1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 349 This...is this what a genius is? (Bonus Chapter 355 for Monthly Tickets)

Ah Wei felt a little sad. He squatted by the door for a while and silently took the second volume of "Sichuan Cuisine Cooking" aside to read.

After a busy day, I opened the book, and the densely packed small characters looked like mischievous ants crawling all over the pages.

Ah Wei stared wide-eyed for a while, but felt like he hadn't absorbed anything. He suddenly felt sleepy and yawned three times in a row.

He quickly closed the book.

I felt much more awake immediately.

"Wei, were you the silly boy who sat in the last row when you were in school? The kind who was always praised by the teacher?" Zhou Momo appeared in front of him at some point, looking up at him with her little face full of curiosity.

“I… sit in the second to last row.” Awei scratched his head, trying to save face.

“Ah, second to last,” Zhou Momo said.

"You could have guessed that!" Ah Wei exclaimed in astonishment.

"Look, Sister Anrong must be really good at studying. She looks so focused on her studies," Zhou Momo said, pointing to Zeng Anrong, who was engrossed in reading in a corner.

Ah Wei shook his head: "Actually, those who study hard aren't necessarily very good. Someone with natural talent like me can learn it easily."

"Hmph, I don't believe it." Zhou Momo put her hands on her hips and shook her head, saying, "Awei, I'm just small, not stupid. I'm a model student in the literacy class!"

Ah Wei covered his face, feeling the mockery from the elementary school whiz.

He quietly opened the book and continued reading.

Life is truly difficult.

……

Life is truly joyful.

Zhou Yan and Xia Yao jogged side by side, chatting casually along the way.

"Have you been very busy lately? You even got permission to take leave at noon to go to the library to look up information," Zhou Yan asked.

Xia Yao smiled and shook her head: "I'm not actually busy lately. After the four small and four large designs of the Jiading silk series from Jiaozhou Textile Factory are completed, my internship will be basically over."

I'm doing my research to prepare for other design drafts. These past two days I've reviewed the history of Jiading silk and plan to redo the spring, summer, autumn, and winter series. However, I'll take these drafts to Licheng Group.

"The whole series is already planned?" Zhou Yan asked, somewhat surprised.

Xia Yao nodded: "Last weekend I went to my grandma's house and she showed me a lot of her treasured silk quilt covers. I saw many products from the peak of Jiading silk during the Republic of China period, which gave me a lot of inspiration."

I've drawn many sketches, and I expect to finish all the sketches for the four seasons series before returning to school. The spring and summer sketches should be finalized. While Mr. Yao is still in Jiaozhou, I plan to show him the drawings first.

"Amazing!" Zhou Yan gave a thumbs up, praising sincerely.

In his view, design should be an extremely difficult process, involving staying up all night, losing hair, and internal friction, which is why many designers, like programmers, go bald at a young age.

But this doesn't seem to have happened to Xia Yao.

The Jiading silk series that Yao Licheng praised so highly was designed and finalized after she came to the Jiaozhou Textile Factory, after she started researching and checking materials.

Because of those eight design drawings, Licheng Group signed a large order with Jiaozhou Textile Factory and decided to invest in building a factory in Jiaozhou.

It's only been a little over a week, and she's already finalizing a new series, covering spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with sixteen chapters of drawings.

This...is this what genius is?
Zhou Yan looked at Xia Yao and pondered, "Yao Licheng must value the Jiading Silk series very much, which is the main reason why he recruited you to be a designer at the Hong Kong headquarters."

It's probably within his expectations that your work on this series will be ongoing for a long time. The Jiading silk series, if developed in phases, will take at least a year. You could consult with Sister Meng and Uncle Lin about whether it's appropriate to hand over all the drawings to Yao Licheng at once.

Xia Yao was taken aback when she heard this: "What you said makes sense. I'll ask my aunt and the others tomorrow."

Zhou Yan has done many part-time jobs since childhood and is well-versed in the art of slacking off.

Generally speaking, the faster you work, the more work you get assigned.

Although I didn't earn more money, at least I was exhausted and had to endure the disdain and gossip from my colleagues.

Given Xia Yao's efficiency, even Licheng Group's production capacity might not be able to keep up.

Xia Yao, who hasn't graduated yet, has been well protected by her family since childhood. Zhou Yan felt that Sister Meng and Uncle Lin should teach her some ways to survive in the workplace.

