Wang Hongliang and Li Meiling looked at Zhou Yan when they heard his voice, both a little surprised by his youth.
Zhou Yan was wearing a white cotton shirt, tall and thin, with neat short hair, looking only eighteen or nineteen years old, still with a youthful air about him.
Such a young man would usually still be an apprentice in the factory canteen.
They didn't expect him to already be the owner of a private restaurant.
Li Meiling noticed that Zhou Yan's clothes were clean and tidy, without any old grease stains, his nails were neatly trimmed, and his fingernails were clean, which immediately gave her a good impression of him.
Many chefs spend all year in the kitchen, giving off a greasy feeling all over, their fingers either yellowed from smoking or full of dirt under the nails, which makes people feel uncomfortable just looking at them.
"Director, this is little Zhou. He was the one who hosted the teachers and students from the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts last time. The college students ate two meals here and said they were delicious." Lin Zhiqiang introduced with a smile.
"Then your cooking must be excellent to make those kids want to eat a second meal." Wang Hongliang said with a smile.
"You flatter me, Director. It's my honor that the students and teachers were willing to patronize my restaurant. I'm very happy that they enjoyed the food." Zhou Yan replied with a smile.
Wang Hongliang nodded. Zhou Yan spoke humbly and politely, and his demeanor was graceful, which made Wang Hongliang feel even more favorably towards him.
Many young people like his age in the factory would be so nervous when they met him that they couldn't even speak coherently.
Zhou Yan then greeted Lin Zhiqiang and Meng Anhe, calling Lin Zhiqiang "Uncle Lin" and Meng Anhe "Sister Meng."
Lin Zhiqiang didn't react much, but Meng Anhe's face lit up with a smile. Who doesn't like being called younger, especially when adults call her "Auntie" which always makes her feel old.
Little Zhou is indeed a good person, sweet talking and sensible.
Upon entering, Wang Hongliang first glanced at the stove by the door. He had previously noticed the sign that read "Cross-legged Beef" by the stove. A large pot, about a meter in diameter, still contained half a pot of broth. The broth was clear, but the aroma of beef was exceptionally rich.
The stove was spotlessly clean, without a single water stain.
"This 'Cross-legged Beef,' is it your Zhou Village's signature soup pot?" Wang Hongliang paused, looking at Zhou Yan and asking.
He had worked at the Jiazhou Textile Factory for over twenty years, and he was very familiar with Zhou Village's soup pot.
"This is our Zhou Village's ancestral soup pot. I studied the secret recipe passed down from our ancestors and made some minor innovations. I simmered it for eight hours over low heat with more than ten kinds of traditional Chinese medicine and spices to create this broth. It's a little different from others; you'll know when you taste it." Zhou Yan explained with a smile. "Soup pot, also called 'Cross-legged Beef,' is a name that has been used for a long time. I think this name is more distinctive."
"It does sound more intriguing and makes people want to try it." Wang Hongliang nodded. Zhou Yan wasn't being pretentious. "Young people, you have good minds."
They all sat down at the table. The eight people table with long benches allowed two people to sit comfortably on each side. There were four adults and three children, so it was just right.
The seats Zhou Yan arranged for them allowed them to see the wooden menu board hanging on the wall.
The restaurant was simply decorated, but clean and tidy, making it feel comfortable.
"Your menu board is quite interesting. This is the first time I've seen something like this in Suji. It's just that there aren't many dishes, only five." Wang Hongliang said, looking up at the menu.
"Yes, it's quite common in Chengdu restaurants." Meng Anhe added. The menu was different from when she last came.
"We just started selling braised and stir-fried dishes today, so there aren't many options yet. We'll gradually add more later." Zhou Yan explained with a smile. "Right now, I'm the only one in the kitchen, and I can't handle too many dishes. My mother said that you have to make each dish well, like sculpting a large Buddha out of clay, to ensure the customers are satisfied."
"Yes, whether someone is a good chef or not can only be known after tasting the food, but having this kind of awareness shows you can be a good boss." Wang Hongliang said, looking at Zhou Yan with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Meng Anhe also glanced at him a couple of times. Zhou Yan's demeanor was indeed much better than that of an average chef, appearing more mature and reliable than others his age.
"Director, since there aren't many dishes anyway, why don't we order one of each to try?" Lin Zhiqiang suggested. He was also very satisfied with Zhou Yan's performance.
"Okay, as the guest wishes, I'll follow your suggestion." Wang Hongliang nodded.
"Please have a seat, the dishes will be served soon." Zhou Yan said, and then turned and went into the kitchen.
At this time, many workers had already noticed Wang Hongliang and Lin Zhiqiang sitting in the restaurant.
These were the factory director and deputy director; they couldn't believe they were actually eating at Zhou Erwa Restaurant.
The managers from the textile factory saw them and came over to greet them, and then sat down in the restaurant as well.
Since both the factory directors were eating there, they wanted to try it too, to see if this restaurant was really that good.
This made Zhao Tieying very happy; she had been worried that the dishes they prepared today wouldn't sell out.
However, no one ordered the perilla-flavored crucian carp; everyone was waiting for the factory directors to try it first.
It cost two yuan a serving, which wasn't cheap.
While the adults were ordering, the three little boys had already set their sights on the little girl sitting on the high stool at the counter, their faces full of curiosity, their eyes sparkling.
"She's so small."
"So cute!"
"She's cuter than the girls in our class!"
