Zhao Tieying paused for a moment upon hearing Zhou Yan's words, then her eyes lit up: "Great! We'll move into your restaurant!"
The restaurant had two floors; the first floor was the restaurant, and most of the second floor was empty.
Zhou Yan only occupied a small area near the stairwell, setting up a small room for sleeping. The rest of the space was empty; with a little tidying up, they could live there.
Firstly, they wouldn't have to pay extra rent, and secondly, it would avoid the hassle of moving back to the old house.
They can't save up the money for house repairs anytime soon, but if they dig out the bed boards tomorrow and air them out, they can make two bedding sets and have a place to sleep.
Zhou Yan was indeed reliable now; he had immediately resolved her concerns.
She strongly agreed with the old lady's principles of managing the household: distant relatives and close enemies.
Zhao Tieying, who had been in charge of the household for over twenty years, was always a person of her own mind. After drinking the ginger soup and staying in the warm room for a while, her flustered heart gradually calmed down. Before the old lady could speak, she said, "Mom, it's settled then. Zhou Miao and I both want to go live at Zhou Yan's shop. It will be more convenient for the whole family to live together, so that Momo won't have to be carried around in a basket everyday, and not get a good night's sleep."
"Yes." Zhou Miao nodded quickly, indicating his support for Comrade Zhao Tieying's authority.
Seeing Zhao Tieying's resolute attitude, the old lady nodded and said, "Okay, we'll do as you see fit."
She knew exactly what Zhao Tieying was thinking; she didn't want to burden her brother in law who was getting married.
The housing issue was settled, a preliminary resolution.
The eldest uncle stood up, took out two ten-yuan bills from his pocket, and handed them to Zhao Tieying, saying, "Sister in law, this is a small token of our appreciation. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to us."
The Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Youngest Uncle also stood up, each handing Zhao Tieying twenty yuan.
Next, Zhou Fei led the way, with Zhou Hai, Zhou Jie, and the other brothers each handing Zhao Tieying ten yuan.
This was a tradition in the Old Zhou family: when one is in trouble, all lend a hand, uniting to overcome difficulties.
Zhao Tieying clutched a handful of ten-yuan notes, her eyes reddening. She sniffed and said with a smile, "I won't argue with everyone about this money. I'm really having some difficulties right now and need the money to settle down. I'll definitely pay you all back by the end of the year at the latest."
"We're family, you don't need to pay us back. This is just a small token of our appreciation." the eldest uncle said with a smile.
The others echoed this sentiment.
"No way, this money is borrowed by me, and I won't write an IOU. Anyway, I will definitely pay everyone back before the end of the year." Zhao Tieying said seriously, "You know, I always keep my word."
Everyone laughed at this and said no more.
Zhou Yan watched this scene, feeling a warmth in his heart. This is what family is all about.
The roosters outside began to crow.
The old lady glanced at a watch and said, "Those who need to slaughter cattle, go slaughter cattle; those who need to set up stalls, go set up stalls; those who need to go back to sleep, go back to sleep. That's settled then. Everyone, don't worry about it. Do your own thing, meeting adjourned!"
"Okay!" Everyone stood up, leaving with a warm feeling in their hearts.
Chen Yueyue clung tightly to Zhou Hao's arm, they two sharing an umbrella, and said with a smile, "Your family atmosphere is so wonderful! I feel like I've married into a fantastic family! I feel enveloped in love and happiness."
"Is our family's language teacher planning to write a short essay?" Zhou Hao asked with a smile.
"Aiya!" Chen Yueyue lightly punched his chest, but then couldn't help thinking, whispering, "Grandma and Fourth Aunt both seem very capable and opinionated."
Zhou Hao nodded, "That's right. My grandma is respected by everyone in Zhou Village. Even county leaders treat her with great respect when they visit. Fourth Aunt is no ordinary woman either; she's nicknamed the Iron Lady. In her youth, she was the deputy captain of the militia brigade, and she even won the target shooting champion award in militia competitions. It's said that most men can't beat her in close combat."
"No wonder Fourth Uncle is so afraid of her!" Chen Yueyue's eyes widened, realizing she had discovered something she hadn't noticed.
