1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 234 Jiaozhou Daily Front Page Headline (Bonus Chapter 264 for Monthly Tickets)

The dish of salted braised pork belly was so delicious that everyone who ate it praised it highly.

Even the bean sprouts were eaten clean.

As the core dish of "Three Steamed Dishes and Nine Braised Dishes", it is an essential dish in the Nine Bowls, and there is a saying that "no feast is complete without Shao Bai".

The status of salted braised pork belly in Sichuan cuisine is evident.

However, the method of making this dish is indeed quite complicated and particular. Without the guidance of a chef, it is indeed difficult for the average person to figure it out at home, and very few people can do it well.

Zhou Yan had read the recipe for salted braised pork belly in the Sichuan cuisine cookbook. It was only two hundred words long, and even a chef like him would find it difficult to grasp the feeling conveyed in those brief words.

"If you have this skill, why didn't you show it off during last year's Spring Festival? You made your old mother cook for the guests, and she made a complete fool of herself," Aunt Zhao said to Zhou Yan, her tone tinged with a hint of resentment.

"I only recently learned this from my master; I hadn't mastered it before," Zhou Yan said seriously.

“Sure, you’ll be in charge of cooking for our family this Chinese New Year,” Aunt Zhao said with a smile, already looking forward to the holiday.

“Then we’re all in for a treat,” Zhao Hong said with a smile.

Aunt Zhao and the others cleared the table, and Zhou Yan hung up the sign for the salted braised pork belly: Salted Braised Pork Belly - 2.2 yuan/serving

A serving of braised pork belly requires eight ounces of pork belly. After deducting the cost of scraps and seasonings such as pickled mustard greens, the profit margin is around 50%.

It's two cents more expensive than twice-cooked pork, thus creating a price range.

As far as he knew, the price of salted braised pork belly in the factory canteen was 1.5 yuan per serving, which was 70 cents cheaper than his price.

The textile factory runs its own canteen, so it doesn't need to worry about making money and can set prices however it pleases.

His master revealed some inside information to him: Liu Erpangzi was now in charge of the steamed dishes in the factory canteen, and the salted braised pork belly wasn't as easy to prepare as before.

The 70-cent price difference can only be made up for by the taste.

Zhou Yan wasn't worried about this; he was quite confident in his salted braised pork belly.

The menu wall is now quite well-established, offering stir-fries, braised dishes, steamed dishes, cold dishes, and soups.

Any dish you pick out is pretty impressive.

Holding a copy of today's Jiaozhou Daily, Wang Hongliang walked out of the factory director's office with a broad smile. He said to Lin Zhiqiang beside him, "Zhiqiang, Zhou Yan is a young hero! He's on the front page of the Jiaozhou Daily. He's really become a celebrity in Jiaozhou now."

Lin Zhiqiang nodded with a smile: "That's right. He's a descendant of the Sichuan Army, a revolutionary family, and he has two plaques for first-class meritorious service hanging in his house. I didn't know any of these things, and I've never heard him show them off. Xiao Zhou is not old, but he is indeed calm and composed."

“Children from such large families are bound to have good character and upbringing. They are down-to-earth, ambitious, and suitable for a stable life.” Wang Hongliang nodded, then thought for a moment and said, “I wonder what Wang Wei thinks of Zhou Yan. I’ll tell her father later. I think little Zhou is quite promising.”

"Huh?" Lin Zhiqiang was startled upon hearing this, and his expression became somewhat wary. Sure enough, everyone's eyes were on the same thing. Had the factory manager also taken a liking to Zhou Yan?

"By the way, is Xia settling in well with her internship?" Wang Hongliang asked casually.

“She has a pretty good impression of Xiao Zhou,” Lin Zhiqiang blurted out.

"What?"

"Oh, not bad. Xia Yao originally studied design. I ran into Lao Du this morning, and he said that after she arrived, she clarified the ideas for them. Next, we plan to focus on brand building around 'Jiading Silk,' striving to make a name for ourselves and turn it into a famous Chinese brand," Lin Zhiqiang said, rubbing his nose a little awkwardly.

