Receiving Guests

The two didn't use the main entrance, but went through the back door.

The restaurant wasn't open, so the main door was usually kept shut.

The back kitchen had two high-heat stoves for stir-frying, a large steamer for steamed dishes, and then a long row of electric stew pots for making soup.

Although it was called Sichuan cuisine, it also had its own unique characteristics.

"Big Sister said she'd come over at noon. I've reserved a private room for them. Brother Er's current round of chemotherapy is almost done. If he's feeling up to it in the next day or two, he might be able to come home for a few days. Staying in the hospital all the time isn't good," Wang Jun said methodically as he organized the ingredients.

"You've worked hard during this time, Brother Jun."

Wang Jun shook his head. "We've already said we're family. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I'll handle things at the hospital. Brother Er will be happier if you can get out of your room and interact with society. He's mentioned it to me several times."

Speaking of which, Wang Jun smiled mysteriously, then leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I heard from Brother Er that you went on a dating show. How did it go?"

Tang Zhi Chu waved his hand and put on an apron to help.

"It was like a lamb entering a wolf pack. Heirs to family businesses, owners of physical industries, and even gym owners. It was tough," Tang Zhi Chu said with a laugh.

Wang Jun stopped what he was doing, took a deep breath, and admitted that it did sound overwhelming.

"Originally, I was worried you'd be afraid of being scammed. If what you're saying is true, then it's good if they try to scam you. We won't lose anything either way."

Tang Zhi Chu glanced at Wang Jun. "If you put it that way, then I suppose so."

"Then you go for it, don't back down. So what if he's a boss? She's a woman too, isn't she? All these people are willing to go on blind dates, so that's your opportunity."

"I'll give it a try."

Wang Jun rolled up his sleeves and took the pork ribs from Tang Zhi Chu. "I'll handle this. You get me a pot of water, and I'll chop up the ribs and blanch them."

"Okay."

Half an hour later, someone arrived to start work.

It was Wang Jun's apprentice, whom he had brought over from the hotel.

The apprentice was stunned when he saw Tang Zhi Chu, then called out "Boss" and started working.

Tang Zhi Chu couldn't quite remember his name, only that Wang Jun called him Little Fatty. He wasn't too fat, about 1.68 meters tall and weighing around 75 kilograms.

When Wang Jun was taking care of Old Tang the Second at the hospital, Little Fatty was the head chef here.

Tang Zhi Chu took out two packs of cigarettes from his bag. They were both good brands. He handed one to Little Fatty and placed the other next to Wang Jun.

Little Fatty looked at Wang Jun, unsure if he should take it.

Wang Jun was a little surprised. In his opinion, his familiar Little Chu Brother wasn't usually the type to engage in such things.

However, Wang Jun was happy and felt that Tang Zhi Chu had matured after socializing.

This made Wang Jun sigh about how fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Old Tang the Second's illness was a bad thing, but Little Chu Brother was starting to mature.

Wang Jun used the cleaver he was using to chop ribs to push the pack of cigarettes in front of him over to Little Fatty. "Aren't you going to thank your Little Chu Brother?"

Little Fatty's face lit up. "Thank you, Boss... no, thank you, Little Chu Brother."

Tang Zhi Chu smiled. "You've worked hard during this time."

Little Fatty patted his chest. "Brother Jun arranged everything well. Don't worry, Little Chu Brother. I've got the kitchen. While my skills aren't as good as Brother Jun's, I definitely won't hold us back."

After speaking, Little Fatty picked up the cigarettes and then said to Wang Jun, "Brother Jun, I've put yours in your bag."

Wang Jun laughed. "Borrowing flowers to offer Buddha. They're all yours."

Little Fatty's eyes lit up. "Really? I'll take them then!"

Wang Jun said, "If you don't take them, I'll give them to the others."

"Then I won't be polite! Hehe!"

Tang Zhi Chu pointed to the bags on the shelf. "There's one for everyone. If I'm not around later, Brother Jun, please give them to them."

"Okay."

Wang Jun didn't stand on ceremony. He knew Tang Zhi Chu's capabilities and that these actions were inevitable.

Old Tang the Second's illness was truly unpredictable, and this restaurant would eventually belong to Tang Zhi Chu.

A little after eleven o'clock, a black private car pulled into the small parking lot next to Old Tang Sichuan Cuisine.

A middle-aged couple got out, followed by a tall and thin young man.

"Mom, why aren't we going straight to the hospital?" the young man asked, confused.

Tang Xiuju glared at Tao Bo. "What do you think?"

The young man fell silent.

Tao Jianshe chimed in. "Xiao Bo, we're here today to see your second uncle, and also to discuss with him about you learning the ropes at his restaurant. We're also thinking about letting you open a shop yourself."

Tao Bo said, "Huh? I don't want to..."

Before he could finish, Tang Xiuju glared at him again, and Tao Bo fell silent.

Tang Zhi Chu didn't have many vivid memories of his Aunt's family. For the original owner of this body, his most memorable things were his passions, like singing.

However, generally speaking, the Tang family relatives were decent people.

Old Tang the Second shamelessly borrowed money again when he opened this shop, and they lent it to him, though the amount varied.

"Heavens, our Zhi Chu has turned into such a handsome young man!" Tang Xiuju exclaimed with a smile, a little exaggerated, upon seeing Tang Zhi Chu.

Tang Zhi Chu smiled and nodded, greeting his uncle-in-law and aunt.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you. Let's go upstairs. The food is ready, and we can chat while we eat."

However, Tang Xiuju grabbed Tang Zhi Chu's arm. "Why go upstairs? We just came to pick you up, and then we'll go to the hospital to see your dad together. We're not hungry."

Behind everyone, Tao Bo pouted. On the car ride, he had said he wanted to visit his uncle's restaurant to learn from him and have a meal, but now he didn't want to eat.

But Tao Bo was used to it; his mother was the one in charge at home.

"Aunt, listen to me, let's eat first. After eating, we'll go together. If my dad finds out you didn't eat, he'll definitely scold me." Tang Zhi Chu maintained a smile and then looked at Tao Jianshe. "Uncle-in-law, you agree, right? Tao Bo, come inside. Room 101 upstairs."

Tao Jianshe smiled and nodded but didn't move. Tao Bo looked directly at his mother.

Tang Xiuju frowned slightly. "That's true. I'm sorry to trouble you."

Tang Zhi Chu casually took the bag from Tang Xiuju's hand. "No trouble at all. You're my aunt, we're family."

Tang Zhi Chu not only spoke but also put his arm around Tang Xiuju's and guided her inside.

Tang Xiuju's smile didn't fade. She thought that when she spoke to her second brother on the phone before, he said her nephew was introverted and didn't like going out.

How was he introverted?

Not only was he not introverted, but Tang Xiuju felt he was much better than his father, who was a scoundrel.

Thinking of this, Tang Xiuju suddenly turned and glared at Tao Bo. "What are you standing around for? Come in! Why don't you learn from your brother? You're like a little girl when you're out, no energy at all. Oh, right, did you greet them?"

Tao Bo was stunned and bit his lip. She's yelling at me again!

Tang Zhi Chu pulled Tao Bo again and chuckled. "Aunt, you're talking about me and Xiao Bo like we're from different generations. We're the same age and very close in private. Come on, let's go upstairs to eat."

Tang Xiuju did go upstairs, but she was puzzled. Really? This kid even knows how to interact with relatives?