"You don't understand. Fourth Uncle's reaction isn't fear, it's respect. Respect for one's wife is a family tradition in the Old Zhou family." Zhou Hao said with a smile. "Don't underestimate my Fourth Uncle. He looks thin, but my father says that out of the five brothers, only my youngest uncle is stronger than him. His butchering skills are the best in Zhou Village; his knife skills are amazing."
Chen Yueyue seemed thoughtful, then looked at Zhou Hao with a smile: "So, are you afraid of me, or do you respect me?"
"I could hold down five of you with one hand. Tell me, am I afraid or respectful?"
"I don't believe! Then try holding me down with one finger!"
"Slow down! There are puddles everywhere. Take the umbrella, I'll carry you back."
"Okay!"
"I love you, husband."
...
Zhou Yan and his family weren't in a hurry to leave. Aunt Zhao was arranging the day's plans.
Zhao Tieying looked at Zhou Miao and said, "Old Zhou, pick up your tools and go help slaughter the cow as planned. It's all arranged. The owner has definitely already found helpers and a market. Don't make things difficult for them."
"But today..."
"No buts. Go and earn back the three yuan today. I can buy two new towels, two new toothbrushes, and a wooden basin for washing face. I won't have to worry about washing up tonight. After you slaughter the cow, come back and dig for things. Safety first. Dig as much as you can in a day." Aunt Zhao interrupted him.
"Okay." Zhou Miao slung his backpack over his shoulder, patted Zhou Yan on the shoulder, and went out.
The old lady sat nearby, eating sunflower seeds, watching this scene and nodding slightly. Tieying's management of the household still had some of her style.
"Mom…" Zhou Yan stood up.
"Come on, get the basket, pack Momo up, we should go buy groceries and meat to prepare for opening." Zhao Tieying got up, went out to get the basket, came back in, went into the room, carefully put the sleeping Zhou Momo into the basket, then tore off a piece of oilcloth, bent it up, covered her with it, said goodbye to the old lady, and hurried out.
"Grandma, Uncle, we'll be going now." Zhou Yan said to the old lady and quickly followed.
"Mom, are you going to…"
"Are we going to mourn for that pile of rags buried in the ground for another day? The house collapsed, so we have to earn money to rebuild it. Until then, we need to work hard to earn and save money; we can't waste a single moment." Zhao Tieying stopped and looked at him, saying:
"If I take a day off, my salary will be one yuan less, and my commission will be six yuan less. I'll lose more than your dad!"
"If you take a day off, how much money will you lose? How many customers will be disappointed and miss out on a meal? Will customers who came based on recommendations come back next time?"
"You have to be clear-headed. If you can't even hold onto money, what can you hold onto?"
Zhou Yan looked at Aunt Zhao in shock, then nodded, "You're right!"
Aunt Zhao had the math perfectly clear.
If Zhou Erwa Restaurant closed for a day, they'd lose two hundred yuan, enough to buy them beds and blankets, a few sets of clothes, and enough daily necessities.
That's right, two hundred yuan was that useful in those days.
As long as you didn't buy big items or appliances, you could buy a bunch of vegetables for five cents.
The plans disrupted by the house collapse were forcibly put back on track by Aunt Zhao.
The sky was just beginning to lighten. The rain had stopped, but the dirt road was still slippery. Zhou Yan rode carefully, after all, Zhou Momo was still fast asleep in the basket on back.
As they passed Zhou Fei's house, Aunt Zhao yelled, reminding Zhao Hong to go to work.
"Open as usual today?" Zhao Hong ran out, somewhat surprised.
After all, such a major incident as a collapsed house needs time to settle.
"Open! Open the door the way we normally would. Leave the house to your Fourth Uncle. Dig up whatever he can." Zhao Tieying said with a smile.
"Okay, I'll pack up and head out." Zhao Hong nodded.
Passing by her own house, Zhao Tieying couldn't help but glance at it a few more times.
The house she lived in just yesterday was now a ruin; it would be a lie to say she wasn't heartbroken.