"Thank you, Zhou Yan," Xia Yao said with a smile.

"You're welcome," Zhou Yan said with a smile and a shake of his head.

The two ran to the stone bridge and then turned back. Zhou Yan had been busy preparing the banquet today and got off work a little late, so it got dark halfway back.

Zhou Yan took out a flashlight from his pocket, turned on the switch, and a beam of light illuminated the road in front of him.

Xia Yao moved closer to him.

Zhou Yan naturally took her hand.

Her hands were small and her skin was very smooth. They felt like a flawless piece of mutton fat jade when you held them in your hand. They were a little cool when you first held them, but they warmed up after a while.

Zhou Yan was a little smug, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up. This was his girlfriend!
My girlfriend is beautiful and cute.

In the darkness, Xia Yao's lips curled up slightly. His hands were large and warm, and the calluses on his fingertips gently caressed her hands, making her feel a little itchy and tingly.

She loves it!
Zhou Yan only let go of her hand when they got back to the girls' dormitory building.

"I'm going up now. You should go back and get some rest. You must be exhausted after a long day." Xia Yao put her hands behind her back, looked up at him, and smiled.

Zhou Yan looked at her and said, "The cafeteria will be closed tomorrow morning, and our restaurant won't be selling breakfast either. Would you like to come to the restaurant for breakfast? After you eat, I'll take you to the morning market."

"Go to the morning market?" Xia Yao's eyes lit up, and she nodded decisively: "I'll go!"

"You can arrive at the store at eight in the morning and sleep in."

"Okay, goodnight then." Xia Yao waved to him, turned and left, taking the picture book from the guardhouse and going upstairs.

The lights on the third-floor dormitory came on, the window was opened, and a figure waved at him.

Zhou Yan smiled and waved his hand, then turned and walked towards the restaurant.

Back in the shop, Awei and Zeng Anrong each occupied a table and were reading.

Li Lihua and Zhao Hong had just finished washing the dishes. Today was the last day of 1984, and many guests had made plans to eat and drink with friends, so their closing time was extended. Aunt Zhao and Zhou Momo had gone to their literacy class; everyone understood that their studies shouldn't be neglected, so no one said anything.

“They haven’t left yet, perfect timing. I’ll settle everyone’s December wages. Also, we won’t be serving breakfast tomorrow morning, so you can come to the shop after 10 o’clock. We’re closed for half a day on New Year’s Day,” Zhou Yan said.

Upon hearing this, Li Lihua and Zhao Hong's tired expressions vanished, and expectant smiles appeared on their faces.

Which day of the month is the happiest?
That must be the day we get paid at the end of the month.

"Pay wages? Our restaurant pays wages at the end of the month?" Awei put down the book in his hand, greatly shocked.

Zeng Anrong also looked up, looking at Zhou Yan with some surprise.

“That’s right, that’s our restaurant’s rule: we pay salaries at the end of the month.” Zhou Yan nodded with a smile.

Ah Wei rubbed his hands together: "I worked for a week, did I get paid?"

"Don't even mention working for a week, Zeng gets paid for just one day," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"No, no, no, Teacher Zhou, I'm here to learn on my first day, how could I ask for a salary?" Zeng Anrong quickly stood up and waved her hands repeatedly.

“No way, you’ll be doing the same thing all day, so you’ll get your share.” Zhou Yan laughed, went behind the counter, pulled out the cash box, and started counting the money.

"Aunt Li, here's your salary." Zhou Yan counted out three ten-yuan bills and handed them to Li Lihua.

"Thank you, boss." Li Lihua happily accepted the money.

Zhou Yan took out another five yuan and handed it over: "You're welcome. This is your hard work. You've worked hard making steamed buns this month. This five yuan is your bonus for making steamed buns. In the second half of the month, our steamed bun sales maintained at 600, and you and Sister-in-law Zhao Hong deserve a lot of credit."

“This…” Li Lihua looked at the money in Zhou Yan’s hand, her face showing hesitation.

"Here, our restaurant has a clear system of rewards and punishments. The more you work, the more you earn. This is what you deserve." Zhou Yan stuffed the money into her hand.

"Thank you, boss." Li Lihua clenched the money in her hand, took it, and left.

