The golden age began in 1977

Chapter 203 Taishan Road, I, Chief Qian, am back again.
early morning.

It was still dark.

The first autumn rain fell a couple of days ago, and the morning was no longer hot and dry; instead, it was cool and damp with a gentle breeze.

Qian Jin pushed open the window of the supply and marketing cooperative's director's office, and the clanging of the iron eaves shattered the last sliver of moonlight of the day.

The cool September breeze, carrying the earthy smell of freshly turned earth, wafted in, and he gazed intently at the scenery outside the window.

The rural dirt roads were softened by two days of continuous autumn rain, and rainwater accumulated in the dark brown ruts left by oxcarts or trucks.

In the early hours of the morning, the glistening puddles reflected the moonlight falling from the sky, shining brightly like mercury.

The wild wormwood drooped by the roadside, its tips glistening with raindrops from the previous night. When the wind blew, the raindrops fell in a rustling sound, leaving tiny, pockmarked spots on the muddy ground.

A thin mist rises from the distant cornfields.

The corn stalks had turned yellow and dried out, appearing and disappearing in the mist.

Qian Jin placed the enamel mug on the peeling windowsill; the remaining burnt rice tea at the bottom of the mug had lost its flavor.

Looking further into the distance, the black-tiled thatched houses appear dark and oppressive under the moonlight, like splattered ink marks on rice paper.

The smoke rising from the chimneys was blown away by the wind, indicating that some early risers had started cooking.

Qian Jin touched the tin keychain in the pocket of his Zhongshan suit, took it out, tossed it in his hand, and finally placed it on his desk.

From then on, he had nothing to do with the management of the Zidian Commune Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

He took one last look at everything in the office. The dim light cast his shadow on the mud wall covered with old newspapers, making the certificates of merit of the supply and marketing cooperative on the wall appear dark.

Pull the light cord.

The only light in the supply and marketing cooperative was gone, and the entire commune returned to darkness.

Qian went into the yard, pushed his motorcycle, and prepared to go out.

He's going back to the city today.

He doesn't know when he'll come back next time; he might return soon, but then he won't be the host anymore, but a guest.

He went to push open the door.

The old locust tree outside the back door swayed gently in the morning breeze. At this time of year, the cicadas had stopped chirping, and in their place came the low chirping of what sounded like crickets or grasshoppers.

Soon the motorcycles roared to life, drowning out all other sounds.

Qian Jin quickly pressed down on the accelerator, afraid of disturbing Liu Xiulan who lived in the supply and marketing cooperative.

He carefully tied his luggage to the back seat; it contained various local specialties given to him by his colleagues and cadres from different brigades.
The tobacco leaves given by Zhao Dazhu, the pickled vegetables made by Jin Hai's wife, the towels woven by Liu Xiulan herself, the flour made from the new wheat sent by the brigade this year, and Secretary Wang Zhenshan even specially asked the commune canteen to pickle a large piece of salted meat for him to take with him...

Everything was heavy.

"It's better to leave secretly," Qian Jin muttered to himself.

He couldn't stand farewell scenes, especially since he could foresee Liu Xiulan inevitably shedding tears.

That's a bit pretentious.

It's all unnecessary.

As soon as the motorcycle drove out of the compound, Qian Jin slammed on the brakes:
Just a few steps outside the back door, there was a huge, dark crowd standing there!

Zhao Dazhu, wearing a faded work uniform, waved at him. Jin Hai, shuffling along in his exposed-toe canvas shoes, chuckled. Liu Xiulan, unsurprisingly, was wiping her eyes.

In addition, there were Guan Erdou, Cao Lihua, and others. No one knew when they arrived, but all of his men were there.

"What are you guys doing..." Qian Jin hurriedly slammed on the brakes, almost crashing headfirst into the crowd.

"Director Qian, trying to sneak away?" Zhao Dazhu grabbed the motorcycle handlebars, a sly smile on his dark face.

"I've been squatting here for a while now!"

Liu Xiulan shoved a bundle into Qian Jin's arms, her voice trembling with tears: "Director Qian, what are you doing? You're leaving today without even telling us? Don't you consider us one of your own?"

"Luckily, Director Zhao is observant and noticed you started packing yesterday, otherwise you wouldn't have been allowed to sneak away!"

