My 1995 Small Farm.

The filming was successfully completed, and everyone was in high spirits.

As I was leaving the villa, I saw the film crew next door also taking a break.

Zheng Shaoqiu went over to say hello, and when he returned, he brought with him a pretty actress dressed in a theatrical costume.

"Ah Ling, Director Zhong, Brother Yuemin, let me introduce you. This is Miss Xuanxuan, who is currently filming a fashion drama next door."

"She heard that we were filming 'Return to Glory' here and that there was a great person like Boss Chen, so she insisted on coming over to meet him."

Zheng Shaoqiu introduced them with a smile.

The actress named Xuanxuan gracefully extended her hand, smiling sweetly: "Hello, Mr. Chen, Director Zhong, Mr. Liang!"

"I heard you guys cheering from the side, so I couldn't resist coming over to join in the fun."

“My whole family loves braised beef noodles, but it’s often not available in Hong Kong. I’ve been wanting to see Mr. Chan’s cooking for a long time!”

Chen Ling politely shook hands with her and exchanged pleasantries.

Xuanxuan seemed very interested in Chen Ling, asking him many questions about the mainland market and "Fugui Villa," her eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.

She only reluctantly said goodbye when her assistant came to urge her.

Before leaving, he asked for Chen Ling's contact information, saying that he hoped to visit the real "Fugui Villa" when he went to the mainland in the future.

Watching Xuanxuan's departing figure, Director Zhong nudged Chen Ling's arm and chuckled softly, "Ling, not bad! You filmed well, and even got a pretty girl to chat you up! If your sister-in-law finds out, you'll be kneeling on a washboard!"

Chen Ling was both amused and exasperated: "Director Zhong, please stop teasing me. He was just being polite."

Liang Yuemin joked, "Fugui, you're quite charming, but you'd better keep it up, or I won't be able to explain it to your sister-in-law!"

Amidst laughter and conversation, everyone got into their cars and drove away.

On the way back, Director Zhong and Liang Yuemin were still excitedly discussing the upcoming filming plans and how to use today's exciting scenes for publicity.

Chen Ling looked out the window at the rapidly receding seascape and was in a very good mood.

With most of the filming done and the main objectives of the trip to Hong Kong Island largely achieved, it's time to consider going home.

He began to plan his return.

After finishing Qin Qiumei's matter, I'll prepare to go home.

Back at his lodgings, Chen Ling cooked dinner.

It's definitely getting hot on Hong Kong Island this season, and it gets hot very quickly.

We already need to turn on the air conditioning indoors.

Fortunately, Chen Ling is in good health; he is not only heat-resistant but also cooks quickly.

I didn't spend too long in the kitchen.

Dinner was ready at 7:30 pm.

The Chen family sat around a rattan dining table, on which were steamed grouper, boiled shrimp, garlic bok choy, and a pot of steaming seafood porridge, the aroma filling the air.

The food was delicious.

The seafood and fish were all caught from the cave.

Well, according to Chen Ling's idea...

Children from inland areas should eat more seafood to supplement their diet with nutrients from the sea.

I want the children to develop in a balanced way.

The meal was naturally very pleasant.

But when Chen Ling mentioned that he was about to go home.

The two older children at the table immediately started whining.

Not to mention Wang Zhenzhen, Rui Rui was also unhappy.

"Dad, don't go home, let's go on a big ship tomorrow!"

Rui Rui hugged Chen Ling's leg, tilted her little face up, and asked with her eyes full of expectation.

"Brother-in-law, can we go home a little later? There are still so many places on Hong Kong Island we haven't visited yet!"

Wang Zhenzhen also came over and counted on her fingers, "We haven't been to Ocean Park yet, but I heard there are seals that can balance balls on their heads!"

"And that church with lots of foreigners, Sister Yin Huan said there's a buffet there too, they'll just pay for it and let us eat as much as we want until we're full..."

Even Wang Susu wiped Kang Kang and Lele's hands while whispering to Chen Ling, "Ah Ling, if things aren't too busy, let's stay a few more days."

“I think the kids really like it here. They’ve seen a lot more, and they’ve become much more lively.”

Looking at the expectant eyes of his wife and children, Chen Ling's longing to return home, which had grown from being away for so long, dissipated considerably.

He laughed and bent down to hoist Rui Rui onto his shoulder: "Alright! Let's play for a few more days!"

"Anyway, the filming is almost finished, and with our parents looking after things at home, and Ah Fu and Ah Shou being very well-behaved, we can just relax and enjoy a vacation here!"

