1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 269 Blushing? She was the one who reached out first (6k-page compilation)

Zhou Hui is the third child in her family and is known as Zhou Sanmei. She has been running a mala tang (spicy hot pot) shop on Dongda Street for more than two years and is one of the first self-employed individuals in Jiaozhou.

In the beginning, he rode a tricycle carrying several coal stoves and a deep pot, selling spicy hot pot from street to street. Because the ingredients were fresh, the dipping sauce tasted good, and he was a generous person, he gradually gained a reputation.

Later, when they started selling at a stall, their business flourished.

That's how they rented the shop and started a proper restaurant.

The restaurant was thriving and served many guests, some of whom left a deep impression on her.

For example, the young man who brought people in was tall and handsome. His buzz cut looked neat and energetic. He had eaten spicy hot pot for more than ten yuan last time, which left a deep impression on her.

These days, people don't earn much, so they're all frugal.

When people come to eat mala tang (a type of spicy hot pot), they usually just eat a few skewers to satisfy their cravings; few actually eat it as a meal.

Zhou Sanmei has a 20-year-old daughter who works at a supply and marketing cooperative. She is about the same age as this young man and doesn't have a girlfriend yet. She later realized that she had forgotten to ask him if he had a girlfriend and what he did for a living.

I saw him come to eat again today, and I immediately put on a smile.

"Boss lady, we're back for mala tang again! Your mala tang is so delicious, I'm dreaming about eating it every day." Zhou Yan said to the boss lady with a smile.

Zhou Sanmei smiled and said, "Oh my, you're so good with words. I'll bring you a plate of fried rice with eggs later."

Zhou Yan said with a look of surprise, "That's great! I'll definitely tell you a lot when I get back, and let all my relatives and friends come and eat here."

Zhou Sanmei nodded: "Okay! I'll bring you two more bottles of beer."

"I won't deliver the beer, you need to make money too." Zhou Yan waved his hand and said with a smile, "Delivering fried rice is fine. Your fried rice made with free-range eggs is especially fragrant. I can't make it taste like that at home."

“Okay, okay, come inside and sit down. There are many of you, so the new table is perfect for you.” Zhou Sanmei smiled broadly.

This young man is so interesting. Not only is he handsome, but he also speaks very well. If I had a son-in-law like him, life would be so much more fun.

Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang exchanged a glance, both seeing a smile in each other's eyes. When it came to interpersonal relationships, Zhou Yan seemed to be even more insightful than they were.

Zhao Tieying stared at Zhou Sanmei. She thought the proprietress was quite capable, speaking and acting with composure and order. If she were to open a restaurant on Dongda Street in the future, she would have to be like her, otherwise she wouldn't be able to handle so many customers and big events.

"Come in and have a seat." Zhou Yan stepped aside to invite everyone in, and said to Xia Yao with a smile, "Xia Yao, come with me to get the groceries, and see what you and Sister Meng like to eat."

“Okay, I heard that Niuhua Malatang was very famous when I came to Jiaozhou last time, but I didn’t have a chance to try it.” Xia Yao nodded, her face showing anticipation.

"This place is quite authentic. The meat is very fresh, and the dipping sauce is well-prepared. You can try all kinds of beef with different fillings. The beef with houttuynia cordata has a unique flavor," Zhou Yan said with a smile as he led her to get the food.

"Houttuynia cordata? I'm not really into that..." Xia Yao hesitated, then walked to the cabinet displaying the vegetables. Looking at the mountain of skewers in the baskets, she was somewhat surprised: "So many vegetables! You've managed to make so many different dishes just from beef?"

Pickled peppers, cilantro, houttuynia cordata... slices of beef seem to be able to wrap everything up, and then be skewered on bamboo sticks to become a skewer.

This was the first time she had ever seen this way of eating.

The hot pot in the mountain city area has a nine-compartment pot, but it seems that bamboo skewers are not used.

"You can try a variety of different kinds. After cooking, the fishy smell of houttuynia cordata will disappear, and the texture will change from crisp to soft and glutinous. It's quite unique. You can try it too." Zhou Yan started taking out the meat.

There were many of them, so they took them in handfuls.

"Could you take more cilantro beef? My aunt especially loves cilantro." Xia Yao took an extra bunch of cilantro beef, then her gaze fell on the vegetable section. She said with some surprise, "These small potatoes look amazing. They look like they were pre-cooked and pressed down. Does that make them absorb the flavor better?"

