Restart life

Chapter 556 0544 [This kind of pomp and circumstance would have been a target of struggle in the past]

Chen Guiliang was very uncomfortable with this large-scale banquet.

He always felt like a wealthy man from before the liberation, but he didn't feel glamorous at all; instead, he felt a bit low-class.

In the village's largest threshing ground, banquets are set up two or three days in advance. Regardless of whether gifts are given or not, and regardless of where people are from, anyone who comes can sit down and eat.

Not only people from the neighboring village, but even from the neighboring township, rode their motorcycles over to join the fun. It wasn't all about getting a free meal or two; many were simply curious to witness the grand spectacle of a wealthy person celebrating an elder's birthday.

"You've gone too far! In the past, this would have been a reason for a struggle session!" Grandma couldn't help but complain.

Dad said, "I have no choice. Too many people want to come. Every time I go out, everyone I meet asks me. It's impossible to keep track of things at a normal banquet, so I can only have this kind of continuous feast."

Not to mention how many people came, we don't even know how much food was used.

Anyway, we invited several teams that host large banquets in rural areas, and when the ingredients were almost used up, we quickly called to request more.

Wuliangye liquor is delivered by truckload, and who knows who might sneak a couple of bottles while attending a banquet.

The mother pulled Chen Guiliang aside: "Who is this Tao Xue?"

Chen Guiliang said, "Didn't I already introduce her? She's Tao Chenggang's sister, and she's my high school classmate."

"Do you think I'd believe that?" My mom has a keen eye and can see right through it.

Chen Guiliang said, "Really."

My mother didn't say much, only reminding me: "You need to understand this in your heart, so you don't cause trouble in the end."

“I know,” Chen Guiliang said.

Bian Guanyue and Tao Xue were squatting next to their grandmother, teasing the increasingly neurotic Milk Cat.

“This cat is called Panda. I bought it with him when I was in high school. I also bought a calico cat, which I keep at my grandma’s house.”

"The panda is so ugly, it has a tuft of black fur under its nose. It looks like Hitler."

"Haha, it wasn't obvious before, but now it's becoming more and more like it."

"..."

Tao Xue discovered that the area was beautiful with clear waters and lush mountains, and insisted on going to the riverbank with Bian Guanyue.

Chen Guiliang accompanied them, took off his shoes and waded in the river, picking out pretty pebbles along the way.

In late autumn, the river water was already a bit cold.

Not long after, his cousin Chen Guirong arrived and immediately offered Chen Guiliang a cigarette.

“Didn’t you quit? You said your girlfriend made you quit last time,” Chen Guiliang said.

Chen Guirong said, "We broke up. I relapsed."

Chen Guiliang laughed and said, "The word 'relapse' is well used."

Chen Guirong didn't seem to be affected by the breakup, and her tone was quite nonchalant: "Actually, I wanted to break up a long time ago. We're not compatible. She's a college student, knowledgeable and thoughtful. I didn't even graduate from high school; all I've learned these past few years is how to cook. We have nothing in common, and we can't talk to each other at all."

"It's good that you're able to think positively," Chen Guiliang said.

Chen Guirong confided in her cousin: "She's a really nice person, and we got along really well when we first started dating. It's just... we were just incompatible, you know? We weren't even on the same wavelength. We started arguing after six months, we'd argue and then make up, but we'd argue again soon after. I got tired, and she got tired too. So we naturally broke up."

Chen Guiliang said, "Isn't her maternal grandfather your master? Wouldn't that be awkward for you and your master?"

Chen Guirong shook his head: "Master is Master, and she is her. It doesn't matter. After all, it was a natural breakup, not because anyone cheated on her."

"How much of your master's skill have you learned?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Chen Guirong said, "I've learned everything I need to learn. The rest is about experience and mastery, which takes time. I'm not bragging, but with my current skill level, I could easily be the head chef in a regular restaurant. It's not just about cooking; a head chef also needs to know how to manage, and my mentor taught me all of that."

"Your master is really good," Chen Guiliang said with a smile.

Chen Guirong said with considerable pride, "I am his last disciple."

Chen Guiliang asked, "Are you confident in opening a high-end private restaurant in Beijing? I'll take people to your restaurant when I invite them out for meals in the future."

Chen Guirong immediately felt a little guilty: "I'm afraid my skills aren't good enough. The people you eat with are all very skilled. What kind of dishes haven't they tried? They'll give themselves away as soon as they taste what I make. They'll definitely know I haven't mastered the craft yet."

Chen Guiliang laughed and said, "They don't know anything. Many dishes in high-end restaurants don't taste as good as what I cook myself."

Chen Guirong said, "Then I'll ask one of my senior brothers to go and help. I'm still a little nervous about actually cooking for those big bosses."

“Okay, we can give him a small share,” Chen Guiliang suggested. “We’ll improve the restaurant’s ambiance, making it antique and elegant, and then invite a Sichuan opera troupe to perform for the guests. We’ll also make the tableware more exquisite, and the restaurant’s class will be instantly elevated.”

Chen Guirong said, “I understand. I have a senior classmate who runs a high-end restaurant in Chengdu. I’ve visited it several times, and it’s exactly the kind of place you’re describing. Especially the traditional official cuisine, there are so many rules. I heard that that’s how governors and prefects in the Qing Dynasty entertained guests. When guests enter, they are first served tea and snacks, followed by hand-held snacks. Then colorful platters and side dishes are served with wine. After eating the cold dishes, a soup is served to cleanse the stomach. When the hot dishes are served, they are divided into appetizers, roasted and fried dishes, second soup, and side dishes…”

Chen Guirong had truly mastered the skills, and he spoke eloquently about them, going on for several minutes about the procedures and rules of Sichuan-style official banquets.

