1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 296 I'll save the biggest room for you (Part 2)

After a satisfying meal, Zhuang Huayu and Yao Licheng followed Lin Zhiqiang to his home to admire his father-in-law's paintings.

Zhuang Huayu stared at it for a full hour, completely captivated.

Unfortunately, Lin Zhiqiang couldn't make the decision and could only leave his quote before leaving helplessly.

At the entrance of the family compound, Zhuang Huayu held Lin Zhiqiang's hand and repeatedly urged, "Brother Lin, be sure to call me as soon as your wife comes back. You know the guesthouse's phone number. If I'm not here, just leave a message and have someone come find me."

"Okay, Lao Zhuang, don't worry. When my wife gets back, I'll tell her right away whether it's for sale or not. I'll give you a definite answer." Lin Zhiqiang nodded with a smile, watching their car drive away, then reached out to hold onto the door frame to steady himself.

Hong Kong bosses are incredibly generous.

The smallest of the three paintings was priced at 50,000.

Fifty thousand!
He would have to work for twenty years to earn that much money!

The urge to go into business suddenly resurfaced.

The garment industry is changing rapidly and booming. Many of his former colleagues in Suzhou have started their own factories and are doing very well.

In today's market, supply cannot meet demand. As long as clothes can be produced and the styles can keep up with the trends, there is no need to worry about sales.

Previously, my worry was that I didn't have any start-up capital, and I was afraid that I couldn't bear the risks of bank loans, after all, I still had two sons to raise.

When Anhe comes back tomorrow, we'll ask her what she thinks. If she's willing to sell a painting, then the deal will be half done.

……

"Old Zhuang, you're much more decisive when it comes to buying paintings than when it comes to buying formulas. You open them for 50,000 or 80,000 without batting an eye," Yao Licheng said heartily in the car.

“Master Meng Hanwen’s paintings are priced as they are on the market. These paintings have excellent subjects and were given to his daughter. They are very rare on the market. The master’s paintings from the 1970s are worth this price.” Zhuang Huayu could not hide his joy. “Old Lin is also a good person. Maybe I will go with him to visit the master next month. I can’t do something like arbitrarily setting prices.”

“Old Lin is indeed a good person. He’s a man of action. He studied abroad, knows technology, and has a broad vision.” Yao Licheng nodded in agreement, then paused and said, “I plan to stay in Jiaozhou for another week to conduct a more in-depth investigation of Jiaozhou’s silk industry. If the policies are suitable, I might set up a factory here to be responsible for the rough processing of silk raw materials and dyeing processes.”

"So sudden?" Zhuang Huayu was a little surprised, then suddenly realized, "No wonder you went to investigate the production line after signing the contract today, and also learned so much about the situation of Jiaozhou silk industry from Lin Zhiqiang."

Yao Licheng said unhurriedly, "The mainland has developed very rapidly in recent years. Licheng Group's products, the Hong Kong factory now only produce the two most high-end series, not because the Guangzhou factory can't produce them, but simply to satisfy the sense of superiority that certain groups feel towards Hong Kong."

Over 90% of our group's production capacity has now been transferred to our factory in Guangzhou. Workers in inland areas have lower wages, are hardworking, and when deadlines are tight, as long as overtime pay is sufficient, they will complete the work on time and with guaranteed quality without complaint. These are all advantages, and industrial relocation is irreversible.

Since last year, I've actually been researching where to establish a source factory for silk products, creating a closed-loop production process. I was initially considering Guocheng, but after this trip to Suji, I've changed my mind and decided to build the factory in Jiaozhou.

"Could it be because of Zhou Yan's two meals?" Zhuang Huayu's expression was slightly strange.

Yao Licheng shook his head: "It's Lin Zhiqiang."

"You want to poach him?"

“That’s right. I need a senior executive who understands technology and has a good understanding of the Suji textile industry to take charge of the Jiaozhou factory. Today, when I went to inspect the textile factory’s production line, I was actually assessing Lin Zhiqiang’s professional capabilities.” Yao Licheng smiled and said, “He’s a real talent. He can talk about every single machine in the factory in great detail, he knows the production process like the back of his hand, and he even trained the factory’s mechanics. You could even say that the textile factory can do without a factory manager, but it can’t do without him as the deputy factory manager.”

Zhuang Huayu nodded and added, "He's the deputy factory director, a high-ranking official. If you want to poach him, the price won't be low, and he might not even be willing."

“That’s right. The textile factory director is about to retire. Given Lin Zhiqiang’s performance over the years, he has a good chance of being promoted to director.” Yao Licheng nodded. “After I confirm the investment in building the factory, I will ask him to have a more in-depth talk with him.”