“That’s right, it’s to make it easier for the flavor to penetrate. I didn’t see these small potatoes last time I came. The owner has a good idea.” Zhou Yan grabbed a handful of small potatoes, put three on a bamboo skewer, and the portion of vegetables was very generous. “Let’s try it and see how it tastes. It looks pretty good.”

"Is this tofu skin tasty? It looks a bit different from the tofu skin in Chongqing."

"Why not give it a try? I'd love to know how it tastes."

Zhou Yan, holding a winnowing basket, and Xia Yao were selecting vegetables.

They arrived early; there weren't many customers in the restaurant yet, and the menu was quite complete.

Zhou Sanmei poured hot water for everyone while carrying a teapot. Looking at the two people huddled together choosing dishes, she couldn't help but feel a little sad.

This girl is really beautiful. She's tall and slender, with fair skin, straight black hair, and an elegant demeanor. She looks cultured.

Standing next to that young man, they were truly a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman.

Her daughter is quite pretty, but to be honest, she's not as good-looking as this girl.

That initial thought vanished.

Zhou Yan returned carrying two baskets of vegetables, mostly meat, with a little bit of vegetables as well.

"Take so much?" Meng Anhe was somewhat surprised.

Zhou Yan said with a smile, "There are many of us, so we can finish it. Take whatever you want to eat later, and we'll pay by counting the bamboo skewers at the end."

Everyone was already seated, with Zhou Momo sitting between Old Zhou and Aunt Zhao.

Lin Jingxing and Lin Bingwen sat next to Lin Zhiqiang and Meng Anhe, respectively.

The soup pot was already on the stove, and one side of the eight-immortal table was left empty.

"Sit down," Xia Yao said, sitting down next to Meng Anhe.

"Okay." Zhou Yan replied and said, "Boss lady, please make us some dipping sauce, and three more bottles of Chongqing beer and a few bottles of Tianfu Cola."

"Okay, can the kids handle spicy food?" Zhou Sanmei came over with a tray, served the adults their dipping sauces first, and asked with a smile.

“This little one can’t eat that. Why don’t you make her a bowl of rice porridge? She can also rinse off the spicy food she’s eaten,” Zhao Tieying said.

"I want it spicy," Lin Jingxing said, raising his hand.

"Auntie, I want it slightly spicy, not a little more," Lin Bingwen added.

"Sure, I'll go get it for you," the proprietress replied with a smile.

The red broth in the pot had already started to boil, and the aroma was irresistible. The dishes were placed next to Zhou Yan, and he first grabbed a handful of cilantro and beef and put them into the pot to blanch.

The way to eat mala tang is similar to hot pot. It's all about the cooking time and the texture. Whether you can control the cooking time well determines the quality of your mala tang meal.

The beef is sliced ​​thinly, wrapped in cilantro, and blanched in boiling water for a while until it changes color; then it's ready to be taken out of the pot.

"Sister Meng, Xia Yao said you like cilantro beef, you should eat more." Zhou Yan handed a small handful to Meng Anhe, and then distributed the rest to everyone.

"Thank you." Meng Anhe took the beef skewer, picked it off with her chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in her mouth. Her eyes lit up immediately: "Mmm! The beef is so tender! With this cilantro and the sauce, the beef tastes really good."

"It's delicious! This way of eating cilantro rolls is really unique, and the dipping sauce is especially fragrant." Xia Yao nodded in approval.

"Here you go, I don't eat cilantro, I'll wait for the celery and beef." Lin Zhiqiang put two skewers of cilantro and beef into Meng Anhe's bowl and said with a smile, "You like it."

"Wild boars can't eat fine bran, but cilantro is so delicious," Meng Anhe said with a pout and a smile.

"Mom, I want another skewer!" Lin Bingwen stared at the beef in Meng Anhe's bowl, swallowing hard. "Delicious!"

"Here you go." Meng Anhe gave him a skewer and also gave Lin Jingxing a skewer.

While eating the meat, Zhou Yan's hands were not idle. The second batch of celery and beef was already cooked and distributed to everyone. Then, he put a handful of kidney slices into the pot, holding them apart with both hands to ensure they were fully cooked.

