Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 122 The Boiler is Here

"There are only so many people, and they're all set up here. You can decide how to handle things here. I'm not in charge of this part. Just make sure you pay these people according to their numbers. Everything upstairs and downstairs has been cleaned up, and all the pots and pans have been replaced. You don't need to worry about the group upstairs setting up the gazebo; they'll leave once they're done."

"There's no heating here. There used to be a temporary boiler room, but it was demolished. You guys figure out what to do. I have boilers, big and small. As for that other end, you guys need to figure out whether to connect it over or how to use it. I'll arrange for someone to come and fix it in the spring. Right now, nothing can be done."

Xiao Wei said, "Uncle, could you help us convert that kitchen over there into a boiler room? This place is enough for the restaurant, so we don't need to go through the trouble of merging it. Just adding a boiler room will do. It's almost Chinese New Year, so let's leave that place there for now and see how we use it in the spring. We can fix it ourselves then. Thank you so much for getting it all set up in just one day."

Old Liu smiled and glanced at Director Wang, saying, "Then you should thank your Uncle Wang. This guy can't be left unfinished, haha."

Director Wang did a good job. From his perspective, he had already done a favor, so he might as well go all the way and get things done transparently. It was just a matter of walking a few steps and talking a bit. But for Xia Maosheng and Xiao Wei, this went too far.

Xiao Wei glanced at Xia Maosheng, who smiled and said, "Uncle Wang is family, so there's no need for formalities. But Uncle Liu, we have to accept your kindness. If you need anything in the future, just let us know, and we'll definitely take it without hesitation."

Xiao Wei asked, "By the way, Uncle Liu, do you have any large boilers?"

Old Liu nodded and said, "This is a construction and installation company. We do all sorts of things, what's up?"

Xiao Wei glanced at Director Wang and said, "There are a few rooms in that courtyard. Mao Sheng and I are planning to move there. They have their own boiler there, but I think it's old and might not work anymore, so we'd like to replace it. Uncle Liu, why don't you just do the work for us? Replace the boiler and check the heating pipes while you're at it."

Director Wang was taken aback for a moment and asked, "There are houses in that yard over there? Are they quite big?" He really didn't know.

Xiao Wei and Xia Maosheng laughed. Xia Maosheng said, "Uncle, you've never been inside that yard? There are several garages, several bungalows, and a small two-story building in the back."

Director Wang raised his hand to smooth his hair and said, "I've never actually been inside. That yard has been abandoned for so many years. Speaking of which, that yard must be quite large. How big is the boiler?"

Xiao Wei said, "Neither of us really knows much about this. We'll have to have someone from Uncle Liu's side take a look. The water pipes and stuff might be broken and need to be replaced."

Director Wang said to Lao Liu, "Alright, Lao Liu, send a few people over to fix it up quickly. I've set up a vocational training center in that building, and I've contracted it out to those two as well. I'll process the payment once it's done." He then turned to Xia Maosheng and said, "I'll take care of the maintenance, but you'll have to pay for the coal yourself."

Xiao Wei and Xia Maosheng nodded in agreement.

Old Liu said, "Let's see how to handle this first. You two make the arrangements, I'll head back now. I'll call the foreman over tomorrow morning. That old building west of the government building, right? That one's next Monday. I'm afraid we can't finish this in one day tomorrow, so we'll have to work overtime on Sunday."

Director Wang also stood up and said, "Is it all done over there? Okay, I'm heading back now. Keep up the good work."

The two of them went out through the back door together, got into a car, and left.

Inside the restaurant, only Xiaowei and Xia Maosheng remained, staring at each other in the lobby with seven other employees.

Xiao Wei coughed and said, "Well, you guys grab some chairs and sit down, let's talk for a bit."

Seven people went over, pulled up chairs, and sat down around Xiao Wei and Xia Maosheng, watching them.

Xia Maosheng suddenly blushed, a little embarrassed. He took out cigarettes and offered them to Xiao Wei, Liu Hongliang, and Li Gengsheng. Li Gengsheng didn't smoke, but Shang Liwei did. He came over, took one, and lit it himself.

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "My name is Zhang Wei, from Fengtian. This is Xia Maosheng, a local from Chaoyang, from the government. We've contracted this whole area, as well as the training center at the Labor Bureau. We've been working together for the past ten years. When students come over for internships, you can help mentor them. We're just your assistants. We're both younger than you, so we can't really manage. To be honest, we've never run a restaurant before. You two have more experience than us, so I won't say anything about that."

"Since we've all come together by chance, and for quite a while now, over ten years, we're all family now. You go to work and earn money to support your families, while we have to pay the lease fees, water, electricity, and gas bills. If we can save a little, we've made a profit; if not, we've lost money. We opened this place mainly to provide an internship space for the training center over there."

"But since we've already taken this job, we definitely want to do it well and make money, right? We still need to find partners and get married. We can't go looking for wives with nothing to our hands, can we?" The seven people opposite laughed.

"Sister Zhang, you're the team leader, so you'll continue doing this job. You'll be in charge of our internal personnel. Sister Shang is the dough-making specialist. To be honest, I was quite surprised that we have a professional dough-making specialist here. Sister Shang, can you teach? There's a pastry class over there. If you can teach, you can go and lead a class."

Shang Liwei flicked her cigarette ash and asked, "Do you get paid for lectures?"

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "Of course I'll pay you. Do you think I'd let you teach for free? I'll pay you by the hour."

Shang Liwei said, "Then go for it. Why wouldn't I go to earn more money? I'm not stupid."

Zhang Guifang asked, "Can I go to class? To teach them how to cut and prepare vegetables?"

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "Okay, I'll arrange some classes for you, Sister Zhang. What can Li Bing, Xie Na, and Li Wen do?"

Xie Na raised her hand and said, "I can chop vegetables. When we were busy before, it was just me and Sister Zhang preparing the ingredients."

Li Bing is rather introverted, thin and small, with long black hair tied up at the back of her head. She has big, dark eyes and says in a soft voice, "I can make dumplings quickly, and I can also make pancakes." Shang Liwei says from the side, "Xiao Bing used to help me at the dough table all the time. Sometimes I can't manage this stall by myself."

Li Wen was also thin and small, and a little shy. She said, "I've never done this before. I used to work as a general assistant in the office for more than a year, and then they put me here. I don't know anything about this."

Liu Hongliang said, "I can do everything, and I'll excel at anything."

Xiao Wei ignored Liu Hongliang and said, "Then it's like this: Sister Zhang will be in charge of personnel, and Sister Xie will prepare the dishes. Sister Shang and Sister Li will manage the noodle-making area, and Li Wen, you'll be in front, greeting customers, taking orders, and serving food. Is that okay?"

Li Wen nodded and said, "Okay, but, if there are more people, can I handle it alone?"

Liu Hongliang laughed and said, "There aren't many people here. Don't be fooled by the bustling market outside; not many people are willing to spend money to eat here."