Shanhai Hot Pot Restaurant

"Are you going to eat hot pot today?" The colleague picked up the coat on the back of the chair and asked curiously when passing by Zhang Lin's station, "Don't you usually eat hot pot on Saturdays?"

"Aren't you tired of eating yet?"

Zhang Lin glanced at his colleague with a hint of sympathy in his eyes. He cleaned up the things on his table and said, "Of course I'm not tired of eating, why don't you come with me tonight?"

Although Shanhai Hot Pot Restaurant is very famous, many foreigners come here to eat, but the number of people who have eaten there is still a small number, and many people have never been there.

Zhang Lin’s colleagues are people who have never eaten. They live with their families and go home to eat every day, which can save a lot of money. They would rather take a car for nearly an hour to go home hungry than go to the nearest restaurant. Eating a bowl of noodles downstairs in the company, let alone going to eat hot pot?

The colleague hesitated, Zhang Lin continued to persuade: "You don't eat out every day, so it's okay to go out once in a while, right? I just booked a private room in advance, and there was no need to queue in the past. Would you like to go?"

Hot pot restaurants can only book private rooms, but not tables in the lobby, so you need to book a table a week in advance.

Every time Zhang Lin finished this meal, he immediately booked a table.

So you can get a seat every week.

And because of his enthusiasm for Amway, all his close friends have become regular customers of the hot pot restaurant. Going to the hot pot restaurant every week has become their regular activity, and if they don't eat barbecue, it will not cost much.

Only eating hot pot is more than 100 yuan per capita, and eating barbecue is more than this price.

Barbecue starts at [-] yuan per person, and it is normal for a big man to eat [-] yuan.

But no one complained about the high price of barbecue - people always have to make money in catering. If barbecue is priced like hot pot, it is estimated that this restaurant will close down soon, not to mention the service and sink. So many free items.

What's more, no matter how expensive it is, it is not as expensive as high-end Japanese and Korean barbecue restaurants. The high-end Japanese and Korean barbecue restaurants in this city cost at least [-] yuan per capita, and those high-end restaurants are not as good as Shanhai hot pot restaurants. .

The colleague hesitated for a while. He was indeed curious about hot pot restaurants, but no one asked him out—his interpersonal relationship was really not very good. He was immersed in reading when he was studying and working when he was working. No one accompanied him, and it was even more impossible for his family to go with him, thinking it was a waste of money.

How much does it cost to buy hot pot bottom ingredients for a meal at home?

After thinking about it, the colleague said: "Okay, then I will go with you, and AA will be done when the time comes."

Zhang Lin: "Then let's go now and take a taxi."

Colleagues turned pale with shock: "Don't take the subway?"

Zhang Lin: "...then take the subway."

Colleagues feel at ease.

Zhang Lin can only squeeze the subway with his colleagues during the rush hour. Compared with crowding people, Zhang Lin would rather be stuck on the road for a while. After squeezing into the subway, they are like sardines in a jar, swaying back and forth with the flow of people. From time to time, Zhang Lin could touch the shoulders and buttocks of the people next to him, so he could only raise both hands.

Colleagues are used to it, and they can even play with their mobile phones with both hands in the crowd. Zhang Lin's ability to maintain balance made Zhang Lin dumbfounded.

This guy shouldn't be doing a nine-to-five job. If he goes to train, he might be able to participate in the balance beam competition.

Among them, they had to transfer one station. There were a lot of people transferring at this station, and they had to queue up to get on the subway. They watched three subways leave, and finally got on the fourth one.

After getting off the subway, standing by the street, Zhang Lin took a deep breath, he felt that he finally came back to life.

Sitting on the subway during peak hours is really scary. Not only are there many people in the carriage, but also there are all kinds of smells.

The colleague seemed to have some resistance and didn't respond at all. Instead, he said to Zhang Lin, "We were lucky today, and we went up on the third trip. Normally, it would definitely take five trips."

Zhang Lin: "...you are amazing."

It was only then that my colleague remembered that Zhang Lin usually drove to work, so he probably didn't squeeze through the subway much.

Zhang Lin probably has a limited number today, so he can only take a taxi.

"Where are your friends? When are they coming?" the colleague asked.

Zhang Lin: "Let's sit in the store first, and they know which private room it is."

Several of my friends are married, and they will pick up their wives before coming here, and then bring them with them, so it takes more time than him.

There are already a lot of people ordering this hot pot restaurant. There is a long line outside and a sea of ​​people inside. The waiters never stop.

There is a lot of people inside and outside the store, people are chatting with each other, and the customers come from all over the world, with all skin colors.

Domestic guests also use accents that differ from province to province.

Because of the program, even if the hot pot restaurant is not a household name, it can be regarded as an instant fame.

