The comeback begins in a courtyard house

Inside the Han family's small restaurant, two street office officials dressed in Zhongshan suits were reading aloud the policy on public-private partnership to Master Han and his daughter Han Xiaoya, as well as the operating method of their small restaurant after the partnership.

"Comrade Zhang, if we follow your approach, those old neighbors might not come back. As you know, small restaurants like ours rely on the support of these old neighbors. If we follow your approach, our restaurant will be finished."

This small restaurant is the culmination of Han Zhenggang's years of hard work. With his decent cooking skills, it has become quite well-known in the area. Some time ago, when he heard people discussing the public-private partnership, he thought that such a thing would never happen to him. After all, those that were partnered with the partnership were all famous big restaurants and stores, and small restaurants like theirs probably wouldn't even make the cut.

Unexpectedly, just as he opened his restaurant today, two staff members from the neighborhood committee came to his restaurant with a notice. When he heard from Staff Member Zhang that their restaurant was also going to be a joint public-private enterprise, Han Zhenggang was stunned. He didn't expect that this trend would still affect him.

However, Han Zhenggang also knew that the public-private partnership was an inevitable trend that his small restaurant could not withstand. Therefore, he was very pragmatic and immediately expressed his support for the street's decision.

Zhang and Li were very pleased with Han Zhenggang's attitude and immediately explained in detail the operating methods after the joint venture.

"Comrade Han, how can you say that! This is a business policy that was formulated after all the comrades in our street discussed it together. In order to formulate these policies, we gathered all the top students in the street office together and held meetings day and night for many days to study them before we came up with this decision that best suits the current environment. What do you think a chef like you knows about business? Although you are the private manager, your job is to make good food."

Upon hearing Han Zhenggang question the street's decision, the young man sitting next to Officer Zhang showed a flash of anger and lightly tapped the table with his hand.

"What did you say! This restaurant is my father's life's work. Why should we have to do things your way just because you come here? My father has been running this restaurant for so many years. Does he know less about how to run it than you do?"

Seeing this young cadre, who was only a few years older than her, speaking to her father in such a tone, anyone who didn't know better would think he was some kind of high-ranking leader. Han Xiaoya didn't have as many concerns as Han Zhenggang. She stood up directly from behind, pointed at the street office cadre, and showed an angry expression on her face.

"Ahem! Little girl, don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. I'm a high school graduate, a top student. Do you think I don't understand the market better than you farmers? Otherwise, why do you think the neighborhood committee appointed me as the restaurant's general manager? Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Li Jiannan, and I'm the general manager appointed by the neighborhood committee. Starting tomorrow, the restaurant will be officially named Chunfeng Restaurant. I want our restaurant to be like the spring breeze..."

After being rebuked by Han Xiaoya, Li Jiannan, who had been sitting there silently and pretending to be deep, finally couldn't sit still any longer. He coughed twice, looked at Han Xiaoya with a serious expression, and calmly explained his restaurant's future plans.

"No way! If you keep doing this, will anyone still come to our restaurant? If you keep doing this, our restaurant will have to close down sooner or later."

Watching Li Jiannan endlessly planning the future of the famous restaurant, Han Xiaoya couldn't hold back any longer and interrupted his description.

"Comrade Xiao Han! This is the decision of the subdistrict office. I am now representing the subdistrict office, and as the public manager, I have the right to make arrangements for the restaurant's operation. If your thinking is correct, then why has your restaurant made no progress over the years? So you need to be flexible. Alright! Our task for today is complete. Tomorrow or the day after, the restaurant will officially become a public-private partnership. I hope you will not have any objections."

Seeing that Han Xiaoya dared to question him, Li Jiannan was very displeased. However, he was about to become the restaurant's general manager, so he couldn't argue with a young girl. After saying that, Li Jiannan and Zhang, the staff member, got up and left the restaurant.

"Pah! What nonsense! Dad, are you just going to watch them mess things up like this? This is the culmination of your years of hard work. Dad, let's go find the neighborhood committee."

Watching the two figures leave, Han Xiaoya spat and pulled Han Zhenggang, intending to go to the street office to seek justice.

"Alright, you can't fight city hall. Nobody can stop the public-private partnership. Let's think about what to do next!"

Looking at the familiar surroundings, Han Zhenggang's face showed a hint of dejection. Thinking that everything here would be different in a couple of days, he slumped weakly into a chair.

"Hey! What's going on? Are you open for business today?"

Just then, two elderly men walked in. Seeing Han Zhenggang with his hands on his head and sighing, the man in front couldn't help but smile and say something.

"Grandpa Wu, you're here. It's that Manager Gong Fang from the neighborhood committee. He actually wants to change our restaurant's name to Chunfeng Restaurant, and he said he'll be implementing it from now on..."

As she watched the two enter, Han Xiaoya tidied up the tables and chairs while recounting Li Jiannan's words.

"Sigh! There's nothing anyone can do about this. The public-private partnership has been making headlines lately. I think even the steamed bun vendor on the street corner is going to be taken over. So, there's nothing anyone can do about this, little girl. Old Han, go and get two of your signature dishes, shredded pork with garlic sauce and Mapo tofu. While you're still in a position to make decisions, have a good drink with us old folks today. Who knows, maybe the threshold for coming to see you will be higher in the future."

As he spoke, Old Wu took out a porcelain bottle that looked quite old from his pocket.

"Old Han, this is a bottle of aged baijiu that I've treasured for many years. Let's drink it today. Old Han, don't overthink it. We survived when the Japanese were around. Things are much better now than they were then."

With Lao Wu's comforting words, Han Zhenggang recovered from his earlier slump.

"Mr. Wu, you're right. People should take things easy. I'll go get some dishes, and we'll have a good drink."

Before long, the sounds of several people clinking glasses and exchanging toasts could be heard in the restaurant.

……

Time flew by, and the day passed quickly. After finishing the last workpiece, the bell rang to signal the end of the workday. Wei Yifeng tidied up the clutter on the workbench and then left the steel rolling mill with the others.

"Sister Ling! What brings you here? Is there something you need?"

Back at the courtyard house, Wei Yifeng saw Bai Ling standing at the gate as soon as he entered the alley. He pushed off a few times to get closer to Bai Ling and asked her a question out of curiosity.

"It's nothing serious. The punishment results for Jia Zhangshi in your courtyard have come out, and I've come to deliver the punishment notice to her family. By the way, after we left, did the people in the courtyard give you any trouble? If they dared to give you trouble, just tell me."

Bai Ling personally came to deliver the punishment notice because she trusted Wei Yifeng and was worried that the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai would make things difficult for Wei Yifeng after seeing the punishment result. That's why she volunteered to read out the punishment result.

"Oh right! Do you remember Chen Xueru, whom you rescued in the tavern? Her face was disfigured, and she's still in the hospital receiving treatment. Her husband, on the other hand, swindled all the money in the house and ran off with another woman."

As she walked into the courtyard, Bai Ling said angrily.