Chapter 150: The Culinary Tycoon

Um, Can You?

Tie Ban Shao restaurant was named “Yu’s Tie Ban Shao.”

Regarding the name “Yu,” Master Zhao, Master Hu, and the other five partners had no objections whatsoever.

In Tongshan, “Yu” had already become a well-known and famous name, representing delicious food. Just by looking at Yu’s Delicious Delights and House of Prosperity, one would know that if it’s from Yu’s, it must be exquisite, and there would be no bad taste.

And it was indeed true.

When customers learned that Yu Qingze had opened a new restaurant and was serving unique dishes they had never tried before, they all flocked there to see the excitement and taste the delicacies.

Upon arrival, they saw not only Boss Yu but also the family heads of several famous families in Tongshan City. Upon inquiring, they learned that these families had partnered together to open this restaurant.

Customers understood that this restaurant was extraordinary. With several influential families joining forces, no one would dare to cause trouble in Tongshan City anymore.

After a lively lion dance performance, they unveiled the plaque together. Soon after, Yu’s Tie Ban Shao Restaurant officially opened. As customary, there were three days of promotional activities before the opening, but with a slight modification: a discount of 20% for purchases totaling ten wen or more.

Even from outside, customers could already smell the fragrance emanating from inside— the savory aroma of grilled meat, as well as the flavors of cumin and chili powder.

Oh, it was truly mouthwatering…

According to Boss Yu, customers had the freedom to order whatever they liked, and the prices were quite affordable. Even if you wanted to order just one skewer, it was perfectly fine.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Upon hearing this, even customers who knew that Yu’s shops were usually expensive couldn’t help but be tempted to go inside and take a look. Before long, both floors of the restaurant were filled with customers.

The restaurant was divided into three areas. The large hall on the left side of the first floor was the dining area for the general public. On the right side, there were four small tables separated by screens, creating a slightly more secluded area for VIP guests. Each person sitting in this area had to pay an additional one wen as a seating fee. Additionally, there were private rooms on the second floor available for customers who desired them, with a separate fee for their use.

The employees were all busy.

Yu Qingze had trained the staff here for a month, especially those responsible for preparing the Tie Ban Shao. Each staff member had to undergo Yu Qingze’s taste test. Only after satisfying Yu Qingze’s standards for every dish were they considered qualified to start working.

After all, this place carried the name of Yu’s brand, so their culinary skills had to pass muster.

On one hand, this rigorous training was to ensure that they could start working quickly. On the other hand, it protected the recipes and guaranteed the consistent flavor of the Tie Ban Shao. Yu Qingze had prepared the seasoning ratios in advance and provided them to the employees. As long as they paid attention not to burn the food, the taste would generally be satisfactory.

Plates of grilled meat and seafood were continuously brought out from the kitchen. There were pork belly, pork tenderloin, chicken fillet, chicken wings, chicken thighs, squid, large shrimp, scallops, along with various vegetables suitable for grilling. There were options for both meat and vegetarian lovers, and even main dishes like fried noodles and fried rice, as well as alcoholic beverages…

Initially, not many people ordered seafood due to their preconceived notions. People were afraid of the fishy smell, and most of them had never really tried squid before. The main reason was that Hongyun Shipping hadn’t brought much of it before, as they mostly supplied various fish from the sea, making them relatively unfamiliar with squid.

Only those seafood lovers who had previously eaten at House of Prosperity and knew how delicious it was dared to order.

“Don’t worry, the squid and seafood from House of Prosperity aren’t fishy. They’re just incredibly flavorful. You can eat them with confidence!” one customer reassured others at their table.

And indeed, the grilled squid, large shrimp, and scallops didn’t disappoint. They were incredibly tasty.

When the other customers at the table heard them praising the seafood and saw how enjoyable their dining experience was, they decided to give it a try as well. Surprisingly, they found that the seafood here tasted different from what they had expected. It didn’t have that strong fishy flavor…

With customers recommending and spreading the word to each other, the number of customers ordering seafood gradually increased.

