A thousand pieces of gold, a spoonful of stew, a thousand pounds of soup. This is a pair of couplets on both sides of the door of "Old Nine-faced King". It is made of pure copper and is smaller than the font on the sign. There is no translation, and it doesn't matter whether Americans can understand it or not.
Understand. Grotia Street is a relatively prosperous commercial street in New York. "Old Nine-faced King" is located in the western section of this street, facing north and south.
Lao Jiu arrived late today. Yesterday, his flight was stranded at the transit airport due to weather conditions, and he didn't fly to New York until early in the morning. It's not lunch time yet, and the parking spaces at the door are all empty. Lao Jiu parked the car but didn't get out. I don't know why.
, he felt that this couplet was particularly dazzling today, but he couldn't help but want to look at it more. He had only been to Berlin for a few days, so he didn't feel unfamiliar. It was just that something in Berlin touched him, and his different state of mind made him
I have a strange feeling about this couplet.
Lao Jiu's surname is not Lao, his real name is Murong Jiu. People around him have become accustomed to calling him Lao Jiu. After calling him Lao Jiu for so long, many people can't even remember his real name.
Speaking of Lao Jiu Mianwang, we have to start with Lao Jiu's father Murong Fu. Murong Fu is an only son, and the word "Fu" in his name means a prosperous family and a prosperous family. Murong Fu is a native of Xinyang, Henan, who fought against the Japanese.
He joined the Kuomintang troops in the war and withdrew to Taiwan in 1949. In 1951, he went to the United States. He started his business with a bowl of noodles and founded the golden name "Noodles King's House". Since he dares to be called the "King of Noodles", he naturally has a reputation for making noodles.
What is outstanding is that during its heyday, Mianwangfu opened 4 stores in New York. They were not rented stores, but owned their own properties. Each store was impressive enough.
Lao Jiu was still an only son in his generation, and his father named him Murong Jiu, which means long-term prosperity. Lao Jiu had a deep voice and was born with a good voice. He tried to develop his career in singing and was admitted to the Conservatory of Music for several years, but unfortunately
He was rough by nature, honest and upright, and could not handle the delicate work of expressing emotions, nor could he adapt to the infighting in the entertainment industry. After graduating from college, he served in the military for several years. Seeing that there was no development in the entertainment industry, he had to return to the restaurant to follow his father.
A few years ago, two old people passed away one after another, and the business of Mian Wangfu also declined. Lao Jiu had no choice but to rent out a store and run the old store by himself. Lao Jiu believed in fate and paid a lot of money to hire a fortune teller to tell his fortune.
, the fortune teller said that your father has passed away and can no longer protect you, so you have to change the name of the store. So Laojiu changed the famous Noodle King's Palace to the current Laojiu Mianwang. The name of the store was changed, but the business of the store
There is still no improvement. Although Lao Jiu has a strong family background and a lot of rent from his store, as the successor of "Mianwangfu", after all, he is not relying on his own ability, but sitting on his father's legacy. After all, he feels a dull pain in his heart.
A thousand pieces of gold, a spoonful of stew, and a thousand pounds of soup. This is the "Noodle King"'s secret recipe for success. Lao Jiu is a man of duty. He studied cooking skills hard in his father's shop. He has learned the true inheritance from his father and wants to make a career in the catering industry.
Performance, but even the restaurant couldn't prosper. He didn't understand why the family secrets couldn't be used here. The bar foreman in the store saw through the glass window that the boss hadn't gotten out of the car for a long time. He hurriedly came out and asked: "Brother Ninth"
, are you uncomfortable?"
Lao Jiu said: "No, I was distracted."
Lao Jiu got out of the car, closed the door, pressed the remote control door lock, and the door was locked.
When he came to the bar, Lao Jiu looked at the business reports for the past few days, went to the restaurant and kitchen for a routine inspection, and then went to his office on the second floor. He took out a stack of employee registration forms from the file cabinet and checked
After finding the address and phone number of an international student named "Fang Di", he called Fang Di's residence. No one answered. He judged that Fang Di should have gone to class. He looked at his watch and saw that it was almost time.
Lao Jiu took some money and went downstairs, and drove to the Business School of St. Niel University in New York.