Wang Hongliang's eyes lit up as he looked at him and said, "As expected of a top university student, you've grasped the key points right away by leaving professional matters to professionals. Tell Xia to do her best, and we'll give her an excellent internship certificate later. If the project is successful, we'll also give her a bonus."

"With the factory manager's words, she'll definitely be full of energy," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile.

Wang Hongliang stared at him: "By the way, you just said that Xia had a good impression of Zhou Yan? What? You also think Zhou Yan is a good person?"

Lin Zhiqiang: ...

You clearly heard me.

"Factory Director, Factory Director Lin." Wang Wei walked over carrying an account book. She greeted the two men and then looked at Wang Hongliang and said, "Factory Director, I was just about to bring the factory canteen's accounts from last month to your office."

Wang Hongliang smiled and nodded: "Go ahead and deliver it. After you do, I'll take you to Zhou Yan's shop for a meal. I happen to have something I want to talk to you about."

"Okay." Wang Wei replied, jogging to deliver the ledger to the office, and then jogging back over. She wouldn't be polite when the old man invited her to dinner.

"Look, Zhou Yan is on the Jiaozhou Daily again, and this time it's on the front page." Wang Hongliang handed the newspaper to Wang Wei and said with a smile.

"Front page headline! That's amazing." Wang Wei took the newspaper and said with a smile, "I heard them say the other day that city leaders came to commend Zhou Yan for his bravery. He jumped into the water to save someone and fought off a vicious bandit. He's really brave."

"Young people like this are rare these days," Wang Hongliang nodded.

Lin Zhiqiang, who was listening nearby, scratched his head. Just then, the get off work bell rang, and he saw a familiar figure. He quickly called out, "Xia Yao, over here."

"Uncle," Xia Yao said with a smile as she stepped forward.

Lin Zhiqiang coughed lightly: "In the factory, you should address people by their job titles."

“Okay, Director Lin.” Xia Yao immediately corrected him, then smiled and looked at Wang Hongliang beside her: “Hello, Director Lin.”

Wang Hongliang asked with concern, "Xia, are you getting used to your internship?"

Xia Yao nodded: "It's great. My coworkers take good care of me and patiently teach me when I don't understand something." Wang Hongliang laughed heartily: "You're too modest. Old Du said that you've only been here for two days and you've already sorted out their thinking. Professionals are different. Our textile factory is lacking high-achieving students with real skills like you."

"You flatter me," Xia Yao said with a smile.

Wang Wei stepped forward, smiling as she extended her hand to her: "Hello, my name is Wang Wei. I heard that a beautiful female college student came to the marketing department, but you are even more beautiful than they say."

"Hello, Xia Yao." Xia Yao shook hands with her and smiled at her, "Sister Wang Wei, your short hair is so cool and beautiful! I've been thinking about cutting my hair short, but I haven't been able to make up my mind."

Wang Wei's lips curled up in a wide smile. Being praised by a beautiful woman felt quite different. She reached out and brushed her hair from her forehead, smiling as she said, "Your hair is so well-maintained, so black and straight. I wouldn't want to cut it either. It looks so elegant with it on, and it looks good tied up too."

"You work in the finance department?"

"Yes, in charge of the factory canteen's finances..."

The two were of similar age and quickly struck up a lively conversation.

“Young people really do have more in common,” Wang Hongliang laughed. “Has Xiao Meng gone back to Suzhou? Want to have lunch together?”

Lin Zhiqiang replied, "I've been back for two or three days. Today I had to go to a construction site in Jiaozhou to check on things, so I won't be back until this afternoon."

“Okay, then we’ll wait until next time.” Wang Hongliang nodded. “Speaking of which, it’s been more than half a month since I last ate at Zhou Yan’s restaurant. I wonder if the menu has been updated.”

"Then you'll be pleasantly surprised, Factory Director. Little Zhou has been bringing out quite a few new dishes lately," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile, leaving a bit of suspense.

