Chapter 78: A Grand Opening

The Kunlun branch of the Southern Sky Restaurant had officially opened.

Ten thousand firecrackers crackled and popped, their echoes filling the air as a long red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the street.

Lavish floral arrangements crowded the surroundings, each adorned with grand banners.

“The Chinese Business Association warmly congratulates Kunlun Branch on its grand opening.”

“The Overseas Chinese Association extends heartfelt congratulations to the Kunlun Branch on its grand opening.”

“The Kunlun Restaurant Association wishes the Kunlun Restaurant of Nanming City prosperity and abundant wealth.”

And so on, each banner boasting impressive messages—though all of them were fakes. In the future, such tricks would be transparent even to a fool; anyone who took these banners at face value would be one themselves. Unless genuine authorities were involved, there was no law to forbid such practices, so anything not prohibited was permitted.

But in this era, such displays were novel and striking.

“I knew it! The boss who secured the Southern Sky Hotel’s restaurant must be something extraordinary. The Kunlun Restaurant Association—no wonder it’s called the Kunlun Branch; it all makes sense now.”

“The boss must be an overseas Chinese businessman, or why else would the Overseas Chinese Association send a congratulatory banner?”

“This is absolutely the most upscale and impressive restaurant in all of Nanming City.”

The people queued outside, having read the banners, buzzed with excitement.

Amid their chatter, the crowd hurried into the restaurant, eager to claim their free eggs.

Their hearts beat nervously, but each “Welcome!” was accompanied by Zhang Hong and Wang Cuihua bowing at a crisp ninety degrees, making the guests even more self-conscious.

Thankfully, the restaurant kept its promise: fill out a form, write your name, and one of Black Tiger’s men would immediately deliver the eggs.

The elderly were direct—they took their eggs and left without hesitation.

“These taste amazing! I heard these are special Kunlun chickens from the mountains, fried with snow honey from the Tianshan range. Only five cents a serving—what a bargain.”

“Absolutely delicious. I’d give it full marks. I’ll buy another to take home for my son to try.”

“Me too—I’ll bring one for my daughter as a reward for acing her exam yesterday.”

Suddenly, a few people appeared outside the entrance, gnawing on fried chicken legs and energetically “promoting” the food as they ate.

The enticing aroma of fried chicken and savory seasonings wafted through the crowd. Every exclamation of “delicious!” stirred the appetites of those waiting. Many had come early and skipped breakfast; soon, the sound of rumbling stomachs echoed all around.

“Five cents? Really? I thought I saw that it was a whole yuan inside,” an elderly man remarked, frowning at a young man munching on a drumstick. The old man wore a Zhongshan suit, a pen clipped to his breast pocket—a trademark look for skilled workers of this era. Judging by his age and demeanor, he was likely a senior technician.

“Sir, you must not know—I got a membership card. At the Kunlun Branch, you get two for one. Top up ten yuan, and it’s worth twenty. So this drumstick only costs five cents, really,” the young man declared loudly, flaunting a sleek membership card embossed with a golden image of Kunlun Mountain and marked “Member Card No. 10010, Kunlun Restaurant.”

“Top up one, get one free? Isn’t the restaurant losing money?” The old man scrutinized the card, then said loudly, eyeing the youth with suspicion.

“Of course they are, but it’s just an opening promotion. Lose a little now to attract crowds and earn it back later,” the young man replied between bites. “Anyway, it’s only for three days. How many people will catch on in time? Not many, so the loss is small.”

“I see. Then I’ll get a membership card myself. Thank you, young man—might as well seize the bargain,” the old man said gratefully, nodding before heading back inside.

Soon, he returned, now proudly displaying his own ornate membership card and a fancy kraft-paper bag.

“This membership card is a real deal. Something that used to cost one yuan sixty cents now only takes eighty,” he boasted. “They even threw in a free fried chicken wing—delicious. I’ll take it home for my grandson to try.”

He pulled out a fried drumstick, a serving of fries, and a cup of soy milk, savoring the flavors with obvious relish.

Gurgle—

Watching him, many in the crowd felt their own hunger intensify.

Their murmurs grew louder.

“This membership card is a real bargain—everything’s half price with it.”

“Right, let’s all get one. A deal like this shouldn’t be missed. They say it’s only available for three days, then no more.”

“The food here smells wonderful—I’m sure it tastes great too. We don’t plan to eat out often, but now and then, it’s nice to bring something home for the kids.”

Many were tempted. This kind of buy-one-get-one deal would be everywhere in the future, but here and now, it just felt like a steal.

Soon, the old man left with his paper bag and met Er Mao at the alley corner.

“Here you go.”

“And where’s my money?” The old man handed over the bag and held out his hand for payment.

Indeed, he was a plant—just like Black Tiger’s men, hired to stir up the crowd. His job was to rave about the delicious food, the value of the membership card, and the prestige of the Kunlun Branch.

“Keep the food—it’s part of your employee benefits as a temporary hire. Oh, and there’s another round this afternoon,” Er Mao said, slapping down five cents but refusing the bag.

Delighted, the old man accepted the bag.

“The food here really is good—I made out well today. But your methods are a bit underhanded, playing tricks for no reason,” he chuckled, then grumbled at Er Mao.

“Sir, please don’t say that. We’re not with the restaurant; this was just my own idea. They paid me to liven things up for the opening, so I came up with this plan,” Er Mao protested, recalling Chen Huajiang’s warning not to link these activities to the restaurant.

“No wonder. I thought, with a place this classy, how could they stoop to street tricks? So it was your idea. You’re a clever lad, but not very straightforward,” the old man said, shaking his head. “But fine, if there’s trouble, it’s on you, not me. I’ll be back this afternoon.”

With that, he strolled away, hands clasped behind his back.