NOVPUB
Chapter 83: Chapter 83 What’s Your Surprise
At nine in the evening, the lights of Wanbao Hall remained bright.
There were still four or five tables of guests who hadn’t left, and Chen Cheng and his party also came out of the private room after having their fill of food and drink.
"Uncle, I’ve prepared some liquor for you."
Chen Donghai handed over the Moutai, Jiujifu, and Cordyceps that Chen Cheng had carefully selected, with a smile on his face that was particularly joyful.
Zhang Jingsong was somewhat tipsy, but upon seeing the substantial gift, he couldn’t help but smile and say, "We’re all family now, why be so formal?"
"It’s just a small token of appreciation."
At this time, Ding Mao also said, "Zhang, just accept it. It’s the children’s heartfelt gesture, we as elders, shouldn’t reject it."
Under the persuasion of the Ding family father and son, Zhang Jingsong finally reluctantly accepted the gift.
Chen Donghai immediately said, "Uncle, let me hail a cab for you."
"Alright."
Chen Cheng then came over from the kitchen.
He felt that since it was essentially a family affair for Li Dinger, it wasn’t appropriate for him to be too involved.
So he simply found an excuse and made his escape.
He chatted in the kitchen with Chef Hou for a while, which also served as a way to pass the time.
Chen Cheng approached with a smile, "Uncle Zhang, did tonight’s dishes suit your taste?"
Zhang Jingsong continuously nodded, "Xiao Chen, your restaurant’s dishes are both exquisite and delicious, the service is also meticulous! I think it even exceeds the standard of a five-star hotel!"
"Uncle Zhang, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Do visit us more often, I’ll prepare some of your favorite specialties for you."
Zhang Jingsong’s eyes brightened as he smiled, "Definitely, definitely!"
"Uncle, it’s the peak hour for hailing cabs now, there are still more than sixty people waiting." Chen Donghai checked the app on his phone, "How about we sit for a while longer?"
Zhang Jingsong glanced at his watch, and Chen Cheng immediately realized that Professor Zhang probably had classes early the next morning.
"Didn’t you ask me to call a cab earlier?"
Chen Cheng extended his help once more, determined not to let his good buddy down at this moment.
He said with a smile, "Uncle Zhang, Aunt Cui, the car is parked outside. I’ve arranged for someone to drive you home."
"This..."
Chen Donghai hesitated, then slapped his forehead, "It’s the liquor at Wanbao Hall that really intoxicates! I only drank a little over half a bottle and almost forgot about this!"
Everyone burst into laughter, lightening the atmosphere.
Chen Cheng subtly signaled to Chen Donghai, who was sitting at the tea table in the lobby; the latter immediately understood and quickly went outside to wait.
...
When the Zhang family saw the Rolls Royce parked outside, they were also slightly taken aback.
"Uncle Zhang, Aunt Cui, rest assured, Xiao Hai drives very steadily. I guarantee that you and Miss Zhang will arrive home safely."
Zhang Jingsong felt very pleased with Chen Cheng’s thoughtful attention, suspecting that this young owner of Wanbao Hall must have other businesses.
Otherwise, it’s not possible for someone so young to have a Rolls Royce and a driver.
He smiled and said, "Xiao Chen, thank you for your help today."
"Uncle Zhang, you’re too polite," Chen Cheng humbly responded, "Please get in the car, watch your head."
The car door was already opened by Chen Donghai, who stood by respectfully, waiting for the guests to get in.
Just as Zhang Jingsong was about to get into the car, he suddenly turned back to look at Chen Cheng:
"Xiao Chen, the day after tomorrow our institute is having a social gathering, roughly sixty people. The dinner will be arranged at your place, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Cheng said, "Uncle Zhang, rest assured, all the staff at Wanbao Hall eagerly await your arrival."
"Then it’s settled, in two days, we shall have a good gathering."
Zhang Jingsong nodded in satisfaction, then turned back to the Ding father and son and said, "Lao Ding, we’ll meet at the entrance of the civil affairs bureau early tomorrow morning."
"No problem!" Ding Mao agreed readily.
Chen Donghai immediately said, "Uncle, I will come to pick you up early tomorrow."
