This menu was drawn up by the previous countryside chef, centered around the "Three Steams and Nine Buckles" concept, creating what’s known as the Nine Big Bowls.

Inlaid Bowl, Salted Burnt White, sweet steamed pork, Steamed Pork with Rice Flour, Dongpo Pork Knuckle, pig ears, pig head meat...

It was indeed heavily pork-based. The one fish dish was a boiled carp, simply poached and then doused in sauce.

The main focus was on large portions that would fill everyone up, and by using steamers, the food could be served quickly.

Just looking at the menu, it did seem a bit monotonous and greasy.

But as soon as Zheng Qiang said this, the other four people all turned to look at him. His first and second uncles looked like they wanted to say something but held back, their gazes unconsciously drifting toward Xiao Lei.

"Master Zheng’s suggestion is excellent. If we could add a Camphor Tea Duck, a Kung Pao Chicken, and a dry-braised carp, we could let the banquet guests have a taste of the Rongcheng Restaurant dishes that are usually reserved for foreign dignitaries. Everyone would absolutely love it," Xiao Lei said with a smile.

"Mm, that’s right," Zheng Qiang nodded, the corners of his mouth already starting to turn up.

"However, when we’re putting on a rural banquet, we can’t just think about having a rich variety of impressive dishes; we also have to consider the host’s budget," Xiao Lei continued with a smile. "Look at this menu. Every part of the pig is used, from the head to the stomach to the trotters. Once we butcher that big fat pig over there, the Nine Big Bowls for these thirty tables will be more or less complete."

"If you go and get thirty ducks, and the chicken thighs needed for thirty servings of Kung Pao Chicken, have you calculated how much that would add to the cost?"

"Also, Kung Pao Chicken and dry-braised carp require precise Fire Control and are very time-sensitive. Thirty servings—are you confident you can get them all to the tables at around the same time?"

Zheng Qiang wasn’t smiling anymore.

Because the smile had transferred to Zhou Yan’s face.

’Zhou Yan was starting to understand what was meant by the ’ivory tower’ type. After spending too long in a big restaurant, you really do lose touch with the common people.’

The first and second uncles, who were listening at the side, nodded repeatedly. A wedding is expensive enough. For a countryside banquet to feature the Nine Big Bowls and let guests eat their fill of meat was already a very respectable feast.

They knew Zheng Qiang was knowledgeable and had worked in a big restaurant in Rongcheng, but when it came to understanding rural banquets, Master Xiao was the real expert.

Zheng Qiang understood Xiao Lei’s words and also felt the complicated gazes of the uncles.

He mumbled for a long moment, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.

’Wait a minute. He calls me Master Zheng, but then he lectures me like he’s my own master? What’s that about?’

"Master, instead of dry-braising, how about we braise it in brown sauce? We can deep-fry the fish first, cook them in two big woks at once, and then reduce the sauce to pour over at the end. I think it might taste better than simply boiling it," Zhou Yan suggested.

"That’s what I was thinking too." Xiao Lei nodded, then looked at Zheng Qiang and said, "Master Zheng, I’ll leave this dish to you tomorrow. Any problem with that?"

Zheng Qiang straightened his back, his confidence returning. "No problem. This is one of my specialty dishes. I can handle ten fish in one wok."

"That’s wonderful. We’ll let everyone have a taste of Rongcheng Restaurant-style braised fish in brown sauce; they’ll be singing its praises." Xiao Lei praised him with a smile, then added, "In that case, this afternoon, you’ll be in charge of mincing the meat and slicing the pork. The Inlaid Bowl, Salted Burnt White, and Steamed Pork with Rice Flour all require very high-level Knife Skills. The helpers we called from the village don’t have good enough Knife Skills. A crucial task like this has to be handled by Master Zheng."

"Sure thing. I’ll do it," Master Zheng said, nodding with a confident and decisive smile.

Zhou Yan pressed his lips together and silently turned his face away, afraid he might burst out laughing.

