Chapter 9 Service
Wang Deming stayed at home for two more days, rebuilt several kilns in the village that had been idle for two years, and started to burn the first batch of bricks, tiles and cement. He told Uncle Yan that he would come back to open the kilns after he finished his business in Beijing in a few days, then said goodbye to his godmother and returned to Beijing.

Wang Deming first went to Changping County. At that time, Changping County still belonged to Hebei Province, and there was no direct bus to Beijing. If you wanted to take a bus, you needed to take the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway.

However, occasionally Wang Deming would rent a mule cart in the village and go through Madian in HD District when returning to Beijing to buy some beef and mutton in the Hui Muslim residential area; or he would go a little further to Liulangzhuang in Haidian to buy some unhulled Jingxi rice and transport it to his sister's house.

On the one hand, they can eat and use it themselves; on the other hand, if there are any extras, they can also sell them to the neighbors around my sister's house for free, promoting neighborhood friendship and winning people's hearts.

Wang Deming took the train from Changping specially this time, in fact, he had another purpose: that was a secret message he got after explaining the structure of houses to several bricklayers in the village a few days ago.

After waving goodbye to Uncle Yan who took him to Changping County, Wang Deming was carrying a large package. When he raised his eyes, he saw the logo of Changping County and the Drum Tower in the middle. He smiled slightly and was full of anticipation for what was inside.

Wang Deming first went to Changping Station and bought a ticket to Beijing the next morning. Then he carried his package and checked in at a hotel where he had stayed before near the station.

There was no need to take out a letter of introduction. The white student badge of Beijing No. 5 Middle School on Wang Deming's chest proved his identity.

The waiter at this time had sharp eyes and a good memory. Although Wang Deming's height and appearance had changed, he still recognized him at a glance. He stepped forward and took off the white cloth on his shoulders and gently brushed away the dust on his body: "Hey, Mr. Wang, you are welcome. Is it the same as before?"

"Well, the old way."

The shopkeeper had just started to register when the waiter called out, "Room 3, single room, Mr. Wang, VIP guest!" His voice was quite piercing.

Then the waiter took the initiative to help Wang Deming carry the package: "Student Wang, please come this way." He led the way to the back.

This hotel is actually a similar large courtyard: the left and right wing rooms in the front courtyard are both large bunk beds, and there are special mule and horse stables; the houses in the second courtyard are all small single rooms; as for the third courtyard, they are suites, one each in the east, west and north, with a better environment, and only two guest rooms in the north and east and west. The ear room in the courtyard is the bathroom and kitchen, so if you don't want to eat food in the store or outside, you can cook it yourself.

The door of one of the northern rooms in the second courtyard had been opened. The waiter who specialized in providing service in this courtyard was wiping the tables and chairs again with the cotton cloth on his shoulder. Warm water was ready in the basin at the door.

Seeing someone coming, he immediately stopped wiping, stood facing the door, stood still, and leaned forward slightly: "Student Wang, please come in!"

He extended his hand and said, "I have already mixed the warm water at the door for you. Can you try the water temperature to see if it is suitable?"

"Also, do you use your own tea leaves or ours?"

"It's mine," Wang Deming took his package from the shop assistant, and the other party also left in due time.

Wang Deming took out a bamboo tube with bamboo leaves carved on it from the outer bag, unscrewed it and handed it to the waiter in the room: "Iron Guanyin from Fujian, let it sit for one minute after it stops boiling and then start brewing."

"Okay! Please have a good meal!" The waiter took the bamboo tube with both hands, unscrewed it in front of Wang Deming, and opened it to him so that he could see how much tea was left inside. He complimented him, "Oh, Mr. Wang, your Fujian Tieguanyin is really fragrant."

"Autumn tea is not worth much. Someone from my classmate's family went there for business and brought it back. He didn't like it and gave it to me." The reason why Wang Deming explained it so clearly was to avoid trouble. You have to know that the country had just been founded for two years at that time.

"You are so modest. Please wash up first. It is very windy and dusty today. I will make you some tea."

Wang Deming took out his face towel from the package, which was also made of cotton cloth. He threw it directly into the basin without testing the water temperature. After wetting it, he began to wipe his face, neck and other exposed parts.

