Chapter 94: Li Ji
Shenjing Province had four great ns, Lin, Bai, Su, and Yang. The businesses of these four nsbined represented half of Shenjing Provinces economy.
The Lin n was a pharmaceuticalpany, while the Bai n had a private hospital. The two had a good rtionship. One produced what the other sold.
The Su n had too many to count. Antiques, real estate, electronics, catering, and so on and so forth. And the Yang n mainly focused on providing medicinal ingredients. But the Lin and Yang ns were always hostile with each other, thus the Yang n never supplied the Lin n.
Of the four ns, the Bai n had always been aloof. It may be unremarkable, but it had the longest history. That was because the Bai n in Shenjing Province was a branch of the Bai n from the capital.
The most mboyant of them all was the Su n. Their spread in every domain was a testament to their ambition. Their current head, Su Mingyuan, exceeded their previous heads by far. In ten years, he grew the Su n to be the first n in Shenjing Province. Now, in his eighth year, the Su n rose to the second n in Shenjing Province, after the Lin n.Only allowed on
Besides the great four, there were two more ns worth mentioning, the Li and Qin ns.
Shenjing Provinces Qin n was Qin Zhens, and the Li n was Li Mos.
The Qin ns fame came from their much longer history than the four ns. But Qin Zhen never liked rankings and his n was ssified as less than the four ns, while as illustrious as them.
Twenty years ago, Shenjing Provinces four ns didnt include the Bais, but the Li n. Over the recent years, Li n met with constant setbacks and had their fortune cut down to size, leaving room for the outsider Bai n to take its ce.
The Li ns business was only one, food. Ranging from 5-star restaurants to fast-food chains. If anyone asked what was the most famous food in Shenjing Province, it would be Li ns without a doubt.
Shenjing Province was filled with their restaurants and joints. The golden que with Li Ji(T/N: it means memorable, worthy of mention) inscribed on it showed how grand the Li n was.
This que was made three decades ago by a high official himself. It had a deep meaning and the Li n treated it as their emblem, hanging it above their shops.
Li Mo was in a Li Ji shop on Xici Street. He was eating the reputable noddles in broth with a frown.
The noddles in broth of ten years ago was totally different from today. In other words, the one of today wascking. In such a big bowl, there was only half the amount of noodles as it used too and the taste dropped sharply in quality.
Looking around the shop, it was hardly cleaned. And despite being noon, there were only two more customers except Li Mo.
It would be fishy if it were famous.
Li Mo sighed and threw ten RMB on the table. The waiter came and said, Sir, the price is 30.
Li Mo was startled but paid the rest.
Li Mo asked, I remember there was a chef by the name of Yu here who made great noodles. Is he still here?
You mean boss Yu. He stopped five years ago.
Is it because of health? Chef Yu should only be 50 this year.
Not health, but changed jobs. He has lived for over twenty years but never got a raise. He now works in a Qin ns shop and is the head chef there. He earns tens of thousands RMB a month.
Chef Yu is so skilled so why didnt he receive better pay?
The waiter smiled, When had Li Ji ever given raise?
Li Mo frowned.
Li Mo saw the waiter going to the counter and only cing a part of the money inside.
Li Mo left the Li Ji shop and walked until he saw the sign Qin Ji Noodles.
The ce was packed, with more than ten people waiting in like for a table. It was a sharp contrast to the Li ns shop.
There was not a speck of dust inside and each waiter had a mask, cap, and gloves.
Despite being only a shop, it felt no different from being in a top-ss restaurant.
Li Mo stood in line and received a table ten minutester.
The menu on the wall clearly said the noodles in broth was 10 RMB.
The fragrant meal arrived and was even apanied by a cup of barley tea.
Li Mo took one mouthful of the food and it was the same taste he enjoyed ten years ago.
The only difference was that before was Li and now was Qin.
E-eldest young master?
While Li Mo was enjoying his meal, a neat man passed by him. He recognized him in an instant.
Uncle Yu. Li Mo stood up with a start.
Yu Yonggui was exactly the man Li Mo asked for before, chef Yu.
Eldest young master, when did you return? Why didnt you call? Ah, how forgetful I am, I changed my number.
Eldest young master, you havent changed a bit even after ten years.
Li Mo smiled, Dont call me eldest young master. I have long stopped being the eldest young master of the Li n. And you, Uncle Yu, youre no longer from the Li n.
Yu Yonggui was feeling awkward, Eldest young master, I left the Li n because
No need to say it. I saw it for myself. You made the right choice.
Yu Yongguis eyes were firm, Eldest young master, I dont care what others say, but if you tell me to quit right now, I will do it in a heartbeat!
Without the eldest young masters mother, I wouldve long suffered miserably. How could I not want to help you when twenty years ago she gave me two million to cure my mother? I was only a waiter then and could only make 300 a month. I have never managed to repay her for such kindness.
Theres no need to mention it. Uncle Yu, what of Yu Dali?
Yu Yongguis face was scrunched in anger, That bastard ran away ten years ago.
Ah? He ran?
Just days after you left the n, that bastard was acting weird saying he wanted to learn martial arts and never saw him since.
Just forget about him. That bastard sends a letter every few months and, from his picture, he looks strong and healthy. He never got a cold in his life, just that he was a damn nuisance and never listened. I scolded him, went soft on him, but nothing worked to get him back. All these years he never asked about me and only called to hear about you. But I didnt know anything about you either
As long as hes all right.
Eldest young master, lets sit outside. Its too crowded here.
Uncle Yu, dont call me eldest young master. Just call me by my name.
Understood, eldest young master.