1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 68 A Letter from the Mountain City
Twice-cooked pork is a favorite dish for many people in Sichuan and Chongqing. Every family knows how to make it, and each family has its own way of cooking it.

But the twice-cooked pork with garlic sprouts that I had at Zhou Erwa Restaurant today has become the number one twice-cooked pork in many people's hearts.

"This stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts is so delicious! It's fragrant, tender, and not greasy at all."

"This is so good with rice! I think I can easily finish three bowls of rice at noon today!"

"Brother Qiang, slow down and pick up more pieces. I've only eaten one piece, and you've already eaten three. If you keep doing this, I'm going to put my half in my bowl."

"Hey, brother, don't worry about that. It's so delicious that I unconsciously sped up. I'll slow down, slow down, okay?"

"The factory manager's selection was indeed flawless. Next time I invite people to dinner, this place is much better than the state-run restaurants. The food is better, and we won't be treated badly."

"I was planning to bring my wife and kids here for a meal on Sunday, but unfortunately Zhou Yan is closed on Sundays."

The guests were full of praise, and some were even considering inviting others over for a meal.

Every dish at Zhou Erwa Restaurant is of high quality. Although the prices are a bit high, they are not much different from those of state-run restaurants.

Zhao Dong came to eat with two regular dining buddies today. The plate of twice-cooked pork was completely empty, not even a single garlic sprout was left. There was still some broth left on the crucian carp with mint, which the other person picked up and poured into a bowl to mix with rice, and they ate it with great relish.

Zhao Dong got up to pay the bill, but when he saw Zhou Yan carrying dishes out of the kitchen, he quickly said, "Xiao Zhou, are you open on Sundays? I'd like to order a table of food from you and bring my mother, wife, and kids to try your cooking. They really enjoyed the braised pork ribs I brought back yesterday."

Quite a few guests shared this idea, and they all looked at Zhou Yan.

On weekdays, I can only eat here with my colleagues; it's considered a work lunch.

On Sundays, when you don't have to work, you can bring your wife and kids to eat, or have a small gathering with friends; it's a completely different experience.

Actually, more than one or two customers have asked Zhou Yan this question in the past two days.

Previously, the restaurant only sold noodles and braised beef, which was not attractive enough to customers who needed to dine together. On Sundays, the textile factory was closed, and the restaurant naturally closed as well due to the lack of business.

However, as stir-fried and braised dishes became available and the variety of dishes increased, demand naturally arose.

Rest days are peak dining times for non-working meals; this is an objective law, and Zhou Yan has studied it.

These customers have strong spending power and are more willing to spend money than on work meals.

But not this week.

"I'm sorry, Director Zhao, my brother is getting married this Sunday, and I have to help with the wedding procession, so I won't be able to open for business." Zhou Yan smiled and said, "I will seriously consider opening on Sunday next week and will issue an announcement in advance to inform everyone."

Zhao Dong was a little disappointed, but still nodded with a smile: "There's really nothing we can do about it, happy events are definitely the first priority."

The other guests already knew what was going on, so they waited for Zhou Yan's announcement.

Zhou Yan put down the dishes and went back to the kitchen, still pondering the matter.

With no workers on Sunday, the uncertainty is too great, and we need to carefully consider reopening.

Moreover, after six busy days, he wanted to rest well on Sunday. Working non-stop for 365 days a year would be unbearable even for an iron man.

But the prospect of a weekend dinner party is indeed quite tempting.

In particular, gatherings with friends can potentially expand a restaurant's customer base beyond textile factories.

Guests who choose restaurants for group meals rather than cooking at home are generally considered to be of higher value.

In life, you should make as many friends as possible; in running a restaurant, you should make as many customers as possible.

There's no rush. I'm busy this Sunday anyway, so I'll make more plans next week.

If we could add a few more dishes, it would be easier for customers to order.

He definitely won't sell noodles or braised beef on Sundays. If he only makes stir-fries and braised dishes, at least he can sleep in and it will be much easier.

As it approached one o'clock, the workers all went to work, and the store became quiet.

Zhou Yan swayed as he came out of the kitchen and saw a bicycle parked in front of the store. The postman took a letter out of his green parcel, glanced at it, and called out to the store, "Zhou Yan! There's mail for you!"

"I'm here," Zhou Yan replied, and quickly went out.

"You're Zhou Yan?" the postman asked, sizing him up.

“Yes, I am Zhou Yan, the owner of Zhou Erwa Restaurant this week.” Zhou Yan nodded.

