The noon sun shone brightly; it was a perfect day.
Wang Wei returned to his shop and began to pack his things.
What was usable, he kept; what wasn’t, he found soone to haul away and sell.
Several local residents noticed the activity in the small shop and ca over to ask, "Boss, what happened? Are you closing down? Your scallion pancakes were really tasty."
Hearing this, Wang Wei explained, "I’m not doing it anymore. The landlord raised the rent; it’s too expensive."
Hearing Wang Wei’s words, a custor asked again, "Then where will you rent a shop? We’re loyal to you."
As Wang Wei packed, he casually explained, "I got a job at Jiangyue Terrace Shandong Cuisine Restaurant. I’ll be working there from now on."
"Jiangyue Terrace? The one in the city?"
"Yes."
"Boss, that’s amazing! That Shandong Cuisine Restaurant is really sothing; it’s incredibly popular."
"Well, you’re welco to co by and support us."
The residents felt it was a pity.
They had been enjoying the food at his stall and were surprised he would close, especially when business was good. But there was nothing they could do about it.
Soon after, more people ca over to inquire.
"Boss, why aren’t you open today? Are you renovating?"
Wang Wei would respond openly, "I’ve closed down. I won’t be running the shop anymore. I’m going to work at Jiangyue Terrace Shandong Cuisine Restaurant, still in charge of scallion pancakes and shredded potatoes."
"Feel free to co and support us when you have ti."
Hearing his words, several people were sowhat taken aback.
"Jiangyue Terrace? That’s pretty aweso!"
"Okay, Boss! In a few days, we’ll go eat at Jiangyue Terrace. We’ll definitely order your scallion pancakes. It’s a real sha you’re leaving."
Hearing this, Wang Wei said with a smile, "The restaurant owner values , so I’m going over there to do my best."
"The lease is up anyway, and I can’t afford the rent here anymore, so the timing is perfect," he added.
After chatting for a while, the group left.
Wang Wei was in a good mood.
Although running his own shop ant higher inco, it was very stressful. There were also various costs, making him feel tied down. Working for soone else and just receiving a salary was much simpler. In fact, for ordinary people, having a job is really more comfortable than starting a business. Only after starting a business does one realize it’s not for everyone. Unless, of course, you have initial capital.
As Wang Wei was packing, the landlord, Zheng Xiaohui, ca to check on the situation.
According to the agreent, the lease expired the day after tomorrow.
In other words, Wang Wei had to either move out within two days or pay the new, higher rent.
Zheng Xiaohui had it all planned out.
As soon as Wang Wei left, he would take over and open a small eatery. He’d offer things like scallion pancakes, shredded potatoes, and fried rice. Given how booming the business was before, he was sure to make a profit.
The shop wasn’t large and its location was a bit out of the way, but with many residents nearby, there was no shortage of custors.
Zheng Xiaohui was a crafty man who valued money above all else.
When he arrived at the shop, he saw Wang Wei packing up while a junk collector loaded items onto a tricycle.
Zheng Xiaohui walked over. "Wang Wei, not renting anymore?"
Seeing him approach, Wang Wei dropped his usual politeness—though without being rude—and simply said, "I’m not renting anymore. I’ll return the shop to you in its original condition."
"Give back my deposit, or I’ll smash the stove."
Seeing Wang Wei act this way, Zheng Xiaohui felt a surge of malicious glee. He quickly put on a smile and said, "No, no! Just take your things. You can leave these price signs, bowls, and cutlery for . I’ll definitely refund your deposit."
"Enough nonsense. Refund it now, or I’ll start smashing the stove."
"Okay, I’ll refund it."
Zheng Xiaohui, fearing Wang Wei would actually dismantle the stove, imdiately took out his cell phone and refunded the deposit.
With that, there were no further ties between them.
Zheng Xiaohui even hoped Wang Wei would leave the bowls and cutlery, and he particularly wanted him to leave the range hood.
Wang Wei found his insatiable greed utterly repulsive. There are many people like that in reality—they disgust you, yet they still try to get more.
But Wang Wei had leverage now and wasn’t going to indulge him.
"Alright, we’re settled. I’ll leave the stove for you. The lease is up in two days; you can co inspect the premises then."
"Enough of your useless talk."
"I’m busy packing right now and don’t have ti for you," Wang Wei said bluntly.
Zheng Xiaohui sensed the change in Wang Wei’s tone.
Previously, Wang Wei had been so subservient, even begging him to lower the rent. How had he suddenly beco a different person?
Previously, the weight of family responsibilities had crushed Wang Wei. As a man, he felt he had no choice but to be subservient. Now that he no longer had to endure such treatnt, he naturally wouldn’t indulge him. No one is born to be subservient.
Zheng Xiaohui was the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. Faced with Wang Wei’s new attitude, he didn’t dare put on airs.
"So, what are your plans? You’re not thinking of renting another place nearby to run a small restaurant, are you?"
"There are no empty shops around here," Zheng Xiaohui probed, his shrewdness practically written on his face.
"I’m not opening another shop. I’m going to work for soone else," Wang Wei replied coldly.
"Working for soone? That’s good," Zheng Xiaohui said, a smile creeping onto his face.
He watched from the side for a while longer, then left, satisfied.
Wang Wei didn’t want to see him for even a second longer.
