Yes, more than fifty years have passed, and the world has changed a great deal.
Auntie explained to Grandpa, "Jingbei is the most expensive place in the country for land prices. This restaurant is in such a prime location. Just the annual rent alone must cost several million, not to mention labor and other costs. If they didn't charge higher prices, they'd probably find it hard to break even."
"That's true,"
Grandma Xu also said to her husband, "Forget Jingbei, just take our own Qingcheng. When Xuemei and the others were little, a bowl of noodles on the street cost just twenty cents. How much is it now?"
"Right,"
Grandpa Xu also nodded with a sigh, "When Xuemei was a child, we could support the whole family on less than a few dozen yuan a month. Nowadays, young people with salaries of several thousand or even over ten thousand a month can barely afford to raise one child. It's not easy!"
"You're absolutely right, Grandpa,"
Ye Shu, sitting nearby, immediately chimed in humorously, "So today, we're purely riding on Xiaxia's good fortune! If she weren't treating us, where would we dare to splurge on such a high-end restaurant ourselves!"
"Yes, yes!"
As soon as she finished speaking, all the friends at the table laughed and said, "Thank you, Captain!"
"Thanks to the Captain for treating us!!!"
They even raised their drinks as if toasting Xu Yanxia.
Xu Yanxia also smiled and clinked glasses with everyone, saying, "It's the least I could do. Let's have a good meal today to boost our morale. Once we win the championship in the finals, no matter how expensive, it'll be worth it!"
"Alright! We'll definitely take the championship!!!"
"Go, go, go!!!"
Everyone's morale was high as they drained their glasses of drink.
After finishing, Ye Shu sighed to Xu Yanxia, "Speaking of which, our own Jiu Shan is considered one of the top restaurants in Rong City, but the dishes here are quite a bit more expensive than ours. There really are a lot of wealthy people in Jingbei!"
"I'd say the foot traffic in Jingbei is truly exceptional!"
Xu Yanxia also seriously analyzed for everyone, "It's a tourist hotspot all year round. Tourists from all over the country, even the world, surely want to try authentic local cuisine. I checked online; this restaurant has almost no negative reviews. With that kind of reputation, as long as they do their marketing right, they'd have no shortage of customers."
"That's true!"
Suisui also nodded, "When we entered the main hall earlier, I saw several people filming for review videos. I used to often see food bloggers checking in here online, all saying it's delicious. It seems they have the confidence to charge these prices."
After she spoke, Grandpa Xu, who didn't quite understand, asked his granddaughter humbly, "What 'check-in' are you talking about? Do you need to get a stamp when you come to eat here now?"
"No, Grandpa!"
Suisui quickly explained to the elderly man with a smile, "The 'check-in' I mentioned means that after people see videos online saying this place is good, they all follow suit and come to eat. That's how many restaurants advertise nowadays."
"Yes,"
Xu Yanxia also took the opportunity to tell Grandpa about Decui Lou's current situation, "In the 1990s, during the state-owned enterprise reform, this former state-run restaurant introduced some foreign investment and changed its name to Decui Lou. Coupled with the tourism development boom back then, they raised their menu prices. Even compared to other similar restaurants in Jingbei at the time, theirs were on the higher side."
"Later, probably due to poor management, the state capital withdrew, and the restaurant was completely acquired by a private company. The company that bought them, much like our own company, specializes in investing in restaurants. They now have quite a few locations in major first-tier cities, following a similar model: acquiring old, established restaurants, then marketing and advertising online to attract customers."
—Thanks to her recent work developing a new brand, she had learned a fair bit about industry peers.
"I see,"
Grandpa Xu finally understood after listening, nodding his head, not without emotion, "So it was better when the state managed things. Prices were more reasonable. Once it becomes private, they can set any price they want, and no one regulates it."
"Actually, if the ingredients are top quality and the flavor lives up to it, and customers enjoy it, people are still willing to come. By the way, Grandpa,"
Xu Yanxia asked as an afterthought, "Back when you worked here, did you know a chef named Bao Deshun? He should be around your age. It's said he was the head chef here for decades, and now he's one of the key figures in this restaurant's marketing!"
"Bao Deshun..."
Her grandfather thought for a moment, then nodded, "There was a younger brother surnamed Bao, who came a few years after me. I remember his master and my master were fellow apprentices; they both worked at Huaixiang Ju in our provincial capital back in the day."
As soon as he finished, Ye Shu led the whole table in an exclamation, "So our Grandpa Xu's seniority is that high!"
"Yes, it seems the head chefs here are all your disciples and grand-disciples!"
"Then Grandpa coming back to eat today counts as inspecting the work of his disciples and grand-disciples, right?"
"How could I presume such a thing?"
Her grandfather immediately waved his hands modestly, "Cooking in a big city like this, serving guests from all over every day, with different tastes—to achieve the scale they have today, they are truly remarkable. How could I compare?"
"Of course you can compare!"
The sweet-talking Ye Shu immediately began flattering the old man, "You are the beloved grandfather of our Director Xia. To have taught Director Xiaxia such culinary skills, you absolutely qualify as a master."
"Exactly,"
The other friends all joined in the flattery, "True masters are all as humble as Grandpa Xu!"
"You kids are going to puff this old man's head up so much he won't be able to find north!"
Grandma Xu couldn't help laughing, "He'll be so happy he won't be able to sleep tonight!"
"Quite right,"
Grandpa Xu also said with a smile, "That's why being with you young folks is so good. It really lifts the spirits!"
This made everyone laugh along.
Amidst the laughter, their dishes began to arrive one by one.
"Here are the cold dishes you ordered: Crystal Pork Knuckle, Warm Tossed Sliced Whelk, Drunken Duck Tongue, and Cold Jellyfish Head."
The server for their private room was a young man in his twenties, wearing a sharp Chinese-style uniform. He introduced the dishes with a very standard smile, "These are all very popular cold dishes at our restaurant, made with premium ingredients and the exquisite skills of our chefs."
"And here are two classic hot dishes from Lu cuisine: Velvet Chicken Slices and Deep-Fried Meatballs. Please enjoy."
...
The warm-hearted friends first provided ample emotional validation by praising the appearance of the dishes—
"Wow, these dishes all look so beautiful!"
"This Crystal Pork Knuckle is so translucent, and the plating is lovely!"
"This is my first time seeing Velvet Chicken Slices. They're snow-white and look so tender!"
"The whelk slices are cut so thinly. The chef's knife skills are excellent!"
...
Indeed, in Xu Yanxia's view, based on presentation alone, these first few dishes passed muster.
Of course, given the price point, as one of Beijing's top-tier high-end restaurants, having a presentable appearance is the most basic requirement. What truly matters is the flavor of the dishes.
She then invited everyone, saying, "Come on, try it and see how it tastes."
"Alright, Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie, please have the first taste."
"That's right, the elders should eat first."
Their group of friends were all well-mannered and understood etiquette. They waited for Grandpa Xu, Grandma Xu, and their aunt to take their portions first before everyone followed suit to sample the food.
However, after taking a bite, they exchanged glances, each feeling a hint of surprise.
