Zhou Yan left two crucian carp for dinner, and the entire menu on the wall was put into the sold out section; the day's business was closed.
Later, there weren't many customers. Zhao Hong, having nothing else to do, washed most of the dishes. After collecting the last stack of dishes into the kitchen, Aunt Zhao helped with the cleaning, and then she went home on Zhou Fei's bicycle.
"I just asked Zhou Fei, and all the brothers are giving ten yuan in red envelopes. Zhou Hai and the others think the same way." Zhou Miao said as he entered the kitchen, looking at Zhou Yan who was frying fish. "They discussed it and decided that since you're the youngest, you don't need to give a red envelope. I felt that wasn't appropriate, so I said you would give one too."
"Dad, you're right. I definitely have to give a red envelope for Brother Hao's wedding, otherwise what will my sister in law think?" Zhou Yan flipped the fish over and smiled. "I can manage ten yuan. What about you? How much are you giving?"
"As elders, according to the current custom, twenty yuan is unavoidable." Aunt Zhao, who was tending the fire behind the stove, chimed in. "Your second aunt and uncle had a big celebration this time, and it cost a lot. We definitely have to support them. Anyway, they'll reciprocate in a couple of years when you have yours."
"Do you have any twenty yuan left?" Zhou Yan asked with a smile.
Aunt Zhao paused in her act of stuffing firewood into the stove, and Old Zhou's smile became somewhat embarrassed.
All their savings had been invested in Zhou Yan's shop, including Old Zhou's personal stash.
These past few days, Old Zhou had managed to save some money by slaughtering cattle and selling meat, but the majority of it was earmarked for buying more cattle—money that needed to be used daily and couldn't be touched.
"I'll give you twenty later, consider it my repayment." Zhou Yan said with a smile.
"If your shop needs money, we'll figure it out ourselves." Old Zhou shook his head.
"I have it." Zhou Yan retorted.
Hearing this, Old Zhou and Aunt Zhao didn't refuse anymore. Business had been good these past few days, and Zhou Yan certainly had twenty yuan.
Zhou Yan carried the braised crucian carp with perilla leaves out of the kitchen, pulled two ten-yuan bills from the cash register, and handed them to Aunt Zhao. "I'll pay you back the rest next month."
"Pay back what? We never intended to take that money back after giving it to you to open your shop. Keep it safe; you'll have plenty of expenses when you get married." Aunt Zhao said with a smile, clutching the two ten-yuan bills. "Twenty yuan is enough; your father can earn that much by slaughtering cattle."
"No way." Zhou Yan said with a grin. "I said it was a loan when I opened the shop. I'll definitely pay it back when I earn money. If you don't want it then, I'll give the money to my father."
"He dare!" Aunt Zhao raised an eyebrow.
"Wife, you take it, you take it." Old Zhou immediately waved his hand, then glared at Zhou Yan. "You must remember, in this family, only your mother can manage the money."
What a big son, trying to trick his father!
It's one thing to slip him ten or five yuan as pocket money normally.
Five hundred!
Zhou Yan dared to slip him money, but he wouldn't dare take it.
Aunt Zhao didn't nod, but she was secretly pleased, a smile playing on her lips.
"Guo Guo, if they won't take it, I will!" Zhou Momo had finished dinner and was playing nearby. After listening for a while, she held out her little hand to Zhou Yan: "I want to buy candy."
"Here's a ten cents, go buy it yourself." Zhou Yan put a ten cents in her hand as her share of the initial investment.
"Thank you, Guo Guo!" Zhou Momo took the money, leaned over and kissed Zhou Yan's cheek, then turned and ran out the door.
"Where are you going?" Aunt Zhao called out.
"To the convenience store to buy candy." Zhou Momo replied.
"Stand still! It's almost dark, and you're going to buy candy? You'll cry when Granny Bear catches you!" Aunt Zhao said sternly.
