Chapter 241 - 153: The Sensational Effect of the Braised Vegetarian Dishes
As the workshop director, he had gone to great lengths to motivate the workers.
However, when they won the "Outstanding Production Team" award, not only did it bring him honor, but he also received a bonus.
For example, he received a ten-yuan bonus last month.
Today, he spent two yuan on two bags of braised vegetables for them, and they all seemed quite pleased.
He'd been mulling this over for a few days. Originally, his plan was to give each person a towel.
After lunch in the cafeteria today, he'd happened to run into that scoundrel Zhu Zhe, who was eating all by himself, clutching a bag of braised vegetables.
Naturally, he wasn't going to let the opportunity pass. He grabbed a few pieces and was stunned by both the flavor and the price of the braised vegetables.
Braised lotus root and potatoes for only forty cents a pound could be so delicious!
He changed his mind on the spot, swapping the towels for two bags of braised vegetables so everyone could have a taste.
"Zhou Yan is really something else. He can make anything taste this good!" Zhao Dong couldn't help but exclaim.
"What are you muttering about, Old Zhao?" Lin Zhiqiang asked with a smile as he came down to the workshop.
Zhao Dong looked at Lin Zhiqiang and replied with a grin, "Director Lin, I was just saying how Zhou Yan's new braised vegetables are out of this world. I'm planning to bring some home for my two kids to try tonight."
"He's making braised vegetables now?" Lin Zhiqiang was a bit surprised. 'Zhou Yan didn't mention it when we were jogging yesterday.'
"That's right, and they're super cheap. The braised lotus root and potatoes are only forty cents a pound, and the braised tofu skin and kelp are just eighty cents. The flavor is incredible. If you're buying for your kids, get the original five-spice flavor. I think it's even more fragrant than the spicy version."
Lin Zhiqiang nodded with a smile. "Sounds good. I'll go buy some after work. My wife isn't home today, so I can get away with making one less dish."
...
γShangshui Village.γ
In a small courtyard with a half-collapsed house.
Mrs. Sun sat on a small stool, a little stick in her hand. She swirled the stick in a large pot of simmering soy milk, and a sheet of tofu skin immediately wrapped around it. She then hung it on a low bamboo pole beside her.
Three pots simmered beside her, and she worked with remarkable skill, swirling and lifting in a practiced rhythm.
The bamboo poles in the courtyard were already draped with sheets of tofu skin, swaying gently in the breeze and filling the air with the fragrance of soybeans.
When she worked, she seemed to forget her ailments, her hands and feet moving with surprising agility.
Under the eaves nearby, Lai Fu sat on a high stool. With one hand, he ladled soybeans into the hole of a stone mill; with the other, he gripped a wooden handle, tirelessly turning the millstone to grind the beans.
White soy milk collected in the wooden bucket below, which was already more than half full.
He wore a loose white tank top riddled with small holes and patches. He was rail-thin, like a beanpole. The skin on the hand gripping the wooden handle was broken, but he had wrapped it in a scrap of cloth and kept grinding.
His expression was focused and earnest, his clear eyes filled with determination.
Soon, a bucket of soy milk was ready. Lai Fu carried it over to Mrs. Sun.
Mrs. Sun smiled and shook her head, gesturing as she spoke. "No more tofu skin today. We'll just finish these three pots; there's no more room to hang it. Use this bucket of soy milk to make tofu. Dry the tofu curd tonight, and you can deliver it to your cousin tomorrow."
The old woman's gestures weren't perfect, but Lai Fu understood her at a glance.
He nodded, carefully lifting the bamboo pole laden with tofu skin and placing it back on its rack. Then, he set the last empty bamboo pole beside Mrs. Sun and went to pour her a cup of water.
Mrs. Sun took two sips of water from an enamel cup. Gazing at the courtyard full of hanging tofu skin, a gratified smile spread across her face. "This is wonderful. The legacy of Zhang's Braised Shop will be passed on. We're saved."
Lai Fu smiled along with her, his eyes shining with the same light.
...
Just as Zhou Yan had predicted, the remaining braised dishes sold out in less than ten minutes after the factory let out.
Zhou Momo, who was sitting by the door nibbling on lotus root and potato slices from a small bowl, didn't even get a chance to work her promotional magic before everything was sold out.
The workers who arrived late looked from the eight empty basins to Zhou Momo, who was perched on a small stool, happily dangling her short little legs as she enthusiastically munched on a slice of lotus root. They all swallowed hard.
A three-and-a-half-year-old kid wouldn't lie.
'If his own kid can eat it without any worry, and she's enjoying it that much, then these braised vegetables have to be good.'
The little one was focused on her food, but she still remembered to mumble between bites, "The potatoes are so fluffy. So yummy!"
"Boss, please make more of the vegetable dishes tomorrow," the female workers pleaded, their voices tinged with disappointment.
"Will do," Zhou Miao nodded, managing a small smile.
Word of mouth about the braised vegetables was spreading incredibly fast; it was already causing a sensation.
Lin Zhiqiang came out of the shop carrying a thermos with an order of Kneeling Beef. He'd arrived early, so he'd also managed to get sixty cents' worth of the braised vegetables. He happily hopped on his roadster and rode off.
'This was the great thing about being a leader. After inspecting the workshop, it was perfectly reasonable to go inspect the security department, right?'
The moment the closing bell rang, he was the first one to arrive at Zhou Yan Restaurant, where there was still a selection of vegetable dishes to choose from.
When he got home, carrying the food containers, he found his two kids were nearly finished with their homework.
"Dad! Is that takeout from Momo's house?"
"Dad, what's for dinner?!"
Lin Jingxing and Lin Bingwen dropped their pens and immediately rushed over.
"A soup and a braised vegetable dish," Lin Zhiqiang said as he unpacked the food. "Go wash your hands and bring over the bowls."
The three of them, father and sons, usually kept their meals simple.
They used to get their food from the factory cafeteria, but ever since tasting the delicious meals from Zhou Yan Restaurant, his two sons had been thinking about it constantly.
When the oiled paper was unwrapped, revealing only vegetable dishes, the two boys sighed in unison.
"Dad, how come there's no meat?" Lin Jingxing asked, looking up at him.
"Are we out of money?" Lin Bingwen asked, his face etched with worry.