Chapter 553 - 186: The 80s Drama Queen is Forced to Become a Top Student (21)

Chapter 553: Chapter 186: The 80s Drama Queen is Forced to Become a Top Student (21)

Sheng Leyun modeled the store after the supermarkets of a later era. She had large windows installed along the street-facing walls of all three rooms. Considering there was no tempered glass available, she added a layer of security bars and a roll-up shutter door for double protection.

The originally dim rooms immediately brightened up considerably. In addition, the walls were given a fresh coat of paint, the floor was paved with cement, and the roof was repaired, making everything look brand new.

All three rooms were connected, with only the load-bearing pillars left standing. Shelves were installed on the windowless walls to display various daily necessities, and the space was divided into very detailed sections.

There were no surveillance cameras at this time, and people were not yet familiar with the self-service model of picking out goods and paying afterward. To prevent unnecessary trouble, Sheng Leyun still placed a row of counters in front of the shelves.

These counters also displayed plenty of products, and they served to keep customers at a safe distance from both the merchandise and the sales staff.

The shop’s entrance was on the west side of the middle room. After customers came in, the grocery section was to the left, while fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs were to the right.

In the center of the space, Sheng Leyun placed three sets of natural wood tables and chairs, setting them with tea sets for customers and neighbors to rest.

On each table was a glass vase with flowers picked from the courtyard, along with some fabric art for decoration. Beneath the large windows was a row of low cabinets and a newspaper and magazine rack.

People could sit down to rest, read magazines, newspapers, and books, and tuck their belongings into the cabinets so the area wouldn’t look cluttered and unsightly.

Sheng Leyun managed the store herself, hired three sales clerks, and also created two work-study positions.

The moment the old lady saw her precious granddaughter training a row of new hires, her heart began to tremble. As soon as the employees left,

she couldn’t help but pull Sheng Leyun aside. "Yunyun, honey, this is just a small business. I could have run it by myself."

"But you went and hired so many people at once. Will we even make enough money to pay their salaries?"

Sheng Leyun chuckled softly, led the old lady to a rocking chair, and pressed on her shoulders to get her to sit down.

"Grandma, I opened this grocery store for you. Isn’t it because you’re always trying to find ways to make money, taking on all sorts of odd, exhausting jobs?"

"I can’t say how much this store will make, but I guarantee that after covering costs and employee salaries, the profit will be more than what you earn from a whole day of back-breaking work."

"You can never earn all the money in the world, and I don’t want you to wear yourself out over these material things. Without you loving and protecting me, I’d just be a poor little thing, taken back by my vicious adoptive mother with no freedom at all."

Hearing this, the old lady shot to her feet. "That can’t happen! Grandma is perfectly healthy! Look, even the white hair on my head is almost gone!"

"Yes, yes, yes," Sheng Leyun nodded, amused. She once again soothed the old lady back into the chair and crouched beside her to explain things.

People of Grandma Guo’s generation had endured a lot of hardship. If they were suddenly told to live a life without labor, they would feel uncomfortable all over.

If she didn’t break it down for her grandmother today, the old lady would absolutely worry herself sick watching the store employees every day.

"Grandma, you’re now the supervisor of this grocery store. You don’t need to do much—just lend a hand when things get busy and invite your old friends to come hang out at the shop."

"With you here, the employees won’t dare to neglect the customers, and our business can thrive for a long time. You’re our backbone."

"If you really feel restless with nothing to do, you can set up a stall at the entrance and keep selling cotton candy."

"You could also sell steamed buns and baozi during mealtimes. Hmm, I’ll also look into a recipe for hot pot skewers..."

"In the summer, I’ll find you a couple of used refrigerators and freezers, and we can sell soda and ice cream bars."

"There are lots of ways to make money, but you have to promise not to wear yourself out..."

The old lady nodded repeatedly and patted her chest, promising that she was still waiting to see her precious granddaughter get married and have kids.

Little Sheng Grocery Store was soon stocked with goods. After setting off two strings of firecrackers, it was officially open!

The store launched a promotion right away, much like the sales events of later-era supermarkets: a three-day grand opening celebration! Any customer making a purchase could enjoy deals like spend-and-save discounts, gifts with a minimum purchase, prize drawings, general markdowns, and more.

When had the people of this era ever seen such a spectacle?

Used to pinching every penny, they were completely won over by this blatant opportunity to get a good deal.

The not-so-large shop was instantly packed to the gills with a crowd of curious onlookers.

Since it opened on a Sunday, all her young friends came with their parents to show their support.