Many people think of Shanhai Hot Pot Restaurant when they mention City X, and the hot pot restaurant can be regarded as a representative store of City X.

Regular customers are also honored, so they can't help but chat with customers who come for the first time, recommending dishes that they think are the best and most not to be missed.

It's just that today they are not discussing dishes, but drinks.

"I heard that there are freshly squeezed juices and milk tea today."

"I don't really like to drink fruit juice, so I want to try milk tea. Someone who just came out said that milk tea is very delicious and completely different from the outside."

"It seems to be freshly boiled. The fresh milk and tea are boiled fresh, and my saliva is about to come out."

"Caramel may or may not be present."

"If I don't put it in, the taste of caramel will change. I still like the original flavor."

Zhang Lin listened in his ears and asked his colleague, "Do you like milk tea?"

Colleague: "I don't like drinking."

He wants to save money to buy a house, and now his family is crowded into a two-room rental house, so he doesn't have the confidence to spend money recklessly.

Zhang Lin really didn't know what to say, so he could only take his colleagues into the private room, and felt that there was a reason for his unpopularity. When he asked him everything, he was "not interested" or "disliked". Who can find a common topic with him? ah?

It seems that next time you eat hot pot, don't call him.

Avoid embarrassment.

The waiter led them to the private room. Zhang Lin knew every waiter. On the way there, he asked the waiter, "Is there really milk tea today?"

The waiter smiled at Zhang Lin: "Yes, but it's limited. After all, it's the first day. If there's too much to sell, it's not good. The fresh milk will go bad tomorrow."

Zhang Lin snorted: "Can't we just put it in the refrigerator?"

But he thought about it again. The business in the store is so good because of its good reputation. Customers know that hot pot restaurants will never sell overnight dishes. If the fresh milk is not overnight, the customer's perception will only be better.

It seems to be limited, but it is actually a promotion of freshness.

Even if the milk tea is so strict, the requirements for the dishes will of course only be stricter.

After leading them to the private room, the waiter first poured tea for them, and then asked them as usual whether they want a paper menu or order directly with a QR code. Zhang Lin: "The QR code is fine, go ahead."

After the waiter left, the colleague was a little curious: "Do you know him?"

Zhang Lin: "Yes, I come here every week, sometimes even every day. I know all the waiters in the store, even the boss, and I still have his mobile phone number."

Usually, there is no opportunity to show off, and finally seized the opportunity. Of course, Zhang Lin wanted to show off enough, he said endlessly: "When I first came to the store, it was just getting a little popular, but it's not like now, During peak hours, the seats are just full, and there is no queue.”

"It's different now. There are scalpers for that number, and they'll be sold when they're in line." Zhang Lin, "Scalpers are everywhere."

In the past, there were indeed many scalpers waiting at the door of the store, constantly claiming numbers and reselling them.

They even learned English because of this, just to sell the number to foreigners at a high price-because it is not easy to deceive the natives, but it is easier to deceive the foreigners.

Their English is improving so fast that they are making rapid progress. If they have the drive to study, they might get a high score in English in the college entrance examination.

The colleague gained insight: "There are still scalpers? The people in the store don't care?"

Zhang Lin: "Don't worry, but now the scalpers have learned to be smart. They no longer shout loudly. Instead, they see couples and foreigners walking over to ask if they need it. Before the asking price was [-] for less than [-] tables, and now the price is increasing." gone."

Colleague: "...there are so many rich people."

Is it really worth spending money to buy an account just to have a meal?

Zhang Lin understood these people's choices very well: "It's me, and I'd like it too. It's better to spend some money than to stand in line for an hour or two."

The colleague was dumbfounded: "Two hours in line?"

Zhang Lin: "You don't know? Haven't you visited our store recently?"

The colleague shook his head: "My mother is watching, but I don't read much."

Zhang Lin: "..."

He really didn't know how to respond.

Even if you haven't watched it, can't you ask me what the show is about?

"Our Store" has been broadcast to the third episode. After the third episode came out, because of the director's editing, there are now a group of CP fans of the store manager and the handsome cashier guy on the Internet. The interaction between the CP is natural, and there is something that cannot be acted out. The intimacy and tacit understanding, coupled with the director's deliberate editing, quickly gained a group of fans.

People in the industry can understand Director Han's approach. After all, none of the guests participating in the show are suitable for the CP group. Controversy is nothing, but I am afraid that the two sides will attack each other and mislead a good program.

But to do this kind of variety show where the character line is the focus, the emotional line is naturally needed. The emotional line of the guests can’t be moved, so let’s start with amateurs, anyway, they are not from the entertainment industry, nor are they malicious editing. Those who are willing to play will find it sweet , People who don't want to drink will only think that they have a good relationship and brotherhood.

It's just that the response was really good, much better than Director Han expected.

