CIATB Chapter 299 What is it that keeps me awake at night?
Chapter 299 What is it that keeps me awake at night?
Chapter 299 What is it that keeps me awake at night?
As soon as Yu Huan closed her eyes, her consciousness rapidly plunged into darkness.
Our perception of time has become blurred.
Slowly.
He gradually showed some signs of waking up.
She felt the vehicle swaying slightly, and below her cheek, soft, bouncy thighs radiated a pleasant warmth, while her earlobe was being gently kneaded.
The soft touch made him, in his dazed state, ponder in his heart.
This must be Lin Yourong's right hand.
Because she plays guitar frequently, pressing the strings with her left hand, she has developed some thin calluses...
In this quiet moment, before he could fully wake up, Yu Songnian's energetic shout suddenly rang out in the carriage.
"We're almost there! Wake up, everyone! Sister Orange—"
"Why are you shouting so loudly? I just closed my eyes, I'm not asleep." Yu Chengcheng's voice was particularly impatient.
"Forehead."
These two shouts instantly pulled Yu Huan's consciousness completely out of her slumber.
He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still carrying a hint of confusion from just waking up, but it quickly cleared up.
Instead of getting up from Lin Yourong's lap, he took out his phone from his pocket, held it up to his eyes, and looked at the screen.
It was already 5:27 PM, and the half-hour drive was enough for him to recover his energy.
And Chen Yaoyao did not send any more messages.
At this time, the new media department of the morning paper building had already closed for the day, and obviously nothing had happened.
A weight has been lifted from my heart.
The fingers that were kneading his earlobe suddenly stopped, and Lin Yourong's soft, languid voice reached his ear.
"Are you awake?"
Yu Huan's throat was slightly dry, and his voice was a little hoarse as he said, "Wife, didn't you sleep on the way?"
"I rested with my eyes closed for a while~"
"Oh," Yu Huan mumbled in response, burying her face and gently biting her thigh.
His ear was instantly pulled.
Before she could exert more force, he gently supported himself on her thigh with one hand and sat up straight with some reluctance.
He raised his arm and leaned against the car roof, stretching out in a big yawn, his clear eyes looking at Yu Chengcheng who had turned her head.
The younger sister yawned and joked, "Brother Huan, you're the only one who can sleep in the car."
"At my age, at this stage of my life, what could possibly keep me up at night?" Yu Huan, caught up in the yawn, also let out a light yawn.
"Mainly because resting your head on Sister Yourong's lap helps you sleep, right?" Yu Chengcheng raised her eyebrows mischievously.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yourong silently put on her mask.
Yu Huan smiled and said, "You're so smart."
talking.
He turned his head to look out the window.
The little BMW slowly drove along the riverside scenic belt.
The setting sun had already sunk behind Yuelu Mountain across the river, leaving only a last, intoxicating orange-red hue on the horizon.
"Brother Huan, it's hard to park in front of the restaurant. How about we park by the river and walk across the road?" Yu Songnian suddenly asked.
Yu Huan nodded slightly: "Okay."
Not long after.
The BMW was parked steadily in a parking space next to the scenic belt.
Yu Huan stood by the car door, raised his arm, and, displaying gentlemanly manners, let Lin Yourong help him out of the car.
Then, I took her little hand and we slowly walked towards the zebra crossing.
Yu Chengcheng followed closely behind the two of them, glanced back at Yu Songnian who was closing the car door not far away, and said with a smile, "Brother Huan, aren't you afraid of exposing Sister You Rong by eating at the place where Xu Hui works?"
Yu Huan pointed across the street and said, "It's not some small restaurant. It's lunchtime, and the kitchen is very busy. Xu Hui doesn't have time to chat with us."
The pedestrian light was red.
Yu Chengcheng walked to Yu Huan's side, who had stopped, and looked in the direction he was pointing.
Among the densely packed buildings, there stood a building with red brick walls.
Between the two wide doorways hangs a vertical sign for Wenheyou Lobster Restaurant, and just by looking at the exterior of the restaurant, you can tell that the interior must be quite large.
Yu Huan put down her hand and continued with a smile, "Besides, it's no big deal if Xu Hui finds out. I think that kid can keep things to himself, and he's still one of our own."
"You and your sister-in-law are planning to invest in opening a restaurant, and he'll be the head chef, right?" Yu Chengcheng asked with a grin.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yourong immediately exclaimed in bewilderment, "Huh?"
When is she going to open a restaurant?
A moment of thought——
Right.
The shop that Yu Huan had previously acquired was a restaurant.
I was looking at his documents on my laptop before, and it seemed that one of them was about his business plan for the catering industry?
Lin Yourong was deep in thought.
