Chương 46: Who knows, he might really become an uncle someday!

Maybe He'll Really Become an Uncle in the Future Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile, "You've been in Rongcheng for the past few days, and you don't know that Zhou Yan's restaurant has been upgraded. It not only sells noodles, but also braised beef and stir-fries."

"Zhou Yan's noodle business was just starting to pick up, why is he in such a hurry to expand again? Didn't you say that he almost went bankrupt by selling stir-fries and braised dishes before?" Meng Anhe frowned slightly.

"I don't think his expansion is reckless. Noodles sell well in the morning, but not many people eat there at noon and in the evening, so he added braised beef to his menu, which made it even better. Now he sells noodles in the morning and serves lunch and dinner, so he can cater to both," Lin Zhiqiang analyzed.

"His dishes are also very simple: braised pork ribs, beef with bamboo shoots, and minced beef with double peppers are the toppings and sauces. The braised beef sells well, and he only added a dish of crucian carp with mint." Meng Anhe thought for a moment and nodded: "He's trying to steal some of the customers who eat stir-fries from your factory canteen."

"It's funny, there was a commotion in the factory canteen at noon today. Zhao Dong led the way and almost smashed the canteen..." Lin Zhiqiang told Meng Anhe about the gossip about the trouble in the factory canteen at noon today. Meng Anhe was overjoyed upon hearing this, and suddenly said, "So, you're planning to introduce Zhou Yan to Director Wang?"

"That's right. If Zhou Yan's cooking satisfies the director, I'll definitely introduce him." Lin Zhiqiang nodded.

"Back then, Zhou Yan got into a fight with Wang Defa in the factory canteen. He was young and hot-blooded and injured Wang Defa, which had a bad influence. He was just an apprentice, so he was fired."

"Wang Defa is petty and not a good person. After what happened in the factory canteen today, he's bound to get a scolding from Liu Yusheng. The stir-fries in the factory canteen are his proudest achievement since he took office. He's definitely not happy that Zhou Yan stole his customers."

"Zhou Yan's small restaurant seems to be doing well, but it's rented from the textile factory. In this small town, Wang Defa has plenty of ways to cause trouble." Meng Anhe couldn't help but laugh: "You're really thinking about him. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were his uncle."

"Isn't that what we should do? He's Yao Yao's savior. We can never repay Zhou Yan's kindness." Lin Zhiqiang smiled.

"Besides, who knows, he might really become your uncle in the future."

"What do you mean by that?" Meng Anhe raised an eyebrow, somewhat wary.

"What happened during your visit the other day?"

"Nothing, I was just saying." Lin Zhiqiang quickly shut up.

"Confess quickly, or I'll pinch you!" Meng Anhe pinched his waist.

"No, no, no, it's really nothing. I just think Zhou Yan is handsome and reliable..." Their two sons followed behind, the older one in third grade and the younger one in first grade. Both were well-mannered, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, inheriting the best features of their parents. They were both excited to go out to eat today. Lin Zhiqiang was busy with work, but Meng Anhe was even busier.

She worked at the architectural design institute in Rongcheng at least five days a week, only able to return to Suji to visit her husband and children after finishing her projects. The two children usually rely on the aunt next door for pick-up and drop-off, and they also get meals there. They only need a small monthly allowance for food; they're basically left to their own devices.

"Mom, is that cute little girl that cousin Yao Yao mentioned in the restaurant we're going to eat at?" Lin Jingxing asked.

"Is the kimchi made there? We finished the ones we brought back last time, can we get some more?" The younger brother, Lin Bingwen, was more concerned about the pickled radishes for his porridge that morning.

"Yes, the little girl's name is Zhou Momo. She's still young, so don't scare her when you see her," Meng Anhe said, turning to the two children and instructing them.

"I'll ask the owner for some more pickled radishes later."

"Okay," the two little ones nodded in agreement.... It was rush hour, and the bicycles outside the textile factory poured out like a floodgate opening. The vendors at the entrance immediately perked up, hurriedly starting to hawk their wares. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Once everyone was gone in half an hour, they'd have to wait until tomorrow. Not to be outdone, Zhou Liangliang raised his hoarse voice and shouted, "Come on, come on!

