Chapter 97: Braised Pork in Short Supply
Under Jiang Ruoxi's careful guidance, everyone quickly became familiar with their respective work processes. In the back kitchen, Zhang Bin and Zhao Qiang skillfully used the spice packs prepared by Jiang Ruoxi to braise meat and dishes, and pots of fragrant braised food came out freshly from the oven; in front of the store, Wang Dong and Song Yu greeted customers warmly and patiently answered their questions; Wei Jun quietly shuttled around the store, cleaning up the garbage in a timely manner and pouring water for customers eating in the store.
As time went by, the braised meat shop business became more and more prosperous. Customers are not only attracted by the delicious braised food, but also moved by the group of hard-working veterans in the store.
Their story spread by word of mouth among the neighbors, attracting more people to patronize. Jiang Ruoxi looked at the busy and orderly scene in the store, feeling very relieved. She knew that her original decision was absolutely correct. These veterans not only helped her solve business problems, but also injected a strong sense of perseverance into the braised meat shop.
In the future, she hopes to work with everyone to expand this business, let more people taste their delicious food, and make the lives of these veterans better and better.
On August 8, the braised meat shop officially opened and was very lively. The brand new sign of 'Jiang's Braised Pork' sparkled in the sun, and the door was filled with flower baskets sent by relatives and friends.
The new employees each performed their duties, and Jiang Ruoxi was also busy running around with a happy smile on her face. On the opening day, the store was packed with customers and received rave reviews. Jiang Ruoxi knew that she was one step closer to her goal.
As the school starts date approaches, Jiang Ruoxi spends less and less time in the store, but she doesn't have to worry at all, because she knows that with these reliable employees, the braised meat shop will continue to thrive. She was looking forward to Lu Tingxiao's early return so that they could share the joy of success and jointly draw a blueprint for the future.
After a lot of running around, Jiang Ruoxi finally arranged all the affairs of the braised meat shop. Then, she focused her attention on the children's growth and education, so she sat down with both sets of parents and Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu again, and solemnly proposed the idea of sending the three children to kindergarten.
"Children can't just play around at home all the time. They need to interact more with other children!" Jiang Ruoxi said patiently, her eyes full of expectations for the children's future.
However, as soon as this proposal was put forward, it was unanimously opposed by the elders.
Grandma Lu was the first to frown and said distressedly: "We have plenty of time to look after the children, and we can take good care of them at home. Why do we have to send them to kindergarten to suffer?"
Grandpa Lu also echoed, his face full of worry. Jiang's father and mother and Lu's father and mother also looked troubled. They felt that the child was still young and they were worried about sending him to kindergarten.
Faced with the concerns of her elders, Jiang Ruoxi was not impatient at all. She slowly analyzed the interests involved to everyone. "Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, if the children never come into contact with other children outside and only stay at home, their knowledge and vision will be limited. The kindergarten has rich and colorful activities and professional teachers to guide them, which can help children learn a lot, which is especially beneficial to their growth!" She spoke sincerely, with determination and persistence in her eyes.
After Jiang Ruoxi's earnest persuasion, the elders' attitudes finally softened. They looked at Jiang Ruoxi's serious expression, and carefully considered what she said. The worries in their hearts were gradually replaced by understanding. In the end, both parents and Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu nodded helplessly and reluctantly, and agreed to the decision to send the child to kindergarten.
The parents and elders in the family finally agreed to let the three children go to kindergarten, and Jiang Ruoxi finally felt relieved. She knew very well that her child's education could not be delayed and she had to act quickly.
In sharp contrast to the reluctance of their elders, the three children jumped for joy when they learned that they were going to kindergarten. They have long been curious about kindergarten and are eager to play and learn with children of the same age.
Taking advantage of the temporary suspension of business at the braised meat shop, she immediately began contacting kindergartens for the children. In Jiang Ruoxi's opinion, living close to home is the primary consideration, so that it is more convenient for Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu to pick up the children after school and they don't have to spend too much time and energy on the road.
