Chapter 3 Life in America-2

(three) Not long after Tony left, a "fishbone incident" occurred in "Tingyulou".On this day, regular customers Matthew and Linda came to eat. Linda used to eat mustard chicken slices or boiled chicken slices. When she was hesitating whether to order mustard chicken slices or boiled chicken slices, she Seeing the Chinese at the next table eating steamed fish with gusto, she ordered a plate on a whim.As a result, while eating, the small fishbone stuck into her throat, and she couldn't cough it out, and the more she coughed, the more painful it was, which made her tremble with fright.Werther Xiaobai told her to gulp down the food, but it didn't seem to solve the problem.Matthew is usually very kind, but this time he was uncharacteristically, with a straight face, rushed to the counter, asked the general manager to call "911", and called the ambulance center to send a doctor for emergency treatment.

Lao Jin said: "Sir, this is a small problem. Eat a few mouthfuls of rice, or drink some vinegar, and you can get rid of the fishbone. It doesn't matter." Lao Ye translated what Lao Jin said to Matthew, and Matthew asked Lao Jin: "My wife is so serious, how can it be a small problem? If I don't rescue it in time, my wife's life may be in danger. I need to remind the general manager Sir, all consequences for my wife will be borne by the 'Tingyulou' restaurant." After listening to Lao Ye's translation, Lao Jin said: "How can there be such a reason? Your wife accidentally ate a fishbone, how can you blame the restaurant?"

Lao Ye translated Lao Jin's words to Matthew with embellishments, and Matthew said in surprise: "This fish is made by a restaurant, how can it have fishbone?" As soon as Lao Ye finished translating, Lao Jin chuckled: "It's a joke, there is no fishbone, so is it called a fish?" Before Lao Ye could translate, Matthew had sensed it. He asked Lao Ye: "Is this gentleman the general manager? I don't think he has the level and ability of a general manager." Lao Ye was not good at translating to Lao Jin, and was at a loss as to what to say, Datang stepped forward: "Mr. Matthew, General Manager Jin is an extremely outstanding entrepreneur. There is no need to doubt his ability." Matthew spread his hands and asked, "Then how do you explain the fact that my wife got a fishbone?"

Datang said: "Because steamed fish is a Chinese method, and the Chinese method does not pick fish bones. The Chinese people understand that fish with many fish bones is a good fish, and it tastes delicious and delicious. Because the meat close to the bone is the most fragrant. Just like the grilled pork ribs you like to eat, Mr. Matthew, although the meat is very small, it is very fragrant. The same is true for this steamed fish dish. Just because it has many fish bones, you have to take an adventurous spirit Come to eat fish. In this way, you will have two wonderful effects, one is stimulation, which will surprise you; It seems to be a very small thing, as our general manager Jin said, you can swallow a fishbone by swallowing a few mouthfuls of food. In fact, Witt asked your wife to swallow a few mouthfuls of food just now, and her feeling has already changed. It's much better. You said, on such a wonderful night, when your wife is gradually recovering a wonderful feeling, it is appropriate to call the ambulance and come over screaming?"

Matthew thought for a while, then looked at his wife, who was waving to him.Matthew said: "I regret what happened tonight. I will call my lawyer and ask him to make a memorandum. I will reserve the right to pursue legal liability and compensation for your hotel." Datang said: "Mr. Matthew, I think it is necessary for our hotel to tell you that it has been more than six years since the opening of 'Tingyulou'. In this more than six years, 'Tingyulou' has established a good The credibility of the hotel, and was rated as three stars by the authoritative "News Times". We will do our best to maintain the lofty reputation of our restaurant. Today's matter, there is no right or wrong, it is just a matter caused by different dietary backgrounds. little things."

Matthew shook his head and said: "No, I don't think so. Although the diet background is different, but as Werther, I have to explain it to my wife and tell my wife: 'Be careful when you eat fish, there are many fish products in it. .' so that such unfortunate incidents could be avoided. Isn't it so?" Datang said: "This is a matter of common sense, and your wife should know about these situations. Therefore, Werther can remind your wife. However, if you do not remind your wife, it does not constitute a necessary issue of responsibility." Matthew said, "Well, let's turn these liability issues over to our lawyers." He returned to his seat and continued eating.

Lao Jin was a little scared, and he gave Lao Ye a wink.Lao Ye immediately asked Xiao Bai to come down, and went up to serve in person.He ordered a boiled chicken slice for Linda, and cleaned the bones of the steamed fish, and asked her to continue tasting, saying that they would not charge for these two dishes.After the meal, I gave them two fried ice creams. The purpose of Lao Ye's flattery is naturally to calm things down.Unexpectedly, the opposite happened. Two days later, Matthew's lawyer called and wanted to negotiate with the hotel's lawyer to demand $200,000 in compensation.Lao Ye knew it, and was so angry that he cursed Matthew in Hokkien dialect and fucked his ancestor nearly a hundred times.

Lao Jin was angry and anxious, he couldn't figure it out, this American is so unreasonable!It is said that Americans are domineering, because they have no experience and do not know how to be domineering.He has learned the lesson thoroughly today. If it is in the country, he will go bankrupt and fight to the end with the other party.But now in the United States, he can't even understand the words, and he doesn't know how to deal with this kind of thing. If he really has to pay him 200,000 yuan, wouldn't that be his death? Lao Jin fell ill and lay in bed unable to get up.Jincheng and Betty panicked and wanted to send him to the hospital for treatment.