The customers were enjoying their meal with great relish, their faces glowing with satisfaction.

To prevent them from getting too overwhelmed with the flavors, Yu Qingze also provided pickled radish at each table. When they felt a bit overwhelmed, they would eat some pickled radish, which refreshed their appetite. Unconsciously, the customers kept ordering one skewer after another, and many of them found themselves unsatisfied and placing additional orders.

When it was time for the customers to settle the bill, they realized that they had eaten quite a lot without even realizing it. After calculating the expenses, they realized it was no small amount.

As it was a joint venture among several prominent families, some of the merchants and heads of other influential families who had close cooperation with them also came to show their support. The second floor was practically reserved for them.

On the first day of opening, Yu’s Tie Ban Shao quickly gained popularity, and everyone was highly satisfied.

As the Tie Ban Shao restaurant gradually became known and its prices remained affordable for the general public, business kept getting better, and it gained an excellent reputation.

The Tie Ban Shao restaurant soon found its rhythm and success.

From that point on, under the umbrella of Yu’s brand, there were a total of three establishments: “Yu’s Delicious Delights” Dim Sum Shop, “House of Prosperity” Restaurant, and the “Yu’s Tie Ban Shao” grilled meat and seafood restaurant. They had covered a wide range of offerings, including dim sum, pastries, and main dishes, effectively catering to customers from all walks of life in Tongshan City.

The business was progressing smoothly, and Yu Qingze, Chang Le, and Jiabao returned home as planned. Finally, the whole family was together.

They no longer needed to cook at home. They would have breakfast at the dim sum shop, and lunch and dinner were taken care of at the restaurant. Grandpa Chang couldn’t sit still at home, so he created two small vegetable plots in the courtyard and started growing tomatoes, which was a moderate form of exercise. When there was nothing to do at home, he would come to the restaurant to help out, brew medicine for Chang Le, and assist with bussing tables and washing vegetables.

Coming home every day and seeing Grandpa Chang and their younger brother, Yu Qingze and Chang Le felt relieved.

After moving back home, at the restaurant, Da Song and Da Zhi moved in. Yu Qingze got them a double-layered wooden bed for them to stay overnight and watch over the shop.

At this time, after discussing with them about their thoughts, Yu Qingze took them on as apprentices and started teaching them how to cook.

Time flew by, and it was already April.

April 18th was a great day for Brother Chang and Xue Baizhu to get married.

Yu Qingze gave a day off to Yu’s Delicious Delights and House of Prosperity because they were going back to attend the wedding banquet.

Yu Qingze and the others returned to the village a day early. The next morning, Chang Le went to Brother Chang’s house.

Brother Chang’s house was already decorated with bright lights and adorned with auspicious Chinese characters. The courtyard outside was filled with tables and chairs, creating a festive atmosphere.

Chang Le entered Brother Chang’s room, where his mother and uncle were helping him with his makeup.

“Brother Le, you’ve come? Come and take a look at me. I always struggle with drawing these eyebrows, and I don’t do makeup often, so I don’t know what you guys like. Help me with Brother Chang’s makeup,” Brother Chang’s uncle said.

Chang Le approached and looked at Brother Chang, blinked at him, and gestured congratulations.

Brother Chang smiled, showing a rare hint of shyness. He took Chang Le’s hand and said, “Brother Le, thank you. I… I’m a little nervous.”

Chang Le patted his hand and gestured, “Don’t be afraid. You look beautiful today, and Young Master Xue will treat you well. Just leave it to him.”

Brother Chang blushed at his gestures, and a faint rosy glow spread across his face.

Chang Le smiled knowingly, took the eyebrow pencil from Brother Chang’s uncle’s hand, and used a cloth towel on the other side to wipe off the eyebrow powder from Brother Chang’s eyebrows. Then, he made a slight adjustment, slightly elongating the tail of the eyebrows, and stopped there.

