The little tavern had only one private room, and it happened to be free that day. The five of them sat around a table.
It was close to the hotel, only a few minutes on foot. Luo Bisheng was still on duty and could run back at any time if something came up.
The dishes came out one after another. Luo Qiqiang picked up a piece of lychee pork, chewed twice, and his eyes lit up. "Mm, this is really good."
He tried a blanched shrimp too and nodded. "These shrimp are really fresh."
Wang Xiaoliang looked at him, and Fang Dongxu suddenly popped into his mind.
Fang Dongxu had looked down on this place.
But Luo Qiqiang was genuinely wealthy. He didn't mind the modest surroundings; he paid attention to the food.
Luo Qiqiang set down his chopsticks and glanced around the private room, which was less than twenty square meters. The wall coating was a little blistered, and a layer of greasy soot had collected on the lampshade. Instead of frowning, he smiled. "If a place like this stays in business, nine times out of ten the owner's doing the cooking out back, or someone in the family is. If you want authentic food, little places like this are still your best bet. Big restaurants? They all taste more or less the same."
Luo Qiqiang's Wife poured everyone a drink except Luo Bisheng. Luo Qiqiang raised his glass and first toasted Wang Xiaoliang and Xie Hui.
Three glasses later, the conversation shifted.
"So, have you done the numbers since opening?"
Wang Xiaoliang didn't answer, tipping his chin toward Luo Bisheng instead.
Luo Bisheng gripped his chopsticks, his Adam's apple bobbing. When his father questioned him, it was like a boss questioning an employee. There was an inherent pressure