Yu Huan held her little hand and swayed it back and forth, while snapping her fingers with her other hand: "To be precise, he's the head chef, but we'll have to observe him for a year or two to see if he's up to the task. If he is, we'll hand over the entire kitchen to him."
Yu Chengcheng pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Xu Hui's skills are quite good. I see that he is serious about everything he does, and he is also honest and upright. He is from the village and is also Song Nian's future brother-in-law, so I feel at ease using him."
Yu Huan nodded without hesitation.
To be honest, based on his past life's trajectory, even without his help, Xu Hui would have been doing very well on his own.
Putting everything else aside, both of them are in their thirties, but this guy, who graduated from a 985 university, has accomplished nothing. Other guys have kids old enough to run errands, and they've even bought two apartments in the city and drive a small Audi A4.
Everyone has their own destiny. In comparison, Xu Hui has a wife and children, and a warm bed, and his life is much more comfortable than his.
Aside from his unclear speech, which makes communication quite difficult, and his slight obsessive-compulsive disorder, this person doesn't seem to have any other problems.
Xu Hui is capable and has good character, but he and his sister have not had much experience in society and lack their own opinions. They may be influenced by their family and cause some messy things.
It must be examined.
If we measure it by the loyalty level in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms game.
Conservative estimate.
The younger sister and brother are at least highly loyal and will do their best to carry out their missions. Only in extremely special circumstances will they consider leaving their faction, such as Xu Shu to Liu Bei and Chen Gong to Cao Cao.
Xu Hui can currently only be described as loyal; he will carry out missions according to the needs of his faction, but he may leave the faction under certain circumstances. For example, if his lord loses power and is defeated, he may flee due to various factors.
As for the first wife who shares the same bed with you, sharing joys and sorrows, and honor and disgrace, she will certainly be absolutely loyal.
One must walk one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time. Entering the catering industry is just the first trial of my skills.
Using relatively novel approaches in this era to establish cultural and creative brands, there are many things that can be done.
Yu Huan's thoughts shifted, and she looked at Yu Songnian, who had walked up to them, and asked, "Songnian, are the car doors locked?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Songnian pressed the car key in his hand, and the headlights of the BMW in the distance flashed and emitted a short "beep beep" sound: "It's locked."
"Call your brother-in-law first."
"Ok."
Yu Songnian casually replied and took out his phone from his pocket.
A cool breeze blew by, and Yu Chengcheng pulled her hat brim up a little, smiling as she said, "There's a saying that nine out of ten startups fail, but I'm still quite confident about Huan-ge's restaurant business."
Upon hearing this, Yu Huan thought for a moment and then smiled, saying, "You don't have confidence in me, but rather in your sister Rong, right?"
Yu Chengcheng nodded without hesitation: "That's right, with Sister Rong's golden reputation, plus you being the boss! As long as you don't do anything too outrageous, to be honest, you can't possibly lose money even if you want to!"
"Right!" Yu Huan didn't press the issue further.
It's just a few small projects; there's really no need for his wife to get involved. As the leader, his involvement is enough!
Amidst the conversation between Yu Songnian and his brother-in-law, Lin Yourong, holding Yu Huan's right hand and resting her left hand on his arm, said softly, "Whatever you do, I'll support you~"
Yu Huan turned his head to look at Lin Yourong, who was completely covered up, and smiled as he replied, "Then I must work hard and not let my wife down."
"Oh my!" Yu Chengcheng let out a sharp, explosive sound.
Before coming, I thought that Huan Ge, who was said to have married into a wealthy family, might not have much status in the family and would be disliked by them as well. I was a little nervous about this, afraid that I would be met with indifference.
As it turns out, I was worrying too much!
The red light flashed and turned green, and the four of them quickly started walking.
Yu Songnian put the phone down from his ear.
As he walked, he watched Yu Huan and Lin You Rong's backs as they walked together, and smiled, saying, "Brother Huan, Xu Hui said the private room is on the second floor. Just give him his name and phone number. He also asked me to apologize to you on his behalf, saying that the kitchen is very busy right now and he'll have a late-night snack with you and your wife later. But you and Sister You Rong haven't gone public yet, so I'll just politely decline for you."
Yu Huan turned around, smiled, and gave him a thumbs-up, saying, "Well done."
But he couldn't help but secretly complain to himself.
Xu Hui is a good kid. I wonder if he'll be discovered by the kitchen manager, given important responsibilities, and then quit after a while?
If it weren't for that promise of ten points, and the advance payment for training, and if I had come with a mission, it would be hard to say what would have happened... Yu Songnian grinned and said, "Of course, Brother Huan, can't I handle this little thing?"
As dusk deepened, the orange-yellow streetlights began to shine brightly.
Amidst laughter and conversation, the group crossed the road and entered Wenheyou Lobster Restaurant.
