Chapter 34: Chapter 28: Sweeties? Glasses? Pangwa?

All eyes at the restaurant entrance fell on Zhou Yan.

The onlooking workers found it odd. These university teachers and students weren’t going inside to eat, but were instead gathered around an earthen stove, deep in conversation.

’Is there something special about Zhou Yan’s stove?’

Xia Yao watched Zhou Yan with a gentle smile. She wasn’t surprised. Zhou Yan’s way of thinking was never like a typical cook’s; he was more flexible and much smarter.

Zhao Hong had already ducked to one side, afraid of drawing any attention.

Zhao Tieying, stuck by the pot with nowhere to hide, had no choice but to look at Zhou Yan as well.

She didn’t understand terms like "tracing origins" or "brand building," but everything the university professor mentioned was exactly what Zhou Yan had done, and it was undeniably effective at attracting customers.

’But Zhou Yan never even finished high school. How could he possibly impress a university professor like this?’

Zhao Tieying felt her hands and feet go numb. She hadn’t even graduated from elementary school, having only attended a month-long literacy program. Even so, she still got subconsciously nervous around teachers.

Zhou Yan wasn’t nervous in the slightest. He’d stopped blushing in public at age seven, back when he competed with the neighborhood elders for recyclable bottles. Four years as a food blogger had only further thickened his skin, making his composure rock-solid.

"Yes, Professor. That was indeed my thought process behind all this. You’re a true expert," Zhou Yan said with a faint smile.

Lin Zhiqiang, standing nearby, nodded slightly. ’A well-played answer,’ he thought. ’Zhou Yan managed to compliment Su Jun while also confirming his own competence.’

Su Jun smiled at that and asked, "What made you think of writing the sign on the stove?"

"I originally planned to get a neon sign. That would have been much more eye-catching, definitely one-of-a-kind in town. The spectacle alone would have drawn in a crowd," Zhou Yan explained. "But when I checked prices in Jiazhou, it was far too expensive. I just couldn’t afford it. So, I had to settle for buying a brush and some paint to write the sign myself."

"Just as you said, a raised earthen stove like this at the entrance is already eye-catching on its own. Once the aroma of the simmering broth starts to spread, people instinctively look for its source. Putting the sign and the brand story on the stove itself creates the best possible advertising effect."

The university students looked at Zhou Yan differently after hearing that.

’Damn, he actually knows what he’s talking about!’

Advertising design had been experiencing a renaissance over the past two years. Their professors had added related courses to the curriculum, and even the number of commercials on television was growing.

They never expected to find a young restaurant owner in a small town like this, making his own sign, running his own advertisements, and even attempting to build a brand.

"Excellent. This is true street smarts," Su Jun said, nodding again and again as he looked at Zhou Yan with open admiration. "Did you write the characters yourself as well?"

"I did," Zhou Yan confirmed with a nod.

"The calligraphy is decent enough," Su Jun said with a smile, "but the sign has a clear hierarchy, the color coordination is well-done, and the overall effect is excellent. You’ve got a real knack for it."

"You’re too kind," Zhou Yan said quickly.

The university students were stunned. Teacher Su rarely praised anyone. He was known as "Iron-Faced Su" in their department, and his classes were so strict that simply avoiding a scolding was considered a victory.

"Whoa, a university professor is praising Zhou Yan’s talent? That’s pretty impressive."

"That kid’s as clever as a Mount Emei monkey—sharp as hell."

"Most people would be tripping over their words in a situation like this, but he’s not the least bit nervous or intimidated."

The onlooking workers muttered among themselves.

A smile crept onto Zhao Tieying’s lips. Her boy, Zhou Yan, was actually being praised by a professor. It made her, his mother, feel incredibly proud.

"Alright, let’s go inside and eat," Su Jun said, leading the way into the restaurant. "I think the smell of this beef broth has everyone’s mouths watering already."

Everyone agreed and streamed in after him. After a long morning touring the factory, the meaty aroma made them realize just how famished they were.

Zhao Tieying quickly ushered everyone to their seats, "Come on in, come on in, dearies. You can sit over here, or over there is fine too..."

"Thank you, Mrs. Zhao," the female students chimed in after Xia Yao.

"Hey, Glasses, you can sit right here," Mrs. Zhao said, guiding a male student to a seat.

"Huh? Mrs. Zhao, you call them ’dearies,’ but you call me ’Glasses’?" Wang Chen asked with a grin, pushing his spectacles up his nose.

"’Dearies’ is for the girls. See how sweet they all are?" Mrs. Zhao explained with a laugh. Then she called to another male student, "Hey, handsome, how about you sit here?"

"So you’re calling Ma Xingye ’handsome’?" Wang Chen asked, looking wounded.

"Oh, Pangwa, don’t you worry about that," Mrs. Zhao said with a wave of her hand. "Look at him! He’s tall and sturdy, just as handsome as my own son."

