Chapter 81: Harmony and Joy

"Of course I’m interested! Absolutely!" Jin Damao’s eyes lit up. "So, what’s this about?"

Gao Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took a leisurely sip of tea. "It’s a beef specialty chain—imported Angus from New Zealand. The meat is top-notch, even better than our local yellow cattle for making braised dishes.

The shop will focus on various braised and sauced beef delicacies—everything from offal to tendon. The company has a direct partnership with a major New Zealand ranch, so costs are very low. Distribution is handled by a central kitchen system. In the northeast, we’re starting from the provincial capitals and expanding outward—five hundred stores in six months, two thousand within a year.

My company secured the rights for Shengjing. We're investing in a large central kitchen to handle seasoning and cooking, supplying over a hundred stores in the city and surrounding areas. Once we’re fully up and running, we’ll need to process five to six head of cattle daily to meet demand.

Of course, we’re just starting out, so for now the volume is less, but the quality standards are high. When I got the job of setting up the central kitchen, you were the first person who came to mind, Uncle. I remember your braised beef was second to none! Do you think you can still make it taste just like when I was a kid?"

Gao Ning’s tone was teasing, but Jin Damao’s eyes reddened with emotion. "Of course I can! You never forget a craft like this. My master was an authentic artisan from Baoding—our recipe dates back to the mid-Qing Dynasty.

As long as we use the right ingredients—good scallions, quality yellow wine—the braised beef will be fantastic! You—"

"Don’t worry," Gao Ning interrupted. "My future depends on this, I wouldn’t lie to you. But you’ll have to make a batch for me to try first!"

"Deal! I’ll get started right away!" Jin Damao slapped the table and stood up, only to nearly collide with his aunt, who was carrying in a bowl of lamb soup.

"Jin Damao! Are you trying to scare me, rushing around like that?" she scolded, setting the soup in front of Gao Ning. "Gao Ning, take your time and eat. I picked out the tenderest lamb shank for you—full of flavor. I’ll bring you a couple of cold dishes too. Oh, do you like lamb oil cakes?"

"No need, the soup’s enough! And Uncle, don’t rush. I finally made it home; I have to buy something for Grandma and Grandpa. Come with me later—if you need any ingredients, just take them. We can write it off as company expenses, so we might as well use it!"

"Perfect!" Jin Damao sat down heavily, grinning from ear to ear. "I love it when things are reimbursable!"

His aunt looked puzzled. "Reimbursed? What are you two plotting?"

Jin Damao, now excited, leaned over and whispered in her ear. Her face lit up with delight.

"Thirty thousand a month? That much? The job must be demanding. Gao Ning, are you sure your uncle can handle it? He managed to run a lamb shop into the ground. Don’t let him mess up your big operation."

Despite her words, hope was written all over her face.

Gao Ning tasted the soup, pleased with the flavor. "Don’t worry, Auntie. I’m in charge of the Shengjing region, and I’ll be handling the staff myself. As long as Uncle does eighty percent as well as he usually does, there’ll be no problem."

His aunt nodded enthusiastically and nudged Jin Damao. "Did you hear that? Make sure you do your best!"

Jin Damao lifted his chin confidently. "No worries, I’ve got this."

His aunt’s curiosity wasn’t satisfied yet. "Gao Ning, didn’t your sister say you were doing construction supervision? Did you change jobs?"

Gao Ning nodded. "I joined a pretty strong chain promotion company. Right now, I’m the Executive Vice President, handling all the affairs in Liaoning Province.

We’re just getting started here. Once the stores and central kitchen are up and running, I’ll look for a chance to promote Uncle to Chief Roving Chef. His salary will double, and he’ll be able to travel with the family under the guise of inspections every few weeks."

His aunt beamed. "That would be wonderful!"

After quickly finishing his soup, Gao Ning set out for the market with Jin Damao. His aunt, too excited to focus on business, tied up the lamb in the narrow backyard and rode her electric scooter straight to her mother’s house—eager to share the good news.

With the excuse of company reimbursement, Jin Damao didn’t hold back. They filled two supermarket carts to the brim, then hit the wholesale market, buying over a hundred pounds of beef, all kinds of seasonings, and plenty of cigarettes and alcohol.

They packed their rented van to the limit. By the time nothing more could fit, they drove back.

Grandpa, having been a mid-level cadre, had lived in an apartment for the past thirty years. What was once an enviable building for officials was now old and dilapidated—every year talk of demolition, every year nothing happened. The exterior walls were weathered and worn, like an old man braving the cold wind in his twilight years.

As they pulled up, Grandma and Grandpa had already opened the door, peeking out. Their faces lit up with joy at the sight of Gao Ning.

"Gao Ning is here!"

"Grandma! Grandpa!" Gao Ning greeted them, hurrying over to help them inside.

His aunt had gone out to help Jin Damao unload the van, both of them carrying goods in trip after trip.

Uncle’s son was home from school, monopolizing the TV with a superhero show.

"Jin Xiaobao, did you see your cousin’s here?" Aunt carried in two wild pheasants and called out to the boy.

He quickly jumped up, blinking at Gao Ning. "Hi, Cousin!"

"Hello! I brought you lots of presents—they’re with your dad. Go dig them out yourself!"

No sooner had Gao Ning spoken than the boy leapt up, tossed out a quick "Thanks, Cousin!" and disappeared.

"That child…" Grandma worriedly called after him, "Slow down! No one’s going to take them from you!"

Gao Ning had grown up here, so he was perfectly at home. He settled into his favorite armchair and chatted with Grandpa about recent events.

The good news had already reached the grandparents through Aunt, but they confirmed every detail again with smiles.

Qi Shan had made all the arrangements before coming, keeping his true position as the major shareholder hidden through cross-holdings, and operating under the title of Executive Vice President. His family understood—there was no need for further explanation.

He went over everything with Grandpa, who nodded repeatedly before turning to urge his son to do his best.

Uncle agreed at once, rolling up his sleeves, ready to show what he could do.

The boy tore open his snacks and toys with glee.

Smiles brightened every face—a family, united and joyful.