Chapter 477 - 226: The Brave Enjoy the World First

Chapter 477: Chapter 226: The Brave Enjoy the World First

"Your aunt has her own ideals and ambitions. The projects she’s been involved in and led over the years have all been major ones. Working for a private company would be a waste of her talent," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile. "If one of us really had to take the plunge into the private sector, it would have to be me."

The three of them strolled and chatted along the riverbank, walking off the large meal.

Huang Chen paid the bill and saw Wu Liwei and the others off.

Everyone got some of the braised dishes to go. You couldn’t find flavor like this even back in Jiazhou.

It wasn’t uncommon for city officials to come to Suji Town for inspections. Usually, they were hosted at the state-owned restaurant, but never before had they praised a meal so endlessly like they did today.

Huang Chen got on his bicycle and glanced back in the direction of Zhou Yan Restaurant.

’This is great. From now on, we’ll host them here at Zhou Yan’s place.’

’The price is about the same, and if the leaders are happy with the food, it makes a lot of our work easier to handle.’

...

"The nearly four pounds of braised pork intestines sold out in a flash! The customers were all very satisfied; anyone who ordered it ate every last piece. And plenty of customers who couldn’t get any were sighing with disappointment." As lunch service ended, Mrs. Zhao looked at Zhou Yan coming out of the kitchen and said excitedly, "Should we braise a few more steamers of intestines tomorrow? I can tell they’re going to be a big seller."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "It’s a new dish, so there’s a novelty factor for the customers. That’s why it’s selling well. It doesn’t mean it always will. Let’s add two more steamers’ worth tomorrow. Any more than that, and I’m afraid the brine won’t be able to handle it."

The braised pork intestines were a bestseller. It was an auspicious start.

Serving it as a hot-braised dish was a rather clever approach.

When served hot, the braised pork intestines have a richer, more tender texture. It doesn’t come across as greasy, which makes it more appealing to a wider audience.

As the weather gets colder, the fat on the inner walls of cold braised intestines tends to solidify, which affects the flavor.

So in the winter, selling them hot-braised in the restaurant is the best option. Using them to make pork intestine noodles would also be a good choice.

But as things stood, they probably didn’t even have enough braised intestines to last the day.

There wouldn’t be any left over to make pork intestine noodles the next day.

Once the restaurant was empty, Zhou Yan untied his apron and hung it behind the counter. He then casually picked up two red-covered certificates of honor from the counter. They felt quite substantial in his hands. Opening one, he saw an award certificate inside, stamped with the official seal of the Jiazhou City Government. It looked very official.

"Should we hang up the certificates of honor, too?" Mrs. Zhao asked with a smile.

"That would be too flashy. The pennants are enough," Zhou Yan replied, shaking his head. "Hanging the pennants is plenty. One on each side of the menu wall—that’s all the prestige we need."

Mrs. Zhao looked at Comrade Zhou. "Zhou Miao, go to the security office next door and borrow a ladder. You and Zhou Yan can re-hang the pennants somewhere new, a bit higher up."

"You got it!" Comrade Zhou agreed, heading out the door in high spirits.

"It’s one thing to be happy, but from now on, you need to stay far away from things like that!" Mrs. Zhao said, looking at Zhou Yan with a serious expression. "A vicious, knife-wielding thug who’s already taken a life... one wrong move and you could have lost yours! ’Sail the boat that fits the water.’ Don’t be so eager to be a hero."

Zhou Yan nodded in full agreement. "I know. If Ming hadn’t been there, I would’ve run faster than anyone at the sight of that knife."

Mrs. Zhao smiled at his response. "Zhou Ming got a commendation this time," she added. "They even delivered a pennant to the No. 1 High School. He should be able to keep his job there now, right?"

"I think there’s a good chance," Zhou Yan agreed with a nod. "Once the story is in the Jiazhou Daily tomorrow... Zhou Ming is the leader of the martial arts team at the No. 1 High School. This brings great honor to the school. The administration will definitely have to consider that."

...

"Teacher Song! Look at my pennant and certificate of honor!"

"The city leaders delivered them to the school today! I was commended in front of everyone!"

At the entrance to Courtyard No. 8 on Dongfeng Lane, Zhou Ming stood with the pennant in one hand and the certificate of honor in the other. He spoke to Song Wanqing, who had just opened the gate, a brilliant smile lighting up his face.