The heavens set sail from the courtyard

After finishing his work at the restaurant, Wang Gang noticed it was almost seven o'clock and remembered to go to the second canteen to sample the dishes.

The restaurant's evening rush hour was almost over. Wang Gang asked Liu Zi to stay behind and clean up the mess. He changed his clothes, grabbed his bicycle keys, and was about to leave when Liu Zi ran over.

"Master, you're really gone!"

Wang Gang joked, "There aren't many customers right now, so I'm handing the kitchen over to you. If anything goes wrong, I'll skin you alive!"

Liu Zi said somewhat uncertainly, "Master, I'm not at ease without you. Why don't you wait a while before you leave!"

Wang Gang laughed and scolded, "Stop talking nonsense. I'm entrusting the kitchen to you because I trust your skills. You better do a good job. When we open a branch next year, you'll be the one to take the lead."

Liu Zi asked in surprise, "Me, taking the lead, opening a branch store!?"

Wang Gang said, "The business at Zifang Mansion is doing well. Your master's wife and I have discussed opening another branch next year. I won't be able to run between the two places, so the kitchen of the branch can only be handed over to you. Consider it a 10% share!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zi was overjoyed, so happy he was practically dizzy.

"Master, you're not lying to me, are you!"

"Get lost! When have I ever lied to you?" Wang Gang said irritably.

"You've learned your skills pretty well, and sooner or later you'll be in charge. I'll recruit some more apprentices later, and then you'll be the senior apprentice. Don't let me down!"

"Master, don't worry! I definitely won't let you down," Liu Zi said confidently.

Wang Gang nodded, picked up his bicycle keys, and left. He was satisfied with his apprentice, Liu Zi. Although Liu Zi wasn't particularly talented, he was hardworking and loyal to him, so Wang Gang was willing to give him a chance.

Wang Gang rode his bicycle directly to the second canteen.

Due to poor management, the second canteen was taken over by a private owner, and Wang Gang has no idea what the second canteen is like now.

However, according to my senior classmate Yao Guofa, all the old employees of the second canteen have stayed. They used to work for the government, but now they work for private bosses, and their wages have increased a lot.

Yao Guofa is still working as the manager of "Chunjianglou". The owner who took over the second canteen somehow approached Yao Guofa and promised him many benefits, asking him to invite Wang Gang to taste the dishes.
Wang Gang didn't want to offend his senior, Yao Guofa, since Yao had taken good care of him over the years and the two families were quite close.

After riding his bicycle for twenty minutes, Wang Gang arrived at the entrance of the second canteen and found that the old, dilapidated signboard had been completely renovated, but the content had been changed to "People's Canteen".

Wang Gang parked his bicycle, and Yao Guofa walked out of the "People's Canteen".

"Junior brother, why are you only arriving now!" Yao Guofa said with a grin.

"Senior brother, I'm really sorry, the shop is just too busy today," Wang Gang said with a smile.

"Alright! We're just waiting for you to serve the food." Yao Guofa didn't really blame Wang Gang.

Wang Gang asked curiously, "Are there any other people doing the food tasting today?"

Yao Guofa shook his head and said, "No, Boss Zhou invited the two of us over to taste the dishes!"

Wang Gang was taken aback and asked, "Senior brother, are you very familiar with that Boss Zhou?"

Yao Guofa shook his head and said, "We're not very familiar with each other, I've only met twice. But Boss Zhou is very generous. He gave us a big red envelope for this food tasting. There will also be someone taking pictures of us later, so you'll have to cooperate!"

Wang Gang frowned and said, "We still need to take pictures!"

Yao Guofa said, "Boss Zhou said he'll just take one photo, and then hang it in the store."

Wang Gang asked, "Just who is this Boss Zhou?"

Yao Guofa said, "I heard he came from the south, he's very rich, he took over the No. 2 canteen at a high price, and he also solved the employment problem for the old canteen employees. The factory also owns 40% of the shares, so the factory director came to me for help!"

Wang Gang roughly understood what was going on.

"Let's go in quickly." Yao Guofa pulled Wang Gang towards the cafeteria. Upon entering the new cafeteria, Wang Gang found that it had been renovated and was laid out like a restaurant. Two young waiters came to greet them.

