"Zhou Erwa Restaurant?"
Wang Defa's mouth dropped open, a look of surprise and confusion that quickly turned to shame and anger.
He'd already prepared himself for the idea of them dining at a state-owned restaurant. It was understandable that teachers and university students from big cities preferred state-owned restaurants.
But he had never imagined they'd actually go to Zhou Erwa Restaurant.
What was the difference between this and jumping up and slapping him on the face?
Wang Defa's lips trembled. "F**k..." was on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it back, remembering Lin Zhiqiang's instructions that morning.
In the crowd, Xia Yao gaped, her mouth slightly dropped open as she gazed at Su Jun's back in surprise. She hadn't expected the director to choose Zhou Yan's restaurant.
This was definitely a good thing. With thirty of them, they could easily fill up half of Zhou Yan's restaurant.
Zhou Yan and Miss Zhao would surely be delighted.
Xia Yao was also delighted. She didn't want to eat at the factory cafeteria. On her first day, her uncle and aunt had taken her there for some stir-fried dishes, but they were far inferior to the school cafeteria.
She wanted to try Zhou Yan's braised pork ribs and his new Cross-legged Beef.
"These college students aren't eating in the cafeteria, they're going to Zhou Erwa Restaurant? They're really knowledgeable and know which ones are good."
"Zhou Yan's noodles and Cross-legged Beef are much better than the cafeteria food, except they're expensive!"
"The cafeteria food is getting worse everyday. If it weren't so cheap, no one would eat it!"
"Yesterday I went there for stir-fried pork liver, and the pork liver was cut as thick as chopsticks. The stir-fried pork liver was completely soupy and overcooked. The pig intestines weren't cleaned properly or cooked thoroughly, and I vomited after chewing them."
"When Master Xiao was the head chef, the big pot dishes were all so delicious. But some people, in order to make his cousin the head chef, have Master Xiao, a second-level chef, do the backing, making even the small stir-fries inedible."
"What a jerk! I pay for food, and yet I'm disgusted by him. The eaters are being bullied by the s**t eaters."
The workers passing by were chattering, casting disdainful glances at Wang Defa.
Wang Defa was the factory cafeteria director, a leader within the textile factory.
But these days, the workers were so confident that they weren't afraid of a mere cafeteria director. Some of them had been there since the factory's founding, and their tenure was even longer than Wang Defa.
They were already unhappy about the poor food in the cafeteria, and everyone had been cursing at him privately.
Today, the university students refused to eat in the cafeteria, and the deputy factory director was also there, so those yin yang masters couldn't help but make some sarcastic remarks.
The university students couldn't help but laugh, but he wasn't the school leader, so they had to laugh.
A cafeteria that could be ridiculed like this by its own workers must have nothing worth eating.
The director's insight was brilliant, as expected of him.
Wang Defa heard every word clearly, his face turning pale and red, yet he feigned indifference.
His gaze drifted to Lin Zhiqiang, hoping he would speak up for the factory cafeteria.
"No problem, let's go to Zhou Erwa Restaurant." Lin Zhiqiang agreed immediately, smiling, "Let's go together. I'm craving their noodles, too."
Zhao Dong had mentioned the feud between Zhou Yan and Wang Defa to him.
The young man had been a bit rash in standing up for his master, but he admired Zhou Yan's youthful loyalty.
The cafeteria's food had been getting worse over the past two years; even the stir-fries were shoddy. Director Wang Defa was undoubtedly to blame.
The factory cafeteria wasn't his responsibility, so he couldn't discipline Wang Defa.
Emotionally and logically, he sided with Zhou Yan without hesitation.
It's not easy for a young man to open a restaurant. After all, it was Su Jun's request, so he just had to comply.
Lin Zhiqiang led a group of teachers and students toward the factory gate.
"Deputy Director Lin..." Wang Defa looked at Lin Zhiqiang's back, his mouth opening and closing, unable to help stamping his feet. "Zhou Yan, that brat, is such a nuisance! I'm going to deal with you sooner or later!"
The workers left with laughter, feeling relieved.
Wang Defa, that scoundrel, would eventually get his comeuppance.
Lin Zhiqiang led a group of thirty university teachers and students as they walked towards Zhou Erwa Restaurant.
Along the way, they attracted quite a few glances.
It was lunch time, and many workers had come to watch the fun, some even following from the cafeteria.
