Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 247: Gathering at the Pub
Yan Bugui was stunned when he saw Yan Jiekuang, but he immediately regained his composure and sat down calmly, waiting for Yan Jiekuang to bring him the meal. Yan Jiekuang smiled bitterly, brought a bowl of fried liver and a few buns, and said, "Dad, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to get something for nothing again?"

Yan Bugui remained calm and said seriously, "No, I'm just stretching my muscles to avoid getting stupid."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Okay, if you want to work here, then work here. I will pay you a separate salary. Wang Qing, from now on my salary will be divided into two parts, one for my father and one for me."

Wang Qing nodded and said, "I understand, Third Brother."

A few people were chatting while eating breakfast. After a while, all the buns were gone. Yan Jiekuang didn't stay any longer. He said hello to his father and left. When he returned to the courtyard, there was no one at home. Yan Jiekuang suddenly felt bored and wondered whether he should go to the park to find them. Then he thought, forget it, he finally had some time, he might as well go and see his sister-in-law. He hadn't been there for a long time and clean up the courtyard by the way.

Yan Jiekuang walked out of the yard and thought that he should go back to Yuer Hutong to pick up his bicycle as his legs were too tired.

When Yan Jiekuang rode his bicycle to the tavern, today was the 11th day of the 11th month and there were still many people on the street. People of all kinds were out and about. Although gray and blue clothes were still the mainstream on the street, young people wearing bright clothes could be seen from time to time, and even young people wearing bell-bottom pants and frog-eye glasses.

Yan Jiekuang arrived at the tavern, parked his bicycle at the door, and walked into the tavern as soon as he lifted the curtain. He saw Xu Huizhen standing behind the counter. Xu Huizhen also saw him, but ignored him. Yan Jiekuang wandered to the counter and said, "Boss lady, have you forgotten about the old friend?"

"Oh, who was it? Isn't this the busy man Yan Laosan? You suddenly thought of coming to my shop. You are such a rare guest." Xu Huizhen said the last sentence with gritted teeth.

Yan Jiekuang smiled bitterly and said quickly, "Sister, I was wrong. I have been too busy setting up a purchasing station recently. I am sorry. I bow to you."

Xu Huizhen said viciously: "You only know how to matchmake for that girl Chen Xueru, when did you ever think of me?"

Only then did Yan Jiekuang realize that Xu Huizhen was not blaming him for not coming more often, but was blaming him for being a matchmaker for Chen Xueru.

Yan Jiekuang was about to explain when Cai Quanwu came out from behind and said, "Why are you so angry? Even though the matchmaking didn't work out, it's okay. The third brother finally came to see you."

Cai Quanwu took Yan Jiekuang to find a table and sat down. Cai Quanwu said, "If you come, you should bring your children with you. I have only seen them a few times."

Yan Jiekuang said: "I thought so too, but the old lady took him away."

At this time, Xu Huizhen came over with a tray with four side dishes, a pot of wine, and three wine glasses.

Xu Huizhen put the things on the table and said, "See, you are still my sister. I have to treat you well when you come here."

Yan Jiekuang burst into laughter and said, "Good sister, you are so kind. I have to report to you about Chen Xueru's matter."

There were not many customers in the store now, so Yan Jiekuang explained in detail how the Lou family wanted to come back to invest and that Chen Xueru was just a manager. Finally, he said that the matter had been shelved.

After hearing this, Cai Quanwu just felt it was a pity, but he also knew that the current situation was not suitable for this way of running a factory. Xu Huizhen was very interested in the term "manager". Yan Jiekuang explained it to her in detail. Xu Huizhen took it to heart and was also very interested in this method. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to put it into practice.

Just when the three of them were chatting animatedly, the door curtain was lifted and Uncle Niu came in carrying a bird cage. Xu Huizhen quickly stood up and greeted him enthusiastically. Uncle Niu saw Yan Jiekuang at a glance and sat down at the same table with Yan Jiekuang without any hesitation. Uncle Niu said, "My man, why haven't I seen you for a long time? What are you busy with?"

"Uncle Niu, long time no see. I've been busy with a purchasing station under the street office recently. I've been so busy that I'm running around." Yan Jiekuang said quickly.

