Chapter 647: Fierce Battle
The restaurant reopened, fireworks were lit, and it seemed that the haze had dissipated, but the dark river of fate was turbulent and the whirlpool was hidden under the calm. Hou Liangping was busy in the kitchen, with spatulas flying and hot oil sizzling, just like the tense rhythm when he was investigating the case in the past. He was concentrating on the heat of the new dishes, trying to blend the charm of Sichuan cuisine with the home-style flavor and rebuild the reputation of the restaurant.
Unexpectedly, the wind chime at the door of the shop suddenly rang, and a figure rushed in, like a strong wind disturbing the spring water. Zhang Xiaoma, a name that disappeared for many years but was engraved in Hou Liangping's memory, stood in the hall with the dust of the years and inexplicable arrogance. She had exquisite makeup and fashionable clothes, but it was difficult to hide the sharpness and ill intentions in her eyebrows. She locked her eyes on Hou Liangping and shouted: "Hou Liangping, stop busying, let's talk about remarriage!" The voice was sharp and crisp, instantly shaking the silence of the whole hall, the diners looked at each other, and the waiters were all stunned.
Hou Liangping stood there stiffly, the spatula in his hand almost slipped, his face turned red and white, the past mountain village marriage history was like a dusty old box that was suddenly pried open, and those youthful ignorance and the bitterness of firewood and rice instantly came back. In that remote mountain village, there was a simple marriage. Zhang Xiaoma was a fierce village girl. The two swore under the moon and played in the fields, but because of their different ambitions and Hou Liangping's single-minded pursuit of dreams, they eventually separated. After many years of dust, he thought the past was like smoke, but today there was a thunder. Qi Tongwei was originally greeting regular guests in the front hall. He came over after hearing the sound. Seeing Hou Liangping's embarrassment, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, but before he smiled, Zhang Xiaoma glared back: "Qi Tongwei, don't laugh secretly. Who in this circle doesn't know that you climbed up the branches and ate soft rice in the past!" Qi Tongwei's smile frosted and his face was gloomy. It was indeed embarrassing and painful to deal with the powerful and rely on others for his future.
The three of them were in a tense atmosphere. Hou Liangping calmed down, pulled his apron, wiped his hands, and suppressed his panic: "Zhang Xiaoma, this place is not suitable, let's go out and talk." Zhang Xiaoma raised his eyebrows: "What? Are you afraid that people will know that you still have a country wife? Now that you are successful, you want to get rid of her? No way!" He paced back and forth while poking the table with his fingers, and the cutlery shook, as if he wanted to expose Hou Liangping's disguise. Qi Tongwei folded his arms and sneered: "Liangping, this trouble has come to you. You were so powerful in law enforcement back then, why are you so confused about love affairs?" Hou Liangping glared at him: "Old Qi, stop making trouble and solve your own problems first. The restaurant is just stable, don't mess around."
Zhang Xiaoma interrupted with a snort: "Don't talk nonsense, Hou Liangping. I have been working hard outside for many years and now I am alone. But you run a prosperous restaurant and you want to deny it? Does our marriage certificate still count?" After saying that, he pulled out the old certificate from his bag. The paper was yellowed and wrinkled, but it hit the ground like a heavy hammer. Hou Liangping's temples throbbed, knowing that the procedures were hasty and simple, and the divorce was not standardized, which led to the hidden dangers.
As the stalemate was going on, a crowd gathered outside the restaurant, and gossip from the neighbors spread like wildfire, with rumors like "Boss Hou's ex-wife showed up" and "He abandoned his wife and children." The employees were looking around, the kitchen was delayed, the new dishes were put aside, the stove was getting cold, and the order in the store was in chaos. Hou Liangping's forehead was sweating, and he lowered his voice: "Zhang Xiaoma, let's stop making trouble, let's go home first, the restaurant has just been revived, we can't ruin everyone's jobs." Zhang Xiaoma pouted: "Okay, let's go home, but you have to give me a definite answer today!"
