Rebirth 07: Starting with Saving a Bankrupt Restaurant

As for why we didn't order them all together, it's mainly because we wanted more variety in flavors; it's better to have something different to pair with just frog.

"How about we order a plate of pickled pepper frog legs and a plate of cold-served rabbit?"

"I feel that this cold-cooked rabbit and dry-pot frog are the same type of dish."

Old Wang made a suggestion while looking at the menu.

Li Lichun nodded. "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Then the two of them habitually took a few bottles of beer from the freezer. For these older people, it's better not to eat a meal if they don't drink alcohol.

The two drank and chatted quietly while waiting for the dishes to be served.

It won't take long for the dishes to arrive.

"Try it." He said, picking up his chopsticks.

After tasting it, he said, "I must say, it tastes better than what you get outside, but I'm not sure why."

Old Wang smiled, agreeing with Li Lichun's words.

"This weight looks to be about two pounds."

"The portion size, the price, and the taste are definitely better than what you get elsewhere."

"This lettuce is cooked so crisply, it's not tough at all."

The two continued eating, and Old Li was also thinking about what the soup tasted like.

So, I ladled a few spoonfuls of soup into the bowl.

"That's good," Li Lichun said after taking a sip of soup.

Old Wang also gave it a try, smacked his lips, and nodded emphatically.

"I wonder if there's any rice."

It's worth noting that the two of them had been to the restaurant so many times, yet they had never asked for rice.

If I'm not full, I'll think about ordering two roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers) to try.

"Is there rice?"

Shi Ling nodded and said, "Yes."

"Then please bring us a bowl of rice each. Will that cost extra?"

"No need, the restaurant provides free rice."

Once the steaming hot rice was served, Li Lichun poured broth over it, along with some lettuce and pickled peppers.

Then it was time to dig it up. The rice soaked up the sour and spicy broth, and the addition of lettuce and pickled peppers enhanced the flavor. It tasted absolutely delicious.

Li Lichun, who felt the spiciness from the pickled peppers, immediately took a sip of wine to cool off.

Then he let out a comfortable sigh: "That was awesome!"

A pot full of pickled pepper frog legs ended up with only some broth and ingredients left.

This was probably the most they had ever eaten at a restaurant, with two dishes and two bowls of rice each.

The pickled pepper frog, which had been missing for half a month, did not disappoint the two, and they would come again tomorrow at noon.

After enjoying soaked frog legs, dry-pot frog legs are a must-try.

Although Li Lichun and his companion did not order the dry pot frog, the other guests at the other tables did.

Two of the guests were also chatting about dry-pot frog.

"This dry-pot frog is actually quite similar to cold-cooked rabbit."

"It only tastes similar, but the texture is completely different. Although the outer shell of this frog is also slightly charred, it is still very juicy inside and the meat is quite thick."

"Rabbit meat is firm and chewy, without any juice at all."

As he spoke, the guest picked up another piece of frog and began to taste it.

After finishing the frog, he seemed to remember something and pointed to the potatoes on the plate, saying:

"Actually, I think this potato is delicious. If the boss were to sell this potato separately, I'm telling you, it would be just as good."

This remark drew nods of agreement from his deskmate.

"Indeed. The potato has a crispy outer skin but a soft and tender inside. Covered in chili peppers, it's really satisfying to eat."

"We've already had the dry-pot frog legs, let's come back another day to try the pickled pepper frog legs..."

……

Frogs are already widely popular in Fujian Province, and Zhou Ji Restaurant offers them at affordable prices and with delicious food.

Therefore, it has been very popular.

Restaurants are using significantly more rice than before.

In the past, only rice bowls and fried rice required white rice.

Actually, the restaurant has always served white rice, but in the past, no diners needed it.

The demand for rice only started to increase after the frog feet soaked in hot water were served this time.

The response has been good; it seems we can gradually start focusing on aspects like cooking in the future.

……

On August 4th, four days had passed since the dry-pot frog and pickled pepper frog were launched.

Of course, some diners who have eaten at the restaurant will still ask if the frog can be delivered. The answer is yes.

The only problem is that the cards haven't been made yet.

Because of the introduction of pickled pepper frog, and because everyone hadn't had white rice with side dishes for a long time, Zhou Wen has made some changes to the staff meals these past few days.

No longer just making the dishes available in restaurants, they started using ingredients available in restaurants to make some home-style dishes.

For example, dishes like scrambled eggs with tomatoes, braised eggplant with minced meat, and stir-fried beef are common in restaurants or at home.

Including Zhou Wen, there were five people in the restaurant, so every meal consisted of four or five dishes plus a soup.

Even Shi Ling, who has a small appetite, eats at least one bowl of rice.

Unfortunately, a loudspeaker blared outside the restaurant.

Before Zhou Wen could even turn his head to look, Ren Xuan rushed out of the restaurant.

The visitor, Zhou Wen, was also familiar to her; they could meet almost every night. He was the Xiao Kai that Ren Xuan had mentioned.

They had seen each other many times, but they had never greeted each other. At most, they had exchanged glances.

Shan Wei also put down his bowl and chopsticks and watched what was happening in the restaurant.

Zhou Wen then seized the opportunity to ask, "Do you know the person who came?"

Shan Wei nodded and said, "I know him."

Zhou Wen nodded and didn't say anything more.

At first, I thought Shan Wei didn't know this person.

However, Shan Wei then asked, "Boss, does this person come to the restaurant often?"

"Sometimes I'll come and pick Ren Xuan up at night."

Dan Wei's expression shifted slightly before he looked away from the restaurant, picked up his chopsticks again, and continued eating.

It was as if nothing had happened, but Zhou Wen noticed the subtle change in Shan Wei.

Zhou Wen could probably understand this feeling. Although Shan Wei had taken the initiative to talk to Zhou Wen once before, things had changed a lot since then.

But Shan Wei is only in his early twenties. Even if he listens to what she says, he will definitely still have some lingering thoughts in the end. This can be seen from some small details in his daily life.

He seems to be working even harder on weekdays, probably to impress Ren Xuan.

Ren Xuan quickly returned to the restaurant. The whole process, from leaving to returning, took only five minutes. She must have briefly discussed something.

Shi Ling had actually figured it out, but she remained silent. After all, it was someone else's business, and it wouldn't be good to say anything recklessly.

As for Shi Ying, she had a similar thought. Although she was very curious, she also knew that it was none of her business.