Back to 2008: I Helped My Dad Become the Richest Man

Luo Xiyuan put more thought and money into decorating the shop in the county town than she did in the town.

She knew that the county town was the first step for their brand to step out of the countryside and into the city, and this "front door" had to be beautiful and impactful enough.

She went back to the same design company in the city, but this time, she made even higher demands.

"I want a completely transparent work area so that customers can see from every angle how our chefs cut the pork."

"I want to install an LCD TV on the wall and play our farm's promotional video on a loop. I've already thought of the content for the video: our clean pigsty, our cute piglets, Grandpa Liu's scientific feeding process, and our strict disinfection procedures."

"I also want to design a membership system. Customers can recharge to become members and enjoy discounts, as well as points to redeem gifts. We want to retain our customers and turn them into loyal fans."

As the designer listened to the new terms that Luo Xiyuan was using, he felt like he wasn't designing for a pork shop, but rather creating a solution for an internet company.

The renovation team was also hired by Luo Xinde through connections; they were a professional construction team from the city. Although the wages were high, their workmanship was indeed excellent.

Suddenly, the small shop across from the farmers' market was constantly ringing and clanging. A huge GG cloth fence surrounded the shop, with only one line written on it: "Luo's Safe Meat, Coming Soon to the County Town, Stay Tuned!"

This commotion naturally attracted the attention of the butchers in the farmers' market across the street, especially the bald, burly man.

His name was Zhao Hu, and he was the biggest meat vendor in the market. Half of the meat stalls in the entire market got their pork wholesale from him. When he saw the shop across the street decorated so grandly, he started to have some doubts.

"Brother Tiger, that shop across the street seems to sell pork too." That day, the young man who had provoked Luo Xinde earlier whispered to Zhao Hu.

"I know." Zhao Hu spat, his eyes narrowing. "I've inquired. He's some nouveau riche from the countryside, named something like 'Luo Shi.' Hmph, a country bumpkin who dares to come to the county town to steal food, he's really courting death."

"Then...should we teach them a lesson?" The young man made a downward cutting gesture.

"No rush." ​​Zhao Hu waved his hand and smiled sinisterly. "Wait until he opens. The worst thing about a new store opening is something going wrong. We'll give him a 'big gift' then, to let him know that making a living in the county isn't so easy."

Although Luo Xiyuan didn't know the specific details of all this, she had expected it. She knew that if you touch someone else's interests, they're bound to come looking for trouble.

During the month or so that the shop was being renovated, she supervised the progress of the project while making various preparations for the opening of the new store.

She transferred Li Yan from the shop in town.

"Sister Li Yan, I'm planning to hand over this shop in the county town to you. Do you dare to take it on?" Luo Xiyuan asked earnestly, looking at the girl who was six or seven years older than her.

"Me...can I do it?" Li Yan was both surprised and delighted, but mostly lacked confidence. "I...I've never managed a shop before."

"No one is born knowing how. Even Sister Zhang Lan didn't know how at first, did she? I believe in you," Luo Xiyuan encouraged. "This shop is bigger and more important than the one in town. I need someone I absolutely trust and who is capable to manage it. I think you are the most suitable candidate."

Encouraged by Luo Xiyuan, Li Yan finally mustered the courage to take on this heavy responsibility.

Luo Xiyuan personally recruited four new employees, forming a five-person team with Li Yan. She spent a whole week giving them intensive training.

In addition to product knowledge and sales skills, the focus of her training this time was "how to deal with unexpected situations".

"What if someone comes to the store and causes trouble?"

"What if someone deliberately claims there's something wrong with our meat?"

"What if the industry and commerce bureau or the health department comes to inspect?"

She rehearsed all the possible problems and developed detailed solutions.

"Remember, no matter what happens, the first principle is that the customer is king, and we can't argue with them. The second principle is, don't panic, call me or my dad immediately. The third principle is that all our operations are legal and compliant; we have nothing to hide!"

After this training, Li Yan and the others felt more confident.

Finally, the renovation of the new store was completed. The moment the construction barriers were removed, a brand-new, stylish, and modern store appeared before the residents of the county town.

Everyone who passed by was attracted by this "pork shop" that didn't look like a pork shop at all.

The opening date was set for New Year's Day.

The opening day activities were even more popular than the one in town.

"20% off everything for the first three days after opening!"

"Recharge 500 and get 100 free; recharge 1000 and get 300 free!"

"The first 100 customers to make a purchase will receive a farm gift pack worth 20 yuan (containing organic vegetables and free-range eggs)!"

These promotional tactics were absolutely killer in the county town in 2009.

On New Year's Day, before dawn, a long queue had already formed in front of the store. Many elderly people had started queuing at five or six in the morning to try and snag the big gift package.

At eight o'clock, amidst a deafening burst of firecrackers, the new store officially opened.

Customers flocked in, and when they saw the bright and clean environment, the butchers in white uniforms, masks and gloves in the glass room, and the dazzling array of beautifully packaged pork in the refrigerated display case, everyone was stunned.

"My God, this butcher shop is cleaner than a hospital!"

"Look, we can see the chef cutting meat inside very clearly, so we can rest assured now!"

"Top up 1000 and get 300 free? That's a great deal! I'll sign up!"

Li Yan and her four employees were so busy they barely had time to breathe, and the cash register was soon overflowing.

Luo Xinde and Luo Xiyuan were in the store, one responsible for maintaining order and the other for answering customers' questions.

Business was better than anyone had imagined.

But just then, trouble quietly arrived.

A sleazy-looking man pushed his way through the crowd and swaggered to the counter. Pointing at a piece of pork belly, he shouted, "How much is this meat?"

Li Yan quickly went up to him, smiling and saying, "Hello sir, our premium pork belly is 16.8 yuan per jin after the discount today."

"What? Sixteen yuan and eighty cents?" The man deliberately raised his voice so everyone around could hear. "You guys are ripping people off! You're robbing us! The market across the street only sells it for twelve yuan! How dare you charge so much?"

His shout caused some customers who were about to pay to stop and hesitate.

Li Yan's heart tightened; she knew they were here to cause trouble. But remembering Luo Xiyuan's training, she maintained her smile: "Sir, you're right, our prices are a little higher than the market prices. That's because our costs are different."

"First, our pigs are all ecologically raised on our own farm. They eat scientifically formulated feed and drink clean well water, so the meat quality and taste are completely different from ordinary pork."

"Secondly, look at our environment. From processing to sales, the entire process is done via cold chain, ensuring the freshness and hygiene of the pork. When you buy meat at the market, it's directly exposed to the air, accumulating a lot of dust and bacteria. Do you know how much dust and bacteria it picks up?"

"Third, we provide the best service. If you are dissatisfied in any way, we offer a full refund or exchange. Can you expect this kind of service at a farmers' market?"

Her words were reasonable, well-founded, and neither arrogant nor humble. The surrounding customers all agreed that she made a lot of sense.

"That's right! Spending a few extra dollars for peace of mind is worth it!"

"Exactly, the environment of the wet market is really not something to be proud of."

The man was taken aback by Li Yan's words, not expecting such a sharp tongue from a young girl. His eyes darted around, and he came up with a new trick.

He suddenly clutched his stomach and cried out, "Ouch! I can't take it anymore! My stomach hurts! It must be the smell in your shop that's pissed me off! You have to pay me back! I'm not leaving until you pay my medical bills!"

As he spoke, he actually lay down on the ground and started rolling around and throwing a tantrum.