Although he had been prepared, Qi Taiguo was slightly stunned watching Cheng Su throw herself entirely into her tasks upon arriving at the restaurant.
She was actually handling everything by herself.
With his eyes wide in shock, Qi Taiguo watched as Cheng Su, seemingly wound-up like a clock, didn’t stop moving for a second.
Before coming to the army, her father had said she would look for a job, and she had said the same, but in his mind, he thought it would be like other women; either working on the assembly line in a factory or doing odd jobs for private bosses.
Yet he hadn’t expected that the job she mentioned would actually be running her own business?
Watching Cheng Su wash and clean efficiently, throwing several large pork bones into the soup barrel to stew, and then washing cucumbers, her hand holding the knife moved like machinery, cutting at a fast pace.
Qi Taiguo felt as if his eyes were blurring.
If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have known that Cheng Su could be so nimble and serious.
"Do you want to head back first? I’ll marinate this basin of cucumber salad and then head to the market to purchase supplies. You should go back," said Cheng Su, sneaking a glance at Qi Taiguo, who was standing still like a pillar, and spoke out.
It was time for Qi Taiguo to leave, but upon hearing this, he was pushed by some inexplicable force and said, "I just got back yesterday, and today I can take a day off."
Cheng Su made a sound of acknowledgment, looked up at him, and asked, "Do you want to help then?"
Qi Taiguo raised an eyebrow and didn’t say no. He asked, "What can I do?"
"You’re strong, help me smash these cucumbers flat," Cheng Su saw his agreement and unceremoniously commanded.
Today’s lunch menu included cucumber salad. The weather was hot now so eating these cold dishes was refreshing, and cucumbers were cheap, so they were often on the menu.
Following Cheng Su’s instructions, Qi Taiguo flattened the cucumbers. Looking at her bowed head, he pursed his lips and asked, "Weren’t you looking for a job? Why did you start a business?"
He never knew she was into business. Could she make money, or would she face loss?
"Working for others is just going back and forth between two points, not very interesting. With the current reform and opening up, the economy is growing, and the opportunities are too good. Going into business seems like a better choice," responded Cheng Su without turning her head.
Upon hearing this, Qi Taiguo watched her intently.
He had already looked around the restaurant; the place wasn’t big but the environment was decent enough. There, under the trees in the courtyard, tables were set up.
And inside, on the wall, hung a big menu with clear prices.
"Originally, I planned to do breakfast as well, but look, just to do lunch, I have to come over so early. If it were breakfast, I’d need to open the doors at four in the morning," Cheng Su said.
Her ideas were ambitious, but reality was harsh; she had underestimated her own capabilities. Just handling the lunch rush was hard enough, not to mention breakfast.
Therefore, with a shortage of manpower, she could only do lunch for now and decide on the rest later.
Qi Taiguo watched as she put on gloves, adding salt to the big basin of cucumbers, kneading and squeezing continuously until some juice came out, pouring it away, and then adding seasoning—vinegar, sugar, chili oil...
Before long, the cucumber salad was set aside, and Cheng Su removed her apron, saying, "I’m off to the market now."
"Didn’t you say Platoon Leader Lu’s aunt was coming to help? Why haven’t I seen her yet?" Qi Taiguo asked.
"She starts at eight," Cheng Su replied, tidying her apron, grabbing her usual canvas bag, pulling the small cart for carrying vegetables, and preparing to leave. "How did you have the money to start this business? This restaurant, it’s someone else’s property, right?" Suddenly Qi Taiguo realized a problem.
Cheng Su was known for being carefree with money. He was well aware that she didn’t have any savings; starting a business required capital. Where did the money come from?