The three of them left the restaurant, with eyes staring at them like thorns in their backs. Qi Tongwei looked at the back, his heart in turmoil, recalling his own bumpy love life and the utilitarian and cold marriage with Liang Lu. He couldn't help but feel mixed emotions, but he also secretly thought about Hou Liangping's difficulties and predicted that the restaurant would be hard to avoid the storm. Back at Hou Liangping's residence, the room was cramped and old things were in a mess. Zhang Xiaoma sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, looking around and sneering: "Oh, you lived in a spacious house when you were an official, but now you're stuck here, you might as well come back to the village with me." Hou Liangping patiently said: "Let's talk about the matter. We all know why we separated back then. What is your purpose in coming back now? Money?" Zhang Xiaoma said angrily: "Hou Liangping, who do you think I am! I just want to remarry, and I can't bear to see you being so carefree outside."
The negotiations were deadlocked, Zhang Xiaoma cried and threw a tantrum, Hou Liangping was extremely anxious, his cell phone was buzzing with messages, the waiter reported a sharp drop in customers, suppliers demanded payment, all because of the scandal. Qi Tongwei was also not at peace, the media dug up old accounts, early official disputes, love affairs were exposed, the restaurant's reputation was tarnished, partners were suspicious, and the capital chain was tight and seemed to be about to break.
Hou Liangping tried hard to break the impasse, contacted an old friend and lawyer to complete the divorce procedures, and sought mediation from the village elders to appease Zhang Xiaoma; Qi Tongwei was busy with public relations, holding a press conference to clarify that the restaurant was managed independently and that he had no personal involvement in the operation, and launched promotional activities and new product tastings to try to divert attention. However, Zhang Xiaoma was as difficult to deal with as a plaster. She blocked the door of the restaurant and cried during the day, complained about her grievances to every customer, and stayed at Hou Liangping's house at night, causing unrest in the family and forcing him to submit.
The restaurant was in danger again, with few customers and low morale among the staff. Hou Liangping was exhausted and haggard, often absent-minded when cooking, and the dishes were inaccurate, and diners gave him bad reviews. One day, the restaurant was in chaos and diners left in anger. Hou Liangping yelled at Zhang Xiaoma: "Enough! Do you really want to ruin everything? We have no feelings for each other, how can we force it to be sweet?" Zhang Xiaoma was stunned, tears welled up in her eyes but she gritted her teeth: "Am I so unbearable? Compared with those city girls like you, how have I lost?" Hou Liangping said softly: "It's not about who wins or loses, it's that we are on different paths, it's better to separate and be well, why bother to entangle."
At this time, Qi Tongwei came and saw the tragic scene. He felt sympathy and pulled Zhang Xiaoma over: "Sister, Liangping is right. We are all in trouble. If you continue to make trouble, all three will suffer. The restaurant collapsed, Liangping has no way to make a living, and you will not get any good either. Let's talk calmly." Zhang Xiaoma's sobbing gradually stopped, and the three of them sat together in a solemn and relaxed atmosphere. Qi Tongwei talked about the hardships of starting a business and the difficulty of rebirth; Hou Liangping recalled the warmth of the past and the helplessness of the present; Zhang Xiaoma listened quietly, her defenses gradually dropped, and she talked about the years of wandering and loneliness, the setbacks when returning home, and wanted to find stability through remarriage.
Hou Liangping sighed: "Ma'er, I know I have treated you badly, but we can't remarry. I will compensate you and help you start a business and open a store in your hometown. Let's part ways in peace." Qi Tongwei nodded in agreement: "Sister, my restaurant connections can help you. You have skills. It's better to start your own business than to be trapped here." Zhang Xiaoma hesitated for a long time, wiped her tears and agreed, on the condition that Hou Liangping would assist in the preparations throughout the process and Qi Tongwei would supply goods at a discount.
The agreement was finalized and the storm gradually subsided. Hou Liangping followed Zhang Xiaoma back to her hometown, and rushed around to select a site, apply for a license, and decorate, and taught her cooking innovation and management tips; Qi Tongwei kept his promise to help with funding and distribution, and gave her guidance every now and then. A few months later, Zhang Xiaoma's store opened, featuring rural-style fusion Sichuan cuisine, and the guests were crowded. She relaxed, and her past resentment turned into gratitude. Hou Liangping returned to the restaurant and worked with Qi Tongwei to revive it, optimizing the dishes, training employees, and expanding takeaways. The customer flow rebounded and the reputation rose again.