Starting from a Bankrupt Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant

Chapter 52: Chapter 46: Maybe I’ll Really Become an Uncle Someday

Lin Zhiqiang smiled and said, "You’ve been in Rongcheng for a few days, so you probably don’t know that Zhou Yan’s restaurant has already upgraded. He’s not just selling noodles anymore; he’s also got Kneeling Beef, stir-fries, and braised dishes."

"Zhou Yan’s business just started picking up after he switched to selling noodles. Why is he in such a rush to expand? Didn’t you say that he almost bankrupted the restaurant when he was selling stir-fries and braised dishes before?" Meng Anhe’s brow furrowed slightly.

"Actually, I don’t think his expansion is reckless. Selling noodles is good for business in the morning, but not many people eat them for lunch or dinner, so business got even better after he added Kneeling Beef. Now he sells noodles in the morning and serves Chinese food for lunch and dinner. That way, he can cover both."

Lin Zhiqiang explained, "The dishes he’s selling are simple, too. He has braised pork ribs, beef with dried bamboo shoots, and dual-pepper minced beef—which are also his noodle toppings and sauces. His Kneeling Beef is doing great, and he’s only added one other dish: Huo Xiang Carp."

Meng Anhe thought for a moment and nodded. "So he’s trying to snatch away that group of diners from your factory cafeteria who go for the stir-fries."

"Funnily enough, there was a commotion at the factory cafeteria today at lunch. Zhao Dong led the charge and almost wrecked the place..." Lin Zhiqiang then told Meng Anhe all the gossip about the cafeteria incident.

Meng Anhe was very amused after hearing the story. She suddenly said, "So, you’re planning to introduce Zhou Yan to Director Wang?"

"Exactly. If Director Wang is satisfied with Zhou Yan’s cooking, I’ll definitely introduce him," Lin Zhiqiang nodded. "Back then, Zhou Yan got into a conflict with Wang Defa at the factory cafeteria. He was young and hot-headed and ended up injuring Wang Defa. It was a bad look, and since he was just an apprentice, he got fired."

"Wang Defa is petty and not a good person. With today’s ruckus at the cafeteria, he’s bound to get an earful from Liu Yusheng. The cafeteria’s stir-fry section was his proudest achievement after taking the position. Now that Zhou Yan has stolen his customers, he’s definitely not going to take it lying down."

"Zhou Yan’s little restaurant seems to be thriving, but it’s a rented storefront from the textile factory. In a small town like this, if Wang Defa wants to cause trouble, he has plenty of ways to do it."

Meng Anhe couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re certainly thinking a lot on his behalf. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re his uncle-in-law."

"Isn’t that how it should be? He’s the one who saved Yaoyao’s life. We can never fully repay our debt to Zhou Yan." Lin Zhiqiang beamed. "Besides, maybe I really will become his uncle-in-law one day."

"What do you mean by that?" Meng Anhe raised an eyebrow, a little wary. "Did something happen during the study tour the other day?"

"Nothing, I was just talking," Lin Zhiqiang quickly shut his mouth.

"Spit it out, or I’ll pinch you!" Meng Anhe’s hand found the soft flesh of his waist and pinched.

"No, no, no, it’s really nothing. I just think Zhou Yan is handsome, and he’s a dependable guy..."

Their two sons trotted happily behind them. The older one was in third grade, the younger in first. Both were refined-looking, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, having inherited their parents’ best features.

They were both excited to be eating out at a restaurant today.

Lin Zhiqiang had a busy job, but Meng Anhe was even busier. She worked at an architectural design institute in Rongcheng at least five days a week, only able to return to Suji to see her husband and children back home after her projects were finished.

The two kids were usually entrusted to the "auntie" next door for school pickups and drop-offs, and they’d eat their meals there, too. Lin and Meng just gave her some money for food every month. They were basically free-range kids.

"Mom, is the cute little sister that cousin Yaoyao mentioned at this restaurant we’re going to?" Lin Jingxing asked.

"Do they make the pickles? The ones we got last time are all gone. Can we ask for some more?" his younger brother, Lin Bingwen, was more concerned about the pickled radishes they ate with their congee in the morning.

"Yes, the little sister’s name is Zhou Momo. She’s still very young, so don’t scare her when you see her," Meng Anhe said, turning back to admonish her two sons. "As for the pickled radishes, I’ll ask the owner for some in a bit."

"Okay," the two little guys nodded in agreement.

...

