1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 371 So, who exactly is Zhou Momo? (Bonus Chapter for 6k Monthly Tickets, 1155 Chapters)

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan turned around and saw Chen Ming and Yao Licheng, Lin Zhiqiang, and others behind him, with Mei Xiu accompanying them. He roughly guessed that these were the distinguished guests they were entertaining today.

Xia Yao stood beside Meng Anhe, looking at him with a gentle smile on her face.

Zhou Yan stood up and shook hands with Chen Ming: "Director Chen, what a coincidence, you're also having dinner at Wanxiu Restaurant today?"

"Yes, I came here for dinner on Sunday. I was fortunate enough to taste your Kung Pao Chicken and Braised Rock Carp again. They were delicious! Your cooking skills are really good. If our Municipal Economic Commission holds another banquet next time, please come again." Chen Ming nodded with a smile.

"Director Chen, you flatter me. Boss Mei's venue is professional, and I was also fortunate enough to be invited to cook two dishes. If the Municipal Economic Commission asks, I will definitely come." Zhou Yan smiled and said, not daring to take all the credit for himself, as his salary had not yet been settled.

Upon hearing this, Mei Xiu smiled more.

Ding Junfa awkwardly withdrew his hand, looking at Zhou Yan with a complicated expression. How could a cook like him get Director Chen from the Municipal Economic Commission to come and see him?
"Who are they?" Chen Rong asked Lu Chuan.

"The man shaking hands with Zhou Yan is Director Chen from the Municipal Economic Commission. The two men in suits behind him are wealthy businessmen from Hong Kong who are investing in Jiaozhou. I don't recognize the other three," Lu Chuan said.

"Zhou Yan actually knows so many rich and powerful people," Chen Rong exclaimed in surprise.

The others felt similarly, a mixture of confusion and surprise.

Zhuang Huayu stepped forward and looked at Zhou Yan with some excitement: "Boss Zhou, why didn't you say that your Kung Pao Chicken was so delicious? I almost cried after just one bite today."

I'm going back to Hong Kong tomorrow. I was initially quite disappointed that I didn't get to eat any delicious Kung Pao Chicken, but I had your Kung Pao Chicken for lunch today, and it was exactly the same as the one your mentor made when he went to Hong Kong. I feel like this trip has been perfect.

"Boss Zhuang didn't ask last time either," Zhou Yan said with a smile. Last time Zhuang Huayu came to the restaurant, he hadn't yet learned how to make Kung Pao Chicken.

Of course, this cannot be said.

Zhuang Huayu should take the blame.

“Alright, alright, it’s on me.” Zhuang Huayu nodded and looked at Zhou Yan seriously, “Boss Zhou, are you really not going to reconsider? If you’re willing to come to Hong Kong with me, I’ll give you a salary of 10,000, and we can open a Sichuan restaurant together. I’ll also give you 10% of the shares.”

The surroundings immediately fell silent.

Everyone's eyes widened, and they looked at Zhou Yan and Zhuang Huayu with disbelief.

How many?

Salary: 10,000!
One month? Or a year?!

And it also has a 10% stake in Xiangjiang Restaurant, which is worth a lot of money!
This big boss from Hong Kong is really generous!

Ten thousand is an astronomical number that is terrifying to everyone.
Being a "ten-thousand-yuan household" means you're a rich person who can make the news!
Ding Junfa blushed. He had been questioning Zhou Yan's claim of earning 200 yuan a month, but now the boss was offering him 10,000 yuan. It was like a slap in the face, a brutal slap to the ground.

He dared to question Zhou Yan, but how could he dare to question the Hong Kong businessman standing next to Director Chen? The businessman didn't even give him a second glance.

"Ten thousand!" Song Qianqian covered her mouth. She earned thirty yuan a month as a nurse, which was only three hundred and sixty yuan a year. Zhou Yan's monthly salary was equivalent to her salary in thirty years!

God!

Is he a chef?

Can chefs really earn that much money?!

"He's amazing!" Zheng Yi exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

The mere two hundred dollars shocked her. The Hong Kong businessman was offering her a salary of ten thousand dollars, plus restaurant shares. It was enough to make her dizzy.

If I married him, wouldn't I not have to do anything? I could sleep all day, play mahjong, and even sleep with such a handsome husband!
Oh dear, how can one live the same life as everyone else?

If I were to follow Zhou Yan, just thinking about it would make me feel better!
Maybe I can even go to Hong Kong with them!
That's an international metropolis.

Zheng Yi swallowed hard, feeling surrounded by rivals.