"Manager Yao, Master Liu, please proceed to the VIP lounge."

Wang Gang looked around but didn't see any of his old colleagues from the cafeteria.

Yao Guofa pulled Wang Gang inside. The so-called VIP room was just a private room that had been partitioned off from the original cafeteria.

Judging from its decorating style, Wang Gang noticed it had a distinctly Western feel, indicating that it had cost a considerable amount of money. He assumed that Mr. Zhou had invested a significant sum.

"With such a large investment and the factory holding a 40% stake, will Mr. Zhou be able to recoup his costs?"

Wang Gang sat down in the private room and asked the question that had been on his mind.

“That Boss Zhou is a remarkable woman, and a very capable one. You’ll see when you meet her!” Yao Guofa said mysteriously.

"Where are the elderly people from the cafeteria? I haven't seen a single one." Wang Gang asked.

“Most of them work in the kitchen. You know, it’s not suitable for those people to be working in the front.” Yao Guofa sighed. “Some people still haven’t adapted. Working for a private boss is different from working in a factory.”

Having seen much at Chunjiang Tower, Yao Guofa had already vaguely sensed the coming of a great wave, but there were some things he was willing to do but was powerless to do.

Wang Gang naturally knew that as the private sector gradually opened up, government units would face increasing difficulties. In a few years, a wave of layoffs would arrive, and those who couldn't adapt would be swept away by the tide!
Fortunately, Yao Guofa is relatively secure at "Chunjianglou" and should be able to reach retirement age without much trouble, but that's about it.

"Gentlemen, I'm sorry. I was watching the dishes in the kitchen and didn't greet Chef Liu. Please forgive me."

Just then, a cheerful female voice came from the door of the private room, and Wang Gang finally met the mysterious Boss Zhou.

An ordinary-looking, but slender middle-aged woman.

"Boss Zhou, this is my junior apprentice, Liu Hongchang, formerly the head chef of Chunjianglou Restaurant," Yao Guofa introduced.

Boss Zhou extended his hand to Wang Gang and said with a smile, "I have long heard of Master Liu's name. My name is Zhou Yan, and people who know me call me Yanzi."

"Hello, Mr. Zhou. I left Chunjianglou a long time ago and opened my own small restaurant. So, we're not only in the same industry, but also rivals," Wang Gang said with a smile.

"I've actually been to Master Liu's Wisteria House before. Your signature crispy chicken is truly amazing!" Zhou Yan gave a thumbs up and said, "I ate there once and I still can't forget it!"

Yao Guofa laughed loudly, "Let's not stand here anymore, Boss Zhou, let's bring out the food!"

"Manager Yao, Master Liu, please have a seat." Zhou Yan gestured for them to sit down.

Wang Gang didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly, but gave the main seat to Zhou Yan, since this was her territory.

Zhou Yan clapped her hands, and two waiters quickly brought four cold dishes to the table.

"Master Liu, please try these cold dishes first to whet your appetite, and also give my chef some pointers!" Zhou Yan said confidently.

Since it was a food tasting, Wang Gang was well-prepared and gestured for Yao Guofa to proceed.

Yao Guofa picked up his chopsticks first, and Wang Gang followed suit, trying each of the four cold dishes in front of him.

To be honest, the chef hired by Zhou Yan was only so-so. The four cold dishes were mediocre, neither amazing nor bad, as Wang Gang commented.

After the cold dishes came the hot dishes, which Wang Gang found utterly tasteless. However, out of respect for Yao Guofa, he still offered suggestions for improvement.

Zhou Yan remained polite and humble throughout, accepting all of Wang Gang's comments and even having someone bring her paper and pen to write down Wang Gang's guidance.

"Chef Liu truly lives up to his reputation as a master chef. He can spot problems with any dish after just one bite. I, Zhou Yan, admire people with such talent," Zhou Yan said with a smile.
"I also have a signature dish called boiled beef in chili oil. Could you please give me some pointers, Chef Liu?"

Zhou Yan had a bowl of boiled beef brought over, but Wang Gang's expression changed drastically after just one bite! (End of Chapter)