What a joke! If the water in the basin is too hot, the waiter in charge of serving you will have to eat melon cakes.

What impressed Wang Deming the most about this era so far? It was the service staff of this era, who were particular and professional. Whether you were staying in a hotel or eating out, they would make you feel satisfied when you came and when you left.

These days, repeat customers are what matters. Wang Deming had just finished washing up when the waiter came in with a teapot, teacups, and a bamboo tube of tea leaves. He gently placed them on the table and poured a cup of tea: "Mr. Wang, are you going to eat in the store tonight or take out?"

Wang Deming walked to the table, picked up the teacup, blew away the hot steam, and took a sip: "What's on the stove in the store today?"

"There are fresh fish and shrimps from Baifuquan, and fresh vegetables from Shigezhuang. Chef Mou is in charge of the kitchen, and river seafood is his specialty."

"Okay, a bowl of white rice, a braised fish, and some greens."

"Okay! Please wait a moment."

After dinner, Wang Deming strolled out of the second courtyard on time, with a saddle bag on his shoulder. It was already dark. The large bunk beds on both sides of the courtyard were dimly lit. He walked through to the front of the store, and the waiter immediately came up to him: "Student Wang, are you going out to digest your food?"

"Well, is there anything good to go to in the county town today?"

"Unfortunately, the Mid-Autumn Festival is still a few days away, and the temple fair hasn't started yet, but you can go to the Drum Tower and see if there are any stalls."

"Okay, I'll go to the Drum Tower."

The waiter's reply was exactly what Wang Deming wanted, so he strolled towards the Drum Tower.

There are street lamps on both sides of the main roads in Changping city, but they are powered by kerosene and can only provide dim illumination.

Below the Drum Tower, on both sides of the central doorway, there is a row of two-story wooden buildings facing the wall, selling general merchandise, tea, and various types of cloth. Although the doors are still open, there are no pedestrians on the street. Only the waiters and shopkeepers of each store are sitting at the door chatting with each other.

As Wang Deming walked into the doorway in the middle of the Drum Tower, he silently calculated the position in his mind: left side, south side, seventh brick, second brick on the ground.
After reaching the location, Wang Deming did not stop, but glanced at the destination as if he was visiting. The brick was obviously protruding outwards, and there was a seemingly scattered pattern on it.

Well, it seems that’s right!
Wang Deming continued to stroll forward, and after less than half an hour, he strolled back. Looking out from the Drum Tower gate, he saw that the freight station over there had been closed, with only the lights at the door still on, illuminating a little distance to the door of his shop.

Wang Deming just ran into the militia patrolling the city. After chatting for a while, he didn't say anything except asking him to go back to the hotel early. The student identity of Beijing No. 5 Middle School is really useful.
Wang Deming walked to the target brick and listened again. After confirming that there was no footsteps, he immediately took out a sharp knife from his sleeve and cut hard around the tight seams of the brick.

Well, it’s not glutinous rice paste, it’s made of ordinary rice. Wang Deming quickly took out the brick, but he didn’t reach in directly. Instead, he took out a wooden stick from his other sleeve and poked it inside gently.

After confirming that there were no snakes, scorpions or the like inside, he gently reached his hand in and took out a small rectangular package. After shaking it in his hand, Wang Deming showed a satisfied smile on his face. There were at least five large yellow croakers.

However, it was not over yet. Wang Deming soon moved the lowest bricks away and dug about 20 centimeters downwards. "Ding" was the sound made by the light collision of the dagger and the jar.

Very good! It's still here!

Wang Deming took out a small shovel and quickly cleaned up the surrounding dirt, then took out a jar of about 10 liters. It took him both hands to take out such a small jar.

"Huh!" Wang Deming let out a long breath. He hadn't heard any footsteps yet. Very good! He poured out all the contents of the jar and put them into the saddlebag he had prepared in advance.

He filled the jar with soil as quickly as possible and put the two bricks back in place. Only then did Wang Deming stand up with satisfaction, wiped the non-existent sweat, and continued to stroll leisurely back to the hotel.

(End of this chapter)