Siheyuan: Pretend to be a Pig and Eat the Tiger

As Qin Huairu spoke, she took out a data sheet, which clearly listed the time-honored restaurants that had opened one after another. In terms of historical heritage, He's Restaurant was simply incomparable!

Any old-established restaurant can tell you a story closely related to historical figures, and He's Restaurant certainly can't compare in terms of culture!

"It's alright. We may be weak in terms of historical heritage, but why should we compete with them on historical depth? Let's compete on quality and service. Isn't it better to play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses? Beijing is not what it used to be; times have changed!"

He Yuzhu didn't care about these things. The reputation of the Eight Great Restaurants was indeed widespread, which was an indisputable fact. Wasn't the original owner's ultimate ideal to become a chef at the Eight Great Restaurants?
However, more and more people are coming to Beijing to develop their careers. The Eight Great Restaurants can attract some people with their historical heritage, but that's only once or twice. It's impossible for them to eat there often.
Restaurants with a bit of hype tend to have a higher price point. You're a century-old establishment, while we were the first restaurant opened after the reform and opening up. That's called catching up from behind...

"Pillar, what do you mean?"

Qin Huairu was puzzled. It was true that times were progressing, but the successive openings of the eight major restaurants had indeed taken away some customers!

"Hehe, they are indeed a century-old brand, but aren't we the first privately owned store after the reform and opening up? Let's get a signboard made and put out that we're the first privately owned store after the reform and opening up. The reputation of the reform and opening up is not low!"

Locals in Beijing would definitely choose He's Restaurant, without a doubt. The Eight Great Restaurants are still out of reach for Beijingers. After all, they were places that only high-ranking officials and dignitaries could enter back then. A meal there could cost a month's salary. Who would go?

As for tourists from other places, the gimmick of being the first privately owned store to open in the area is enough; being the first to open in the area means they can be long-term customers!

"okay, got it!"

Qin Huairu wrote it down. He Yuzhu was never wrong in his decision-making; this was the consensus among their group!
"No rush, hehe, it'll be a while before I test your fighting prowess..."

"No, this is an office, and there's a pillar..."

Ten thousand words omitted here...

After finishing lunch, He Yuzhu left He's Restaurant satisfied. With no other choice, Guan Xiaoguan made a phone call. The Nine Gates Admiral, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, wanted to invite her!
"Master, what are you doing?"

He Yuzhu brought two bottles of aged wine from Xu Huizhen's place. Grandpa Guan usually enjoys a few drinks, so the gift was naturally tailored to his taste!
"No, I can't keep up anymore. Once you get old, you always feel like you can't keep up. I invited you here today to be a witness."

"No rush, we'll talk slowly once everyone's here. It feels like time is running out, there are some things we need to arrange!"

Grandpa Guan was trembling, as if he were about to pass away at any moment. He Yuzhu rolled his eyes. Was this guy really going to pull that stunt? Not now!

"Grandpa, Chunming will be staying in Shenzhen for a few more months, so there's no rush!" Han Chunming is the main character in this drama. Isn't it inappropriate to start before he even returns? This is a big deal!
"Is it easy for this admiral to train an apprentice? You send him out every day, and I can only see him a few times a year. Will I be able to see him one last time before I die?"

Grandpa Guan was taken aback. He felt that there was something hidden in the man's words. He thought it was just a spur-of-the-moment idea. He was old and wanted to play one more big game. Surely he wouldn't be able to figure it out.
Impossible. Although this kid is very powerful, he can't possibly be that powerful. Otherwise, he would be too monstrous.
"Of course he can. Chunming has important business to attend to in the south. Grandpa, the company is developing too fast. I can only feel at ease if Chunming goes there in person, right?"
Don't worry, I'll definitely be back before the end of the year. After that, I won't be able to go anywhere else for at least a year; there's a big job coming up here!

He Yuzhu's meaning was very clear: if you want to cause trouble, you can wait until after the New Year. Before the New Year, you should just play chess and drink quietly. Otherwise, your schemes may not succeed!
Of course, He Yuzhu only had suspicions and was not completely certain. This old man played a trick and put on a good show, scheming against almost everyone!

A faked death caused quite a stir, and it vividly portrayed the myriad aspects of life. You can play along, but you can't cause trouble!

Han Chunming is currently building a factory in the south. If you do this, where am I supposed to find someone to replace him? Knowing Han Chunming's personality, he'll definitely abandon everything and run back for the funeral!
"Alright, as long as he can come back before the New Year, that's fine. Having a son isn't as useful as having an apprentice. That's life..."

"Oh ho, why is the Nine Gates Admiral reminiscing? This isn't like the old man I remember..."

Just then, the ragged man strolled in slowly, carrying a bag of snacks in his hand. His voice came in before he even arrived!

"Days have passed, and my health isn't what it used to be. I'm starting to feel a bit more. Little Zao, dinner's ready. Let's not wait for Lazy Cat!"

Grandpa Guan pretended to change the subject, and He Yuzhu smiled slightly. This guy was probably prepared to fake his death. Now he was just waiting for Han Chunming to come back from the south. What a good show! In the play, he hid the old objects and faked his death. Han Chunming took the blame for a lot of things, which made Xiao Lanmao sue Han Chunming in court. The two families officially went to court.
In the end, it ended with Guan Xiaoguan, the lazy cat, withdrawing the lawsuit. However, those old items were replaced by Han Chunming, which caused a great commotion for Guan Xiaoguan's parents.
It seems the old man still holds the same idea, intending to use this method to test his son Erxi and Han Chunming. But will Xiaolanmao continue the storyline from the drama? Han Chunming is now her husband and the father of her child!

Han Chunming's private museum has begun preparations. How will this story unfold?

Xiao Xing works as the lobby manager at a branch of He's Restaurant, while Chen Jianjun still works there operating a sewing machine. It's true that the trend of collecting is on the rise.

However, Han Chunming had little to do here and no chance to contact his old neighbors, so the situation became unpredictable!

“Zhu Zi, Po Lan Hou, and Xiao Zao, listen up. I’m leaving all of these things to Han Chunming, not to my granddaughter, Xiao Lan Mao, but to Han Chunming.”
Hey, I've been shrewd all my life, but I have a very unfilial son and a very disrespectful daughter-in-law who keeps staring at these things in my hands all day long.

They even wanted to sell it to the United States, all smooth talk, saying it could fetch a lot of money. What would they need so much money for? Good stuff just can't leave China, cough cough cough…”

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Grandpa Guan, slightly drunk, called out names one by one, wanting to find a good home for the old trinkets he had collected all his life, and that was Han Chunming!

"Alright, I've got it, sir. You're in good health, it's too early to think about these things now. We can talk about it later!" (End of Chapter)