Including Li Yanyan next to her, she had ridden in Zhou Yan's car this morning. If she had known Zhou Yan was so capable, she should have rushed to ride in it this morning.

Last night, her cousin Chen Rong talked to her about this. She felt that Zhou Yan was a self-employed individual and might not be very stable, so she wanted to learn more about Ma Yongqiang, who worked at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Even the most stable job at a supply and marketing cooperative can't guarantee a monthly income of 10,000 yuan.

"Holy crap! Ten thousand a month! You can earn as much as a ten-thousand-yuan household in a month? Bro! You can earn that much?!" Lu Chuan was shocked, his eyes widening.

“You’re a chef too, so I agree to let you go to Hong Kong. You can go now. Why don’t you go and ask the boss if he wants you?” Chen Rong said to him earnestly.

"My skill level is still a bit behind Zhou Yan's," Lu Chuan said, scratching his head awkwardly.

"Is it much less? If it's half less, then five thousand will do," Chen Rong said.

"Maybe even more..." Lu Chuan was even more embarrassed.

"Sigh, I guess I'm just not destined for this." Chen Rong sighed.

Lin Zhiqiang and Meng Anhe exchanged glances, also curious about Zhou Yan's choice.

The business at Zhou Erwa's restaurant is indeed doing well now, but earning 10,000 yuan a month is probably a bit of a stretch, and the whole family is working quite hard.

If you go to Hong Kong with Zhuang Huayu, you'll have a guaranteed monthly salary of 10,000 yuan, plus a 10% share and dividends in the new restaurant.

Don't underestimate this 10% stake. In Hong Kong, where land is incredibly valuable, given Zhuang Huayu's status in the Hong Kong catering industry, the restaurant he opens will definitely be a large establishment, with an investment that will certainly be larger than that of Wanxiu Restaurant.

Over the course of a year, it was easier and I earned more than if I had stayed in Jiaozhou.

Xia Yao didn't speak, but just looked at Zhou Yan quietly. She respected his choice, just as he hadn't tried to persuade her to stay at the textile factory before.

Mei Xiu pursed her lips. A salary of ten thousand plus a ten percent share? Boss Zhuang's salary is too high!

She originally planned to talk to Zhou Yan alone later to see if he would be willing to work at Wanxiu Restaurant for a monthly salary of 500. If he didn't agree, there was still room for negotiation at 300, but it definitely couldn't be higher than Yan Ge's.

With Zhuang Huayu's intervention, she had nothing left to discuss.

A monthly salary of 10,000 yuan is more than even a top-level chef in Chengdu earns; Zhou Yan shouldn't be able to refuse it.

She couldn't think of any reason why Zhou Yan could refuse.

Boss Zhipin (a recruitment platform) offered immediate salaries, putting pressure on Zhou Yan.

All eyes turned to Zhou Yan, some with envy, some with sourness, and some with jealousy.

He only needs to nod, and he can immediately go to Hong Kong, earn ten thousand a month, and become the most successful classmate in his year.

Zhou Yan smiled and shook his head: "I appreciate Boss Zhuang's sincerity and good intentions. However, my restaurant is doing quite well now, so I plan to stay in Jiaozhou instead of going to Hong Kong. The people of Jiaozhou need me."

Refused!
Everyone subconsciously swallowed, and then a commotion broke out.

Zhou Yan refused a job that offered 10,000 yuan a month, and even stock dividends!
He didn't even give it much thought.

Lu Xiaoji was grinding his teeth in frustration. Why didn't this opportunity fall to him?! He even made a dish of braised pork belly at the banquet!

That's ten thousand yuan a month!
If he could get it, why would he go to Wanxiu Restaurant? He'd go straight to Hong Kong.

"What's this guy doing? He doesn't even want 10,000 yuan?" Lu Chuan was so anxious that he stood up. No, brother, if you agree, take me to be a porter!
Ding Jun breathed a sigh of relief. Zhou Yan didn't nod, so he wouldn't be able to earn that 10,000 yuan. He felt a little better.

“I knew ten thousand yuan wouldn’t work. Zhou Yan is an ambitious person, and he’s also very family-oriented.” Yao Licheng smiled, as if he had expected this.

"Sigh, alright then. It seems your restaurant is making more money than I expected. The terms I offered weren't enough to entice you." Zhuang Huayu sighed and said quietly, "Since I started opening the restaurant, there are only two chefs I couldn't sign despite trying to pay them off. One is your mentor, Master Kong Huaifeng, who visited Hong Kong back then, and the other is you. Your Kong school is truly principled."