Qian Jin was both amused and exasperated: "How could you say I ran away? You make me sound like a fugitive."

"You just want to run away behind our backs," Liu Xiulan insisted, her tone full of dissatisfaction.

Qian Jin had no choice but to coax her, saying, "I didn't run away. I just wanted to leave as soon as possible. Even though it's September now, it's still very hot when the sun comes out."

"Besides, to be honest, I don't like that tearful farewell ceremony, especially since I'll be back in a few days. There's no need for you to see me off."

Jin Hai asked with surprise, "Are you really coming back? In a few days?"

Qian Jin nodded: "Of course it's true, I also have feelings for our Zidian Commune."

"Then you'll be back in a few days?" Zhao Dazhu fully demonstrated his meticulousness as an accountant.

Qian Jin counted the numbers and said, "I'll definitely be back in two weeks at most."

Upon hearing this, the sorrow on everyone's faces faded, and smiles appeared on their faces.

Guan Erdou handed over a military water bottle: "This is homemade sweet potato liquor. I learned the technique from my comrades. Try it, it tastes pretty good."

Qian Jin said, "Okay, this will help me relax on the way."

Jin Hai scratched his messy hair and said, "You guys even prepared gifts? I didn't prepare anything, how embarrassing."

Qian Jin was speechless. He turned his head and patted the back seat of the motorcycle: "There are enough things here. They are all gifts from you guys."

"You say you're not prepared? What are you going to prepare? Are you going to give me a huge sum of money for getting on and off the horse? Wouldn't that make me look like a corrupt official?"

The eastern sky gradually brightened, bathing everyone's faces in light.

Qian Jin hung up the wine jug and gave each of them a final, deep look: "Go back now, comrades. I, Qian Jin, will always remember you all."

"And like I said before, I'll be back soon!"

The motorcycle sputtered to life.

This time, Qian Jin didn't hold back and sped off.

In the rearview mirror, Zhao Dazhu was waving, Jin Hai was grinning foolishly, Guan Erdou saluted him, and Liu Xiulan, as expected, finally burst into tears, wiping away her tears.

Qian Jin rode his motorcycle slowly along the bumpy dirt road.

The cool morning breeze dispelled the discomfort in his heart.

He didn't expect that even though he tried to sneak away, he would still be caught red-handed.

But this is for the best, at least there are no regrets.

He spoke so casually, but he was actually sad inside.

After all, we worked together for half a year, we shared our hatred of the enemy and our laughter.

He can come back in a few days.

When we come back, our identities and circumstances will have changed, and the days of fighting side by side will never return.

Just as Qian Jin was about to accelerate after turning the first corner, several figures suddenly darted out from in front of him!
"Stop the car!" A loud shout startled Qian Jin so much that he almost overturned the vehicle.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that the people from Xiping Brigade had arrived!

Zhou Tiezhen, along with several commune members including Zhou Gu and Zhou Peng, blocked the middle of the road like highway robbers, with several bamboo baskets at their feet.

Seeing Qian Jin brake, Zhou Tiezhen grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Director Qian, you've finally arrived!"

Qian Jin was once again left speechless, both amused and exasperated.

No wonder Zhou Gu wasn't in the farewell party earlier; he was waiting here.

Zhou Gu sighed repeatedly, his old face filled with worry.

Zhou Tiezhen's signature double-breasted jacket was open, revealing his bronze chest, and he was carrying a dripping urea bag in his hand.

"Captain Zhou? What's going on here...?"

"You bastard Qian Jin!" Zhou Tiezhen grabbed the handlebars, revealing his habitual chuckle. "Trying to sneak away again? Let me tell you, you're not leaving until the men of Xiping Brigade have said a word!"

Last time, Qian Jin had dinner and drinks at his house and got Zhou Tiezhen drunk. He didn't wake up until dawn the next day. Then, without eating breakfast, Qian Jin rode off on his motorcycle with the old things from the Xiping Production Brigade.

Naturally, he didn't bring the vegetables that Zhou Tiezhen had prepared for him.

Zhou Tiezhen clearly came here specifically to deliver vegetables to him today.

Qian Jinting was puzzled: "How did you know I was leaving today? I thought this information was kept secret."