"These are all traditional Sichuan dishes, not modern inventions?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Chen Guirong said, "Of course not. There used to be many high-ranking officials in Chengdu. I heard the highest-ranking official was the governor. When people entertained guests, they had to show off their status and follow the proper etiquette."

Chen Guiliang said, "This is perfect for modern business banquets. If you collect more ancient stories and set them up in a classically elegant setting, accompanied by ancient music, you can tell them to your guests at appropriate times. It will definitely be classy."

Chen Guiliang thought for a moment, then continued, "The restaurant will serve two types of dishes: official cuisine and street food. Guests can choose in advance. Official cuisine is for business banquets, while street food is suitable for private gatherings with friends. The official cuisine won't be spicy, right?" Chen Guirong replied, "Most of the official cuisine dishes aren't spicy."

“That’s good. Go and discuss it with your senior brother,” Chen Guiliang said.

This cousin of mine, who had blond hair in junior high, is actually quite reliable. Even without Chen Guiliang's help and support, he was able to open a restaurant on his own and later became a minor internet celebrity in the era of short videos.

Next year, I'll choose a location in Beijing and spend money to renovate it properly. With Chen Guiliang, the richest man in China, treating me to meals a few more times, I can make my private restaurant a hit.

Moreover, it focuses on authentic Sichuan flavor, and all the key ingredients are air-freighted from Sichuan and Chongqing—if the ingredients are not authentic, no matter how you cook them, they won't taste the same.

……

Several buses departed from the city hotel and headed straight for the rural roads in the suburbs.

These are all celebrities who are coming to perform.

Bian Guanyue's original plan was for her father to hire an opera troupe.

Bian Jingsong felt the spectacle wasn't enough, so he invited some comedians from Sichuan and Chongqing. Then, still not enough comedians, he invited popular singers as well, such as Li Yuchun, Zhang Liangying, and Zhang Jie…

Chen Guiliang was speechless when he received the performance list. What kind of rural stage is this?
"Is this your hometown?" Zhang Liangying asked, looking at the scenery outside the car window.

Tan Weiwei said, "I'm not from this town. My home is three or four towns away from here."

“How far can three or four towns be? Not bad, you’re so close to the richest man’s hometown,” Xie Na said with a smile from the back row.

Xie Na was the host invited by Bian Jingsong...

The other host was Li Baiqing, who tells stories about Sanda (Chinese kickboxing). He partnered with Xie Na as the host, which was something Chen Guiliang never expected.

Only Bian Jinsong could come up with such an idea.

Li Baiqing was chatting with Sister Feng at this moment, not the internet celebrity Sister Feng from Runmei, but the Sichuan comedian Sister Feng.

"How long has it been since you performed in the countryside?" Sister Feng asked.

Li Baiqing said, "It hasn't been many years. I take any job I can find, and I used to go to the countryside often. But this is the first time I've taken a job from a big boss like the richest man in China."

Liao Jian, who was standing nearby, said, "Master, don't pull the cane, or you'll offend the richest man."

"Get out of the way!" Li Baiqing said irritably.

Liao Jian used to play in a band; he was the lead singer, and Dao Lang was the keyboardist.

The Sichuan dialect version of "Thank You for Your Love," which went viral on both A and B stations, was originally sung by Liao Jian. He's now a comedian and is an apprentice of Li Baiqing.

Bian Jingsong also wanted to invite Dao Lang this time and asked Liao Jian to help make the contact. However, Dao Lang lives in seclusion in both Beijing and Jiangnan and refused to perform on stage no matter how much money was offered.

The chubby girl sitting next to Liao Jian said, "This Boss Chen is really something. I heard he's worth over 100 billion. My goodness, we couldn't earn that much money in several lifetimes."

"Several lifetimes? Dozens of lifetimes!" said the short, stout man in the front row.

These people are all comedians from Sichuan and Chongqing, and their status in the Sichuan-Chongqing region is equivalent to that of the Errenzhuan stars under Benshan's management.

The bus drove into the village road, and not far away, a banquet was set up.

The celebrities thought they had arrived at their destination, but the driver kept driving forward.

That was Chen Guiliang's maternal grandmother's house, where some banquets were being held, allowing many nearby villagers to eat nearby. The real place to watch the performances was the threshing ground, which was also where the main guests ate.

Similar to scattered banquets, the bus drove past several places along the way.

Li Baiqing clicked his tongue and said, "I see now, it's set up like before Liberation. There's not much flat space here, so the banquet is all spread out. There's a spot here and a spot there, and as soon as a table of guests arrives, a table of dishes is served."

Several buses stopped near the threshing ground.

The actors hadn't gone far when they were recognized by the guests.

Children and teenagers shouted the names of Xie Na, Zhang Jie, Li Yuchun, Zhang Liangying, Tan Weiwei, and others.

Those who were a bit older all shouted "Li Baiqing".

Li Baiqing's reputation among the older generation in Sichuan and Chongqing can be compared to that of Benshan in Northeast China.

Even Chen Guiliang's grandmother kept talking to Li Baiqing and several famous Sichuan opera actors when the actors came to celebrate her birthday.

As for the popular singers, Grandma doesn't know them at all.

Chen Guiliang and his father were always receiving guests. Many leaders sent their secretaries to visit, as it was not appropriate for the leaders themselves to show up in person.

My cousin Zhang Qing also came with several colleagues.

A colleague exclaimed in shock, "How much money must it have cost to hire so many celebrities?"

Zhang Qing said, "I don't know."

-

(The title of Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce in the previous chapter has been changed to Vice Chairman.)
(End of this chapter)