pjbooks Chapter 101 State-Run Restaurants
Chapter 101 State-Run Restaurants
Chapter 102 State-Run Restaurants
A moment later, Liu Xiulan and Zhao Lijuan, each carrying a bundle of cloth, squeezed out of the crowd with smiles on their faces.
"That felt so good, so satisfying!"
Did you notice the surprised looks on the faces of the two sales clerks when Xiangyang said he wanted fourteen feet of cloth from each of them?
"Yeah, that was so satisfying."
Liu Xiulan also pursed her lips and echoed.
After saying that, she suddenly felt that something was not right. Looking at Li Xiangyang, she asked in a low voice, "Xiangyang, isn't this a bit too extravagant? My sister-in-law and I should each have one set of clothes made."
Zhao Lijuan also said with some worry, "Yes, Xiangyang, aren't we being a bit too extravagant this time? We spent fourteen yuan just on fabric for the two of us—will Mom say we're wasteful when we get back?"
"Don't worry, it didn't cost much. Anyway, it was you two who wanted to buy it. Mom just said you two are wasteful!"
Li Xiangyang said with an indifferent expression.
"Mmm, that's true—"
Liu Xiulan and Zhao Lijuan nodded, and after a moment they realized that Li Xiangyang had tricked them.
Zhao Lijuan said urgently, "Xiangyang, what did you say? Can you even speak like a human being? You were the one shouting the loudest just now, asking for fourteen feet of fabric each. Everyone heard it."
Liu Xiulan also got anxious and reached out to pinch the tender flesh on Li Xiangyang's waist: "You were the one shouting the loudest just now, you stole the show, how come it's all about us buying it now?"
She's different from Zhao Lijuan; she's still a new bride and has only just started managing the money. If her parents think she's wasting money at this crucial juncture, then—she wouldn't want to live anymore—
"Ouch, it hurts! Stop it! Stop it!"
Li Xiangyang felt the pinch hurt and knew that Liu Xiulan was really angry now, so he said, "Okay, okay—if Mom scolds you when we get home, just say I made you buy it, is that alright?"
"Phew~"
Hearing Li Xiangyang say this, Zhao Lijuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hmph, that's more like it."
Liu Xiulan felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.
They went into the department store earlier, but didn't really want to buy anything, and they were all hungry, so they came out after only a short while.
Li Xiangyang, on the other hand, seemed completely unconcerned.
He earned over 330 yuan this morning, and spending 14 yuan is less than a fraction of that. Besides, it's for his wife to buy fabric to make clothes, so it's not considered reckless spending. His mother probably won't scold him.
Even if his mother scolds him, it doesn't matter, he's used to being scolded anyway.
"Let's go, I'll take you to a state-run restaurant for dinner."
"Okay, okay, let's hurry up, I'm starving."
Zhao Lijuan's eyes lit up when she heard that they were going to eat, and she couldn't wait to urge them to hurry up: "I don't know what good food is in this state-run restaurant. I've never eaten in such a high-class place before. In the past, when I came to the market, I would just find some small stalls in the alley to eat a couple of bites and then go back."
"Sigh, finally it's time to eat—" Liu Xiulan said weakly, clutching her stomach and looking down.
"Xiulan, didn't you bring cornbread? If you're hungry, just eat some dry food."
Li Xiangyang suppressed a laugh and teased her.
"Get lost! You all eat at restaurants with lots of meat and fish, and I'm still eating cornbread? I want to go to a restaurant for a banquet too. You can have cornbread, but I won't eat it."
"Haha, just kidding. Come on, let's hurry up and I'll take you to eat something delicious."
The four of them joked and teased each other, and soon arrived at the state-run restaurant.
To Li Xiangyang's surprise, the state-run restaurant was open today. Liu Xiulan and the other two were also looking forward to it. They tied up their horses and were about to go in when they were stopped by the gatekeeper.
"Excuse me, which organization are you from? Are you here in Wuzhen on a business trip? Could you please show me your letter of introduction or identification?"
The security guard's series of questions left them all bewildered.
"What organization? What business trip? What documents?" Zhao Lijuan immediately tugged at Li Xiangyang's sleeve and whispered, "Does Xiangyang need all this to eat at a state-run restaurant?"
Li Xiangyang shook his head. This was the first time he had encountered such a situation. He had eaten at state-run restaurants with Donkey Egg and the others before, and they were always allowed in as long as they had food coupons. Why was it so complicated?
He smiled and said, "Brother, we are herdsmen from the surrounding area, and we've come to Wuzhen on some business."
"Oh, you're a herder from nearby. You should go home and have dinner."
"Go home for dinner—? What does that mean?"
Several people looked at each other.
"Yesterday, we received a notice from above that during the snow disaster, priority should be given to employees of Wuzhen and cadres who come to Wuzhen on business, and we will not accept individual tourists."
"ah----.
When Liu Xiulan and Zhao Lijuan heard that they couldn't get in, their mouths twitched and their faces showed disappointment.
The big meal I'd been looking forward to is ruined!
However, it is understandable that state-run restaurants make such arrangements. If residents of Wuzhen or herders from the surrounding area are hungry, they can simply walk a few hours home to eat. But if people who come to work don't have anything to eat, they will really go hungry, so there's not much to say about it.
"Brother, let's forget about it then. Let's just grab some dry food to tide us over, and then we can eat a proper meal at home later."
Li Xiangdong advised.
"Hmm, never mind then, let's eat at home."
Li Xiangyang looked at Li Xiangdong, then at Liu Xiulan and Zhao Lijuan, who both looked dejected. He felt that he had to take them in for a good meal today no matter what: "Don't worry, we're definitely having this meal today."
97
"Brother, could you please call out your purchasing team leader, Tu Weimin, and tell him that Li Xiangyang is looking for him?"
"Tu Weimin, Team Leader Tu—?"
"That's him, that's the one!"
Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper's eyelids twitched slightly, and his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but wonder—just who was this young herdsman? How did he even know Team Leader Tu from the purchasing team?
In the past, the head of the purchasing team wouldn't have been a big deal, but since the snow disaster, the supply and marketing cooperative has set a daily quota for their restaurant, and the entire restaurant has to revolve around the purchasing team. Naturally, the purchasing team's power has increased, and various departments have to sell the name of the purchasing team.
If we upset them, the restaurant will have to close down, which will affect everyone's wallets.
Having figured this out, the gatekeeper immediately changed to a fawning expression, smiling and saying, "Oh my—so you're Team Leader Tu's friends! Why didn't you say so earlier? Come in, come in and have a seat, it's cold outside."
Liu Xiulan and Zhao Lijuan looked at each other, quite surprised. They were caught off guard by the rapid change in the gatekeeper's attitude.
"Tu Weimin? The guy Xiangyang hooked up with at the state-run restaurant?"
Filled with questions, the two followed Li Xiangyang into the state-run restaurant.
As soon as I stepped inside, I attracted the attention of the other diners.
There was nothing they could do; everyone in the restaurant except the staff was dressed in uniform, except for a few herders.
They were even invited into a private room?