Li Meilin followed her grandson's gaze and her eyes lit up as well.
Zhou Momo was tiny, with a delicate, porcelain-like face, big, round eyes, and still had some baby fat on her cheeks, making them look even softer than dough. She was tilting her head, staring at them, looking incredibly playful and adorable. Li Meilin couldn't help but exclaim, "This little girl is so well-behaved!"
"Pretty auntie!" Sliding down from the chair, Zhou Momo ran over to Meng Anhe and sweetly asked, "Where's Yaoyao sister? Did she come?"
She remembered this pretty auntie; last time, sister Yaoyao came to eat noodles with her.
Meng Anhe didn't expect the little girl to remember her, and she smiled and pinched her cheek. It was indeed soft and squishy, making her heart flutter. She shook her head and said, "Yaoyao didn't come. She'll come next time."
"Oh..." Zhou Momo was a little disappointed.
However, she still greeted all the adults at the table.
The way she called "Grandma" and "Grandpa" made Li Meilin and Wang Hongliang feel so happy. Their grandson was well-behaved, but their greetings weren't as sweet as the little girl's.
"These parents raised their children well. Both kids are poised and polite." Wang Hongliang said with a smile.
Meng Anhe nodded slightly, agreeing with him.
Lin Jingxing and Lin Bingwen had already moved closer, one on each side, and extended their little fingers, wanting to poke her chubby little face.
"Guo Guo." Zhou Momo looked at them and asked curiously, "What are you two doing?"
The two boys paused and awkwardly withdrew their hands.
Wang Hao also slid down from the bench and edged closer: "I'm also Guo Guo, you should call me that too."
Zhou Momo turned around and looked at him, nodding: "You're little Guo Guo."
"That's right, that's right." Wang Hao nodded, took three candies from his pocket, and put them all into Zhou Momo's hand: "Sister, here are some candies for you, all for you!"
"Thank you, little Guo Guo." Zhou Momo smiled sweetly.
The adults watching this scene all burst into laughter.
"He finally managed to get three candies from his mother before going out, and he treasured them so much, he didn't even want to eat them on the way. Just one 'little Guo Guo' and he emptied his pockets. I wonder what he'll be like when he grows up, completely smitten by girls." Li Meilin said, laughing uncontrollably.
"I have candies too!"
"I also have a chocolate."
Lin Jingxing and Lin Bingwen scrambled to take things out of their pockets.
Soon, Zhou Momo was holding two small hands full of snacks.
The four children quickly started playing together.
"Is little Zhou Master Xiao Lei's apprentice?" Wang Hongliang asked Lin Zhiqiang.
"Yes, little Zhou learned his skills from Master Xiao." Lin Zhiqiang replied.
"Xiao Lei's cooking skills are alright." Wang Hongliang nodded, without much expectation.
His ancestors were chefs, and he served as a chef in the army when he was young. After being discharged, he went to a textile factory and worked on the production line.
When Xiao Lei was an apprentice in the canteen, he was already a production line team leader. Among that group of apprentices, his talent and cooking skills were considered decent, but still a notch below his master. Even now, he's only a second-level chef.
After Wang Hongliang became a factory leader, he frequently traveled on business trips. He ate at many famous Sichuan restaurants such as Rongcheng Restaurant, Rongleyuan, and Yulong Restaurant, and witnessed the culinary skills of first level chefs and even master chefs, naturally broadening his horizons.
Xiao Lei's cooking skills were quite good among second level chefs, and if he could make further breakthroughs, he would have a chance to be rated as a first level chef in a couple of years.
But Zhou Yan was too young, probably only having studied with Xiao Lei for two or three years. In that short time, he might not even have mastered knife skills, let alone learned much of Xiao Lei's cooking techniques?
He knew that Zhou Yan had saved Lin Zhiqiang's niece, and Wang Hongliang understood his intention to guide him.
Moreover, he was very fond of Comrade Little Zhou for his heroic act of risking his life to save someone and the humble attitude he displayed today.
Giving young people some tolerance and opportunities was something he was always willing to do.
However, he was quite particular about food. For many years, unless there was an urgent matter at the factory, he always went home to eat.
His wife buys the groceries, and he takes care of the cooking at home. His son, daughter in law, and little grandson all love his cooking, saying it's better than the state-owned restaurant in town.
Today, he'll definitely give his opinion on the meal, just to give the young people some pointers.
He's quite a professional chef, he could easily qualify as a second level chef.
While the others chatted idly, Lin Zhiqiang and Wang Hongliang were engrossed in a technical discussion, while Meng Anhe and Li Meilin talked about the latest clothes at the department store in Chengdu.
Zhao Tieying, while blanching tripe, pricked up her ears to listen to Meng Anhe's conversation. When she heard that the woolen coat Meng Anhe was wearing cost 120 yuan, she couldn't help but gasp.
So expensive!
Zhou Miao would have to slaughter almost two months' worth of cattle to afford one.
But it really is beautiful!
Wearing it, with her big wavy hairstyle, Meng Anhe looked so stylish and gorgeous.
Zhao Hong came out carrying a tray, and the first dish she served to their table was minced beef with double peppers, placing it in the center of the table with a spoon on the side of the plate.
Wang Hongliang immediately sat up straight, looking at the vibrant, glossy minced beef with its mix of green and red peppers. He sniffed it and his eyes lit up: "Wow, this minced beef looks delicious!"