Sasha tightly held the silver notes in her hand, feeling so moved that she didn't know what to say.
Three hundred taels could buy a small house with one main room and one side room on Misty Street.
After thinking carefully, she gave one hundred taels back to Gordan and said, "Gordan, the restaurant really needs more help right now. I won't take this one hundred taels. When we earn more money in the future, you can give me a raise."
Sasha's words warmed Gordan's heart like spring sunlight. A girl like her who lived simply, didn't chase luxury, and had a kind and honest heart was very rare. He couldn't believe such a beautiful and pure girl was willing to work hard with him. He felt lucky and wished he could take her home right away to meet his parents.
"Sir, let's hurry back to the restaurant or we'll miss the morning market," Yuno said quickly. He saw that Gordan was staring at Sasha with a silly look and wanted to break the awkward moment.
"Yuno is right, let's go," Sasha agreed, lowering her blushing face.
The morning light was just coming out. As they walked on the stone road, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the peaceful charm of the old street, Sasha felt calm and happy.
At the corner, the bun shop was already open. Hot steam rose from the soft white buns, and the smell made people stop and look.
Sasha walked faster, feeling hopeful. Hard work always brings rewards.
Today, besides the tasty braised meat and the five quick dishes from yesterday, she added two more dishes. One was mushroom scrambled eggs, and the other was grilled eggplant in sauce. Both were easy and cheap, great to eat with rice.
"Sasha, how did you make the eggs so smooth?" Gordan asked in surprise. The eggs looked like silk and were as soft as custard.
"Try it," Sasha said with a smile and handed chopsticks to him and Yuno. As soon as they tasted it, they couldn't stop eating. Their hands moved so fast that they looked like shadows.
Sasha brought out a bowl of rice so they could eat as much as they wanted.
The mushroom scrambled eggs tasted great, and the grilled eggplant was also amazing.
Why could Sasha always make such new and delicious food? Was she the spirit of a kitchen god? Or maybe someone in her family used to be a royal chef? No, not even royal chefs could cook this well.
With the food in front of them, Gordan stopped thinking too much. He and Yuno quickly finished a big bowl of rice and looked very satisfied.
Suddenly, they realized they were being rude and froze in place, their ears turning red.
"Sasha's cooking is just too good," Gordan said shyly. He had already eaten breakfast, but he still ate so much more. That wasn't very polite.
"Sasha, every dish you make is so tasty. I can't stop eating. I'm already excited for lunch and dinner," Yuno said, rubbing his full stomach.
They only had time to enjoy breakfast slowly. Lunch and dinner were always rushed, so they had to eat quickly when they could.
"If you like it, I'll keep some warm on the stove for lunch. Tonight, I'll make seafood fried rice for you," Sasha said happily, her eyes shaped like crescent moons when she smiled.
Seafood was cheap in Misty Town. She bought some squid and shrimp yesterday. There wasn't a lot, and she was going to save it for herself.
"Yes!" Yuno shouted with joy.
Gordan was curious about what seafood fried rice was, but he didn't ask. He trusted that whatever Sasha cooked would taste amazing.
"Gordan, weren't you curious how I made the eggs so smooth? When I make that dish again later, come and watch," Sasha said. If Gordan and Yuno learned to cook some dishes, she could have more time to do other things.
"Okay!" Gordan and Yuno were both very happy. If they could cook too, Sasha wouldn't have to work so hard anymore. It was hard to believe such a beautiful and gentle girl was their main cook. Even stranger was that she actually enjoyed cooking.
Before late morning, many customers arrived at the restaurant. Most of them were people who had ordered braised meat yesterday.
The first one to arrive was an old woman. This time, she brought her little grandson with her.
While chatting, Sasha learned the old lady's name was Madam Huang. She lived on Wuping Street. Her eldest son worked at the dry dock and was always busy, so she came by daily to bring him meals.
"Madam, here's the pound of braised pork you wanted. Please hold it carefully." Today, Sasha wore a light lotus-colored face veil, revealing only her big, bright, clear eyes. Standing in the narrow little shop, she was like a beam of sunshine that lit up the Moonlight Diner, making it feel warm and bright. The old lady felt her heart melt on the spot and immediately added another half pound to her order.
The customers behind her were all drawn in by Sasha's pure and flawless eyes. Just like Madam Huang, they started ordering more too.
"Miss, what's your surname?" a young porter asked shyly, scratching his head.
"My surname is Lin. Here's your half pound of braised pork."
Gordan's eyes quietly followed the interaction between Sasha and the porter. Without a word, he took the long-handled spoon from Sasha's hand and began serving the customers behind her.
"Sasha, is the corn and pork rib soup almost ready?" Yuno chimed in helpfully, trying to ease the situation.
Sasha's attention immediately shifted to the big pot of soup. She rushed into the kitchen to check. In a bit, she planned to add some lotus root chunks into it.
Making good food is all about creativity and taste. A little change each day helps keep the customers interested and boosts their loyalty to the Moonlight Diner.
Before noon, the diner was packed. A long line stretched out the door and down the street. The growing buzz caught the attention of many passersby and stirred discontent among nearby shop owners.
"Move! Move! All of you, out of the way!" A loud voice boomed as a young man strode in, flanked by two burly men. Their fierce expressions made people instinctively back off.
The crowded hall was forced open as they pushed their way through, forming a narrow path.
Yuno's eyes widened in alarm. What he'd feared had come true. He quickly stepped to Gordan's side, puffed up his chest, and called out with a shaky voice, "What do you want?"
"Well, well, you've got guts for someone so small. Do you even know who I am?" The man kicked over a chair and walked forward. His ornate fan spun in his hand as his eyes swept over Gordan and Yuno, sizing them up.
"Pretty boy, how come I've never seen you before? Don't you know this whole street is under my control?" He looked like a hawk about to snatch its prey.
The room fell silent. The street thug of Wuan Street had arrived. This wasn't good. The owner of the diner was in trouble now.
Some customers who didn't want trouble slipped outside. The space in the hall suddenly felt a lot roomier.
"I wonder what business brings you here at lunchtime?" Gordan gripped the spoon tighter and stared calmly at the red-robed man in front of him.
The man looked pale and pampered, speaking with his nose in the air and a sharp tone in his voice. It was clear he was used to getting his way.
"What business? Your diner's line is taking over the whole street. What, only your place gets to make money? The other shops should just shut down and drink wind?" The man raised his chin arrogantly. His fan was nearly poking Gordan's nose.
With a sharp smack, the fan dropped to the ground.
Gordan's gaze darkened. A chill settled in his eyes. He hadn't wanted to cause a scene, but this man was too overbearing. He wasn't sure he could hold back.
"Sasha is still inside," Yuno whispered, trying to calm him. If Sasha saw Gordan acting violently, she might get scared of him. A man's image is important, especially someone like Gordan, who was always so refined and graceful.
"Pick it up," the man's face turned cold. No one had ever dared defy him on this street before. This pretty boy must be tired of living.
He shot a glance at his two henchmen. In seconds, all the customers had been driven out of the hall.
"Pick it up, or I'll break one of your legs. Don't pick it up, and I'll break both." The red-robed man sat down with a smug look, as if ready to enjoy a show.
"Get out!" Gordan said, his voice lower but firmer now. He stepped out from behind the stove and faced the three men head-on.