pjbooks Chapter 31 Boss Zhou Comes to the Rescue
Chapter 31 Boss Zhou Comes to the Rescue
Within minutes, the gates of the factories opened, and many factory workers were released.
A large influx of people swept from the factory toward the small restaurant.
Among the crowd, Xu Liang spotted some familiar faces, but also some new and unfamiliar ones.
Since you're here, you're a guest. There's an old saying: "Since you're here, make the best of it."
"Mr. Xu, you seem quite relaxed, greeting customers outside the door. Excellent service!"
"Yes, the shop is clean and hygienic, and we love the food listed on the menu!"
We will give you our full support.
There were different opinions among that group of diners, but it was clear that since they had come, they must have come to support Xu Liang's small restaurant.
Xu Liang stood outside, welcoming them, but he wasn't idle either.
He enthusiastically shouted to everyone, "I am very grateful to everyone for coming to my restaurant for so long. Today, my little restaurant will be launching a new dish called Mapo Tofu."
Upon hearing the dish's renowned reputation, a thin, sallow-skinned man stepped forward from the crowd.
"This dish is the pride of us Sichuan and Chongqing people. Boss, as the head chef, you must make it well."
In fact, everyone knows that this dish is a household name, and even before Xu Liang was reborn, he could eat it at any Sichuan restaurant in another city.
The dish is not only delicious, with its spicy broth, but also features tofu coated in that red broth that is absolutely exquisite.
Mapo tofu is a must-try dish on the list of delicacies when visiting Sichuan. It originated from a restaurant called Chen Mapo Restaurant in the northern suburbs of Chengdu in the first year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty.
It is said that Mapo Tofu was originally a communal dish, specially made for laborers as it was cheap, easy to eat with rice, and warming.
Later, the porters couldn't remember the restaurant's name, so they just called it "Mapo Tofu," and that's how the dish became known to many people.
Xu Liang had also learned about this history. Basically, he had a deep respect for this kind of food with a story, and the people and events it told were a manifestation of true human feelings.
This should be remembered by future generations!
Xu Liang replied, "Since everyone has said so, I will definitely put in 1000% effort to complete this dish properly."
"You will definitely not be disappointed. This new dish for lunch today has my own seasoning. Everyone is warmly welcome to come and try it."
Everyone looked at the table laden with steaming Mapo Tofu, when suddenly the crowd narrowed at Xu Liang's shop entrance, and some people couldn't squeeze in.
"Please line up in an orderly manner and don't push!"
Xu Liang stood beside them, cupping his hands to his mouth and shouting loudly.
But diners are ultimately food lovers, and when faced with delicious food, their eyes will light up and they will stare intently at the dishes on their plates.
This resulted in the group being too divided, with those at the front of the crowd already seated inside the small restaurant because they had arrived earlier and lined up earlier.
Those who arrived at the back of the crowd were slower and couldn't keep up, so they didn't get a seat.
At this moment, Xu Liang was also thinking of a way to make sure that the people behind them didn't go hungry.
He wanted to eat all the food from these customers, because he was a hardworking and ambitious person.
Then he remembered that there was a drink shop in the neighborhood that sold sweet soups and the like, and Xu Liang knew the owner of that drink shop.
The owner's surname seems to be Zhou, and his name is Zhou Yan. I heard that he used to run a Sichuan restaurant in Leshan, but the restaurant went bankrupt, so he switched to the dessert business.
He was older than Xu Liang, but to be honest, not by much. Both of them were handsome young men and successful entrepreneurs.
However, it's alright, this can be considered a way to survive, although the money earned is probably not as much as at its peak.
Sometimes, Xu Liang might even have to learn from him when it comes to Sichuan cuisine.
Xu Liang had an idea: to invite Master Zhou Yan to be a Sichuan cuisine consultant at Xiao Liangzi Restaurant.
Some time later, Xu Liang saw Master Zhou, whom he had been longing for, in his dream. He was so moved that he burst into tears.
Xu Liang's idea was just wishful thinking; he immediately took action and rushed to Zhou Yan's location as fast as he could.
They discovered he was still researching sweet soups in the shop.
It comes in grape, lemon, and orange flavors.
And chilled sweet jelly, the most famous jelly in Sichuan.
When Xu Liang ran over, his footsteps were so loud that they startled Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan looked up and gazed towards the shop entrance.
But they found that Xu Liang was already exhausted and panting heavily.
Boss Zhou asked with concern, "Xiao Liang, many things can't be rushed. Tell me, what's the matter?"
"I...I can't, let me catch my breath!"
Xu Liang gasped for breath, as if something heavy was pressing on his lungs.
Seeing this, Zhou Yan stepped forward and patted Xu Liang on the shoulder, asking with concern, "Good brother, are you alright? How about I buy you a cup of sweet soup? After you've calmed down, we can sit at the table and talk it over!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Liang simply said, "Thank you, Boss Zhou!"
After saying that, Zhou Yan brought over the cup he had just studied to Xu Liang on a tray.
Then, Zhou Yan slowly handed it to Xu Liang.
Xu Liang took the cup of sugar water. Although he was having some difficulty breathing, he still took a look at what color it was.
Could the colorless and transparent liquid be lychee juice?
Xu Liang didn't care about that.
He took a big gulp and gulped it down, then gulped it down again, and he was full.
After drinking it, Xu Liang realized that it was not lychee juice, but a simple cup of sugarcane juice.
However, it is also made with water added.
Xu Liang felt that after drinking the sugarcane juice, his breathing became weaker and his condition gradually began to improve.
He then said to Zhou Yan, "Boss Zhou, I need your help urgently. I have a lot of customers and we're not able to fit everyone in. I'd like to borrow a few tables and chairs from your shop. Is that alright?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan realized that Xu Liang had come because of the small restaurant, so he said, "Oh, it's nothing, just take it. By the way, do you need any help? I was a little scared when I saw you panting like that..."
"I guess... we don't need to...?"
"I'm already very grateful that you lent me a few tables and chairs. There's a limit to how much you should ask for help, Boss Zhou. It's alright, I can do it myself!"
It's never been Zhou Yan's style to not help when someone is in trouble, and Xu Liang has traveled quite a distance to seek help, so he's probably in a hurry to get back now.
No, we should help him!
That's what Boss Zhou was thinking.
"Xiao Liang, no way. Let's split this table in half and move it to your little restaurant."
Xu Liang was deeply moved by these words, and almost burst into tears.
"Boss Zhou, you're such a kind person. I'll definitely repay you in the future."
Upon hearing the word "report back," Zhou Yan called Xu Liang back.
"Hey, hey, hey, skip all of that!"
"It's not easy for us shop owners; we just wanted to lend a hand if we could!"