Zhuang Huayu laughed: "If you build a factory in Jiaozhou, then Xia Yao will have a third office location to choose from?"

“If she joins the company, she will definitely need to work at headquarters for a period of time to get a feel for the company’s work processes. After that, depending on her career path, there is a real possibility that she could be sent to Suzhou.” Yao Licheng smiled when he heard this. “Perhaps, this can also be used as a condition for negotiating her employment, and we can use her to persuade Lin Zhiqiang.”

"It has to be you again, Lao Yao."

……

"Xia Yao."

"Zhou Yan".

"You speak first."

Downstairs in the girls' dormitory, the two spoke in unison, and then both laughed.

"You go first," Zhou Yan said, raising his hand.

"Let's talk as we walk." Xia Yao had already noticed her colleagues slowing down and casting glances at her. Remembering what Wang Wei had said at noon, she desperately wanted to escape.

“Okay.” Zhou Yan nodded, and the two walked slowly along the riverbank.

"Did you know that the Hong Kong boss who was dining at your shop today placed an order on the spot after seeing my Jiading silk design series?" Xia Yao's voice was filled with excitement, and her smile revealed a hint of pride.

"Really?" Zhou Yan paused, looking at her in amazement. "You're amazing! You've only been here for half a month, and you've already secured an order for the textile factory!"

Xia Yao pursed her lips: "Actually, it's mainly because the textile factory's products are of high quality."

“No, if it weren’t for the purses you made, they would have gone home after lunch today, and there wouldn’t have been a second visit to the textile factory.” Zhou Yan shook his head and looked at her seriously, saying, “If it weren’t for your Jiading silk series, Mr. Yao wouldn’t have placed an order. They visited the textile factory yesterday, and the reception they received was of a higher standard than today.”

Xia Yao looked at him, a slight smile playing on her lips.

It sounds good, I love it.

After he finished speaking, Xia Yao said, "In addition to signing the order, Mr. Yao privately invited me to work at Licheng Group after graduation. I can choose between two directions: clothing design and advertising design, and the work location can be either Hong Kong or Guangzhou."

"Now not only have we secured the order, but we've also solved the job problem." Zhou Yan smiled and asked curiously, "Are you familiar with Licheng Group? How strong is it?"

Xia Yao said, "Licheng Group is a top-tier company in Hong Kong's garment industry. It has factories in Guangzhou and its products are exported to Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. It owns several well-known brands. Our teacher even used Licheng Group as a case study in class. It is very powerful in the textile and garment industry."

"That's great! Joining a big company after graduation is a good choice." Zhou Yan nodded, looking at her and asking, "What are your thoughts?"

“I didn’t give him an answer on the spot. I want to think carefully before making a decision about my first job after graduation,” Xia Yao said. “However, the conditions they offered were indeed quite good, with a monthly salary of 10,000 yuan. If an individual were to submit a resume to Licheng Group, it would be very difficult to get that salary.”

"Ten thousand? That's a very generous salary." Zhou Yan was a little surprised when he heard this, and looked at Xia Yao: "But with your skills, this salary is reasonable. After all, Mr. Zhuang offered me ten thousand when he recruited me to be the head chef in Hong Kong."

"Really?" Xia Yao's eyes lit up, looking at him expectantly. "Then... are you going?"

Zhou Yan shook his head: "I refused. I've decided to stay in Jiaozhou and open a restaurant. I finally bought the house and have all the plans. If I go to Hong Kong, I might not be able to have a better future."

Sure enough... Xia Yao's eyes dimmed slightly. Just a moment ago, she was hoping that the two of them could reunite in Hong Kong and work hard together.

“That’s true. You’re an excellent chef and owner. It would be a real waste of your talent to stay in someone else’s restaurant kitchen as a head chef.” Xia Yao looked at him, a hint of pride in her eyes, but then a trace of confusion appeared. “Tell me, should I go?”

Zhou Yan looked down at her with a smile and said gently, "Just make the choice you think is right. Don't worry too much about the rest. We're still young."

“You’re young.” Xia Yao smiled as well.

Yes, she's only twenty-one, a twenty-one that should be full of courage.

"Then..." Xia Yao pursed her lips, her hands hanging by her trouser legs slowly clenched into fists, and she looked up at Zhou Yan, her face slightly red, but this time she did not look away, "If I go to Hong Kong or Guangzhou, will you come to see me?"

"Yes." Zhou Yan nodded, her determination unwavering. "I hope you are doing well, both in your work and your life."

