Chapter 27: The First Step Toward the Future

32,457 yuan.

That was the first day’s sales revenue of “Shi Ning Ji.”

Looking at the stacks of cash in front of her, Jiang Ning slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened them again, all hesitation had vanished, replaced by unwavering confidence and determination for the future.

She knew she had made the right move.

With this successful first step, as long as she didn’t make any major mistakes, she could quickly accumulate her first bucket of gold.

Once she had the funds, combined with the memories and experience from her past life, there would be countless opportunities ahead.

At this moment, Tian Wenhao suddenly handed her a record of the day’s ingredient consumption from the backend system.

Jiang Ning took the list and carefully examined it.

After estimating the cost of other consumed supplies, she calculated that the profit margin was around 40%.

In other words, out of the 32,000+ yuan in revenue, the net profit was over 10,000 yuan.

After arriving at this number, Tian Wenhao slumped into his chair, his face alternating between red and pale.

Finally, he looked at Jiang Ning’s delicate face and couldn’t help but ask,

“Ning Ning, is this… really our one-day profit?”

Jiang Ning nodded.

However, at that moment, Tian Wenhao began murmuring to himself.

“My mom works at Tool Factory No. 3. She leaves early and comes home late, working tirelessly on the frontlines of production… Her monthly salary is 650 yuan.”

“And we made 10,000 yuan in just one day…”

As he spoke, he lowered his head to look at his hands, his voice filled with indescribable complexity.

Then, as if something suddenly came to mind, he said,

“Ning Ning, isn’t the 30% profit share you set for me a bit too much? I didn’t even do that much…”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled gently.

“Cousin, you earned it.”

“If it weren’t for you, the store wouldn’t have opened so smoothly.”

Seeing that Tian Wenhao still wanted to say more, Jiang Ning quickly changed the subject.

“After working the whole day, do you think there’s anything we need to improve in the store?”

Hearing this, Tian Wenhao furrowed his brows and thought carefully for a moment before shaking his head.

In response, Jiang Ning pointed to the work schedule posted on the wall.

“Our shop operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.”

“Judging from today’s workload, how long do you think those two girls can keep up?”

Tian Wenhao wasn’t stupid. With Jiang Ning’s hint, he immediately realized the problem the store would soon face.

He nodded solemnly.

“Got it. I’ll put up a hiring notice tomorrow.”

“And about the contracts, they must be signed.”

Jiang Ning didn’t want to be stabbed in the back over such matters. Any preventable loopholes had to be closed.

Then, while she and Tian Wenhao were discussing the upcoming details, there was a sudden knock at the door.

“Boss, there’s something that needs your attention.”

“Oh, give me a moment, I’ll be right there.”

Tian Wenhao responded, then helped Jiang Ning put the money into a lockbox.

After securing it, the cousins stepped out together.

As soon as they exited, Jiang Ning saw Wang Ting holding a landline phone in one hand while jotting something down with the other.

“Alright, got it. It will be delivered on time.”

After finishing the call, Wang Ting looked up at Tian Wenhao and said,

“Boss, it’s from Jin Ma Hua Decoration Company. They ordered 30 economy meal sets.”

“Thirty?”

Jiang Ning was briefly stunned by the number.

Each dinner set cost 15 yuan.

Thirty sets meant 450 yuan.

A bulk order!

And the current time was 9:20 p.m.

That meant these meals were for employees working overtime?

Tsk, tsk. Damn capitalism.

Of course, Jiang Ning was only complaining internally. Her hands moved just as quickly as the others.

Ignoring what she was wearing, she went straight to the back kitchen and started working with Li Yan and the others.

Before long, they had packed all thirty meal sets.

But then, a new problem arose.

Looking at the neatly stacked thirty bags, they glanced at each other.

There was no way one person could deliver them all. Apart from the two store employees, only Jiang Ning and Tian Wenhao had bicycles.

So, the delivery task naturally fell to them.

But even with the two of them, transporting all thirty meals at once was impossible.

In the end, they brought along Li Yan from the kitchen.

Since Xiao Mingxiu couldn’t ride a bike, she stayed behind in uniform to temporarily cover for Li Yan.

Soon, their three bicycles were loaded with plastic bags bearing the “Shi Ning Ji” logo as they rode toward Jin Ma Hua Decoration Company’s address.

Since Li Yan was with them, Tian Wenhao refrained from chatting much with Jiang Ning.

After all, Jiang Ning had told him she didn’t want people to know she was the boss.

So, the three of them made small talk as they arrived at Jin Ma Hua Decoration Company’s building.

It was a 28-story commercial skyscraper called Tianwei Tower—one of the most prestigious CBD buildings in Jiangzhou’s city center.

From the outside signage, even several internationally renowned brands had offices there.

For Jin Ma Hua Decoration Company to operate in this building, it was clear they had strong connections.

Powerful connections really made things easier.

Jiang Ning smacked her lips.

While Tian Wenhao went inside to negotiate the delivery, she found herself wondering when she could expand “Shi Ning Ji” into a building like this.

At the very least, she’d rent two floors—one for the office and one for herself to live in.

After a while, Tian Wenhao returned, accompanied by a few young men with heavy dark circles under their eyes.

“Thanks, thank you! We really appreciate it.”

The young men were polite, even enthusiastic.

Especially toward Jiang Ning.

They wouldn’t let her carry a single delivery bag, as if having her touch the food would be some kind of offense.

This made Jiang Ning a little embarrassed.

Fortunately, Li Yan was treated the same way, standing there empty-handed.

Soon, the elevator stopped on the 14th floor.

Led by the young men, they stepped into an office with automatic glass doors.

Jiang Ning glanced around—the company’s interior design was exactly what she had expected from a decoration company.

Simple colors, minimalist style, workspaces separated by greenery—overall, it looked very comfortable.

“Ning Ning, you go collect the payment while we distribute the meals.”

“Oh, okay.”

Jiang Ning responded and started looking for the finance office.

But when she found it, she realized the door was closed, and no lights were on inside.

Clearly, the finance staff had already gone home.

So… where was she supposed to collect the payment?

Just as she was puzzled, a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Come to my office to settle the payment, Jiang Ning.”