Liu Lan rolled her eyes and went back to the kitchen.
Xu Damao was born at the wrong time. Now that the reform and opening up has begun, he's really thriving.
Xu Damao is a capable person, born to do business. After he was laid off (in the TV series, Xu Damao started his business in 1984, but here it is earlier), he became a small boss in just two or three years.
He started wearing a big gold chain, and the TV was replaced with a color one. It's no exaggeration to say that his family's life has become the most prosperous in the neighborhood!
He introduced Mr. Li, saying, "Do you know why I specially invited you here today?"
Mr. Li was genuinely curious: "Why? I've heard of this place; it specializes in Huaiyang cuisine."
Xu Damao's mustache twitched again: "Because their family has three main characteristics!"
"Oh, which three points?"
"The first thing is to be particular. These fish, shrimp and crabs are all fresh and live. Only live fish are selected to ensure the taste."
The second point is to pay attention to knife skills. Every dish is made with great care, highlighting the quality of the raw materials.
Thirdly, it's about the flavor. I know you usually prefer strong flavors and think Huaiyang cuisine is bland, but let me tell you, you'll understand once you try their dishes. While the flavor is mild and not overly complex, it perfectly highlights the natural taste of the ingredients. You'll see when it's served!
"..."
These days, anyone who dares to get into the restaurant business has some special skills. Do you think someone like Yan Jiecheng, who modified Chongqing hotpot, didn't need technical expertise?
While Xu Damao was treating everyone to dinner, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, the two brothers, were also busy.
Seven years have passed, and both of them have been released. There's also that bastard from Qin Huairu's family, and Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang from Yan Bugui's family, turning a once peaceful courtyard into a chaotic mess once again.
Today, Liu Guangtian returned from a stroll outside, leaned against the door of the small room, and stared blankly at the sunset;
His younger brother, Liu Guangfu, came back from who-knows-where, carrying a bag of food.
Liu Guangtian quickly called him over and whispered to him, "My wife's work unit allocated her an apartment."
Liu Guangfu looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Second brother, to be honest, my father-in-law has passed away, and my wife has taken over her family's house."
The two men understood each other without saying a word, and Liu Guangtian said to him, "I plan to move today."
Liu Guangfu excitedly slapped his hands together: "We've got the same idea! It'll save us from any unforeseen problems. I also plan to leave quietly under the cover of night, so those bastards in this yard won't ruin my plans again!"
Liu Guangtian readily agreed: "Okay, it's settled then. We'll move in quietly tonight."
"..."
Just then, Liu Haizhong came out of the house, carrying a cup in one hand and a small stool in the other.
The man trembled, his belly quivered, and he looked old; Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu looked down on him even more when they saw him.
The eldest son is right. Unkind parents and unfilial children—you reap what you sow.
As soon as Liu Haizhong emerged, the two immediately stopped their previous conversation, and Liu Guangtian asked loudly, "What are you carrying in your hand?"
Liu Guangfu said obsequiously to Liu Haizhong, "Hey Dad, have you had dinner yet? I just bought some baked buns, would you like to take them?"
Liu Haizhong scoffed dismissively: "If you really have that kind of filial piety, then don't ask, just send it to your mother's house. Just buy two flatbreads, that's enough for whoever wants to eat them. How about that? You'll have trouble explaining it to your wife, won't you?"
Liu Guangfu was speechless, because the baked bun contained donkey meat.
Giving something this expensive to Liu Haizhong? That's such a waste!
The situation of these three old men in the courtyard is becoming increasingly desolate.
An older woman passed away last year due to a sudden heart attack, leaving Yi Zhonghai all alone, without any children or relatives. This made him even more determined to have Qin Huairu and Bang Geng take care of him in his old age.
That's how Liu Haizhong and his second aunt are. They support Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who are idle and do nothing all day long. Especially their eldest son, who finally got transferred back to Beijing through Xu Damao's connections and got a job, but then he turned his back on them and stayed far away, never stepping into this courtyard again.
As for Yan Laoxi, he deserved it even more. Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang, those two brothers, thinking they could live off his parents? They were dreaming! If they couldn't gain anything, why would they even bother coming here?
As for Yan Jiedi, she cut off all contact with her family after getting married.
Yan Jiecheng and his wife also went into business, leaving early and returning late every day. When they got home, they didn't want to hang around in front of Yan Bugui.
He's always so self-important, putting on that arrogant old man attitude again. Do you see anyone in this courtyard paying any attention to him?
Sha Zhu left work right on time again, and these days he doesn't carry a net bag or lunchbox anymore.
Xiao Dang would rather work for Fatty than work for the construction team.
What's there to say? Stay. Fatty even made Xiao Dang become Liu Lan's apprentice; Sha Zhu knew Liu Lan's abilities, so instead of stopping her, he encouraged her to study diligently.
Xiao Dang eats at restaurants every day now, and doesn't get off work until 8:30 pm when the kitchen is "sealed off." That leaves Sha Zhu all alone, so he just makes do with whatever he can find.
As soon as Sha Zhu entered the courtyard, he saw Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui playing chess.
He didn't want to pay any attention to them, but the three of them just had nothing better to do than provoke him.
"Hey, the cafeteria manager's off-duty. You know, this fat guy owns a restaurant, and you're a head chef, what are you doing still working in a factory?"
Sha Zhu's mouth never held back: "Oh my, Second Uncle, how dare you say that? What kind of life are you living? Trying to lift tofu with a horse's tail, you can't even get it up properly. Your third son hasn't benefited at all. And now the eldest son comes back and says, 'Fine, he's arrogant because you two spoiled him, right?' But what happens? You never see him during holidays!"
Liu Haizhong trembled with anger again: "You you you..."
Yi Zhonghai glared at him unhappily: "Can't you shut your mouth?"
"You can't close your mouth. After talking about Second Uncle, it's time to talk about you, Third Uncle. Yan Jiecheng and his wife's little restaurant is doing very well!"
Yan Bugui hesitated and said, "We've been busy with reforms and opening up."
Sha Zhu glared at him: "He reformed, but did he open up to you? The couple made a killing, but didn't they give you a single penny?"
This really hit Yan Bugui hard, and he impatiently yelled at Sha Zhu, "Go away, go away, go to the side!"
The way he talked was like he was chasing away his grandson, but the problem is he doesn't even have a grandson!
Just as Sha Zhu was about to say something sarcastic, Yan Jiecheng and Zhang Hongying, a married couple, entered through the courtyard gate.
His eyes lit up the moment he saw him: "Silly Zhu, Silly Zhu, I just happened to need to talk to you!"
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