The lively and bustling atmosphere instantly enveloped them.
Before six o'clock, the place was already packed.
Looking around, the retro decor makes one feel as if they have traveled back to the era of communal dining.
Enameled mugs, rectangular benches, and square tables, their surfaces aged and mottled, all bearing the marks of time.
A pungent aroma filled the air, and the brisk waiters, carrying pots and pans, bustled about.
This gives a glimpse into the prototype of Super Wenheyou.
Yu Huan knew in his heart that in another year or two, with the great success of the marketing, Wenheyou Lobster Restaurant would truly become a hit.
Even with tables set up in front of the entrance, it's hard to find a seat, attracting many celebrities who come to Changsha to film programs to take photos.
Yu Songnian, who was behind the three, quickly walked past them and headed to the front desk.
With his younger brother greeting them from the front, Yu Huan waited with his wife and younger sister on one side of the entrance.
A few moments.
Led by a waitress, the four climbed the stairs to the second floor and entered the private room one by one.
The old posters pasted on the red brick walls have lost their vibrant colors, yet the atmosphere of old Changsha is palpable.
As Yu Chengcheng sat down at the small round table, she looked at the old-fashioned radio on the corner cabinet and said with a smile, "When the old house was still standing, it really felt just like this place."
Yu Huan followed her gaze and continued, "Although there is a radio in the corner, Grandma will cover it with a red cloth when it is not in use."
“Indeed.” Yu Songnian chuckled and scratched his head.
Lin Yourong pulled her mask down slightly, unconsciously moved her chair, and sat down next to Yu Huan: "This place is quite nice, the environment is very nostalgic."
"Handsome guy/beautiful lady, are there four of you?" the waitress asked loudly.
“Yes.” Yu Songnian nodded in response.
The words have not yet fallen.
He pushed a white menu with red lettering, along with a pencil, onto Lin Yourong across from him: "Sister-in-law, take a look and see what you'd like to eat."
"I'm fine with anything, just make it up to Chengcheng." Lin Yourong was about to push Yu Chengcheng towards him again.
Yu Huan suddenly raised her hand and pressed it against the pencil and the menu below, and said with a smile, "Just order her some spicy snake. I'll order the dishes. I know your preferences."
Upon hearing the words "spicy snake" in the first half of Yu Huan's sentence, Lin Yourong let out a soft exclamation of surprise and doubt: "Huh?"
Wait until you hear the whole sentence.
She released her hand, nodded slightly, and continued, "Then you can have some."
Holding a pencil, Yu Huan put a checkmark next to the Xingcheng Flavored Snake that was marked 198 yuan.
Then, they quickly ticked off the garlic shrimp and spicy crayfish, both of which cost 128 yuan, and asked, "What would you like to drink?"
Lin Yourong said in a low voice, "I want lemon tea, at room temperature."
Without hesitation, Yu Chengcheng said, "I want lemon tea too."
“Me too.” Yu Songnian had barely finished speaking when he quickly added, “I want it iced.”
Upon hearing this formation, Yu Huan couldn't help but chuckle and immediately wrote '+4'.
We also ordered four servings of rice mixed with lard, four braised baby turtles, two servings of perilla, peach and ginger, and one serving of stir-fried loofah.
He then looked around at his first wife and younger sister: "Do you think there's anything else you'd like to add?"
After examining the menu for a while, Lin Yourong lightly tapped her slender fingertips on it and said in a low voice, "I haven't seen this in many years."
Yu Huan's gaze fell upon it, and she smiled as she ticked the box next to "Old Xingcheng Snail": "This thing used to dominate the night market in Xingcheng."
In the past, the snails we ate were collected by farmers from fish ponds, paddy fields, and ditches, and then purchased by merchants and either delivered to restaurants or sold at markets.
As demand increased, artificial breeding began, but the taste certainly didn't improve.
The bad drives out the good, and with unscrupulous vendors using golden apple snails to pass off as high-quality ones, the reputation has been damaged, so naturally, few people eat them now.
"Orange, what about you?" Yu Huan turned to ask Yu Chengcheng.
After a moment's thought, Yu Chengcheng realized that the bill had already exceeded six hundred yuan, and hurriedly said, "I think that's enough. If we order any more, we won't be able to finish it."
Upon hearing this, Yu Huan immediately turned the menu around and pushed it toward Yu Songnian: "You can add some more."
Yu Songnian glanced around, picked up a pencil, and drew a picture on the back of the braised pig's tail.
He then picked it up and handed it to the waitress, jokingly saying, "Please tell the kitchen to serve the food as soon as possible, we're starving."
The restaurant occupies a huge area, at least a thousand square meters, and its business is booming, with at least a hundred employees.
Yu Songnian, who usually keeps in close contact with his brother-in-law, was well aware of this and didn't say anything like "I have connections in the kitchen."