When Master Niu heard this, he suddenly became interested and asked, "Oh, that's a good job. Do you have any good stuff? Don't hide it. Let Master Niu take a look."

Xu Huizhen and Cai Quanwu looked at each other and immediately understood what was going on with this purchasing station. They also looked at Yan Jiekuang expectantly. Yan Jiekuang did not hide anything and said, "There are no outstanding items at the moment. Most of them are from the Qing Dynasty and are basically from the folk. If there are any, I will definitely show them to you as soon as possible."

When Niu Ye heard this, he knew that Yan Jiekuang would not lie, so he did not ask any more questions. The few of them started drinking and chatting about all sorts of things. During the meal, Yan Jiekuang also asked if there was any news about Pian Ye.

Both Niu Ye and Xu Huizhen said they didn't know, and said they went to the Northeast and never came back. Yan Jiekuang looked at the empty tavern and asked, "Why are there so few people today?"

Xu Huizhen said, "Today is National Day, there is a garden party, who would come here to drink?"

Before she finished speaking, she heard a charming voice coming from outside, "Who said no one is coming? I'm here to show my support for you."

Without even looking, they knew Chen Xueru was here. Xu Huizhen said unhappily, "You have nowhere to go and no one to accompany you."

Chen Xueru walked in, dressed normally, unlike the way she dressed when she was with the Lou family. Yan Jiekuang quickly greeted her, as he couldn't afford to offend this girl. Chen Xueru responded enthusiastically.

Xu Huizhen looked at the group and said, "It's rare for us to get together, how about we have a drink?"

Niu Ye happily agreed, "That's great, it's decided."

Xu Huizhen stood up and shouted, "Yali, tell the kitchen staff that today is a holiday and the restaurant is closed. Leave the sign behind when you leave."

Zhao Yali agreed and went to the kitchen. Chen Xueru said, "How about it, Master Chef? Show us your cooking skills. I haven't eaten your cooking for a long time."

Cai Quanwu also said, "That's right, that's right. I just happen to have some venison and mutton. Come on, make us a meal."

Yan Jiekuang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he stood up and ran to the kitchen. There were only three people in the kitchen, and none of them had left yet. But they all knew the chef, and when they heard that Yan Jiekuang was going to cook, they were not in a hurry to go back. They said they wanted to help, but in fact they just wanted to learn something.

Yan Jiekuang was not polite. He looked at the ingredients today and found them to be pretty good, including eels and fish maws. Yan Jiekuang planned to make four dishes: braised duck breast, stir-fried eel shreds, diced venison with cashews, and braised fish maw rolls.

Yan Jiekuang directed three people to prepare the ingredients, and gave a few pointers from time to time. Soon the ingredients were ready, and Yan Jiekuang began to cook. The three people watched carefully beside him. Yan Jiekuang finished it soon, and considerately served out a portion of each, which was left for the three cooks. Afterwards, several people brought four plates of dishes and placed them on the table in the front hall.

Chen Xueru sniffed it herself and said, "You are indeed a great chef. This dish is so delicious that even if you don't eat it, just smelling it is a pleasure."

Xu Huizhen laughed and said, "Then just smell it and we'll eat."

Chen Xueru rolled her eyes at him and said, "That won't work. My trip here would have been in vain."

At this time, Cai Quanwu came back from the backyard, holding a jar of wine. As he walked, he said, "The three in the kitchen almost fought over your food. Well, good food must be accompanied by good wine. This is the Niulanshan that has been in the restaurant for ten years. Let's have a taste."

Several people gathered around the table and started eating without saying a word or even drinking the first cup. Yan Jiekuang had added some ingredients when cooking, but it still couldn't withstand the heavy eating of these people, and soon the food was gone.

Niu Ye said: "You are worthy of being the successor of imperial cuisine. You are truly amazing."

Cai Quanwu nodded, Xu Huizhen raised her glass and said, "Come on, let's drink with some cold dishes. I wish everyone a happy National Day and a prosperous country."

Everyone raised their glasses and shouted together: "Cheers to the prosperity of our country."

A drinking party started with delicious food. Several people chatted enthusiastically about the changes around them, interesting people and stories, and antique collections. It was very pleasant.

(End of this chapter)