"It's alright. When I make money later, I'll build you a house, brick and concrete, two and a half stories high, even sturdier than the buildings in the textile factory." Zhou Yan comforted her with a smile.
"Okay." Zhao Tieying nodded with a smile, her face filled with anticipation.
Zhou Yan bought some meat and returned to the restaurant safely.
Today he bought six pig heads and four chickens, ready to make a big splash.
He also bought half a jin of pork liver, four pork kidneys, and some side dishes for Spicy Stir-fried Pork Liver and pork kidneys.
Today, he significantly increased the quantity of braised pig's head and cold chicken dish. He decided to postpone the Spicy Stir-Fried Pork Liver for a day or two, cooking a portion for his own family to try at noon today.
"You can also stir-fry pork liver and kidneys?" Zhao Tieying asked Zhou Yan with some surprise as she brought the ingredients into the kitchen.
"These are my master's signature dishes, the 'Three Stir-Fried Brothers.' As his prized apprentice, of course I can cook them." Zhou Yan replied without batting an eye.
Zhao Tieying then noticed the "Spicy Stir-fried Pork Liver" sign hanging on the wall and hesitated, "Eighty cents a serving? Pork liver is only thirty cents a jin, isn't that a bit expensive? Other places usually sell it for around fifty cents."
"The usual chef sells it for fifty cents, but mine tastes better, so I sell it for eighty cents. That thirty cents is for the taste." Zhou Yan said with a smile. "If the price is too low, everyone will order the Spicy Stir-fried Pork Liver, and the other dishes won't sell. How will we make money to repair the house? When we start offering vegetarian dishes later, I will provide some at a lower price so that people who want to eat meat won't be affected."
"You're the boss, you decide." Zhao Tieying turned to prepare the beef intestines and offal. They'd been delayed today; the river had risen considerably due to the rain, and the water was murky and unsuitable for washing the offal. They had to bring it back to wash with well water.
"Uncle, please accept my condolences. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope your house can be repaired as soon as possible." Zhou Lihui took out twenty cents, handed them to Zhou Yan, and emphasized, "This is my own saved pocket money."
He hadn't heard a sound last night, and was shocked to discover his Fourth Uncle's house had collapsed this morning on his way to the restaurant with his mother.
"I appreciate your kindness, but keep these twenty cents for yourself to buy the snacks. Adults don't need a child's twenty cents to repair a house." Zhou Yan said with a smile, stuffing the money back into his pocket.
Zhou Yan already felt quite grateful for his thoughtfulness.
With the addition of braised meat, mornings became exceptionally busy.
After finishing the noodles, he immediately started braising meat and cooking chicken.
He bought five pig's trotters, one for each person in the shop.
Having survived such a disaster, a good meal wasn't excessive.
Comrade Old Zhou hadn't returned before opening this morning, so Aunt Zhao decided to postpone lunch until after opening to see if he wanted to come back for a meal.
Zhou Yan had no objections; he was never hungry while cooking in the kitchen anyway. But Zhou Momo was hungry. Lately, she'd gotten used to eating breakfast and lunch, and as soon as the factory let out, she would start complaining that she was hungry.
"Zhou Yan, get her that pig's trotter." Aunt Zhao called out.
"Okay!" Zhou Yan replied, already having scooped out a pig's trotter.
Aunt Zhao placed a small stool for her in front of the braised food stall by the door, tied a small apron around her neck, and helped her sit down. She wiped her hands clean and then placed the warm pig's trotter directly into her hands.
"A huge one!" Zhou Momo held the large pig's trotter, her eyes shining. She looked at Aunt Zhao in shock, then back at Zhou Yan, still unable to believe it: "Guo Guo, it's all mine?"
"Yes, it's all yours." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile, "If you can't finish it..."
"Mmm~" Zhou Momo had already taken a bite; there was no question of not being able to finish it!
The textile factory workers, leaving get off work, saw a cute little girl gnawing on a large braised pig's trotter as soon as they stepped out of the gate.
The trembling skin came off easily with a gentle bite, and the soft, chewy meat broke with a light chew.
Her hands and face were shiny with oil, and she was munching away with such relish.
"Gulp~"