The story of a cook

Chapter 105 New Year's Eve
The Spring Festival of 25 came as scheduled, and I was [-] years old that year.

I came out to work for four years.

In four years, I have grown from a young rural child when I first came out to a young man in full bloom.

In four years, I paid off all the foreign debts of the family, and the life of the family began to improve. My mother had a pocket wife, and she could go to the old people in the village in good clothes to chat with them and talk about my son. Very promising outside.

In four years, I went from knowing nothing to being able to stand on the stove and cooking, and to be a chef.

It's just that they are almost married, and they don't have a daughter-in-law.It can also be regarded as responding to the country's call - late marriage and late childbearing.

Wuyin New Year's Eve thirty.

When I came to the restaurant in the morning, I first took out a whip and set it off at the entrance of the restaurant. If you set off firecrackers at home, you have to set off firecrackers in restaurants, just like Chinese New Year.

Homesickness and homesickness, the New Year must be passed, and it must be lived in a lively manner.

At noon, I ordered a set meal of [-] for five tables. I finished preparing all the raw materials yesterday, and processed the ones that could be processed in advance in the morning, so as to save the slow time of serving.With the experience of last year, this year is much faster. By twelve o'clock, all the preparations are finished, and the dishes are waiting for the guests to come.

There are four of us, Sister Zhang, Aunt Wang, and sister-in-law in the kitchen. There are only five tables of dishes in total, and the four of us helped here.In front are Yanhua, eldest sister, and Xiaona, the daughter of the eldest sister's family. The three of them can also come here.In addition, there is Huang Ping, she is always available to help.

When it was almost one o'clock in the afternoon, the guests came one after another. It was very safe to come to one table. The cold dishes were prepared in advance by me. The hot dishes are fried here, and the sister-in-law is serving the dishes while laying hands. She is calm and unhurried. Aunt Wang also comes to help after she is busy. The serving speed is very fast, and the quality of the dishes is very good. Waiting for all five tables to be served It's only two o'clock.

After finishing the dishes, I started to clean up the battlefield, cleaned up the kitchen, and started preparing the Chinese New Year dinner for me, Sister Zhang, and Yanhua.

Huang Ping began to ask the three of us to eat at her house. I said no, it’s not convenient to go to her house. It’s not good for the three of us with different surnames to celebrate the New Year together. Besides, I have the experience of last year and this year’s heart I don't want to go either.It is more convenient for the three of us to eat in a restaurant.

After preparing the meal, we waited for the guests to leave and we started the meal.

Aunt Wang went home after cleaning up. She had to cook when she wanted to go back. There were also four people in the family, and the girl and son-in-law celebrated the New Year with them.At that time, Aunt Wang had already regarded the rented house as her own home. After living in it for three years, she was used to it. During the Chinese New Year, her son did not ask them to go back to celebrate the New Year. Aunt Wang probably would not go back even if she asked them to go back.

The guests ate very quickly, and left after three o'clock. They helped Yanhua and Sister Zhang clean up for a while. Huang Ping and Boss Zou left. When they left, Huang Ping said that she would not come at night, not tomorrow. Book a table, it is not open, and it will be open for the second day of junior high school, because ten tables are reserved for the second day of junior high school, all of which are set meals of [-] tables.

Huang Ping gave the red envelopes to the three of us in advance, and then went home with Boss Zou to celebrate the New Year.

Tomorrow I have to prepare the raw materials for a day. With the help of Sister Zhang and Aunt Wang, it will be done quickly. It will be finished in less than a day, and besides, there is Yanhua.

Cooked four dishes that Yanhua and Sister Zhang ordered, such as pot-wrapped pork, home-cooked grass carp, stewed small stupid chicken, Chinese New Year dishes, cooked two plates of dumplings stuffed with sauerkraut, and drank a bottle of good wine.Sister Zhang had a drink today, Yanhua said she wanted to drink something white, so she poured her a glass.

Sister Zhang asked: "Tan Zi, we eat dumplings stuffed with sauerkraut for lunch, what kind of stuffing shall we have for dinner?"

I said, "I'll eat three delicacies in the evening. Aunt Wang made a new package at noon. Let's eat it in the evening."

Sister Zhang said: "The old lady is okay, and she also made dumplings for us, which is very good."

Yanhua said: "I would like to eat three delicacies, Xianliang."

After drinking for a while, Sister Zhang saw that Yanhua and I drank very well, so she said, "Give me some too, and see that you two drink very well."

