The Chinese restaurant on Raccoon Street, called Sichuan Caiyuan, looks like a good business, and the dining room is full of customers sitting around tables and busy serving and entertaining guests. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

The decoration of the restaurant is luxurious and tidy, with the style and cloth of strong Chinese colors, which can be seen the good intentions of the operator, the bright and festive Chinese red lanterns on both sides of the restaurant door, the green glazed tiles on the eaves roof, the clean and bright antique design of Chinese wood-framed glass windows, and the two majestic stone lion statues on both sides of the gate. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you will be greeted by the exquisite Chinese dragon and phoenix screen, the statue of the God of Wealth placed on the counter, and even the tableware printed with Chinese characters and patterns on the dining table, all of which make people feel the characteristics of Chinese culture.

At the door stood two hostesses, one black and one white, they were tall, plump, wearing Chinese-style blue cheongsam, looking fresh and charming. It makes people feel that Chinese culture has undergone some subtle changes in this exotic land.

For Chinese gathering places in China, or in some big cities in the United States, such as "Chinatown", this is not too new, but now, Shen Chong feels a long-standing sense of intimacy. I am afraid that even those creators of ancestral Chinese cuisine would not have thought that the profound Chinese food culture they created would not only satisfy their appetites, but also bring irreplaceable comfort and feelings to those Yanhuang wanderers who wandered abroad in foreign lands.

In fact, Shen Chong's family couldn't find a place to eat after entering the door, and under the guidance of the guy, they saw Chris and Jill checking out, and walked over, overhearing Chris's embarrassment, and remembering Claire's help to him, Shen Chong decided to come to the rescue.

The restaurant guy put away the table and made tea for Shen Chong's family. At the same time, a guy who looked like a guest came over, his clothes were a little different from other guys, and there was a black eye-catching black pony clip, Shen Chong knew that he was a foreman at a glance! He handed over the menu, probably Shen Chong's actions just now, and he asked in authentic Chinese, "Sir, what do you want to eat?" ”

Chinese is good! It seems that he is an international student working part-time, just like he was back then! Memories.

"Linda, you want something!" Shen Chong handed the menu to Linda.

"You're not more than me! As long as it's not too spicy. Linda said with a smile.

"Okay, I want egg soup and mapo tofu and egg fried tomatoes, a white rice and a Yangzhou fried rice, and a black pepper beef tenderloin!" Let's start with these. Not enough to eat, I'm asking for it. ”

"Good! Please wait a minute. The guy smiled and picked up the menu, and took note of the meals the guests asked for and left.

Shen Chong drank tea and other dishes. He had just taken a sip of water and saw a lot of pictures on the walls of this restaurant! Shen Chong just looked at it simply, it was a photo of different periods and eras, it seemed that there were many famous celebrities and leading figures who had come here to eat, maybe this is also the reason why this restaurant is popular, but it is not excluded that it is the memories of the restaurant owner.

After a while, the food he ordered was served, but when the dish was served, an old man brought the food to him, and Shen Chong was stunned! Yes? It's the restaurant owner just now! Without waiting for Shen Chong to speak, the boss said with a smile: "Mr. is slow to use, and the small shop is not well entertained." Thank me! ”

"No, no! We felt good and good! Why don't you serve me food yourself! "Shen Chong had also worked in a Chinese restaurant when he came to the United States before, and he knew that the boss would serve the food himself! There are some traps here.

At this time, the young waiter next to me said, "This is the rule of our restaurant, as long as it is a Chinese customer, my father will serve the food by himself." ”

"That's right!" Shen Chong had an inexplicable sense of intimacy.

"To be honest, my shop opened here in the 50s, and it was my father's small shop. It's been so many years since we've come to where we are today. Usually there are not too many Chinese coming, but in recent years there have been more, so as long as Chinese come here to play and eat, I will personally serve the food. By the way, let's talk about our food and sell it. The old man said very bluntly.

"If the boss doesn't bother, can I say a few words to you?" Shen Chong said.

"Yes! Just say! Is it that you don't bring money for dinner and can't find a hotel to stay in? Still don't know the way? ”

"No, no! You're wrong, I'm asking you a few questions. About the photos on the wall. May I? ”

"No problem! That's great! I'm going to be a tour guide this time! The old man pulled out a chair and sat down, straightening his glasses. The waiter next to him immediately brought a cup of tea.

Shen Chong turned to Linda and said, "Linda, I will say a few words in Chinese with this old gentleman. You don't care. ”

"Nope! I'm fine. I can also practice my language and listening! Linda said calmly with a smile.

"Good! That's right, boss. Who are these pictures on your wall? Congressman or governor? Some are still very old. ”

My parents and I are the earliest Chinese immigrants in Raccoon Town after World War II, and the earliest Chinese restaurant in Raccoon Town, my father doesn't like to be in a big city, the air here is good, and the people are good! We've made our home here.

"Here's a picture of the current governor, Tony Rand, when he came to dine here in '95, with me. Moreover, a certificate of Raccoon Town Historical Enterprise was also issued! It is written in the history of the construction of this new city. You also know that the United States has no cultural roots, and my small store in the past few decades has become a time-honored brand! Ha ha! The old man smiled and said proudly.