Jiang Ruoxi first asked around, asking neighbors and friends about nearby kindergartens, and then personally visited several kindergartens for on-site inspections.
She carefully observed whether the kindergarten's environment and facilities were safe and sanitary, learned whether the teaching staff was professional and responsible, and asked whether the curriculum was reasonable and interesting. After careful comparison and screening, she finally chose a kindergarten that satisfied her in all aspects.
After all the formalities were completed, on the first day the children entered kindergarten, Jiang Ruoxi got up early and prepared brand new school bags, stationery and clean clothes for the children. The three little ones also got up early, put on their clothes on their own, and urged Jiang Ruoxi to leave quickly.
When they arrived at the kindergarten gate, the children held Jiang Ruoxi's hands with anticipation, their eyes sparkling with excitement. Jiang Ruoxi squatted down, gently helped the children straighten their collars, and softly told them to listen to the teacher and get along well with other children.
Looking at the children's excited and expectant expressions, her heart was filled with joy. After sending the children to kindergarten, she repeatedly reminded the teacher of some precautions, and only left after the teacher smiled and promised to take good care of the children.
The children happily ran to the kindergarten playground and quickly became friends with their new friends. Jiang Ruoxi stood at the door, looking at the children's backs, feeling both gratified and emotional. She knew that this was an important step in the children's growth and the right choice she must make as a mother.
As soon as school was over, Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu couldn't wait to go to the kindergarten. Along the way, the two old people chatted with each other, their hearts full of concern for the children, wondering whether the children had enough to eat in kindergarten and whether they made new friends.
When they arrived at the kindergarten gate, they saw the children running out skipping and jumping with bright smiles on their faces. Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu's eyes were also full of smiles. They hurried to greet them, holding the children's hands and asking about their well-being.
At the same time, Aunt Chen and Aunt Lan were not idle either. They started busy at home early in the morning, carefully preparing meals that their children loved.
In the kitchen, steam was rising and fragrance was everywhere, as delicious dishes gradually took shape under their skillful hands. The moment the children and Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu stepped into the house, the food was already on the table.
The children sat around the dining table, happily sharing interesting things in kindergarten, and their laughter echoed throughout the house.
Looking at this warm and harmonious scene, Jiang Ruoxi felt that her life had become more promising. She knows very well that although it is inevitable to encounter various difficulties and challenges in life, as long as the family works together and supports each other, there will be no obstacles that cannot be overcome.
Next, she plans to spend more time with her children while running the braised meat shop well, and witness every moment of their growth. She also looked forward to Lu Tingxiao's early return so that the family could reunite and create more beautiful memories together.
From then on, picking up and dropping off children every day became a part of Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu’s life. After school, they would patiently listen to the children share interesting stories in kindergarten. Seeing the children becoming more cheerful and confident day by day, Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu felt that Jiang Ruoxi's decision was right.
At the same time, in addition to studying, Jiang Ruoxi will also devote more energy to the operation of the braised meat shop, because she hopes to create better living conditions for her children and make this family become more and more warm and happy under the unremitting efforts of her and Lu Tingxiao.
As time went by, the business in the store became more and more prosperous. There are more and more regular customers. Some of them are students from nearby schools, who come together after school; some are nearby residents, who pick up a portion on their way home from get off work.
Some parents even come from far away just to pack up the braised food from the store and take it home so that their families can also enjoy it. Today, Jiang Ruoxi's braised food shop has become an indispensable part of the lives of nearby residents, and neighbors can often be heard praising her braised food.
Looking at the bustling store, Jiang Ruoxi's heart was filled with pride. She knows that her hard work and persistence are bearing fruit. Not only has she opened up a new source of income for her family, but she has also left her footprints of struggle in this era full of opportunities and challenges.
At this moment, she was looking forward to Lu Tingxiao's return from the mission so that she could see her achievements with her own eyes. When Lu Tingxiao came back, she wanted to plan the future of the store with him. Maybe they could expand the store, add more dishes, and make this business bigger and stronger.
