Republic of China, 1928: Starting from a Wonton Shop

Li Chunsheng quickly wiped his hands on his apron and hurried out to greet him: "Oh! Isn't this Mr. Zhou? Please come in, please come in! I heard from Brother Shunzi the other day that you live outside Xuanwu Gate, and I was wondering when you could come and support us. I never expected that we would actually have you here today!"

Li Chunsheng had a deep impression of this Mr. Zhou.

It wasn't just because he was a repeat customer brought in by Shunzi, but also because that night, this man gave her a large coin for a bowl of noodles and didn't ask for change. In these days when even a single copper coin is worth its weight in gold, such a decent and generous customer is a rare find.

"Since I know that Boss Li's new store is opening, I naturally have to come and ask for a drink." Zhou Zhengnan took off his glasses, took out a clean white handkerchief from his pocket and wiped it lightly, then casually glanced around the store.

Clean and tidy.

This was Zhou Zhengnan's first impression.

Unlike the greasy and dark atmosphere of typical roadside eateries, Li Ji Restaurant, despite its simple decor—the walls were just painted white and the tables and chairs were old—was very clean.

"Please have a seat here, sir. It's a quiet spot."

Li Chunsheng led Zhou Zhengnan to a small square table by the window in the corner, and casually picked up a rag to wipe the already clean tabletop again. "What would you like to eat today, sir? Our shop has just opened, and in addition to our usual chicken noodle soup, we've added braised pork buns and a few home-style stir-fries."

Zhou Zhengnan settled down, placing his ever-present briefcase on the inside of his side, and said casually, "Since we're here, we should naturally try Boss Li's signature dishes. I'll have a bowl of braised pork buns and a stir-fried liver tip; I've heard that this dish is the most demanding when it comes to cooking time and temperature."

"Sir, you're an expert!" Li Chunsheng gave a thumbs up. "Stir-fried liver tips require quick cooking over high heat to achieve a tender texture without any fishy smell. Just a moment, sir, it'll be ready soon!"

Li Chunsheng pointed to the large wine jar with red paper pasted on it by the door: "And this wine is free for the first three days. Sir, you can drink as much as you like. Shall I fill a jug for you?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you." Zhou Zhengnan nodded with a smile.

Li Chunsheng turned and went to the kitchen without giving it much thought. In his view, Zhou Zhengnan was just a somewhat particular schoolteacher. Although such people were picky, as long as they were served well, they would be the most loyal customers.

Flames rise in front of the stove.

Li Chunsheng blanched the chopped ingredients briefly in boiling water and then removed them. [High-heat stir-fry technique proficiency +1]

Heat oil in a wok, sauté scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, add the ingredients, stir-fry over high heat, add cooking wine, soy sauce, and vinegar, and finally pour in cornstarch slurry. In no more than thirty seconds, a plate of bright red and garlicky stir-fried liver tips is ready to serve.

"Ya Ya! Serve the food!"

"They're here!"

Wearing a red cotton-padded jacket, Ya Ya looked like a festive New Year's doll as she steadily carried the plate to Zhou Zhengnan's table.

Immediately afterwards, Yunniang served a steaming bowl of braised pork buns and a pot of strong liquor.

"Sir, your dishes are ready. Please enjoy." Yunniang bowed slightly and withdrew.

Zhou Zhengnan did not rush to pick up his chopsticks.

He first picked up the glass of strong liquor, brought it to his nose, and gently sniffed it.

Inferior bulk wine is pungent and irritating, far less mellow than Shaoxing rice wine, but it is strong and is what poor people like and can only afford.

He took a sip, and the fiery liquor rolled down his throat and into his stomach, instantly warming him up.

"What strong liquor!" Zhou Zhengnan exclaimed, then picked up a piece of pig liver and put it in his mouth.

The moment your teeth touch the pork liver, its smooth and tender texture explodes in your mouth. There's not a trace of fishy or gamey taste, only a rich aroma of soy sauce and garlic. The cooking time is just right; any more and it'll be overcooked, any less and it'll be raw.

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Zhengnan's eyes.

This skill cannot be learned through ordinary, untrained methods.

As he ate, he observed Yunniang, who was busy calculating accounts behind the counter, and Li Chunsheng, who was eating melon seeds at the door.

"Boss Li," Zhou Zhengnan put down his chopsticks and waved to Li Chunsheng at the door, "If you're not busy, how about we chat? I'm getting a bit bored drinking alone."

Upon hearing this, Li Chunsheng smiled and walked over: "Did you enjoy the food, sir?"

"Absolutely superb craftsmanship." Zhou Zhengnan gestured to the chair opposite him. "Want to sit down and have a drink?"

"That won't do, you're a guest," Li Chunsheng declined.

"Well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. There aren't many people around right now, so Mr. Li, just keep me company and have a chat."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, and also wanting to maintain good relations with this valuable client, Li Chunsheng excused himself and sat down. However, he didn't drink alcohol; he simply poured himself a cup of tea.

"Boss Li," Zhou Zhengnan picked up a piece of baked flatbread soaked in broth and asked casually, "You look young, but your mannerisms and speech don't seem like someone who grew up in this marketplace. Have you been to school?"

"Oh, you flatter me, sir." Li Chunsheng held his teacup. "When I was a child, my family was poor, and I only went to a private school for two years. I know a few characters, so I can hardly be considered a scholar. I'm sorry to have made you laugh at me, sir."

Zhou Zhengnan didn't continue the topic, but instead said, "There's a reason why Boss Li chose this location for his shop."

"Sir, are you talking about the haunting here?"

"Haunted places are just nonsense." Zhou Zhengnan shook his head, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "What I mean is, although this place is remote, it's well-connected. To the east is a bustling city, and to the west are quiet alleys. It's a great location."

Li Chunsheng chuckled, "Sir, you wouldn't believe it. I didn't care about any of that. I just wanted the cheap rent. The landlord, Zhao Xiucai, was terrified by all those ghost stories, so he rented it to me for only two silver dollars! I got a real steal!"

Zhou Zhengnan kept staring into Li Chunsheng's eyes.

Those eyes perfectly captured the look of a shrewd, calculating small businessman.

Or am I just overthinking things?

Was the strange song that Lao Wu and the others heard on the roof beam that day just a coincidence? Or was it just a new tune that the young man heard somewhere?

Zhou Zhengnan was unwilling to give up, so he decided to probe a little deeper.

"Boss Li has guts." Zhou Zhengnan picked up his wine glass and took a sip. "In this world, with war and chaos, we ordinary people are like the stew in this pot—intestines, lungs, tofu, and flatbread, all mixed together, indistinguishable from one another. Boss Li, haven't you ever thought about changing your way of life?"

"A different way of life?" Li Chunsheng looked bewildered. "What do you mean, sir?"

"For example..." Zhou Zhengnan lowered his voice a few decibels, his gaze fixed on Li Chunsheng, "Go to the South? I've heard that young people these days are all talking about some kind of ideology or ideal."

Li Chunsheng's hair stood on end!

This is definitely not just ordinary casual conversation! There's something fishy about this Mr. Zhou!

These days, talking about politics can get you killed.

If Zhou Zhengnan is a member of the Communist Party, then there's no problem! But if Zhou Zhengnan is a Kuomintang agent entrapment, and I just say one thing in line, I could lose my head tomorrow!