Chapter 384: Chapter 218: Farewell to Parents! The Shen Family’s Welcome Banquet! The "Business War" of the Pan-fried Bun Shop! [Seeking Monthly Ticket]
The branch was opening. As the boss, I feel that, both emotionally and rationally, I have to go back. Who could have imagined that the tens of thousands of dollars I invested on a whim a few days ago would so quickly lead to a new store?
Lin Xu said, "I’ll go back tomorrow. You guys can open the store as planned."
Even if I leave tomorrow morning, I won’t reach Beijing until after two in the afternoon. Unlike leaving Beijing, entering the city means passing through a security checkpoint. That place gets congested easily, and if you’re not careful, you can be stuck for hours.
"Okay, then we won’t wait for you and the madam."
Dou Wenjing’s words made Lin Xu a bit curious. "The branch is opening so soon? Won’t there be any issues with the quality of the pan-fried buns?"
"No, Boss. The filling is prepared by Master Wang every day and delivered to the branch. The person in charge of the branch just needs to wrap the filling and pan-fry the buns, so the quality will be impeccable."
"Who’s in charge of the branch? Is he reliable?"
"It’s my cousin. He learned the skills of wrapping filling and frying buns from Master Wang. His dough-making is still a bit off, but Master Wang will deliver ready-made dough to him every day."
It was supposed to take a while longer to open a branch. After all, even if it was just learning to prepare dough, make filling, and fry buns, Yang Lin couldn’t possibly master it all in just a few days. But Wang Ziqiang was always harboring a chip on his shoulder. Distressed by the storefront the company had already rented, he came up with a solution: he would make some extra dough each time he prepared it and have someone deliver it to the branch. That way, both stores could operate simultaneously.
Mmm, to avenge being swept out and to get a share of the branch’s profits, the usually honest Wang Ziqiang had been spurred into action.
You think you can sweep me out and my family will go hungry? Then I’ll make sure you have to close down for good!
After hearing Dou Wenjing’s explanation, Lin Xu felt as though he’d missed out on a dramatic scene. Isn’t this more exciting than "Boruto"?
"Thanks for your hard work, Sister Jing. I’ll bring you a gift when I come back tomorrow."
"Forget the gift, Boss. Just bring some fruit vinegar."
Tsk... Sister Jing, you’re pretty enough. Why are you still so anxious about your looks? Besides, the fruit vinegar has just been brewed; it needs at least a month before it’s ready to drink. Even if I brought it to Beijing tomorrow, you could only look at it and sigh—it’s completely undrinkable right now.
"The fruit vinegar needs a month. It’s no use taking it back now. I’ll bring you something else instead, something that can also enhance beauty and health."
"Really? Then, thank you so much, Boss!"
After hanging up the phone, Lin Xu dialed his mother Chen Meijuan’s number. "Mom, Yueyue and I are coming back tomorrow morning. The pan-fried bun shop is opening a branch, and I need to go give the staff some red envelopes as rewards."
「At the entrance to the scenic area.」
Upon hearing this, Chen Meijuan, who was taking photos with Dundun by the newly installed 4A sign, suddenly lost her interest in photography. He only just came back a week ago, and now he’s leaving again. It’s so hard to see him go.
Nearby, Lin Hongqi was on the phone with Liu Zhengyu, expressing his gratitude. After the call ended, Chen Meijuan said, "Xu is going back with Yueyue tomorrow morning. Let’s prepare some local specialties for him to take. There are quite a few people over there; let’s have Xu take some gifts back for them."
"Okay."
Lin Hongqi, who came from a bureaucratic background, was someone whose emotions rarely showed, and he was quite reserved. But when he heard his son was leaving, a flash of reluctance still crossed his eyes. It was so nice when our son was home, with the whole family together and joyful. Once he leaves, who knows when he’ll be able to come back? After all, once Lin Ji opens, he’ll be busy with the business every day, and there will hardly be any leisurely times like this anymore.
He took a deep breath and said to Chen Meijuan, "Let’s get up early tomorrow. You cook some delicious food for Xu, and I’ll drive to pick up the two grandmas. Our whole family can have a hearty breakfast together."
Their son was leaving. As parents, they didn’t quite know how best to show their care. They could only put more thought into the food.
The couple had originally planned to upload the 4A plaque to various travel platforms and update the scenic area’s credentials. However, now that their son was leaving, they had no mood for such tasks. Instead, they took Dundun, boarded the nearby commuter vehicle, and headed to the restaurant. They wanted to spend more time with their child before the parting in the morning. Of course, while they said they wanted to spend time with their child, it was really about wanting their child to spend a bit more time with them.
「Driving to the farmhouse restaurant.」
Before the couple could even begin to wallow in the sorrow of impending separation, they were interrupted by Chen Meide’s booming voice, "Hongqi, Meijuan! Xu just made Stir-fried Fatty Intestines! Come and try them! They taste wonderful! Even in Zigong, you’d be hard-pressed to find such delicious Fatty Intestines!"
Lin Hongqi: "..."
Chen Meijuan: "..."
They had wanted to say a few words about taking care of his health and not staying up too late, but who would have thought her elder brother would already be in the kitchen, drinking liquor. What a drinker! Still, they absolutely had to try their son’s cooking. Because after tomorrow morning, if they wanted to eat it again, they’d have to take the high-speed rail to Beijing.
The couple entered the kitchen and found Chen Meiliang also there, sitting beside the workbench, delicately sipping from a wine glass. As for Lin Xu and Shi Wenming, they were by the sink, processing a large, plump Grass Carp.
"Uncle, don’t throw away these Fish Scales. I’ll make a spicy Fish Scales dish for you to try later on."
"Fish Scales are edible? Then you have to teach me! Around here, we always throw them away. We’ve never heard of eating Fish Scales."
It wasn’t just Fish Scales; in the Central Plains, apart from the Southern Yu region, people in other areas barely ate fish offal either.
Lin Hongqi said, "It’s too hot in the kitchen; let’s go drink in the dining room. Xu, when you’re done, remember to join... join us for a few drinks."