Reception

The two of them didn't open the front door. They went in through the back.

The restaurant wasn't open for business, so the front door usually stayed shut.

In the kitchen, there were two high-flame burners for stir-frying, a large steamer for steamed dishes, and a long row of electric stew pots for making soup.

They called it Sichuan cuisine, but it had its own distinctive style.

"Auntie said she'd come by at noon, so I had them save a private room. Second Brother's almost done with this round of chemotherapy. If he's feeling well enough tomorrow or the day after, he can be discharged for a few days. It's not good for him to stay in the hospital every day." Wang Jun spoke in an orderly fashion as he sorted the ingredients.

"You've worked hard these past few days, Brother Jun."

Wang Jun shook his head. "We're family, remember? Don't put too much pressure on yourself, either. I've got things covered at the hospital. Second Brother will be happy to see you leaving your room and getting out into the world. He's brought it up to me several times."

At that, Wang Jun smiled mysteriously, then leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Second Brother told me you went on a dating show. How'd it go?"

Tang Zhi Chu waved a hand, then put on an apron, ready to help.

"It was like walking into a den of wolves. There were heirs to family businesses, business owners, even a guy who runs a gym. They're hard to deal with." Tang Zhi Chu smiled.

Wang Jun stopped what he was doing and took a deep breath. Put that way, it really did sound like a headache.

"I was worried you'd get taken advantage of, but from the sound of it, we'd be better off if they were the ones trying to con you. No matter what, we wouldn't lose out."

Tang Zhi Chu glanced at Wang Jun. "When you put it that way, I guess so."

"Then go for it. Don't chicken out. So what if she's a boss? She's still a woman, isn't she? If those people are willing to go on a dating show, that's your chance."

"I'll give it a try."

Wang Jun rolled up his sleeves and took the ribs from Tang Zhi Chu. "I'll handle these. Fill a pot with water for me, and I'll chop up the ribs and blanch them."

"Sure."

Half an hour later, someone arrived for work.

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

The young man stared at Tang Zhi Chu for a moment, then greeted him as Boss and got to work.

Tang Zhi Chu couldn't quite remember his name. He only remembered Wang Jun calling him Little Fatty. He wasn't all that fat, either—about five foot six and 150 pounds.

When Wang Jun was looking after Tang the Second at the hospital, Little Fatty had been the head chef here.

Tang Zhi Chu took two cartons of cigarettes from his bag. They were both expensive brands. He handed one to Little Fatty and set the other beside Wang Jun.

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

Wang Jun was a little surprised. In his eyes, the Little Chu Brother he knew wasn't really the type to do things like this.

Still, Wang Jun was happy about it. He figured Tang Zhi Chu had grown more mature after getting out and socializing.

It made Wang Jun reflect on how good and bad fortune went hand in hand. Second Brother's illness was a bad thing, but Little Chu Brother was starting to mature.

Wang Jun used the cleaver he'd been chopping ribs with to push the carton in front of him over to Little Fatty, too. "What are you waiting for? Thank Little Chu Brother."

A smile spread across Little Fatty's face. "Thanks, Boss—no, thanks, Little Chu Brother."

Tang Zhi Chu smiled. "You've worked hard these past few days."

Little Fatty thumped his chest. "Brother Jun's got everything running smoothly. Don't worry, Little Chu Brother. I've got the kitchen covered. I'm not as good as Brother Jun, but I won't let the team down."

Then Little Fatty picked up the cigarettes and said to Wang Jun, "Brother Jun, I'll put yours in your bag for you."

Wang Jun smiled. "I'm just passing along a gift. You can have them all."

Little Fatty grinned. "Really? I can actually take them?"

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

"Then I won't stand on ceremony! Heh heh!"

Tang Zhi Chu pointed to the bag on the shelf. "There are some for everyone. If I'm not around later, Brother Jun, could you hand them out for me?"

"Sure."

Wang Jun didn't refuse. He knew Tang Zhi Chu could afford it, and he knew this sort of gesture was only natural.

There was no telling how Second Brother's illness would turn out, and sooner or later, the restaurant would belong to Tang Zhi Chu.

A little after eleven, a black private car pulled into the small parking lot beside Old Tang Sichuan Cuisine.

A middle-aged couple got out, along with a tall, skinny young man.

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

Tang Xiuju shot Tao Bo a look. "What do you think?"

The young man fell silent.

Tao Jianshe chimed in. "Tao Bo, we're here today for two reasons. First, to see your Second Uncle. Second, to talk to him about letting you learn the ropes at his restaurant. We're also thinking you could try opening a place of your own."

Tao Bo said, "Huh? I don't want—"

Before he could finish, Tang Xiuju shot him another look. Tao Bo closed his mouth.

Tang Zhi Chu didn't have many memories of his eldest aunt's family. The original owner remembered most clearly the things he liked, such as singing.

But overall, the Tang family's relatives were decent people.

When Tang the Second opened this restaurant, he'd swallowed his pride and borrowed money from them. They'd all lent him some, though some gave more than others.

"Oh my goodness, Zhi Chu has grown into such a handsome young man!" Tang Xiuju greeted Tang Zhi Chu with a beaming smile, laying it on a little thick.

Tang Zhi Chu smiled, nodded, and greeted his aunt and uncle.

"It's been ages since I've seen you. Let's go upstairs. The food's ready, so we can chat while we eat."

But Tang Xiuju caught hold of Tang Zhi Chu. "Why go upstairs? We only came to pick you up, then we'll all go to the hospital to see your dad. We're not hungry."

Behind them, Tao Bo curled his lip. In the car, they'd said they wanted to look around his uncle's restaurant and learn a thing or two, then have a meal. Now they didn't even want to eat.

But Tao Bo was used to it. His mother was the one who called the shots at home.

"Auntie, take my advice and eat first. Afterward, we can all go together. If Dad finds out you didn't eat, he'll definitely scold me." Tang Zhi Chu kept smiling, then looked at Tao Jianshe. "Right, Uncle? Tao Bo, come inside. The private room upstairs, number one."

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

Tang Xiuju frowned slightly. "I suppose you're right. Sorry to trouble you."

Tang Zhi Chu took the bag from Tang Xiuju's hand. "What do you mean, trouble? You're my aunt. We're family."

As he spoke, Tang Zhi Chu put a hand on Tang Xiuju's arm and ushered her inside.

Tang Xiuju kept smiling, thinking that Second Brother had told her on the phone that his nephew was introverted and didn't like going out.

How was he introverted at all?

Not only was he outgoing, Tang Xiuju thought he was much better than his father—warm and polite. His father was a real piece of work.

Thinking of that, Tang Xiuju suddenly turned and glared at Tao Bo. "Why are you just standing there? Get inside! Why don't you learn from your older cousin? Whenever you go out, you're like a little girl, with no energy at all. By the way, did you greet them?"

Tao Bo froze, biting his lip. She was picking on him again!

Tang Zhi Chu tugged Tao Bo along and smiled. "Auntie, you're making Tao Bo and me sound like we're generations apart. We're cousins, and we get along just fine. Come on, let's go upstairs and eat."

Tang Xiuju went upstairs after all, still wondering to herself: Really? Had this kid actually learned to keep in touch with his relatives?