1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 46 Who knows, he might really become an uncle someday?

Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile, "You didn't know that Zhou Yan's restaurant has been upgraded during your trip to Rongcheng. Now it not only sells noodles, but also braised beef, stir-fries, and braised dishes."

“Zhou Yan’s noodle business was just starting to pick up, why is he in such a hurry to expand again? Didn’t you say that he almost went bankrupt selling stir-fries and braised dishes?” Meng Anhe frowned slightly.

“I don’t think his expansion was reckless. The noodles were popular in the morning, but not so much at lunch and dinner, so he added braised beef to his dishes and the business improved. Now he sells noodles in the morning and serves lunch and dinner, which helps him to cater to both.”

Lin Zhiqiang analyzed, "The dishes he sells are very simple: braised pork ribs, beef with dried bamboo shoots, and minced beef with double peppers are the toppings and sauces. The braised beef with pork knuckles sells well, and he only added a dish of crucian carp with mint."

Meng Anhe thought for a moment and nodded: "He's trying to steal the small group of diners who eat stir-fries from your factory canteen."

"It's funny, there was a commotion at the factory canteen at noon today. Zhao Dong led the way and they almost smashed the canteen up..." Lin Zhiqiang told Meng Anhe about the gossip about the trouble at the factory canteen at noon today.

Meng Anhe was overjoyed after hearing this, and suddenly said, "So, you're planning to introduce Zhou Yan to Director Wang?"

“That’s right. If Zhou Yan’s cooking satisfies the factory director, I will definitely recommend him.” Lin Zhiqiang nodded. “Back then, Zhou Yan got into a fight with Wang Defa in the factory canteen. He was young and hot-blooded and injured Wang Defa, which had a bad influence. He was just an apprentice, so he was fired.”

“Wang Defa is petty and narrow-minded, not a good person. After the commotion at the factory canteen today, he will inevitably be scolded by Liu Yusheng. The stir-fries at the factory canteen are his proudest achievement since he took office. He must be unwilling to accept that Zhou Yan has taken away his customers.”

“Zhou Yan’s small restaurant may seem to be thriving, but it’s a rented storefront in a textile factory. In this small town, Wang Defa has plenty of ways and means to cause trouble.”

Meng Anhe couldn't help but laugh: "You really think a lot about him. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were his uncle."

"Isn't that what we should do? He's Yao Yao's savior. We can never repay Zhou Yan's kindness." Lin Zhiqiang smiled. "Besides, who knows, he might really become an uncle in the future."

"What do you mean by that?" Meng Anhe raised an eyebrow, somewhat wary. "What happened during your visit and study the other day?"

"No, I was just saying it offhand." Lin Zhiqiang quickly shut up.

"Confess quickly, or I'll pinch you!" Meng Anhe's hand pinched the soft flesh of his waist.

"No, no, no, it's nothing. I just think Zhou Yan is handsome and reliable..."

Their two sons followed behind, the older one in third grade and the younger one in first grade. They were both well-mannered, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, inheriting the best features of their parents.

They were both excited to be able to eat out today.

Lin Zhiqiang is busy with work, but Meng Anhe is even busier. She works at the architectural design institute in Chengdu for at least five days a week, and can only return to Suji to visit her husband and children who are left behind after finishing her projects.

The two children are usually picked up and dropped off by the aunt next door, and they also get meals there. She only needs to pay a small amount for their food each month. They are basically raised without any care.

"Mom, is that cute little sister that my cousin Yao Yao mentioned in the restaurant we're going to eat at?" Lin Jingxing asked.

"Is the kimchi made by them? We finished the ones we brought back last time, can we ask for some more?" The younger brother, Lin Bingwen, was more concerned about the pickled radishes that were added to the porridge in the morning.

"Yes, the little girl's name is Zhou Momo. She's still young, so don't scare her when we meet her." Meng Anhe turned to look at the two of them and instructed them, "I'll ask the boss for some more pickled radishes later."

"Okay." The two little ones nodded in agreement.

……

It was rush hour, and the bicycles outside the textile factory gate poured out like water released from a dam.

The vendors at the entrance immediately perked up and hurriedly began hawking their wares.