Lao Jin said: "I'm not sick, I just feel angry." Jin Cheng said: "Yi Pa, you must not be angry, you will be very ill if you get angry." Lao Jin said: "Such an American! He eats fish bones by himself, and the restaurant pays him two hundred thousand dollars! This, this, this... is really a son of a bitch!" Jin Cheng said: "Yi Dad, it's not so easy, you can pay as much as you want? Isn't that a big mess? We also have lawyers, and they are also American lawyers! This lawyer named Douglas is also very domineering! What are you afraid of? ? So, rest assured, take a good rest at home these few days, and I can just run a little more on both sides."

Lao Jin said: "I'm afraid that if I lose, I will lose so much money..." Betty said, "Daddy, it doesn't matter. Even if we lose the lawsuit, we won't lose money. We have insurance. The insurance company will lose money." Lao Jin rolled over and sat up: "What? The insurance company will help us lose money?" Jin Cheng said, "Of course, otherwise, why would we spend so much money on insurance every year?" Lao Jin said: "Then, then I feel at ease. I'm going to work! You call the lawyer and tell the lawyer that we will fight that son of a bitch to the end!"

Both Jincheng and Betty laughed.Jin Cheng said: "Yi Dad, you haven't had a good rest in the past few months. I think you should take a rest for two days. Tomorrow, Lao Ye will be resting. I will ask him to take you to New York for fun." Betty smiled and said, "That's right. Daddy also goes to the sauna." The next day, Lao Ye drove to pick up Lao Jin and go to New York to play.Lao Jin had been to New York, and his son had taken him there when he was on business in Chinatown.Sitting in his son's car, he glanced at the United Nations, the Empire State Building, and the street scene.The streets are numbered anyway, narrow and small, either in traffic jams or racing cars, especially those yellow taxis rampage, which is frightening.New York was so messy and noisy, he felt so bad that he didn't even want to get out of the car.The son drove the car to the Statue of Liberty Wharf and wanted to take him to see the Statue of Liberty Island by ferry.He looked across the bank, and saw that the small Statue of Liberty in the far water was not as big as a matchstick, so it was meaningless to think about it, so he shook his head and told his son that he couldn't explain it. Lao Ye took Highway No. 95 to New York. The car was driving very fast. Before he had gone far, there was a long queue of big and small cars, and he was moving slowly.He found an exit, turned a few streets, and took another Highway 15.This highway is an interstate highway, built along the mountain, covered with greenery on both sides, and no large vehicles are allowed, so it looks very quiet. Lao Jin admired from the bottom of his heart: "The expressway in the United States is really developed." Lao Ye said: "This road has been built for almost a hundred years." Lao Jin said: "Look, how many cars, tsk tsk, how much gasoline is burned every year." Lao Ye said: "So, there is going to be a war. Why are the Americans staring at the desert in the Middle East? It is for oil." Lao Jin said: "In the United States, cars are really inseparable. Look, an old woman in her seventies still drives, and she drives so fast. It's fatal." Lao Ye said: "Mr. Jin, you can also learn to drive. If you know how to drive, you will have wings. You can play wherever you want!" Lao Jin said: "I am so old, how can I learn to drive?" Lao Ye said: "You are only sixty, what are you old for? I will teach you to drive in the future, and you will learn to drive in three days. According to Americans, people in their sixties are still middle-aged, and they can still drive and have sex. La." Lao Jin asked: "What shot?" Lao Ye patted the steering wheel with both hands: "Boss Jin, just fuck it! Let's have sex!" Lao Jin waved his hand: "I'm too old to move. Still talking about that..." Lao Ye said: "Oh, Mr. Jin, not only do you have to talk, but you also have to do it! The more you do it, the better your health, and the younger you are. Americans, in their seventies and eighties, are still doing it. Have you seen that, The old woman who comes to eat on Wednesdays is called Lisa. How old is she? Sixty-eight, almost seventy. Every time I come to the restaurant for dinner, she hugs me tightly. Give me her home phone number And the address, she asked me to play, she said she was going to give me a surprise. What kind of surprise is she going to do it? " Lao Jin said: "This, this old woman is still like this, ah, don't you want any face?" Lao Ye said: "This is what you mainlanders are talking about. It's a matter of philosophy. Americans do it, just like eating. It's very common. Old women also have needs of old women. What should Clinton do? In the White House There are surveillance cameras everywhere, what to do? He hid in the aisle and did it. The incident happened, and the people sympathized with him. His