Chapter 205: I'd Do This Job Even Without Pay
Chapter 205: I’d Do This Job Even Without Pay
5:00 PM.
In a brick-and-tile house in the new village of Bobai.
At a square table, a plate of pig's head meat, a dish of fried peanuts, and a platter of seasonal vegetables were laid out. Zhang Guangzong, now 54 years old, was sitting there, leisurely sipping his wine.
Just as he was enjoying himself, he heard his nephew’s voice from outside the door, “Uncle San, are you home?”
Zhang Guangzong put down his wine bowl and replied, “I’m here, drinking. Guoan, you came just in time. Come in and have a few drinks with me.”
Soon, his nephew Zhang Guoan walked in, looking at the food and drink on the table. “Wow, Uncle San, what’s the occasion today? You even got pig's head meat!”
“This was brought by my daughter-in-law,” Zhang Guangzong said, picking up a peanut and popping it into his mouth. He chewed and laughed, “Get your own bowl and chopsticks. Do I have to do everything for you?”
Zhang Guoan didn’t hesitate, taking a bowl and chopsticks from the side and pouring himself some wine from the nearby jug. As he poured, he said, “You sure live the good life, Uncle San. Drinking a little every day, much better than me.”
Zhang Guangzong raised his wine bowl and clinked it against his nephew’s. “You’re on a salary now. I can’t compare to you. If it weren’t for my children’s occasional gifts of wine and food, I’d hardly be able to afford a sip.”
Zhang Guoan took a sip of wine and laughed. “Uncle San, I know you too well. Stop pretending to be poor. With your abilities, you could probably outearn even the young men in the village if you wanted to.”
Zhang Guangzong waved his hand. “I’m old and don’t want to deal with the hassle anymore. My only wish now is to enjoy a couple of bowls of wine every day.”
Zhang Guoan took a piece of pig's head meat and said, “Uncle San, I’m here today because I have a job to offer you. Interested?”
“No interest!” Zhang Guangzong didn’t even listen before shaking his head. “We’re in our fifties, how many years do we have left? While I can still move and have a good appetite, I’d rather enjoy good food and wine. That way, I won’t regret it when I’m gone.”
Zhang Guoan laughed. “Uncle San, don’t be so quick to refuse. The job I’m offering doesn’t require you to do much. You just need to sit there and eat and drink. It won’t interfere with your leisure, and you’ll get a monthly salary. Are you sure you’re not interested?”
Zhang Guangzong was taken aback and then laughed. “Guoan, are you trying to joke with me? Are you itching for a scolding?”
Zhang Guoan popped a peanut into his mouth, chewing as he spoke. “Uncle San, I wouldn’t dare joke about something like this. I’m being serious.”
Seeing that his nephew wasn’t joking, Zhang Guangzong asked, “What kind of job is it?”
Zhang Guoan explained, “To be a security manager at a restaurant.”
Zhang Guangzong was puzzled. “A security manager at a restaurant? What’s that? Do restaurants even have such positions?”
Zhang Guoan clarified, “Uncle San, it’s just a title. Your job is simple: make sure no shady characters cause trouble in the restaurant.
As long as you can do that, you can eat and drink to your heart’s content every day, and you’ll get a monthly salary. How does that sound?”
Zhang Guangzong was intrigued. “That’s a great job. With good food and drink every day, I’d do it even without pay.”
Zhang Guangzong didn’t even discuss whether the restaurant’s requirements could be met, because that was a given. He might not be able to make such a claim elsewhere, but in the small county of Bobai, if he, Zhang Guangzong, wanted to protect a restaurant, who would dare to cause trouble?
Zhang Guoan smiled and said, "I knew you’d be interested, Uncle Three. I’ve already reserved the position for you. Once the restaurant is built, you can start working."
Zhang Guangzong asked, "Who is the owner of the restaurant, and where will it be built?"
Zhang Guoan replied, "The owner is from Songshan Commune, and the restaurant will be built right across from the People’s Cinema. You’ll be able to start working in about three months."
Zhang Guangzong raised his wine bowl and clinked it with his nephew’s, saying, "Thanks, this job is perfect for me. I can start whenever you need me."
Zhang Guoan laughed, "Uncle Three, you’re making it sound too formal. We’re family, after all. Let’s drink!"
Zhang Guangzong smiled, "Alright, let’s drink!"
...
After leaving Uncle Three’s house, it was already dark outside.
Zhang Guoan didn’t head home but instead walked to another household in the village.
He was looking for a cousin named Zhang Guofu, who was originally the head chef at the state-owned restaurant in Shuangfeng Commune. Due to some conflict with the restaurant’s management, Zhang Guofu had been consistently harassed. In a fit of anger, he had beaten up the manager, ultimately losing his job.
Last year, when Uncle Nine mentioned wanting to hire a head chef, Zhang Guoan immediately thought of his cousin. However, since the restaurant’s opening date was uncertain, he hadn’t mentioned it to Zhang Guofu.
Now that the restaurant’s opening date was set, Zhang Guoan decided to use this opportunity to inform his cousin.
When he arrived at Zhang Guofu’s house, the family was sitting outside, chatting.
After exchanging greetings, Zhang Guoan got straight to the point, "Seventeen, I came here today to offer you a job. Are you interested?"
Hearing this, Zhang Guofu’s wife’s eyes lit up, and she quickly replied, "Sixth Brother, he’s definitely interested. What kind of job is it?"
Zhang Guoan smiled, "He’ll be doing what he does best—working as a head chef at a new restaurant."
Zhang Guofu was surprised, "Sixth Brother, are you serious? Which restaurant needs a head chef?"
Zhang Guoan explained, "The restaurant isn’t built yet, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. It will take about three months to complete. If you’re willing to work there, I can reserve the position for you."
Without waiting for his wife to answer, Zhang Guofu eagerly said, "Of course I’m willing. Is it a state-owned restaurant?"
Zhang Guoan shook his head, "No, it’s a private restaurant owned by a friend. If you’re willing to work there, do your best and don’t let me down, okay?"
Zhang Guofu patted his chest, "Sixth Brother, you can count on me. You know I never shirk my duties, and my skills are top-notch. I won’t let you down."
Zhang Guoan nodded, "I believe in you. In the meantime, try to arrange your family affairs. When the restaurant needs you, I’ll come back to inform you. We’ll discuss the salary later, but I’m sure my friend will treat you fairly."
"Alright, Sixth Brother. I promise I’ll be ready to start anytime."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