Wang Wei handed the newspaper to Xia Yao and asked curiously, "Zhou Yan is in the Jiaozhou Daily. I saw that it also recorded that he jumped into the river to save someone. Is that you?"

"Has it been published yet?" Xia Yao took the newspaper, glanced at it quickly, and nodded with a smile. "It's me. He saved me."

“There are too many rivers in Suji. If you can’t swim, you should be careful when you go to the river,” Wang Wei said gently. “Next year when the weather is warmer, I can teach you to swim. I grew up by the river and I’m a very good swimmer. I was even on the city’s swimming team in high school.”

"Wow, that's amazing!" Xia Yao's eyes lit up as she looked at her and said, "No wonder you have such a great figure, with long and straight legs. If I ever have the chance, I'll definitely learn from you."

"Have it."

Only by being proactive in eating can one get a meal at Zhou Erwa Restaurant in the first round.

"Factory Director, Factory Director Lin, you've arrived. Wang Wei, Xia Yao, please come in and have a seat," Zhao Tieying greeted with a smile.

"Aunt Zhao".

"Madam."

The two girls greeted her with smiles.

"Hey, come in and have a seat. There are two more tables, see where you want to sit," Zhao Tieying replied with a smile. Looking at the two people holding hands, one with short hair and a dashing air, and the other with long hair and an elegant demeanor, they were truly a sight to behold.

Women make up 70% of the textile factory workers, and most of them are young girls.

Jiaozhou is a place where three rivers converge, blessed with beautiful land and water, and known for its beautiful women.

But as soon as the two of them stood at the entrance, they attracted many admiring glances from both inside and outside the store.

Young, beautiful, and with a great figure, she wore a white shirt, tucked slightly into her trousers to reveal her slender waist.
After Wang Hongliang sat down, he stared at the menu for a while and nodded repeatedly: "The menu has really added a lot of dishes. Mapo tofu, shredded pork with garlic sauce, braised pork intestines are also on the menu, and salted braised pork belly is also available. The dishes are becoming more and more abundant."

"The braised pork belly was just served today, wasn't it? I didn't see it when I came to eat yesterday." Lin Zhiqiang's eyes lit up.

He quite liked the salted braised pork belly. Before, Xiao Lei was in charge of the quality control at the factory canteen, and it was made exceptionally well. But since Xiao Lei resigned, the salted braised pork belly at the factory canteen hasn't tasted the same.

The dried vegetables at the bottom were no longer crisp and were extremely salty.

It goes well with rice, but you need to drink two large glasses of water after eating it to quench your thirst.

He once thought that a salt tycoon had emerged from the factory canteen.

He had to try the salted braised pork belly that Zhou Yan made today.

He now has considerable trust in Zhou Yan's craftsmanship.

“Xiao Lei is a master at steaming dishes. I heard he’s been working as a rural chef lately, and he’s doing really well, making a name for himself. Zhou Yan learned his skills from him, so this braised pork belly should be pretty good.” Wang Hongliang said with a smile, “Then let’s order some braised pork intestines and some braised pork belly. You two kids, order a couple more dishes.”

"Then I'll order some shredded pork with garlic sauce. Zhou Yan's shredded pork with garlic sauce is super delicious, it's savory, fragrant, sweet and sour," Wang Wei said, then looked at Xia Yao, "Have you tried Zhou Yan's braised pig's trotters since you came back?"

"Not yet." Xia Yao shook her head.

"Then I'll order one, half for each of us. It's on me, I guarantee you'll never forget it after you eat it," Wang Wei said with a smile.

"Now that you say so, I'll definitely try it." Xia Yao nodded with a smile.

In the kitchen, Zhou Yan, who was about to start cooking, peeked out when he heard the sound.

Seeing Xia Yao and Wang Wei sitting together, he was a little surprised.

How did those two end up together?

Wang Hongliang spotted him at a glance, picked up the newspaper on the table, waved it, and said with a smile, "Xiao Zhou, you're in the newspaper again. Today's Jiaozhou Daily has your story on the front page, reporting your bravery in fighting the bandits."

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(End of this chapter)