1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 28 Good boy? Glasses? Fat kid?

All eyes at the restaurant entrance fell on Zhou Yan.

The workers watching found it strange that these university teachers and students weren't going in to eat, but instead were chatting enthusiastically around a clay stove.

Is Zhou Yan's stove really that special?
Xia Yao looked at Zhou Yan with a smile. She wasn't surprised. Zhou Yan's way of thinking was not like that of a cook; he was more flexible and smarter.

Zhao Hong had already hidden herself to the side, afraid of being noticed.

With nowhere to hide while guarding the pot, Zhao Tieying could only look at Zhou Yan as well.

She didn't understand what tracing the origins or brand building meant, but what the university professor said was indeed what Zhou Yan had done, and the effect of attracting customers was indeed quite good.

But Zhou Yan didn't even finish high school, so how did he manage to impress university professors?
Zhao Tieying felt a little numb in her hands and feet. She hadn't even graduated from elementary school and had only attended a literacy class for a month, but she still felt subconsciously nervous when she saw the teacher.

Zhou Yan wasn't nervous at all. He'd never blushed in public since he was seven, when he used to fight with older folks over bottles. Four years as a shop-exploration blogger had further honed his thick skin, making him incredibly composed.

"Yes, teacher, that is indeed the approach I took when I did these things. You are so professional," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

Lin Zhiqiang nodded slightly. Zhou Yan's words were skillful, praising Su Jun while also affirming his own abilities.

Su Jun laughed upon hearing this and asked, "How did you come up with the idea of ​​writing the sign on the stove?"

“I originally planned to make a neon sign, which would be more eye-catching and absolutely unique in town. It would attract a lot of customers just by looking at the spectacle. But I went to Jiaozhou to inquire, and the price was quite expensive, which I simply couldn’t afford,” Zhou Yan explained. “So I had no choice but to buy brushes and paint and write the sign myself.”

"As you said, building such a tall earthen stove at the entrance of the restaurant is already eye-catching enough. When the aroma of the broth wafts out, everyone will subconsciously look for the source. Writing the signboard and brand story on the stove will achieve the best advertising effect."

Upon hearing this, the university students looked at Zhou Yan differently.

No, he really knows!
Advertising design is experiencing a revival in the past two years. Teachers have increased courses and teaching in this area, and there are even more and more advertisements on television.

Unexpectedly, in this small town restaurant, there was a young owner who was making his own signboard and advertising, and even trying to create a brand.

"That's right, this is the wisdom of the common people." Su Jun nodded repeatedly, looking at Zhou Yan with admiration. "Did you write these characters yourself?"

“I wrote it,” Zhou Yan nodded.

Su Jun smiled and said, "The handwriting is decent, but the signboard has a clear distinction between the main and secondary elements, the colors are well matched, and the overall effect is excellent. You have quite a talent."

"You flatter me," Zhou Yan said hastily.

The college students were somewhat surprised. Professor Su rarely praised anyone and was known as "Iron Face Su" in the department. His classes were very strict, and it was considered good if you didn't get scolded.

"Hey? Even university professors are praising Zhou Yan for his talent. He's pretty impressive."

"This kid is just like a monkey from Mount Emei—incredibly clever."

"Most people would struggle to speak properly in this kind of situation, but he wasn't nervous or stage-frightened at all."

The workers watching were also whispering among themselves.

Zhao Tieying smiled. The fact that her son Zhou Yan could receive praise from the professor made her, as his mother, feel proud.

"Alright, let's go inside and eat. I can see everyone's already drooling from the aroma of this beef soup," Su Jun said, leading the way into the restaurant.

Everyone responded and followed them inside. After touring the factory all morning, the aroma of meat made them quite hungry.

Zhao Tieying quickly gestured for everyone to sit down: "Come, come, behave yourselves, you can sit here or there..."

"Thank you, Auntie," the female students replied, echoing Xia Yao's words.

"Glasses, please sit here." Aunt Zhao gestured for a boy to sit down.

"Huh? Auntie, you call them all 'good boy' but me 'glasses'?" Wang Chen pushed up his glasses and asked with a smile.

"Only female students are called 'good girl,' look how well-behaved they are," Aunt Zhao explained with a smile, then beckoned to another boy, "Handsome, can you sit here?"

"Then why did you call Ma Xingye handsome?" Wang Chen asked, looking hurt.

"Oh, Fatty, don't worry about that. Look at him, he's tall and strong, just as handsome as my son," Aunt Zhao said, waving her hand.

