"Why bother booking somewhere? I know a place nearby. Let me take you there." Academician Zhuang sounded warm but firm, and Han Luyi couldn't talk him out of it.
None of them even bothered driving. Academician Zhuang led Han Luyi and Zhao Wenyuan about two hundred meters down the street, then stopped at a little roadside restaurant.
It was a perfectly ordinary little restaurant called Chongqing Snacks. Looking through the doorway curtain, they could see that the room wasn't even rectangular. Rows of small square tables seated four apiece. Business was brisk, and the place was already packed, mostly with people who worked nearby.
Orders were placed at the entrance, where a plastic board listed various rice dishes with toppings.
Academician Zhuang asked cheerfully, "Do you eat spicy food, Boss Han? The green chili potato is their specialty. You should try it."
Without waiting for Han Luyi's answer, he ordered himself green chili potato over rice.
Han Luyi took another look at the menu. Almost everything really was spicy. After choosing carefully, he settled on fish-fragrant shredded pork over rice.
Zhao Wenyuan wasn't used to spicy food either, so he ordered tomato and egg over rice.
It was the lunch rush. After ordering, they walked inside and found almost no empty seats.
A young man sitting alone was nearly finished eating. Seeing Academician Zhuang's advanced age, he called out, "Sir, sit here." He quickly shoveled down another couple of mouthfuls, then stood up with his plate.
Academician Zhuang thanked him with a smile, then went over and sat down without standing on ceremony.
"Once you get old, people give you all sorts of special treatment." Academician Zhuang pulled a few tissues from the dispenser on the table, preparing to wipe it down as he spoke.
"Let me, let me." Han