Zhou Tiezhen said casually, "What are you keeping secret for? Last time we drank together last night, you told me you were going back to the city this Sunday!"

Qian Jin suddenly understood.

It turns out I had drunk too much and let it slip.

Clearly, drinking alcohol is not a good thing; it can easily lead to mistakes.

Zhou Gu patted the bamboo basket beside him: "The captain woke us up before dawn, saying that since you were going back to the city, he had to pick some fresh vegetables for you to take with you!"

Zhou Peng grinned and approached, handing over a bamboo basket: "Director Qian, these were picked by our team members at 3 a.m., still wet with dew, and delivered by tractor!"

Qian Jin looked down and saw that the basket was neatly arranged:
Cucumbers with blossoms and thorns, bright red tomatoes, glossy purple eggplants, and tender green beans.

Each vegetable was covered with glistening dewdrops, shimmering in the morning light.

Everyone had either a basket or a bag in their hands.

Zhou Linwen picked a cucumber from the basket, wiped it on his sleeve, and handed it to Qian Jin: "Director Qian, have one. You must not have had breakfast since you left so early, right? Have a cucumber to fill your stomach. It's freshly picked and it's sweet!"

Qian Jin took the cucumber and took a bite.

The sweet juice instantly filled my mouth, carrying the fragrance of earth and the coolness of morning dew; it was indeed sweet and delicious.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Zhou Tiezhen said with a smug smile. "These are all the best vegetables from our brigade's private plot, specially prepared for you!"

Qian Jin chewed on a cucumber, but his heart felt like it had been hit hard by something.

He likes these people.

Honest and simple.

People from Xiping may be poor, but they are extremely generous to their friends.

They understand best the principle of repaying a small kindness with a great one.

Zhou Tiezhen and his group brought a lot of vegetables, so the motorcycle was already packed full, and they had to repack and figure out how to tie the vegetable bags and baskets together.

Qian Jin sighed, "You've given me too much; I can't eat it all."

"If we can't finish it, we'll share it with our relatives and friends in the city!" Zhou Tiezhen said nonchalantly, waving his hand. "Let them try some of Xiping's cuisine too!"

Zhou Gu and several other commune members had already started tying bamboo baskets onto the motorcycle, muttering as they did so, "Director Qian, these eggplants are so tender, they're the best when stir-fried!"

"Green beans should be eaten quickly, otherwise they will become too tough."

"The tomatoes are ripe, be careful not to crush them on the way..."

Qian Jin stood aside, watching them busy themselves, feeling a warm glow in his heart.

He patted Zhou Tiezhen on the shoulder without saying a word, giving him a look that said, "We're one of our own."

Zhou Tiezhen patted him on the shoulder, but this time he didn't smile. Instead, he said seriously, "Director Qian, our brigade will really miss you when you leave."

“I know Zhao Dazhu. He’s a good man, but he’s different from you. He’s not a capable person, but you are…”

"Captain Zhou, don't say things like that." Zhou Gu looked around.

He continued, "Yes, Director Qian is a capable person. As the saying goes, good steel should be used on the blade. Capable people should go to higher positions to shine."

Zhou Tiezhen rolled his eyes at him: "You became a cadre just because you joined the commune? Did a toad become a jeep on the highway?"

"We don't care about this or that, we just know that Director Qian is a good leader, and I'm happy that Director Qian stays in our Zidian Commune."

Qian Jin looked up and noticed that this usually forthright and rugged man's eyes were now somewhat red.

This was a posture he had never seen before.

So he said earnestly, "Captain Zhou, I will definitely come back in the future. Xiping Brigade means something different to me; I still have to help you become prosperous."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tiezhen laughed heartily, reverting to his usual carefree demeanor: "Alright! That's enough! Next time you come, I'll pick the freshest vegetables for you!"

The bamboo basket was finally tied up, and the back seat of the motorcycle was weighed down.

Next, we started tying the bags.

It requires much more binding than bamboo baskets or bags.

The contents of the bag are also much more precious.

Qian Jin thought that the urea bag Zhou Tiezhen brought contained washed fruits or vegetables, which was why it was dripping water. In fact, it was full of cicada nymphs and cicadas!
These things were pickled in brine in a salt jar beforehand, which is why they are leaking water when they are taken out now.

