Chapter 968 - 934: Trial Opening

After Fu Guomin took over Li Quanguai’s Dongzhou Barbecue, he simply changed the sign, following his son Fu Xuedong’s advice to add the word "Old" at the front. It is now called Old Dongzhou Barbecue.

Fu Guomin specially invited two assistants from Dongzhou, who are relatives from his hometown, and hired two more helpers. Including himself, there were a total of five people, and the barbecue shop started its trial operation. He believed that a few days of trial operation wouldn’t be too busy and should be manageable.

During the trial operation, only acquaintances were invited; Xu Chunliang called up Pu Jian and Chen Qianfan. When they arrived, they found that there were already people there—all old friends. Fu Guomin’s two best friends in Capital City arrived: Jiang Simian, the director of admissions at Shuimu University’s Graduate School, and Hu Yuchun, the director of the Radiotherapy Department at the Capital Tumor Research Institute.

It’s not the first meeting for everyone. Jiang Simian, who has a great fondness for card games, greeted them upon arrival, saying, "Why did you come so late? We’re short one player, let’s play two rounds of Guandan first."

Chen Qianfan replied, "There’s no rush." He had brought the car over and instructed the driver to unload twenty cases of Chen Lao Dao’s Sauce Wine, telling Fu Guomin to use them first. The twenty cases were free, serving as promotional costs, and future orders would be at factory price.

Fu Guomin wasn’t deeply connected with Chen Qianfan and knew that this gesture was entirely due to Xu Chunliang’s influence—a gesture of support from his little brother for his business.

Fu Guomin thanked him and didn’t refuse, as being overly polite would appear insincere.

Pu Jian checked out the interior environment, which was basically unchanged, and he earnestly helped Fu Guomin choose an auspicious day for the opening.

Hu Yuchun chatted with Xu Chunliang about collaboration, mentioning that after discussing cooperation while drinking last time, he had consulted with his leaders upon returning. The key leaders at the tumor institute were very proactive about this and expressed they should conduct an on-site survey in Dongzhou soon.

Xu Chunliang and Hu Yuchun finalized the specific time for the survey before having their meal.

Jiang Simian was considering playing another game, but there wasn’t enough time. Before they started, someone outside delivered two Fortune Trees.

Fu Guomin was somewhat surprised, as today wasn’t the official opening. He had specifically instructed everyone not to bring gifts but simply come for a meal. Upon inspecting the note on the trees, it read "Dongzhou Beijing Office," indicating that old colleagues had sent the trees upon hearing about his shop opening.

While pondering whether to call Qian Aijun to invite a group of old colleagues for a meal and to express his gratitude, Qian Aijun had already led a group of old colleagues from the Beijing Office over. Given the proximity to the Beijing Office, it was impossible not to know about Fu Guomin taking over Dongzhou Barbecue.

After facing setbacks at the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau and decisively resigning upon returning to Capital City, his age made leaving politics for business impressive enough for admiration.

Although Fu Guomin hadn’t interacted much with old colleagues from the Beijing Office after returning, he had a good rapport in the past there. Colleagues had considered supporting his barbecue shop once it opened.

Today, the Beijing Office was led by Director Qian Aijun himself, joined by Deputy Director Qin Xinli and Dongzhou Restaurant Manager Li Xiumei. There was also a newly appointed Deputy Director named Yang Wenming, who recently joined the Beijing Office from Dongzhou and was under forty.

Reliable information suggested Qian Aijun had received orders for reassignment, to return to Dongzhou as the Party Committee Secretary of the High-Tech Zone.

Initially, the most active was Qin Xinli. Since being reassigned from the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau to Deputy Director at the Beijing Office, he had been seeking connections due to a strong attachment to his homeland—after working nearly a lifetime in Dongzhou, he wasn’t accustomed to the life away from home. Despite Capital City’s splendor, he felt no sense of belonging here.

Even though Qin Xinli felt close to succeeding, it was ultimately Qian Aijun who left. However, Qian Aijun hadn’t publicly announced it, just indirectly hinted that Qin Xinli would have to manage the work at the Beijing Office.

Although Qin Xinli didn’t get what he wished for, he finally had the opportunity to shed the "Deputy" from his title as Director. Given his high position and qualifications, Qian Aijun was relatively junior.

Li Xiumei was recently entangled in a stir caused by Qian Aijun, and although higher-ups ordered her suspension for investigation, as the incident’s impact diminished and no major issues were found, she received internal disciplinary action and returned to her previous work position. Given the significance of Dongzhou Restaurant, it couldn’t function without her, as several veteran leaders were very satisfied with her service.

The main reason was that Fu Guomin resigned and Qian Aijun returned to Dongzhou, leaving the Beijing Office’s top leadership vacant. Considering Qin Xinli had only recently joined and Yang Wenming was new, a knowledgeable veteran was essential. Thus, Li Xiumei’s reinstatement was imperative.

In private, Qian Aijun had regretted for Fu Guomin, as it was apparent to keen observers that Fu Guomin was a victim of political struggle. If he had networked more, returning as Deputy Director at the Beijing Office wouldn’t have been impossible.

No one at the Beijing Office expected Fu Guomin to end his career in the establishment so dramatically by resigning, revealing a surprisingly fierce side to his otherwise gentle demeanor.

