Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1357 Cheng Gui Western Restaurant

The Five Avenues area is the original old city of Tianjing, full of old buildings.

After getting off the bus, Xiao Wei looked around. The buildings were all in European style, some row and some detached, with plants climbing all over the walls.

This area was originally a foreign community and was home to many famous figures in modern history.

Geda Lou is an Italian-style four-story building with a row of large balconies, somewhat similar to a row of villas. Foreigners call it a row of lane houses. It was built in 37 by the British Xiannong Company for sale.

The building is called "Geda Lou" (疙瘩楼) because the bricks used to build it were over-fired and were considered "waste bricks." The side that was exposed to the fire melted, creating the lumpy appearance.

Paul, an Englishman, discovered that although the bricks were burnt out, they were exceptionally hard, even surpassing refractory steel bricks. He bought them at a very low price and deliberately placed the bumps on the outer surface, which created a unique style and earned him a fortune.

Each house has a gate to the courtyard. The first, second, and fourth floors are flat, while the third floor has a balconies with bracket sets extending out, with European-style archways separating the entrances and exits of the upstairs and downstairs houses.

The restaurant is located at the second gate from the left of Geda Building, in a separate courtyard. You can see the restaurant's gate from the courtyard entrance. It's unremarkable, with a wooden sign hanging on the eaves. A dark green awning is installed on the third-floor balcony.

I called to ask, and it turned out that Director Han hadn't arrived yet; a few people were leaning against their car at the gate, talking and smoking.

Chen Hui wasn't a fan of Western food: "Why are you eating here? You guys think Western food is delicious? I just can't taste it. I'm not even full."

Xiao Wei said, "That's because you eat too much. Order more, eat until you're full."

Chen Hui smacked his lips, thought for a moment, and shook his head: "I can't afford to lose face. Everyone else has three or five plates, but mine is a foot high. Damn, isn't this just asking for fame?"

Xiao Wei glanced at Chen Hui: "You've done it before, haven't you? Who ordered a bunch of steaks at Miler's?"

Wang Jiwei and the others laughed, and Chen Hui kicked Xiao Wei, saying, "Am I a coward? Well, isn't that what everyone does? That chubby guy eats more than me, why don't you say that?"

Xiao Wei looked at Chen Hui as if he were clueless: "I don't even know him, why are you talking about him?"

Looking around, Zang Yuanwei said, "It feels pretty good here, completely different from ours. Actually, I think living here is quite nice."

Wang Jiwei looked around and shook his head: "I don't think it's going to work. They're all owned. Who would sell them now? Everyone knows they'll be valuable in the future. Besides, I guess they're all public property. No private individual could own them."

Xiao Wei nodded in agreement. In that great wave of public ownership, nothing was immune.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Factory Director Han's car drove up and parked on the side of the road. Factory Director Han, Secretary Li, and a new face got out of the car, all with smiles on their faces.

After shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, Factory Director Han introduced him as Dao Jun, the newly appointed head of the sales department. It's not common to see someone with the surname Dao, and Xiao Wei carefully sized him up. The head of Xiali's sales department is at the division-level, considered young and promising.

"This is one of the earliest Western restaurants in Tianjing, and it has some unique features. You must try it today." Director Han led everyone into the courtyard and up the open-air steps in front of the first floor to the second floor.

The second floor has open seating, with long tables covered in pristine white tablecloths. Overall, like many other Western restaurants, it feels somewhat crowded and cluttered. It has an exotic feel, I suppose.

After speaking with the bartender, the waiter guided everyone up the narrow wooden staircase to the third floor and into the private room.

The entire private room was decorated in bright red, with a red carpet on the floor and red velvet covering the walls. A silver candlestick and an old-fashioned British table lamp were placed on a half-cabinet by the wall, and a piano, which looked quite old, stood under the window.

After some polite polite exchanges, Secretary Li took the seat of honor, and the others followed suit. The waiter then served the pre-dinner drinks.

Braised beef in a pot, grilled silver cod with sauce, braised fish, braised pork chop, pasta, fish wrapped in paper, steak, beef pie, caviar, foie gras, borscht, various salads, grilled mixed dishes, cream puff pastry soup, cream of mushroom soup, and mousse desserts.

The dishes were served one by one, and everyone ate Western food in a purely Chinese style, chatting as they went. Since they were in a private room, there was no need to worry about anything, which added a unique flavor to the experience.

"You guys are really something now, your business is growing so fast and so big. You're young and energetic, compared to you we're really old."

Secretary Li was somewhat emotional, recalling the scene of their first encounter, and how in the blink of an eye, he had become a successful entrepreneur.

"Are those two building complexes you built for sale? Our factory is considering buying some to set up a showroom. Haha. This is a suggestion from Section Chief Dao after he saw your sales showroom in Northeast China. We'd like to learn from you."

"Don't say that. We learned from Santana too. Foreigners are ahead of us in this respect." Xiao Wei was a little embarrassed.

The car sales showroom was indeed modeled after Santana. Before that, Santana was the only car brand in China that spent money to set up showrooms in various locations.

"If you do it better than him, then we'll learn from you; those who are more accomplished are our teachers."

"Secretary Li, Director Han," Chen Hui wiped his mouth, "haven't you considered increasing the number of car models? I see that foreign car manufacturers produce in series, catering to all aspects and consumer levels. There are more and more wealthy people in China now, and the product range is becoming a bit limited."

Factory Director Han sighed: "It's not that easy. The operating mechanism is completely different. Let's go back and discuss it. After all, it costs money."

Secretary Li nodded: "Yes, we can't just do whatever we want; we need approval from above."

Xiao Wei said, "Now that government and enterprises are separated and operating independently under a market economy, it's definitely all about making money and developing."

Secretary Li gave a wry smile: "Don't just listen to slogans. State-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises, how can the factory be in charge of its own affairs? I dare not even think about it. I envy you, though, that you have the final say and the drive to develop is much stronger."

Chen Hui said, "Brother Han, Uncle Li, Section Chief Dao, I have something to ask you, I was wondering if I could trouble you for a favor."

Factory Director Han looked over, and Chen Hui said, "We're still selling imported cars, and you should know the current situation. We're thinking, could we go through your factory's import/export department? We'll pay the fees, and that would save us some trouble."

Factory Director Han looked at Secretary Li, who thought for a moment and said, "No problem. If you're willing to spend money, why can't we? It can also increase efficiency, and it would be a good thing if everyone got a few more bonuses."

Factory Director Han said, "If the Party Secretary says it's okay, then it's okay. From now on, just go directly to Xiao Dao."

Xiao Wei raised his glass, and the others clinked glasses.

(End of this chapter)