The Northern Stories of Chef Lao Tan

Chapter 364
That's all Lao Tan can do for Yingzi.

Of course, he could give Yingzi money, but he couldn't do that.

There are many ways to give money, but you must take into account the feelings of the other party, because no matter when and under what circumstances, people are equal in personality and their dignity cannot be violated.

Especially a woman like Yingzi who is strong and alive for her daughter.

Although there is the joy of reunion, seeing Yingzi's current situation, Old Tan is more sympathetic and distressed.To be honest, we lament the injustice of fate, but we are more moved by those who live strong under the unfair fate.

Five days before Chinese New Year, Lao Tan had breakfast with his son, then went to the hospital to change his son's medicine, and when he came back, he told his son to go upstairs first, and he went to the headquarters to have a look.

When he came to the headquarters, Zhou Xiaomei was holding a management meeting during the Spring Festival. He didn't bother him and just attended the meeting.

Zhou Xiaomei made arrangements for the work during the Spring Festival. There are three main points: first, raw material reserves, which should be complete, complete and good; Remuneration, red envelopes should be in place, lively, good food and drink.

The meeting is not long, short and to the point, speaks clearly, can be heard clearly, arranged in place, and executed in an orderly manner.

"Uncle, how is Jiaheng's arm?" Zhou Xiaomei asked after the store managers and chefs of each store had left.

"It's okay, it's almost over." Old Tan said.

Zhongqing, Zhang Li, Wang Hong, Shangguan Qingyuan, and Hua Qing all came to say hello to Lao Tan.

Hua Qing is now the executive chef in the provincial capital, and he looks different from before, with a high spirit.Lao Tan asked him about the preparation of materials during the Spring Festival, and he replied that the preparations were sufficient, and he reassured Master.

Old Tan asked, "Is the live fish still in?"

"No, it's 29." Hua Qing said.

"It's a good time not to go in. I won't be heading north. I'm going to Wang Haijuan's place. It's a compliment." Old Tan said.

"Can her family have those fish?" Hua Qing asked.

Just as Lao Tan was about to speak, Zhong Qing said, "You don't know how to make reservations in advance, stupid!"

Hua Qing scratched his head, feeling really stupid.

Lao Tan asked Hua Qing to go first, and Shangguan Qingyuan felt that she was not equal to the rest of the people in terms of status or seniority, so she also withdrew.

Old Tan first said to Zhang Li: "Seeing that you look good, Lao Huang should always spoil you."

"Why, are you jealous?" Zhang Li said with a smile.

"Don't be jealous, as long as he treats you nicely." Old Tan said.

Zhou Xiaomei laughed and joked, "Uncle, your words are a bit sour."

The crowd laughed.

Lao Tan asked Zhang Xiangdong about the situation on the first day of the new year. Zhang Li said: "It's okay, the business is good, and two more stores have been opened. But his family has been suffering from a shortage of employees, and they can't find people. Most of the former old employees have come back. gone."

"His family's dishes have been declining since last month, and the rate of customer complaints is high. Zhang Xiangdong hired a management team from Beijing, from the kitchen management company, and plans to enter after the next year." Zhongqing said.

"The kitchen is really good, with advanced concepts, advanced management, and emphasis on dish innovation and dining experience. But I think Zhang Xiangdong should not introduce it. He is a dumpling restaurant with local culture, and it is our bottom line. Once we start It hurts the root, and the gain outweighs the loss." Zhou Xiaomei said.

Lao Tan said: "The most taboo thing for a mature company is to introduce paratroopers. This is the same as blood transfusion. The wrong blood transfusion is fatal. Well, let's not mention his family, let's talk about ourselves. We will give you thirty red envelopes." Are the staff ready?"

"Ready." Zhang Li and Zhong Qing replied together.

"That's good." Old Tan nodded, and then asked Zhou Xiaomei, "When is your plane?"

"In the afternoon, four o'clock." Zhou Xiaomei said.

"I just have time, so I'll have a meal at noon and I'll see you off." Speaking of what Lao Tan remembered, he asked, "Has your dad come home from Beautiful Valley?"

"He arrived in Hohhot yesterday." Zhou Xiaomei said.

Lao Tan hasn't eaten with everyone for a long time, and feels a little guilty.In the past, when there were not so many stores, we always got together after work, drinking and chatting, and the sea and the sky were bright.Now that the store is getting bigger and everyone is busy, there are fewer gatherings, and I always feel less happy than before.

People, looking for happiness in busyness, but don't know that happiness is lost by oneself in busyness.

Busyness without happiness has shortcomings, and if it is not done well, it is "busy".

The atmosphere of the meal was good, as if the feeling of the past had been regained.

After dinner, Zhongqing sent Zhou Xiaomei to the airport, Lao Tan and Wang Hong talked about Yingzi going to the central kitchen to learn how to make stuffing after the Chinese New Year.Wang Hong asked who Yingzi was, Lao Tan said it was his sister, and told her that Yingzi had a scar on his face and wore a mask the whole time, and told the kitchen staff not to ask questions.

Hearing that Yingzi had a scar on his face, Wang Hong swallowed the words that came to his lips.

After explaining Yingzi's affairs, Lao Tan walked home with the packed meals in his hand, followed by Zhang Li.

It was a fine day with no wind.

Some stores on both sides of the street that were closed early for the holiday posted Spring Festival couplets in advance, and the festive red has the breath of the new year.

"Old Tan, have you bought new year's goods?" Zhang Li asked.

"No, I'll start buying tomorrow." Old Tan said.

"This year, your family of three will celebrate the New Year at home?"

"Ah."

Both of them couldn't help but think of the scene of last year's Chinese New Year, as if it was yesterday.

"Wang Shulan called and said that you had a bad stomach. The doctor who saw her told you to drink less." Zhang Li said.

"When did she call?" Old Tan asked.

"Last two days—"

"Oh, there is something wrong with my stomach. I went to see an old Chinese doctor and took medicine to recuperate it. I picked up the wine again in the two days when I went home --- quit drinking after the New Year, and stop taking medicine." Old Tan grinned after finishing speaking laugh.

"It's time for you to stop drinking. You haven't committed any crime recently, have you?" Zhang Li asked.

"No."

The two walked forward.

"Wang Shulan is very concerned about you." Zhang Li said pretending to be nonchalant.

"Really? Did you see it?" Lao Tan knew what she meant and asked.

"A woman's intuition—"

"Pretty accurate."

"Actually, Lao Tan, you are quite a playful person. You are honest on the surface, but you are not honest at all in your heart." Zhang Li said.

"I remember you said that I am the idol of middle-aged and elderly women." Old Tan said.

Zhang Li stopped to look at Lao Tan seriously, looked at him for a while and said, "Why didn't you say your wife didn't realize your charm? It's a pity to throw this good old man out."

Old Tan said: "Clothes and hats are different."

"Cut! If you say you are fat, you will gasp. Remind you, men who can't divorce rarely have one-night stands, are less ambiguous, and have a lot of staring eyes." Zhang Li said: "I used to be in the game and couldn't see clearly. What, now that I've come out, I regret it to be honest, everyone knows about the two of us, and we just don't talk about it because of face."

"Regret?" Lao Tan was a little puzzled.

"The regret I'm talking about is not the regret, you know. I regret that I can't let it go even though I know we can't be together, and I always pester you—" Zhang Li said.

"——" Old Tan didn't say anything.

"I can't be as free and easy as Wang Shulan—"

"You're doing fine now."

(End of this chapter)