After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 28

28:

Jiang Yan could only visit Boss Qian’s shop on weekends now, learning in the morning and practicing at her small apartment in the afternoon. Time was tight, but she made efficient use of it.

This weekend, Qian Ming was helping at the shop. Since influencers started visiting, weekends were much busier than usual. Qian Ming, a game streamer who showed only her hands, typically broadcast in the early morning to avoid bigger streamers, wrapping up after lunch.

Hearing Jiang Yan was joining a reality show, she was curious. “I heard these shows have scripts. Does that make you half an actor?”

“I haven’t seen the script yet, so I don’t know how much acting’s involved.”

“I didn’t expect elite heiresses like you to be into this. I thought only celebrities did these shows.”

With scarce film and TV opportunities, many faded stars turned to reality shows or livestreaming, since it was less demanding than filming, with even better pay. Over time, people gravitated towards easy, lucrative gigs.

But Xia Yining and Jiang Yan clearly weren’t strapped for cash, yet they agreed to participate.

“It’s a charity project, and it’s a chance to positively promote same-s3x marriage. The law’s passed, but many still don’t understand this kind of relationship.”

Since Xia Yining agreed to the show, their public stance had aligned.

Qian Ming glanced at Boss Qian chatting with regulars, lowering her voice. “Our generation sees it as normal, any loving marriage deserves respect. But for my dad’s generation, honestly, it’s hard to change.”

Jiang Yan understood. People like Boss Qian were already reasonable, open to differences. Yet when they mentioned Xia Yining, they mostly called her “Miss Xia.” Terms like “your wife” or “your partner,” common among neighbors, were rare, showing traditional marriage still held sway in their minds.

“That’s why we need to raise awareness, let more people learn about it. Not everyone will support it, but at least they won’t react with fear or resistance like before.”

Thinking of those who once hid in the closet, suppressed, or faced tragic ends from societal and family pressure, Jiang Yan saw progress. But true societal acceptance, without biased lenses, still had a long way to go.

Though her marriage to Xia Yining wasn’t real, contributing to this cause felt worthwhile.

Qian Ming gave her a thumbs-up. “That’s big-picture thinking. But the generation gap is tough. No one convinces anyone, sometimes the best solution is to wait.”

She didn’t finish, but Jiang Yan got it: wait for the stubborn older generation to fade, letting the inclusive new one take over.

“It’s tough, but doing what we can now isn’t a bad thing.” Better than passively waiting, taking action felt good.

As they chatted, Tian Sheng returned, bringing several nearby shop owners. Jiang Yan recognized them, owners of long-standing local shops.

Qian Ming, familiar with them since childhood, greeted them warmly. “Here to play cards with Dad again?”

Boss Qian’s hobbies included drinking, chess, cards, and chats with neighbors.

Tian Sheng laughed. “We’re just card buddies in your eyes?”

“No, no, I just haven’t seen you all together in a while.”

They gathered for holidays, but with busy shops, such full meetups were rare.

Seeing them, Boss Qian had his brother and sister-in-law take care of the shop, washed his hands, and joined them.

He waved Jiang Yan and Qian Ming over. “ Do you mind if the kids listen in?”

Tian Sheng dismissed any concern. “There’ nothing shady here. We might even want Xiao Jiang’s opinion.”

The others agreed, though Jiang Yan and Qian Ming were puzzled, especially Jiang Yan, wondering what advice she could offer these older folks.

Boss Qian, clearly the group’s leader, had changed since Jiang Yan first met him. Once laid-back and detached, he now brimmed with drive.

“Since we’ve all decided not to sign, we need to plan how to save ourselves, resist, and spread our specialties to more people.”

Jiang Yan realized they were discussing how to counter the Li family’s chain operations. Tian Sheng had mentioned stalling, but now they would outright reject the Li family’s acquisition offer. The owners here today were committed to keeping their shops.

“Since Brother Qian’s stepping up, we’re not worried. Tell us what to do, and we’ll follow.”

Boss Qian appreciated their trust but felt the pressure. After much thought, he decided to take charge, no longer ignoring the world outside his shop.

“Our area has about a dozen similar shops, but only six of us refused to sign. If the others renovate, offer low prices, or sell everything in one shop, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”

These shops were small, each with unique offerings, signature dishes that stood out. They tacitly avoided copying each other, and locals could buy everything they needed along the street.

But younger customers preferred one-stop shops for convenience and consistency, avoiding the risk of disappointment.

Tian Sheng sighed. “One shop selling everything isn’t bad, but it demands tight cost control. Honestly, it’s no different from fast food chains.”

Uniform decor, indistinguishable flavors, quick service, and stable prices were chain restaurants’ strengths—opposite to the old shops’ focus on unique, unmatched tastes.

The owners agreed, but if chains dominated, their customers would dwindle over time.

Boss Qian looked at Jiang Yan. “Xiao Jiang, do you have any thoughts?”

“Me? I don’t know restaurant management, and my experience can’t match yours.”

“You’re young, representing your generation’s consumers. Just share your perspective, there’s no industry expertise needed.”

Jiang Yan didn’t demur. She knew these owners were genuine, not solely profit-driven, given their resistance to the Lei’s lucrative offers.

“If it were me, I’d want more old shops to exist. But I’m lazy, so running around town for food would discourage me.”

Everyone chuckled.

“But if unique shops clustered together, like a mini food street, that would be different. I’d happily spend time tasting different dishes and visiting each shop.”

The key was each shop’s distinct offerings.

Boss Qian nodded. “That’s what we’re thinking. But there’s an official food street nearby, and since we own our shops, moving there isn’t practical.”

Jiang Yan countered, “No need to move and join the crowd. Build it right here.”

Tian Sheng, excited, pressed, “How do we do that?”

“Keep the shops where they are, there’s no need for moving, but spruce up the storefronts. For promotion, and collaboration. Offer combo deals with each shop’s signature dishes or discounts at one shop after spending at another.”

Not a chain, but interconnected in countless ways.

Some raised concerns. “Our customers are mostly locals who know what we sell without promotion. Your ideas target new customers, but will they come to a residential area?”

This wasn’t a tourist spot or officially promoted, just an ordinary Haicheng street.

Jiang Yan smiled. “Young people don’t like touristy places either. For good food, we don’t care if it’s an ‘official’ food street. Many food streets nowadays are overrated, centralized kitchen products, tasteless, and pricey.”

An heiress, yet she considered practical details. These shops, owning their spaces, keeping prices low, raising them only when costs forced it, making them cheaper than average.

Locals loved them, but lack of promotion limited their reach.

Boss Qian tapped the table lightly. “Xiao Jiang’s got a point. It’s worth a try. The Li’s won’t let us off after buying the other shops. Instead of waiting for their move, we take the lead.”

In taste and price, the old shops weren’t afraid to compete.

Jiang Yan brought home more food than usual, but Ye Chenchen, now abroad for school, could only drool via video call.

Xia Yining, watching her weight, ate sparingly, leaving most for Jiang Yan.

After her shower, Xia Yining handed Jiang Yan a printed booklet. “Here’s the show’s script. Take a look when you have time.”

Jiang Yan, just finishing a potsticker with a lingering vinegar taste, flipped through it. “Two guest episodes, and we’re doing activities?”

She thought they would observe or comment from the sidelines, not compete like actual contestants.

“I’ve asked the Second Sister-in-Law to negotiate with the producers. One or two activities per episode, max—then no more.”

Jiang Yan reviewed the optional activities. Considering the guests’ status and fitness, they avoided intense sports, focusing mostly on family life tasks.