She believed that as long as they worked together, the days to come would get better and better, and with their joint efforts, their home would become warmer, richer, more full of love and hope.
Amid the dual busyness of life and career, every moment of Jiang Ruoxi's time was filled with thoughts of Lu Tingxiao. Whether she was instructing employees in making braised food in the braised meat shop or playing with her children, her thoughts would always drift involuntarily to her husband who was on a mission far away.
She would inadvertently think of Lu Tingxiao's warm smile and his strong hug, and her heart was filled with worry and expectation.
At this time, Lu Tingxiao was sitting on the train back to Beijing, eager to return home. He had expected that the mission could be successfully completed in a month at most, but unexpected situations arose during the execution, the situation became complicated, the difficulty of the mission increased sharply, and it took nearly another month.
During this period, he worked day and night, facing many difficulties and obstacles, but he always buried his longing for his family deep in his heart and devoted himself to the mission.
As soon as he returned to Beijing, Lu Tingxiao ignored the fatigue of the journey and went straight back to the military academy to hand in his assignment, and then made a careful and detailed summary report. After all the formalities were completed, he rushed back to the courtyard, exhausted and full of longing. When he arrived at the courtyard, darkness had already enveloped the earth and the clock hand quietly pointed to a little after eight o'clock in the evening.
The gate of the courtyard was locked, and a hint of warm yellow light shone through the crack of the door. Lu Tingxiao jumped over the courtyard wall, opened the door, took the bag in, locked the door, turned around, and saw a familiar scene. Everything in the courtyard was still the same as he remembered, but with a little more of the daily life.
He walked into the house with light footsteps, only to see Jiang Ruoxi sitting at the table, sorting out the accounts of the braised meat shop under the dim light. She frowned slightly, her eyes focused, and she didn't notice Lu Tingxiao's return at all.
Lu Tingxiao stood quietly at the door, looking at Jiang Ruoxi's back, with mixed feelings in his heart. He felt sorry for his wife having to bear the pressure of life alone, and was also moved by her strength and dedication. After a moment, he called softly, "Wife, I'm back!"
When Jiang Ruoxi heard the voice, she raised her head suddenly. A hint of disbelief flashed across her eyes, followed by endless surprise and excitement.
She stood up and walked quickly to Lu Tingxiao, tears glistening in her eyes. She raised her hand and gently stroked his slightly tired face. She choked with disbelief and said, "Tingxiao, are you back? Are you really back? You're finally back. The children and I missed you so much. I was so worried about you!"
Lu Tingxiao hugged Jiang Ruoxi tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to turn all his thoughts and concerns during this period into a hug and pass it to her.
Lu Tingxiao hugged Jiang Ruoxi tightly and gently stroked her back with his hand. His voice was low and gentle, with a hint of exhaustion from all the traveling and relief from the reunion: "Wife, you've been through a lot these days. You've been supporting us at home and outside. Thank you for your hard work!"
Just at this moment, the sound of children's laughter and playing came from the room, accompanied by a burst of hurried footsteps. The little ones heard the familiar and long-lost voices in the living room, and instantly rushed out of the room cheering like little rockets that were ignited.
As soon as they saw Lu Tingxiao's tall figure, their eyes suddenly lit up, and brilliant smiles bloomed on their faces. They jumped and danced with excitement, shouting loudly, "Dad, Dad, you're finally back!"
The three children were like three happy little monkeys, extremely excited. They gathered around him and hugged Lu Tingxiao's legs affectionately.
Some of them tilted their heads back, their bright eyes full of dependence; some tugged at the corners of his clothes, eager to share with him the interesting things that happened during this period; and some simply climbed up using their hands and feet, asking their fathers to hold them like a spoiled child, and the chirping sounds instantly filled the entire living room.
Lu Tingxiao squatted down and hugged the children one by one, with a happy smile on his face. The family hugged each other tightly, and laughter echoed in every corner of the courtyard. At this moment, all the longing and waiting turned into the warmest reunion.
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