Chapter 145: Master Quan’s Request

In addition, Zhang Jianshe also learned about some of the other “moves” Zhoujiazhuang was making.

He felt it was a very bold attempt—if successful, it might allow Zhoujiazhuang to achieve its ideal of “communism.”

Zhoujiazhuang could serve as a pilot project; once it succeeded, it could be promoted elsewhere.

Zhou Yimin shook his head and made it clear to Zhang Jianshe that he didn’t want to stir up trouble. What he wanted was simply to make things better for the people around him—his circle, so to speak.

Seeing Zhou Yimin’s caution, Zhang Jianshe understood.

Since Zhou Yimin didn’t have such intentions, he wouldn’t cause him any trouble either. As for Zhou Yimin’s “arrangements” in Zhoujiazhuang, he wouldn’t go around talking about them outside.

These past two years, he himself had felt the shifting winds.

No matter what, it was better to have less trouble than more.

He even thought, if he ever gave up research, retiring in Zhoujiazhuang might not be a bad choice. He was very optimistic about the village’s future.

“Uncle Zhang, time to head back! It’s probably about time for lunch,” Zhou Yimin said with a smile.

When they returned to the doorway, the dishes were just being served. Because a canopy had been set up outside the house, it wasn’t too hot, and the old men and women were all taking their seats.

This time there were nine tables, and there wasn’t enough room inside the house, so they just set up the banquet on the open ground outside the front door. Zhou Xuqiang had brought people early in the morning to set up the shade tents.

Zhang Jianshe and his family sat together with Zhou Yimin’s grandparents and a few others.

The old party secretary took the seats with other respected elders of the village at two tables. Luo Dapeng, Li Youde, and Third Uncle’s family shared one table, while Zhou Dazhong and the others who had come to help took up two more. The remaining seats were filled by other elderly folks from the village.

The lunch was quite simple, mainly featuring fish, shrimp, and cured duck.

Zhou Yimin was honestly sick of the cured duck, so he had Master Quan cook it up, using this opportunity to finish it off.

There was a lot of fish and shrimp, so part of it was set aside. The rest would be enough for the evening meal.

Besides the food, each table had two bottles of alcohol.

Although there weren’t many dishes, for many people, this kind of meal was something they’d only get during Chinese New Year—if even then. Some families didn’t even eat this well for New Year. Everyone present knew the etiquette: even if they were eager to eat, they remained restrained and composed.

Since this was a birthday banquet for the old lady, it was only natural that people offered her a few auspicious words during the meal.

“Uncle, let’s have a toast,” Zhang Jianshe said, raising his glass to Zhou Yimin’s grandfather.

The old man beamed with delight. “Sure! Jianshe, I say you shouldn’t leave tonight—just head back tomorrow. Didn’t Yimin mention it? There’s a movie showing tonight.

Our home may not be big, but it’s enough to host you all.”

Zhang Yu and the others brightened up. “Yimin-ge, there’s a movie showing in the village tonight?”

They actually were hoping to stay for a night or two. They didn’t have school the next day anyway. Even though they grew up in the city, they hadn’t seen many movies.

Young people—who doesn’t want to watch a film?

In fact, almost everyone in this era loved movies.

Plus, they really liked this house. The rooms were great. The beds, cabinets, everything—they wanted to go back and ask their parents for similar setups.

Not just the rooms—even the bathroom was incredibly convenient.

After all, even though they lived in the city, they still had to use public toilets—filthy and smelly. Especially in the sweltering summer heat, using the toilet was pure suffering.

Zhou Yimin nodded. “Yep! We found a projectionist to come show two films tonight.

Uncle Zhang, if you’re not too busy, you really should stay the night. The evening meal will start early, but by the time everyone finishes eating, the sun will probably have set. It wouldn’t be very safe heading back at that time.”

“Old Zhang, how about staying over?” someone else chimed in.

Seeing how much Zhou Yimin’s family wanted them to stay, and with his wife and daughter also wanting to spend the night, Zhang Jianshe gave in. He figured he could just head back early the next day.

“All right then.”

Zhang Yu and the others immediately beamed with joy.

Zhou Yimin left the table for a moment and went over to the table where Master Quan and the others were seated to offer a toast. After all, they had come from far away to cook, and proper etiquette was due.

“Master Quan, thanks for all your hard work today. I’ll drink first—please feel free to go at your own pace.”

Master Quan and the others naturally stood and joined him in the toast.

“Yimin, I wanted to talk to you about something,” Master Quan said, taking the opportunity.

“Please, go ahead.”

“I think Laicai has a talent for cooking. I’d like to take him on as an apprentice for a few years.”

At those words, Zhou Xuqiang and his wife both looked over, eyes full of hope. If it had been up to them, they would’ve already agreed. It was such a great opportunity—miss it now, and they might miss it for life. But still, they had to respect Yimin’s opinion.

Zhou Yimin was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected Master Quan to take a liking to Laicai.

“It’s an honor for Laicai that you’d consider him. But he’s still young—I was planning to have him go to school for a few years first. How about this: if you still think well of him later on, I’ll have him prepare a formal apprentice ceremony. How does that sound?”

Regardless of whether he became a cook, the boy had to get some education. If he couldn’t even read, he’d hit a ceiling even as a chef.

Master Quan nodded. “Good. Let’s do that.”

He supported the idea of Laicai going to school for a few years—no one wanted a disciple who was illiterate.

Besides, as Zhou Yimin said, Laicai really was still quite young. It was far too early for him to enter the trade.

Zhou Xuqiang and his wife immediately stood, pulled over Laicai, who was still eating, and walked over to Master Quan’s table, sincerely thanking him. With this, their son’s future was now something they didn’t need to worry about.

“Master Quan, let me offer you three toasts. Please, have as much or as little as you’d like,” Zhou Xuqiang said.

Zhou Yimin was speechless and thought to himself: Are you sure you’re not just here for the booze?

Master Quan chuckled, patted Laicai on the head, and said, “Study hard for a few years. Then you can come learn to cook with me.”

Laicai hadn’t officially started school yet, but he already didn’t want to go. His big brother went to school, but the food wasn’t as good as at home, and he had to do homework and stuff.

Cooking sounded way better. He could make whatever he wanted to eat.

So he asked, “Can I not go to school?”

Zhou Yimin gave him a sidelong glance. “No. If your grades are too bad, Master Quan won’t accept you. He doesn’t take kids who are that dumb.”

Master Quan smiled without saying anything, thinking to himself: I’m not that picky.

But of course, having a smart apprentice would definitely be a bonus.

Frightened by Zhou Yimin’s comment, Laicai made up his mind to study hard—so he could learn how to cook in the future.

The meal ended with everyone quite satisfied. The shrimp, especially—many people were eating sea shrimp for the first time in their lives.

They knew the real feast was still to come.

After they were full, the old man brought out the fine tea Zhou Yimin had given him and brewed two pots. He claimed it was to “cleanse the palate,” but everyone who knew him knew—he was just showing off.

(End of Chapter)