Chapter 20: Not Just Anyone Can Be a Taxi Driver

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A proper meal definitely requires staple food. The five of them, plus A Zhe’s father, made six in total. Steaming twelve steamed buns made from second-grade flour was just enough. The meat had already been stewed, and once the fire was adjusted, it didn’t need constant tending. Qian Bin went inside to start kneading the dough and steaming the buns.

Steaming buns wasn’t much trouble. Each of them lent a hand, and before long, the dough was kneaded. They placed the kneaded dough into a basin, covered it with a cloth, and set it aside to ferment.

Li Xiangdong and the others sat around the table, drinking water, smoking, chatting, and laughing.

Zhang Sen looked wistful and said, “Sometimes when I pedal my tricycle past Chang’an Street and see those small taxis, I think to myself, why can’t I drive? Driving a car would be so impressive, you’d make more money and look good.”

“Don’t daydream, Sanmu. If you want to drive, try to get into a transport company and learn to drive a truck. Driving a taxi in a car? Forget about it,” Li Xiangdong said. Though he didn’t want to discourage his old friend, reality was reality. Don’t chase things beyond your reach.

These days, ordinary folks rarely take taxis. Taxis mainly serve to ferry foreign guests. Moreover, taxi drivers now are very different from those in later times. Not just anyone can become one. First, you need a recommended spot, then pass political vetting and cultural assessments.

The requirements and conditions are extremely strict—harder than getting into a national defense university in the future. Those selected are all outstanding young representatives who have won various honors.

Finally, these top talents and children of high-ranking officials compete for the few available positions. It’s a battle of brains and connections!

Even getting into a transport company to drive trucks isn’t easy. You must know how to drive and how to repair vehicles. What if the truck breaks down halfway? There are no repair shops on the roads now, nor towing companies.

Calling for help nearby is a gamble with your life.

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If the locals are simple and honest, you might get some steamed cornbread and a bowl of cold water.

But if you encounter those blinded by greed, the whole village might band together and bury you alive...

Zhang Sen waved his hand, sighed, and said, “I’m just envious, that’s all. I don’t have the skill. I’ll just keep pedaling my tricycle steadily.”

“Life will gradually get better. There will be opportunities in the future,” Li Xiangdong comforted Zhang Sen, then looked at Qian Bin and asked, “Binzi, you’re not going to work this afternoon? Did you take leave?”

“No need to take leave. Two more returnee educated youths have been assigned to our restaurant. Now there are more workers than tables. The boss said whoever is busy should rest. My dad just has to go over and say hello,” Qian Bin replied.

A Zhe asked, “No pay cut?”

“No pay cut. But this year’s benefits will probably drop again,” Qian Bin said with a sigh. He hadn’t minded before, but now that his child was about to be born and expenses were mounting, it was unsettling. Fortunately, he was the only son, and his father could still help out.

“All right, brothers, the stew should be done. Let’s check if the meat is tender and falling apart.”

Without Qian Bin’s reminder, none of them had noticed. They had been chatting for two hours, and it was almost six in the evening.

They stepped outside. As soon as the door opened, the rich aroma of meat filled the courtyard, and everyone unconsciously swallowed hard.

Just then, A Zhe’s father opened the door and stood at the entrance to the east wing. “Binzi, your cooking is almost as good as your father’s. This stew smells wonderful.”

Li Xiangdong said, “Binzi, your uncle rarely praises you. You owe him a couple of drinks later.”

“Definitely. I have to drink well with uncle,” Qian Bin said with a smile. A Zhe’s father was a cultured man; receiving praise from him felt especially gratifying.

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A Zhe’s father shook his head. “I won’t join you. If I come over, you won’t feel at ease drinking. I’ll just eat a bit by myself.”

“Let’s follow my dad’s advice. Binzi, you first take the meat out and cut a couple of pieces for us to taste. This smells too good.”

A Zhe knew there was no use in refusing. If his father sat down with him to drink, he himself wouldn’t feel relaxed, let alone his friends.

Zhang Sen and Xiang Lin went inside to move the table out. A Zhe brought the chopping board and knives from the kitchen, fully prepared.

Qian Bin grabbed two cloths, called Xiang Lin, and together they lifted the iron bucket off the stove—one large bucket filled with meat and broth.

The offal was tender; the pig’s head meat was falling off the bone. The tools weren’t ideal, and it took great effort to fish it out of the bucket.

A Zhe pinched a piece of shredded meat and popped it into his mouth. After a couple of bites, he swallowed, inhaling sharply from the heat. “It’s burning hot, but this meat is really delicious.”

A Zhe’s father gave his son a stern look and said, “There’s so much meat. You won’t finish it all tonight. Don’t let it go bad tomorrow. Pack some to take home and leave just enough to eat here.”

One pig’s head, a full set of offal, pig’s trotters—there was too much meat for a few people to finish in one sitting, especially in this hot weather when it wouldn’t keep.

Qian Bin sharpened the knife a few times and said, “Let’s listen to uncle. A Zhe, go get more bowls. After I cut the meat, we’ll all take some home and satisfy our cravings today.”

Li Xiangdong came over and stood by the chopping board.

“Binzi, take one pig’s ear home for your dad to enjoy with drinks. Leave the rest for uncle. Also, keep some pig snout for uncle.”

“Cut more of the pig’s head meat and offal to take home for Xiang Lin and Zhang Sen to share with their wives and kids. When we drink, we can gnaw on bones and trotters here. And remember to save me the pig’s tail—I’ll take it home for my daughter. Whatever you do, don’t cut it up!”