"You're so kind." Xia Yao's lips curled up slightly, and she suddenly felt like there was nothing to worry about anymore. "By the way, what were you about to say?"

"Grandma sold her braised food recipe, and Mr. Zhuang gave her 40,000 yuan. With this money, the courtyard and restaurant can officially start operations after the New Year," Zhou Yan said with a smile. "When you come to Jiaozhou again next time, you can stay in my courtyard and paint in the new study."

"Really?" Xia Yao's eyes lit up, her gaze fixed on him. "Then, will you reserve a room for me?"

“Sure, I’ll reserve the biggest room for you.” Zhou Yan nodded.

Xia Yao looked at his face; his expression was so sincere, it didn't seem like he was joking.

Shouldn't the largest room be the master bedroom?
he……

Her face turned red again.

"don't want?"

"Yes!" Xia Yao nodded immediately.

Zhou Yan's lips curled into a smile.

"Ah, you're so naughty!" Xia Yao clenched her fist, her face turning even redder.

Zhou Yan looked at her; she was so cute, with a flushed face and a soft voice.

“If you go to Hong Kong, I will write to you every week, just like Uncle Wang.”

"Hong Kong is farther than Chongqing, so how long will it take me to receive your letter?"

"It will arrive in six days."

"When you put it that way, it doesn't seem that far off."

They didn't run today; instead, they walked along the riverbank for a long time, chatting about their courtyard, Hong Kong, and the future.

Zhou Yan also shared the gossip about Wang Laowu with Xia Yao, who listened with great interest, her eyes shining.

Sure enough, no one can resist a fresh piece of gossip, especially one that happened right next to them. When the story of Liu Fen's decisive victory over Wang Laowu came up, Xia Yao's eyes widened, her shock mingling with a conflicted feeling of not knowing whether she should understand or not.

Speaking of He Ermao riding his tricycle, carrying Liu Fen, away as the sun rose.

Xia Yao clapped her hands and cheered, "That's great! A guy like Wang Laowu deserves to be a bachelor for life!"

"Exactly! He'll probably be in jail for a while longer."

Thinking about how heartbroken Wang Laowu was, the two of them laughed heartily.

Indeed, gossiping is the easiest way to bring two people closer.

Before she knew it, it was dark, and Xia Yao instinctively moved closer to him.

A large hand grasped hers, warm and strong, dispelling the chill.

Xia Yao's body tensed up instantly, as if the surrounding air had become quiet, with only the loud pounding of her heart.

"Your hands are a little cold. Starting tomorrow, come to the shop every day and have a bowl of 'Qiaojiao Beef' (a type of beef dish). It's on me." Zhou Yan's clear and warm voice rang in my ears.

"Ah? Oh, okay." Xia Yao nodded. Luckily, it was dark, so he couldn't see her blushing face.

But he's really funny.

The last person who told her to drink more soup because her hands were cold in winter was her grandmother. During her first winter break in college, she drank chicken soup at her grandmother's house for a full two weeks and gained three pounds!

Zhou Yan tilted his head slightly to look at her. The moon was very round tonight. Under the moonlight, he could see the road and also vaguely make out her appearance.

Her hands were a little cold, her fingers were slender, and her skin was smooth. Holding them in my hand felt like holding a piece of jade, which gradually became warm and smooth.

His heart was beating very fast.

I admit I'm a bit pathetic.

But today he took her hand first.

Tell Grandma I'm not a coward!

Once they were back downstairs at the dormitory, Zhou Yan finally let go of her hand.

Xia Yao looked at him with a bright smile, "Zhou Yan, see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." Zhou Yan nodded and watched her go upstairs.

The light came on in the third-floor window, and soon the window was opened, revealing a figure standing at the window waving at him.

Zhou Yan raised his hand and waved it, then turned and walked towards the restaurant, his upturned lips impossible to suppress, and his steps exceptionally light.

Back at the hotel, the door was locked, indicating that Aunt Zhao and her classmates' literacy class hadn't ended yet.

Zhou Yan took out his keys to open the door, and just as he was about to close it, he noticed a flashlight slowly swaying over and stopping at the restaurant entrance.

"Brother! Look, I got a star!" Zhou Momo was lifted off the front bar by Old Zhou and immediately ran over with her short legs, holding up the notebook in her hand.

"Out of thirty-three illiterate people, she came in first place. The teachers all praised her for her beautiful handwriting," Aunt Zhao said with a smile as she got off the back seat.

"Am I good?" The little guy tilted his head back, his chubby little face beaming with "Praise me! Praise me!"