In just half an hour, once everyone leaves, we'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Not to be outdone, Zhou Liangliang raised his hoarse voice and shouted, "Come on, come on! Grand opening specials, super discounted prices! Noodles for three cents a bowl, with an ounce of meat in one bowl! Zhoucun hot pot, also three cents a bowl! Three cents a bowl..."

His loud voice did attract some attention, but it was mostly met with disdain.

"Again? Three cents a bowl of meat for an ounce? I'm terrified!" "I'm afraid it's some diseased pork they got from somewhere again. One Wang Laowu left, and now another Wang Laoliu is here?"

"The soup pot that costs three cents a bowl smells terrible as soon as you get close. It's full of the muttony smell of beef offal. It's not the same thing as the beef offal at Zhou Erwa's restaurant at all."

The workers rode by on their bicycles, shaking their heads repeatedly.

"Look, you can't even sell them for three cents. If these things don't sell today, they'll go bad tomorrow. I believed your nonsense, and I deserve my bad luck! Look how thriving other people's businesses are!" Wu Guihua looked dejected, her eyes reddening as she watched the increasing number of bicycles parked in front of Zhou Erwa's restaurant across the street.

Zhou Liangliang was also getting anxious. Looking at the beef offal and noodles he had prepared, he gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and shouted loudly again, "Noodles are going up for sale! Soup pot is going up for sale! Two cents a bowl! Selling at a loss! Selling at a loss! I'm losing money! Only two cents a bowl!"

"Two cents a bowl? Has Zhou Liangliang gone mad?" Zhao Tieying looked on in disbelief. The soup pot could still break even, but the noodles were going to lose money.

"A cornered dog will jump over a wall, but it's no use." Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Once bitten by a snake, twice shy. The cheaper it is, the more afraid the workers will be."

Sure enough, Zhou Liangliang's shout made the workers pedal harder on their bicycles, without turning their heads.

The Wang Laowu pork scandal serves as a cautionary tale: when it comes to food, there are some things you can't skimp on.

A bowl of noodles costing two cents, with an extra ounce of meat, didn't seem appealing; instead, it was frightening.

"No...don't run away..." Zhou Liangliang slumped onto the stool, as if all his strength had been drained.

If you shouted that price out at the dock, you'd immediately attract a large crowd.

The textile factory workers are so rich, how come they won't even eat a bowl of noodles or soup that costs two cents?
But why does Zhou Yan's soup pot, which costs only six cents a bowl, sell so well?

Zhou Liangliang racked his brains but still couldn't figure it out.

……

"Zhou Erwa Restaurant, this should be it." Wang Hongliang stopped his bike in front of the restaurant, looked up at the sign, and said with a smile, "I pass by here every day, but this is my first time eating here."

Li Meilin got out of the back seat, first lifting her grandson off the crossbar of the old bicycle, glanced at the shop, and laughed, "Why would Lin Zhiqiang choose a privately owned restaurant? Didn't he say he was selling noodles? Are we having noodles tonight?"

"Don't underestimate this little restaurant. A couple of days ago, college students from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute ate noodles here twice, and they both said it was delicious," Wang Hongliang said with a smile.

"Factory manager, sister-in-law." Lin Zhiqiang quickly took two steps to greet her.

"Director Wang, Sister Meilin." Meng Anhe greeted them with a smile, then reached out and patted her grandson's head, "Haohao has grown taller again."

The two children greeted each other politely.

"Zhiqiang, Xiaomeng, and the two children are here." Wang Hongliang nodded with a smile.

"Xiao Meng's wool coat looks really good. Did you buy it in Rongcheng?" Li Meiling looked at the two children with a smile. "Jingxing and Bingwen are growing fast. They will definitely be as tall as their father in the future."

Inside the shop, Zhao Tieying hurriedly went to call Zhou Yan.

The factory director and deputy director were both there; these were high-ranking leaders, and she was a little intimidated.

"Let's go in then. I asked Xiao Zhou to reserve a seat for us," Lin Zhiqiang said after greeting them.

"Okay." Wang Hongliang nodded.

At this moment, Zhou Yan also came out to greet them, smiling and saying, "Factory Director, please come in. We've reserved seats for you."

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(End of this chapter)