"Yes, I bought it for you." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile. "Look at your shoes, they're all worn out. You should wear new shoes to the banquet tomorrow."
"My goodness, leather shoes! They're so nice, they must be very expensive, right?" Zhao Hong had already come closer, exclaiming softly.
"Why would I wear leather shoes? I prefer cloth shoes, they're soft." Aunt Zhao's eyes immediately reddened, but she said with some disdain, "Why waste this money? Go return them now."
"I can't return them. The owner said I can exchange them for different sizes, but I can't return them. You should try them on quickly and see if they fit. If they don't, I'll go exchange them. If the owner runs away, you won't be able to exchange them." Zhou Yan smiled and stuffed the shoes into her hands, then took out two other pairs of shoes from the bicycle basket: "I also bought a pair of three-piece leather shoes for dad and bought a pair of tiger-head cloth shoes for Momo."
"Zhou Yan is so filial, Fourth Aunt, you're so lucky!" Zhao Hong said with envy, urging with a smile, "Just try them on! These leather shoes are so beautiful, you'll look like you're walking on air in them."
"I'll try them on then." Aunt Zhao sat down on the stool, took off her cloth shoes, and carefully put on the leather shoes. She stepped beside the cloth shoes and couldn't help but exclaim, "Hmm? Leather shoes are so different! Soft, comfortable, and the size is just right!"
"They're beautiful, stylish and chic." Zhao Hong nodded. "When I have some money at the end of the year, I'll buy a pair to wear for the New Year."
"How did you know my size? How much did these shoes cost?" Aunt Zhao looked up at Zhou Yan, a hint of surprise in her smile.
"I'm your son, of course I know. If the size is right, I won't exchange them." Zhou Yan said with a smile. "Don't worry about the price, just wear them."
It was clear Aunt Zhao really liked them, but she was just reluctant to spend the money.
But isn't the meaning of making money to spend it on the most important people in your life, so they can share in the joy?
Zhou Yan felt that was true.
All that money lying dormant in his account in his past life, he never even spent it himself—that was truly a waste.
Aunt Zhao put on the other shoe, examining it from left to right, growing more and more satisfied and happy, her eyes welling up with tears.
She never imagined she would one day wear leather shoes her son had bought for her.
"Guo Guo, where's mine? Does Momo have one too?" Zhou Momo ran in from outside, her little hands covered with sand.
"Yes, look at the little shoes I bought for you." Zhou Yan picked up the tiger-head shoes and shook them.
"Wow! So pretty!" Zhou Momo's eyes lit up, and she rushed over to pounce on Zhou Yan.
"Wait a minute, wash your hands first." Zhou Yan quickly called out, pulling her to the doorway to wash her hands and brushing the sand off her clothes outside.
He took off her both shoes, which were half-filled with sand, and her little feet were also covered in sand. After cleaning them, he brought her back and slipped her tiger-head shoes on.
They were a little too big, with about a finger and a half of room.
Aunt Zhao peeked in and nodded, "They fit perfectly; you can wear them until next spring."
"Aww! I'm a little tiger!" Zhou Momo was incredibly proud, shaking her head and playing for a while before turning and jumping into Zhou Yan's arms, looking up at him, "Guo Guo! I love these tiger shoes so much! I love you the most!"
"Good girl." Zhou Yan smiled and patted her head.
A pair of tiger head shoes costing only eighty cents was enough to make Zhou Momo jump for joy.
What a worthwhile expense!
Aunt Zhao had already taken off her leather shoes and put on her cloth shoes. She turned her face away to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, then wrapped them up again in oiled paper.
She got up and went outside, vigorously patting Zhou Momo's cloth shoes under the tree to clean out the sand inside. She came back in, picked Zhou Momo up, and placed her on her lap, smiling, "Come on, wear the old ones today, and the new ones tomorrow. That way, everyone will say your shoes are so cute."
"Okay, okay!" Zhou Momo nodded her little head in agreement.
Aunt Zhao then looked at Comrade Old Zhou's leather shoes, her eyes lighting up: "They're from the '83' generation! I saw them at the department store last year during Chinese New Year. I wanted to buy them for your dad, but he wouldn't try them on. In the end, he bought me a dress instead."
"Are they suitable?" Zhou Yan asked with a smile.
"Good eye, just like me." Aunt Zhao nodded, carefully carrying the three pairs of shoes behind the counter and hiding them away.
As they spoke, the factory closed for the day, and the workers began to come in for meal.
The three of them quickly washed their hands, put on aprons, and started working.
Today, the textile factory had three major news stories that sent the workers' hearts soaring to the heavens and plummeting to the depths of despair.