“These pork loin slices are good. Tell your husband to eat more of them. I got ten slices for Sanshui last time,” Zhao Tieying said to Meng Anhe.

Upon hearing this, Meng Anhe smiled and said, "Really? I'll ask Old Lin for a few more slices later too."

"Actually... I don't really like eating pork kidney that much." Lin Zhiqiang's expression was slightly unnatural.

"Eat up, we can't escape anyway." Zhou Miao raised his glass and clinked it with Lin Zhiqiang's. "The taste and texture are still pretty good."

"Alright." Lin Zhiqiang picked up his glass and took a sip; everything was in the wine.

Zhou Momo nestled between her parents, with a soy sauce dish on her plate. Every now and then, a piece of cooked meat would automatically appear on the plate. She shook her little head, eating with great relish.

Fresh ingredients, a flavorful broth, and Zhou Yan's masterful control of the heat—everyone raved about this mala tang meal.

Halfway through the meal, Zhou Yan called the proprietress to bring out egg fried rice.

Meng Anhe and Xia Yao, who were initially puzzled as they ate fried rice with mala tang, had their expressions light up as they ate the fried rice and mala tang.

"Wow! This fried rice smells so good, and it goes so well with spicy hot pot!" Meng Anhe exclaimed.

“Yeah, I was feeling a bit tired of the food, but these two bites of fried rice really helped cut through the richness. It’s delicious with the spicy hot pot!” Xia Yao nodded in agreement, looking at Zhou Yan and saying, “You’re such a connoisseur of food. This is the first time I’ve ever had hot pot and spicy hot pot with fried rice.”

"When it comes to eating, I'm definitely a professional, even more so than when it comes to cooking," Zhou Yan said with a smile. He wasn't exaggerating; he was a genuine food vlogger!

The children ate their fried rice in silence.

After lunch, Zhou Yan went to pay the bill.

Zhou Sanmei said with a smile, "It's fifteen yuan and twenty cents in total, give me fifteen yuan."

"Okay, thank you boss, I'll come again next time." Zhou Yan smiled and took out his wallet to pay the bill.

"Okay, take care." Zhou Sanmei smiled and saw everyone off at the door. These were truly important clients.

After leaving the mala tang restaurant, the group strolled around Dongda Street.

Zhou Yan suggested, "We're free this afternoon, why don't we all go see a Sichuan opera? It starts at two o'clock, so it'll be perfect for going back afterward."

“I think it’s a good idea, anyway, there’s nothing to do when we get back.” Meng Anhe nodded.

"Watch the face-changing performance!"

"The city is so nice!"

Lin Jingxing and Lin Bingwen were already getting excited.

Zhou Yan said, "Then you two can shop around for a while. I'll take Xia Yao to the department store. If we come back late, you can go and look around first."

Zhao Tieying waved her hand and said, "You guys go ahead, we'll buy tickets and go in ourselves. If you young people don't like Sichuan opera, you can go explore on your own. You don't have to come with us."

“Yes, you two go ahead and shop.” Meng Anhe had already taken Zhao Tieying’s arm and nodded with a smile.

“Okay.” Zhou Yan nodded. He wasn’t really interested in Sichuan opera, so he figured they might as well wander around Jiaozhou City. Zhou Yan rode his bicycle, taking Xia Yao with him, towards the department store.

As they passed the movie theater, Xia Yao let out a soft "hmm".

"What's wrong?" Zhou Yan squeezed the brakes, and the bicycle slowly came to a stop.

"Life is out, and I didn't expect that Jiaozhou Cinema would also be showing it. I was originally planning to watch it when I got back to Shancheng." Xia Yao said with a smile, "Zhou Yan, you treated me to dinner, so I'll treat you to a movie."

“Okay.” Zhou Yan nodded.

In a year lacking in entertainment, watching a newly released movie is such a novel and exciting thing.

They turned the car around and parked it in the parking lot in front of the Jiaozhou Cinema. They locked the car, gave the old man guarding the bicycles five cents, and the two walked side by side into the cinema.

The Chia-Chou Cinema boasts a grand exterior and is a landmark building, as well as a top choice for young men and women in Chia-Chou to go on dates.

It's the weekend, and young men and women dressed up carefully to go to the movies in pairs.

Of course, there were also girls who had arranged to come to the movies together.

Zhou Yan and Xia Yao walked side by side, not particularly noticeable.