Yanhua laughed and said, "Greedy, look who doesn't drink during the Chinese New Year, and sleeps in a private room if they drink too much. It's closed anyway, and there's nothing to do tomorrow, so just drink."

Yanhua poured a half glass of white wine for Sister Zhang.

Sister Zhang said: "I drank baijiu once when I was young, but I haven't drank it for many years."

I said, "Then you have a drink."

Yanhua said: "Look at the eldest sister you mentioned, when you were young, you are not old now. In fact, you just don't dress up. If you dress up, you don't look like a 40-year-old person at all."

Sister Zhang said: "What else do I need to dress up for? I'm already forty and I don't have the time to dress up."

I said, "Actually, elder sister, you should dress up, and you will live alone in the future. You are just forty, why don't you find someone else."

Sister Zhang said, "What else are you looking for? Who wants someone like me?"

I said: "Some people want it, but you always feel that you are not good enough. You say you have any burdens now. You are divorced, alone, and the children belong to others. You don't have children around you, and you don't need to worry about an old man at home. , with your younger brother, you can’t always live in your mother’s house, it’s good to find someone, while you’re not old yet, it’s hard to find someone when you’re fifty.”

Sister Zhang said: "I'm afraid of getting married. It's okay to find a good person. If I find another one like that, it's better not to look for it."

I said: "Hey, how can you share so many people who are not human? If so, you will suffer a lot. No, you have a good heart and a good person, but you are too weak and always be bullied. This time You don’t have any burdens, so what are you afraid of by yourself, if you think it’s good for you, you can live with him, if you think it’s not suitable, it’s okay, so what’s the matter.”

Sister Zhang said a little dejectedly: "You don't know Tan Zi. At the beginning, I heard from my child's father that the two children were gone, and that they were gone. They were enough to support me, so I had a sterilization operation. If I want a child, I can't have one, so can people want me?"

I just laughed and said, "You have to find someone who is not married. Besides, there is no one in her 40s who has no children. I asked: Why, do you still want a child?"

Sister Zhang said, "I don't want it, I'm afraid others will."

Sister Zhang drank a few sips of wine, and her face turned red, and Yanhua's face turned red too. I always get red when I drink.

Yanhua said to Sister Zhang, "Sister, tomorrow I will dress you up and put on makeup."

Sister Zhang said, "I don't, I'll just put some cream on it."

Yanhua said: "If you can't do it, you have to do it. You will know that you look young and good-looking when I finish putting on the makeup for you."

I said: "Yes, Yanhua, you will put on make-up and dress up for the eldest sister tomorrow, so that she will not look like an old lady. It happens to be the first day of the Lunar New Year tomorrow. Eldest sister, you should also look radiant once, and you have to be more energetic. Only when you are energetic can you live a younger life, and live a more enjoyable life."

Sister Zhang just laughed and said, "The more I live, the more enjoyable I will be, and I will be content if I can maintain this."

I said, "Even if it's like this now, you have to be energetic. Only people who look up to your own spirit will look down on you. Look at me, I was kicked out by Lin Yan's mother, and I still drink and eat dumplings. That's all right."

Sister Zhang said: "I think you and Lin Yan can succeed, but you two have to take your time, and sooner or later her mother will agree."

"Okay, listen to you, I think so. If you think about the good in everything, there will be nothing bad." I said, "Life and death are important things in this life, and you can't let yourself decide, so, big sister, You have to take advantage of the present and live according to your own will, then you will be worthy of yourself."

Sister Zhang looked at me, blushed, and said, "Listen to you."

I said: "Just listen to me, when have I lied to you?"

I then said to Yanhua, "Yanhua, have I never lied to anyone?"

Yanhua said, "Well, you haven't lied to anyone, but you tortured people."

After dinner, Yanhua and Sister Zhang cleaned up the table, and I went to the private room to turn on the TV, so I had to watch the Spring Festival Gala in the evening.After turning on the TV, setting up the fruits, melon seeds, and Mao Ke, and getting the drinks ready, Yanhua and Sister Zhang finished packing and went into the private room.The private room is a soft bag, with a coffee table in the middle and a sofa in the circle.

I said, "Just the three of us, order whatever you want, sit if you want, lie down if you want, eat if you want, drink if you want, this is Chinese New Year."

Sister Zhang said: "This is like home, better than home, and has everything."

I said, "No, you have a younger brother and younger sister to accompany you."

Miss Zhang just laughed.

Yanhua said, "It's okay, I don't miss home so much when you're here."

