Chapter Thirty-Seven: My Brother-in-Law Loses His Job

None of them had ever tasted this mutton soup before, but its aroma was undeniably inviting.

“Brother, is this the mutton soup you mentioned?” Dongzi was the first to speak.

“That’s right. I just learned how to make it myself. Try some,” Chen Huajiang said, ladling out a bowl for each of them. After they finished eating, everyone gave high praise.

The only thing missing was the flatbread that typically accompanies such a dish, but fortunately, their shop also sold steamed buns.

“It tastes really good. So, how much are you planning to sell it for?” Dongzi asked again.

“It has to be at least fifty cents. There’s a lot of mutton in it.”

When Chen Huajiang had tried mutton soup in another city, it was also fifty cents a bowl.

“Fifty cents sounds fair. Let’s give it a try—who knows? Maybe it’ll sell well.” Dongzi was very supportive. As one of Chen Huajiang’s franchisees, he was naturally eager to back this new product.

“You all, help me carry the pot outside. If we’re selling mutton soup, the pot has to be kept simmering at all times.” When Chen Huajiang first returned, he had set up a stove outside precisely for making mutton soup.

That afternoon, after work, people were curious: what was Chen Huajiang doing with that huge pot outside?

As they drew closer, the delicious aroma hit them. Despite the slightly high price, many were willing to pay just to have a taste.

After all, the weather was turning cooler, and a bowl of steaming hot mutton soup was a comforting treat.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone praising Chen Huajiang’s skill.

Lin Jiayin brought Huanhuan over to try the mutton soup her husband had made. After tasting it, she was very impressed.

She pulled Chen Huajiang aside and whispered, “My brother just got laid off—there’s been downsizing at his factory. How about letting him join you in making mutton soup? It looks like it’s selling really well.”

Lin Guoshan had always treated Lin Jiayin well, and Chen Huajiang was well aware of this. Though Jiayin’s parents hadn’t always treated him kindly, that was in the past, back when he spent his days drinking and gambling.

Lately, Lin Jiayin hadn’t been home much. Just yesterday, she ran into her brother and noticed he seemed down. That’s when she learned he’d lost his job.

“So suddenly? But is there even a place for him to work?” He would need a proper spot to sell mutton soup; doing it on the street wouldn’t do.

“Did you forget? There’s a patch of land at the entrance to our neighborhood that belongs to my family. Grandpa left it to us. My mother’s been growing vegetables there, but it’s a good spot.”

At her words, Chen Huajiang remembered. It really was a great location; on the way home, he passed by there almost every day.

And it was an old residential area, bustling with people.

“That could work—but would your mother agree?” Chen Huajiang was a bit concerned.

If he could use his mother-in-law’s land, he’d have a place for a direct-sale shop. Or, he could team up with Lin Guoshan to run it together; after all, he doubted Guoshan had much money on hand. Still, as his brother-in-law, he was happy to help.

“Don’t worry about that,” Lin Jiayin said. “I’ll go home and talk to my mom and see how she reacts.”

She’d been considering this already. After all, Chen Huajiang was now making over a hundred in profit each day—far more than working in a factory. Since her brother was out of work, selling mutton soup seemed like a good idea.

“Go ahead and test the waters. If you need start-up money, I can cover it,” Chen Huajiang said, ever the strategist. If they could use that spot, at least they wouldn’t have to pay rent.

Lin Jiayin nodded and took Huanhuan to her parents’ home.

Her parents were delighted to see her, and Jiayin brought them some gifts.

“What’s Chen Huajiang been up to lately? We haven’t heard a word about him,” her father said with a gloomy face.

“He’s opened a snack shop outside the Hongqi Factory. Didn’t you know? It’s been a month or two already,” Jiayin’s aunt said. Lin Guoshan was surprised; he’d only heard about it from others.

“The one at the Hongqi Factory entrance? I heard their braised pork is delicious, and they grill lamb skewers too,” Lin Guoshan said, puzzled that Chen Huajiang had taken such a turn. It didn’t seem like something he would do.

“Yes, that’s the place. Business is good. I came back today to talk to you about it.”

“Brother, go learn from Huajiang for a few days, then open a shop here. You’re bound to make money,” Jiayin said, brimming with excitement.

“Oh, come on. What could Chen Huajiang possibly manage? He’s just chasing a fad—he’ll probably close up shop in a few days,” her father grumbled, unconvinced.

“Dad, what are you saying? I’m telling you, Chen Huajiang makes over a hundred a day. At noon he sells braised pork, at night grilled lamb skewers, and now he’s added mutton soup.”

“The patch where we grow vegetables could be cleared out for my brother. Build a small place, sell mutton soup or lamb skewers—it’ll definitely make money.”

Hearing that Chen Huajiang made over a hundred a day left the three of them speechless.

“Is that true, daughter? He makes over a hundred a day?” her mother asked, astonished.

“Don’t kid your brother, little sis! I can’t believe a small shop could make so much,” Lin Guoshan said in shock.

“What good would it do me to lie? Look at all the clothes Yaya’s wearing lately, or the ones Chen Huajiang bought for me—they’re all from his snack shop’s earnings. He even said if you don’t have the start-up funds, he’ll put up the money.”

Jiayin’s tone didn’t sound like a lie.

“I still don’t buy it—unless I see it with my own eyes,” her father said, stubborn as ever.

“Then let’s go take a look right now. He’s open until midnight; you’ll see how many customers he has,” Jiayin said, dragging her parents and brother to Chen Huajiang’s snack shop.

When they arrived, her parents and Lin Guoshan were stunned.

Every table was full, with people lining up outside.

Because Chen Huajiang had just added mutton soup to the menu, many who had never tried it came especially for a taste.

Seeing his in-laws arrive, Chen Huajiang hurried out to greet them with a smile. “Dad, Mom, Brother—you’re here! What would you like to eat?”

He was always polite.

“They’ll each have a bowl of mutton soup—something hot and comforting,” Lin Jiayin said, taking charge.

As there were no empty tables, Chen Huajiang quickly set one up inside and made sure the elders were taken care of.