Reborn in 2000: I just want to love a few people properly.

"What's wrong, Uncle Wang? Just tell me what happened."

Moving aside the chair that was in the way, Xu Bo staggered over to Wang Kangmei's side.

"Your uncle is not happy with this job. I asked him to come to Shanghai, but he wouldn't go. So, when he heard that you opened a hot pot restaurant, he wondered if you needed a chef to cook the dishes."

After clinking glasses, Zhong Weiyong downed his drink in one gulp and said with a smile.

Gu Lin pricked up her ears and listened carefully, leaning forward slightly, as if Xu Bo had grown a little ear, taking in all of their conversation.

She had often discussed kitchen matters with Xu Bo before. Although the restaurant did not need a chef to cook, the lack of a kitchen staff always made her uneasy.

But Xu Bo's attitude was always unhurried, which led to several arguments between them.

Xu Bo responded, "No rush, someone will come. If all else fails, I can just go to the kitchen and stir-fry a little. I always cook at home."

One evening during military training, a few of them were eating at a hot pot restaurant. Xu Bo showed off his cooking skills, and the food was indeed delicious.

Gu Lin hadn't slept well because of this, and now that she heard about it, her brows began to furrow slightly.

"Sure, but this is a hot pot restaurant, so I'm afraid I won't need that many chefs in the kitchen."

Seeing Xu Bo's somewhat troubled expression, Grandpa Wang quickly waved his hand and said, "It's alright, it's alright. If it's difficult, there's no need for that. I only know how to cook stir-fries, so the hot pot restaurant really doesn't need me."

"Forget it, at worst I'll just go home and enjoy my retirement with my grandchildren."

Wang Kangmei picked up her wine glass, clinked it with Xu Bo's, and then gradually turned her gaze to the Qiantang River outside the window.

There are three bridges spanning the Qiantang River. At this moment, the dazzling lights illuminate the entire water surface. The clubhouse has a very advantageous location. From this angle, it seems as if the whole world is at your feet.

This was the first time Wang Kangmei had experienced the unique charm of Hangzhou.

Of course, this difference will disappear in a few days. You'll have grandchildren, but not much money. This place will never truly belong to you.

Xu Bo and Zhong Weiyong exchanged a glance, and they could both sense the depression in Lao Wang's heart.

After a moment, Xu Bo took a deep breath and continued.

"Uncle Wang, if all else fails, come to our place. We happen to be short a kitchen helper, as well as a plating and plating chef. Do you have any extra land or anything? Bring it over with us."

Wang Kangmei turned her head and laughed self-deprecatingly, "Forget it, you're about to open for business, and you've probably already found a chef. If I went to work for you, wouldn't I be a freeloader? I'd just be paying you extra wages for nothing."

Wang Kangmei waved her hand, picked up her wine glass, and was about to drink to her heart's content when Xu Bo suddenly reached out and pressed down on the decanter, stood up and said to Gu Lin.

"Gu Lin, those workers at the shop haven't signed contracts yet, right? If it really comes down to it, give them some money and tell them they don't need to come anymore."

Xu Bo's tone left no room for argument.

Facing Xu Bo, Gu Lin could naturally see the expressions of the two people behind him that they couldn't. After a moment, Gu Lin spoke.

"I don't think so, I've already made arrangements with them." Her tone was hesitant, and she seemed quite troubled.

"No!" Xu Bo roared, "No!"

The two people behind him quickly got up and pulled Xu Bo to calm him down, but only Gu Lin could see the smile deep in Xu Bo's eyes.

That's self-praise.

"You can find a cook anywhere! What I need is family! You understand? Family!"

Xu Bo was pulled to a seat, and the two men assumed he had drunk too much, so they dared not drink any more.

"What I need is someone like Grandpa Wang, someone I know well. Do you think Grandpa Wang would harm us?"

"You tell me, Grandpa Wang, you tell me yourself."

The first half of the sentence was addressed to Gu Lin, and the second half was addressed to Wang Kangmei.

"No way, Xiao Bo, how could I possibly harm you... It's just that you've already found someone..."

Wang Kangmei continued to patiently persuade him.

"As long as it doesn't harm me!" Xu Bo stood up and said to Gu Lin, "Now inform the other party that we don't need them anymore. You can discuss the compensation issue; this matter is entirely your responsibility."

Seeing Gu Lin standing there in a daze, Xu Bo continued, "Hurry up, are you the boss or am I the boss?!"

Watching Xu Bo's performance, Wang Yan felt it was time to play along, so he quickly pulled Gu Lin aside, apologized to the others, and left the club.

It's obvious he went outside to make a phone call.

"No need to say anything, sir. Just come to my place and relax. Bring me your salary slip, and I'll check it and pay you."

Xu Bo seemed to be really drunk, as his speech was quite intoxicated.

"Just pay me whatever you want at work, I'm just worried you'll regret it tomorrow," Wang Kangmei said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Before long, Gu Lin and Wang Yan returned to the private room, nodded slightly to Xu Bo, indicating that they had made the arrangements.

"Hey, Xiaolin, why are your lips so red? Are you feeling unwell?" Zhong Qiangguo remembered that Gu Lin's lips weren't this red when she went out just now. Could it be that Xu Bo made her angry?

"It's alright." Gu Lin waved her hand, indicating that she was fine.

Wang Yan, reeking of cigarette smoke, sat down next to Zhong Qiangguo and quickly lit him a cigarette, temporarily silencing his nose that was frantically sniffing the air.

The three continued their discussion about the supply of raw materials.

Meanwhile, Xu Bo and his two companions were clearly drunk, and their conversation naturally returned to what they had done on the train.

"Xiao Bo, I remember that girl's name on the train, what was it again?" Zhong Weiyong mentioned He Yimei. He had a deep impression of He Yimei; she was beautiful, quiet, and had a powerful father.

"She's at the Xixi campus. We'll meet up later. Oh, and she has two uncles in Hangzhou. Let's get together sometime."

Xu Bo put his arm around Wang Kangmei's shoulder and sat on the chair, facing the floor-to-ceiling window. Together they quietly admired the night view of the Qiantang River. The tall buildings on both sides were wrapped with light strips, which danced rhythmically in the night. The cruise ships on the river trailed a golden halo, like a golden line drawn on a dark silk.

At this moment, the figures were like tiny ants, only appearing as a small clump to Xu Bo, who seemed to be above them.

Just as Xu Bo was filled with emotion and his thoughts were flowing, a warm breeze blew from the central air conditioning. The moment it brushed against Xu Bo's cheek, Xu Bo could no longer hold back and quickly covered his mouth, running towards the toilet.

"Whoosh~"

When the meal ended, Zhong Weiyong said there were some fun places downstairs and warmly invited Xu Bo to go and have some fun.

Xu Bo was already a bit tipsy and had no energy left, so he quickly waved his hand and said that they should get together again next time, as he had some things to take care of tomorrow morning.

"Uncle Wang, don't worry, I'll call you tomorrow! Or you can just come directly if you have an address!"

"Haha, just call me tomorrow when you're sober."

As they parted, the two clapped hands and said goodbye.

And so, the three people on the train reunited, and their friendship, which transcended age, was strengthened once again.

Xu Bo has thoroughly established his connections and influence in Hangzhou. He even managed to recruit a master chef with decades of experience in cooking and drank a lot of expensive wine.

This trip was worthwhile!