"Yay! Daddy's the best!"

Rui Rui rode on his father's shoulders, waving his arms and legs happily.

Wang Zhenzhen cheered excitedly, "Great! I want to go to the Ocean Park to see the seals!"

Chen Ling put Rui Rui down and said to Wang Susu, "Since we've decided to stay a few more days, we can't leave the whole shop-opening business to Yue Min."

“I’ll discuss it with him tomorrow, and I’ll also go check out the shop and offer my suggestions. The sooner we decide, the more at ease we’ll feel.”

He thought for a moment and then said, "It's hard for Brother Guang Yuemin to run around alone, so I plan to have Sun Yanhong come over."

"She is capable and familiar with the process of opening a store. With her help, the process can be much faster."

"It's also a good opportunity for her to familiarize herself with the situation on Hong Kong Island in advance."

Wang Susu nodded in agreement: "That's good. Sun Yanhong is capable. With her helping you and Brother Yuemin, we can rest assured."

"Since we've benefited so much from Brother Yuemin and Sister-in-law Yinhuan, it's only right that we pay more attention to things at the shop."

With the plan settled, the family enjoyed a happy dinner together.

That evening, Chen Ling called the city. When Sun Yanhong heard that Chen Ling was going to open a shop in Hong Kong Island and needed her help, she was so excited that her voice rose eight octaves.

It turns out he had already completed the formalities and was just waiting for Chen Ling to come back and give instructions.

Hearing Chen Ling's invitation, she immediately said she would book tickets overnight and come over as soon as possible.

The next morning, Liang Yuemin and Liu Yinhuan arrived.

Hearing that Chen Ling's family would be staying for a while longer and would also be involved in the preparations for opening the shop, Liang Yuemin was naturally pleased.

Liu Yinhuan smiled and took Wang Susu's hand: "That's great, Susu! It's perfect timing. I'll take you and the children to explore Hong Kong Island properly these next few days. There are so many interesting little places that tourists don't even know about!"

So, Liang Yuemin then took Chen Ling to see the few shops he had initially selected.

Liu Yinhuan accompanied Wang Susu and the children to the Ocean Park and shopping mall.

“Fugui, look at this spot.”

Leung Yuet-man pointed to an empty shop at the corner of a quiet but stylish street in Central.

"The size is just right, the decoration is excellent, and it used to be a high-end liquor and cigar shop, so the style is guaranteed."

"It's just the rent... hehe, it hurts a bit."

Chen Ling looked around and shook his head: "Brother Yuemin, this place is nice, but it's too 'pretentious'."

"Our hot pot and barbecue are full of smoky atmosphere, which is all about liveliness and friendliness."

"Putting it here is like wearing a suit and tie to eat at a roadside stall—it's completely out of place."

"Our target customers in the first phase are not only those well-dressed elites, but also young white-collar workers and fashionable men and women who pursue novelty and are willing to spend money."

"You need to find a place with a high foot traffic, a relaxed atmosphere, and preferably with entertainment venues or young communities nearby."

Liang Yuemin seemed thoughtful: "That makes sense. I was thinking wrong. I was always trying to go all out and go for high-end. Let's look at the next one. There's one in Causeway Bay, but it's a bit noisy..."

I looked at three or four berths in a row, but I wasn't satisfied with any of them.

Either the rent is too high and exceeds the budget, or the location is too remote or the layout is unsuitable.

It was almost noon, and Leung Yuet-man was a little tired, so he found a tea restaurant near Wan Chai to have lunch.

In the afternoon, Liang Yuemin had some business to attend to and was unable to accompany Chen Ling.

I came here today because I thought Chen Ling and the others were planning to leave, and I wanted to accompany them to take care of Qin Qiumei's matter.

But now, the shops are so numerous that it's tiring to look at them all, so we have to postpone everything else until another day.

Chen Ling then met up with Wang Susu, and together with the still excited children, they headed to the famous Ocean Park.

In the park, Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen exclaimed in amazement as they saw the enormous whale sharks, the adorable dolphins, and the colorful marine life.

Kang Kang and Lele also opened their eyes wide, pointing their little fingers at the huge aquarium and babbling incessantly.

"Daddy! A big fish! It glows!"

Rui Rui clung to the glass of the Deep Sea Wonders exhibit, staring wide-eyed at the bioluminescent jellyfish swimming leisurely by.