But people often cast glances at you.

Zhou Yan is tall and handsome, making him easily noticeable in a crowd.

But when he sees Xia Yao beside him, he often shows a look of amazement.

"Look, that couple is really good-looking, just like movie stars."

"Where is he? That guy is so tall and handsome!"

"That girl is so beautiful! She's so stunning, a true beauty! She has such a great figure, such straight posture, and such a wonderful presence."

"Do good-looking people only date other good-looking people? Does that mean people like me who are average-looking are destined to have no chance? God is so unfair!"

"If you were that pretty, would you date a chubby guy?"

"No, I'll definitely eat something good! Wait... what do you mean by that? I'm not inviting you to the movies!"

Several girls who had come to see a movie together were whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with undisguised amazement. But as they talked, things got a little awkward.

Zhou Yan and Xia Yao didn't hear it; they were chatting.

"You've read 'Life' too?" Xia Yao looked at Zhou Yan and said with a smile, "I've read it twice. The first time, I stayed up all night and read it under the covers with a flashlight. I think it's really well written."

Zhou Yan nodded: "Yes, I stayed up all night reading the book I borrowed from Grandpa Wang a while ago. I never expected it to be made into a movie."

Xia Yao remarked with some emotion, "This book is truly excellent. It vividly portrays human nature and society, and after reading it, it has reshaped my understanding of society."

“Yes.” Zhou Yan nodded. For a girl like Xia Yao who had been well protected since childhood, it must have been quite shocking.

But for Zhou Yan, who grew up in an orphanage, the intensity was manageable. He had seen far more uglier aspects of the underworld, where mutual harm was not uncommon.

But one sentence in it left a deep impression on him: "The road of life is long, but often only a few steps are crucial."

He copied this sentence onto the title page of his diary.

That diary he never wrote in again.

Of course, the book is indeed very well written, and he is equally looking forward to the film adaptation.

"Comrade, are there any tickets left for 'Life' this afternoon? We need two tickets next to each other," Xia Yao asked the ticket seller as she approached the counter.

The ticket seller said, "There are two tickets left for the 1 o'clock show. You've come at the right time. They're only 30 cents each, and the seats are towards the back and the side. Do you want them? If not, you'll have to wait for the 3 o'clock show, and the seats will still be towards the back."

"Yes!" Xia Yao nodded decisively, took out a dollar and handed it over.

The ticket seller collected the money and gave Xia Yao change, handing her both tickets along with the change.

"Comrade, are there any tickets left for the morning show of 'Life'?" A young man jogged over and asked at the counter.

"There are no more early screenings. The last two tickets were bought by this beautiful lady. If you want to see it, you'll have to buy tickets for the 3 o'clock show." The ticket seller shook her head and said to Xia Yao, "Hurry up, there's only one minute left before the 1 o'clock show starts. The ticket gate is over there. Go inside and walk to the back row. Your tickets are in the last corner of the last row."

"Okay!" Xia Yao agreed, grabbed Zhou Yan's hand, and ran towards the ticket gate.

Zhou Yan's hand was grasped, and the warm, jade-like touch instantly enveloped her knuckles. She was slightly taken aback, and her heartbeat quickened involuntarily, but she reacted quickly, letting her lead her. She ran through the large lobby of the cinema and headed towards the ticket gate.

There were many audience members waiting for the next show in the hall, and they all looked at them.

"Two tickets for 'Life'!" Xia Yao handed the tickets to the ticket inspector, her breath slightly ragged from running, and a blush on her face.

The ticket checker was a round-faced woman wearing glasses. She took the ticket, snipped off a corner, and handed it back to Xia Yao with a smile, saying, "Your life will definitely be a journey of happiness. Go on, the movie has just started."

Xia Yao took the ticket and paused for a moment, then suddenly realized that she was holding Zhou Yan's hand. Her pretty face flushed red, and she subconsciously let go of his hand.

But the next moment, a warm, large hand grasped hers again, leading her towards the passage. Zhou Yan's gentle voice rang in her ears: "Let's go, it's a bit dark, watch your step."

Xia Yao looked up at his profile, her face flushed, her heart pounding faster and faster, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

His hands were so big, like a ball of fire enveloping hers. His fingertips had calluses from years of holding a kitchen knife, making them a little rough, which made her feel a little itchy.

