Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

The storefront of "Wang Ji Sliced ​​Fish" is spacious, with red lanterns hanging on it, and the LED signboard is particularly eye-catching in the night.

It was only a little past five o'clock, but there were already quite a few cars parked at the entrance. Through the glass windows, you could see that the room was almost full and bustling with noise.

"Business is so booming?" Yang Fan was a little surprised.

"Of course! This slice of fish is a specialty of our area!" Zhou Yao said with pride.

After parking the car, the two went into the store.

A rich, sour, and spicy aroma mixed with the fresh smell of fish wafts over.

"We've booked the 'Spring Blossom' hall," Zhou Yao said to the waiter who came to greet her.

"Oh, Miss Zhou, right? The boss has already given instructions. This way, please!" The waiter clearly recognized Zhou Yao and warmly led them through the lobby to the private rooms at the back.

The "Chunhua" hall is a small private room that can seat six to eight people, and the environment is quite nice.

"Please have a seat and some tea. Would you like to choose your fish now, or wait for another guest?" The waiter offered hot towels.

"Let's go choose the fish first, and we can start cooking once everyone's here," Yang Fan said.

Led by Zhou Yao, they arrived at the seafood tanks inside the restaurant.

"Master, pick out a fish with few bones and tender meat for us to make sliced ​​fish!" Zhou Yao said familiarly.

The chef glanced at Zhou Yao and chuckled, "Yao Yao's here? Treating us? Okay, how about this snakehead fish? It was just delivered today, still lively and jumping around, perfect for making sliced ​​fish!"

"Okay! That's the one!"

The experienced chef deftly scooped up a large snakehead fish and weighed it: "Four pounds and eight ounces!"

"Okay! Chef, the hot and sour soup base is the same as theirs! And the dipping sauce is the usual!" Zhou Yao added.

"Okay!"

Back in the private room, the two drank tea and chatted for a short while before the door was pushed open.

Zhou Dahai's slightly plump figure appeared at the door with a smile on his face, clearly having come directly from the market.

"Uncle! You're here!" Zhou Yao jumped up immediately.

Yang Fan quickly stood up as well: "Uncle Zhou, you've arrived! Please have a seat!"

"Oh, Xiao Yang, you're too kind, too kind!" Zhou Dahai walked in with a smile, waving his hand. "It's just a small matter, yet you went out of your way to treat me to a meal. You've made me feel embarrassed."

Yang Fan invited Zhou Dahai to sit in the main seat, personally poured him tea, and said sincerely:

"Uncle Zhou, please don't say that. The help you gave us today is no small matter."

"A stall, a job—these are essential for making a living."

"Your willingness to help is a timely help to us, so I should treat you to this meal out of courtesy and courtesy."

These words were so true that Zhou Dahai's smile became even more genuine upon hearing them.

"Alright! Xiao Yang, you're a sensible and straightforward person! Then Uncle Zhou won't stand on ceremony with you!"

As the group chatted and laughed, a waiter carried in a huge copper pot that was burning with charcoal.

The pot is filled with a bubbling, bright red broth, wafting an enticing aroma of sour and spicy flavors.

Immediately afterwards, a large tray was brought in, containing extremely thin, almost transparent slices of fish, neatly arranged on ice.

The fish slices, as thin as cicada wings, simply twirled in the boiling soup, instantly turning white and curling up.

"It's ready to eat! Hurry up!" Zhou Yao eagerly picked up a strainer and scooped some out for Zhou Dahai and Yang Fan. "Dip them in this sauce! This sauce is the soul of the dish!"

Yang Fan followed her example, picked up a slice of snow-white fish, dipped it lightly in the chili sauce dish, and put it in his mouth.

The fish slices are so tender and smooth that they melt on the tongue with almost no chewing, bringing the sweetness of the fish and the spiciness of the sauce, instantly awakening the taste buds.

"Mmm! Delicious!" Yang Fan's eyes lit up.

The taste is truly amazing.

"Haha, I wasn't lying to you, Brother Fan!" Zhou Yao stuffed a big mouthful into her own mouth and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

Zhou Dahai ate with great relish, beads of sweat quickly forming on his forehead: "Delicious! I've been eating at this place for years, and it tastes just like always! Xiao Yang, don't be shy, eat more!"

The atmosphere quickly warmed up thanks to the delicious food.

Zhou Dahai was very talkative. While eating, he chatted with Yang Fan about some interesting things and things to note in the market.

Yang Fan answered every question with respect, and occasionally mentioned the hard work of his parents with sincere words.

After hearing this, Zhou Dahai had an even better impression of the young man in front of him.

Sensible, filial, and methodical in doing things.

Amidst the steaming heat, Zhou Dahai's face was flushed from eating. He wiped his sweat, picked up his teacup, and, using tea instead of wine, said to Yang Fan:

"Young Yang, you thoroughly enjoyed the meal today! You're a good young man! Truly grateful!"

He patted his chest.

"If you encounter any problems at the market in the future, or if your parents face any difficulties, just come to me!"

"Uncle Zhou will definitely help if he can! Let's call this acquaintances, and keep in touch!"

These words already show that Yang Fan is considered one of their own.

Yang Fan quickly picked up the teacup with both hands: "Uncle Zhou, I'm relieved to hear you say that! Thank you so much! I'll definitely need your help a lot in the future."

"Let's take care of each other!" Zhou Dahai said with a smile.

When they had almost finished eating, Yang Fan stood up, picked up the gift bag, and handed it to Zhou Dahai with both hands.

"Uncle Zhou, thank you so much for today. This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Upon seeing the bag, Zhou Dahai immediately declined, saying, "Xiao Yang! What are you doing! A meal is enough, why bring me something? Take it back!"

"Uncle Zhou, you've helped me so much, this is really just a small token of my appreciation." Yang Fan's attitude was firm and his tone sincere.

"It's just a pack of cigarettes, something to help you relax. I'd really feel bad if you didn't accept it."

Zhou Yao chimed in, "Uncle, please accept it! It's a token of my brother Fan's appreciation! He's truly grateful! Besides, my brother Fan isn't short of money; look at the car he drives!"

Zhou Dahai, at a loss for words after hearing what the two were saying, looked at Yang Fan's sincere eyes, sighed, and shook his head with a smile:

"You two little rascals... Alright, Uncle Zhou will shamelessly accept them. But don't do it again!"

He took the bag, and his smile became noticeably more friendly.

"Xiao Yang," Zhou Dahai stood up, patted Yang Fan on the shoulder, "Let's keep in touch if anything comes up. I have high hopes for you, young man, keep up the good work!"

"Thank you, Uncle Zhou!" Yang Fan nodded solemnly.

The three of them walked out of the restaurant together.

Zhou Dahai drove himself there, and before getting into his car, he said a few more words to the two of them before waving goodbye.

Watching Zhou Dahai's taillights merge into the traffic, Yang Fan felt completely at ease.

Today's meal was worth it.

Not only did they express their gratitude, but they also strengthened their relationship with Zhou Dahai, this "local bigwig".

This undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for their family's new arrival.

All of this is inseparable from the seemingly carefree but actually smart and warm-hearted girl by my side.

"Zhou Yao, thank you for your hard work today." Yang Fan turned to Zhou Yao, who was looking down at her phone to hail a taxi, and said.

Zhou Yao looked up, her smile radiant under the streetlight:

"Brother Fan, you're being too polite! We're neighbors, we're friends!"

"Besides, I got to enjoy such delicious sliced ​​fish for free, it was totally worth it! Let's go home!"

"Okay, let's go home." Yang Fan smiled and opened the passenger door for her.