"Pangwa? It changed again?" Wang Chen sighed, looking even more wounded.

The students around him were howling with laughter.

"Come on, Pangwa, come sit with us," Ma Xingye said with a laugh, pulling Wang Chen down into a seat beside him.

"How does Mrs. Zhao know my nickname?" Wang Chen couldn’t help but laugh as he sat down. He looked at Ma Xingye and said, "Let me get a good look at just how handsome this ’precious son’ of hers really is."

"Get lost!" Ma Xingye retorted with a laugh, though his eyes drifted to the adjacent table.

"They only have noodles and Kneeling Beef? I thought this was a restaurant, not a noodle shop!" Wang Chen grumbled as he stared at the menu on the wall.

At the next table, Xia Yao was sitting with Deng Hong, Zhu Yuyu, and another female classmate, discussing what to order.

"Xia Yao, you’ve been here before. Which noodles are the best?" Zhu Yuyu asked.

"I love the Braised Pork Rib Noodles. The ribs Zhou Yan makes are the best I’ve ever had, even better than my dad’s," Xia Yao said with a smile. "But the other two noodle dishes are delicious too. The Double Pepper Beef Noodles are especially popular."

"That Kneeling Beef smells amazing. Should we order some to try?" Deng Hong suggested.

"Good idea, I’d like to try it too," Xia Yao agreed with a nod.

"Zhou Yan’s so handsome. Does he have a girlfriend?" Zhu Yuyu asked, her face a mask of gossip.

"Yeah, are you falling for him a little?" Deng Hong chimed in, leaning closer.

"Shh, don’t be ridiculous," Xia Yao whispered, shooting them a look. "My uncle is sitting right behind us."

Deng Hong and Zhu Yuyu glanced over at Lin Zhiqiang’s table and couldn’t help but stifle their giggles.

Lin Zhiqiang was at a table with Su Jun and two other teachers, enthusiastically recommending dishes to them.

The sheer simplicity of the Zhou Yan Restaurant menu took Su Jun and the other two teachers by surprise.

’The sign outside said ’Restaurant,’ but the menu only lists three noodle dishes and Kneeling Beef?’

’And Lin Zhiqiang hadn’t mentioned it before they came in.’

Now that they were already seated, it wouldn’t be polite to say anything.

"In that case, I’ll have the Kneeling Beef and an order of the Double Pepper Beef Noodles," Su Jun said, placing his order. He then started chatting with Lin Zhiqiang about Zhou Yan.

In truth, Su Jun had originally declined the invitation from the Jiazhou Textile Factory.

Their sketching trip to Jiazhou was supposed to focus on Mount Emei and the Jiazhou Giant Buddha. There were no plans to visit any businesses, and as the department head, he wasn’t keen on making last-minute changes to the itinerary.

But then last week, Xia Yao had fallen into the water while visiting family in Suji. When her aunt called him to request a leave of absence for her, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Xia Yao’s mother, Meng Zhilan, had been his senior at the Central Academy of Fine Arts. They’d even had the same advisor. Although they hadn’t been in touch much in recent years, he knew he could never face her if something had happened to Xia Yao.

Besides, he was the one responsible for the trip. If something had really happened to Xia Yao, he’d have lost his position as department head for sure, and he’d definitely face disciplinary action.

Thankfully, Zhou Yan had saved Xia Yao, minimizing the fallout from the incident.

When Xia Yao returned, she reported what had happened, and his impression of the courageous young man who saved her was a deep one.

They were scheduled to return to Mountain City the next day, so he made a last-minute arrangement with the university to spend a day visiting the Jiazhou Textile Factory and exploring the possibility of a school-business partnership.

Of course, his main reason was to meet Zhou Yan in person.

Lin Zhiqiang’s praise for Zhou Yan was anything but subtle; even Zhou Yan, who was in the kitchen cooking noodles, felt embarrassed listening to it.

Zhao Tieying, however, loved hearing it. ’For the factory’s vice director to praise Zhou Yan means he’s earned a leader’s appreciation. That’s a testament to my son’s ability.’

The restaurant filled up with university students, and quite a few workers followed them in, curious to taste the Kneeling Beef that was drawing such a crowd.

The nineteen tables in the shop were completely full for the lunch rush.

With a menu of only noodles and Kneeling Beef, most of the students hadn’t held high expectations.

But as the noodles and Kneeling Beef began to arrive at the tables, the restaurant filled with gasps of surprise and delight:

"Wow! These Double Pepper Beef Noodles smell incredible!"

"These Braised Pork Ribs are out of this world! They fall right off the bone, and the flavor is just incredible!"

"The braised beef with dried bamboo shoots is the best! I’m dizzy from how good it smells!"

"You guys have to try the broth! The beef broth is the real star here, it’s unbelievably savory!"

"Mrs. Zhao, could we get some more of the pickled radishes, please? They’re so good!"

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