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it, it's a tradition," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

Zhuang Huayu smiled and reached out to shake hands with Zhou Yan. Looking at him with great emotion, he said, "I am especially happy today. On my first day in Jiaozhou, I ate your braised rock carp, and on the day before I left, I ate your Kung Pao Chicken. I have truly learned the true teachings of Master Kong Huaifeng."

When I met Master Kong Huaifeng, he was already in his sixties. Although his stir-frying skills were still at a master level, I knew it would be difficult for him to work at the high intensity of a front-line kitchen. At the time, I wanted to hire him as a consultant for my restaurant to guide and mentor the younger chefs.

But he told me that bosses in Hong Kong have money and can hire any chef they want, from all over the country and all major cuisines, so there are plenty of opportunities for young chefs. But in Jiaozhou, there are only a few mentor chefs who guide the young chefs. Everyone calls him Uncle Kong, and he has to come back to lead training classes.

For many years afterward, I wondered what kind of charisma Master Kong Huaifeng must have possessed in his youth. Until I came to Jiaozhou and met you, I felt I had found the answer.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan straightened his back a bit and looked at Zhuang Huayu with a serious expression, saying, "Boss Zhuang, if you want to praise me, I will definitely be modest. But if you praise my master, then I will not be modest. Back then, my master's demeanor was superior to mine. Not only was he handsome, but his culinary skills were unparalleled among the younger generation of chefs in Jiaozhou."

"He responded to the call and became the first person in the Jiaozhou area to step forward and open a chef training class to teach his skills. He imparted the Kong school and his own years of experience to young chefs free of charge, breaking the family tradition of the Kong school and opening the door to new opportunities for Jiaozhou chefs."

"Aside from being handsome, I'm still far inferior to Master Shi."

Zhuang Huayu nodded repeatedly as he listened. Master Kong Huaifeng's character was indeed admirable. He had visited Master Kong Qingfeng a couple of days ago and toured Kong Huaifeng's former residence, gaining a considerable understanding of his life.

That last sentence is a bit like tackling a personal agenda, shameless.

"After saying all that, all I really want to ask is, could you please make me another Kung Pao Chicken tonight, and all your signature dishes again? I heard you're hosting a banquet, so you could host one for me too."

Zhou Yan shook his head decisively: "Not today. I'm the best man. I've already worked half a day. I won't cook dinner."

"I'll add money!"

"Even with more money, it's not possible. I have strong principles." Zhou Yan shook his head again.

“Five hundred!” Zhuang Huayu said.

Everyone gasped in shock. Five hundred for cooking a meal!

The boss was eager to give it to them.

Zhou Yan is earning way too much!

Ding Junfa was so angry he almost ground his teeth to powder. He only earned seven hundred a year, while Zhou Yan earned that much by cooking one meal.

Song Qianqian had already let go of Ding Junfa's arm. Before coming, she had specially put on heavy makeup. As soon as she entered the door, she stuck close to Ding Junfa, afraid that her boyfriend would be spotted by someone else and stolen away.

Now it seems Ding Junfa is just average, earning only 66 yuan a month, far less than Zhou Yan. What kind of formal railway bureau employee is he? He's not even as well-off as a self-employed chef.

Lu Xiaoji shed tears of envy. What was the point of him helping Wanxiu Restaurant make a pot of braised pork last time, guarding it all day, and being given thirty yuan?
Is he funny?
He was quite happy at the time. On the way back, he bought his wife a pair of leather shoes and acted like an emperor at home for a week.

"You can make that much money as a chef? How come I didn't know? Are you hiding some money?" Chen Rong asked Lu Chuan with a questioning look.

"I don't know either," Lu Chuan said innocently. No one had ever told him that chefs could make money like this.

Mei Xiu remained silent for a long time. She suddenly understood that Zhuang Huayu's earlier comment, "He came at seventy?" was not a joke; he genuinely thought it was a bargain.

Out-of-towners are driving up chefs' prices, making it very difficult for local business owners.

Zhou Yan looked at Xia Yao with a questioning gaze; Boss Zhuang had given too much.

Xia Yao smiled and nodded slightly. She didn't know why Zhou Yan wanted to ask for her opinion, but she was very happy.

That's five hundred yuan! He usually has to cook for nearly twenty tables to earn that much, but today he only needs to cook for one table, so of course he'll agree.

"Eight hundred." Zhou Yan raised the price on the spot. Boss Zhuang is a man of sentiment, so he should be willing to pay for sentiment and pay for their afternoon date.

