Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 144 Old Chen Arrives

"Yes, I'm Zhang Wei. Uncle Chen?"

"Hello Xiaowei, I'm Chen Hui's dad. Xiaoxiao came over and told me what happened. It's not entirely Xiaohui's fault. I've been busy lately and haven't had time to think about it. You know, he's never really done anything in his life, and he's simple-minded. He's just a carefree guy. Even though he's old, he hasn't experienced much and is still like a child. This is his first time dating someone. And to be honest, if it weren't for you and Xia, I might not have let him date this person. This kid is too naive."

"No, Uncle Chen, actually, I thought about it for a while today. In the end, it's still my fault. I didn't explain things clearly, and I didn't discuss it with you. I oversimplified things."

"Xiaowei, although this is the first time we've really had a conversation, I do know you a little. You're a reliable and capable kid, otherwise I wouldn't feel so comfortable letting Xiaohui follow you around. Okay, let's not talk about the past. Tell me about this properly, including your thoughts, and I'll listen."

"This shop has a family-inherited recipe, specializing in bone-based dishes. It's been passed down for generations, and it's not the kind of recipe that's only passed down to sons. No matter how many children there are in a generation, they just choose one capable person to pass it on to, regardless of gender. The current generation's son is the fifth in line, and the person he's passing it on to is his brother's child. The bones are indeed very well made; they have a secret recipe, and this recipe not only enhances the flavor but is also good for your health."

"We got to know each other since we always eat there. The other day I casually brought up this topic, and they took it quite seriously. They said if we really opened a shop in Fengtian and spread our skills, they would take 30% of the profits. I think that's a good thing. Uncle, you don't lack connections and people. Xiao Hui has also been saying he wants to do something, so I didn't think much of it and just casually said it was possible."

"But I really didn't think this through. Opening a shop in Fengtian, if it's too small, it won't make any sense to them. If it's too big, the investment will be too large. There are risks in both buying and selling. Nobody can guarantee what will happen once it's opened. So I talked to Xiaohui today and suggested that we just let it go and do something else when there's another opportunity in the future."

Old Chen hummed in agreement, then changed the subject: "How's things going on your end?"

Xiao Wei said, "Originally, I came here just to set up a temporary chef training class to earn some money before and after the New Year. But Lao Xia, oh, Xia Maosheng's aunt, has too much influence here, and things have gotten out of hand. Now we've contracted the vocational and technical training center of Longcheng Labor Bureau for 2,000 yuan a year, which pays the salaries of about ten people. We don't care about anything else. Then, Director Wang of the Labor Bureau also helped us get the restaurant from Jian'an Company contracted. It's a three-story detached building. The contracts from both sides have been signed, and we're ready to get started."

"How many years was the contract for?"

"Both are nine years."

"The condition is just supporting those ten or so people, right?"

"There are about ten people on each side, but the restaurant also has to pay for utilities and such."

"Um, when do you open? Have you made a decision?"

"I didn't ask today. We still need to use Old Xia's aunt's connections to invite some people. He's busy with that today. Uncle, wait a minute, I'll ask him." Xiao Wei opened the door and called out, "Old Xia, has the date for the opening banquet been set yet?"

Xia Maosheng said, "It's settled, but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. The 22nd."

Xiao Wei closed the door, sat down, and said, "Uncle, the 22nd is settled."

Old Chen thought for a moment and said, "The day after tomorrow, okay. You take care of your things first. Since you're doing it, do it well. If there's anything I can do to help you, just let me know. Have Xiao Hui answer the phone."

Xiao Wei answered, opened the door and called to Chen Hui, then walked out of the house himself.

Three to five minutes later, Chen Hui came out of the house and said, "Damn it, the old man is coming, tomorrow night. Hey, Xiao Wei, did you tell on me? Something's not right about your tone."

Xiao Wei turned to look at Xia Maosheng, who nodded and said, "It's settled. I wish my dad would care about me this much when he does; it makes me so jealous."

Chen Hui stared blankly at the two of them and asked, "Huh?"

Xiao Wei shook his head, ignoring Chen Hui, and asked Xia Maosheng, "Old Xia, how many people do you have here? Have you finalized the menu yet?"

Xia Maosheng, with his hands clasped behind his back and his head resting on his arm, said, "I don't know exactly how many people there will be, but let's prepare five tables, including the police station. Five tables should be enough."

Xiao Wei glanced at Chen Hui, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's set up eight tables. Let's discuss with Chef Zhai and make the dishes a bit more substantial. Try to include some dishes that aren't commonly found around here or that aren't readily available at home. We absolutely have to make sure Sister Shang's dumplings are a hit this time."

Xia Maosheng said, "It's just stuff sold in the market, right? What if it's not sold in the market? Go to Guangning to get it?"

Xiao Wei glared at him and said, "Going to Fengtian? You go carry it."

Xia Maosheng sat up straight and asked, "Then what do we do?"

Chen Hui said from the side, "You're so stupid. Go and order from the sellers. Order fish from the fishmongers, order seafood from the seafood sellers. They have the connections. We don't need to put in the effort ourselves. Besides, even if we put in the effort, we still wouldn't be able to get it. How much would it cost to go to Guangning and Fengtian?"

Xiao Wei nodded to Xia Maosheng, indicating that Chen Hui was right.

Xia Maosheng reached out and touched Chen Hui's head in surprise, laughing as he said, "He's pretty smart! His reactions are faster than mine. How come he can be so slow sometimes?"

Chen Hui shook his head to avoid Xia Maosheng's hand and asked, "When did I become stupid?"

Xiao Wei said, "He's not stupid, he just gets used to some things and doesn't use his brain anymore. Sigh, it seems that being too capable isn't all good. The risk of selective brain degeneration is quite significant."

Chen Hui blinked and said, "So you're saying I'm stupid?"

Xia Maosheng patted Chen Hui on the shoulder and said, "It's not that we're saying you're stupid, it's that you really are stupid." Hahaha, Xia Maosheng laughed and ran away after saying that. Chen Hui jumped up and chased after him, while Xiao Wei watched and laughed.

……

The next day, November 21st, was the day of Minor Snow.

At 8:20 p.m., Old Chen's Duke car stopped in front of the guesthouse.

Xiao Wei, Chen Hui, and Xia Maosheng were in the lobby of the guesthouse when they saw Che Mang come out.

Old Chen rolled down the car window and said to them, "Get in." Then the window closed.

The three men opened the back door and got into the car. The car drove off directly into the swirling snowflakes, making two turns and traveling about three kilometers before entering a large iron gate. The car turned and stopped, and Old Chen opened the door and got out. The three men followed suit. The car honked its horn and drove into the heated storage room next to the yard.

Old Chen led three people into the house through a main gate. It was a six-story building with a spacious hall inside. Opposite the hall was the main entrance facing the street, which was still open. The hall was very warm, and several middle-aged people were sitting on a sofa talking. When they saw Old Chen, they quickly stood up to greet him.