"This one is the oldest, it's my father's 62 years old and Ambrella's company named Oswell. Group photo of the Spencer giants, when my shop was still very small. They loved to eat the boiled fish that my father made, and the man next to him was a man named George. Trevor, a well-known architectural engineer in the United States at the time, was flanked by his daughter and his wife, Lisa and Jessica. He's the designer of Villa Ambrera, 32 kilometers away, and he's also designed a lot of the buildings in Raccoon Town, and he's a great guy! He's going to design and decorate my father's shop! But we didn't have that much money back then! I heard my father say that he said it was free that day, but then he didn't follow up, and I haven't seen him or heard from him since.

"Hey, in the blink of an eye, I think I should be a grandfather in the blink of an eye. Whether it's true or not, this is the first time that a foreigner in our family has been willing to work for me for free in the United States for so many years. The old man's tone was a little green.

Shen Chongxin said, why is Ambrera again! This company is about to catch up with the US security services, and they don't even let go of Chinese restaurants! Sky!.

"On the side is Mr. Max of Ambrera, this one was taken in 1976, when he had just become the director of the institute here, and the staff had a banquet for him. The other is a photo from 1988. I took a picture with him, and he said he might be transferring away. Maybe we don't see each other anymore, but I want to keep a memory with me, the egg fried rice I made is his favorite food, and he said that only I am willing to listen to him tell the past. Old fellow, I really don't know why people are not happy when they have money and power! This photo was taken in 1976 when President Nick was on vacation in connection with the 'zippergate' incident, and here is Edward Yasifford, the late president of Abe Leila, and his two children, Alfred, Yasifford and their daughter. ”

"Alessia. Yasifford! Shen Chong blurted out! He remembered something, and he looked a little surprised!

"Sir! How? Do you know them?! Hey! Then I don't need to say it. ”

"Nope! No, boss, please tell me, they're there now! I just met by chance. Shen Chong hurriedly said.

"Alas! Don't mention it, I heard that something went wrong with the experiment, and his daughter and himself died. This photo was taken in the summer of 1983, and they were from '84. It's a very good little girl, with a special aura, but his brother is a special bastard! Tasteless! The old man said with some emotion.

"What?! She's dead! Shen Chong's face was no longer excited. Looking at the photo, his face was numb, and his eyes were a little dazed, but he quickly replied. Then I listened to the explanation of the owner of the Sichuan vegetable garden. But his ears weren't listening to anything.

"This is a photo of current Raccoon Police Commissioner Brian Allons and my chef in 1996, and he's not bad! Really, you see him wearing a chef's hat and a big kitchen knife in his hand. He said that he was very interested in the knife work of Chinese chefs and wanted to learn the art, but later he really studied for a few days, but when he quit fishing, he cut a piece of meat with his hand. I gave up. In fact, I know that he is impermanent, and our Chinese chefs have to learn from their teachers when they practice knife work. How many years does it take to get out of the mountain. Just like our Chinese rice, it's about real kung fu. That's going to be practiced! It's not just a matter of adding meat to bread and meat. This is a 1968 photo of my father and Martin Luther King, Jr., when they were anti-racist and later had a big march. People from many places participated. If you want me to say that the old horse is a man! It's a pity that he was killed. I wish he could have a meal back to me! Black people sometimes like to make trouble, but people can really do two things! So many people have drowned Washington! The guys in my store have black people. No, it's the right dish! Hey! Boss Chen took a sip of water and said:

"The big black guy in a white shirt sitting at the table here is Bellard. Li and his family, 96 years old. It's the general of the American ace army! In 96, he was promoted to four-star general, which is quite good! Do you know? He speaks Chinese and knows more about China than I do! I came here to have a meal with his family last year, and I talked to him when I had nothing to do, and I didn't pay much attention to him at first. He was here yesterday! I think the others are okay now! He is very honest and straightforward, and he still calls me Brother Chen, Brother Chen. The boss was talking, the guy in the restaurant brought the last dish, egg soup, the boss got up and served the soup very interestingly, and said to Shen Chong, "The dishes are ready, you use it slowly, it's good to eat." Please! He smiled and walked away.

"Ahh Thank you! Good bye! She's gone, she's gone. Shen Chong sat there and said to himself.

"God, of course they're gone, you're stupid! Shen, hey! Linda said.

"Ahh Yes, yes! I'm stupid, let's eat! You love soup, try it, I didn't dare to give you something too spicy. With that, the family of three began to eat lunch.

While eating, a black man put two drawers of steaming xiaolongbao and a plate of beef tenderloin in sauce on the table of Shen Chong's family.

"Friends! You're getting it wrong! I didn't ask for this, did I? Shen Chong asked.

"Nope! Sir, you misunderstood, this is a gift from our boss, our store added breakfast in November, in order to compete with the two fast food restaurants opposite. Today, I also invited Raccoon TV to advertise. This is a sample, the boss said please try it, and come to the stick field more in the future. This plate of beef tenderloin with sauce was given by the owner. Slow to use. ”

"That's it! Then please take me and thank you boss. What is your boss's last name? ”

"Our boss's surname is Chen."

"Boss Chen. Thanks a lot! Saying that, Shen Chong nodded kindly at the counter where the boss was. Show your appreciation. The boss responded in the same way, as if to say, "You're welcome." ”