that some maids who wanted to buy some fruit would wait until there were no male customers in front of the stall before going over."

"If they could have a private room to separate them from the men during meals, I think they would be happy too."

After hearing this, Li made the decision: "Then buy two square tables and remove the two long tables at the edge. Usually the square tables are placed against the wall. If there are many guests at a table, move them to the middle."

"Put a screen on this side of the square table to separate it from the long table."

"If there are female guests who want to eat in the restaurant, let them eat at the square table. If there are guests who want to order food and treat others, put a screen between the two square tables so that they don't disturb each other."

Shen Yu quickly considered the space issue.

It’s not a big problem to replace the long table with a square table. The size is not much wider, so just move the long table slightly. But if you add a screen in the middle of the aisle, won’t it be too crowded?

Shen Yu thought about it and expressed his worries.

Zhou Dalang suggested, "There is a light, half-person-high screen with a bamboo frame and a bamboo curtain on top. The legs are narrow, too. That kind of screen doesn't take up much space."

"Or instead of a screen, you can make a bamboo hanging curtain, which you can put down when you need it and roll up when you don't."

Li asked Zhou Dalang, "Where can I buy the screens and curtains you mentioned? I haven't seen them in the shops I often go to. The screens are all very tall and large."

Zhou Dalang said, "There is a bamboo shop in the corner of the market. Their goods are all from the south. They are light and exquisite in style. However, they don't match the tables and chairs we are used to here. Therefore, their business is not very good."

"I once bought a bamboo recliner for my dad. It was almost the same as a wooden recliner, but the price was 40% cheaper. My dad praised me that time and said I was good at shopping."

"But that happened last year. I don't know if the store is still there."

Perhaps it was because he had been separated from Old Man Zhou and Mrs. Hu for some time that Zhou Dalang finally no longer looked miserable whenever he mentioned his parents, and could now talk about the past with ease and ease.

Shen Yu guessed that the hanging curtain Zhou Dalang was talking about was probably similar to modern roller blinds, so he nodded and said, "I think this is feasible. Use a hanging curtain in the middle aisle. It's just a thin bamboo curtain. The length should not be too long. It should be enough to hang down to the chair legs."

"There is no need to separate the two square tables. Just install the curtain first and then lower it when needed. This is more flexible."

"It can be turned into a large private room, or it can be divided into two small private rooms according to the needs of the guests. What do you think?"

After thinking about it, everyone agreed that this arrangement was feasible.

Li said, "Tomorrow I will go shopping with Zhou Dalang. We will buy the water jar, the square table, and the hanging curtains."

"Once the arrangement is completed, it will be more convenient for us to eat and cook fish, and we can also entertain female guests, and the guests will be seated more appropriately when ordering."

After Li finished speaking, she asked Shen Yu, "Yuzhi, think about it again, is there anything else you want to buy together?"

Shen Yu thought of the huge food box that Qixi had sent, and hurriedly added: "Mom, when you go to the market tomorrow, buy two more food boxes."