Chapter 611 Leaning Over to Ask
Qi Tongwei leaned over to ask, and learned that the child came from a war zone, and that his parents had lost contact on the way and fled all the way here. His eyes suddenly reddened, and he washed the child's face, served a full plate of food, and comforted him softly. He immediately contacted the rescue station, and paid for clothes and stationery out of his own pocket. He watched the child leave, praying for his safety, as if he saw himself struggling in the quagmire of fate when he was young, and he was willing to lend a hand and become a life-saving driftwood.
The situation was tense, and the control of materials and the purchase of food became a problem. The supply from the cooperative farm was interrupted, and the market was depressed. Qi Tongwei frowned, but he did not sit still. He mobilized his staff to ask around and find hidden vegetable gardens in the suburbs. He persuaded the farmers and promised them generous remuneration and long-term cooperation. Finally, he brought back several trucks of fresh vegetables. He also improved the menu and promoted "wartime simple meals", which cleverly matched storable dry goods with seasonal vegetables to ensure that diners were nutritious and full. The lights of the restaurant flickered tenaciously in the difficult times.
The community was filled with uneasiness, and rumors were growing like weeds. Qi Tongwei opened the door of his shop, set up tables and chairs, invited neighbors to sit around, and brewed tea, letting reason dispel the panic. He shared his experience in preparing supplies and organized a mutual aid team. Young and middle-aged people helped the elderly and weak to repair houses and move heavy objects. Women gathered in the kitchen to make dry food and mend clothes. Children drew encouraging posters and posted them all over the streets. The originally alienated neighbors reunited, and the restaurant became the "guiding star" of the community, using warmth to resist the cold outside world.
As the war drew closer, the roar of the enemy occasionally reached our ears, but the restaurant was in good order. The aroma of porridge still wafted out in the morning, and the art class was moved to the basement, but the sound of reading and singing was muted but not interrupted; the waiters were trained to be quick-witted and quick-handed, and when the air raid alarm sounded, they quickly helped the diners into the bunker, and when the danger was over, they dusted off and returned to the store to continue their work. No one gave up easily, because this restaurant was the last bastion of life, and if they defended it, they would keep the spark of hope.
One day, an air raid came suddenly, and bombs whistled and fell. Qi Tongwei instinctively rushed to the children beside him. The loud noise was deafening, and bricks and stones collapsed. When the smoke and dust cleared, fortunately, everyone was only scratched. He stood up with a dusty face, straightened the tables and chairs, and shouted hoarsely, "Keep working." Everyone responded, quickly cleaning and relighting the stove, as if to use the fireworks to choke off the haze of war. At this moment, the restaurant is not only a business place, but also a stubborn persistence of life to fight against the unpredictable blade of fate.
The war situation was stalemate, but a turning point suddenly appeared. International rescue efforts came, and the town gradually got back on track. The restaurant survived the cold winter and welcomed the dawn of a new life. Qi Tongwei led his staff to join the ranks of volunteers to clean up the ruins and repair the streets. They moved bricks and tiles, and their sweat washed away the dust. The restaurant also had a new look, adding several wartime memorial signs to remember that time of shared suffering.
Children are returning to school, regular customers are back, and laughter and conversations are resuming the bustling daily life. Qi Tongwei stood at the door, watching the sun shine gently, new diners curiously entering, and old customers greeting him warmly, his heart full of emotion. This unexpected "return from war" was full of blood and tears, life and death, but it also tempered the strongest and purest human nature. The restaurant witnessed everything, from the temporary cessation of fireworks to the re-ignition, just like a microcosm of life. Although the hardships are cruel, they are ultimately no match for the persistence of hope and the inheritance of goodwill. In the days to come, it will still stand, collecting thousands of stories and leading to an endless peaceful world.
The restaurant has returned to peace, and the sun is like a new life, gently brushing over the brand new signboard and warming every corner. Qi Tongwei goes into the kitchen at dawn every day, chopping the ingredients on the chopping board to break up the past haze, stir-frying with a pot and a spoon, cooking out the current desire with fireworks, the signature dishes are cooked with precise temperature, the newly created dim sum is exquisite and tempting, and each dish embodies the expectation of rebirth.