The good news was that Wang Defa had been reported by name, and although his transfer had been approved, he was still detained by the security department.
The bad news was that the report alleged that over the past two years, Wang Defa had allegedly purchased large quantities of diseased pork from Wang Qi for use in the factory canteen.
The workers were devastated.
The factory canteen!
The factory canteen where everyone ate everyday was using diseased pork!
And for the past two years, in large quantities and for an extended period.
Upon hearing this news, the workers almost stormed into the security department and beat Wang Defa up.
Today, the canteen was completely empty.
Another piece of news was that Master Xiao, the undisputed head chef of the factory canteen, considered the man who could save the canteen after Wang Defa's downfall, had resigned.
There were reliable sources that he was the one who reported Wang Defa.
To avoid affecting Zhou Yan's business, he chose to resign rather than remain as head chef.
What a devoted master and apprentice!
But for the workers, it was a devastating blow.
Many customers who had to work the night shift didn't want to eat at the canteen and flocked to Zhou Erwa Restaurant, engaging in a surge of spending; customer traffic doubled compared to before.
Zhou Yan hadn't expected so many customers today; the prepared dishes sold out in just over half an hour.
"I'm sorry, all the dishes for today are sold out. Please come again next Monday." Aunt Zhao explained with a smile.
The customers who hadn't been able to eat had no choice but to flock to other vendors at the factory gate.
This delighted the vendors.
Zhou Yan gleaned information about Xiao Lei's resignation from the workers' gossip, which stirred something within him.
His master had a deep affection for the textile factory canteen. He'd started as an apprentice there at fifteen, worked there for thirty years, and then taken over as head chef for fifteen years. With just a nod, he could be reinstated as head chef and even promoted to deputy director.
Working for another ten years or so, he could retire comfortably from the textile factory, perhaps even becoming a director by then.
He resigned just like that, without a moment's hesitation.
Zhou Yan was determined to repay this kindness.
Lin Zhiqiang arrived relatively early and got to eat the cross-legged beef, but not early enough; he hadn't gotten the braised pork ribs to go.
"Uncle Lin, I won't go running tonight. My brother's getting married tomorrow, and I need to go home tonight." Zhou Yan said, bringing out the dishes and greeting Lin Zhiqiang.
"Okay." Lin Zhiqiang nodded, then casually asked, "How's your master doing now? Where does he plan to go for a job?"
You see, even the deputy factory director in charge of technology can't resist gossip.
"He's doing well, hasn't decided where to go yet." Zhou Yan replied with a smile.
It seemed like he answered, but then again, he didn't.
After closing time that evening, Zhao Hong and Aunt Zhao cleared the tables and washed the dishes.
Zhou Yan counted the money, handing out seven yuan and fifteen yuan.
After the two finished, Zhou Yan smiled and called Zhao Hong over: "Sister in law, today's the 1st, I've paid your salary."
"Payment on the 1st? I didn't work many days last month." Zhao Hong walked over, smiling, "Why don't we start counting from this month? We're family."
"You're here to work, not to play around. I'll pay you for everyday you work." Zhou Yan smiled and handed over the seven yuan. "You worked ten days last month, so I'll give you seven yuan, the change is for bonus."
"So much?" Zhao Hong looked at the money in Zhou Yan's hand, hesitant to take it.
"Here, this is the money you've earned working so hard from dawn till dusk." Aunt Zhao came over and stuffed the money into her hand, smiling as she said, "You need to earn money so you can save up to buy leather shoes at the end of the year."
"Okay." Zhao Hong happily clutched her salary, untied her apron, and headed for the door. "Then I'll head back now. Your brother's waiting for me outside. I'm going back to cook for the two kids."
"Aunt Zhao, here's your salary." Zhou Yan handed the remaining fifteen yuan to Aunt Zhao after she left. "What kind of salary would I get!" Aunt Zhao rolled her eyes at him. "You should save it carefully, don't squander it. You still need to get married in the future."
"Here, this is the money you earned working so hard." Zhou Yan smiled and stuffed the money into her hand, saying earnestly, "You're not only the lobby manager, but also the person in charge of Cross-legged Beef. I'll give you a salary of thirty yuan a month. Starting this month, your commission will be 20% of Cross-legged Beef's net profit."
"This restaurant can't operate without you!"
"Keep it safe, we'll go for a banquet tomorrow!"
Aunt Zhao held the money, her eyes welling up with tears again.
"A banquet! I want a banquet!" Zhou Momo came over, raising her little hand: "Guo Guo, let's go now! My tummy is so hungry!"