I said: "Don't you always say that I am your housekeeper, I am responsible for making you happy."

As I was talking, someone knocked on the door outside. When I went out, I saw that Boss Zou was sending firecrackers. I said, "There is still a restaurant."

The eldest brother said: "Play more, just now I saw the firecrackers selling downstairs, your second brother bought it, asked me to bring it, let you put more at night."

I said, "Okay, I'll put more."

The eldest brother asked, "What about the two of them?"

I said, "I'm watching TV in the private room."

The eldest brother said: "Then take care of yourselves, I won't come at night, I have to go to the factory to see."

I said, "It's fine, everything will be taken care of, so don't worry."

The eldest brother left, put the firecrackers in a cool place in the hallway, went to the kitchen to check again, and found that there was nothing wrong, then went back to the private room, watched TV and chatted with Sister Zhang and the others.

One person was homesick for the Chinese New Year outside, and now the three of them are companions, not as uncomfortable as last year, and I feel a little bit uncomfortable, but fortunately, the three of us, chatting while watching TV, feel better.

Sometimes I think that humans are really social animals.Why are we talking about teams now? In fact, the reason is very simple. In the vast desert, it is difficult for one person to survive. If a group of people form a team, help each other, encourage and support each other, you can get out of the desert and find an oasis. .The smallest unit that makes up a country and society is not an individual, but a family. A family is the most united, effective and cohesive team. No, then don't believe that he will get along well with other people. Being able to get along well is also fake, and it is a bond of interests.Just like a person who is not filial to his parents, don’t believe that he will lead the team well, and don’t believe that he will get along well with friends, even if he is not filial to his own parents, he will sincerely make friends with you?Anyway, I don't believe it, and I don't associate with this kind of person.

Watching the TV, Sister Zhang came up to me and whispered, "Actually, I think Yanhua likes you quite a bit. She didn't go back because she heard that you wouldn't go home during the Chinese New Year."

I said, "Sister, let's not be joking, no matter how you look at it, everyone is fine with everyone, and they can get married."

Sister Zhang said: "Who is joking with you? If you really can't make it with Wang Linyan, hang out with Yanhua. She is also very good."

I said, "Sister, you, you should take care of yourself. I'll take a look during the Chinese New Year and ask Aunt Wang to introduce one to you. It will save you from being alone."

Sister Zhang said: "No one wants me, who can take a fancy to me."

At this moment, Yanhua said, "What are you two talking about there? Why, you're afraid that I'll hear you."

Sister Zhang said, "I didn't say anything, I said you are fine."

Yanhua asked, "Speaking of this in a low voice, lest I hear you?"

I said, "I'm going to introduce someone to my eldest sister."

Yanhua said: "I think it's okay, I should introduce one to my eldest sister." Then said: "If you introduce one to my elder sister, you must also introduce one to me. The other day you said that you would find me a husband's family."

I said, "You can't come one by one. Don't worry, you can find them all."

Yanhua said, "Find me a good one, not a bad one."

Sister Zhang said, "Okay, look how Tan Zi is doing."

Yanhua said: "He looks down on us, and besides, he has Lin Yan in his heart, how can there be anyone else."

Sister Zhang said: "I think you two are really good, even Lin Yan is also pretty good, if you don't have Lin Yan, you two can do it—"

I quickly said: "Okay, you two can chat here, I'll go out and have a look."

When it was almost 10:30, there were firecrackers outside. Sister Zhang said, "Tanzi, let's set off firecrackers too. After the firecrackers are over, eat dumplings and then go back to sleep."

I said, "OK, I'll cook the dumplings first."

Yu went to the kitchen to cook the dumplings. After cooking the dumplings, he went out to set off firecrackers.

Yanhua was about to set off a salute, so I asked, "Do you dare?"

She said, "Dare, why not dare?"

Give her the salute, I lit the little whip on one side, and then I heard the sound of crackling firecrackers, Yanhua over there started to light the salute, it seems that she is really not afraid, and she is quite excited, she must have been a naughty girl when she was a child girl.Sister Zhang stood in the hall and covered her ears, watching us both busy outside.The restaurant prepared a lot of firecrackers, and Boss Zou brought over a lot, and it took nearly ten minutes to finish the work.

After it was over, there was smoke in front of the hotel.

Go back to the house and start eating dumplings.I asked them if they still drank, Sister Zhang said no, Yanhua said she would, and she still drank baijiu like me.

I said, "Why, I'm addicted to drinking."