"You guys wiped out the entire cicada colony on the back hill?" Qian Jin's voice trembled.

Has anyone ever seen a half-sack full of cicadas and cicada nymphs?
This scene is truly dignified.

To paraphrase the internet celebrity with size 43 feet: Bro, please deliver!

"What's so great!" Zhou Tiezhen tied the bag to his back seat.

“These are freshly dug peanuts, an early-maturing variety this year. Your wife will definitely love them!” His rough hand suddenly pressed down on Qian Jin’s shoulder. “Director Qian, we won’t send you back to the city. We’ll wait for you at the brigade.”

Qian Jin said, "You're right to wait for me. I've already told you, we'll definitely come back in the future. Besides, you can come too."

Every two days, the labor commando team on Taishan Road would send a truck to Xiping Production Brigade to purchase vegetables.

So if Zhou Tiezhen has free time, he can actually go to Haibin City every few days.

Everyone understood this principle; they came only to see him off and didn't engage in any tearful farewell farewells.

After delivering fresh vegetables and pickled cicadas, they prepared to return home.

At that moment, the work start bell rang for a nearby production team.

The tinkling sound pierced through the thin mist of an early autumn morning, lingering and far-reaching.

Zhou Tiezhen looked back and then pulled a cloth bag out of his pocket: "I almost forgot, this is dried grasshoppers that my wife dried. They're the best accompaniment to alcohol!"

He took two steps back and waved his hand. "Let's go! I'll bring you two bags when the new peanuts are harvested!"

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and sunlight shone on the fully loaded motorcycles.

Qian Jin also waved his hand.

The motorcycle finally started to pick up speed.

In the fields by the roadside, early-rising farmers had already begun their work, and he could hear the sound of hoes digging the ground, which even the sound of motorcycle engines couldn't drown out.

Qian Jin took a deep breath and smelled the fresh scent of soil, dew, and vegetables.

He knew that no matter how far he went, he would never forget this land and its people.

Qian Jin wasn't a city official; he was a waiter who worked on the front lines in rural areas!
The motorcycle drove through the county town and headed straight for the coastal city.

The sun was rising higher, but the heat hadn't completely dissipated. The morning breeze carried the dry heat; these days, the roads were difficult to navigate, and motorcycles couldn't go very fast.

He set off just as dawn broke, and by the time he returned to Taishan Road it was already past 10 a.m.

The bright sunlight slanted through the mottled corridors of the tenement building on Taishan Road, casting shadows of railings on the cement floor.

Qian Jin carried his bulging travel bag and climbed the creaking wooden stairs to the second floor.

The main door to room 205 was open for ventilation.

Qian Jin looked inside and saw Wei Qinghuan standing on tiptoe to hang clothes on the clothesline.

She was wearing a faded floral print blouse, the hem of which lifted slightly with her movements, revealing her snow-white waist.

Blue cloth trousers hugged her rounded buttocks, swaying and revealing alluring curves as she stretched.

Qian Jin leaned against the doorway and watched, then couldn't help but knock.

"Who is it?" Wei Qinghuan asked without turning her head, snapping the wooden clothespin in her hand onto the bed sheet.

The autumn sunlight filtered through the thin cotton fabric, outlining her slender silhouette.

Qian Jin smiled and said, "I'm completely back."

The bed sheet on the clothesline suddenly started shaking violently.

Upon hearing the sound, Wei Qinghuan immediately turned around, her bangs sticking to her cheeks with sweat.

Her eyes widened, and when she turned around, she gave a radiant smile.

Before Qian Jin could even put down his luggage, he was suddenly embraced by a soft, warm woman.

Wei Qinghuan clung to him like an octopus, her two white arms squeezing his neck until it ached.

"Be gentle..." Qian Jin patted her buttocks with a smile, feeling that they were even more voluptuous than he remembered.

Wei Qinghuan ignored him and kissed his face, leaving saliva stains all over his face.

Qian Jin heard the sound of a door opening next door in apartment 202, so he quickly dragged his wife, who was clinging to him, into the house and closed the door with his foot.

Wei Qinghuan then slid off him, but still clung to the hem of his clothes.

