As the ancients said, "Food and sex are the greatest desires of humankind." In restaurants, friends and family gather to drink and chat, or friends and relatives share a meal. Literati and poets also frequent these establishments, seeking inspiration for their poems. Therefore, restaurants have become places of cultural exchange, giving rise to countless stories and anecdotes that have been passed down through the ages.
The world is full of beauty and wonder, and restaurants are no exception. In these secluded corners, one can savor fine cuisine, engage in lively conversation, or compose poetry—all becoming part of the symphony of life. I hope that when you have some free time, you will step into a restaurant and experience the joys of life.
When Li Xi arrived at the restaurant, she was immediately drawn in by its lively atmosphere. Tables and chairs were arranged neatly and compactly, with guests sitting together, chatting and laughing. Their laughter and conversation blended into a beautiful symphony, drawing one effortlessly into the joyful ambiance.
After her mother passed away in her previous life, her friend Meiyu was also busy with work, and she was often alone. For a period of time, she didn't dare to go home for dinner. She would only have one bowl and one chopstick at the dinner table. No matter where she went, she always walked alone, all by herself.
Back then, she always liked to have dinner at street food stalls, fast food restaurants, and noodle shops. The lively atmosphere of these eateries made Li Xi feel at ease, as if she had many people around her eating with her. Hearing about others' happiness made her happy, and hearing about others' sadness made her heart ache for them.
In the long river of life, everyone's heart beats countless times, from initial passionate exuberance to final tranquility. However, even the strongest heart cannot withstand the erosion of time. This is the law of nature, the cycle of life, and an inevitable path for everyone. Yet, when an aging heart seems to be infused with new blood, that wondrous journey begins.
Imagine an elderly man, weathered by life's storms, his heart weary, like a broken puppet, devoid of its former vitality. Yet, just as he's about to give up, a new strength flows into his heart. It's a feeling he's never experienced before, like spring grass sprouting from the earth, brimming with life and energy. His heart begins to beat again, filled with strength and hope.
This new strength did not come from external help, but from his inner perseverance and belief. He began to re-examine his life and to rediscover the world. His heart seemed to be infused with new blood, and his life shone with new brilliance.
Li Xi now seems to have been reborn, full of energy. She warmly greets her guests and pays attention to their needs.
An elderly man dressed in dark coarse linen clothes in the corner caught Li Xi's attention. "Grandpa Sun, what brings you here? I forgot to tell you where our shop is last time. I didn't expect you to find it yourself."
"Hey, silly child, I've walked this whole street, I know exactly what every shop sells. I'm here to support you on your opening day." Old Sun said with a smile, stroking his sparse beard.
"Then thank you in advance, Grandpa Sun. Shall I bring you a few more dishes?" "No need, this old man has already eaten quite a lot. I must say, not only is the name of your shop unique, but the taste is also exceptionally delicious. As I get older, I still have some appreciation for good food. Hmm, this ginger tea is also quite good."
"Thank you for the compliment, Grandpa Sun. Please eat your fill and wait for me. I'll take you up the mountain later." "No need, no need. I'll go to the academy to find my old friend later. You go ahead with your work." "Okay, just let me know if you need anything." "Alright, alright. Remember to look at the cultivation manual I gave you last time. I can tell you haven't opened it before, right?" "Ah? Oh, alright." Li Xi awkwardly touched the tip of her nose. She had been too busy lately and had forgotten about it.
"Xiaoxi, is this Grandpa Sun you mentioned before?" Meng Zhelan asked as she approached. "Yes, Grandpa Sun, let me introduce you to my dear sister, Meng Zhelan. She's the one who prepared today's ginger tea." "You young people are truly admirable. You are all good children," Grandpa Sun said, his eyes full of appreciation.
"Grandpa Sun, thank you for your hospitality. Please come visit more often when you have time." "Yes, yes, definitely. I must try all the delicious food here." The three chatted for a few more minutes before parting ways. Grandpa Sun watched Li Xi fall into deep thought. Not long after, he finished eating and left. When it was time to pay the bill, the waiter said someone had already paid. He smiled, shook his head, and walked away.
As night falls, lanterns illuminate the way home for shopkeepers. In this sea of lanterns, each one represents an expectation and a blessing. Swaying in the night sky, they seem to offer a warm embrace to every passerby. These lanterns not only light people's way home, but also illuminate the warmth and emotion in their hearts.
After seeing the guests off and finishing dinner, everyone began to tally up the day's profits. The shop assistants and Uncle and Aunt Wang cleaned the shop and went home, while Meng Zhelan used the abacus to calculate the revenue. Li Xi, Ling'er, and Tian Tian were all sprawled out, completely lacking proper posture.
Not long after, Meng Zhelan smiled and said, "Today was not bad. After deducting costs, the profit was five taels and three hundred and twenty-five coins. Based on the popularity of the discount, it can still be lively for three days. After that, it should drop a bit, but with today's good start, the future prospects should still be good."
When Ling'er heard that she had received more than five taels of silver today, she was instantly full of confidence. She was still a little uneasy today, afraid that she might mess things up. "Then I have lived up to your expectations. I was so worried in the kitchen today, and I couldn't find a way to go to the guest room to check on things."
“I told you you’re capable of handling this great responsibility. Who wouldn’t admire your culinary skills?” Li Xi winked at Ling’er. “Yes, Ling’er, the customers were full of praise today. It seems we’ve got this in the bag. When opening a restaurant, the taste is the most important thing. If the shop is too busy this month, we’ll hire some more people next month.” “We’ll do as you say, Boss Meng,” they all replied in unison.
...
"Your Highness, the postmasters in various places have already asked their subordinates who collect official road tolls, but they have no recollection of that group." How could they possibly find them? Zuo Yi was speechless, but still managed to appease the prince: "That young lady and her family may have taken a rural road. There are countless roads in the world; it's truly unfortunate." Prince An remained silent, fiddling with the medicine bottle in his hand, lost in thought. He waved his hand, and Zuo Yi withdrew.
Old Sun always walked with a lively spirit, showing no signs of being in his fifties or sixties. He stepped over a threshold and asked, "Zimo, guess what interesting things I've encountered these past few days?" "Oh, is there anything that can pique your interest?" An elderly man with slightly graying temples, his hair neatly combed and secured with a hair crown, holding a calligraphy brush in his right hand, slightly raised his head to look at his longtime friend.
"I recently met a girl. It just so happened that the scumbag's henchmen were trying to steal my token. What a joke! I was just about to teach them a lesson when that girl rushed out and fought them. I must say, she has profound internal energy and superb swordsmanship. Her internal energy is integrated into her swordsmanship, making her even more adept. She quickly drove the henchmen away. Before, seeing that I was an old man all alone, she even invited me to dinner and chatted with me. It's been a long time since I've met such an interesting person. Zimo, what do you think? Should I take her as my disciple?"
The quiet atmosphere was unsettling, as if something important had been forgotten, but no one spoke. They sat there silently, pondering their thoughts and feelings, or perhaps figuring out how to express them.
"Xiuwen, if you think it's right, then do it. Life is short, do what you want to do," the old man said, continuing with his work. Old Sun used the cup lid to remove the tea stalk from the cup…
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