Soon, everything in the shop was cleared out. Even the range hood was dismantled and sold, leaving nothing but an empty stove.
Wang Wei sold these items to another friend who ran a small restaurant.
Earlier, Zheng Xiaohui had tried to buy the items back from the junk collector, but he was rebuffed.
Once everything was settled, Wang Wei bid farewell to the small shop he had run for a year.
There was nothing to regret. The place he was going to next was much better.
「The next day, Wang Wei arrived early at Jiangyue Terrace Restaurant.」
Zhang Hu assigned him tasks and explained how things were done.
Wang Wei was a steadfast person; he did whatever was asked of him.
It was only after joining the team that he realized there were dedicated staff for chopping vegetables, washing produce, and even kneading dough.
He told Zhang Hu he wanted to knead the dough for his scallion pancakes himself, and Zhang Hu let him manage it.
Everything was moving in a positive direction.
「After Wang Wei left, Zheng Xiaohui imdiately began renovations, ticulously restoring the shop to its previous layout.」
He hired a chef, had his wife work as the cashier, and then started trying to attract custors.
Custors saw the refurbished shop and assud the owner had made so money and renovated.
But when they tasted the scallion pancakes and stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar, they realized the flavor was completely different.
A custor frowned at the cashier behind the counter and asked, "Did you change chefs? Where did the original chef go?"
Hearing this, Zheng Xiaohui’s wife explained with a smile, "Yes, we did. The previous chef left; he doesn’t work here anymore. We’ve hired a new chef, and his cooking is very good too!"
"Oh, I see."
The custor finished the scallion pancakes and shredded potatoes, but their expression was not one of pleasure.
The scallion pancakes used to taste great.
They used to be soft and fragrant, the warmth bringing out the aroma of scallions and sesa.
The crust was crispy, and the inside was fluffy and delightful.
Eating a few pieces of scallion pancake, sipping a bowl of fine millet porridge, accompanied by a plate of shredded potatoes—that was a truly comfortable feeling.
Now, that deliciousness was gone.
The custor said nothing more, but they never returned.
Zheng Xiaohui observed his shop’s business; the first day was very successful.
His chance to make money had finally co! This location was indeed perfect for a small restaurant; there were always plenty of diners.
However, he failed to notice that the atmosphere in the shop was no longer as lively, and the custors seed less enthusiastic.
「Then ca the second day, and the third...」
Over the following days, the restaurant’s business steadily declined.
For such a small eatery, profits weren’t high. The only way to make decent money was to run it as a husband-and-wife operation.
The husband would cook, while the wife handled the register and orders.
Only by drastically cutting labor costs could they turn a profit.
Zheng Xiaohui had hired a chef who could cook, but this ca at a considerable cost.
After paying the chef’s salary, there was hardly any profit left.
As business continued to worsen, Zheng Xiaohui grew increasingly anxious. What was happening? Why were there fewer custors each day? This place used to be bustling with diners, wasn’t it?
The local residents also chatted about it.
"That little restaurant changed chefs. It’s not good anymore, so I stopped going."
"Yeah, I agree, it’s not good."
"The previous owner’s food was so good. Why did he leave!"
"I heard he was poached by Jiangyue Terrace Shandong Cuisine Restaurant, and he’s doing really well there!"
「A few more days passed, and the turnover at Zheng Xiaohui’s eatery was abysmal.」
The hired chef saw that Zheng Xiaohui was stingy and nitpicky. Realizing he probably wouldn’t get paid his full month’s wages, he took what pay he could get and resigned, not bothering to co back.
This infuriated Zheng Xiaohui imnsely.
After all that trouble, he hadn’t gained a thing and had even lost money.
「Not long after, a "Pri Shop for Lease Transfer" sign was posted at the shop’s entrance.」
Zheng Xiaohui tried to contact Wang Wei, only to find he’d been blocked. When he later found out Wang Wei had gone to Jiangyue Terrace, he was filled with imnse regret.
「anwhile, Wang Wei was flourishing at Jiangyue Terrace.」
His scallion pancakes were very popular.
Soon, they beca a signature dish of Jiangyue Terrace.
Every day at work, seeing his na and photo in the head chef display filled Wang Wei with pride. This sense of honor was sothing his small shop could never provide.
Once, Wang Wei invited his wife to dine at Jiangyue Terrace. She too was delighted to see his photo there.
"I never thought we’d see a day like this," Wang Wei’s wife remarked.
Wang Wei replied with a smile, "Our boss is my benefactor; he’s really incredible."
"The boss hires chefs based purely on how good their food tastes."
"If you cook exceptionally well, can master two signature dishes, and can also assist with other tasks, you can be a head chef."
"The boss recognized my skills, and that’s how I got the position."
Wang Wei continued to do well. He worked diligently at Jiangyue Terrace and was always eager to learn.
His scallion pancakes attracted many custors.
「Jiang Feng had always kept an eye on Jiangyue Terrace’s business, especially after his own departure.」
Thankfully, even after he stepped down as head chef, while the restaurant wasn’t as insanely busy as before—when getting a seat was a struggle—it was still full every day, and people often had to queue during altis.
Jiangyue Terrace Shandong Cuisine Restaurant had firmly established itself in the local area.
When locals wanted authentic Shandong Cuisine, Jiangyue Terrace was the first place they thought of.
Reviews
All reviews (0)