Grand opening specials, super discounted prices! Noodles for three cents a bowl, with an ounce of meat! Zhoucun hot pot, also three cents a bowl! Three cents a bowl..." His loud voice did attract some attention, but it was all tinged with disdain.

"Again? Three cents a bowl with an ounce of meat, I'm scared just hearing that!"

"I bet it's some diseased pork from somewhere again. One Wang Laowu left, and now another Wang Laoliu is here?"

"The three-cent hot pot smells awful as soon as you get close, it's all the stench of offal, it's nothing like the beef offal at Zhou Erwa's restaurant." The workers rode by on their bikes, shaking their heads repeatedly.

"Look, we can't even sell them for three cents! If we don't sell these today, they'll rot tomorrow. I believed your nonsense, and I deserve my bad luck! Look how thriving other people's businesses are!" Wu Guihua looked dejected, her eyes reddening as she watched the ever-growing number of bicycles parked in front of Zhou Erwa's restaurant across the street. Zhou Liangliang was also getting anxious.

Looking at the beef offal and noodles he had prepared, he gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and shouted again, "Noodles are going up for sale! Soup pots are going up for sale! Two cents a bowl! Selling at a loss! Selling at a loss! I'm losing money on everything! Only two cents a bowl!"

"Two cents a bowl? Has Zhou Liangliang gone mad?" Zhao Tieying looked on in disbelief. The soup pots could still break even, but the noodles were going to be sold at a loss.

"A cornered dog will jump over the wall, but it's no use." Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Once bitten by a snake, twice shy. The cheaper it is, the more scared the workers will be." Sure enough, at Zhou Liangliang's shout, the workers pedaled harder and didn't even turn their heads. The Wang Laowu pork scandal served as a cautionary tale; when it comes to food, some expenses can't be skimped on. A bowl of noodles costing two cents, with an extra ounce of meat, wasn't appealing; it was frightening.

"Don't... don't run away..." Zhou Liangliang slumped onto the stool, as if all his strength had been drained. This price, if shouted out at the docks, would immediately draw a large crowd. The textile factory workers were so wealthy, why wouldn't they eat noodles and soup for two cents a bowl? But why did Zhou Yan's six-cent soup sell so well? Zhou Liangliang racked his brains but still couldn't understand.

"... Zhou Erwa Restaurant, this should be it." Wang Hongliang stopped his bicycle in front of the restaurant, looked up at the sign, and smiled,"I pass by here every day, but this is my first time eating here." Li Meilin got off the back seat, first lifting her grandson off the crossbar of the bicycle, glanced into the restaurant, and smiled,"Why would Lin Zhiqiang choose a small restaurant? Wasn't it supposed to be a noodle shop? Noodles tonight?"

"Don't underestimate this little restaurant. A couple of days ago, the college students from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute ate noodles here twice, and they both said it was good." Wang Hongliang said with a smile.

"Factory Manager, Sister-in-law." Lin Zhiqiang quickly took a few steps to greet them.

"Factory Manager Wang, Sister Meilin." Meng Anhe greeted them with a smile, then reached out and patted her grandson's head,"Haohao has grown taller again." The two children greeted them politely.

"Zhiqiang, Xiao Meng, and the two children are here." Wang Hongliang nodded with a smile.

"Xiao Meng's wool coat is really nice, did you buy it in Rongcheng?" Li Meiling smiled as she looked at the two children.

"Jingxing and Bingwen are growing fast, they'll definitely be as tall as their dad someday." Inside the shop, Zhao Tieying hurriedly went to call Zhou Yan. Both the factory director and deputy director were here—these were big leaders, she was a little intimidated.

"Let's go in then, I asked Xiao Zhou to reserve seats," Lin Zhiqiang said after greeting them.

"Okay " Wang Hongliang nodded. At this moment, Zhou Yan also came out to greet them, smiling, "Factory Director, please come in, we've reserved seats for you. (End of Chapter)