Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 40

After dinner, everyone moved about in orderly efficiency, each person busy with their tasks.

Ye Fangfei called Ye Xihu into the room and pulled out the past few days’ account books.

“On the first day, the egg cakes brought in 168.70 yuan, and the braised dishes sold for 85.30 yuan.”

“The second day was slightly less: 150.50 yuan for egg cakes and 77.60 yuan for braised dishes.”

“The third day was about the same as the second… Xihu, the total revenue for the three days is 712.70 yuan.”

Ye Xihu’s eyes lit up. “Little sister, calculate how much profit we made.”

“Roughly half.”

Xihu licked his lips, struggling to contain his excitement. “So… in just three days, we made over 300 yuan? Even after expenses, that’s still over 200?”

Fangfei smiled and reminded him, “Xihu, I mean that’s profit after expenses, half of the total revenue.”

Xihu inhaled sharply. “Little sister… you didn’t miscalculate, did you?”

“I assure you, I didn’t.”

Fangfei then pulled out another notebook detailing all income and expenditures during this period, as well as the wages for everyone involved.

“When I first calculated profit, I just filled in rough numbers for wages. Let’s set the actual wages properly now.”

Xihu glanced at the figures. “Little sister, what do you think would be fair?”

“Currently, the average monthly wage in Dongping City is around 30 yuan, plus 28 jin of grain tickets, with eight-hour workdays and company housing. Since we don’t have those benefits yet, let’s give slightly higher wages,” Fangfei suggested.

She picked up her pen and assigned specific amounts next to each name.

“Making egg cakes during the day alone isn’t enough. We’ll run in three shifts eventually. The brothers and our two dads will handle the physical work—let’s give them 45 yuan each for now. The rest of the female staff will get 40 yuan monthly. If business does well, we’ll issue bonuses and maybe pay an extra two months at year-end.”

“Xihu, does this sound good to you?” Fangfei slid the notebook across the table.

“I agree, little sister,” he said.

After a moment’s thought, Xihu continued, “Earlier I told the second and third sisters-in-law to help for a few days. Do you want them to stay on permanently?”

Fangfei nodded. “Yes. From now on, the dads and moms handle the braised meat—they’re older, so no night shifts. Once the meat is prepared, they can help with egg cakes or watch the shop.”

“As for the third and youngest sisters-in-law, ask if they want to work. If they do, their children will need to take care of themselves during the day.”

“Okay, I’ll go back in a few days to coordinate,” Xihu said, calculating the manpower needed for three shifts. If the two sisters-in-law helped, no outside hires would be necessary.

But then the question of childcare arose. The brothers would need to discuss it further.

Zhou Hongyu, upon learning of the plan, first checked on her daughter before addressing her sons. “You all focus on work. Qiaolan, Qiaoyun, and Xiangnan are seven or eight now. After school, they can help with meals and watch the younger children.”

“Fangfei told me about the three shifts—eight hours a day, then return home to care for the family.”

The brothers were deeply moved, and their wives repeatedly thanked their mother-in-law.

Hongyu waved her hand. “They’re my grandchildren. I’m happy to help.”

“But I must say this: Fangfei set such high wages because you’re her brothers and sisters-in-law. Work hard. If anyone causes trouble, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

“Mom, little sister wants to help us, and she’s thinking of you and Dad. We’ll behave—no trouble,” one of the sons assured.

Ye Dahu looked at his younger siblings and mother. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on things. If anyone acts up, I’ll deal with them first.”

Ye Laifu gave a satisfied nod, smiling at his wife. “You raised these sons, and you chose the daughters-in-law—they’re all good kids. They don’t need reminders; they understand.”

“And I’m here too. If you’re worried, stay home and care for the grandchildren. Your daughter gave me her salary—I’ll spend it for you,” Hongyu said cheerfully, prompting laughter all around.

Fangfei chuckled quietly, watching the seamless coordination between her parents. The play of caution and praise—red and white faces—was perfectly timed.

If all the sisters-in-law moved in, the house would be crowded.

Fangfei and Xihu discussed renting a nearby small courtyard for the brothers’ families, while the eastern wing would store ingredients.

“Keep ingredients in the main hall. For three shifts, only the middle shift rests here overnight. One spare room is enough; no need to rent elsewhere,” Xihu insisted.

“All right. You arrange the schedule as you see fit,” Fangfei agreed.

After the three-day opening promotion, the shop’s sales stabilized at roughly 700 yuan daily, slightly higher on Sundays.

With improved workflow, the staff no longer fumbled like in the first days, tasks became far easier.

Initially, three people were assigned per shift, but now two are sufficient.

Fangfei attended the shop during the day, while the parents and her father-in-law handled braised meat. Egg cake production was managed by her brothers, sisters-in-law, and Shen Cuiluan.

Gradually, the braised meat and pastry shop fell into smooth operation.

Half a month later, Li Dongsheng arrived with good news: Ye Fanglan had given birth to a daughter.

Fangfei bought two sets of baby clothes, prepared a red envelope, and carried a large bundle of braised meat and egg cakes to visit her sister and niece.

On her way back, she noticed that Shen Zhanping and Liu Wenjing’s restaurant had opened. It wasn’t large—just five or six tables. Since it wasn’t mealtime, the place was empty.

Fangfei rode past, noticing a woman stepping out. It was Liu Wenjing. She pretended not to see Fangfei.

“Zhanping, that woman looks like Ye Fangfei,” Liu Wenjing whispered to her husband.

Zhanping examined her. “Somewhat, yes. Why is she here? The village said our second uncle’s family is doing business in the city. Could she be nearby?”

Liu Wenjing was surprised. “They’re in the city too? What kind of business?”

Since the family split, Liu Wenjing and Zhanping rarely returned to the village. They were unaware that the second branch had come to the city.

They had rented this shop half a month ago after some struggle—not because of the landlord, but due to insufficient funds.

Shen Jianguo and Li Guiying were stingy; Zhanping and Liu Wenjing promised to pay, but the two refused to lend them money. Only after Liu Wenjing guaranteed double repayment two months later did they finally lend 100 yuan, allowing them to open the shop.

Zhanping shook his head. “I’m not sure. A few days ago, Anzi mentioned that the second uncle’s family is in the city, rarely going back. Only occasionally do they tend their vegetable garden, taking home potatoes and vegetables to sell.”

“Could it be vegetable trading?” Liu Wenjing glanced toward Fangfei’s direction. The second branch was secretive. They had planned this business in the city well in advance, right after the family split.

“Zhanping, next time you go back, find out what the second uncle’s family is really doing,” she said.

Zhanping didn’t understand why she was curious but trusted her. “All right,” he said with a smile.

Just then, a few diners arrived, and the couple rushed to greet them.

Their restaurant had been open only a few days, yet they already had returning customers. Sales, which started in the tens, had risen to fifty or sixty yuan—far beyond what Zhanping had imagined.

But his wife remained calm. She knew once the restaurant built a reputation, business would only grow.

Zhanping looked on with eager anticipation.