"Sister-in-law, here's your salary and bonus." Zhou Yan handed Zhao Hong another stack of ten-yuan notes.

Zhao Hong's salary is fifty yuan, plus a five-yuan bonus, for a total of fifty-five yuan.

As Zhou Erwa's first official employee at the restaurant, and also her sister-in-law, her salary was slightly higher.

Of course, Zhao Hong is now the main waiter, and he is also responsible for clearing tables and washing dishes. The workload is not small, but he is worth the salary.

"Zhou Yan, I don't know what to say anymore." Zhao Hong held the money, her eyes slightly red, and she choked up for a moment.

“What’s there to talk to me about? Go talk to Brother Fei. He’s been waiting at the door for ages. Go home and talk slowly,” Zhou Yan said with a smile.

Zhao Hong smiled upon hearing this, put the money back in her pocket, sniffed, and turned to leave.

"What happened? Did Zhou Yan scold you?" Zhou Fei asked with concern as he watched Zhao Hong come out with red eyes and a sniffling nose.

He was met with an iron fist.

"Nonsense! When did Zhou Yan ever scold me? He paid me my salary!" Zhao Hong rolled her eyes at him, moved closer to him, and whispered, "Fifty-five!"

Zhou Fei was rubbing his chest when he heard this, his eyes widened slightly: "A lot?"

"Fifty-five! Fifty yuan for wages, plus five yuan as a bonus for making steamed buns! I'm rich!" Zhao Hong whispered in his ear, her excitement barely concealed.

Zhou Fei grinned foolishly, got on his bike, and drove Zhao Hong toward Zhou Village. "Fifty-five a month! Zhao Hong, you're amazing! I only get fifty yuan a month when I help my old man slaughter cattle. You really are the pillar of our family."

Zhao Hong put her arm around his waist and said earnestly, "Earning thirty-five is my ability, earning fifty-five is Zhou Yan's favor. You are a true brother to me. If you ever need anything, you must take it to heart and do right by Fourth Aunt and her family."

“Okay! Definitely.” Zhou Fei nodded.

……

"Thirty-five! Old He, I can earn thirty-five yuan a month now!" Li Lihua followed He Yong toward home, her face beaming with excitement.

"Your boss is so generous! Not only does he pay high salaries, but he also gives out bonuses," He Yong said with a sigh.

Li Lihua nodded with a smile: "Boss Zhou is impeccable. Although his work requirements are high, he's not long-winded. As long as you do your job well, you'll always hear more praise than criticism, unlike those old hands in state-run restaurants. Making steamed buns has been tiring lately, but the extra five yuan bonus makes it all worthwhile."

"It's just too tiring. I see you go straight to sleep when you get home. I'm worried your body can't take it."

"It's alright. A new chef joined the restaurant today, so I won't have to do those cutting and preparation tasks anymore. My workload has actually decreased."

"Another chef?"

……

"Xiao Zeng, here's your wages for one day's work, it's four yuan and fifty cents in total." Zhou Yan handed the money to Zeng Anrong.

“This money, I…” Zeng Anrong hesitated.

"Sister Zeng, please take this. If you don't take it, how am I supposed to take it?" Awei took the money and stuffed it directly into Zeng Anrong's hand.

Zeng Anrong held the money, feeling somewhat uneasy, and looked at Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan smiled and nodded: "Awei is right. This is our restaurant's rule. It has always been like this, and the employees who come later also follow the same rule. This is your hard-earned money. You can take it without any guilt."

Zeng Anrong nodded upon hearing this, and then she felt relieved.

"Here you go, Awei, this is your salary." Zhou Yan handed Awei a stack of money.

Ah Wei immediately counted them all, then exclaimed in surprise, "Thirty-two? Master Zhou? You even paid me on Sundays?"

“You did a lot of work on Sunday, including tending the pigs and doing odd jobs, so it’s time to pay you.” Zhou Yan nodded with a smile.

"Hey! Master Zhou! Boss Zhou! From now on, I'll be your most useful gun! You tell me where to shoot, and I'll shoot!"

"loyalty!"

Ah Wei was so moved that he almost bowed to Zhou Yan.

"Alright, alright, just focus on your work and don't bother with all that fluff," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"This is awesome! I'm going to go and spend some money tomorrow!" Ah Wei said, his smile beaming as he held the money.

(End of this chapter)