College students are a rarity these days.
Twenty or thirty prestigious university students gathered together, even including university professors, in this small town, they were rarer than giant pandas.
Zhou Erwa Restaurant hadn't even started serving customers yet. Zhou Yan stood in front of the earthen stove at the entrance, confirming with Zhao Tieying the number of slices of sirloin to be included in each order of Cross-legged beef.
Yesterday, they had three slices per order, thin enough to savor.
Today, he ordered two more pounds of sirloin, increasing the total cost by three yuan, but each order contained six slices, and when they were finally served, they were placed on top, making it look like a substantial portion.
Zhou Yan was digging a deeper moat ahead of time, using high quality beef to enhance value while maintaining an absolute advantage in taste.
Zhou Yan cut the beef, and with his masterful knife skills, he created thin, generous slices.
"They're coming here!" Zhao Hong exclaimed suddenly, standing at the restaurant entrance.
"What?" Zhao Tieying and Zhou Yan looked at her.
"So many people are coming here! All those college students from this morning are coming here!" Zhao Hong said excitedly.
As they spoke, a group of over thirty people, led by Lin Zhiqiang and Su Jun, had arrived at the entrance of Zhou Erwa Restaurant.
"Little Zhou, the teachers and students from the Arts and Crafts Department of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute are having lunch at your restaurant. You have to be a good host." Lin Zhiqiang said, looking at Zhou Yan and smiling.
Zhou Yan's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected Lin Zhiqiang to bring these college students to his restaurant for lunch. And then there were the workers following behind to watch the fun. This wasn't just thirty new recognition points; it was also a living advertisement.
Uncle Lin, indeed! He was practically like his uncle!
"Teachers and students, please come in and take a seat." Zhou Yan said with a smile.
The students all looked at him. They were all of similar age, and Zhou Yan's tall and handsome figure made him more appealing.
"He's so tall, and looks about the same height as Ma Xingye. And he has those peach blossom eyes, which give him the same affectionate look as a dog." Zhu Yuyu whispered. "Yaoyao, your painting is so lifelike."
"But I think Ma Xingye is more sunny. Of course, he's also very handsome." Deng Hong whispered. "Yaoyao, what do you think?"
The two of them flanked Xia Yao, one on each side, but Xia Yao didn't say a word.
Lin Zhiqiang was right up front; if her aunt heard anything he said, she'd definitely be nagging her again.
Ma Xingye, the captain of the department basketball team, was standing not far behind them. If they really had to compare, Xia Yao thought Zhou Yan was the better looking.
He was also very comfortable to be around.
"Don't hurry, students, take a look at the earthen stove by the door and the words on it." Su Jun said. "What do you see?"
Upon hearing this, the students carefully examined the large pot, over a meter in diameter, and the stove.
The lid had already been lifted, and the rich aroma of beef, accompanied by hot steam, filled the air. It was so intense that they couldn't help but swallow, almost salivating.
This pot of broth had been simmering since they arrived that morning, simmering for a full eight hours. Just how delicious must it be!
The stove was taller than most. The outward-facing side was painted white with lime. Then, in red paint, the characters "Zhou Ji Qiao Jiao Niu Rou" were inscribed. The handwriting was neat yet elegant, and the large letters were striking, visible from afar.
You had to get closer to see it. Below, in black brush, were a few lines about the origins and benefits of Cross-legged Beef—a short story.
"This is an advertisement."
"He packaged Cross-legged Beef, turning it into a medicinal dish with special benefits."'
"Building the stove right in front of the restaurant, the wafting aroma of meat will serve as a form of advertising, attracting more diners."
"This Cross-legged Beef must be delicious, and the broth is so fresh..."
The students chattered in a flurry, interrupted by a foodie.
Zhou Yan stood by, watching the excitement; it felt quite interesting to be analyzed as a case study.
Zhao Tieying was a bit bewildered. It was her first time being scrutinized by a group of university students, and she didn't even know where to put her hands.
"Use the eye-catching stove as a sign, trace the origin and packaging of the Cross-legged Beef, and use fragrance to amplify its influence and thus achieve widespread publicity." Su Jun listened to the students' discussion before concluding, "This is actually a very representative example of brand building."
Su Jun looked at Zhou Yan and smiled, "Comrade Zhou Yan, is this your idea?"
The teachers, students, and Lin Zhiqiang all looked at Zhou Yan.