’He suddenly understood. His master used to scold Zhou constantly, so a rare word or two of praise felt like a special occasion. After being praised, he would do whatever he was told, go wherever he was pointed, without complaining about the dirt or fatigue, as if he’d been shot up with stimulants. Now, that same trick was being used on Master Zheng.’

Following Xiao Lei’s round of arrangements and organization, all the hired helpers got to work. Butchering the pig, slaughtering chickens, stoking fires—everyone had their role and proceeded in an orderly fashion.

"Zhou Yan, that master of yours is really something else. Truly worthy of being a head chef, a National Second-Class Chef." His second uncle grabbed Zhou Yan, his smiling face filled with satisfaction. "If it weren’t for you today, none of this would have gone so smoothly."

"It’s for Hao’s wedding, so it’s what I should do." Zhou Yan smiled and pulled a stack of money tied with a string from his shoulder bag, handing it to his second uncle. "Second Uncle, this is the money I borrowed from you to open the restaurant. Hao’s wedding is a big expense, so I’m paying you back."

"Pay it back? Didn’t we say you could pay it back next year? Just focus on running your restaurant well. We’re not short on these hundred yuan," his second uncle said, waving his hands repeatedly and refusing to take the money.

Zhou Yan smiled and stuffed the money into his pocket. "I wouldn’t be paying you back if I couldn’t afford it. Keep it safe now, don’t lose it. Count it in a bit, and let me know if it’s short, you hear?"

"You kid..." The second uncle couldn’t help but laugh, nodding with deep gratification. "Alright, I’ll take it then. It makes me even happier to see you’re able to earn money."

Zhou Yan chatted with him for a few more moments, then slung his bag over his shoulder and went to find his other creditors.

His eldest uncle, his third uncle, and a few other close relatives from the family were all gathered here today.

Zhou Yan made a round and paid them all back.

Zhou Hai and Zhou Jie were busy scraping the pig’s bristles and couldn’t free their hands, so Zhou Yan gave the money to their wives instead.

He had withdrawn this morning’s and noon’s earnings, scraping together 160 yuan, which was just enough to clear all his debts.

Zhou Yan walked to the courtyard gate, slowly raised his hands, and stretched his entire body.

Ahhh—

’This is what it feels like to be debt-free!’

’Awesome!’

"That Zhou Yan is so capable! In just three short months, he’s paid back all the money he borrowed!"

"This young man not only knows how to make money, he knows how to save it too. Look at Zhou Yan, he’s a role model. He saved up and paid off his debts first. What a good kid."

"That goes without saying. He’s a kid we watched grow up. He’s been obedient and sensible since he was little. Tie Ying is lucky to have him."

The praises from the aunties helping out drifted out of the courtyard on the wind.

The corners of Zhou Yan’s mouth, already turned up, unconsciously broke into a wide grin.

’This must be what it feels like to return home in glory. A shame Mrs. Zhao isn’t here. To think she can’t share this amazing moment with me.’

Comrade Zhou had done the main butchering, and after bleeding the pig, he had the younger generation scrape the bristles. He would come back later to open up the belly and portion out the meat. He had been resting for a while on the long stone slab by the door.

He had heard everything—Zhou Yan paying back the money and the discussions in the courtyard.

The smile on his face was impossible to hide, but he still pretended to ask nonchalantly, "Paid it all back?"

"Yep, all paid off." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile. "Now all that’s left is the five hundred I owe you and Mom."

"Your mother already said you don’t have to pay it back."

"No way, I have to pay it back." Zhou Yan glanced at the patched cloth shoes on Comrade Zhou’s feet and said casually, "Are your feet the same size as mine?"

"They are. Your mom originally made these shoes for you, but you wouldn’t wear them. They fit me perfectly." Comrade Zhou stomped his foot and said with a smile, "See? They’re really comfortable. Your mom’s handiwork is excellent, even better than the ones sold at the supply and marketing cooperative."

"Uh-huh, your wife is the best," Zhou Yan said with a laugh. As long as the conversation was about his mother, the usually stern Comrade Zhou’s eyes would soften.

