Republic of China, 1928: Starting from a Wonton Shop

Upon hearing the conditions offered by Li Chunsheng, the man who called himself Master Tong visibly stiffened.

Two silver dollars.

In those days, two silver dollars were enough for an ordinary person to eat and stay warm for a month. For Master Tong, who was penniless and couldn't even afford a meal, it was definitely a lifeline.

Li Chunsheng looked at Master Tong but did not urge him.

He could tell that although the man in front of him was down on his luck, since he came from a prominent family of the Plain Yellow Banner, his basic skills such as accounting and literacy should not be lacking.

Master Tong stood there, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

His gaze fell on the bowl he had just finished eating, then looked at Li Chunsheng, and finally at Yunniang behind Li Chunsheng, and the little girl.

To make him, a descendant of the prestigious Tongjia clan, serve as a pen and ink clerk and do accounting for a small restaurant owner?

As long as you nod, not only will this meal be free, but you'll also have an income of two silver dollars every month, so you'll never have to worry about your next meal in this cold winter again.

but.

Tong Ye's fingers were clenched into a fist inside the sleeve of his long robe.

That was his last act of dignity.

The Qing Dynasty has fallen, and the emperor has been driven out of the palace, but the braid in his heart has not been completely cut off.

He was a Manchu, a master. Even if he starved to death, he could not serve others or be a lowly waiter. If he agreed today, would he, Tong, still have any face in front of those old folks in Beijing who were still raising birds in cages?

After a long silence, Master Tong took a deep breath and said, "Manager Li, I appreciate your kindness."

Li Chunsheng was somewhat surprised; he had assumed Master Tong would definitely agree: "What? Master Tong thinks the pay is too low?"

"It's not about money." Master Tong waved his hand. "Although I, Master Tong, am down on my luck, I've still seen the world. Accounting is the job of the accountant; these are my hands."

He stretched out his hands, which, though somewhat rough, were still long and neatly manicured, and waved them in the air: "They're for playing with walnuts, writing and painting, and raising birdcages, not for manipulating abacus beads."

Li Chunsheng looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—pity, helplessness, and something he had expected.

This is the tragedy of our times. Some people live in the past, unable and unwilling to wake up from their dreams. If you give such a person a steamed bun, they will complain that you didn't give them meat; if you give them a job, they will complain that you have insulted them.

"Since Master Tong is unwilling, I won't force him." Li Chunsheng stood up, not bothering to persuade him further. "Everyone has their own ambitions, but about the cost of the meal..."

Tong Ye's face flushed again.

He gritted his teeth and suddenly pushed the pair of shiny walnuts on the table in front of Li Chunsheng.

"These walnuts have been with me for ten years." Old Master Tong glanced at them with some reluctance. "Although they're not some expensive lion's head meatballs, I still put a lot of effort into them. I really can't afford the meal today, so I'll leave these walnuts as collateral!"

At this point, Master Tong raised his head: "Manager Li, this isn't settling a debt, it's a pledge! When I have the money, I'll definitely come to redeem it! You'd better keep it safe for me!"

Li Chunsheng looked at the pair of walnuts, then at Master Tong, who was barely holding on.

He knew that he most likely couldn't redeem the walnuts, but he also knew that if he didn't take them at this moment, he would be completely crushing the last bit of dignity this person had left.

"Alright." Li Chunsheng nodded, picked up the pair of walnuts, weighed them in his hand, and said, "Then I'll keep them for Master Tong. But let's be clear from the start, I'm not running a pawnshop, I'll only keep them for three months. If you haven't redeemed them after three months, I'll dispose of them myself."

"Three months is enough!"

Master Tong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He straightened the collar of his long gown, dusted off non-existent dust from his cuffs, and gave Li Chunsheng a slight bow: "Manager Li, farewell! The braised pork today was truly authentic!"

After saying that, he turned and walked out of Li's Restaurant without looking back.

A cold wind lifted the door curtain and rushed into the room.

Li Chunsheng looked at the somewhat desolate figure from behind and sighed.

"Brother Chunsheng," Yaya came closer, suddenly changing her name from Li Gege to Chunsheng, "Are these walnuts edible? They look like rocks."

"You can't eat these," Li Chunsheng smiled, casually placing the walnuts on the most conspicuous shelf on the counter. "Keep them safe."

Yunniang walked over, glancing worriedly at the doorway. "Chunsheng, this man is really something. He won't even take two silver dollars? I see his long gown is all worn out; he's probably having a really tough time. Should we..."

"Sister-in-law," Li Chunsheng interrupted her, "you chose this path yourself. What we need to worry about right now is our restaurant."

Yunniang was taken aback, then nodded. Yes, she hadn't even sorted out her own affairs yet, so how could she have the time to care about others?

"Let's get to work!" Li Chunsheng clapped his hands. "We'll be busy tonight!"

In the days that followed, Li's Restaurant's business got better and better.

During the three-day grand opening promotion, the gimmick of free drinks did attract countless men who enjoyed fine wines, but after three days, what truly kept customers was Li Chunsheng's unparalleled culinary skills.

Especially the Mao-style braised pork.

In this era of scarcity, this braised pork, made without a single drop of soy sauce, quickly became a best-selling dish in the Qianmenwai area.

Those rickshaw pullers, porters, and even small vendors with a little spare cash would all find their legs moving and rushing to Li's Restaurant as soon as it was mealtime.

"Boss! A braised pork rice bowl, please! Extra sauce, please!"

"Manager Li! Do you have braised pork offal today? And cut me a large intestine, make it really tender!"

"Stir-fry some liver tips! And two ounces of strong liquor, please!"

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, there are almost no empty tables in the store. The turnover rate of the five or six tables is extremely high. Sometimes you have to share a table, and some people even squat at the door with their bowls to eat.

The proficiency and reputation values ​​on the system panel are increasing at a visible rate every day.

[Braised Pork Proficiency: 166/1000]

[Proficiency in Braised Pork and Baked Buns: 277/1000]

Current Reputation Value: 1200 (Slightly Famous)

night.

After seeing off the last group of slightly tipsy customers, Li Chunsheng closed the shop and hung up the "Closed" sign.

The shop was a mess, with bone fragments scattered on the floor and greasy bowls and chopsticks piled on the table.

Yunniang slumped into the chair closest to the counter, rubbing her aching back.

Ya Ya was already exhausted. The little girl lay on another table, still holding a rag in her hand, and fell fast asleep.

When Li Chunsheng came out of the kitchen and saw this scene, he made up his mind! He couldn't continue like this.