It was dinner time and the state-owned restaurant was packed with people, with every seat occupied.

Jian Shu walked in with Zhao Yueling and immediately saw Zheng Hong who was taking orders for people.

"One plate of braised pork, one plate of tofu and four taels of rice, right? Braised pork is eighty cents, tofu is twelve cents, and four taels of rice is eight cents plus four taels of food coupons, which adds up to one dollar plus four taels of food coupons." Pi Li Pa Pa recited a bunch of prices very skillfully.

Listening to this powerful voice, Jianshu's lips curled up slightly.

Looking around the store, she found that a table of customers in the corner had just finished eating and were about to leave, so she hurriedly pulled Zhao Yueling over.

If you don't act quickly, there will be no room for food.

After taking a seat, Jianshu asked Zhao Yueling to wait there while he went to order the food.

"Sister Hong!" Zheng Hong, who was waiting to remember the names of dishes and settle the bill with her head down, heard a voice calling her. The voice seemed familiar, but she couldn't remember it for a moment.

He raised his head in confusion, and what caught his eye was Jian Shu, who was smiling widely. He was stunned for a moment, and then, contrary to his previous serious expression, he said with a smile, "Comrade Jian? You're back! When did you come back? Long time no see!"

Before leaving, Jianshu said goodbye to everyone he knew. The state-owned hotel was nearby, and Zheng Hong also knew the news.

"Long time no see!" Jian Shu greeted with a smile, "I came back a few days ago, and today I met up with some old friends, so I came over to say hello to you too."

"Are you here alone or is your family member here with you?" Zheng Hong smiled as she reached out to the counter.

"No, he went on a business trip. I came back alone? I'm not alone today either. I brought my sister with me." After saying that, Jian Shu pointed in the direction of Zhao Yueling.

Zheng Hong looked over and saw a little girl.

"Lingling, come and say hello to Sister Hong." Jianshu waved over there.

The state-owned restaurant is not far from the department store, so it's convenient to have a friend with you when you need something. Even if you don't need anything, it's still okay. More friends mean more options, and getting to know each other won't be a problem.

Seeing Zhao Yueling coming over, Jian Shu turned around and introduced her to Zheng Hong: "Sister Hong, this is my sister Zhao Yueling. You can just call her Lingling."

"Hello, Sister Hong!" Zhao Yueling nodded politely and greeted her.

Zheng Hong took a look at her and praised Jian Shu, "This little girl looks excellent, worthy of being your child. Is she still studying now?"

"She's back to work, having taken over my shift at the department store. The child is a little shy, so I'll have to trouble you old friends to take care of her on weekdays." Jian Shu rubbed Zhao Yueling's hair and said with a smile.

"That's fine, we're all family, it's only natural!" Zheng Hong smiled brightly. "Girls are all like this at first, but after a few years of working, you'll develop your personality and it'll be fine."

"I hope so!" Jianshu smiled.

"You guys are going to eat, right? What do you want to eat? We'll talk after you order."

"Lingling, go and take a look yourself. Tell your sister Hong what you want to eat." Jianshu pushed Zhao Yueling towards the place where today's menu was written, and then continued to lean against the counter and chat with Zheng Hong.

The peak period for ordering food has passed, the store is gradually becoming full, and Zheng Hong can finally take a break.

"Sister Hong, all the dishes here are our uncle's specialties!"

Zheng Hong nodded. "The supply this year is good, much better than in previous years. Dad is very happy to be able to show off his special skills."

How can I get excited if I just stir-fry some vegetables every day?

Jian Shu nodded in understanding. She knew that people like Zheng Hong and her father-in-law, who were the chef and waiter of a restaurant, had a lot of say. They also generally controlled the distribution of leftovers.

The better the food in the restaurant, the better the food they can get within a reasonable range, and the better the food their families eat. Who wouldn't be happy about this?

Just by looking at his grandson eating with his mouth full of delicious food, Zheng Hong's father-in-law became more motivated to work.

His old bones have to hold on for a few more years, prepare more delicious food for the family, and raise his grandson to be plump and healthy. Otherwise, if he loses this job, the probability of eating meat at home will drop sharply.

"Sister, can I order a braised pork, a braised eggplant, and two bowls of rice?" Zhao Yueling chose the dishes and asked Jianshu if there was anything she wanted to change.

"Okay, I'll do as you say!"

"Okay, that's it. Sister Hong, please help me calculate. We want one braised pork, one braised eggplant, and two bowls of rice." After confirming, Zhao Yueling said.

"Red-braised pork is 80 cents, braised eggplant is 10 cents, two bowls of rice are 12 cents plus 6 taels of grain coupons, the total is 1.02 yuan plus 6 taels of grain coupons."

Jianshu paid the bill, then sent Zhao Yueling back to her seat, and stayed there to chat and order some food.

The chefs in the kitchen were busy all the time. Zheng Hong called out their numbers several times, but none of them were Jianshu's. They were at the back of the line.

In the process of communicating with Zheng Hong, Jianshu learned a lot of gossip, such as the pork supply this year will be more sufficient, the slaughterhouse has killed many more pigs than before, and her husband, a strong and sturdy man, has been very tired recently. As soon as he came back, he lay on the bed and fell asleep, covered in sweat.

For example, several large factories are recruiting, but the number of people they recruit is small. Basically, they are recruiting internally, and people without connections don’t even know the news.

For example, this year, many more educated youth have returned from the countryside, many of whom were transferred back through connections. Competition for jobs has become even more intense these days than before. Without a relative in a leadership position, there's absolutely no chance of getting one. Even the worst job has a crowd vying for it.

Jianshu listened with great interest. Although it had nothing to do with her, she wrote it down in case it was needed.

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