wife won’t fuck him, what should he do? He’s only fifty years old, how can he hold back Huh? I’m also fifty years old, can I quit for a week? No way. Clinton is human too, so of course he’s going to find someone else to do it!” Lao Jin asked: "Oh, you go to New York every week to find a woman?" Lao Ye said: "If you don't look for a woman, what are you doing in New York? What fun is there in New York? It's nothing more than eating and doing! Enjoy! After working hard for a week, this little bit of enjoyment is still needed. It has been more than 20 years since I came to the United States, and I have made a lot of money, but now, I don’t have any money left. I am not married and have no children. What do you use the money for? Is it food or drink? Whoring and gambling. After more than 20 years, I have enjoyed everything I should enjoy. My enjoyment is as good as Mr. Jin’s enjoyment in your lifetime. Tell me, is it like this? So Let’s talk, you have achieved blessings now, although it is a little late, but you have always achieved it! Enjoy it! You don’t smoke, drink, or gamble, but eat a little, whore a little, always I want it. Especially when you come to the United States, do you always want it? Otherwise, what’s the point of life?” Lao Jin said: "Lao Ye, Lao Ye, this, this is different, I live in a different environment from yours, so, ah, this, how should I put it..." Lao Ye said: "What's the difference? We're not politicians, we're all men. What's the difference? Usually I listen to you, but today you listen to me. Wherever I take you, you follow me Where to go, don't be too serious. Today we are all men, okay?" Lao Jin said, "This is for people to know, isn't it?" Lao Ye said: "People say that one prostitution and two gambling, in fact, it has nothing to do with it. I will do it openly, and I will talk about it. They like to listen!" Lao Jin said: "You are different. If I let my son and daughter-in-law know, how can I have the face to see them?" Lao Ye said: "Ah? You don't know yet, it was Jincheng Betty who asked me to take you to play. She also gave me a wad of money and told me to make arrangements to play with you for two days." Lao Jin was very surprised, thought for a while and said, "What a painstaking effort!" Not long after passing the Whitestone Bridge, turn off the highway and arrive at Flushing, New York, known as the "Second Chinatown".Lao Ye sent the car to the parking lot, took Lao Jin to a restaurant, and had a delicious morning tea.They went to another time-honored barbershop, and the two shaved their heads, shaved their faces, and plucked out their ears. They immediately looked refreshed and energetic. When Lao Ye went to the newsstand, he bought a copy of various Chinese newspapers, put it under his arm, and said with a smile: "Mr. Jin, let's go. Let's go to 'take a bath'." After turning around and walking a few streets, I came to an inconspicuous old building.The iron door of the old building was closed tightly, and Lao Ye pressed a doorbell twice. After a while, the door opened, revealing a pink face of an East Asian woman. When he saw Lao Ye, he immediately burst into a smile, opened the door and hugged Lao Ye. leaf. Lao Ye said: "Today I bring you a distinguished guest. This is mine..." Lao Jin hastily poked Lao Ye's waist. Lao Ye changed his words and said: "He just came from Hong Kong, and his business is doing very well. These days, I have been talking about business all day, and I am very tired. Today I specially invited him to the sauna. You open a private room, you must Arrange for the best lady who can speak some Chinese, is that lady No. 18 here?" The East Asian woman said respectfully: "I'm sorry, the lady on the 18th just got off work in the morning, let's see if I can ask the boss to see the lady over there first, they are all very nice and clean." Lao Jin glanced at the row of sofas against the wall, and there were seven or eight ladies in naked clothes sitting quietly. His heart was beating "plop, plop", and he whispered to Lao Ye: "I, I don't know, you arrange it." .” Lao Ye talked to the East Asian woman in English for a while, and then said to Lao Jin: "I have arranged everything, you can enjoy it to your heart's content. You can do whatever you want. If you are hungry, you can order something to eat. If you want to sleep, you can eat." Sleep in it. Don’t worry about the money, I will pay the bill last. If the lady is not satisfied, you can ask her to change it. I’ll be in the room next to you, so don’t be afraid of anything.” He then shared half of the money. Newspapers to Lao Jin. The East Asian woman stretched out her hand, and a slightly plump young lady approached with a smile, and said in blunt Chinese, "Uncle, you have worked hard." Then, she took Lao Jin's arm and walked into a small door.I didn't expect that the old building, which looks inconspicuous from the outside, is unique inside, with elegant and comfortable decoration.Lao Jin was held by the