"You're still trying to raise the price!" Zhuang Huayu was a little surprised. Five hundred was already a high price for him. Since coming to Sichuan, he had never eaten a meal that cost more than five hundred yuan.

“Zhou Momo said she wanted to watch TV, and eight hundred is just enough to buy a larger black and white TV,” Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"Is it little Zhou Momo who wants to watch this?" Zhuang Huayu thought for a moment and nodded. "Then we need to buy a bigger one. A black and white TV won't do. It's full of noise and you can't even see clearly. Watching it too much is bad for your eyes. Here's what we'll do: I'll give you 1,600 yuan. You can buy her an imported color TV."

"Why are you asking for even more?" Now it was Zhou Yan's turn to be a little confused. He had just said it casually, and five hundred was already an extremely high price.

After all, he only earns three or five cents a day, and the seventy dollars Mei Xiu is giving him today is money earned through dishonest means.

"Last time, little Zhou Momo drew pictures for us, and I haven't returned the favor yet. It would be great to buy her a TV so she can watch cartoons." Zhuang Huayu laughed heartily, "So it's settled then."

"No way! I'll contribute 800 to buy a TV for little Zhou Momo!" Yao Licheng interjected. "Old Zhuang, you can't take all the spots by yourself."

"Old Yao, you're getting involved in this too? Fine, here's your spot, give me the painting," Zhuang Huayu said.

“No, that won’t do. When we get back to Hong Kong, I’ll have someone print out a copy and send it to you. This painting is a gift for me.” Yao Licheng shook his head decisively.

Now everyone was dumbfounded.

Five hundred became one thousand six hundred?

And two big bosses from Hong Kong were even vying to give money?

So, who exactly is Zhou Momo?

Why is she able to win the exclusive favor of two powerful figures?

Besides, isn't money money?
A 1600 yuan imported color TV, can you just buy it on a whim?
Are Hong Kong people this rich?
Damn capitalism!
Zhou Yan quickly held the two of them down: "How about this, the two bosses each pay half for the color TV. When we get back, I'll tell Momo that you two delivered it together. Later, I'll have Momo draw another picture and send it to Boss Zhuang in Hong Kong."

"Okay!" The two nodded at the same time, and the matter was settled.

"Shall we go back to your restaurant for dinner tonight? Or should we just use the Wanxiu Restaurant?" Yao Licheng asked Zhou Yan.

"If we go back to Suji at this time, we probably won't be able to buy all the ingredients." Zhou Yan looked at Mei Xiu and said, "Ms. Mei, I wonder if we could borrow the kitchen and private rooms of Wanxiu Restaurant, and also borrow some of your ingredients? As for the cost, we can use the kitchen helper fees that haven't been settled yet from today's lunch as a deduction. What do you think?"

"If Chef Zhou asks, then of course there's no problem. The kitchen, private rooms, and ingredients are all at your disposal." Mei Xiu nodded. Zhou Yan was generous; he readily agreed to the seventy yuan discount.

“Okay, then it’s settled.” Zhou Yanwei said.

Taking customers away from other people's restaurants is a taboo in the industry, and Zhou Yan didn't want to become enemies with Mei Xiu, a powerful female boss.

Yao Licheng and Zhuang Huayu wanted to buy Zhou Momo an imported color TV for 1,600 yuan, and he couldn't be ungrateful for getting a good deal.

Anyway, he didn't pay the seventy, and the money hasn't even gone into his pocket yet, so he's basically getting something for nothing.

They didn't give anything, but they got an imported color TV and even managed to steal a dish from the Wanxiu Restaurant's menu.

It was truly a rewarding experience.

It still takes the help of Master Momo!

Zhou Yan's lips twitched, but thankfully he noticed in time and suppressed it.

You can't laugh, or countless people will break down.

Zhou Yan chatted and laughed with two big bosses from Hong Kong, and when he talked business with the proprietress of Wanxiu Restaurant, he gave people the feeling that he was not inferior in terms of his aura.

The price of a color TV that goes from 500 to 1600 has indeed broken many people's nerves.

What kind of family can afford to watch a large imported color TV that costs 1,600 yuan?
A few years ago, streetlights would have been hung up there.

"Honey, I also want to watch an imported big-screen TV," Chen Rong said to Lu Chuan coquettishly.

"Next time I'll take you to Zhou Yan's house," Lu Chuan said.

"Okay." Chen Rong smiled.

They definitely couldn't afford it themselves. It would take her and Lu Chuan two years to save enough with their combined salaries. Once they had a child, with all sorts of expenses, they wouldn't know how long they would have to save.

It would be nice to visit Zhou Yan's house sometime.