After some more pleasantries, Zhang Jingsong finally led his daughter and wife into the car.
Chen Cheng and Ding Mao watched as the car disappeared into the night before heading back inside Wanbao Hall.
Zhao Lingfang had already replaced their tea with a fresh pot.
Ding Zhaohui took out his phone, "Dacheng, how much was the meal? And add up those gifts you helped me buy."
"You just topped up 10,000 the day before yesterday, it shouldn’t be far off."
"Hey, you run a business; you need to keep clear accounts." Ding Zhaohui scanned the payment code, guessing that the meal and gifts totaled about 15,000.
So, he transferred another 10,000 yuan, saying, "Keep the extra for now."
Ding Mao, who was sitting nearby, chimed in: "Cheng Cheng, next Wednesday our bureau’s social gathering will need about four tables for lunch, we’ll book with you."
Chen Cheng grinned, "No problem! I’ll have the kitchen add a few light dishes, I’ll make sure you all leave happy!"
"Today you really honored both me and my father."
Ding Mao sighed deeply, seeming to see Zhai Tiansheng’s figure in Chen Cheng.
Perhaps because of the alcohol, there was a glimmer of tears in his eyes.
"Lǐ Ding’er, you must take Chen Cheng’s restaurant seriously!" he commanded, "Handle any issues swiftly and effectively!"
"I know, Dad! With my relationship with Dacheng, do you even have to say it?"
Ding Zhaohui, fueled by alcohol, put his arm around Chen Cheng’s shoulder: "Iron Porcelain!"
"Get lost, so mushy!" Chen Cheng laughed and scolded.
Ding Mao laughed heartily, "You brothers have always been contentious since childhood, but it just makes the bond stronger!"
"Right? I get married, Dacheng must be my best man!"
Chen Cheng teased, "Isn’t that obvious? Shu Biao is already married, and Xia Bao is a whole head taller than you."
"Then, when the time comes, I’ll introduce the bridesmaids..."
Before he could finish, Ding Zhaohui caught on, "Oh right, you wouldn’t be among the bridesmaids now. You’ve got Xiao Er!"
"Right, where’s Xiao Er?"
Ding Mao also realized that Xiao Meier was missing, just like Chen Cheng, both had left midway.
"She’s learning to make desserts." Chen Cheng replied, "Today’s dried tangerine peel red bean paste was personally made by Xiao Er."
"Oh? No wonder it was so tasty!" Ding Zhaohui nodded repeatedly, "So it was made by sister-in-law."
Chen Cheng quirked an eyebrow proudly: "Otherwise how could I charge you 88 a serving?"
Ding Zhaohui widened his eyes jokingly, "How much? 88? Have you reported this price to the bureau?"
"I use twenty-five-year sun-dried Xin Hui aging tangerine peel and red beans from Danxia Mountain," Chen Cheng smiled in reply, "otherwise how could it taste like this?"
"My goodness, seems like ordinary folks can’t afford your shop!" Ding Zhaohui commented.
Chen Cheng waved his hand, "Hey, the finest ingredients for the best friends, of course!"
"Hahaha..."
The three sat by the tea table, and only after Lǐ Ding’er called for a car did Chen Cheng see the father and son out.
The night had deepened.
Now only Chen Cheng and Xiao Meier were left in Wanbao Hall.
Xiao Meier, done tallying up, stretched lazily.
"Business was good today." she said, "We turned over tables twice, even more than on opening day."
Chen Cheng rubbed her shoulders, "Right, the day after tomorrow night, Lǐ Ding’er’s father-in-law has booked six tables."
"Wednesday lunch next week, Uncle Ding needs four tables."
Xiao Meier smiled up at him, "I’d better note it down to avoid booking out. Need to tell Chef Hou to prepare more dishes."
"Yeah."
As she opened her notebook, she turned back to look at Chen Cheng and asked, "Is this the surprise you prepared for me?"
Chen Cheng smiled, "What surprise? It’s just taking normal orders."
"Then what’s your surprise?"
Chen Cheng, half-kneeling and mysteriously smiling, said, "Let’s talk about it when we get home."