young lady and walked along a dark corridor to the depths.He felt as if he was being dragged to the wolf's den, nervous and resistant.But his feet were disobedient, and he couldn't help but follow the lady down. The lady brought Lao Jin into a small suite, helped him sit on the wide bed, and took out a stack of large and small bath towels from the closet. Her eyes smiled into crescent moons, and asked softly: "Uncle, do you want to wash it? Or, Rest, what to drink?" Lao Jin faltered and hesitated, not knowing what to say. The young lady was considerate and said, "Wash up and rest, okay?" Lao Jin said: "Okay, okay... The lady clung to Lao Jin and helped him undress. Lao Jin said: "I will do it myself, I will do it myself." The lady went next door, turned on the tap, and put hot water in the small bath.Then he returned to Lao Jin's side, slightly moved the shoulder straps, and the thin skirt slid down. Lao Jin felt that there was a lot of white flowers, and instinctively raised his hand to cover his eyes. The young lady laughed, and stroked Lao Jin's face with both hands: "Uncle, I'm sorry. I, like, I'm sorry, uncle." As she spoke, she supported Lao Jin and walked towards the bath. Lao Jin remembered a scene in a TV series, where a cadre was dragged into the water by a beautiful woman in this way.He closed his eyes and slowly dipped his feet into the hot water. (Four) A stone's throw away from "Tingyulou", a new Chinese buffet restaurant called "Yangtze River Wave" has opened.Due to the cheap price and the newly opened discounts, the business has been booming in the past few days, and nearly half of the customers of "Tingyulou" have been snatched away. The "Yangtze River Wave" was so surging that it almost submerged the "Tingyu Tower".Jin Cheng was so anxious that his eyes turned green. The owner of "Yangtze Wave" is also a fellow from Fujian, and the cousin of Dr. Lin, a friend from Jincheng.At that time, Jincheng heard that he was going to open a Chinese cafeteria near "Tingyulou", and once persuaded him through Dr. Lin not to open a restaurant here, so as not to kill the two families and let the Americans earn extra money.Jincheng also expressed that he is willing to pay him 10,000 US dollars in compensation.Dr. Lin later replied that his cousin refused. He said that it took more than a year to find this good location, and it was really hard to give up. The opening of "Yangtze River Wave" is a heavy blow to "Tingyulou", and the turnover has been falling.Jincheng and Betty discussed and planned to reduce the price substantially to fight against the "Yangtze River wave".Lao Jin disagreed, he said: "Doing this is a dead end." Jin Cheng said: "At this time, there is no other way but to fight like this. Either we will die or they will die." Betty said, "Daddy, do you have a solution?" Lao Jin said: "I don't have a solution right now. But fighting like this is not a solution, at least it's not a good solution. To do this is to use our shortcomings to compete with their strengths, and it is definitely not worthwhile." Jin Cheng said: "Yi Dad, this is of course not a good way, but if you don't suppress him at the beginning, when he develops, you can't suppress him even if you want to. Not only can't you suppress him, but he still has to crawl." Your head, at that time, it's over." Lao Jin didn't speak.He was anxious, but not confused.He has already realized the cruelty of this kind of competition in capitalist society. There was competition in the country in the past, but it was a public matter, and the relationship with individuals was not too direct.Even if the factory is closed and the workers are laid off, it is not your business alone, and the higher-ups will take care of it more or less.It's different now, it's all your own business, no one cares about you, if you go bankrupt, you will jump off the building. In the evening, Jin Cheng took his father to visit several nearby bars.As soon as he arrived at the bar, Jincheng wanted two glasses of wine. He brought a glass of wine to his father, then raised his glass, and said loudly to his old friends and new friends: "Good evening, I am Jin, the general manager of the 'Tingyulou' Chinese restaurant, I wish you all the best! Have a nice evening! I will pay for the drinks in everyone's hands. Cheers!" The bar cheered.Jin Cheng estimated the number of people, put three hundred dollars on the counter, and inserted a twenty-yuan note into the glass in front of the bartender as a tip.Then, he grabbed his father and went to the next bar. After going to five bars in a row and drinking a few more glasses of wine, Jin Cheng felt a little tired.He drove the car to the edge of a meadow, and invited his father to get out of the car to sit and get some fresh air. Jin Cheng took off his suit and tie, and said, "Yi Dad, you may not be used to me doing this. I have no choice but to throw some money and grab some guests back." Lao Jin said: "Jincheng, I understand your approach. You