She said: "Drinking beer makes you feel full and you always go to the toilet. It's not as good as liquor, so you don't have to go to the toilet."

I just laughed and said, "You think baijiu tastes better than beer, and you use the restroom as a pretense. It's okay, and you will have more drinking friends in the future."

The three of us started eating dumplings for the new year.Before eating dumplings, I gave both of them a red envelope. There was not much money in it, one hundred for each.

Huang Ping gave me five hundred red envelopes, so I wrapped one for each of them.

Sister Zhang said happily when she got the red envelope: "Happy Chinese New Year this year, I received two red envelopes. In previous years, I didn't even receive one. Thank you, Tan Zi."

Yanhua said, "Thank you, I didn't expect you to be so kind."

I said, "I'm not careful, just be careful after Chinese New Year."

After eating dumplings, the three of them were very happy, and they didn't miss home so much.

Yanhua and I drank wine.

Sister Zhang saw us drinking and said, "Dumplings are just wine, the more you drink, the more delicious you are."

I asked, "You don't want to drink?"

Sister Zhang shook her head directly, and said, "I haven't had enough drink at noon. My life is over, and I don't have that oral blessing."

I said, "You either don't have oral blessings, or you don't drink it all the time. In the future, if you have nothing to do, you can drink some, and you can drink slowly, right, Yanhua."

Yanhua said: "Yes, I couldn't drink alcohol at first, so I drank like others and learned a little bit. Now it's good, sometimes I'm still hungry."

After she finished speaking, she laughed, and continued: "It seems that I was born to be able to drink. I haven't been very drunk yet. Last time I drank on an empty stomach and vomited. I asked Brother Tan to bring it back."

I said, "It's Chinese New Year and I'm one year older, Yanhua, can you stop calling me brother Tan, I'm not as old as you."

Yanhua said: "I'm used to it, but I can't change it, and besides, you look older than me." Then she asked Sister Zhang, "Are you an elder sister? Do you think he looks older than me?"

Sister Zhang said: "Tan Zi looks old, and looks fierce, like a bandit—is it because Lin Yan's mother disagrees because of your old age?"

I said, "I don't know. I'm born with this look. I can't blame me, and I can't change it. I like it. I think I'm pretty good. Although I'm not handsome, I can't look at it or think about it."

Yanhua said: "Yes, at the beginning when you went to hang the oven cakes, I really thought you would be married at 27 or 24. After you left, my sister-in-law said that you were just 24. I didn't believe it. I thought she was lying to me. The eldest sister also said I only believed you when you were [-], and at that time I thought you were not a good person, like a bandit."

I said, "It's fine if you don't think I'm a hooligan."

Yanhua said: "You are a bit like a bandit, and a hooligan is not like you. The hooligans can see that."

I just laughed and asked, "Have you noticed the hooligan yet?"

Yanhua said: "You can tell a hooligan at a glance. They always look at people like that, lewd. You don't, you look at people's eyes as if they have hatred. They want to kill people. It's scary."

I asked Sister Zhang: "Sister, am I really like that?"

Sister Zhang said: "It's not that bad. Yanhua is right. In the future, you should change it. When you look at people, it looks like you are about to fight. When I first came here, when I saw you look at me, I felt terrified. If you make a mistake, you will blame me. Slowly, after a long time, you will feel that you are very good, and I will not be afraid of you."

She went on to say: "At the beginning I was afraid of you, even Sister Jin and Sister Cui said they didn't want to look at you when they first came here, saying that you were a bit scary, especially when they looked at people as if they wanted to hit someone, You don’t pay attention, you don’t know.”

I rubbed my head and said, "I don't know. I really don't know if you don't tell me. I guess this can't be changed, and neither can I."

Yanhua said: "From now on, when you look at others, you will think that you are looking at Lin Yan, and the eyes will be fine, and they won't be scary anymore."

I said, "Isn't that so?"

I looked at her tenderly.

Yanhua smiled, and said, "You better not be like this, it looks even more intrusive, and you're a bit of a hooligan at this time."

I laughed and said: "It's better to do whatever you want, this thing can't be changed, the bones you are born with grow the flesh, and it will be like this all your life."

After eating the dumplings, I asked them whether they would go back to the dormitory or live in the hotel. At that time, the hotel also had a place, that is Huang Ping's room, with a bed.Yanhua said back to the dormitory, she had to wash up and so on, so she sent the two of them back to the dormitory, and I had to stay in the hotel and look after the shop.

(End of this chapter)