Because it is so good, more and more customers come to the store to "chaser stars" every day, which makes Ming Qian dare not remove the cover-up. He can wear uniforms these days, making the customers think that he and Youjun are new waiters .

Because of their appearance, it also triggered a round of heated discussions among regular customers:

"These two don't look like new employees... The boss has changed his gender? Has he recruited without looking at his face?"

"Although the figure is very good, but the face is too ordinary."

"I think it's okay. He can be regarded as a handsome guy among ordinary people. It's just that the other people in the store are too handsome, so we can't blame them."

"That's right, and it's impolite to comment on others like that. They're here to be waiters, not public relations."

"No, I'm just thinking, if they can also enter the store as a waiter, do I have a chance too?"

"Fuck, I suddenly felt that I had a chance. I heard that the salary in the store is very high. Last time I remembered someone said that they would go on a trip together at the end of the year, and all expenses would be reimbursed at public expense."

The people in the group were discussing in full swing, and they were all ready to ask the waiters if the store still recruits people. Since the store's requirements for appearance are not as high as before, is it possible for them to have a chance?

Zhang Lin couldn't continue chatting with his colleagues, so he could only look down at the group. He was one of the most active people in the group, but he couldn't play with his mobile phone when he was going to work, and the subway was crowded after work, so he unexpectedly I didn't know that the hot pot restaurant had new milk tea in the first place.

This made Zhang Lin a little uncomfortable, but he quickly calmed down and sent a message in the group: "I've already sat in the private room and ordered milk tea. Now milk tea is limited. If you come late, you won't be able to order it."

The group boiled instantly: "Limited?!"

"The person who said there is milk tea just now didn't say the limit! It's over, I still have an hour to get off work, and when I get to the store, the day lily is probably cold."

"Every time a new product is released, there is a limited amount. Ming Qian has no confidence in the new product! I really want to shake his shoulder and yell at him that we can eat as much as you prepare."

"My mentality has collapsed. I guess I won't be able to drink today. Why don't I go tomorrow at noon, and I won't have to wait in line if I go early."

"Yes, I'm also planning to go tomorrow morning, so I won't be crowded tonight."

……

Zhang Lin felt a little more comfortable.

When the friends came, they saw Zhang Lin and his colleague swiping their mobile phones, and they didn't talk, like strangers who were forced to share a table. Face dumbfounded.

It was Zhang Lin who made an introduction to both parties before speaking a few words to his colleagues.

Then fell into an endless silence—after all, there was still an embarrassing situation that could not be escaped.

It wasn't until the waiter brought in the bottom of the pot and the dishes that the atmosphere of silence was finally broken.

"I put the eel first, okay?" My friend's wife picked up the eel and poured it into the pot, and then poured the duck blood. She swallowed at the smell of the bottom of the pot, "It smells so good, when I just came here I don't feel hungry yet, I'm hungry when I smell the aroma, I feel like I can eat a cow now."

She also said to Zhang Lin's colleagues: "Is this your first time to eat? I must recommend eel to you. Originally, I wanted to order loach, but I was afraid that you would not accept it. The eel and loach in this store are very fresh. It’s all freshly killed, and it’s delicious after cooking.”

Colleague: "...Do you have crispy sausage? I just ordered it."

Another friend: "Do you like crispy sausage? I like it too. Crispy sausage is always the god! It is crispy, fragrant, and chewy. I think it is much better than beef."

The colleague also said immediately: "Yes, yes, I used to make it at home by myself and fry it in a pan. I think it tastes better fried than boiled. Even without seasoning, it is very fragrant."

The two found a common topic in an instant and chatted quickly.

The awkward atmosphere just now was gone.

As long as you enter the store, people who usually can't find the topic can always quickly find the same point.

Zhang Lin felt a little unbelievable listening to their chat. After all, his colleague is a recognized topic stopper in the company.

Here it is like a duck to water.

After eating the cooked hot pot dishes, my colleague's expression changed, and even if he spoke, he could only take time to talk during the cooking process, as if he hadn't eaten for hundreds of years.

But Zhang Lin and the others could all understand. After all, it was the first time for a person to come to a hot pot restaurant, so it was normal to behave exaggeratedly.

The last time they saw a foreigner in the lobby, they made up a song to praise the store when they were drunk, but he was quite talented, he sang well, and the lyrics also rhymed, his singing even attracted The parrot in the store flew over to accompany him, and the scene of one person and one bird working together was filmed and made into a short video, which became popular on several major platforms for a while.

The foreigner was interviewed by several self-media for this reason, and earned a little money. After returning to his country, he seemed to post a few articles, praising Shanhai Hot Pot Restaurant, and made a group of foreigners who wanted to come here People make up their minds to come over.

"Hi, your milk tea is here." Ming Xin walked in with a plate.