Brother Chang already had a pleasant appearance, especially with his lively and captivating eyes and well-shaped eyebrows. Just a slightly deeper color was enough.

“Ah, this looks much better. Brother Le really understands,” Brother Chang’s uncle said with a smile as he looked at Brother Chang.

Chang Le stayed with Brother Chang for a while, listening to his mother’s instructions.

As time passed, the groom, Xue Baizhu, came to pick them up. Just before they were about to leave, while Brother Chang’s mother and uncle were out, Chang Le slipped a small booklet to Brother Chang, telling him to keep it and read it in the sedan or the bridal chamber.

Curiously, Brother Chang placed the booklet in the pocket of his sleeve.

After going through the lively and festive procedures, Brother Chang was carried into the bridal sedan chair. Chang Le accompanied him for a while, walking with him until they reached the main road outside the village, and then he returned.

On Brother Chang’s side, guided by the matchmaker, they completed the ceremonial rites and were led to the bridal chamber. Finally, he could relax a little. Thankfully, nothing went wrong.

When Xue Baizhu went out again to entertain the guests, and the matchmaker and others went out to enjoy the feast, Brother Chang dismissed the young servant who had been accompanying him and secretly took out the small booklet given to him by Chang Le.

As he read it, his face instantly turned red with embarrassment. It turned out that Chang Le had given him this thing.

However, he had also been worried about this matter himself, so he curiously started reading…

After finishing it, he remembered that his mother had mentioned something about a hidden item under the box for him to see before they left.

Curiosity piqued, he rummaged through the box and found a cloth pouch. Opening it, he discovered another small booklet inside.

Brother Chang: …

After some time, Xue Baizhu finished greeting the guests and entered the room.

Closing the door, Xue Baizhu walked to the bedside, removed the veil covering Brother Chang’s face, and together they drank the nuptial wine. Then he embraced Brother Chang.

“Brother Chang, we are finally married. I’m so happy. I have been looking forward to this day for half a year,” Xue Baizhu said emotionally in Brother Chang’s ear. He then let go of him, looked at him, and gently caressed Brother Chang’s cheek with fascination. “You look so beautiful today…”

Brother Chang smiled and replied politely, “You look handsome today too.”

Xue Baizhu was overjoyed. He kissed Brother Chang’s left cheek and exclaimed happily, “My wife!”

Then he kissed his right cheek again, “Husband!”

Blushing, Brother Chang looked up at him, his eyes filled with affectionate waves.

And then…

And then, Brother Chang’s lips were passionately kissed right on target. He was lifted by his hips, pressed onto the wedding bed.

The sound of their fervent intimacy filled the air.

Just as they were about to proceed further, Brother Chang suddenly stopped Xue Baizhu.

Xue Baizhu raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s the matter?”

With some embarrassment, Brother Chang asked, “Um, can you… do it?”

Xue Baizhu pondered for a moment and replied, “I… should be able to.”

“What do you mean ‘should be able to’? I heard it can be painful if it’s not done properly.” Brother Chang immediately reached under the pillow and pulled out a small booklet, handing it to Xue Baizhu, saying, “Take a look first, and then come back when you know how.”

Xue Baizhu took the scroll and looked at it, saying, “… Brother Chang, my beloved, you’ve surprised me again. You have this mysterious book?”

Xue Baizhu flipped through the pages, looking astonished, and glanced at Brother Chang with disbelief.

Blushing, Brother Chang quickly retorted, “This… It’s a dowry! Every bride has it!”

“Oh…” Xue Baizhu blinked and casually tossed the booklet aside near the pillow. He pounced on Brother Chang and said, “Alright, I’ve seen it. Come here…”

“…Huh, you finished reading it so quickly?”

“Mmm, why would I need to spend so much time? It’s just my instinct to love you…”

Lips and teeth leave marks on the jade terrace, gently knocking on the firewood door to begin opening.

Spring scenery in the garden cannot be contained, moans and sighs escape beyond the walls.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Thandar: Finally those two got married. Now can we go back to the food? hehe