1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 351 Ah Wei, Times Have Changed (Bonus Chapter 455 for Monthly Tickets)

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Awei, times have changed. Illiterate chefs can't get by now. If you want to get certified, you have to study. To be a good chef, you can't skimp on learning."

Ah Wei sighed and said quietly, "No wonder my two advisors were chefs their whole lives, and they had a whole bookcase full of books at home. They were not much different from scholars."

Zhou Yan walked towards the kitchen. Footsteps came from the top of the stairs. Zhou Momo came down and leaned over to ask Zhou Yan, "Brother! What's for breakfast?"

"Would you like some goose egg pancakes?" Zhou Yan asked with a smile.

“Okay! I like pancakes! I want some sugar~~” Zhou Momo nodded her little head.

As soon as Zhou Yan entered the kitchen, Zeng Anrong followed him in, took an apron from the wall and tied it on, smiling as she said, "Master Zhou, let me help you."

"Making a pancake, there's not much to do." Zhou Yan washed his hands, took two goose eggs and a few chicken eggs from the basin, and then took the flour out of the cupboard.

"Then let me crack the eggs for you. Should the goose eggs and chicken eggs be cracked together or separately?" Zeng Anrong asked.

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "Just mix them together and stir in one direction. Goose eggs aren't as fluffy as chicken eggs, so mixing them together will make them more fragrant."

“Okay.” Zeng Anrong replied and immediately started working.

Zhou Yan felt both helpless and gratified about employees who were always eager to work and never wanted to slack off for a moment.

Being an apprentice is great; if you're willing to learn and work hard, you'll definitely pick it up quickly.

"Egg pancakes are actually very simple. First, make a batter with flour..." Zhou Yan explained to Zeng Anrong as he made them.

She studied very diligently, even taking out paper and pen to record the detailed proportions of flour, water, and eggs.

"Use a small pan for making pancakes. This makes it easier to spread the batter and get a thin, even pancake." Zhou Yan heated the pan, poured some oil into it, and let the oil coat the entire pan. He scooped a spoonful of batter into the pan, gently turned his wrist to spread the batter evenly, waited a moment, and then gently shook the pan. The pancake swayed in the pan, and with a push and pull, the pancake bounced up, drawing an arc before landing in the pan, successfully flipping over.

Once one side of the egg pancake is golden brown, gently shake the pan until the other side is also cooked through.

A golden egg pancake appeared on the plate, emitting a wonderful aroma of eggs. The iron pan was spotless, its bottom glistening with oil.

"Want to try it?" Zhou Yan handed the iron pot to Zeng Anrong.

“Okay.” Zeng Anrong accepted the iron pot without hesitation.

"Sister Zeng, you've already started cooking?" Awei entered the kitchen.

Zeng Anrong looked serious. She placed the iron wok on the stove to heat it, poured in a little oil, spread the oil evenly on the bottom of the wok, then picked up a spoon and scooped a spoonful of batter into the wok. With a slight turn of her elbow, the egg pancake spread out evenly.

Next, shake the pan to make the pancake spin in the pan, preventing it from burning. With a quick flick of the wrist, the egg pancake is flipped over perfectly.

"Have you studied this before?" Zhou Yan asked with a smile.

Zeng Anrong took the egg pancake out of the pan and said, "I used to be in charge of making pancakes for a while, but I only learned how to fry them. I didn't know how to make the batter. The master who made the egg pancakes refused to teach me the recipe."

"That's too cunning, only teaching half of it?" Awei said angrily.

“This situation is quite common, so I’m only half-baked in many things, only knowing half of it,” Zeng Anrong said, her emotions remaining quite stable.

"Don't worry, everything you learn here is taught in a complete set, and I won't cut corners," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

“I believe you.” Zeng Anrong nodded, her expression serious.

"Momo, come on, have one first." Zhou Yan called Zhou Momo over and handed her the plate of pancakes.

"The egg pancake smells so good! Thank you, bro!" The little guy took a sniff and happily carried the plate out the door.

"Awei, you eat first. Egg pancakes are only delicious when they're fresh out of the pan and hot." Zhou Yan picked up another portion and handed it to Awei.

“Then one isn’t enough for me, I’ll eat while guarding the pot.” Awei carried the plate to the side, picked up a pair of chopsticks and started eating. “Hmm, Sister Zeng’s egg pancakes are really good, just like Master Zhou’s.”

Both are of a "very good" standard, so there's naturally no difference in taste.

Zhou Yan simply stepped down and let Zeng Anrong make the egg pancakes.

Comrade Zhou and Aunt Zhao also went into the kitchen and took plates to catch the freshly cooked egg pancakes.

Egg pancakes taste best when they're freshly made and eaten immediately.

Zhou Momo, who has a sweet tooth, sprinkled some white sugar on the egg pancake.

Comrade Lao Zhou spread some chili oil on the pancake, rolled it up with a few pickled radishes, and ate the pickled radish pancake.

"Xiao Zeng, you eat these two, I'll fry the rest later." Zhou Yan took the iron pan from Zeng Anrong and handed her the plate with the two pancakes.

"Teacher Zhou, don't you not have any egg pancakes yet? I'll fry the rest."

"No need, I'm waiting for someone." Zhou Yan shook his head.

"Waiting for someone?" Zeng Anrong looked at him in confusion.

"Sister Yao Yao! I'm eating an egg pancake~~ Do you want some?"

"Hello, lady boss."

Zhou Momo and Awei's voices could be heard from outside.

“Okay.” Zeng Anrong understood immediately and took the egg pancake out to eat.

