Chapter 80

Summer and Logan left the community center and headed straight to the village office. Unsure of where Mr. Anthony might be, they decided to try their luck there first.

Walking along the path, Summer turned to Logan and said, "How about I tell Mr. Anthony that my family used to run a restaurant? That might make him think we have some experience."

Logan, uncertain if she was telling the truth or not, asked, "Your family used to run a restaurant?"

Summer nodded, "Yes, my grandfather ran it."

Logan inquired, "So, was your grandfather a capitalist?"

Summer immediately shook her head, eyes wide. "Of course not! My grandfather ran the restaurant out of our house in a small alley. It was a tiny operation, and he didn't even hire any staff, so there was no exploitation. During the early days of the social reform, my grandfather voluntarily handed over the restaurant and our house to the state. My father was upset with him for a long time, but later, when public-private partnerships began, some people refused to hand over their properties and were labeled as bad capitalists. My father stopped being upset. During the revolution, we had no assets, so we weren't affected at all. In fact, my father praised my grandfather for his foresight."

She paused, thinking Logan might not be interested in her family history, and was about to stop.

But Logan seemed intrigued and asked, "So, the house Henry's family lives in now was originally yours?"

Since he asked, Summer continued, "Yes. In the early days after the founding of the country, there was a housing shortage in Beijing. The state took over many properties and redistributed them. After my grandfather handed over our house, two families moved in, one of which was Henry's."

Logan asked, "So, is your family's restaurant state-run now?"

Summer explained, "My grandfather wasn't in good health, so after handing over the restaurant, he retired. The restaurant became state-run. Though it was small and not very profitable, it had a full staff, including a manager, cooks, accountants, and waiters. My father worked there as a cook. Everyone received a fixed monthly salary, but the small restaurant couldn't sustain so many employees. As business declined, the wages dropped from thirty dollars a month to twenty, then to fifteen, nine, and even six dollars. Eventually, it closed down."

Logan looked at Summer and asked, "How old were you when it closed?"

Summer held up five fingers, "Five."

Logan: "..."

No wonder she wanted to make Mr. Anthony think she had some experience. Because she really didn't.

Logan suggested, "Instead of saying your family used to run a restaurant, just mention that your father worked as a chef in a state-run restaurant."

Summer agreed, "Alright, that sounds better."

They continued walking until they reached the village office. Entering the yard, they headed straight to Mr. Anthony's office.

They were in luck—Mr. Anthony was there but busy with something. So, they waited in the yard for about twenty minutes before he called them in.

Summer and Logan entered the office, greeting Mr. Anthony.

Mr. Anthony, sitting behind his desk, asked, "What brings you two here? Is there a problem at work that needs solving?"

"Work is fine," Summer replied quickly. "Everything's going well."

Mr. Anthony looked at her, "Then is there an issue at the community center?"

Summer and Logan had prepared themselves for this conversation. Logan began, "Mr. Anthony, the school will be on summer break soon, and it's a long break. We don't want to waste that time and would like to help the village more."

Mr. Anthony responded, "That's good. You can work with the production team. We'll record your work points."

Summer added, "We thought about that, but the production team's work will be done whether we're there or not. We want to do something different to bring in more money for the village. What do you think?"

Mr. Anthony looked at them thoughtfully. "What exactly do you want to do?"

Logan explained, "We did some research and thought about setting up a state-run noodle stand at the community market, mainly selling fried sauce noodles, as well as simple broth noodles and stir-fried dishes."

Mr. Anthony understood immediately. "So, you want our village to run a noodle stand at the market, and you two will run it?"

Summer and Logan nodded, "Yes."

Mr. Anthony watched them for a moment, then laughed, "It's a good idea to want to help the village, but this isn't as simple as it sounds. You two are city kids who only learned to cook after coming here."

Summer quickly said, "No, Mr. Anthony, I've been cooking since I was very young. I'm good at it, especially fried sauce noodles. My father used to be a chef at a state-run restaurant."

Mr. Anthony chuckled and waved his hand, "Being able to cook at home and having a father who was a chef doesn't mean you can run a successful noodle stand. I can't approve this."

They had expected this reaction. Logan continued, "Mr. Anthony, you might think we're young and impulsive, but we've thought this through. We've been here long enough for you to see our work ethic."

Summer added, "We don't need a fixed salary. If we lose money, you can deduct it from our work points at the end of the year. If we make a profit, you decide how much we get."

Despite their earnestness, Mr. Anthony wasn't convinced. He fundamentally believed Summer and Logan were naive and overly optimistic. Making money wasn't as easy as they thought.

He explained, "The community market already has a state-run canteen selling all kinds of food. Why would people choose your noodles over those made by professional chefs?"

Summer whispered, "Because mine taste better..."

Mr. Anthony: "..."

He sighed and chuckled, "Better than professional chefs?"

He waved his hand dismissively, cutting her off. He had initially thought Summer was a bit shy, but now he saw she had confidence.

He stopped smiling and said seriously, "You have time before the summer break. Focus on your teaching duties."

***

Leaving the office, they walked a few steps before Summer spoke, "Well, he didn't agree."

Logan replied calmly, "Didn't you say, 'Where there's a will, there's a way'?"

Summer took a deep breath, "Yes, where there's a will, there's a way!"

She thought for a moment. Mr. Anthony's attitude was clear—they wouldn't convince him with words alone.

Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she turned to Logan, "I have an idea."

Coincidentally, Logan said the same thing at the same time.

Laughing, Summer said, "You go first this time."

Logan didn't hesitate, "Since words aren't working, let's show them what we can do. Let them taste your cooking."

Summer's eyes lit up, "Exactly! Instead of wasting our breath, let's make their mouths water!"