"Wow~ Our Momo is really amazing." Zhou Yan bent down and saw the little red star drawn in red pen at the top of the notebook cover. He reached out and patted her head. "Great job, you got a reward from the teacher."

The little guy's eyes crinkled with laughter, like a well-behaved kitten that lets itself be petted.

"The teacher said to keep it up! I'm going to do my homework!" The little guy grabbed his notebook, ran into the room, found a well-lit table, sat down, took out his pencil, and began to write diligently.

Judging from this, it seems the Zhou family is about to produce a literary genius.

Of course, I guess I'd call myself a top student in the literacy class now.

If there are top students in the literacy class...

"Mom, what about you?" Zhou Yan asked with a smile, looking at Aunt Zhao who was holding a notebook with grid paper in her hand.

Aunt Zhao stopped laughing, her expression slightly embarrassed, and said, "The teacher said I should practice more. Zhou Yan, could you teach me how to write characters correctly? I feel like my characters are crooked and not fully developed."

“Okay, let’s start with how to hold a pen.” Zhou Yan nodded.

"You need to be nicer, okay? I'm your mom after all. If you piss me off, even if you're a teacher, I'll still hit you."

Zhou Yan: "..."

The power of interpretation is indeed in the hands of the fist.

Whoever has the stronger fist gets to call the shots.

"What were those two bosses doing this afternoon? They didn't leave afterward." Aunt Zhao asked casually.

Zhou Yan closed the door and casually said, "One of them signed a big contract with the textile factory because of Xia Yao's introduction."

"Oh? It's done? I saw them follow Xia Yao into the textile factory. Yesterday, a bus came into the textile factory, saying that a big boss was coming to do some research." Aunt Zhao was a little surprised and happy: "Xia Yao is really outstanding. This girl is so good at handling things."

"Yes, that's right." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile. Zhao Niangniang's affection for Xia Yao was written all over her face; she couldn't hide it at all.

"The other boss came to buy a recipe for braised dishes."

"What?"

"What do you want to buy?"

Aunt Zhao and Comrade Zhou were both surprised to hear this and looked at Zhou Yan at the same time.

"Braised dish recipe, braising liquid recipe," Zhou Yan said, lowering his voice slightly.

Aunt Zhao glared at her: "This thing is your grandmother's treasure! How dare you sell it?"

“That’s right! That pot of old braising liquid at home is your grandma’s lifeline.” Old Zhou nodded in agreement.

"It sold for 40,000 yuan," Zhou Yan added.

The restaurant suddenly fell silent.

"Gulu~"

Aunt Zhao swallowed hard, and spoke very loudly.

Comrade Lao Zhou's expression was also shocked, with a hint of bewilderment.

"forty thousand?"

Aunt Zhao held up four fingers, and asked again in disbelief, "Forty thousand?"

“Yes, it’s 40,000. Tomorrow, take a sack to the guesthouse to fill it with the money.” Zhou Yan nodded.

Aunt Zhao picked up the herbal teapot next to her and took a big gulp, then reached out and pinched Old Zhou's waist.

"Ouch...it hurts!" Comrade Zhou grimaced.

"It hurts! The pain means it's not a dream." Aunt Zhao rationally confirmed reality, but her expression was somewhat conflicted: "Forty thousand... that's... that's too much, isn't it? Wouldn't it be bad to sell it? Won't your grandma be angry if she finds out?"

Forty thousand—back when they were slaughtering cattle, they might not have earned forty thousand in their entire lives.

Zhou Yan earned 40,000 yuan by selling a recipe for braised dishes.

What's the difference between this and a gold nugget falling from the sky and landing right in front of him?

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "How could I dare to make the decision? It was Grandma who decided to sell it, and she even negotiated the price."

"what?"

Aunt Zhao and Comrade Zhou were stunned again upon hearing this.

“Actually, Grandma sold it more than once. She once sold it to a restaurant owner in Yibin and even gave him a jar of old braising liquid as a gift.” Zhou Yan explained with a smile, “Grandma is very insightful. She has been selling braised food all her life but has never been able to sell it in Jiaozhou or to a boss in Hong Kong. The money she made is practically free.”

Comrade Zhou and Aunt Zhao laughed when they heard this; it was indeed something an old lady would say.

Zhao Niangniang suppressed her excitement and looked at Zhou Yan, saying, "I don't think this money should belong to our family. Either we return it to your grandmother, or we five families can split it equally."

“Your mother makes sense,” Old Zhou nodded in agreement.

"Grandma told me not to make a fuss, and to bring the money to build the house first," Zhou Yan said.

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)