On this day, the door of the restaurant was suddenly pushed open, and Hou Liangping and his former classmates filed in, with laughter coming first: "Qi Tongwei, your restaurant is now famous, and our old classmates have come here specially to 'ruin the place'!" Everyone hugged each other, patted shoulders and backs, and the years were briefly recalled in the greetings and jokes. Recalling the immaturity of the campus and the recklessness of entering the society, they were filled with emotion.
The guests and hosts sat down, and the table was instantly filled with delicacies. The steamed fish was fresh and tender, and the soup was clear and pure like the old days; the braised pork was bright red and soft, as if wrapped in the sweetness of struggle; the seasonal vegetables were fresh and juicy, full of vitality. After three rounds of wine, the conversation started, talking about everything from political anecdotes to market anecdotes, from youthful secret crushes to family matters. The restaurant was warm and cozy, with the sound of wine glasses clinking and laughter interweaving. The past grudges and differences in status were all washed away by the wine, leaving only the deep friendship of classmates.
However, Hou Liangping was getting drunk, his eyes were blurry but burning with an inexplicable fire. Suddenly, he slammed the table, pointed at Qi Tongwei, and said in a vague but sharp voice: "Qi Tongwei, you say you are satisfied hiding here? Where did that energy go? You threw it all away when you turned around! The court was full of ups and downs, and the government was full of ups and downs, and you left it all behind!" The restaurant fell silent in an instant, and everyone was shocked. Qi Tongwei's face changed slightly, and he clenched the wine glass tightly, with his knuckles turning white.
"Liangping, don't mention the past. I am guarding this restaurant now to keep my peace of mind." Qi Tongwei said in a deep voice, looking at Hou Liangping with a frank look. "Peace of mind? Humph, that's called escaping! With your ability, you could have done a lot outside, what's the point of staying here!" Hou Liangping staggered a few steps, his body swaying, and his words became sharper, as if to pierce the peaceful appearance at the moment. The friendship between former classmates began to show cracks, and the air was as heavy as lead.
The waiters gathered around with worried looks on their faces, and the diners also looked at him sideways. Qi Tongwei took a deep breath, stood up and supported Hou Liangping, and said slowly: "Liangping, you are drunk, let's take a rest first." He wanted to help him to the private room, but Hou Liangping suddenly threw his hand away, knocking over the table and chairs, and the cups and plates fell to the ground and broke, startling everyone. "Don't touch me! Do you think you can live a peaceful life by opening a restaurant? The world outside is complicated, and you are content with mediocrity!" At this moment, he no longer looked upright as usual, and only had the venting of alcohol.
Other students hurriedly stood up to persuade them to stop. The restaurant was in chaos during the struggle. Qi Tongwei felt mixed emotions. He looked at the out-of-control Hou Liangping. The past scenes of him and his classmates flashed by. He finally sighed helplessly. After everyone helped Hou Liangping to settle down, Qi Tongwei quietly picked up the broken porcelain, his heart was in turmoil. This unexpected storm was like a sudden question from fate. Even if he hid in the fireworks, the past was still with him. Under the peaceful appearance, undercurrents were surging. The future seemed to be covered with new mists. I wonder if he can dispel them again and keep this hard-earned stability.
After Hou Liangping fell asleep, the restaurant returned to some order. Qi Tongwei sat alone in the backyard, the moonlight was cold and could not illuminate his sorrow. He understood that Hou Liangping's drunken words were half true and half false, hiding his undying expectations and confusion. It was difficult for others to fully understand the path he had chosen, but this restaurant was filled with hard work and warmth, how could it be described as "mediocre"? Just as he was lost in thought, the waiter came to report that several classmates were waiting for him in the front hall, with a solemn expression.
Everyone sat around, the atmosphere was heavy and depressing. A classmate broke the silence: "Qi Tongwei, Liang Ping went too far today, but his words also made us think deeply. This restaurant is booming, but there are many variables in the future, such as policy direction and market trends. We can't close our eyes and ignore them.