"Brother-in-law, look! The seal is balancing the ball! That's amazing!" Wang Zhenzhen tugged at Chen Ling's sleeve, excitedly pointing to the performance pool. Chen Ling smiled and acted as a commentator for his family, but in his heart, he was secretly comparing it to the newly formed sea area in his own cave.

Although its scale is far smaller, with the nurturing of spiritual energy, it may well develop its own unique vitality in time.

He even secretly used a trace of his inner world perception to experience the life rhythm of these giant sea creatures, and felt that he benefited greatly from it.

At the photo spot in the park, Chen Ling generously paid for a family photo.

The photo shows a family of six with bright smiles, with the azure dolphin pool in the background, capturing a heartwarming moment from their trip to Hong Kong Island.

Having enjoyed their time to the fullest, the family took the bus back.

As the car passed through Wan Chai, Chen Ling inadvertently caught a glimpse of a sizable market by the roadside.

The sign reads "Hong Kong Island Aquarium and Flower Market," and inside, the lights are dazzling and the fish tanks of all colors are displayed in abundance.

Various oddly shaped and brightly colored fish swam in the water, instantly catching his eye.

"Susu, look over there!" Chen Ling pointed out the window. "What a huge aquarium market! Shall we go take a look? See if we can find any rare fish species."

Wang Susu followed the gaze and was also attracted by the colorful scene: "Great, there's still plenty of time, the children will definitely like it."

Sure enough, as soon as they got out of the car and entered the market, the children were captivated by the magical water world.

Compared to the grandeur of Ocean Park, this place is more refined and diverse.

In the various fish tanks, there are graceful arowanas with flowing whiskers, as well as golden arowanas and red arowanas, which symbolize good fortune.

Various types of koi, large in size and with intricate patterns, sway their tails leisurely in the pond.

There were also many more tropical and saltwater fish that Chen Ling couldn't name, with different shapes and dazzling colors, like fireworks blooming underwater.

"Dad, this fish is beautiful! It's so red!"

Rui Rui lay down in front of a saltwater tank covered with coral, pointing at the clownfish swimming around inside.

"Brother-in-law, this fish looks like it's wearing a butterfly dress!"

Wang Zhenzhen became interested in a butterflyfish.

While responding to the child, Chen Ling secretly clicked her tongue in amazement.

He walked up to a stall that specialized in selling high-end arowana, and was stunned by the prices on the price tags, which often cost thousands or tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars.

There are even Golden Dragon fish priced at over 100,000 yuan.

"Boss, why is this arowana so expensive?" Chen Ling couldn't help but ask.

The stall owner was a lean middle-aged man. Seeing Chen Ling's extraordinary demeanor, he explained enthusiastically, despite his non-standard Mandarin: "Boss, you have a good eye! This is a 'Golden Dragon Over the Back,' purebred, with thick gold, and a perfect physique!"

"Look at these three hind fins, the luster of the scales... you get what you pay for!"

"Keeping it at home is believed to ward off evil spirits, bring good fortune, and symbolize status!"

Chen Ling nodded and walked to the koi section, where he also found that the best koi were quite expensive.

Some of the high-quality items from Xiao Ri Zi, known as the "Big Three," are priced as high as tens of thousands.

Looking at these exorbitantly priced fish, and then thinking about the ordinary fish in my own cave that are beautiful in shape, brightly colored, and full of vitality because they are nourished by spiritual energy.

And then there were the koi and goldfish that had already begun to reproduce at almost zero cost; an idea popped into my head uncontrollably:

"Isn't this money...too easy to make?"

Although his grotto-heaven sea area is still in its early stages, the quality of ordinary fish there far surpasses that of the outside world.

If we sort through those fish a little and select some of the better quality ones, wouldn't that be...?

Moreover, opening an aquarium shop seems to suit his "hands-off" personality better than opening a restaurant.

Ornamental fish don't require constant supervision in the kitchen like in a restaurant, so the management requirements are relatively lower, and they are quieter and less noisy.

What are the sourcing channels?

He himself is the biggest, inexhaustible, and highest quality source of goods!
All you need is a storefront, a simple business system, and a knowledgeable employee to manage the daily operations.

Once this idea took hold, it grew wildly like weeds.

Chen Ling immediately became even more interested in visiting this aquarium market.

He stopped just watching the spectacle and began to carefully observe the brands and prices of various aquarium filtration systems, lighting equipment, and thermostats.

Every now and then, I would strike up a conversation with a few friendly-looking shop owners, asking about rent, utilities, and how they source their goods.

