Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

At noon, after visiting three shops, the group was quite tired.

Yang Fan found a clean and hygienic-looking small restaurant near the university town, reserved a private room, and let everyone eat and rest first.

After all the dishes were served, Yang Fan did not pick up his chopsticks immediately, but instead looked around at everyone.

"Alright, we've seen all three shops, and everyone's tired. Let's eat and chat, and share our thoughts."

He suggested, "Everyone should choose one they think is the best and explain why. Speak freely; there are no right or wrong answers."

Zhou Yao was the first to put down her chopsticks and said without hesitation, "I choose the third one! The one in the prime location!"

"When it comes to business with students, location is everything! A good location guarantees foot traffic! There's a reason the rent is high!" she said passionately. "As for competition, I'm never afraid! As long as our food is delicious, unique, and the decor is up-to-date, we'll definitely carve out a niche for ourselves!"

"I'll choose the third one too!" Xiaoya immediately chimed in, her eyes sparkling.

"That store has the greatest marketing potential! The L-shaped layout and high ceilings allow me to maximize the design possibilities, making it easy to create a brand identity and memorable features!"

"These days, even the best wine needs advertising; exposure is everything!"

However, Lin Xiaoyu offered a different perspective.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear: "I...I choose the second one, the one in the residential area."

"I think the conditions in the kitchen are the most important to us. My mother and two aunts work there all day, and if the environment is comfortable and not too tiring, they can continue to work there for a long time."

She paused, then added, "Moreover, that shop has the lowest rent pressure and no transfer fee. Since we're just starting out, the risk is lower and it's more secure."

Lin's mother immediately nodded in agreement: "Yes, Xiaoyu is right. The second kitchen is bigger, making it more comfortable to work in."

Wang Xiuying and Li Cuihua hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose the second option.

For them, affordability is the bottom line, and it's better to play it safe in the beginning.

When it was Zhou Jin's turn, he pushed up his glasses and showed off his tablet.

"From the data model, the first store scored 7.3 overall, the second 7.8, and the third, due to its advantageous location, scored the highest overall at 8.1."

"However," he changed the subject, "there is also a risk coefficient indicator in the model."

"Considering the overall investment cost, competitive pressure, and payback period, the second store has the lowest risk factor and the shortest investment return period."

"Therefore, from a purely rational point of view, I personally suggest choosing the second option."

The differences became clear in an instant.

The "radicals," led by Zhou Yao and Xiao Ya, favored prime locations with high investment, high risk, and high returns.

The "conservative" group, represented by the three mothers, prefers low-cost, low-risk, and steady approaches.

Lin Xiaoyu and Zhou Jin stood in the middle, one from a humanistic and practical perspective and the other from a cold, data-driven perspective, both pointing to the same seemingly mediocre but safest choice.

Yang Fan didn't immediately express his opinion, but simply smiled and served food to everyone.

"Alright, alright, no matter how important the matter is, we need to fill our stomachs first. Let's eat first, and then we'll talk about it."

He noticed the comical interaction where Zhou Jin tried to curry favor with Xiao Ya by pouring water, only to be glared at by Xiao Ya with a look that seemed to say, "Try turning it upside down," leaving him to awkwardly put the kettle down.

The thoughts of family members, the drive of youth, the kindness of friends, the blueprint for the future... all these things intertwined, making this simple lunch full of complex flavors.

Just as the atmosphere in the private room was becoming slightly subdued due to the disagreement—

"Ring ring ring..."

Zhou Yao's phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID and answered casually, "Hello, Uncle Zhang... Huh? What? Really?"

Her voice suddenly rose, and an incredulous look of surprise appeared on her face.

"Okay, okay! We'll be right there! Please wait for us!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yao excitedly jumped up from her seat, her eyes shining as she looked at Yang Fan.

"Brother Fan! I have some amazing news!"

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to her.

"A friend of my dad's is Uncle Zhang from the logistics department of the teachers' college!"

"He just called and said that the previous tenant of a shop opposite the main gate of the teachers' college suddenly terminated the lease and went back to his hometown due to a family emergency. He just handed over the keys this morning! He asked if we wanted to go and take a look now!"

She took a deep breath and said the most crucial information.

"The key point is—that shop is 90 square meters, and the monthly rent is only 10,000!"

"Moreover, it was originally a hot pot restaurant, so the decor and kitchen equipment are basically already in place!"

With a "boom," the news exploded in everyone's minds like a bomb.

Just a moment ago, everyone was struggling with three choices, but now their faces were filled with shock and ecstasy.

Excellent location, suitable size, affordable rent, and no major renovations required!

This is like a windfall!

Yang Fan made a quick decision, put his chopsticks on the table, and stood up.

"Come on, stop eating."

"Let's go see it now."

……

The fourth shop is located diagonally opposite the main gate of the Normal University.

Before the car had even come to a complete stop, everyone was already awestruck by its superb location.

The shop faces the school's magnificent gate, and there's a bus stop right in front of it, bustling with energetic students.

Across the street is the gate of the Normal University, where students in school uniforms are coming and going, creating an astonishingly large flow of people.

"My God... this location..." Wang Xiuying and Li Cuihua were sitting in the car, completely stunned.

"Yaoyao, your friend is amazing!" Xiaoya excitedly grabbed Zhou Yao's arm.

After parking the car, a woman in her fifties who looked very capable was already waiting at the door.

When she saw Zhou Yao, she immediately waved enthusiastically.

"Aunt Zhang!" Zhou Yao greeted her with a smile.

"Yaoyao's here! Come in and have a look!" Aunt Zhang took out her key and opened the glass door.

The words "Chongqing Hot Pot" are still pasted on the door, but they have faded a bit.

Everyone was stunned as soon as they entered.

The space, nearly 90 square meters, is square, bright, and offers a clear view.

The interior is decorated in a minimalist industrial style, with cement gray walls and black metal tables and chairs. Although simple, it is very stylish and looks very new.

Most importantly, the kitchen is fully equipped with everything – gleaming stainless steel stoves, a huge exhaust system, double-door refrigerators, refrigerated worktables… everything is neatly arranged.

"Oh my god!"

The first to exclaim in surprise was Lin's mother.

She practically ran into the kitchen, touching the clean stove as if it were a precious treasure, her eyes shining.

"This...this stove is really useful! The fire is strong enough!" She tried to light it, and the blue flames shot up with a "whoosh".

She was so excited that she was incoherent, pacing back and forth in the spacious kitchen, her face filled with undisguised ecstasy.

For a chef, this is the ultimate dream room!

"Wow! I love this decorating style!" Xiaoya excitedly raised her phone to take a picture.

"Industrial style is the coolest! All we need is a few green plants and warm-toned lighting, a nice tablecloth, and some soft furnishings, and the effect is immediate!"

She walked up to a blank cement wall, her eyes shining:

"Hey bro, look at this wall! It's practically a natural screen! We could install a projector here and play our Doumi Hotpot food videos on a loop. It'd absolutely make any passing student drool!"