It was quitting time, and the bicycles at the textile factory gate were like water released from a dam, flooding out in a dense torrent.

The vendors at the gate immediately perked up and hurriedly started hawking their wares.

This half-hour was their only window. Once the crowd was gone, they’d have to wait for tomorrow.

Not to be outdone, Zhou Liangliang started shouting at the top of his cracking, adolescent-like voice: "Come on, come on! Grand opening celebration, super low prices! A bowl of noodles for three mao, with one liang of meat per bowl! Try the Zhou Village Hot Pot, also three mao a bowl! Three mao a bowl..."

His loud voice did attract some attention, but most of it was tinged with disdain.

"This again? One liang of meat for just three mao a bowl? Just hearing it is scary!"

"It’s probably diseased pork from who-knows-where. First, it was Wang the Fifth, and now we’ve got a Wang the Sixth?"

"A three-mao bowl of hot pot that stinks to high heaven when you get close. It’s all the gamy smell of beef offal, nothing at all like the Kneeling Beef at Zhou Yan Restaurant."

The workers shook their heads as they cycled past.

"See? We can’t even sell it for three mao. If we don’t sell this stuff today, it’ll go bad by tomorrow. I can’t believe I fell for your bullshit. Serves me right for being so unlucky! Just look at how well their business is doing!" Wu Guihua said, her face a mask of despair. She stared at the growing number of bicycles parked in front of Zhou Yan Restaurant across the street, her eyes turning red.

Zhou Liangliang grew anxious. Looking at the beef offal and noodles he had prepared, he gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and shouted again, "Fire sale on noodles! Fire sale on hot pot! Two mao a bowl! Selling at a loss! We’re selling at a loss! I’m losing my pants on this deal! Only two mao a bowl!"

"Two mao a bowl? Has Zhou Liangliang lost his mind?" Zhao Tieying had a look of disbelief when she heard him. "He might break even on the hot pot, but he’s definitely taking a hard loss on the noodles."

"A cornered dog will leap over a wall, but it’s useless," Zhou Yan said with a smile. "Once bitten, twice shy. The cheaper it is, the more scared the workers will be."

Sure enough, after Zhou Liangliang’s shout, the workers pedaled their bikes even harder, not even glancing back.

The incident with Wang the Fifth’s diseased pork was a lesson learned the hard way. When it came to food, some things weren’t worth saving money on.

A bowl of noodles with one liang of meat for only two mao wasn’t appealing at all; on the contrary, it was frightening.

"Don’t... don’t run away..." Zhou Liangliang slumped onto a stool, as if all his strength had been drained.

’If I’d shouted this price at the docks, a crowd would have gathered instantly.’

’These textile factory workers are so rich, why won’t they even eat noodles and hot pot for two mao a bowl?’

’So why is Zhou Yan’s six-mao-a-bowl hot pot selling so well?’

Zhou Liangliang racked his brains but still couldn’t figure it out.

...

"Zhou Yan Restaurant. This should be it." Wang Hongliang stopped his bike in front of the restaurant, looked up at the sign, and said with a smile, "I pass by here every day, but this is my first time eating here."

Li Meilin got off the back seat, first lifting their little grandson off the crossbar of the roadster bicycle. She glanced into the shop and smiled. "Why would Lin Zhiqiang choose a private little restaurant? Didn’t he say they sell noodles? Are we having noodles tonight?"

"Don’t underestimate this little place. The other day, some university students from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute ate noodles here two meals in a row, and they all said it was great," Wang Hongliang said with a grin.

"Director, ma’am." Lin Zhiqiang quickly walked up to greet them.

"Director Wang, Meilin." Meng Anhe greeted with a smile, then reached out to pat the grandson’s head. "Haohao has gotten so tall."

The two children greeted them politely.

"Zhiqiang, Meng, and your two kids are here," Wang Hongliang said with a smile and a nod.

"Meng, that woolen coat is beautiful. You bought it in Rongcheng, I bet?" Li Meilin also smiled warmly at the two children. "Jingxing and Bingwen are the ones who are really shooting up. They’ll definitely be as tall as their father one day."

Inside the shop, Zhao Tieying had already hurried off to get Zhou Yan.

’The top brass is here! These are major leaders.’ She was a little intimidated.

"Well then, let’s head inside. I had Zhou reserve a table for us," Lin Zhiqiang said after the greetings were exchanged.

"Alright," Wang Hongliang nodded.

Just then, Zhou Yan came out to greet them, a faint smile on his face. "Director, please come in. I have a table reserved for you."