Rebirth 07: Starting with Saving a Bankrupt Restaurant

"elder brother."

Xiao Jie's younger brother also shouted out under the scolding.

Zhou Wen quickly responded.

"Xiao Zhou, I hope this hasn't disturbed your restaurant's business?" Uncle Xu asked.

Zhou Wen smiled helplessly and said, "That's not true."

"Uncle, have you eaten yet? Let's find a seat first. We can talk about whatever it is after I'm done with my work. The restaurant is about to close for the day."

"Okay, okay. Let's find a place to rest for a bit."

Uncle Xu also grinned.

Xiao Jie was at a loss for what to do when her father and brother suddenly arrived. She thought about taking care of them, but she also had to work.

Previously, Shi Ling had asked Xiao Jie to look after her, but all she did was arrange a seat for her, and then she went on to do her own thing.

Zhou Wen also said, "It's almost time to rest. Let's go check on things first. It's alright."

"Okay, brother," Xiao Jie nodded.

……

"Uncle Xu, let's have some food together." Zhou Wen invited him after the restaurant had finished serving everyone.

Uncle Xu waved his hand with a stern face and said, "No need, no need. We already ate when we came."

I guess it was just politeness.

It would take more than an hour to drive here from his hometown, so given Uncle Xu's condition, it's impossible that he called a private car specifically to come; he must have taken a bus the whole way.

Zhou Wen had ridden in this kind of bus many times before, and it was certainly not an pleasant experience.

Zhou Wen also said, "Uncle Xu, let's just have a little something together."

Zhou Wen also felt that it was indeed a bit strange that the two of them didn't sit at the table to eat and just stood by watching.

After all, he's an uncle from the same village. Although his arrival was a bit abrupt, as I hadn't informed him beforehand, I still needed to extend the proper hospitality.

Given Xiaojie's personality, it's impossible that she wouldn't eat if her father and brother didn't eat.

This is a big deal, after all, I'm now part of the restaurant staff, and with Xiao Jie's help, things are much easier in the front of house.

Xiao Jie's health was already rather weak, and Zhou Wen was afraid that she might suddenly faint if she didn't eat lunch in the afternoon.

At Zhou Wen's enthusiastic invitation, Uncle Xu couldn't refuse and brought Xiao Jie's younger brother to sit at the table as well.

"Xiao Zhou, you've prepared such a lavish meal. It's really unnecessary. We can just eat whatever we like."

Zhou Wen was taken aback. Clearly, Uncle Xu had mistakenly thought that he had prepared such a lavish meal because of the two of them, but this was just the usual fare at the restaurant.

He smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing..."

"Xiao Zhou, your cooking skills are so good!" Uncle Xu praised after taking a bite of the dish.

Zhou Wen gave a vague reply, and then chatted with Uncle Xu about some everyday matters.

After everyone finished eating, Zhou Wen asked the others to leave first.

Zhou Wen could guess the purpose of his uncle's arrival, especially since he brought two large bags of things.

Although Zhou Wen hasn't seen what the specific contents are yet.

"Little Zhou."

"Uncle Xu, what's wrong?"

Uncle Xu nodded and said, "Thank you very much for taking care of Xiao Jie these past few days."

"It's what I should do," Zhou Wen nodded earnestly.

He had already promised someone else something, and Zhou Wen also liked this girl, so this was normal.

However, Uncle Xu's visit this time was definitely not just to express his gratitude.

Sure enough, Uncle Xu changed the subject, saying, "My son has never been a bright student since he was little..."

He paused, then continued:

"I was thinking that maybe I could work at your restaurant sometime."

Zhou Wen chuckled silently and said, "Uncle Xu, I'm still in school. Isn't it a bit too early to talk about this now?"

"It's not too late to talk about this after you finish school."

Upon hearing Zhou Wen's words, Uncle Xu quickly waved his hand and said, "It's not too late, it's not too late."

Zhou Wen could understand Xu Shu's feelings. He was probably afraid that things would change if he delayed, so he wanted to confirm the matter as soon as possible to put his mind at ease.

In fact, Zhou Wen could understand Uncle Xu's idea; that's how the older generation is.

Zhou Wen pursed his lips and said, "Uncle Xu, my restaurant is indeed not short of staff right now, but as for the future, no one can say for sure."

"Who knows, maybe in a few months or six months, my restaurant will go out of business due to poor management."

After Zhou Wen said that, Uncle Xu was in a bit of a dilemma.

"Well, Xiao Zhou, if nothing goes wrong and we're short-handed, we'll have to trouble you a lot."

"If we have enough manpower by then, I'll have Xiao Jie go back to work and bring this kid over?"

Hearing this, Zhou Wen was already somewhat displeased, but he still suppressed his emotions and said, "Uncle, I just run a small restaurant, I don't have much ability."

At this moment, Xiao Jie's younger brother also spoke up, "No need, I'll find something else to do later."

"Or I can do the housework."

Upon hearing his son's voice, Uncle Xu instantly became angry: "What right do you have to interrupt when adults are talking? I'm finding you a job for the future, don't you know that?"

After being reprimanded, they dared not utter a sound again.

Zhou Wen also felt a throbbing pain in his head.

Xiao Jie stood to the side, not daring to say a word.

As for asking Xiaojie's opinion?

Zhou Wen felt there was absolutely no need for that; Xiao Jie was in a situation where she would just listen to whatever she was told.

Then Xiao Jie gently poked Zhou Wen with her finger, and Zhou Wen felt it and made eye contact with Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie's eyes spoke volumes.

Zhou Wen felt extremely uncomfortable after seeing Xiao Jie's gaze.

Finally, Zhou Wen composed himself and said, "Uncle, I think it's too early to talk about this now. We should focus on our studies first. What do you think?"

Seeing Zhou Wen's serious expression, Uncle Xu didn't say anything more.

Moreover, since he would need Zhou Wen's help in the future, he replied, "Yes, for now, my studies should be my priority. You're right, Zhou."

Zhou Wen nodded and continued, "How could a boy just want to work in a restaurant? He definitely wants to go out and see the world."

The final conversation, led by Zhou Wen, brought the discussion to a close.

Overall, it was not pleasant at all.

"Xiao Zhou, then I'll trouble you to take good care of Xiao Jie," Uncle Xu said as he left.

Zhou Wen nodded, then saw the two off to the bus stop, chatting for a few more minutes before they left.

Zhou Wen gave a rather perfunctory reply.

Xiao Jie waited patiently for Zhou Wen at the restaurant.

Back at the restaurant, Zhou Wen opened the two bags to take a look.

One bag contained eggs, and the other bag contained vegetables grown at home.

Zhou Wen also took it back to the kitchen.