Chapter 808: 798. Prelude to Changleju’s Opening
The last few days of September were blessed with good weather.
After continuous rainy days, there were several sunny days, shining splendid autumn sunlight on vast stretches of land. The moist air and suitable temperature, coupled with adequate sunlight and nutrients, made various greens and radishes in the field grow rapidly as if they were on steroids!
Professor Song had prepared the wheat seeds early.
The soil in the fields had already been thoroughly soaked by the rain, becoming especially waterlogged.
He patiently waited for two more days, allowing the sun to further dry the soil and evaporate some of the water before methodically arranging for the sowing of winter wheat.
Then he checked the rice, which was showing slight signs of yellowing, and only after that did he happily take a couple of rounds around the village, feeling that this summer’s tasks were approaching perfection.
He then went for a stroll by the Riverside Beach. Finding that the previously planted pasture had grown lush and over 1m tall, he couldn’t help but feel joyful again.
Today the cattle could be delivered. After adapting for a couple of days, just let them roam in this pasture… oh wow!
Thinking of the cattle inevitably reminded him of the sheep that hadn’t settled yet.
Thinking of the sheep inevitably brought to mind the pigs on the back hill.
Not to mention how agile and strong those little wild pigs were, and their meat was so tough, but even the wild pig mother that came later had gradually become more docile.
Now, when people approached, she didn’t try to escape anymore; instead, she started humming along with the piglets as if she was a begging king.
And the most eagerly anticipated were the white pigs that now weighed over two hundred pounds!
Their fat and sturdy pig thighs were robust, and their soft bellies trembled as they walked. The large ears were particularly convenient for stewing, and even the pig heads…
In any case, they were washed clean every day, their skins pink and tender, hard not to love.
If it were winter, with heavy snow falling, flames blazing, a pot full of hot water, noisy bustling… just pull a pig leg like that, a white knife enters!
Then toss some fatty layers into the pot to fry… slurp!
While no one was around, Professor Song secretly swallowed his saliva.
Anyway, he definitely wouldn’t leave until the New Year!
It was not about the food, but his fundamental professional integrity as an agricultural expert, staying grounded in the field from start to finish!
But unlike their anticipation, at the Changleju in distant Shan City, the staff’s emotions were increasingly anxious.
Ultimately, it was because their overly young boss was becoming more unreliable!
Everything used to be normal.
Everyone had their roles, and though business was gradually becoming mundane, the work was well-practiced.
Moreover, with the opening date set during the Eleven holiday, seeing the old-style restaurant now renovated to be both simple and elegant, suitable for photos and ensuring privacy, and the venue had even been expanded…
Which employee wasn’t looking forward to it!
They had watched Boss Chang spend money like water, breaking the pot to sink the boat, and these salaried home-staying old employees inevitably felt competitive, determined to work hard at the opening to regain their pride!
Not to mention, they definitely had to suppress the momentum of the Youranju Ecological Vegetable Garden across the street!
However, while they were vigorously discussing in groups over and over again, the boss dropped the ball as the opening approached.
First, some soft furnishings in the upstairs tea house–like cushions, cup coasters, curtains–were still not ready. No matter how much they urged the boss, he was always calm, saying, “No rush, no rush.”
Occasionally, he would still mysteriously add: “Even if the curtains really can’t be delivered on time, I’m not afraid of anything. This time, we will rely on our actual strength!”
Oh my! A bare tea room lacking these soft decorations would drop our rating by five levels, where is the strength to rely on?
Could it be that they are planning to introduce high-quality Da Hong Pao tea internally?
Well, that’s all right since they are a restaurant after all. Whether it’s the banquet hall, the lobby, or the private rooms, the main thing is still “food is the most important thing for people”!
As long as the food tastes good, it wouldn’t matter if the tea room level doesn’t open for business temporarily.
But unexpectedly, as the opening was nearing, suddenly some previously familiar suppliers started probing through old employees.
Dragging here and there, treating with red envelopes, the central idea was only one: “What’s happening? The opening is soon, aren’t the dishes ordered by your boss too few?”
Such a big restaurant! Where are their big customers, the support of their livelihood? Why does each of them just order a small amount of dishes and meat now? Is it not needed anymore?
The old employees panicked: this is incredible!
The quantity of dishes is not just small, it’s clearly a third less than the usual amount! Is this because they fear no one will come at the opening? Does the boss have no confidence?
They hadn’t heard anything about this!
They were all baffled, but suppliers were frowning and probing: “Do you have a new supplier? From where? I haven’t heard about any new suppliers in the market?”
The old employees all said they hadn’t heard of any, but Boss Chang was full of pride:
“Yes, yes, there is a new source of goods. But rest assured, the supply from there is also not large. It’s just that the opening days are important, we need to launch some gourmet dishes to make a name… After this period, we still rely on everyone’s support.”
Saying this, he distributed another round of cigarettes.
He wasn’t lying–Song Tan’s Home has only two hundred acres suitable for planting vegetables, and they are taking advantage of the good weather now to plant some short-cycle crops.
When winter comes, the quantity of vegetables won’t be much, and Boss Chang will still maintain the original dishes, naturally, he couldn’t avoid dealing with suppliers.
Wow! Now the suppliers were secretly depressed: What gourmet dishes? Haven’t they been provided with gourmet dishes for so many years?
But on second thought, Changleju, this kind of traditional restaurant, gets many ingredients by themselves from rural areas. Their dishes are very exquisite, but compared to those authentic fresh ingredients, there is still a gap.
Perhaps this new source might have gathered something authentic and rare.
Everyone thought it over and had to let it go.
Only the warehouse side was panicking:
This isn’t just less in quantity; it’s way too less! Gourmet dishes mean high prices, how many people will come to eat on the opening day? Why is the preparation of the dishes all upside down?
If not reserved now, the ingredients delivered on the same day wouldn’t be fresh anymore!
The employees were anxious for their own reasons,
Boss Chang, holding his tea cup like a secret weapon, had never been so confident before!
The curtains upstairs and such were already all made and photographed early to be sent to him, arriving was just a matter of time.
And, even if hypothetically there’s a hiccup and they can’t be delivered, it wouldn’t matter too much if his tea house opens a day or two later, or if he steeps that fifty thousand per kilo tea–
Who would still be picky about soft decorations then?!
As for the green vegetables…
Boss Song said everything was ready; two trucks designated for transporting fresh goods were already in place in the urban area, and tonight at eleven o’clock, their first harvest would begin!