"Fatty? What happened again?" Wang Chen sighed, feeling even more hurt.

The students next to me were laughing so hard they were practically going crazy.

"Come on, Fatty, sit at this table with us." Ma Xingye smiled and pulled Wang Chen to sit down next to him.

"How does this auntie know my nickname?" Wang Chen sat down and couldn't help but laugh, looking at Ma Xingye and saying, "Let me see just how handsome this big boy really is." "Get lost!" Ma Xingye laughed and scolded, but his gaze drifted to the table next to him.

"Only noodles and braised beef? Isn't this a restaurant? Why is it a noodle shop?" Wang Chen muttered, staring at the menu on the wall.

At the next table, Xia Yao was sitting with Deng Hong, Zhu Yuyu, and another female classmate, discussing something.

"Xia Yao, you've eaten here before. Which noodle dish do you think is the best?" Zhu Yuyu asked.

"I love braised pork rib noodles. Zhou Yan's braised pork ribs are definitely the most delicious I've ever eaten, even better than my dad's," Xia Yao said with a smile. "But the other two noodle dishes are also very good, especially the double-pepper beef noodles, which are very popular."

"The beef skewers smell delicious! Shall we order some to try?" Deng Hong suggested.

“Sure, I’d like to try it too.” Xia Yao nodded.

"Zhou Yan is so handsome, does he have a girlfriend?" Zhu Yuyu asked with a gossipy look.

"Yes, aren't you even a little bit tempted?" Deng Hong also chimed in.

"Shh, don't talk nonsense." Xia Yao glared at the two of them and whispered, "My uncle is sitting in the back."

Deng Hong and Zhu Yuyu glanced at Lin Zhiqiang's table and couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle.

Lin Zhiqiang, Su Jun, and two teachers were at a table, and he was enthusiastically recommending what to eat to them.

The simplicity of the menu at Zhou Erwa Restaurant surprised Su Jun and the other two teachers.

The sign outside says it's a restaurant, but the menu only has three noodle dishes and one braised beef dish?
Lin Zhiqiang didn't remind them before entering the store.

Now that I'm sitting in the shop, I can't say anything more.

"Then I'll have a plate of braised beef with chili peppers and a plate of beef noodles with double peppers." Su Jun ordered the food and started chatting with Lin Zhiqiang about Zhou Yan.

In fact, Su Jun had originally declined the invitation from Jiaozhou Textile Factory.

The main destinations for this sketching and learning trip to Jiaozhou were Mount Emei and the Jiaozhou Buddha. There were no plans to visit any companies, and as the department head, he did not intend to add any extra activities to the itinerary.

As a result, Xia Yao fell into the water when she came to Suji to visit relatives last week. When her aunt called him to ask for leave, he was so shocked that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Xia Yao's mother, Meng Zhilan, was his senior at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and had the same mentor. Although they hadn't been in contact much in recent years, he would find it very difficult to face Xia Yao if something happened to her.

Moreover, he is in charge of this event. If something really happens to Xia Yao, he will definitely lose his position as department head and will definitely be punished.

Fortunately, Zhou Yan saved Xia Yao, minimizing the impact of the incident.

After Xia Yao returned, she reported what happened and said that the brave young man had left a deep impression on her.

They are returning to Shancheng tomorrow, and he made a last-minute appointment with the school to visit and learn at Jiaozhou Textile Factory for a day to explore the possibility of school-enterprise cooperation.

Of course, my main reason for coming was to meet Zhou Yan in person.

Lin Zhiqiang praised Zhou Yan without any reservation, making even Zhou Yan, who was cooking noodles in the kitchen, feel embarrassed.

But Zhao Tieying loved to hear it. The deputy factory director praising Zhou Yan meant that he had gained the leader's appreciation, which was Zhou Yan's ability.

The restaurant was packed with college students, and many workers followed them in to try the delicious "Qiaojiao Beef," a dish even college students were eating.

The restaurant has nineteen tables, and they were all full at noon today.

With only noodles and braised beef, most college students didn't have high expectations.

But as the noodles and braised beef were served, gasps of surprise echoed throughout the restaurant:

Wow! This spicy beef and chili noodle soup smells amazing!

"These braised pork ribs are absolutely amazing! They fall off the bone with just a touch, the flavor is simply incredible!"

"Braised beef with dried bamboo shoots is the best! It smells so good!"

"Drink the soup! This beef soup is truly delicious!"

"Auntie, please give us some more pickled radishes, they're so delicious!"

……

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(End of this chapter)