Restaurant Veteran

Tang Zhi Chu chatted with them one by one, and as they talked, he even got handsy. One uncle who ran a hot pot restaurant was incredibly muscular, with a butt perkier than a woman's. He was just like Ma Dong Seok, the Korean actor from Tang Zhi Chu's previous life. Tang Zhi Chu even squeezed his arm.

Another uncle had a huge tattoo sleeve. Tang Zhi Chu couldn't tell what it was supposed to be, but the man looked like some big-shot gangster.

Tang Zhi Chu's endless flattery kept everyone laughing until a nurse knocked on the door. Only then did he rein it in a little.

But when the nurse opened the door and saw a room full of burly men, she couldn't get a complete sentence out. Blushing furiously, she ran off.

"Little Tang, not bad! You brought some serious stuff!" someone said, noticing what Tang Zhi Chu was carrying.

Tang Mao De noticed too, and was about to speak.

Tang Zhi Chu promptly set the ginseng in front of him. "You can have this, but not the liquor."

Tang Mao De glared. He'd been happy seeing his son chatting so cheerfully with a bunch of old friends. He'd thought Tang Zhi Chu had finally grown up after appearing on that show.

But he'd bought liquor and still wouldn't let him drink?

"I didn't buy it. Someone gave it to me. Since the uncles are all here, I'll have a drink with them at lunch." Tang Zhi Chu spoke first, not giving Tang Mao De the chance to say anything.

"Exactly. You can't drink in your condition. Just get better first, and then you can have all the Moutai you want."

"Don't even think about it, Old Tang. Your health comes first."

Tang Zhi Chu stepped back, took out his phone, and dialed a number. "Hey, Brother Jun, save the private room number one for us. Sorry for the trouble, but could you put together a table of your best dishes today? We've got honored guests."

Quite a few people smiled when they heard Tang Zhi Chu's call.

This kid was all right!

After hanging up, Tang Zhi Chu turned to Tang Mao De. "You've finished this round of chemo, right? I'll ask if you can leave the hospital for a couple of days. But you have to promise me one thing: no drinking."

Then Tang Zhi Chu left the hospital room.

The burly men exchanged looks, their eyes full of admiration.

The fact that they'd come—and especially that they'd come together—proved just how solid their friendship was.

Seeing Tang Mao De lying in a hospital bed stirred something in them all.

This group of men had feared nothing, but in the end, none of them could escape the constraints of time and their own bodies.

When old friends met, being able to get together was the best thing of all.

"Old brother, the better part of your life hasn't been easy. But your son's a good one," someone said.

This time, Tang Mao De didn't argue. He simply turned to look out the window.

After Tang Zhi Chu finished the discharge paperwork for Tang Mao De, the group left the hospital.

In the parking lot, Tang Zhi Chu figured it was only natural that his family's restaurant would take off.

Even the least successful uncle here drove a luxury car. How could a bunch of old hands in the food business fail to help a little restaurant?

Tang Zhi Chu was assigned to one of the luxury cars, but the driver was the uncle who owned a hotel.

He was among the slimmer men in the group. As they'd been introduced earlier, his surname was Yuan, and his name was Yuan Bo Shan.

"I'll give you my number. Save it, and call me if you ever need anything."

Tang Zhi Chu nodded and took the business card from Yuan Bo Shan. "Thanks, Uncle Yuan."

"Don't mention it. Actually, I've talked to your dad about you. The person he described wasn't anything like you." Yuan Bo Shan paused before continuing, "You've had a hard time lately."

Tang Zhi Chu shook his head. "It's all right, Uncle Yuan."

Yuan Bo Shan glanced at Tang Zhi Chu, then nodded. "You're a real man. And don't underestimate your dad. Among us, he might look like he's done the worst for himself, but he's the most loyal of all. Your mom doesn't understand these things, but you should: you're the person he cares about most."

Tang Zhi Chu said nothing. Yuan Bo Shan continued, "Don't take this as your uncle putting on airs. At least half the money for that fitness-loving uncle's hot pot restaurant came from your dad. What your dad cares about isn't quite what ordinary people think. I'm telling you all this so you know that if you ever have trouble, you can call any one of us. Unless it's something completely outrageous, every one of us will help."

Tang Zhi Chu looked out the window, feeling something stir inside him. After a moment, he finally said, "Uncle Yuan."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you all for coming to see my dad."

Yuan Bo Shan froze for a moment, then smiled, his eyes misting over.

He felt as though the next generation was already coming into its own.

The old friends faced the setting sun, but their children faced the dawn.

There was regret, but also comfort.

Inside private room number one at Old Tang Sichuan Restaurant,

Tao Bo sat on his chair as nervously as a newlywed bride, only daring to pick at the dishes in front of him.

That was why he was afraid of Tang Mao De. Tang Mao De wasn't just fierce-looking; to Tao Bo, his whole circle was even more intimidating.

It was Tang Xiuju's first time sitting down to eat with her second brother's close friends, and she didn't say much either.

From their scattered remarks, Tang Xiuju began to think their family might have underestimated her second brother.

To some extent, the whole family looked down on Tang Mao De.

They all thought he never did anything worthwhile, that he drank and gambled and acted like some street tough.

Now it seemed that maybe the environment Tang Mao De lived in had held him back.

"Uncle, look at my arm. Tell me, how did you build it up?"

"Uncle, after a while, could you take a look at the kitchen and see if anything needs adjusting? I'll toast you."

"Go ahead and drink. It's easy to get a designated driver around here. If you're not busy, I can arrange one. There's a decent hotel right next door."

Tang Zhi Chu moved easily among the burly men. Wang Jun proved to be an excellent second host, replacing the dishes as soon as they got cold and bringing more liquor as soon as it ran out, all while keeping an eye on Tang Mao De.

In the end, Tang Mao De did drink. He had one glass, then leaned back in his chair with a broad smile.

It was a lunch where both hosts and guests were happy.

After a few rounds of food and drink, Tang Zhi Chu had saved seven or eight phone numbers in his contacts.

After the meal, some called designated drivers while others booked hotel rooms. Wang Jun handled all of it, and he didn't drink a drop.

With Tang Zhi Chu as the host, Wang Jun had to stay sober.

"Zhi Chu, I'll head home first, then come back over?"

Outside the restaurant, Tang Xiuju asked Tang Zhi Chu.

Tang Zhi Chu nodded. "No rush, Auntie. His old friends hardly get together these days. Let them enjoy themselves."

A few of the uncles stayed behind. They'd booked a hotel and wanted to play cards, just like in the old days. Tang Mao De went with them too.

"Don't worry, your aunt knows what she's doing. Even if I go, it's because I'm afraid those grown men won't know how to take care of anyone. You go take care of your business. I'll handle things here, and if you're still worried, Little Jun's here too."

Tang Xiuju smiled, then glanced at Tao Bo beside her. "You stay here and see if there's anything you can do to help your cousin."

Tao Bo gave a hesitant "Uh."

Tang Xiuju felt even more certain that coming to look after her second brother had been the right choice. The good it did for her reputation aside,

her nephew Tang Zhi Chu kept surprising her. Faced with that whole group of burly men, all seasoned veterans, he'd still managed to hold the center of the table.

Tang Xiuju wasn't narrow-minded. She felt the Old Tang family might have a real talent on its hands.

And her own son? He couldn't compare.

But she could at least try to get him settled in alongside Tang Zhi Chu.

Thanks to (Seventh Squad), (First Bite of Happiness), (Book Friend 20180426002614795), and (Book Friend 150720012442601) for the hundred-coin tips!

I'll add more chapters once the book goes on sale! It's coming soon, it's coming soon!