Her eyes shone brightly, and her smile widened: "You're not leaving again this time, are you? You don't have to go to the countryside to work anymore, do you?"

Qian Jin put his travel bag on the ground and took out several packets of grasshoppers wrapped in oil paper: "Yes, we're not leaving this time."

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back today?" Wei Qinghuan patted his chest happily.

Qian Jin kissed her and laughed, "I just wanted to give you a surprise, and also check up on you to see if you've been flirting with any young men in the city."

"Shameless!" Wei Qinghuan pinched his waist. "You haven't come back for half a month this time. I should be checking if you've been seduced by some vixen."

As she spoke, she burst out laughing.

The thought that her husband would no longer have to leave home for work made her happy.

Qian Jin pulled her close and pushed her onto the bed, munching on her like he was eating a melon, making loud smacking noises.

Wei Qinghuan pushed him away, straightened his clothes, and smoothed his hair, saying, "It's evening. Tangyuan and the others went out to play. Who knows when they'll be back."

Qian Jin understood this principle as well.

He was just indulging in a fleeting fantasy.

Looking around, the small house was neatly arranged.

Steam rose from the aluminum pot on the coal stove, a stack of half-corrected night school assignments lay on the bedside table, and a new propaganda poster on the wall proclaimed "Strive to achieve the Four Modernizations."

He went to unload the luggage from the car.

Wei Qinghuan squatted down and rummaged through her travel bag: "Wow! So many fresh vegetables!"

She held up a cucumber with a yellow flower on top: "Did the Xiping Production Brigade give you this? Their cucumbers are the best, so juicy."

"Yes, Captain Zhou led his men to pick them before dawn." Qian Jin looked at his wife's rosy cheeks and almost went crazy when he heard the words "juicy".

We've been married for over half a year.

The female teacher became increasingly alluring under his influence.

He had just ripped open the neckline of his floral shirt, revealing a glimpse of his delicate collarbone.

Wei Qinghuan noticed his gaze, her eyes darting around as she bit her lip and stood up, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes: "What are you looking at? I told you it's not allowed..."

Qian Jin pulled her into his arms, and after smelling the jasmine soap scent in her hair, both of them began to tremble.

This time, Qian Jin managed to restrain his desires, because other desires were brewing within him: "I haven't had breakfast, I'm a little hungry."

Wei Qinghuan laughed out loud. She nimbly slipped out of Qian Jin's arms, playfully called him a "starving ghost," and then tied on her apron.

Her slender waist was accentuated by the fabric belt, creating a breathtaking curve. She gathered her hair into a ponytail and said briskly, "Dumplings before departure, noodles upon arrival. I'll make you some stir-fried noodles with two poached eggs."

Qian Jin rubbed against her from behind, saying, "Okay, okay."

He followed Wei Qinghuan wherever she went.

Finally, the female teacher had no choice but to turn around and keep slapping him: "You're going to die! Wait until your lunch break!"

Qian Jin then calmed down.

Out of sight, out of mind.

After filling his stomach, he decided to check on the situation of the mobile canteen for the people.

This is his first company, and also a key enterprise in the industry he wants to focus on developing.

It was nearly noon, and the autumn heat was intense, the scorching sun softening the asphalt road in front of the Taishan Road Neighborhood Committee.

Qian Jin walked into the neighborhood committee office, stepping through the dappled shadows of the trees. Sweat streamed down his temples, and his white shirt clung to his back, the sweat stains clearly visible.

"Hey, Chief Qian's back!"

Aunt Wang, who was sweeping the floor in front of the neighborhood committee, was the first to see him, and she yelled loudly.

Wei Xiangmi was about to leave when she heard the voice and rushed over, grabbing Qian Jin's hand: "Oh dear, you've gotten so dark! You've lost weight! Life in the countryside must be tough!"

“You’ve been gone for half a year in the countryside, it’s like you’ve disappeared. You’re the captain of our neighborhood committee’s labor commando team, why don’t you come back for a visit?”

Qian Jin has been involved in the affairs of the labor shock brigades a lot during this period.

