After Apocalypse, I Got Rich With Superpower

Chapter 97: Chapter 95: Rewards

Chapter 97: Chapter 95: Rewards

They specially selected fruitwood for barbecuing, which gave the meat a subtle, unique aroma that came from the roasted fruitwood, and they made everyone plum soup, honeysuckle honey tea, and mung bean soup.

The beer they drank was bulk-purchased from the Farmer’s Market by Wenwen as summer arrived, all stored in the icehouse.

They had cleared out one room to create a cold storage room. Liu Qian, being a high-level Ice Element superpower user, would release her superpower every once in a while to ensure that it didn’t thaw, using ice blocks to make compartments for storing meat, fruits, and beverages.

“This plum wine is really good when chilled.”

Li Pan smacked his lips and smiled.

“I think the rice wine tastes the best, sweet and lovely.”

Zhang Yu enjoyed the barbecue and slurped on the homemade rice wine, her eyes bright with happiness.

“Yeah, our homemade rice wine is really not bad; let’s make more rice wine and yellow wine this year. It sells very well in the store, and it’s fine for us to drink at home too. There’s no worry about making too much.”

“Then make more of it.”

“I’ll have them buy a few more brewing kits for me. These three kits aren’t enough. It’s better to brew each type of liquor separately; using the same equipment might mix flavors, plus the cleaning and sterilization is such a hassle.”

Xue Dong’s brewing skills had become increasingly proficient.

The store also sold beverages like grain spirits, which are grain alcohols, and red wine made from their own grapes, specifically aged in oak barrels. There were also fruit wines like plum wine, lemon wine, and peach wine, all of which had a nice taste, as well as yellow wine and rice wine, which were very popular and constantly in demand.

Real grain spirits don’t cause hangovers or headaches, at most a bit of acid reflux, which is true; only the spiked liquors cause severe discomfort after a hangover.

Their homemade beverages were authentic and, although sold in bulk without adulteration or dilution, were sold out instantly.

With a good taste and quality, the beverages received positive feedback from everyone; many regular customers said they helped relieve fatigue. These days, people are more emotionally stressed from heavy work and many prefer to have a drink to ease their fatigue.

Their beverages were considered a primary economic support for the store and sold very well. Even without adulteration or dilution, they still made money, just a bit less.

It had been a year, and goods from the store were selling well, never involving counterfeit products. They encountered no trouble from sales, and their reputation gradually improved, almost all customers being regulars.

The two storefronts were initially managed by the children, but unexpectedly, they managed to keep both shops running, and now they were almost breaking even. They had recouped eighty percent of their initial investment and had only twenty percent left to break even, estimating that this year they might make it and even earn a little extra.

“Xue Dong, those two shops are almost breaking even, and this year we’re estimated to make a bit extra. What do you think about rewarding the three kids? They really worked hard for the store, especially during the time they made the boxed lunches. It was truly tough.”

The boxed lunches were cheap and couldn’t be subpar, using bad vegetables and meat. They only used fresh vegetables and meat, while they themselves consumed frozen and mutated meat, but the meat in the boxed lunches came from freshly slaughtered poultry.

The taste was different, and one could immediately tell the freshness and quality, and they were exceptionally affordable, which is why they sold well.

This job involved a heavy workload, all managed by a few children, while others still had to work in the fields. This couldn’t be delayed.

Not one of the children complained or said they couldn’t continue. They persisted, which pleased and delighted her.

“I thought about it before. Once the shop breaks even this year, the long-term workers, including the father-daughter duo Gu Ye, will share dividends from the store. After settling monthly gross profits, you guys collectively take ten percent of the net profits as a bonus, which can be settled monthly or every three months, however you prefer.”

“Really? That’s quite a bit.”

Wenwen was the first to react; she was in charge of accounting.

“Really, I’ll write it into the contract later. No lies.”

Xue Dong flashed them a kind smile.

“Thanks, bro, you don’t need to write a contract. You haven’t been short on bonuses, and we’ve never been underpaid.”

“Thank what, we’re family. If there’s money, we make sure our own people earn it. The farms don’t shortchange you either. Although the two farms settle their accounts separately, a tenth of the profit is taken to give out bonuses to everyone. That can be added to the contract.”

“Write what contract? You haven’t been short on bonuses now, either. It turns out to be even more than a tenth. Last year during the freeze disaster, several thousand in bonuses were distributed, I alone received fifty thousand in bonuses. So, what contract do you need to write — if you can’t trust us, just go back and work at the base.”

Jiao Ming was the first to speak up, being a good boss is a courtesy, not an obligation.

“No need to write a contract, what if another rainy, freezing season causes losses, and you still distribute money — that would be a disaster. If there’s money, we all earn together; if not, we endure together. That’s what being a family is about. I won’t sign the contract.”

The honest and simple Cui Yanjun, although newer here, his first reaction was to leave some room for Xue Dong and Li Pan.

“He’s right — no need to sign a contract. We haven’t been mistreated. Since coming to the farm, I haven’t really spent money. I saved all my wages, bonuses, and Contribution points. Now I’m going to buy my brother a house, all from savings, otherwise, where would the money come from?”

Liu Qian agreed as well.

“Right, let’s not sign this contract. We are family, we share joys and face difficulties together.”

Zhang Qi nodded earnestly.

“Well said.”

Everyone unanimously praised Zhang Qi.

“All right, we won’t sign then. That’s what I meant. If there’s money, we’ll earn it together.”

Xue Dong also smiled warmly.

“Right, we were discussing that once Hu Zi buys his house, we should buy several units too. That way, everyone can come back and rest more days at the base. The kids are getting older, and boys and girls need separate places, can’t stay in the orphanage anymore, worried about others making issues. I’m thinking maybe we should buy a few houses, so in the future, anyone wanting to get married can first buy from me at a cheaper price. What do you think?”

While eating, Li Pan casually chatted with everyone.

“I think it’s a good plan, but won’t buying several houses all at once be a strain? Can the funds be managed? I have some too, let’s pool resources.”

“We won’t put everyone’s names on the pooled resources. Too many names could create problems. I plan to have it under mine and Xue Dong’s names. Whoever wants to buy a house in the future can buy from us at a much cheaper price. This way, no one will feel conflicted about everyone investing but only buying a single house, which can hurt feelings.”

“That’s well said, we should be cautious with large property investments.”

“I have enough money, just asking everyone whether we should buy a courtyard or a building. I think we need both. The kids are all grown up; the girls and the boys can’t stay in the same room, they need to be separated.” 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“You’re right about that. I also think both would be best. A yard allows us to plant some trees, provides ample space, the big courtyard accommodates more people, small buildings fewer.”

“Then I’ll go to the base and sell vegetables, ask everyone around?”

“Go ask, look at both courtyards and buildings. If there are suitable ones, buy them. We have enough people, won’t worry about not filling them up. Later, you guys also need rest, can take a few days off each month, don’t need to stay at the farm all the time. Miss the busy farming season and go back to the base to rest, visit friends, what’s the point of earning money otherwise.”

“The way you talk makes us look forward to it even more, can go back and have a drink with the brothers.”

Jiao Ming nudged Xue Dong’s arm with his hand, laughing heartily.

“Yes, let’s go back and drink with the boss.”

“Sure, let’s get him drunk.”