Rebirth 07: Starting with Saving a Bankrupt Restaurant

"Hey? Boss? You're back."

Shi Ying opened the door.

After returning home, Zhou Wen did not rest. Instead, he took the local specialties he had bought in Guangzhou to the residence of the Shi sisters.

Shi Ying knew her boss was going back home, but she didn't know that he also went to Guangzhou during that time.

Upon hearing the commotion at the door, Shi Ling also came to the door and greeted them.

"Boss."

Zhou Wen nodded, and then handed the two of them the things he had brought from Guangzhou.

Shi Ying also opened the bag and saw the local specialties and pendants inside.

Shi Ying's eyes widened instantly and brightened.

He took the pendant out of the bag and looked at it again and again.

"Boss, are all these things for us?"

"Yes, some food and some small items."

Shi Ling also took a look. These embroideries weren't cheap when she bought them, and the workmanship was indeed quite exquisite.

After delivering the items, Zhou Wen returned home to rest for a while.

I've been traveling back and forth by bus these past few days. Although I did quite a bit of sightseeing in Guangzhou, I'm still definitely tired.

Moreover, since he had to go to work tomorrow, Zhou Wen planned to take a good rest during the remaining half day.

I slept until evening, and I was woken up by a knock on the door.

The door opened, and there stood Shi Ying.

Seeing her boss's sleepy appearance, Shi Ying apologized, "Boss, I'm sorry, did I disturb your rest?"

Zhou Wen shook his head; he was sleeping very soundly.

After pausing for a moment, he spoke up, "What's wrong? Is there something you need?"

"I just came over to ask if you wanted to have a meal together."

Shi Ying was also thinking that her boss might be lonely by himself.

Have a meal?

Upon hearing Zhou Wen's name, Shi Ying also felt hungry.

"Okay, no problem."

"I'll tidy up a bit, please wait a moment."

"OK!"

After tidying up in a few minutes, we just grabbed a few dishes at a roadside restaurant and ate whatever we could find.

While eating, Zhou Wen inadvertently spotted the stray cats outside the restaurant.

Zhou Wen seemed to have suddenly thought of something.

I've been away these past few days and it seems I've forgotten about rice balls.

He would have to go back and check on it later. Although there was no need to worry about the survival ability of stray cats like Fantuan, Zhou Wen couldn't help but be concerned.

The meal was finished quickly.

"You guys go back first. I'll go back to the restaurant to check on the rice ball. I haven't fed it for days," Zhou Wen said.

"We've been feeding them these past few days," Shi Ying said.

Hearing Shi Ying say this, Zhou Wen felt relieved.

Although Fantuan is considered a stray cat and can find its own food, Zhou Wen has long since come to regard it as part of the restaurant over the past few days.

They definitely can't rest easy about it.

After arriving at the pedestrian street, the group parted ways. The Shi sisters planned to explore the surrounding area further and enjoy their holiday time one last time.

As the boss, Zhou Wen has to get up very early every day. Although he has slept for a long time in the afternoon, he doesn't plan to go out to play anymore.

Since I tried Guo Bao Rou in Guangzhou and it tasted pretty good, there's no reason not to make it.

Therefore, Zhou Wen planned to make sweet and sour pork as the first dish he would cook upon returning home.

The next morning, Zhou Wen received a phone call from his biological mother.

First came the usual greetings, and then the conversation turned to the promise I'd made to my uncle some time ago.

If his own mother hadn't mentioned it, Zhou Wen would have almost forgotten about it.

Around nine o'clock...

"Boss, there seems to be someone at the door."

While Zhou Wen was still busy in the kitchen, Shi Ying also came into the kitchen and spoke.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wen stopped what he was doing and went to the front hall.

I also met the person Shi Ying had mentioned.

She looks very young, even younger than Shan Wei.

She had some acne scars on her face, and wasn't wearing any makeup.

Before Zhou Wen could even speak, the man saw Zhou Wen and his previously expressionless face now showed great joy.

"Brother."

A simple "brother" left Zhou Wen speechless for a moment, and he finally nodded.

Actually, Zhou Wen knew this girl. His uncle's friend had definitely come to their house and eaten together before, and Zhou Wen had met her a few times.

However, we usually only meet once during the Lunar New Year or when there are certain customs in the village.

If I remember correctly, her name should be Xu Chujie.

"Come in."

"Okay."

Shi Ying also poured someone a glass of water.

Zhou Wen sat in his seat, unsure of what to say or do.

This kind of relationship is still somewhat difficult to handle.

Zhou Wen paused for a moment, then cleared his throat and asked, "Are you an adult?"

"You turned 18 last year, brother."

Xiao Jie sat up straight and answered Zhou Wen's questions earnestly.

With just one sentence, Zhou Wen's concerns were dispelled. Now that he was an adult, everything was negotiable.

"Did you previously work in a factory?"

Xiao Jie felt a little embarrassed for a moment, nodded slightly, and said in a very soft voice, "Yeah, I did it for a few days, but then I found it too tiring, so I stopped."

How many hours a day?

"About ten hours."

"And what about the salary?"

"700".

"700?" Zhou Wen confirmed.

Upon hearing what Xiao Jie said, Shi Ling's expression changed.

Zhou Wen understood. It seemed it wasn't his younger sister's fault; this job was indeed a bit of a trap.

Did someone recommend you for this job?

Xiao Jie nodded and said, "Mm."

"Where did you live before?"

"Inside the factory."

"What about the other things?"

"I'm staying at my aunt's house now; all my things have been moved there."

Zhou Wen nodded. He knew Xiao Jie's aunt very well, since they were from the same village.

Zhou Wen didn't want to ask any more questions, as it probably wouldn't be of much use anyway.

"Then you can work at the restaurant for now. The monthly salary is 750."

"Okay, brother."

Xiao Jie agreed without any hesitation.

"Shi Ling, could you help look after Xiao Jie?" Zhou Wen instructed.

Shi Ling nodded, and then began to show Xiao Jie around the restaurant and explain what they needed to do next.

"Xiao Jie, are you the boss's sister?"

Xiao Jie shook her head and said, "No. He's from the same village, but we usually call him 'brother'."

"Brother" is a local way of addressing someone.

Shi Ling nodded, understanding what this meant, and then said, "My name is Shi Ling, and this is Shi Ying."

Shi Ying smiled at Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie's neck and chin were red, and she nodded, smiling shyly.