But he could only return to the city on Sundays, which was only one day. Just traveling took half a day. Once he returned to the city, he was in a hurry to hook up with Wei Qinghuan. How could he have time to work at the neighborhood committee?
The labor shock brigade and small collective enterprises always prepared in advance for any tasks. On Sundays, Zhu Tao, Shi Zhentao, Zhao Bo, Mi Gang, and others would wait for him to report on his work.

Before Qian Jin could answer, all the office windows were suddenly flung open, and seven or eight heads popped out at the same time:

"Qian Jin!"

"Chief Qian!"

"It's Chief Qian back!"

Shi Zhentao, a member of the labor commando team, peeked out the window and immediately ran out the door: "Chief Qian, why didn't you give us advance notice this time?"

Zhu Tao followed closely behind, still holding his accounting pen, ink splattered all over the floor:
"I heard you're being transferred back to the city? Is it true?"

Just as Qian Jin was about to speak, other staff members from the neighborhood committee came out and surrounded him, bombarding him with a barrage of questions:
Are there many mosquitoes in the countryside?

"Will we be able to get meat?"

"You were doing a great job as the captain of Jiagang, so why were you sent to the countryside?"

Zhao Bo brought over some cooled boiled water; water droplets condensed on the outside of the enamel mug.

Qian Jin gulped down half a vat in one go, wiped his mouth, and said, "Hey, this tastes pretty good."

"There's an ice pop inside, this is ice pop water," Zhao Bo said proudly.

"Take your time, take your time..." He searched for familiar faces in the crowd. "Who just said I was being transferred back? Old Zhu, is that you? You're well-informed."

"Are you really being transferred back to the city?" Everyone present was very happy.

Qian Jin has become the backbone of Taishan Road.

During his tenure, Taishan Road developed rapidly, especially the Labor Commando Team, which saw remarkable progress.

After dealing with everyone, Qian Jin distributed the fresh vegetables and local specialties he had brought back from the countryside to them.

After they left, he asked the key members of the labor shock brigade, "How is the mobile canteen doing now?"

"Great!" Shi Zhentao slapped his thigh. "With the weather getting hot, even twenty grills aren't enough for a barbecue!"

Zhu Tao led him into the office of the labor commando team, where a map of Haibin City was hanging on the wall.

He pointed to the map and said, “The stalls were set up in the designated areas according to your plan, and business was booming. If it weren’t for Director Wei adding more than forty people to our team, we wouldn’t have enough manpower in our labor commando team!”

Mi Gang added, "The labor commando team now has 122 people!"

Qian Jin nodded: "Okay, we're not afraid of having too many people, we're afraid of having too few. There's strength in numbers."

"With more people, there are more mouths to talk about," someone said.

Qian Jin said, "Don't worry, I'll find a way to support you."

"Let's go check out our business!"

The intersection of Taishan Road and Wutaishan Road is a major transportation hub, and a stall has been set up there.

From afar, Qian Jin could see the smoke rising from the intersection. A gust of wind carried the mixed aroma of cumin, chili powder, and roasted meat, making one's mouth water.

He knew that the barbecue business was unbeatable in the summer, so when he first went to the countryside in the spring, he asked someone to pass on the news to Huang Laotie and others, and ordered another batch of barbecue grills to be made.

Today, the People's Mobile Canteen has a total of 20 barbecue grills, which are then divided into eight groups for operation.

The Taishan Road section is managed by Zhou Shanhu, and it has a total of four ovens, making it a flagship store.

There were long queues in front of all four ovens.

Now, in addition to grilled meat and flatbread, new models such as grilled seafood and grilled vegetables have been developed.

The grill for seafood smelled of the sea, while the grill for lamb skewers was thick with smoke. In the vegetarian section, eggplants and peppers sizzled on the wire mesh.

A dozen or so beer barrels were lined up in a row, and the line to buy beer stretched all the way to the roadside.

"Captain Qian?!" A young man who was skewering lamb skewers suddenly widened his eyes. "It really is you!"

Qian Jin waved his hand, signaling him to continue working, while he himself walked towards the most popular stall—the barbecue stall at the intersection that Zhou Shanhu was in charge of.

More than twenty low tables were arranged in a horseshoe shape, with three or four empty beer bottles placed under each table.