One pig only has two ears, and one head definitely isn’t enough for thirty tables. His second uncle had already placed an order with the butchers in advance and would pick them up from various households tomorrow morning.

Zhou Jie had already taken on this task. He would go get the pig heads first thing in the morning and deliver them to Zhou Yan’s restaurant along with some beef.

Zhou Yan was in charge of making braised pig ears, braised beef, and braised pig head, as well as a Cold Tossed Chicken, for a total of four cold dishes.

To be precise, his grandmother was in charge of the Cold Tossed Chicken. They had kept four roosters in a cage. They hadn’t been raised as long as the old hens, so their meat was more tender and suitable for a cold dish.

His work for the day was done.

"Alright, I’m heading back to the restaurant to get busy. I’ll be staying at home tonight, so you don’t need to come pick anyone up. Just eat here," Zhou Yan said to Comrade Zhou.

"Alright." Old Zhou glanced toward the butchering bench and also got up to get busy.

Zhou Yan said goodbye to his master, glanced at Master Zheng who was sitting on a small stool diligently peeling garlic, and left with a smile.

On his way back to the restaurant, Zhou Yan stopped by a stall selling general goods and clothing at the end of the bridge. After some haggling with the vendor, he spent 20.2 yuan on a pair of "Type 83" leather shoes.

He bought them on a whim, and they fit perfectly. He couldn’t say they were more comfortable than the cloth shoes he was wearing, but they looked shiny and much sharper.

The department store priced them at 19 yuan, but you had to go to Jiazhou to buy them. Zhou Yan didn’t have time to make a trip to Jiazhou today, and by the time he got off work, the Jiazhou Department Store would be closed.

Zhou Yan then picked out a pair of women’s leather shoes and, after another round of bargaining, got them for 26.5 yuan.

"You’re too good at haggling, comrade. I basically brought these two pairs of shoes here for you for free. I didn’t even make a dime of profit," the owner said with a wry smile as she put the shoes in the basket of Zhou Yan’s bicycle.

"Thanks, boss. You’re very generous. May you get rich." Zhou Yan paid the money and pushed his bike toward the other stalls.

’The owner definitely made a profit. Zhou Yan had based his haggling on the department store’s listed price, adding about one yuan on top. Business owners are all the same; they rarely speak the plain truth. They just want to give you the illusion that you’ve gotten a good deal so you’ll come back to buy from them again.’

’In this era, the department stores set their prices very fairly, keeping profit margins extremely low. These two pairs of leather shoes were high-end goods from Shanghai, so their price was indeed a bit steep. But the leather was breathable, making them more comfortable than Liberation-style shoes. For the wedding banquet tomorrow, Zhou Yan didn’t have enough money in his pocket to buy new outfits for Mrs. Zhao and Comrade Zhou, so he could only get them new leather shoes for now.’

After browsing a few more stalls, Zhou Yan spent eighty cents on a pair of small, tiger-head cloth shoes for Zhou Momo.

They had red uppers with a tiger’s head stitched in golden thread, looking fierce and adorable at the same time.

They were purely hand-stitched by a local auntie, who probably only earned a small fee for her labor.

Zhou Yan got on his bike and hurried toward his restaurant. It was almost time for the local factory workers to get off their shifts.

Mrs. Zhao was sitting at the entrance, waiting anxiously. She only breathed a sigh of relief when she finally saw Zhou Yan’s figure.

"What took you so long? I was starting to think you weren’t coming back to cook." Mrs. Zhao stood up and asked with concern, "Are your second aunt and the others managing alright?"

"The moment my master stepped in, he got everything organized perfectly. Not a single problem." Zhou Yan pushed his bike into the restaurant, then took out the pair of women’s leather shoes and handed them to Mrs. Zhao, who had followed him inside. "Try them on and see if they fit. If not, I’ll take them back for an exchange."

"Leather shoes?" Zhao Tieying looked at the shoes Zhou Yan handed her. The black leather was smooth and fine, and the buckle was made of copper, glinting with a golden light. She asked softly, hesitating, "You... you bought leather shoes for me?"

...