Today's milk tea can only be ordered one cup per person, and you can only choose whether to add caramel or not, and you cannot choose other small ingredients.

It is such a "simple" milk tea, and now there are only a dozen times left in the kitchen.

Moreover, the milk tea in the store is packed in wooden cups, which can be recycled, and it looks very artistic. The straws are also iron straws, which can be reused just like cups after cleaning and disinfection, which is very environmentally friendly.

Therefore, the milk tea in the store cannot be taken away. If you need to take it away, you have to bring it with a thermos cup or the like.

After all, it is not a real milk tea shop, and the guests also expressed their understanding.

Mingxin put the milk tea on the table and left the private room. He had no expression on his face, but he no longer complained about the hard work—it was useless to complain any more. His brother had just eaten the weights and even told him , Even if there is no salary, he will continue to work.

The ghost knows what Mingli is thinking.

But Mingxin still has a lot of affection for his brother, and he doesn't want to leave him and go back to his hometown. More importantly, if he goes back alone, his father will definitely get angry again, and it won't be a matter of beating him.

I don't know how his dad has been exercising these years. At such an old age, it still hurts like before when he beat him.

Mingxin dejectedly walked to the door of the kitchen, when Chen Yan came out in high spirits, and asked Mingxin considerately: "What's wrong? I'm in a bad mood? Are there any difficulties? Why don't you tell me, maybe I can find a solution." Method?"

Ming Xin: "...No need, I just didn't sleep well last night."

Chen Yan sighed: "Even if you are young, don't torment yourself. You are so busy with work during the day, so go to bed early at night."

Mingxin silently walked into the kitchen to serve the dishes.

Chen Yan looked at his back, sighed leisurely, and then walked up the stairs on the second floor with an old tricky smile on his lips. All the way he walked, there were guests asking him: "Chen Yan, I heard you still Can carve nuclei? Do you sell it?"

"The battle was so big before. If I hadn't heard the word nuclear carving, I would have thought you were a big brother in society."

"Yes, yes, it looks very much like the little brother from before who came to look for the big brother."

"It's exactly like the scene in the movie."

Hearing the random speculations of regular customers, Chen Yan was very dumbfounded, but he still responded positively: "They came to me to discuss about participating in the exhibition, and I don't have any other nuclei carvings to sell. Let's talk about it later."

Then he turned into the kitchen, looked around and asked Yao: "Where are the boss and Youjun?"

Yao: "They went back and said they want to go back to study, maybe they want to learn some new dishes."

Chen Yan sighed: "I used to think that I was good enough to learn, but I didn't expect my boss to be more knowledgeable than me. I want to learn from my boss."

Yao's expression was indifferent: "...the boss doesn't like to watch the surveillance."

Chen Yan said with a smile: "I'm not pretending to be flattering, that's what I think. You're still young, so you don't understand."

remote:"……"

Is there anything normal in this group of strange beasts besides him?

Or are they all actors?

Chen Yan: "I don't know what new dishes the boss is learning."

·

In the study room, Ming Qian was watching the "learning video" with You Jun, both of them were dumbfounded by the exercises demonstrated in the video.

Ming Qian stammered, "This, doesn't this hurt?"

You Jun looked serious: "He doesn't seem to be in pain."

Ming Qian's expression was full of entanglement: "He yelled, it was so miserable."

You Jun: "I didn't see it."

Ming Qian: "If you can see it, then he is not far from death."

Youjun is not convinced: "This deity already understands the human race very well."

Ming Qian: "..." Really?I do not believe.

After watching it for less than 10 minutes, You Jun finally couldn't help but said to Ming Qian: "Shut it down."

Ming Qian: "What's the matter? You have to see at least half of it? We both have no experience, so we need to learn more."

Those who didn't know thought they were looking at some learning materials.

You Jun looked disgusted: "They are too ugly."

Ming Qian couldn't believe it: "Is this ugly? Netizens say it's the most beautiful, and I think it's okay, anyway, it's not ugly."

Youjun snorted coldly, and said very confidently: "I don't need to learn."

Ming Qian was suspicious: "Really?"

Suddenly being questioned, Youjun immediately said: "Naturally, this deity is a divine beast. Is there anything in the world that this deity is not good at?"

Ming Qian hesitated: "Are you sure?"

Youjun nodded with a serious face.

After hesitating for a minute, Ming Qian turned off the computer, took a deep breath and said, "Okay then, I'll take a shower first, if I tell you to stop later, we have to stop, okay?"

You Jun's eyes were deep: "That's natural."

Only then did Ming Qian feel relieved.

On the way to the bathroom, Ming Qian was still thinking - there are probably not many people in the world who learn how to do it with their lover.

They might even be the only couple.

Luckily no one will know, otherwise it would be really embarrassing.