"Boss, for a shop of your size, how much is the monthly rent plus utilities and other expenses?"

"Are these saltwater aquariums particularly difficult to maintain? Are they prone to fish deaths?"

"Who are the main customers for high-end ornamental fish on Hong Kong Island?"

Wang Susu was initially puzzled when she saw her husband suddenly becoming so "professional" in communicating with the fishmonger, but she quickly understood and asked softly, "Ah Ling, you're not thinking of opening an aquarium shop, are you?"

Chen Ling lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming: "Susu, look at these fish, they cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars each."

"Are the fish from our mountain lake, and the ones I raise in my greenhouse, any worse than these?"

"If you open a shop, you don't have to worry about sourcing goods. Wouldn't that be an easier business than opening a restaurant?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Susu also took a closer look at those exorbitantly priced fish, thought about her own beautiful fish, and nodded:

"If it really works out, it would be perfect for us. But we don't know anything about this stuff, are we going to get scammed? Or what if we can't raise it properly?"

"We can hire someone to handle the technical aspects!" Chen Ling said confidently. "I'll do some preliminary research first to see if it's feasible."

After going around the shop, Chen Ling had a basic understanding of the costs and difficulties of opening an aquarium shop.

Shop rent varies depending on location, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars per month.

The investment in equipment can vary greatly; a decent medium-sized fish tank with a supporting system can cost 20,000 to 30,000 yuan.

The biggest expense and challenge is actually daily maintenance and wear and tear, especially for saltwater fish, which have extremely high requirements for water quality, temperature, and food. A slight mistake can lead to the complete loss of the fish.

This is also the origin of many exorbitantly priced fish.

The costs are all factored into the losses.

"It seems that it's not easy to be a completely hands-off manager; you need to find an extremely reliable professional store manager."

Chen Ling pondered, "Or, could I start small and open a boutique, focusing on a few types of fish that are easy to care for and have high added value, such as high-end koi and arowana?"

"These two types of fish are relatively hardy and have auspicious meanings, so they're easy to sell."

As he was pondering, he unknowingly followed his family to a street near the residential area on the edge of the aquarium market.

The area is relatively quiet, and most of the shops are pet clinics and flower shops.

Suddenly, Chen Ling's gaze was drawn to a red sign that read "Shop for Rent" pasted on the glass of a shop facing the street.

The shop has a good location; it's not on a main road, but just around the corner is a bustling area with a guaranteed flow of people without being too noisy.

The area is about 100 square meters, with a square layout. Through the glass, you can see that it has been emptied out. It used to be a jewelry or gift shop.

Chen Ling's heart stirred, and he stepped forward to look at the rental phone number and rent.

The rent was almost half the price I found in the heart of the aquarium market.

It's probably because it's not located in a specialized market, so the customer flow might not be as precise.

But Chen Ling thought the place was quite nice.

Not far from the aquarium market, this area is always bustling with activity.

He immediately dialed the number from the public phone.

The person who answered the phone was a local landlord with a friendly voice. Hearing that Chen Ling was interested, he readily agreed to come over and show the house right away.

A dozen minutes later, the landlord arrived and opened the shop door.

As seen from the outside, the interior was indeed spacious and bright, with sufficient ceiling height and complete water and electricity facilities.

There's also a small courtyard at the back gate that can be used to store miscellaneous items or as a simple processing room.

"Ah Sheng, this shop is great! It used to be a boutique business, and it's very clean!" the landlord enthusiastically introduced.

Chen Ling looked it over inside and out, and became more and more satisfied with it.

This place would be perfect for either the high-end aquarium shop he had just envisioned, or the casual hot pot and barbecue restaurant that Liang Yuemin planned.

The key is that the rent is affordable, and there is a lot of room for maneuver.

"Boss, I'm quite interested in this shop."

Suppressing his joy, Chen Ling said calmly, "Can we discuss the rent again? If we sign a long-term contract, can you offer some discounts?"

After some haggling, they reached a preliminary agreement on a price slightly lower than the asking price, and agreed to bring Liang Yuemin over the next day to take a look before signing the contract.

Chen Ling was in a great mood after leaving his bunk.

It's true that you can't find anything without wearing iron shoes, and it doesn't take any effort to get it.

After spending a long time looking at the aquarium market, still without a concrete plan for opening an aquarium shop, I unexpectedly found a great, cost-effective storefront for my restaurant. (End of Chapter)