The younger sister mistakenly identified her brother when visiting relatives and was kissed by the c

Several shop owners listened, some nodding in agreement that it was a good idea, while others pursed their lips, secretly cursing Boss Li for being stingy, daring to call it a discount for not even a penny. However, none of them said it outright, each keeping their own plans to themselves as they dispersed.

……

The next morning, the market was bustling with activity.

Carrying a shopping basket, Bai's mother hurriedly ran into her family's restaurant. As soon as she entered, without even putting down the basket, she rushed to Qiao Xinxin, who was skewering vegetables in the kitchen, and said anxiously in a low voice:

"Xin Xin, something terrible has happened! I heard someone at the market say that Mr. Li, the owner of the noodle shop at the end of the street, started some kind of 'coupon' promotion this morning. Apparently, you get a coupon for every bowl of noodles you eat there, which can be used to offset one cent on your next visit. They've also started a noodle and braised egg combo. Isn't this blatantly trying to steal our business?!"

Qiao Xinxin put down the skewer of pork belly she had just finished skewering and wiped her hands with a clean towel. Seeing Bai's mother sweating profusely with anxiety, she didn't panic; instead, she chuckled and comforted her in a soft, gentle voice:

"Mom, don't worry, wipe your sweat. He's doing his thing, we'll do ours, it's alright."

"Oh dear, my silly girl, why aren't you worried at all?"

Bai's mother was so anxious that she kept slapping her thigh.

"His penny may not be much, but those workers are good at calculating! What if he uses that coupon to lure away our repeat customers? Wouldn't all our hard work these past few days be for nothing?"

Qiao Xinxin pulled Bai's mother to sit on a small bamboo chair, poured her a glass of warm water with a smile, and explained in a gentle voice:

"Mom, think about it. Mr. Li's noodle shop specializes in noodles, while our shop's most popular dishes right now are stir-fries and grilled skewers. If customers really want noodles, his is fine; but if they want a hot stir-fry or some fragrant grilled skewers, he doesn't have those. They're not entirely contradictory. Besides, his coupons sound cheap, but customers have to eat a meal first to get the coupon, and then they have to make a special trip to redeem it. Isn't that a hassle?"

Bai's mother took a sip of water, feeling slightly more at ease, but her brows remained furrowed.

"That's true, but I still don't feel entirely at ease. What if this trick actually works? Are we just going to sit here and watch?"

"No way, Mom."

Qiao Xinxin winked playfully, leaned close to Bai's mother's ear, and whispered mysteriously,

"He offers coupons so customers can benefit later. We don't do that; we offer instant discounts so customers can get a good deal today! Plus, we can also make our brand even more well-known."

Upon hearing this, Bai's mother's eyes lit up immediately, and she asked curiously:

"What new trick is it? Tell Mom!"

Qiao Xinxin whispered her plan to Bai's mother for a long time.

Upon hearing this, Bai's mother's worried face instantly brightened, and she clapped her hands with delight.

"Oh! That's a great idea! The plum juice isn't expensive, and everyone loves to drink it on such a hot day; the discounted side dishes are homemade, they don't cost much, yet they sound incredibly generous. Xin Xin, how did you grow such a clever little brain?!"

"Then let's do it this way!" Qiao Xinxin smiled sweetly and clung to Bai's mother's arm affectionately.

That afternoon, a brand-new blackboard was hung at the entrance of Bai's small restaurant. Qiao Xinxin used colored chalk to neatly write several lines of large characters on it:

**Baijia Restaurant Special Offer:** Spend 50 cents or more and receive a free small bowl of our secret-recipe refreshing plum juice! Spend one dollar or more and receive a free daily special side dish! Offer valid long-term, the more you buy, the more you get!

Once the blackboard was hung up, the whole street immediately became lively again.

As evening approached, workers were passing by one after another on their way home. Several young men stopped in their tracks as soon as they saw the words on the blackboard.

"Hey, the Bai family's got a new promotion again? Spend 50 cents and get a free plum juice? On this hot day, eating grilled skewers and drinking a sip of ice-cold, sweet and sour plum juice would be wonderful!"

"That's right! Hey Lao Zhang, let's order a few more skewers of meat tonight, and if we make it five cents, we can get two bowls of plum juice for free, right? Isn't that much cheaper than buying soda?"

"Come on, let's go inside and take a look!"

Suddenly, the shop was busier than ever. Many customers who originally only intended to spend a few cents on a casual meal ended up ordering two extra skewers of grilled meat or a plate of cold tofu salad in order to reach the five cents needed for the free plum juice. Those who brought their families along gritted their teeth and went all out to reach the dollar, happily getting a free serving of discounted cold potato salad.

In the evening, Bai's mother counted the small bills behind the counter, her face beaming with joy.

But the noodle shop at the end of the street was eerily quiet.

Mr. Li distributed coupons for three days, confidently waiting for customers to come to his shop. He found that while more people did come in looking for bargains, they would only order the cheapest bowl of vegetarian noodles, use up their one-cent coupon, eat, wipe their mouths, and leave without even adding a braised egg.

After doing some calculations, Boss Li realized that not only had he not made much money these past few days, but his profits had been squeezed to the bone by giving out coupons and offering set meals, and he was exhausted. What made him even more furious was that he deliberately went to peek outside Bai's small restaurant and found that the queue outside was even longer than before, and those people were all holding plum juice given to them by Bai's restaurant, drinking it with great relish.

"Snapped!"

Enraged, Boss Li slammed his enamel mug on the table, splashing tea all over the floor.

"This is insane! How is this little girl from the Bai family even brained?! How come she always manages to outdo me in everything I do?!"

……

Inside the Bai family's small restaurant, however, there was a joyful atmosphere filled with laughter.

Bai's mother was so busy collecting money that her hands were sore, while Bai's father was tossing woks in the back kitchen, his arms aching and sore from the effort, but the smile on his face never left. Qiao Xinxin, on the other hand, was like a busy little bee, shuttling back and forth between the counter and the kitchen, so busy that her feet barely touched the ground.

After all the diners had finally left, Qiao Xinxin leaned against the counter, gently rubbed her sore calves, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Mother Bai lovingly handed her a bowl of mung bean soup that had just been chilled in well water:

"Xin Xin, come on, have some mung bean soup and take a break. You've been spinning like a top these past few days, don't overwork yourself. If you do, Mom will be heartbroken."

Qiao Xinxin took the bowl and gulped down a large mouthful. The cool sensation slid down her throat and into her stomach, instantly making her feel comfortable. She smiled sweetly and sweetly, coaxing, "..."

"Mom, I'm not tired. Seeing how well our business is doing and everyone enjoying their meals makes me happier than if I'd eaten honey! It means our little restaurant is a success, and I feel incredibly accomplished!"