have been a straightforward person since you were a child, and Yiba will understand. However, Yiba wants to tell you that there are various ways of doing things. Thinking of using money to clear the customs. This is a simple way, but a stupid way. Fortunately, you have money now, what if you don’t have money? How do you do it?” Jin Cheng burst into tears suddenly: "Yi Dad, you don't know, and I don't want to tell Betty. In fact, these days, my mind has been confused, and my heart is panicked. Originally, the old hotel was the foundation and it was very stable. , I just went to open a new store. I really didn’t expect that such a bad thing would happen just now that the new store has just opened and it has not been profitable. If the old restaurant can’t keep it, it’s really a saw stuck in the firewood, and the business will be over.” Lao Jin did not expect that his son, who is usually very handsome, would be fragile.Suddenly, a feeling of pity for his son surged in his heart, and he wanted to hold his son in his arms.But, somehow, he didn't move.He was silent for a while, stared at each other, and shouted loudly: "Jincheng! Life can't be smooth! People will encounter all kinds of difficulties in this life, and some people will encounter catastrophes! It's normal. You haven't faced a disaster yet, so what are you afraid of? Even if you face a disaster, don't be afraid! You have to find a way to overcome it, and if you overcome it, you are a hero. If you lose the battle, it's nothing, you're still a hero! Man When you come to this world, you are ready to bear everything. Jincheng! There is nothing special, get up, go home and rest." Jin Cheng wiped away his tears and said, "Yi Pa, you spoke well. With you here, I can rely on my spirit. Thinking about it, what is there actually? I just came to the United States, and I only have two hundred dollars with me. " Lao Jin said, "Jin Cheng, let me ask Lao Ye to teach me how to drive this week." Jin Cheng said, "That won't work, you are so old..." Lao Jin said: "I've been watching you drive. American cars are easy to drive. It's the same as driving a battery car in the workshop. I can drive it. I don't go anywhere, but open restaurants at home. I can drive, so you don't want to. Send me off every day. You and Betty are dedicated to building new restaurants, and I will be working on old restaurants. The most important thing for us is not to be chaotic, but to resist. If we withstand it, we will counterattack and think of various ways to increase the restaurant business. .As long as the method is right, it will definitely be done. However, at this time, don’t be in a hurry or mess up.” Jin Cheng stretched his arms, picked up a stone, and threw it deep into the grass.He clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Yi Dad, when I was young, I liked to go to the river to throw tiles, and they couldn't beat me. It was you who taught me, throwing tiles, the hand posture is very important." Lao Jin also laughed, and the whole group burst into tears.He wipes it off quickly. Lao Jin learned to drive in less than a week. He has driven a battery car in the past, and he has a high understanding, and he quickly found the feeling.When Lao Ye was a coach, he was even stricter, forcing him to drive on the road.After half a month, Lao Jin drove the car steadily.But I ran into trouble when I took the test for portrayal. I failed the test three times.In the end, Lao Ye took him to a city next door to take the test. The examiner there was very loose and pretended for a while before passing the test with a wave of his hand. Lao Jin learned to drive and experienced a kind of driving pleasure.Especially in the evening, when the traffic is sparse and the roads are quiet, the setting sun is slanting.Driving a car, running gently on the road covered with greenery, people seem to have wings and can fly all over the sky.He felt that his life was going backwards, getting younger and younger. Jincheng was very happy to see that his father could drive.I went to buy an off-road vehicle by myself and gave the Lincoln sedan to my father to drive.Lao Jin was worried that driving such a good car would cause it to be damaged by collisions.Jin Cheng said that American cars are strong and can withstand collisions, so it is safe to drive American cars.He also said that the car is fully insured, and if it is damaged, it will be repaired, and the insurance company will pay for it.Lao Jin said, if there is such a good thing, then I am sure.From now on, no matter whether he goes to get off work or goes shopping, Lao Jin will drive away.The car drives faster and faster, the road gets farther and farther, and the world gets bigger and bigger.Soon, Lao Jin drove onto the highway again, and the feeling of speeding like lightning made him feel that his life was not only going backwards, it was actually running backwards!Once, when he took Diana out for shopping, he was so happy that he drove the