Ning Ziping brought Wang Hailan into the small diner opposite the supply and marketing cooperative. Upon entering, they were met with enthusiastic service. "What would the two of you like to eat?"
This was much more enthusiastic than the state-owned restaurants. Ning Ziping glanced at the menu posted on the wall, "One plate of shredded pork with hot peppers, one plate of home-style tofu, and two bowls of noodles with soy sauce gravy."
The waiter relayed the order to the kitchen and brought a pot of water for the couple, "Have some water first."
Wang Hailan felt some disdain but didn't dare to be too picky. She used the water from the pot to rinse the cups and then poured two cups of water, handing one to Ning Ziping, "Ziping, where are we headed next?"