Zhou Momo paused, a hint of fear on her face. "Mommy, is there really a 'Granny Bear'?"
Aunt Zhao said quietly, "If you don't believe me, go ahead and try. I've heard she's really fierce at eating children's fingers, one by one, like eating broad beans, crunchy and delicious. She specifically waits until dark to come out and catch lone little kids."
"Wah! I don't want to go..." Zhou Momo threw herself into Zhou Yan's arms, burying her head. "Guo Guo, I'm scared."
"Don't be afraid. As long as there are adults around, the 'Granny Bear' won't dare come." Zhou Yan smiled and patted her head. "Little kids can't go out alone at night; they have to be with an adult, understand?"
"Mmm-hmm." Zhou Momo looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, looking pitiful. "Then...then I'll buy it tomorrow."
"Okay, Mommy will take you to buy it tomorrow." Aunt Zhao also smiled and patted her head.
"Okay." Zhou Momo nodded, turning to Aunt Zhao's arms. "I want to eat a big rabbit."
Granny Bear was probably a childhood nightmare for many people from Sichuan and Chongqing. Zhou Yan had heard about it from his local roommate after coming to Chengdu for university.
It was basically a Sichuan and Chongqing version of the Big Bad Wolf story. It no longer scared university students, but it was just right for a three and a half years old.
These days, it's not exactly a time of innocence.
The crackdown in the past two years was due to the high crime rate, chaotic social order, and several high-profile cases that shocked the nation, necessitating swift and decisive action.
Previously, cases of robbery and trafficking of women and children were frequent. After a year of crackdowns, public security improved considerably, and local thugs were mostly quieter.
But last month, a child from the next village was still stolen from their own doorstep.
After dark, no one dared to let their child out of their sight.
Zhou Momo is so cute, she's definitely a prime target for human traffickers.
It was only at times like these that Aunt Zhao would unleash her ultimate weapon, the "Granny, Bear" to subdue the restless Zhou Momo.
Each generation has its own GrannyBear; Zhou Yan thought it was a good thing to instill a little wariness in the child regarding this wonderful world.
Innocent and naive girls are too easily taken advantage of.
Although Zhou Momo was only three years old, Zhou Yan was already thinking about protecting her from scoundrels.
"By the way, that rice bowl they were talking about, are you planning to sell it?" Aunt Zhao asked.
"I think rice bowls are a good option. The customer base is larger than for stir-fries, and the service is quick, so table turnover is fast, just like noodles." Zhou Yan said. "But we need to finalize the portion sizes, side dishes, and prices before putting them on the menu. We need to make sure customers feel they're getting a good deal and are satisfied."
Aunt Zhao didn't quite understand, but nodded anyway, "Okay, if you want to do it, then do it. Just tell me what you need me to do."
"Okay." Zhou Yan nodded. He still needed to think this through carefully.
Rice bowls could be an expanded product category, suitable for customers who don't want to eat with others and want to get their money's worth.
Most workers don't need to treat others to meals during work hours.
The key to a good meal is that it's delicious and affordable.
After dinner, it was almost dark.
As the restaurant's business improved, their closing time was getting later and later.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll eat before opening to avoid going hungry." Zhou Yan said to Aunt Zhao, who was sitting on the back seat.
"Okay, I'm actually quite hungry tonight." Aunt Zhao agreed.
Watching Aunt Zhao and the others leave, Zhou Yan locked the door, picked up a jar of pickled radishes, and went for a run.
When Zhou Yan arrived at the family compound, Lin Zhiqiang was warming up; he must have been warming up for a while, as his head was covered in sweat.
"Little Zhou, you're here." he greeted with a smile upon seeing Zhou Yan.
"Uncle Lin, have you been waiting long?" Zhou Yan jogged forward and said with a smile, "These are pickled radishes for Jingxing and Bingwen. Sister Meng said last time that they both like to eat them. I guess they should have finished them by now, so I brought them some more."