Rebirth 07: Starting with Saving a Bankrupt Restaurant

"Okay. Would you like minced pork and eggplant rice bowl or Mapo tofu rice bowl first?"

Li Liang pursed his lips, unsure which dish of rice to order first.

"Minced meat and eggplant rice is more appetizing, while Mapo tofu rice is spicy and savory, which is more appetizing."

"Then let's start with Mapo Tofu Rice." After hearing Shi Ying's introduction, Li Liang stopped hesitating.

After the Mapo Tofu rice bowl was served, Li Liang smelled the aroma.

Mapo tofu is placed on top of the rice, and the red oil broth has completely soaked into the rice.

Li Liang picked up a spoon and first tasted a piece of tofu.

"Holy crap!"

After taking a bite, he couldn't help but swear.

This tofu wasn't stewed until mushy like in regular restaurants; instead, it was tender and smooth, and the flavor had been fully absorbed.

Li Liang took a spoon and mashed half of the tofu, then stirred it and began to enjoy the delicious food.

After Li Liang finished eating his Mapo Tofu rice and had rested for about five or six minutes, Shi Ying stepped forward and asked:

"Hello, is the minced pork and eggplant rice bowl ready?" Shi Ying asked.

"That's fine," Li Liang nodded.

"Okay." After saying that, Shi Ying went to the kitchen and told them. A few minutes later, she came out with a steaming bowl of minced meat and eggplant rice.

Li Liang rinsed his mouth with soda and then tasted it.

The eggplant was stewed until it was very soft and mushy, while the minced meat was fragrant, crispy, and slightly chewy, creating a distinct difference.

The two rice bowls had different tastes, but the second biggest difference, according to Li Liang, was the texture of the rice.

The rice in the Mapo Tofu rice bowl is semi-moist, while the rice in the Minced Meat and Eggplant rice bowl is completely coated with the thick sauce and is somewhat soft and sticky.

This is a completely different experience, and the previous Yu Xiang Rou Si (shredded pork with garlic sauce) rice bowl was also a different feeling.

Li Liang thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

The rice bowls at Zhouji Restaurant are very different from those elsewhere.

Li Liang always felt that the rice bowls outside were greasy. He could never finish them and there would always be a little bit left over. And every time he ate, he could see a thin layer of oil at the bottom.

However, the rice bowls at Zhouji Restaurant were clearly different. Li Liang ate both bowls of rice bowls, which were full of toppings, cleanly, leaving not a single grain of rice.

Li Liang always left satisfied after each visit.

……

"Dear bosses, if you're free tomorrow, you're welcome to come and try our food at Ruyi Restaurant. We've hired a head chef."

"Oh my, let me tell you, this chef has worked in Beijing and also cooked in restaurants in Guangdong Province. The taste of his cooking is simply unparalleled."

"Yes, yes. That chef will officially start work tomorrow, and our Ruyi Restaurant will continue to offer discounts. All bosses are welcome to come and have a taste."

Inside the Ruyi Hotel, Liu Fengru was promoting the hotel.

It has to be said that this kind of gimmick is indeed very effective, and many diners have said they will come to try it tomorrow.

Hearing the diners' promises, Liu Fengru was overjoyed.

I was also thinking to myself, the chef's reputation is indeed useful, it really is attractive.

If the restaurant had hired a head chef earlier, Zhouji Restaurant might not exist anymore.

However, I feel a pang of regret whenever I think about my monthly salary of 3,500 yuan. I wish it could be a little cheaper.

During their afternoon break, the couple chatted.

"Zhou's Restaurant has launched new dishes."

"Another new product?" Liu Fengru was taken aback.

"What new dishes have you added? Are they one of our signature dishes again?"

Liu Fengru was a little nervous for a moment.

Ma Xianling shook his head and said, "No, we've added two new rice bowls: one is eggplant and minced pork rice bowl, and the other is Mapo tofu rice bowl."

"Don't we also have Mapo Tofu in our shop? Do you think Zhou's Restaurant makes it better, or Chef Liao's?" Liu Fengru straightened up and asked.

"Now I'm a little worried that hiring a chef didn't really help."

Liu Fengru sat cross-legged on the bed.

"I haven't eaten there myself, but I feel that Chef Liao is better. After all, his skills are undeniable. If that boss really had any extraordinary abilities, would he still be running a shop here on Zhongshan Street alongside us?" Ma Xianling comforted him.

Liu Fengru's eyes flickered, and she realized that what her husband said did indeed make a lot of sense.

……

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was the next day.

Today is also Liao Zheng's first day at Ruyi Hotel.

"Chef Liao, you've arrived," Ma Xianling said politely as always.

"Hey, Chef Liao," Liu Fengru greeted him politely.

Even though I still felt a pang of regret about the 3,500 yuan monthly salary, my attitude changed somewhat after tasting the Yu Xiang Rou Si (shredded pork with garlic sauce) yesterday.

Liao Zheng maintained his chef's demeanor and simply nodded.

After arriving in the kitchen, Liao Zheng put on a clean apron.

"Are these people cooks or general helpers?" Liao Zheng asked.

"They're all just assistants. Chef Liao, if you're too busy or need anything, just let them know."

After speaking, Ma Xianling turned to the side and introduced the new chef, Liao, to the kitchen staff: "This is the new head chef, everyone. Please follow head chef Liao's instructions from now on."

Ruyi Restaurant opens an hour earlier than Zhouji Restaurant, but customers often have to wait half an hour before they arrive.

Around 11 a.m., Ruyi Restaurant welcomed its first table of guests.

"Boss, it's been a long time!" Liu Fengru greeted them warmly and then seated the guests at a table near the air conditioner.

This group of guests comes to Ruyi Restaurant almost every other week; it's usually colleagues treating each other.

Today is the birthday of one of the diners' children.

"Look at what you'd like to eat. We have a new chef here, and the food here is so much better now."

A diner wearing a shirt and a bag at her waist said, "Your husband isn't in charge of cooking anymore, have you changed chefs?"

Liu Fengru smiled and nodded, "Yes, we've changed the head chef."

As she spoke, Liu Fengru pointed to the menu: "These dishes are all the chef's specialties."

The guest who was hosting the dinner said with a smile, "Then let's have a few of the chef's signature dishes."

After ordering, the menu was handed to others so they could order a few more dishes.

After going around once, the menu returned to the diners who had treated them.

"Give me one of these scallop ribs and toothpick beef; kids love them."

"That's all for now. Order more if you need more."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

Liu Fengru, who had just gone into the kitchen, soon came out with several plates of side dishes.

"These are a few side dishes that the restaurant gave us."

He then placed peanuts, yellow peas, and smashed cucumber on the table.