car for eighty miles. Diana, who was sitting beside him, was startled and laughed. Lao Jin decided to improve "Tingyulou", and changed it according to his own ideas.He has eaten at the "Yangtze River Wave", and he knows that diners are most afraid of this kind of self-service restaurant, just like a ten thousand ship encounters a small speedboat, which makes you helpless.Dine-in restaurants pay attention to the quality of dishes, as well as feeling and enjoyment.But the self-service restaurant is for filling the stomach. Although the dishes are not very good, but it has a lot of variety and quantity, and the price is cheap, so customers naturally flock to it.So Lao Jin calculated in his heart that "Tingyulou" must be unique. If others don't have it, I will have it. If others have it, I will be new. If others are new, I will change.Just like when his uncle made fish balls back then, he constantly changed new tricks in terms of meat filling, soup ingredients and even shapes and sizes, grabbing all the business from those time-honored brands. Of course, Lao Jin also saw the fatal flaws of cafeterias. No matter what kind of dishes, they are all sour and sweet, catering to American tastes, so Chinese people patronize less.He wants to catch the Chinese, especially the Chinese students from the surrounding universities. This is a large source of tourists and the main object of "Tingyulou".Clarifying these issues is like figuring out who is our friend and who is our enemy. It is very, very important. In the future, we must work hard on them, and then take care of the Americans. Lao Jin thought of snacks.He thinks that snacks have a unique effect. When Chinese people fly to this end of the world, they will inevitably miss home. Those students are so homesick, what should they do?Just come and have some snacks, once your mouth is satisfied, you can solve any homesickness, at least for a while.Usually, if you want to taste these snacks, you have to go to Chinatown in New York. When I have them here, the price is not expensive. Why don't you come to eat them? In the evening, Lao Jin convened all the staff and asked everyone to report the special snacks from various places.Several Fuzhou people reported Fuzhou snacks, such as fish ball flat meat, pot side paste, taro paste, Taiping and so on.Shanghainese offered pan-fried steamed buns, big wontons, flatbread fritters, fermented glutinous rice balls, and glutinous rice cakes.People from Sichuan reported Chaoshou with red oil, sliced ​​lungs for husband and wife, and Dandan noodles, and asked if Yuanyang hot pot counted? Datang said: "Zhajiangmian served with cold cucumber is a national treasure snack and definitely deserves a seat." Xiao Jiang from Nanjing thought for a while and said, "Spiced tea eggs can also be counted as one." Everyone roared with laughter.Several Shanghainese joked that he was from Nanjing but was actually from Jiangbei, and he didn't know Nanjing snacks. Xiao Jiang said: "I am from Jiangbei, and our Gaoyou goose egg with double yellows is the national egg that thumps obediently." Everyone laughed again.Lao Jin called Lou Lan to also report Hangzhou snacks. Loulan blurted out: "West Lake lotus root powder," Datang said: "No, no, the lotus root powder is mushy and soft in the heart after drinking it, and the whole revolutionary will fades away." Lou Lan said: "Who said that? Qiu Jin likes to drink lotus root powder, and even wants to kill someone after drinking it." Datang said: "No wonder you have a heart of stone." Datang once failed to chase Loulan, so everyone knew the meaning of his words and laughed. Datang launched the Northeast Han Dynasty and Song Dynasty, and asked him to report Northeast snacks.Da Song scratched his head and said, "What do we have? Let us think about it. Or try pot stickers?" Everyone said no, saying that there are pot stickers in the restaurant menu. Da Song said solemnly: "That's not some authentic pot stickers." Zhang Husheng said: "The pot stickers cannot be regarded as a snack in Northeast China. There are pot stickers everywhere in your country. Maybe they are raised by the fried steamed buns in Shanghai." Da Song said slowly: "Who raised whom? You, Zhang Husheng, were raised in Shanghai. Doesn't it mean that our pot stickers were also raised in Shanghai?" Zhang Husheng shook his hand and said, "Okay, I won't quarrel with you. The family planning was not done well back then, and the pot stickers from the Northeast came to Shanghai to raise raw fried steamed buns, and even raised me, Zhang Husheng. Is it okay?" Da Song nodded: "It's ok." Everyone laughed and booed and called Lao Ye Bao Taiwan snacks. Lao Ye said: "Taiwanese snacks, you can't cook authentically. Cantonese snacks, you don't even touch them. No matter which Chinese restaurant has the first dim sum, there are Cantonese-style dim sum. There are also Taiwanese snacks. There's a family here, isn't there?" Everyone said in unison: "Yes----" The master