When school time was over, the students filed out of the school gate. Lao Jiu stood at the gate and searched for Fang Di intently. He saw her walking with several classmates of different skin colors talking and laughing. He wanted to wait until Fang Di approached before saying hello.
And Fang Di also discovered him.
Fang Di is 5 years old, and she is that rare kind of pretty, with a good face, good skin, and a good figure... She has long black hair, tied in a simple ponytail, and wears a dark plaid top with no buttons on top of her white elastic underwear.
The low-waisted jeans are tied with a wide cowhide belt, and the wide stainless steel belt buckle is half exposed under the elastic underwear. It combines wildness, charm, fashion, and elegance. It is not simply attractive.
Fang Di asked in surprise: "Brother Ninth? Why are you here?"
Lao Jiu said: "Waiting for you."
Fang Di said to his classmates in English: "You go first, I will come later." Then he asked Lao Jiu: "Is something wrong?"
Lao Jiu said: "I have something to do. If you don't mind, I would like to treat you to a meal at noon."
Fang Di said: "We can't do it at noon. We have made an appointment to go to a classmate's house for a gathering. We made the appointment a long time ago. If Brother Ninth has anything to do, just say it directly. There is no need to be so polite."
Lao Jiu said: "Actually, it's not a treat. It's too confusing to explain clearly. I just want to find a place to talk."
Fang Di asked: "Is it urgent?"
Lao Jiu said: "That's right."
Fang Di said: "If you're in a hurry... I don't have classes in the afternoon. You can find me at the Chunghwa Club. I'll be rehearsing the program there. It's almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the club will have a stage party. I have a dancer."
Program. Brother Ninth, what can you do to me?"
Lao Jiu said: "Well... I really can't explain it in a few words. How long will you rehearse?"
Fang Di said: "It's said to be until 6 o'clock."
Lao Jiu thought for a while and said, "I don't want to disturb you when you rehearse the show. Let's do this. I'll go find you at 6 o'clock and have dinner with you tonight. We will discuss it in detail then."
Fang Di said: "Well, if the rehearsal ends in advance, I will wait at the main entrance for a while."
The Chinese Federation is a larger-scale and higher-level organization among various Chinese societies. It brings together outstanding talents in various fields of business, culture, art, and religion. It also has a certain official background. The Federation meets every major festival or major political event.
Some activities will be organized to unite the Chinese people and express their voices.
Lao Jiu was familiar with the people and places of the Chinese Association. He rushed to the main compound of the association at nearly 6 o'clock, parked the car, and greeted people all the way to the small auditorium. Before he entered the door, he heard music and shouts inside.
It was in one place and very noisy. When I went in, I realized that different programs were practicing in their own way. The auditorium, which was not very spacious, was divided into several blocks, and all the original benches were placed in a corner.
, except for the artistic directors, most of the people participating in the rehearsal are amateur actors. There is a tradition among New York Chinese that many people will consciously fulfill their obligations in any charity activities of the Federation, and those who have money will contribute money and those who have the strength to contribute.
Fang Di danced solo on a round platform with a height of about 4 centimeters and a diameter of more than one meter. The tape recorder played a piece of percussion music with a strong rhythm, and the woofers of two floor-standing speakers bounced as if they were about to explode. Fang Di followed
Dancing selflessly to a strong rhythm, every move can make people feel that they have some basic skills. The dance is as exciting as fire and as gentle as water... The artistic director stood aside and looked at it, holding his hands from time to time.
Shake your fist to show that you are very satisfied.
At the end of the song, the art director clapped his hands and came closer and said: "Okay! Very good! It's settled. You go back and practice again, and your explosive power will be stronger. I emphasize again that this show is at the beginning, with lights and fireworks."
To cooperate, you need to arouse the audience's emotions when you go up, and you need to have the feeling of running into someone head-on... Okay, that's it for today."
Fang Di picked up his bag and coat, and while wiping his sweat with a tissue, he approached Lao Jiu and said, "Brother Jiu, you're here." Fang Di just took a few steps, and the art director over there shouted again: "Fang Di, don't
Forget the rehearsal on the 19th, bring your performance clothes."
Fang Di turned around and agreed, "I know," and then walked out with Lao Jiu.
Lao Jiu said: "Whose bad idea was this? If you dance on such a small stage, you might fall." Fang Di said: "I learned this from other people's concerts. Just imitate it. The creator said this
The show arouses the emotions of the audience. The stage is actually not too small, and once you are familiar with the moves, you won’t be able to fall off.”