This was the first time she had ever held a boy's hand, and the feeling was...so special.

Zhou Yan led Xia Yao into the screening room. The movie had just started and the light was a bit dim. They followed the aisle to the last row and found two empty seats.

"Thank you," Xia Yao said softly, not daring to look at him.

"You're welcome," Zhou Yan said gently, turning his head slightly to look at her. The light from the screen shone on her face, making even her earlobes blush pink. She looked beautiful and a little cute.

This is the first time I've seen her like this.

But she was the one who reached out first.

The movie had already started. The crescent-shaped arcade-style building had sixteen rows of seats. The space was very compact, but the design was very reasonable. Even if they were sitting in the last row on the side, they could still see the screen clearly without any obstruction.

The picture quality is certainly not good, but it is still clear. The mono sound lacks the impact of later surround sound, but the dialogue can still be heard clearly.

Zhou Yan turned his gaze back to the screen, but was quickly drawn to the film's visuals and plot. Although the visuals were relatively simple, the actors' performances and dialogue were excellent.

He had read the book, and when he watched the movie, he was still quite engrossed and moved by the story.

Xia Yao's mind was in turmoil. She would steal glances at Zhou Yan from time to time, and seeing him sitting upright and serious, she found it somewhat amusing.

Are all men like this? They've just held hands, and they can be engrossed in watching a movie again in no time.

The people sitting in front of me and next to me were all couples, either holding hands or with their heads on each other's shoulders. They were so intimate and sweet that even the air seemed to be sweet.

Xia Yao's heart also felt somewhat melancholy, just like Qiaozhen's on the screen.

No, no.

Xia Yao shook her head, trying to banish these strange thoughts from her mind.

"What's wrong?" Zhou Yan suddenly leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

Everyone was focused on the movie, and she knew he didn't want to disturb others, but he was too close. His hot breath brushed against her earlobe, and she instinctively shrank back.

I felt both shy and itchy, but I wasn't repulsed at all; in fact, I even found it a little sweet.

So it turns out he wasn't watching that seriously after all; he was still secretly keeping an eye on her.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little touched," Xia Yao replied softly.

As Zhou Yan watched the infidelity drama unfolding on the screen, the women around him were all gritting their teeth and cursing Gao Jialin for being a heartless scoundrel. He felt that Xia Yao was talking nonsense.

Xia Yao watched for a while and realized what she had said. She slowly lowered her head, wishing she could disappear into the ground.

After the movie ended and the lights came on, Zhou Yan and Xia Yao slowly got up after most of the people in the front row had left.

Zhou Yan took two steps forward, stopped, turned around and extended his hand to Xia Yao, "Watch out for the steps."

The theater lights weren't very bright, and the steps and passageways on the side were not very clear.

Xia Yao hesitated for three seconds, then reached out her left hand and took his hand.

He was very tall, and holding her hand as they descended the stairs felt perfectly natural; on the contrary, it gave her a great sense of security.

Once inside the passage, Zhou Yan let go of her hand and walked alongside her.

The blush on Xia Yao's face had not yet faded.

As they left the movie theater, Zhou Yan turned to look at her and said with a smile, "Was the screening room a bit stuffy?"

"Yeah, it's a bit stuffy." Xia Yao touched her burning face and nodded. "It's much better outside. There are so many people watching the movie; the theater is packed."

"There are quite a few, but watching them isn't very good for intimate relationships." Zhou Yan nodded, looking at several men in front of him who were coaxing their girlfriends; they had all just finished reading "Life."

"I'm asking you! If you met a woman like Huang Yaping, would you abandon me?"

"Don't touch me. I think you're just like Gao Jialin! You'd better explain who you had dinner with the day before yesterday?! Was it your director's niece?"

"I'm telling you, if you dare treat me like this, I'll report you! I... I'll beat you two scumbags to death!"

Xia Yao couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

The girl from Sichuan and Chongqing seems a bit different; she wouldn't say such harsh words.

"The department store is just ahead, why don't we walk there? It'll give us some fresh air and save us parking fees," Zhou Yan suggested.

"Okay," Xia Yao nodded, her fingers twitching slightly before she silently put the item back in her pocket.

　This chapter took a long time to polish~~ Xiao Zhou finally held hands!!!

　　Requesting monthly votes~
　　I'll write some tonight, and add an extra chapter tomorrow morning.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)