Cheng Su's little restaurant was thriving, and it didn't really need any advertising. After all, the location wasn't far from the military compound, so there were always people passing by who might drop in, and some did. And with Li Qiulan working there, a casual word from Li Qiumei was all it took for the whole compound to know that Cheng Su was making a lot of money.
No matter the era, when you're doing well, there will always be those who can't stand it, those who will be envious. The talk turns mean, with accusations of pandering and insincere flattery, and then comes the disdain for private entrepreneurs not being presentable.
"Even if you earn more money, you're still reeking of copper, uneducated, a vulgar upstart," they said.
In the Southwest Ladder's kitchen, such gossip was stirring, and it was Hualing who spoke these words.
