The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World-Chapter 298 - 297: How Did He Do It?
Fu Yu, delighting in his earnings, watched as his account balance skyrocketed from 60,370 yuan to 220,370 yuan.
The sensation was downright adrenaline-pumping!
Yao Shi was dumbfounded.
He clearly remembered that Fu Yu had previously mentioned he arranged herbal meals for Wang Xueli twice a week.
160,000 yuan for two months?
10,000 yuan for one meal?
This, this...
Yao Shi calculated Fu Yu's pricing and suddenly found it hard to breathe!
Damn!
No wonder they say the pupil surpasses the master!
In his day, the biggest rip-off he managed was charging a wealthy client 28,000 yuan for a banquet.
How did this kid Fu Yu dare!
Yao Shi took a deep breath, unable to resist asking, "Xiaofu, were you talking about the service fee for the herbal meals just now?"
Fu Yu nodded and explained, "I initially planned a herbal meal course for two months at 160,000 yuan. I intended to collect the payment after she tried a few meals, but Ms. Wang thought my herbal meals were very professional, so she wanted to pay me in advance."
"Afraid that I wouldn't accept the money, she transferred it to Liu Yici to pass it on to me."
A customer giving money, yet afraid it wouldn't be accepted?
These words forced Yao Shi to calm himself down.
Perhaps... Maybe... I've truly become the old wave, crashed onto the shore, unknowingly!
Seeing that Fu Yu had already handled the herbal meal pricing clearly, Yao Shi felt completely relieved.
However, at the same time, he was extremely curious about the herbal meals Fu Yu was making.
If a meal could be sold for 10,000 yuan, how on earth was the herbal meal prepared?
Yao Shi didn't ask Fu Yu directly.
Instead, he went back to the music restaurant the next day.
He gathered a few people from the back kitchen and held a meeting with them.
The main point was to remind them to keep their lips sealed about the cooking methods Fu Yu used for the herbal meals.
After all, it's a money-making recipe, almost like a secret formula.
Zhang Zhen and the others understood immediately, hastily assuring they wouldn't look when they shouldn't or speak out of turn.
Yao Shi trusted these few people, but some things are better said upfront.
Zhang Zhen, being a savvy guy, after hearing Yao Shi, turned to brief the two head chefs and several key cooks individually.
No one in the back kitchen was foolish.
With the boss making it clear, who would dare leak the recipe? Their future here would be ruined.
So everyone silently agreed.
They would absolutely not reveal a single word about Fu Yu's ingredients or cooking methods for the herbal meals.
Zhou Yesheng, who was assisting Fu Yu, was called into the office for a private talk by Yao Shi after the meeting adjourned.
Facing his own boss, Zhou Yesheng was still a bit restrained, sitting upright on the sofa, listening to Yao Shi's questions earnestly.
"Xiaozhou, tell me, what dishes are included in Fu Yu's herbal meals, and how are they specifically made?"
Zhou Yesheng hurriedly detailed everything.
When he mentioned the Eight Treasures Cake, Yao Shi showed a look of surprise.
He had purchased the Eight Treasures Cake before, back then it was to show respect to his mother-in-law.
But he had bought the kind that needed to be mixed with water.
He had never seen the type made by Fu Yu, which could be eaten directly.
Regarding the Bamboo Shoots with Braised Sea Cucumber, Steamed Ginseng Chicken, and Ginseng Date and Astragalus Porridge.
Even though neither Qianlima nor the music restaurant had these dishes, the names alone suggested they were straightforward, with no complicated cooking techniques.
Yet, it was these simple meals that Fu Yu managed to sell at a high price!
How on earth does this kid do it?
...
After reporting to Yao Shi, Fu Yu felt he should keep a low profile, but he couldn't wait to go back to his dorm after finishing work. He clocked out and dragged Zhao Meng to the side street for Old Liu's Barbecue.
Fu Yu directly told Zhao Meng about Wang Xueli's herbal meal subscription, including his pricing of 160,000 yuan for two months.
Fu Yu felt the price was reasonable because Wang Xueli really wasn't short of money, and his skills were indeed professional; both sides agreed, with no need to hide anything.
Zhao Meng listened attentively, and after a moment of silence, he responded crisply, "Since you've already set the price and payment method, you should stick to this standard for pricing in the future. Fu Yu, although this herbal meal counts as doing business, it's different from other businesses, or at least, different for now."
"If it develops well, you surely won't lack clients, so you must have your own rules, especially the pricing, which can't be easily changed."
"Otherwise, once you start down that road, you won't be able to stop."
Fu Yu said, "I understand."
Zhao Meng nodded, "As long as you understand what I mean. Bei'an, this small town isn't very big, the population isn't large, so if you give one customer a discount at the beginning, it'll be hard to stick to your original pricing later on. Remember, never believe anyone who promises they won't tell others."
"After all, everyone has vanity. They might not intend to leak it, but sometimes they can't control their mouths, possibly to show off, or for other reasons. Once the matter spreads, it won't be something they can control."
"The same goes for payment methods. Do you know how many people in the industry are burdened by debt and can't get back on their feet?"
"I suggest you have a clear rule for payment methods, not just regarding time. If necessary, it would be best to use formal contracts to record it."
"Since you're doing business, it's not a bad idea to assume the worst intentions from your customers. After all, only by planning ahead and preventing all possible conflicts in advance can you save yourself trouble down the road. With detailed contract requirements, you'll also push yourself to do your best."
"However, the most important thing is, no matter how much you want to earn that money, you must have your own bottom line. Sometimes, it's better not to do the business or make that money than to break your own rules."
Zhao Meng earnestly said, "You have to know, after one customer leaves, there will be another. But if your rules are broken and your bottom line is crossed, it's almost impossible to patch it up again."
"Don't look at me like I've never run a business, but when it comes to taking private jobs, I was already thriving while you were still playing with clay!"
After listening to Zhao Meng, Fu Yu felt extremely relaxed.
His relief came from Zhao Meng's attitude towards him taking private jobs.
If Zhao Meng didn't object, then he could go ahead and pursue it in the future.
On the way back that day, Zhao Meng solemnly said, "Chef Yao is definitely worth befriending. Don't worry, if you really develop well, within Bei'an, no one would dare cheat you out of your money."
"You're still too young to see through people, but remember this: as long as you're professional enough, do exceptionally well, and have pride in your craft, no one will dare bully you."
Fu Yu nodded, "I understand, don't worry."