Seeing so many old colleagues visiting, Fu Guomin felt somewhat emotional and shook Qian Aijun’s hand, saying, "Director Qian, you’re too kind."

Qian Aijun shook Fu Guomin’s hand with a friendly jolt, saying, "Old Fu, you’re being unkind; you didn’t even inform us for the opening."

"It’s not an opening; it’s a trial run. I was planning to invite you for the opening," Fu Guomin replied, not revealing the full truth.

Qian Aijun laughed, saying, "I’ll be back in Dongzhou by your opening; I must have a meal with you first."

Everyone burst into laughter. Fu Guomin shook hands with each colleague one by one. When it came to Li Xiumei, the two glanced at each other with a sense of mutual understanding. Of course, it wasn’t anything romantic, just the kind of understanding where you give convenience to others and receive convenience yourself.

Currently, there’s only one private room in the barbecue restaurant, and Xu Chunliang and his group voluntarily gave it to the people from the Beijing Office; everyone basically knows each other.

Qian Aijun specially came over to greet Xu Chunliang. Although he’s in Capital City, he’s constantly paying attention to the situation in Dongzhou and has heard about Xu Chunliang’s recent activities.

Xu Chunliang and his friends sat down in the hall. As it was the beginning of the trial operation, nothing was quite in order. Fu Guomin had to personally serve the dishes, and his helper, a relative, wasn’t professionally trained. Chen Qianfan, seeing his clumsiness, couldn’t stand it anymore and simply put on an apron, heading to the kitchen to personally prepare the cold dishes.

Xu Chunliang and Pu Jian asked Fu Guomin to accompany the guests while they helped to serve the plates. Once they officially opened, the main focus would be barbecue complemented by some pre-made small dishes, but today Fu Guomin was entertaining friends, so he bought a lot of dishes, putting eight cold dishes on each table.

Initially, they thought there would just be the table for the Beijing Office, but unexpectedly, guests kept coming, one table after another, mostly regular customers. They all loved barbecue, and since Li Quanguai closed, there were few authentic Dongzhou barbecue places in the vast Capital City.

It seems like the cumin aroma sent the message out; five or six tables of old customers came.

Fu Guomin originally didn’t plan to accommodate more guests, but Xu Chunliang believed there’s no difference between trial operation and official opening; once the guests arrive, you can’t just turn them away. Pu Jian felt the same way; if the God of Wealth brings you money, you can’t refuse it, even if it means going through tough times.

So Jiang Simian and Hu Yuchun came over to help skewer the meat, and some friends who originally intended to drink joined as temporary helpers.

When Xu Chunliang was delivering dishes to the private room, Qian Aijun called him, "Xiaoxu, stop rushing around. Sit down and have a drink with us."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Director Qian, I’ll definitely come later. You guys start drinking first."

As he stepped out, he saw Pu Jian signaling to the side. Following the hint, Xu Chunliang looked over and saw Gao Xiaobai and some classmates sitting in the corner, looking at him.

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, Capital City is so big, how come all the acquaintances are gathering here today? It shouldn’t be Fu Guomin who notified them, right?

Gao Xiaobai stood up, "Chunliang, you haven’t left yet?" She thought Xu Chunliang was here to pick up his grandfather.

Xu Chunliang replied, "Not yet, the enthusiasm of the people in Capital City makes me reluctant to leave."

Gao Xiaobai smiled, "I’m here dining with classmates, and we suddenly craved Dongzhou barbecue, so I recommended this place to them."

Xu Chunliang said, "No problem, feel free to come and eat; it’ll all be on my tab."

Gao Xiaobai said, "Thanks a lot!"

Xu Chunliang let them enjoy their meal. By this time, the barbecue restaurant was already full to the brim, and Fu Guomin was too busy to greet them, running back and forth inside and outside. Xu Chunliang headed to the kitchen and saw Chen Qianfan busy as well.

Pu Jian dashed in to remind them, "Old Chen, don’t sell all the dishes; we haven’t had ours yet."

Chen Qianfan said, "I don’t think there’s any dishes left for us; clearly, we didn’t prepare enough today. Let Brother Fu know we can’t serve more guests."

Pu Jian remarked, "I think this place is going to be popular."

By eight-thirty in the evening, all the lamb was sold out. Fu Guomin didn’t expect such a booming business on the first day of trial operation; it was a great start to his business venture. The embarrassing part was that the friends he invited didn’t even get to eat any lamb.

Li Xiumei came to settle the bill; today, everyone was celebrating Fu Guomin’s auspicious opening, and he must accept the money as a gesture.

Xu Chunliang helped settle Gao Xiaobai’s bill.

Fu Guomin couldn’t refuse and had to take the money. Although the dishes were sold out, since the guests hadn’t left, he couldn’t leave either, nor could he let Xu Chunliang’s friends go hungry. He discreetly called Xu Chunliang aside and handed him two thousand yuan to find a place nearby to treat Chen Qianfan and his friends to dinner.

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Do we really have to be so formal? We’ll just find a place to have a drink; you owe us this meal for now."

Fu Guomin nodded, feeling grateful, realizing he didn’t waste his years in the system, at least he made some good friends.