The waitress gave a formulaic smile and said in a standard script: "Don't worry, handsome, I'll talk to the chefs in the kitchen and make sure you won't have to wait too long."
As she spoke, she held the menu up to her face, quickly recited the names of the dishes she had ordered, and then continued, "...Three lemon teas, one at room temperature and one with ice, for four people. Is that all? Is there anything wrong?"
Yu Huan nodded slightly and continued, "That's right."
"Okay, I'll arrange it for you right away." The waitress turned around and quickly took a step.
As the door closed, Lin Yourong's gaze swept past Yu Huan in the middle and looked at Yu Chengcheng, asking curiously, "Chengcheng, do you like to eat spicy snake?"
Yu Songnian pulled his phone out of his pocket, held it up to his face, and chuckled as he continued, "She likes to eat all kinds of snake. As for how she cooks them, it's not just spicy snake, but also things like ginger-spicy snake, snake stewed with green peppers—"
"Your tone is a bit strange! Don't make it sound like I have pica!"
Yu Chengcheng rolled her eyes at him, then turned to Lin Yourong and replied:
"Sister Yourong, I like most kinds of meat! It's just that snake meat is not very common and it's expensive in restaurants, so it's quite nice to have the chance to eat it once in a while!"
"She really is a foodie, and she's not picky about food; she'll put anything in her mouth." Yu Huan commented on Yu Chengcheng with a smile.
Lin Yourong suddenly remembered that Yu Huan often said that the two siblings were good-for-nothings, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Yu Chengcheng looked speechless: "Big brother! It's not like you're not a foodie and don't put anything in your mouth!"
Lin Yourong nodded in agreement: "Indeed, someone often eats and drinks excessively."
Yu Huan's hand, which was under the table, instantly reached up and touched her thigh, kneading it a few times: "What do you mean by 'someone'? Just name this person Yu Huan!"
Lin Yourong slapped away Yu Huan's mischievous paws.
Her lips twitched as if she was about to speak, but the door was suddenly pushed open.
The food came out so fast?
Lin Yourong couldn't help but be a little surprised.
A male and female server walked in carrying the dishes. The middle-aged woman in front smiled and said, "Handsome guy and beautiful lady, excuse me, let me serve you your food."
"Okay." Yu Songnian nodded in response.
As soon as the two stainless steel bowls of crayfish were placed on the table, an incredibly rich and fresh aroma instantly filled the air.
The middle-aged woman standing by the table suddenly asked curiously, "Are you Xiao Xu's friends?"
Yu Songnian's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed hard before replying, "He's my brother-in-law."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged woman nodded in realization and turned around to say, "Oh, no wonder, Xiao Xu has already paid, you don't need to settle the bill again!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the door closed.
Yu Huan smiled and said to Yu Songnian, "I'll give you the money for the meal later, and you can give it to him."
Yu Songnian shook his head: "No need, Huan-ge. Xu Hui said on the phone that he was a bit busy, especially since he couldn't spend time with you and your wife. He said he would treat us."
Lin Yourong pinched Yu Huan's firm thigh flesh under the table: "You think you have a lot of face?"
"Otherwise what?" Yu Huan raised her chin slightly.
It must be said that Xu Hui is quite sensible.
Lin Yourong snorted and then said to Yu Chengcheng and Yu Songnian, "You two eat first. You must be hungry by now."
Yu Chengcheng pursed her lips and quickly said, "I'm not hungry. With Sister Rong here, Songnian and I ate quite a few snacks this afternoon. We'll start eating together once all the dishes are served—"
Yu Songnian stared at the brightly colored crayfish in the basin.
The bright red shells gleamed with an oily sheen under the light, and each one was plump and full.
"—Songnian, don't you think so?"
Suddenly hearing Yu Chengcheng call his name, he snapped out of his daze, hurriedly nodded and swallowed, replying, "Yes."
Seeing his younger brother's greedy look, Yu Huan suppressed a laugh and said, "Song Nian, you're drooling, wipe it off quickly."
Upon hearing this, Yu Songnian quickly raised the back of his hand and wiped it.
Under the light, the back of my hand was completely dry, with no trace of saliva.
Yu Songnian glanced at Yu Huan with resentment.
Who are these people!
He's just making a fool of himself in front of Sister Yourong!
The fact that this little brother could be fooled like this made Yu Chengcheng sigh at his intelligence: "Songnian, don't pretend anymore. If you want to eat, just do it."
"Are you all kidding me?" Yu Songnian was exhausted and exasperated. "I'm not some reincarnated starving ghost!"
Yu Huan finally couldn't hold back and laughed out loud: "Song Nian, your older brother and sister are just worried that you'll get too thin from hunger."
(End of this chapter)