Xia Yao was dressed casually today, wearing a short jacket and black casual pants, her long black hair draped over her shoulders, looking bright yet with a touch of languor. When she heard Awei call her "boss lady," she simply smiled, neither responding nor objecting.

Aunt Zhao came out and looked at Xia Yao with a smile, saying, "My dear, you're here. Sit down for a while. Zhou Yan is making egg pancakes."

"Okay, Auntie." Xia Yao nodded with a smile and sat down next to Zhou Momo.

A short while later, Zhou Yan came out carrying two plates of egg pancakes.

"Is it alright to have egg pancakes for breakfast?" Zhou Yan placed one of the plates in front of Xia Yao and handed her chopsticks with a smile.

"Of course, no problem. Your egg pancakes are delicious." Xia Yao smiled and took the chopsticks. Seeing that there were two pancakes on the plate, she hesitated for a moment and said, "Two pancakes, I might not be able to finish them."

"It's alright, eat as much as you want, I'll take care of the rest," Zhou Yan said casually as he sat down.

“I can help too!” Zhou Momo added.

"What's wrong with this egg pancake today? It's so filling!" Ah Wei asked, carrying the plate away.

"Wei, there's another one that's been fried in the pan," Zhou Yan reminded him.

"I can't eat anymore, I'm too full," Awei said without turning his head.

Xia Yao divided an egg pancake in half, giving one half to Zhou Yan and the other half to Zhou Momo.

She doesn't eat much for breakfast, but this egg pancake is quite big and enough for her.

During this time, Zhang Laosan brought over the pork.

After breakfast, Zhou Yan took Xia Yao to the morning market to buy groceries.

"Brother, I want to go too..." Zhou Momo ran out excitedly.

But as soon as she reached the door, Aunt Zhao stopped her and scooped her up, saying, "Mo Mo, come here, I have a treasure for you to see."

Zhou Yan and Xia Yao exchanged a smile, got on their bikes, and rode away.

"Why didn't Zhou take us to the morning market to broaden our horizons when he went to buy groceries?" Awei asked, watching the bicycle disappear into the distance.

"Are you going to help watch the car, Wei? You need to be mindful of boundaries and not be possessive of Master Zhou," Zeng Anrong said.

Ah Wei: "..."

Alright, Master Zeng is starting to get into the swing of things.

"Is the morning market far? What kind of things does it mainly sell?" Xia Yao asked curiously from the back seat.

"It's not far, just on the other side of the stone bridge. There are many vendors selling everything from vegetables to chickens, ducks, and fish, from winnowing baskets to carrying baskets on their backs. They also sell shoes and clothes. They sell whatever people need. I'll take you to the market," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"That's great! I went to the market in Shancheng with Deng Hong and Yu Yu once, it was so much fun!" Xia Yao said with a smile, already looking forward to it.

Today is New Year's Day, and factories and schools are closed. The market is bustling with activity. When Zhou Yan rode his bicycle to the bridge and saw the crowds ahead, he decisively gave up the idea of ​​continuing to ride.

"Uncle Zhang, I'll park my bicycle here for a while." Zhou Yan greeted Zhang Laosan. A young man who looked somewhat like Zhang Laosan was now helping to collect money at the stall.

"Sure, I'll keep an eye on things for you," Zhang Laosan replied with a smile, then looked up and saw Xia Yao beside Zhou Yan. "Boss Zhou, bringing your girlfriend to buy groceries?"

“Yes.” Zhou Yan nodded.

Xia Yao moved a little closer to him, a smile playing on her lips.

Zhou Yan slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked forward with Xia Yao in tow. Behind them came the voice of Zhang Laosan scolding his son: "Look at him! Zhou Yan is three years younger than you, and now his restaurant business is booming. He's even found such a beautiful girlfriend. You, a young and strong man, have the nerve to lie at home all day?!"

"Starting tomorrow, you're coming with me to slaughter pigs! If you dare to stay in bed for another day, I'll castrate you, you son of a bitch, with this pig-slaughtering knife!"

"Old man! I'll slaughter a pig! I'll slaughter a pig, okay?!"

Zhou Yan and Xia Yao couldn't help but laugh when they heard this.

The narrow streets along the river were packed with people today.

Customers and vendors haggled over prices, each carrying a lot of things; with so many people, the festive atmosphere was palpable.

Xia Yao dodged the baskets on people's backs in the crowd. Each basket was almost full of things: bright red oranges, snow-white radishes, chickens and ducks peeking out and looking around. Amidst the noise, the aroma of cooking was overwhelming.

Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd, avoiding the densest areas, until they stopped in front of a steaming stall.

"Would you like some Ye'erba?" Zhou Yan asked, turning his head to look at her.

"Ye'erba?" Xia Yao asked, puzzled.

The owner, a middle-aged woman, opened the steamer lid and greeted us with a smile: "Look, young lady, these are authentic Ye'erba from Qingxi Town, Qianwei. Two cents each, three for five cents! We have sweet ones with red bean paste and walnut fillings, and savory ones with fresh meat and cured meat fillings. They're moist, refreshing, and taste absolutely delicious!"

The aroma of meat wafted through the air with the steam, and the snow-white leaf-wrapped rice cakes were neatly arranged, wrapped in emerald green leaves.

They look so soft and cuddly, they're kind of cute.

Xia Yao wanted to say that she was full, but before she could finish speaking, she couldn't help but swallow.

"Boss, four, one of each flavor," Zhou Yan said with a smile, noticing her reaction.

(End of this chapter)