Lao Jiu said: "It seems that you have participated in all the Mid-Autumn Festival parties in the past few years."
Fang Di said: "Don't say you're participating. I'm just giving others a dance. At most, it's called participating."
Lao Jiu smiled and said, "Then I'll take part this time."
Fang Di also smiled and said: "No, this show was originally invited by celebrities. It is said that the price is too high. In addition to the remuneration, they are also responsible for the round-trip air tickets from Beijing to New York, food and accommodation, and they also say it is a charity show. The organizer refuses to do it.
I couldn’t afford it, so I found a few amateurs to give it a try. I have some dancing skills than them, so I was used as a fill-in."
After leaving the gate of the Chinese Association, Fang Di asked: "Where are we going?"
Lao Jiu said: "I'm treating you, you tell me."
Fang Di said: "Let's go to Taiwan Porridge Shed, which is not far downstairs from where I live. I like the Xiangyan Porridge there." Lao Jiu smiled and said, "I know that children from families like yours are taboo about treating guests.
.Okay, it’s Taiwan Porridge Shack. Can you treat Brother Jiu to a bowl of Xiangyan porridge?”
Fang Di also smiled and said, "Of course."
Fang Di went to drive, but the car wouldn't start. Lao Jiu drove the car in front of Fang Di's car and got down to see what was going on. Fang Di also got out of the car and kicked the side of the front of the car a few times.
.
Lao Jiu asked: "Can't it start?"
Fang Di said: "It's an old problem, just give it a kick." Fang Di turned on the ignition again, and the car started.
Lao Jiu said: "You can't go on the road like this. What should I do if the engine stalls again?"
Fang Di said: "Sometimes the car behaves like this when it's cold, but it becomes normal once the car warms up."
Lao Jiu said: "You should still repair it."
Fang Di said: "I went to have it repaired, but they said the car was no longer worth repairing. The cost of repairing it is not as good as buying a second-hand car. Just drive it as it is. If you really can't run, don't buy it."
Lao Jiu was worried that Fang Di's car would stall again, but luckily, they drove to the Taiwanese porridge shop smoothly.
The Taiwanese Porridge Shack is located on a small street with dense residential buildings. The store is not big and there are not many customers. When they arrived at the Porridge Shack, Fang Di ordered two bowls of mushroom porridge and two plates of spring rolls and talked while eating. Lao Jiu paid the price.
Only then did Da Jin explain clearly the ins and outs of why he wanted to find out the details of Ye Zi Nong. After hearing this, Fang Di thought about it for a long time and shook his head gently.
Lao Jiu said: "This kind of thing cannot be investigated without special channels. I know you don't want to get involved in such a scandal, but this matter is really of great importance. If you know the root cause, I can make it work without her Dai Mengyan."
Take out the funds.”
Fang Di said: "In the past few years, I have been working at Ninth Brother's place regardless of winter and summer vacations. Ninth Brother has always taken good care of me. If I can do things for Ninth Brother, it is because Ninth Brother thinks highly of me. But this is really not possible. Once there is politics,
If the background is prohibited by law, my trouble will not only be mine, but you can’t get a single word of information even after spending money.”
Lao Jiu said: "I understand this. Do you think this will work? You can investigate first. If you find any problems, stop the investigation. The investigation fee will not be refunded, and you don't have to give me a word of information."
Fang Di said: "How do you know if there is a problem? In that case, I can blackmail your money at will." Lao Jiu said: "I believe you."
Fang Di said: "You can change to a low-cost channel. The cost of using me is too high, because the cost of using others is very high. Who are those people? No favors can be used in vain. What you choose is a high-cost one."
channel."
Lao Jiu said: "I have thought about all this, and I have no other channel except asking you for help."
Fang Di thought for a while and said a number: "Ten thousand, think about it."
Lao Jiu said: "I will send you the money tomorrow."
Fang Di said: "If I find that there are problems or documents that are not suitable for handing over to you, I will stop and can only refund the remaining money to you. I am a poor student and cannot afford the favor or pay such a large sum of money."
Expensive phone bill." Lao Jiu said apologetically: "I'm sorry to cause you trouble." (To be continued)