Chapter 51

Chapter 7: I Want to Invest in a Stock

As the person with the highest position in the Qinxi Pressing Equipment Factory among those present, Zhao Jianguo was now a department-level official responsible for logistics procurement. He had tasted all the restaurants in Pingchuan County, and his words carried considerable authority.

"Uncle Zhao, are you serious?" Fang Bin's face lit up with surprise.

"Of course I'm serious. At my age, would I speak irresponsibly about such matters?" Zhao Jianguo said with a hint of displeasure. "Well, everyone, try this fish head. It has multiple layers of flavor. The gills have no earthy smell, they are soft and slightly chewy; the meat at the neck is more tender and smooth; the lips are soft and delicate, with a hint of salt and spiciness. No one in Pingchuan County can match this fish dish!" Fang Mingyuan smiled inwardly. If this fish head with pancakes had no outstanding qualities, how could it have become popular in the entire capital in the future?

"Grandpa Zhao, my uncle is so happy to receive such high praise from an authoritative figure like you that he can't help but speak without thinking. With Grandpa Zhao's words, the sales of this fish head with pancakes in the town are guaranteed!" Fang Mingyuan's words immediately brought a smile to Zhao Jianguo's face.

"Still, Mingyuan knows how to speak. Your words are comforting. Fang Bin, since you are in the restaurant business, you need to be careful in dealing with people and situations. We have an old saying in China—trouble comes from the mouth. In Hai Zhuang Town, everyone is from the same factory, and with your father, brother, and Mingyuan's connections in the factory, no one will be too harsh on you. But if you expand your business to other places, you must be more cautious. Think carefully before you speak to avoid unnecessary trouble." Zhao Jianguo spoke with deep concern.

"Fang Bin, these are the social experiences Uncle Zhao has accumulated over the years. Listen carefully and think deeply. It will definitely benefit you in the future!" Grandpa Fang also said seriously.

While these two were lecturing Fang Bin, the others were drooling over the fish head with pancakes due to Zhao Jianguo's words. They quickly devoured the two fish, each with a broad smile and endless praise. As a result, the other dishes on the table remained intact, but the fish was the first to be finished. Fortunately, Fang Mingyuan was well-prepared. He waved his hand, and the waiters brought two more plates.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, don't just focus on the fish. Try the pancakes, they are also delicious when soaked in the broth!" Seeing everyone's rapid chopstick movements, Fang Mingyuan had to remind them.

Only then did Zhao Jianguo and the others realize that there were still many pancakes on the side of the plates. They all tried soaking the pancakes in the broth. The thin pancakes, layer by layer, had a particularly crispy outer skin. After dipping them in the broth, they absorbed the flavor, making them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich and fresh fish broth flavor, leaving a lasting aftertaste.

"It seems I spoke too soon!" Zhao Jianguo sipped his lips, savoring the flavor. "It seems Pingchuan County can't contain you. This can be the signature dish of your Fang family restaurant!" In 1988, although the living standards in China had improved significantly compared to 1984, they still couldn't match the future in terms of variety, quality, and taste. The fish head with pancakes became popular in the capital in the mid-1990s. This decade of taste difference was enough to win over most people. Moreover, Fang Mingyuan remembered the entire cooking process and key points, and after Master Cheng's careful study, its popularity was a sure thing. Fang Bin was so happy he couldn't close his mouth.

At this moment, Master Cheng also came to the private room to see how his fish head with pancakes performed in its first external sale. The result naturally brought him great glory, as everyone praised him endlessly.

"This is mainly due to Fang..." Master Cheng hesitated. In private, he could call Fang Mingyuan anything, and even in front of the Fang family, it wasn't a big deal. However, at this table, there were clearly many non-Fang family members. Was it appropriate to call him so casually? He was always in the kitchen and was not familiar with the Feng and Zhao families, so he didn't know the relationship between the three families.

"He provided the recipe, and I just followed it, making adjustments to suit the local taste. So the credit can't be attributed to me." Master Cheng deliberately left out Fang Mingyuan's name.

"Even the best plan needs capable people to execute it, right?" Grandpa Fang smiled. "Fang Bin, starting today, increase Master Cheng's salary by twenty percent as a reward. Master Cheng, we will rely on your skills in the future! Train more apprentices, and the fish head with pancakes will be the signature dish of our Fang family restaurant!" Master Cheng's face lit up with joy. The Fang family restaurant in Hai Zhuang Town already paid higher salaries than other restaurants. With a twenty percent increase, his monthly income would be on par with a mid-level official in the Qinxi Pressing Equipment Factory.

After everyone was full and satisfied, they naturally returned to their respective homes. However, Zhao Jianguo stayed behind, and he also kept Fang Mingyuan and Grandpa Fang. Fang Bin naturally had to stay and accompany them. Everyone understood that there was clearly something to discuss.

"Fang brother, we have a good relationship, so I'll be straightforward. I have high hopes for your restaurant," Zhao Jianguo said bluntly. "But I want to ask, do you only plan to develop in Hai Zhuang Town?"

"Of course not, I want to open a restaurant in Pingchuan County! I want to show those people that I, Fang Bin, am back with my head held high!" Fang Bin said without hesitation. Now that he had substantial wealth, he still harbored resentment over his return to Hai Zhuang Town a few years ago. He dreamed of the day when his family had enough funds to open a restaurant in the most prosperous area of Pingchuan County, showing those who once mocked him that he was not a failure without that broken factory.

"So you plan to expand your business?" Zhao Jianguo's eyes lit up as he asked. Fang Mingyuan looked at him strangely. What was this old fox planning?

"We do have that plan, but we don't have enough money right now. Moreover, entering Pingchuan County is not the same as Hai Zhuang Town; we need to take care of many aspects," Grandpa Fang explained. "What do you mean, Brother Jianguo?"

Zhao Jianguo clapped his hands. "Since you have plans to expand, that's great! Can we discuss something? I want the Zhao family to invest in your Fang family restaurant!"