"Okay, here's the letter." The postman handed him the letter; since it was a regular letter, no signature was required.

Zhou Yan glanced at the signature on the letter and quickly called out to the postman who was about to leave: "Comrade, if I want to send a letter, do I need to go to the post office?"

Comrade Xiao Zhou's circle of friends is limited to Su Ji, and he has never written a letter to anyone, so Zhou Yan really has no experience in this area.

The postman turned around, smiling, and pointed to the green mailbox standing on the side of the factory gate. "Just put the letter in an envelope, seal it, put on a stamp, write the address and postal code, and then drop it into the mailbox. The textile factory's mailbox is collected every day. An eight-cent stamp is enough for a regular letter."

"Thank you, comrade," Zhou Yan said with a smile. "You're welcome," the postman replied, pedaling away on his bicycle.

Aunt Zhao and Zhao Hong, who were clearing away the dishes, stopped what they were doing and looked at Zhou Yan, who had come in with the letter.

"Did Xia Yao send this?" Aunt Zhao asked with concern.

"Sister Yao Yao!" Zhou Momo, who was sitting at a table playing with Barbie dolls, brightened up and looked over at Zhou Yan.

“It’s her.” Zhou Yan looked up from the letter and met the intense gazes of the three people.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhou Yan silently turned and went out, sat down on a chair under a tree, carefully tore open the envelope, and took out three pages of paper.

Zhou Yan actually received quite a few love letters when he was in school. After all, his main job during his student days was modeling. He was tall and handsome, so his drawer was never short of love letters.

However, aside from the first few letters he received which he opened and read, he took all the subsequent ones back to the orphanage and locked them in a cabinet.

Dating would only slow down his earning speed. He feels insecure when he's broke. Trust is a token of affection, and he doesn't want to lose it, so he keeps it all.

In his previous life, he lived too hastily and died very suddenly.

Life is unpredictable; you might just stumble upon good fortune when you go out.

In this life, he has both parents and a lovely younger sister.

Although he is still short of money, his life is filled with love and warmth that he could never have before.

As long as the restaurant is run well, there is much to look forward to in life.

His solitary mindset seems to have changed somewhat.

For example, he is now opening this letter, curious about what happened to Xia Yao after she returned from Suji, and what she wants to share with him.

As Zhou Shuren once said: When you become curious about someone, it also means the beginning of your downfall.

Zhou Yan didn't believe in the old folks' nonsense; curiosity was just curiosity, how could he possibly fall into depravity?

Unfolding the letter, lines of elegant handwriting came into view:

Zhou Yan:
Seeing words is like meeting each other, showing trust and comfort.

We have safely returned to the mountain city. The rice candy was delicious. Deng Hong and Yu Yu asked me to thank you.

Ironically, after you helped deliver the love letter, Deng Hong and Ma Xingye's relationship progressed rapidly. Ma Xingye brought her breakfast every day and even filled all the kettles in our dorm.

"What an old bootlicker." Zhou Yan couldn't help but laugh and complain upon seeing this.

How can a man be a simp!
As you continue reading, you'll find stories of interesting little things she encounters in her life and studies.

The delicate writing and refreshing style made Zhou Yan feel as if she were seeing that graceful and intelligent young girl again.

Zhou Yan's lips curled up into a smile without him even realizing it, until he finished reading the two pages of the letter.

"The weather in the mountain city was a bit muggy today, but the sunset was beautiful. I sat by the window in my dormitory and watched it for a long time. I don't know if you saw it."

But you must have been busy in the kitchen at that time, right?
So I drew it and wanted to share it with you.

looking forward to your reply.

Farewell to the twilight years, fireworks bloom year after year.

Xia Yao. "

Zhou Yan turned to the third page, which was a piece of paper that had been cut out.

The blazing sunset dyed the sky red, the paint like molten gold splashed, blending into a sky full of colorful clouds. The red walls were gilded with a soft, pale gold light, and the silhouettes of the distant, majestic mountains were also edged with gold, displaying a magnificent and splendid beauty.

Zhou Yan doesn't understand painting.

But in that instant, I felt a sense of beauty.

It seems he also saw the sky ablaze with red clouds, and the sunset was infinitely beautiful.

The girl who sat by the window painting traveled across mountains and rivers to pass on this beauty to him.

……

　I spent a long time writing this chapter, but...

　　Quite satisfied, hahaha.

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　　Don't worry, the main theme of this food-themed story will stay on track.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)