chef, Lao Ma, kept laughing and remained silent. After the meeting was over, he said to Lao Jin: "I made too many snacks, will it dilute the main dishes?" Lao Jin said: "It's okay. Let's choose some snacks carefully, which will not affect the main dishes. Just like in our factory, there are state-owned workers, collective workers, and temporary workers, all in one factory." Lin Changle interjected: "Uncle Yi, I'm afraid it will be troublesome to prepare materials." Lao Jin said: "I've thought about it. Some are ready-made, put them in the freezer, and they will be fine for a week or two. After the customer orders, we can make it right away. If it is troublesome to prepare the ingredients, we can explain it in the recipe. For those who need to make an appointment in advance, the customer makes an order, and we will prepare the materials." Lin Changle said: "That's so troublesome." Lao Jin said: "Trouble makes money." The old horse said: "Changle, listen to the boss." Soon, "Tingyulou" grandly launched local snacks, which are well-known as "Family Snacks". There are more than 30 kinds of snacks listed on the menu, including the flavors from all over the country.This trick really worked, and the number of customers increased significantly every day, especially on weekends, when Chinese people, including the elderly and children, came out to taste the snacks.The hotel lobby was full, and there was a long queue at the door.Americans are amazed and amazed. They often have a simple herd mentality. As long as there are people queuing up, they think it is delicious, so they also queue up.And the Americans are very patient in queuing, not rushing or impatient. Datang wrote a news report "Listen to the warm rain, savor the flavor of hometown - the "Snacks at the Door" of "Tingyulou" melts your nostalgia", he tried his best to report the news Written in near lyrical prose.The article was published in various Chinese newspapers in the greater New York area, and then distributed to the student websites of several universities in the surrounding area. This way, more customers came, and some even drove for more than an hour.And there are more and more takeaways.Students get together and come here to order "snacks at the door".Jin Cheng was overjoyed, and kept praising: "Father Yi is amazing!" When he was busy on weekends, he would go back to "Tingyu Tower" to help. After a while, the snacks of "Tingyulou" accounted for one-third of the total turnover, and some customers called and reported the snacks in their hometown, asking if they could make special ones.Jincheng specially went to the employment agency in Chinatown, hired a well-rounded snack chef with a high salary, expanded a batch of snack varieties, and made the original snacks more authentic.The flavor of snacks forms a big climate, but instead covers up the characteristics of big dishes. On this day, Lao Ye offered advice to Lao Jin, suggesting that two days on weekends be dedicated to snack automatic meals, which are different from big dishes, so that it is easy to manage and saves labor.Lao Jin thought it made sense, and soon made adjustments.On the opening day, the house was full of cheers.The local No. 18 TV station also went to the scene to interview. The host asked Diana to introduce. Diana was articulate and introduced the snacks one by one. After talking for more than half an hour, the limelight overshadowed the host.That night, it was broadcast on TV for a full twenty minutes. Lao Jin was so happy that he hid in the small room, untied his tie and kept laughing, then called Diana into the small room and gave her a red envelope.Diana was very surprised, clutching the red envelope, staring at Lao Jin affectionately. The next day, Lao Ye told Lao Jin: "Diana said you are very sexy." Lao Jin said angrily, "Why did she say that about me?" Lao Ye said: "She is complimenting you. Maybe she likes you." Lao Jin hurriedly said: "Don't talk nonsense, he is still young." Lao Ye said: "You are not old, you dress decently all day long, like a big boss." " On this day, Lao Jin kept thinking about the word "sexy". (Fives) On this day, Lao Jin received an international long-distance call from Zhao Shujuan. He was taken aback and told her to put down the phone quickly, so he called back.Zhao Shujuan said that her son bought the phone card for her, and it is very cheap to call the United States.After greeting for a while, Lao Jin asked her what was the matter. Zhao Shujuan said: "It's nothing, I just miss you." Lao Jin said, "Just miss me?" Zhao Shujuan did not speak. Lao Jin asked: "What's the matter?" Zhao Shujuan said, "He's gone." Lao Jin asked, "Where did you go?" Zhao Shujuan said, "Where else can I go?" Lao Jin stopped talking, and a cheerful fat old man flashed in his mind. After getting married with Zhao Shujuan, Lao Jin met him once. The deepest impression was that he liked to drink hot tea, holding a cup, and kept blowing. , and then took a sip of tea, the sound