Chapter 205: I'm Willing to Do This Job Even If It Doesn't Pay
At five o'clock in the afternoon, in a brick and stone tile house in Bobai New Village, Zhang Guangzong, 54 years old, sat leisurely at a square table. On the table were a plate of pork head, a plate of fried peanuts, and a plate of seasonal vegetables. He sipped his wine, enjoying the moment.
As he drank, he suddenly heard his cousin's voice outside the door: "Third Uncle, are you home?"
Zhang Guangzong put down his wine bowl and called out, "I'm just drinking. Guoan, you came at the right time. Come in and have a drink with me."
Soon, Zhang Guoan entered, glanced at the food and wine on the table, and said, "Hey, Third Uncle, what's the occasion today? You even have pig's head!"
Zhang Guangzong chuckled. "My daughter-in-law brought this back for me." He popped a peanut into his mouth and added with a smile, "Grab a bowl and chopsticks yourself. Do you really expect me to serve you?"
Zhang Guoan didn't stand on ceremony. He fetched a bowl and chopsticks, picked up the wine pot, and poured himself a drink. As he poured, he said, "Third Uncle, you live such a carefree life. Drinking a little wine every day—it's much better than my life."
Zhang Guangzong raised his wine bowl and clinked it with his cousin's. "You're eating commercial grain now. I can't compare to you. If it weren't for my filial children sending me some wine and food from time to time, I'd hardly be able to afford a drink."
Zhang Guoan took a sip of wine and smiled. "Third Uncle, I know you too well. Don't play poor in front of me. With your skills, if you wanted to go out and make money, even the young people in the village couldn't compare to you."
Zhang Guangzong waved his hand dismissively. "I'm old now. I don't want to bother with that anymore. My only wish is to drink two bowls of wine comfortably every day."
Zhang Guoan picked up a piece of pork head and ate it. "Third Uncle, I came today because I have a job to offer you. Are you interested?"
"Not interested!" Zhang Guangzong didn't even let him finish. He shook his head and said, "I'm at the age where I know my fate. How many years do I have left? While I can still move and my teeth are good, I should eat more delicious food and drink more wine. That way, I won't feel cheated when I'm in the underworld."
Zhang Guoan smiled. "Third Uncle, don't refuse so quickly. The job I'm offering doesn't require you to do much. You just sit there, eat, and drink every day. It won't interfere with your enjoyment, and you'll get a salary every month. Are you sure you don't want such a job?"
Zhang Guangzong was taken aback, then laughed and scolded, "Guoan, are you teasing your uncle? Do you want a beating?"
Zhang Guoan popped a peanut into his mouth and chewed as he spoke. "Third Uncle, how could I joke with you like that? I'm serious."
Seeing that his nephew wasn't joking, Zhang Guangzong couldn't help but ask, "What kind of job are you talking about?"
Zhang Guoan explained, "It's a position as a security manager at a restaurant."
Zhang Guangzong frowned in confusion. "Security manager at a restaurant? What kind of position is that? Do restaurants even have such a role?"
Zhang Guoan elaborated, "Third Uncle, the title is just for show. Your only job is to make sure troublemakers don't cause problems at the restaurant. As long as you can do that, you can eat and drink at the restaurant every day and get a monthly salary. What do you think?"
Zhang Guangzong's eyes lit up. "That's a great job. I'd be willing to do it even without a salary!"
He didn't even question whether he could meet the restaurant's requirements. In Bobai County, if Zhang Guangzong wanted to protect a restaurant, who would dare to cause trouble?
Zhang Guoan smiled. "I knew you'd be interested, Third Uncle. I've reserved this position for you. Once the restaurant is built, you can start working."
Zhang Guangzong asked, "Where's the owner of this restaurant from? And where is the restaurant being built?"
Zhang Guoan replied, "The owner is from Pine Mountain Commune. The restaurant is being built diagonally across from the People's Cinema. You can start in about three months."
Zhang Guangzong raised his wine bowl and clinked it with his cousin's. "Thank you. This job is perfect for me. I can start anytime."
Zhang Guoan chuckled. "Third Uncle, no need to be so formal. We're family. Let's drink!"
Zhang Guangzong smiled. "Alright, let's drink!"
By the time Zhang Guoan left his third uncle's house, it was already dark. Instead of heading home, he walked toward another house in the village.
The person he was looking for was a clansman named Zhang Guofu, who had once been the chef at the state-owned restaurant in Twin Phoenixes Commune. Due to a conflict with the restaurant's manager, Zhang Guofu had been bullied and eventually lost his job after a heated confrontation.
Last year, when Uncle Jiu mentioned needing a chef, Zhang Guoan had immediately thought of Zhang Guofu. However, since the restaurant's opening was uncertain, he hadn't mentioned it to him until now.
Now that the restaurant's opening was approaching, Zhang Guoan decided to inform Zhang Guofu in advance.
When he arrived at Zhang Guofu's house, the man was sitting at the door chatting with his wife and children.
After exchanging greetings, Zhang Guoan got straight to the point: "Shiqi, I came today to offer you a job. Are you interested?"
Before Zhang Guofu could respond, his wife's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Sixth Brother, of course he's willing! What kind of job is it?"
Zhang Guoan smiled. "It's a chef position at a restaurant."
Zhang Guofu was surprised. "Sixth Brother, are you serious? Which restaurant needs a chef?"
Zhang Guoan explained, "The restaurant isn't built yet. I'm here to let you know in advance. It'll probably take about three months to complete. If you're willing, I'll reserve the chef position for you."
Without waiting for his wife to reply, Zhang Guofu immediately said, "Of course I'm willing! Is this a state-owned restaurant?"
Zhang Guoan shook his head. "No, it's a restaurant opened by a friend of mine. Since you're willing, do your best and don't embarrass me, okay?"
Zhang Guofu patted his chest. "Don't worry, Sixth Brother. You know I never slack off at work, and you know my skills. I promise I won't let you down."
Zhang Guoan nodded. "I believe in you. During this time, get your family affairs in order. When the restaurant needs someone, I'll come back to let you know. As for the salary, we'll discuss it then. I'm sure my friend will treat you fairly."
"Alright, Sixth Brother. I'll be ready anytime."
(End of this chapter)