"Bride and groom, I apologize for disturbing you. I wish you a happy marriage and a long and happy life together." Zhuang Huayu cupped his hands in greeting to Lu Chuan and Chen Rong, who had red flowers pinned to their chests, and said with a smile, "You two look very fortunate and have a very compatible appearance."

"Indeed, you have very auspicious faces." Yao Licheng nodded at the two of them and said with a smile, "I'm really sorry to bother you with your meal. It's just a coincidence that we met today. I'd like to give you both some money for your wedding and a bag of wedding candy to take back to my grandchildren so they can share in the joy. Is that alright?"

"That's good, I'd also like to bring a bag of wedding candy back with me." Zhuang Huayu nodded in agreement. "Where can I give red envelopes?"

"Of course! This way, please, gentlemen. I'll take you there." Lu Chuan jumped up from his chair and led the two men to the place where red envelopes were given at the entrance of the hall, with a fawning expression.

Chen Rong beamed with joy, already looking forward to the big red envelope from her boss.

Even if I only have ten yuan, I'll still be happy!

The young Minister of Rites was reappointed because the elderly Minister of Rites had become drunk.

It's easy to tell from his back view that this time, he is determined to take back everything he has lost.

Three minutes later, Lu Chuan returned with two large red envelopes in his pocket, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

The Minister of Rites returned home covering his face, his ears turning red.

Yao Licheng and Zhuang Huayu each took two bags of wedding candy and left happily.

"What happened?" Chen Rong asked.

"Lu Feng misspelled both bosses' names." Lu Chuan laughed so hard his back teeth were showing.

“Well, this college student of his is a bit off-track,” Chen Rong laughed.

"How much did you pay for it?" Chen Rong whispered in Lu Chuan's ear.

“One hundred each,” Lu Chuan whispered.

"Hiss—" Chen Rong's eyes widened. "From now on, Zhou Yan will be my good brother too!"

"Hehehe." The young couple couldn't suppress their laughter.

"Zhou Yan, let's go have some tea first." Lin Zhiqiang said, and then turned and left with Meng Anhe and Director Chen.

Xia Yao looked at Zhou Yan sitting among the female classmates, and her toes, which had already turned halfway, stopped again. She walked straight towards Zhou Yan, stopped half a meter away from him, and said in a soft and sweet voice, "Zhou Yan, come shopping with me this afternoon. I want to buy some things."

"Huh? Hmm? Huh?"

The students were still processing Zhou Yan's ability to make money when they heard the voice and looked up at the pretty girl who walked to the table. They were all completely dumbfounded.

This……

What's going on?
She had been standing there before, with delicate features and an elegant demeanor, so beautiful that everyone assumed she was a wealthy young lady from Hong Kong and didn't dare to look at her more than twice.

But now, listening to her words, she seemed very familiar and close to Zhou Yan, and her tone even carried a hint of coquetry.

"Who is she? Why did she ask Zhou Yan to go shopping?" Chen Rong asked Xia Yao in surprise.

"I...I don't know either!" Lu Chuan was also dumbfounded. Could such a beautiful girl be Zhou Yan's girlfriend?
Li Yanyan and Zheng Yi became highly alert and simultaneously looked at Xia Yao.

She was so beautiful. Her long black hair was tied up, and she wore a gray coat over a black sweater. Her pearl earrings were small and delicate. The colors of her outfit were very simple and elegant, which made her look even more dignified and graceful, with a scholarly air about her.

Looking at it this closely, I realized I was inferior to her in every way.

The female classmate sitting next to Zhou Yan also fell silent. She had just been trying to figure out how to behave well in front of Zhou Yan so that he would notice her.

After seeing Xia Yao, I felt completely helpless.

To pose and flirt in the face of her absolute beauty is no different from being a monkey.
Ding Junfa had suffered a series of setbacks and was already quite disheartened. When he heard the sound, he looked up at Xia Yao standing in front of Zhou Yan and was amazed by her beauty, but also felt a bit jealous. Could it be that Zhou Yan had really found such a beautiful girlfriend?

“Okay, I’ll go with you.” Zhou Yan smiled and nodded, then prepared to leave.

He had wanted to go on a date with Xia Yao that afternoon after he saw her earlier.

There's only one table available for dinner, and Wanxiu Restaurant has all the ingredients, so there's plenty of time to take Xia Yao shopping.

"No rush, eat something else, don't go hungry." Xia Yao pulled him back, smiled slightly at the stares of the crowd, "You're all Zhou Yan's classmates, right? Hello, I'm his girlfriend, Xia Yao."

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(End of this chapter)