Chapter 326 - 182: Who Can Handle This

Chapter 326: Chapter 182: Who Can Handle This

"That was hilarious! Gao Cuihua was so mad her nose was practically crooked. Watching that was like drinking iced plum juice in the dog days of summer—a refreshing chill from my throat to my belly! Every pore on my body feels relaxed." Zhao Tieying said with a laugh as she walked into the shop, her smug satisfaction written all over her face.

"I bet she won’t be able to eat properly for three days after this," Zhou Miao chimed in, pushing a cart into the shop.

Returning after watching the drama unfold, the two were in high spirits, the drudgery of their shift completely forgotten.

"Zhao Tieying, did they fight?" Zhao Hong sidled up, her face alight with a hungry, expectant look for gossip.

Zhou Yan had just finished taking all the braised meat out of the pot. Hearing the commotion, he came out and asked curiously, "So how was it handled in the end?"

"Mayor Huang chewed out Gao Cuihua and Zhou Liangliang and told them to shape up immediately, or he’d revoke their business license," Zhao Tieying laughed. "It scared Zhou Liangliang and his wife silly. One covered his mom’s mouth while the other dragged her back, terrified Gao Cuihua wouldn’t be able to stop herself from blowing things up. In all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen Gao Cuihua get taken down a peg like that."

"Mayor Huang is reliable after all. He knows how to hit them where it hurts, and he understands what private business owners fear the most." Zhou Yan smiled upon hearing this. Having Mayor Huang handle this sort of thing was the most effective and intimidating method. If they had to deal with it themselves, a shouting match would have been unavoidable, and it might have even escalated into a brawl.

They were all from the same village. If things got too ugly, they’d just become a laughingstock in town.

’Besides, Huang Chen wants to develop Kneeling Beef as a local brand. If even people from Zhou Village are constantly fighting, how will that ever succeed?’

’This was also why Zhou Yan didn’t get involved directly. It was beneath him.’

’Getting Kneeling Beef on a magazine cover, doing an exclusive interview—those were the things that would build the Kneeling Beef brand.’

Zhao Tieying nodded. "Exactly. Mayor Huang also warned the other hot pot sellers not to misuse our name, or they’d face a lawsuit. He’s truly a good official who stands up for the people."

"Alright, you keep managing the hot pot side. I’m going to go braise the vegetables," Zhou Yan said, then turned and went back to the busy kitchen.

Being busy was a good thing; it proved the restaurant’s business was doing well.

But the little restaurant was indeed getting busier and busier. Mrs. Zhao had to make one hundred forty bowls of Kneeling Beef a day while also juggling taking orders and handling payments. She was so busy she was run off her feet.

Mrs. Zhao Hong had to serve dishes, clear tables, and also wash dishes and vegetables, spinning like a top just to keep up.

And that’s not to mention Comrade Zhou, the model worker. He would get up early to go buy produce with Zhou Yan. Once back at the shop, he would start processing pig heads and chickens. Then he would chop the potatoes and lotus roots for the day’s braising. During lunch and dinner, he was also responsible for selling the braised meats and vegetables.

Zhou Yan’s own schedule was just as packed. Mornings were for buying produce, stir-frying noodle toppings, pulling and cooking noodles, and preparing the braised meats and vegetables. For lunch, he’d cook for over a hundred people, and then he would do it all again for dinner.

The entire restaurant was running in an unsustainably overloaded state. Zhou Yan had already begun to consider hiring another employee.

Even just one more server could drastically reduce the workload for Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Zhao Hong. They’d be able to respond to customers faster, which would improve the overall dining experience.

’Right now, the restaurant’s table turnover is pretty good. But with the hygiene standards he’d set, every table had to be wiped down thoroughly after being cleared, and that is very labor-intensive.’

During lunch, Zhou Yan mentioned this idea to Mrs. Zhao.

"Hiring someone..." Mrs. Zhao thought about it seriously. "We need to think this through carefully. They need to be quick and capable, able to endure hardship, and most importantly, not have any ulterior motives. If we hire someone from the village who’s just after our Kneeling Beef recipe, there’s no way to guard against that."

Zhou Yan nodded. "That’s a good point."

’It wouldn’t be easy to find someone as trustworthy and familiar as Mrs. Zhao Hong. Zhou Jie’s and Zhou Hai’s wives are already busy helping at their own family stalls, and Zhou Hao’s wife is a teacher.’

’Zhou Yang is away in the army, and Zhou Ming is practicing martial arts on Mount Emei. Those two probably haven’t even broken their Child’s Skill yet.’

"There’s no rush. Let’s take our time to find the right person. If we hire a troublemaker, it’d be worse than hiring no one at all," Mrs. Zhao said. "We can manage even if we’re a bit busy and tired. After a good night’s sleep, we’re right back to being full of life."

"Exactly, we’re still managing for now," Zhao Hong added with a smile.

"Alright, I’ll take my time looking for someone," Zhou Yan said with a smile. ’Their tolerance is incredible. They can handle this kind of workload and still try to comfort me.’

"I can help too!" Zhou Momo looked up from her bowl at Zhou Yan, her expression serious. "I know how to do lots of things, you know."

"Of course. You’re our top salesperson," Zhou Yan chuckled. As the shop’s business became more and more popular, its "top salesperson" found herself quite busy as well, with much less time to play on the seesaw or watch the ants move their home.

But the top salesperson wasn’t working for nothing. Her small coin purse was already stuffed with her commission of five- and ten-cent coins, turning her into quite the little tycoon.

"I can help chop potatoes, too," Zhou Momo said seriously.

"That’s not a job for our top salesperson. I’m the prep cook, after all," Comrade Zhou said with a grin. "Are you trying to steal my job?"

Zhou Momo thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Never mind then. It would be too pitiful if you didn’t have a job."

"Speaking of which, Zhou Ming should be coming back to sweep your grandfather’s grave, right? He came back for two days for Zhou Hao’s wedding last time," Mrs. Zhao said, changing the subject.

"He’ll definitely come back. Mount Emei isn’t far, and he’s never missed the annual grave-sweeping," Comrade Zhou spoke up.

Mrs. Zhao looked at Zhou Yan and said, "Zhou Yan, when the time comes, braise two jin of pig head meat. I’ll ask Zhou Ming to take it back for your maternal grandmother to try. She hasn’t tasted your cooking yet."

"Got it." Zhou Yan smiled and nodded. ’Mrs. Zhao’s hometown is right at the foot of Mount Emei. He remembered overhearing her talking with the owner of the Emei Tofu Brain stall once. She’s from Heishui Village in Tianjing Commune, a true, bona fide Emei Snow Bud Tea producing area.’