was loud. Zhao Shujuan said: "He had a heart attack and left before being sent to the hospital." Lao Jin asked, "Is everything done?" Zhao Shujuan said: "I did it last week." Lao Jin said, "Isn't it a lot of expenses? I'll send you some money." Zhao Shujuan said, "No." Lao Jin said: "Then..." Zhao Shujuan said: "My heart is empty... When will you come back?" Lao Jin said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to go back for a year or two." Zhao Shujuan stopped talking. Lao Jin said, "I'll call you." Zhao Shujuan said: "Don't call, I miss you even more when I call. Hey, this life is not easy for you. In the past when I met you, I had to find a way to avoid him. Now don't hide, I can meet you with peace of mind It's gone, you won't see it again." Lao Jin's heart was burning hot. Zhao Shujuan is Lao Jin's favorite woman. When she first entered the factory, she had a good face, a tall figure, and two long braids. She looked very outstanding in the factory. After working in the workshop for a few years, she entered In the production department of the factory, sit in the office.Lao Jin was a furnace worker at that time, and he only had the role of peeping from a distance. Later, he became the workshop director. Zhao Shujuan often went to the workshop to press reports, and they came and went.Lao Jin also looked for opportunities to joke with her, but he never dared to think anything wrong.In middle age, Zhao Shujuan exuded a mature charm all over her body, and when she stood in front of her, Lao Jin felt itchy in her heart. One day, just before get off work, Zhao Shujuan came to pick up the report, and Lao Jin was alone in the workshop office.The two started chatting, talking and laughing, but for some reason, they stopped suddenly and didn't speak.Lao Jin stared at Zhao Shujuan, and couldn't help but grab her hand.赵淑娟不说话，抽出手，朝老金背上轻捶一拳。老金像得到默许，一把抱过赵淑娟。赵淑娟“噢”的一声轻吟，全身软在老金的怀里。这一幕，老金至今想起仍然心惊肉跳，绝对比去按摩院找那些风骚女子来得刺激。 车间办旁边有一个材料库，窗户终年关闭，里面暗乎乎，是老金和赵淑娟偷欢之处，但终究不安全，不定被谁撞见了，那麻烦就大了。所以，每次两人都是争分夺秒，仓促上阵，往往尚未充分展开，就匆忙收场。老金虽是孤身一人，但住在厂里宿舍区，人多眼杂，赵淑娟哪敢去他家。赵淑娟家倒是在厂外，但她丈夫整天乐呵呵呆在家里，老金也就干瞪眼。有几次赵淑娟丈夫出差，老金像电影里特工似的，潜入赵淑娟家。两人在木板床上展开生死大战，那是何等的波澜壮阔！赵淑娟平时看挺文气的，即使情到深处，也是含而不露，万千风情仅仅化在眼神里，可一上床就变成了女斗士，疯狂得让老金又惊又喜。 赵淑娟的妙处就在于，平时让老金舒贴，从心里感到舒贴，全没有精神上的负担，像吃麦芽糖，好吃却不粘牙。搏战时又让老金尽兴尽力，身心得到彻底的释放，英雄般的凯旋而起。这样的女人很难得，老金还真想回国，和她一起生活。但如今，他又卷进了另外一种生活形态，有一种身不由己的胶着感。 老金天天给赵淑娼打电话，林长乐每次去纽约唐人街，老金都要托他买几张电话卡。过去打电话给赵淑娟，老金还小心翼翼，听到是赵淑娟的声音才敢说话，有几次是她丈夫接电话，老金就不吭声，悄悄把电话搁下了。现在没这个顾虑了，想起来就打，有时一天打几次，特别是晚上回家前，老金一定要打电话和赵淑娟缠绵一番。赵淑娟那丝丝入耳的甜话，总让老金情不自禁的醉倒在床上。 但是，最近一段时间里，老金打电话过去，老是没有人接。这天晚上，老金横下心来，隔十分钟就打一次，一直打到子夜，赵淑娟才接电话。 老金问：“你去哪里？” 赵淑娟说：“到广场去跳舞。” 老金又问：“跳什么舞？” 赵淑娟说：“交际舞。” 老金说：“交际舞？就是那样抱着跳舞？” 赵淑娟说：“是啊，跳一跳舞，人还轻松不少，再拐到菜市场买点菜。” 老金问：“和谁跳？” 赵淑娟说：“都是些离退休的老人。” 老金问：“男的？还是……” 赵淑娟说：“都是男的请女的跳，一两下，也有女的和女的跳，看起来就很不顺。” 老金说：“你天天被男的抱着跳舞，我就看不顺。” 赵淑娟笑起来，说：“我想天天被你抱起来跳舞，你人又在美国。你又不回来。” 老金脱口而出：“我要把你接到美国来。” 赵淑娟说：“我想到你身边去啊。但是，不可能啊，儿子事情放不下。” 老金说：“以后他也可以来美国读书啊。” 赵淑娟说：“他不是读书人……不过，有你这份心意，我就很满足了。过去你退休，整天在家里不做事情，我不理你，你说我看不起你，我当时就是看不起你。现在你到美国，还管一个大饭店，我觉得你真是了不起，我心里有你这样的男人，真的很高兴。那一天，我把你的相片带给玩在一起的姐妹看，她们都说我有福气。” 说要接赵淑娟来美国，老金自己也吓一跳。如果赵淑娟顺着梯子往上爬，真的要来美国，那老金才傻了。到美国以后，老金真体会到，加一个人决不像加一副碗筷那么容易。幸好赵淑娟是明理人，从不会为难老金。这也正是老金喜欢她的一个原因。 老金锁上饭店的门，走向停车场，就看到一道车灯射来，凭感觉，他就知道是戴安娜。老金最近似乎掉进了桃花园，中国有女人想他，美国也有女人追他，有时到纽约，花些钱，还有各国佳丽侍候他。他感到自己走进了新时期，生活变得非常新奇。 老金走近一看，果然是戴安娜。戴安娜坐在车座上，优雅地抽着烟，甜丝丝盯着老金：“我的老板，等你去喝酒。” 老金掏出饭店钥匙，拉开车门，说：“请。” 戴安娜说：“不不，去乡村酒吧，那里喝酒有味道。” 老金说：“酒吧，很多人。” 戴安娜说：“人多了，才有趣味。请吧，喝完酒我送你回家，明天我去接你。” 老金看看表，说；“太晚了。” 戴安娜说：“我的老板，你非常可爱，像一个高中生。”说完，她挪到旁边的车座上，把手伸给老金。老金笑着摇了摇头，坐进车里，开车去酒吧。 戴安娜实际上也老大不小了，老金那天偶尔翻员工名册，看到她的出生年月，扳指一算，也有四十五六岁了。戴安娜是个透明的女人，整天无忧无虑，说说笑笑。听老叶说，她十几年前就跟丈夫离婚，独自带养两个女儿。如今女儿们各奔东西，就剩她一人生活，她挣了钱就花，分文不剩，有时也会向老金借钱。但她这点好，有钱就还。戴安娜没事的时候，喜欢和老金聊天，老金结结巴巴的英语，经常逗得她哈哈乱笑。她也经常纠正老金的发音，而且极认真。老金口语还真进步不少。虽说得结结巴巴，但是配合着手势，也能和戴安娜基本沟通。 中秋节聚餐，戴安娜喝了两杯酒，非常兴奋，在饭桌上说，老金个子高，又挺拔又酷，非常性感，饭店里的男人没有一个人比得上他。她说她喜欢老金这样的男人，像父亲，又像丈夫。说如果老金同意，她会嫁给老金。说得大家又喊又叫。 大唐把戴安娜说的话原原本本翻译给老金听。 老金红着脸，笑着说：“你们不要听戴安娜的，她爱开玩笑。” 大唐一本正经问戴安娜：“戴安娜小姐，你刚才说的话是真的吗？” 戴安娜说：“是真的。” 大唐又问：“是不是开玩笑？” 戴安娜摇摇头，然后起身，走到老金面前，吻了老金一下。 大家拍着桌子，又喊又叫。 大唐竖起大拇指，说：“金老总啊，您真真英明！就这么轻而易举的把咱们饭店惟一的美国大妞给征服了。您气我们年轻人。罚酒！” 老金摸着脸，说：“不要听她乱讲，我都老了。” 大唐说：“这您就疏忽了，老，才有气韵，才风采，才气派，才性感！我们年轻人还不到火候啦！” 老金举起酒杯，说：“好好，我喝一杯。” 这天下午，老金又带戴安娜出去购物。戴安娜说她家离超级市场不远，办完事，请老金到她家坐一坐。老金很爽快答应了。他心里似有预感，感到会发生些什么事，但他心里还是乐意迎接这种诱惑。 按戴安娜的指点，老金开车来到她家。这是一栋小木楼，有些年代了，外面看上去有些旧，推门而入，房间里布置得很整洁。长柜上摆满了戴安娜从小至今的照片。老金有些吃惊，年轻的戴安娜非常迷人，他觉得和那个英国王妃戴安娜也差不到哪里。老金正看得入迷，戴安娜从身后轻轻抱住他，脸贴在他的背上。 老金抓住戴安娜的手，慈父般的摩挲，感慨万分：“戴安娜啊，你真是一个洋娃娃。” 戴安娜转过老金，问：“你说什么？” 老金才想起自己说中国话，他用英语说：“戴安娜啊，你，很可爱，和洋娃娃，一样，洋娃娃，你知道吗？小的，人，这个眼睛，很大，抱在这里。” 戴安娜紧紧的抱住老金，说：“我知道，谢谢你！亲爱的金。” 老金浑身发热，也抱紧戴安娜。 戴安娜笑着说：“金，我要和你一起创造奇迹。” 老金似懂非懂：“你说什么？” 戴安娜说：“我要和你，做爱。” 老金热血沸腾，学着电影上男人的样，完全抱起戴安娜，走向睡房。 老金一觉醒来，见身边没人，戴安娜不知去哪里了。他看见床头柜上有一张纸，上面画了一女人头像，旁边一个斜酒瓶。正在往一个高脚酒杯里倒酒，下面写了两行英文字。他看不懂英文，但从画里知道戴安娜去饭店上班了。他看着画，一笔一画画得有模有样。他摇头笑了笑，心想这戴安娜还真有一手。 老金索性舒舒服服倒下，收起精神，点点滴滴回想刚才所发生的全过程。刚才他和戴安娜与其说在做爱，不如说在享受性爱游戏，那么的放松，又那么的刺激，花样不断的翻新，甚至借用一些器具。老金像一个小学生，接受着现代性爱的启蒙教育。戴安娜真是一位大师，把一张床当做舞台，让他领略了许多生命新奇的景象，让他知道人还有这种活法。老金感慨万分，生命到了一甲子，却拐了一个大弯，这以后的生活怎么个走法？ 老金有些迷糊，说：“万事不如背靠席。先睡了再说。” 老金很快入睡了。 2002年10月