The group consisted mainly of workers wearing T-shirts or shirtless, with a significant number of elderly men and children. Several tables were occupied by cadres wearing polyester shirts, all of whom were sweating profusely and had oily mouths as they ate.

"Hurry up! Hurry up! They're waiting behind us!" Zhou Shanhu was shirtless, his bronze back gleaming.

He flipped twenty skewers of mutton with his left hand and brushed sauce onto the flatbread with his right. The towel draped around his neck was so black that its original color was no longer visible.

Qian Jin silently stood at the end of the line.

The young man in overalls in front of me was complaining, "With such a terrible attitude, who would come to eat here if the food wasn't so good?"

Qian Jin frowned upon hearing this.

Is the service at mobile canteens for the public really that bad?
When it was Qian Jin's turn, Zhou Shanhu didn't even look up: "What do you want? Tell me quickly!"

"Twenty skewers of meat, ten grilled eggplants, ten grilled tofu, and two pitchers of beer."

"No, are you kidding me? I don't use this oven for grilling meat, flatbread, vegetables, or tofu. Go to the side..."

Zhou Shanhu raised his head with a complaint.

Then I was stunned.

Qian Jin frowned and stared at him.

Zhou Shanhu's dark face flushed and shone.

He frantically grabbed a towel to wipe his hands, smearing oil everywhere: "Captain Qian! My... my..."

He wiped the sweat from his brow, turned around, and shouted to the young man helping him, "What are you standing there for! Get a chair! Can't you see our boss is here!"

Qian Jin still frowned: "Stop, stop, stop. You keep grilling and working. Once you're done with this batch, hand over the work. I have something to ask you."

Zhou Shanhu was embarrassed. He knew what Qian Jin wanted to ask, and while he was busy, he explained, "Chief Qian, I remember your instructions. We are the people's mobile canteen, and our duty is to serve the people."

"But it's so hot today, I'm really restless."

Qian Jin relaxed his brows and said, "I understand. It's hot, and you're always tending to the charcoal, so you must be very irritable."

"But rules are rules. What's the point of having rules and regulations if they're not followed?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhou Shanhu nodded and bowed, almost hitting his head on the grill. "I apologize! I deeply apologize!"

He turned his head and shouted to the seated people: "Ladies and gentlemen, comrades, I admit that my service attitude is not good. Please forgive me."

“My boss criticized me, and I absolutely realize my mistake. A real man can’t be half-hearted in his work, and can’t just talk the talk. Today, I’m paying out of my own pocket to give each table a pitcher of beer, five pieces of grilled meat, and five pieces of grilled tofu!”

Immediately, shouts of approval rang out from behind.

The middle-aged man, who looked like a cadre, also said, "To know one's mistakes and correct them is of utmost importance."

Qian Jin said, "I was also at fault in this matter. I only made rules and regulations for you and forgot to help you solve your worries."

"From now on, I will prepare herbal tea for you. Drinking herbal tea can help cool down your heart."

"In addition, I will compensate all of you barbecue chefs. Come to me after get off work this afternoon, and you will each receive a compensation."

"But after receiving compensation, you can no longer yell at or beat guests. You must provide warm and considerate service!"

Zhou Shanhu wiped the sweat from his forehead and shouted, "Just you wait, Chief Qian, I will never let our mobile canteen down again!"

"Here, Chief Qian, have some meat skewers."

Qian Jin took the meat skewer and took a bite. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a spicy and savory flavor.

Zhou Shanhu's craftsmanship is unparalleled.

After the reform and opening up, he was able to become the barbecue godfather of Haibin City!

It was lunchtime.

Many people came to eat barbecue.

Barbecue is not cheap, but the stalls also have grilled vegetables, grilled tofu, and grilled pancakes, which are things that ordinary families in the city can afford.

For less than 50 cents or a dollar, you can enjoy delicious food that you can't get in restaurants, which makes many people happy to come and eat skewers.

The sun beat down on the bustling street corner, and the aroma of barbecue mingled with beer foam, spreading throughout the street.

Cities by the sea always have some extra advantages, such as the free sea breeze blowing along the road, which makes people feel comfortable all over.

Standing amidst the bustling atmosphere, Qian Jin finally felt that the familiar Qian Chief from Taishan Road had returned!

(End of this chapter)