Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Chapter 140 Expenses

Xu Bei led the two to sit on the small heated kang bed in the shop, and then casually set up a folding table.

Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan were busy finding cups to make tea and pour water.

While Wei Xuelin and Meng Yahui kept telling each other not to get too busy, they also curiously looked around the store.

The latter, in particular, looked around and sincerely praised, "Brother, your little shop is quite well done. The shelves and counters are even more impressive than some of the individual businesses in the city."

Xu Bei naturally knew that there were more individual businesses in the more prosperous city than the Forestry Bureau, and he had even visited some of the shops.

But no matter how visionary and bold those bosses are, they are limited by the times and can't catch up with him, who has witnessed the development of the next few decades. Just in terms of the design of shelves and counters, he completely surpasses others.

"It's alright. I just figured it out on my own, and then had my family help me type it out."

After making a modest remark, Xu Bei casually asked, "Brother Wei, sister-in-law, when did you return from the capital?"

"I got off the bus yesterday." Meng Ya Hui took the teacup Xu Juan handed her, quickly said thank you, warmed her hands with it, and continued speaking.

"After resting for a day, we thought we'd come and see you before we went to work. Brother, although people say that you don't need to say thank you for a great favor, we still felt we should come and formally express our gratitude."

Wei Xuelin also had a cup of hot tea in his hand, but he placed it aside.

"Yes, if you hadn't stepped in and subdued that thief on the train, we wouldn't have been able to visit relatives and friends so smoothly. We might have had to turn back after arriving in the provincial capital with the children."

Wei Xuelin said with a grateful expression as he laid out the things they had brought one by one on the table.

"Because it's too far away, some things are inconvenient to bring. These are some famous pastries from our capital city, as well as cigarettes and alcohol."

Xu Bei had already received heartfelt thanks from the two people on the train, and now they had gone out of their way to find him, bringing back local specialties from all the way from Beijing. This gratitude was truly touching.

"Brother Wei, sister-in-law, you're too kind. It was just a small favor. That thief was so brazen, he held a knife to your throat and tried to rob you. I happened to see it, how could I just ignore it? If I didn't, I'd be next. I did this to preemptively strike. Please take your things back quickly, I can't keep them!"

Zhao Fengying had just heard the gist of the matter from Xu Bei, and chimed in, "Yes, our son explained what happened. He's not just helping you, he's helping himself too. To be honest, if we lose the money for the goods, we'll be at a loss and won't know what to do."

Even though the mother and son refused to accept it as a united front, Wei Xuelin and his wife remained resolute in their attitude.

"If you don't accept it, you're looking down on us! You don't consider us friends!"

"Yes, even without the incident of catching a thief, as friends, it's perfectly normal for us to bring back some local specialties from out of town. Why would we refuse?"

Xu Bei, Zhao Fengying, and Xu Juan exchanged glances, realizing that things had come to this point and it would be awkward if they didn't accept the offer.

"Brother Wei, sister-in-law, you two are so good at talking. Alright then, we'll accept the gifts. It's already past ten o'clock, almost noon. Let's go to a restaurant together, order some dishes, sit down, and slowly eat, drink, and chat."

Wei Xuelin and Meng Yahui wanted to politely decline, but Xu Bei countered with their earlier words about friendship, leaving them no choice but to agree.

So they sat in the shop for a while longer, then locked the door and headed towards the state-run restaurant.

Today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Although state-run restaurants are open, the kitchens are still replenishing their stock, and the menu is not as complete as usual.

As soon as Xu Bei and his entourage entered, they greeted Sister Yan, who was wearing a white coat, warmly and wished her a Happy New Year.

Then, I noticed that there wasn't a fixed menu written on the blackboard as usual.

"Sister Yan, what dishes can you cook now? I'd like to entertain two friends."

The waitress, Sister Yan, was already quite plump, and after a few days of pampering during the Lunar New Year, her face seemed to have gotten even rounder, and she looked even more radiant.

She was now very fond of Xu Bei, who had taken such beautiful photos of her, and immediately said with a beaming smile, "Although I can't cook many dishes today, it will definitely be enough to entertain your friend well."

Xu Bei knew, of course, that the waiters in state-run restaurants in this era had secure jobs. If the two of them hadn't had some connection, the waiters certainly wouldn't have been so warm and welcoming.

He said with a smile, "That would be great. Sister Yan, tell me what dishes you can make."

"Okay." Sister Yan picked up her order book and pen and began to recite the names of the dishes.

After consulting with Wei Xuelin and his wife but not fully adopting their opinions, Xu Bei ordered six dishes: pickled cabbage with boiled pork, braised pork slices, braised pork, braised pork ribs, stir-fried bean sprouts with pork, and home-style cold dishes.

Wei Xuelin and Meng Yahui are a dual-income family with a decent economic situation, but they still can't bear to order such dishes when eating at state-run restaurants.

This made the two of them feel once again that Xu Bei was a very trustworthy person, but also somewhat embarrassed.

"Brother, you ordered too much. It'll be a waste if we can't finish it."

"Yes. And it's too much of a expense for you."

"Brother Wei, sister-in-law, this is nothing. Actually, even if you hadn't come, we would have liked to come to the restaurant for a meal. During the Spring Festival, unless we have family members visiting, we've been cooking leftovers for every meal."

As soon as Xu Bei finished speaking, Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan also cooperated and went along with him.

Wei Xuelin and Meng Yahui then felt a little better.

As dish after dish was served, they opened the Erguotou liquor that Wei Xuelin had brought back from Beijing and the orange soda they had ordered at the restaurant and began to eat and drink.

Since ancient times, alcohol has been the cheapest way to get closer to someone.

Moreover, Xu Bei and Wei Xuelin were somewhat acquainted with each other and had a past favor to repay, so they drank and chatted happily.

Zhao Fengying also shared a glass of baijiu with Meng Yahui. The two were quite different in age, but both had outgoing personalities and chatted happily.

Midway through the drinking session, the two men had already put their arms around each other's shoulders and were calling each other brothers.

Even when Xu Bei casually mentioned his plan to open a shop in the city in the future, Wei Xuelin immediately tapped the table lightly.

"Brother, just tell me where you want to open your shop. I may not have many other skills, but finding a suitable place for you is no problem."

Xu Bei had previously thought that having more friends meant having more options, and that he might need them someday. Seeing that the other party had offered to help, he didn't hesitate and smiled directly, "That's great, Brother Wei. With you saying that, I have even more confidence."

After a satisfying meal, everyone left the restaurant in a relatively pleasant atmosphere.

Xu Bei let his mother and sister go back to the shop first, then he saw Wei Xuelin and his wife onto the forest railway train heading to the city before getting off and leaving.