Zhou Yan had a plan in mind.
Little Zhou had offended Director Wang of the factory cafeteria. When the restaurant's business picked up in the future, it would be the factory cafeteria's business that would be snatched away. To prevent retaliation, it was imperative that he be friended with Deputy Director Lin Zhiqiang.
Furthermore, he had already accepted the system task, and he had brought it up proactively, just to give it a try.
If a bowl of pork ribs noodles could complete the task and resolve Lin Zhiqiang's concerns, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?
"Little Zhou is so thoughtful! I'm just concerned about filling my own stomach, and your noodles are so delicious, may be Xia Yao would actually be willing to try a few bites." Lin Zhiqiang's eyes lit up, but he hesitated, "But how do you pack these noodles?"
"There's a large lunch box in the kitchen, perfect for the noodles." Zhao Tieying continued.
She recognized the two leaders, but she hadn't expected them to be the deputy director and director—big leaders at the textile factory.
"Okay, then, little Zhou, make me another bowl of pork ribs noodles and I'll take it home." Lin Zhiqiang nodded.
Zhou Yan responded and went back into the kitchen. A few moments later, he returned with a cloth bag containing the lunch box.
"Here's the money for the noodles. You must accept it." Lin Zhiqiang took the cloth bag and placed the three yuan on the table. Without waiting for Zhou Yan to refuse, he said, "Old Zhao told me about your restaurant. It's not easy for young people to run a business independently. When your business gets going, I won't refuse if you treat me to a meal again."
"Okay, thank you then." Zhou Yan didn't force it. Three yuan was indeed very important to him right now.
"Why thank me? If Xia Yao had eaten these noodles, I would have thanked you too," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile. He picked up the cloth bag and turned to walk out the door, saying, "Old Zhao, I'll ride your bicycle to deliver the noodles."
"Okay, slowly." Zhao Dong replied, nodded at Zhou Yan, and followed him out.
Zhou Yan wait the others left, closing the door in front him.
Once the textile factory opened, customers wouldn't arrive until lunch time.
"What's going on?" Zhao Tieying finally couldn't help but ask.
"This Deputy Factory Director, Lin Zhiqiang, is the uncle of the girl I rescued yesterday. He's here today to thank me. He gift me the bicycle..."
Zhou Yan briefly explained the situation.
"This leader is so particular. He's grateful for a favor, giving such a valuable gift." Zhao Tieying sighed. Two years ago, his family had bought a 28-inch bicycle from the black market for three hundred yuan.
"But you can't go swimming again, no matter how many bicycles you have!" Zhao Tieying stared at Zhou Yan with a serious face. "Or I'll break your legs!"
"I understand." Zhou Yan smiled and nodded. This feeling of being cared for and appreciated was truly special.
He counted the money in his hand. He had sold twenty one bowls of noodles this morning, for a total of 12.6 yuan. This was a far better than expected start.
This morning, he seized the opportunity presented by Lin Zhiqiang and Zhao Dong and successfully opened up new sales channels, but with it, he also shattered the previously stagnant reputation he'd accumulated.
It's foreseeable that with word of mouth from these eighteen customers, as well as those who missed out on the meal this morning due to time constraints, combined with his current reputation as a life saving hero, there might be even more customers this afternoon.
And the stew and base he'd prepared today only had enough for eight bowls of noodles left.
"Mom, please help clean up the shop. I'll go buy some beef and spare ribs. We expect even more customers this afternoon." Zhou Yan pocketed the money, grabbed a backpack, and headed out, pushing his 28-inch bicycle leaning against the wall.
Zhou Yan naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity to expand sales and improve his reputation.
If customers didn't enjoy their noodles when arrive, they might not come back next time.
As long as they tried his noodles, there was a chance they'd become repeat customers.
"Sure, go ahead," Zhao Tieying agreed.
"Guo Guo—" Zhou Momo chased him to the door, tilting her head back and looking at Zhou Yan expectantly. "I want to ride in the new bicycle, too!"
"Come on" Zhou Yan smiled indulgently. He leaned over, lifted her up, and placed her on the horizontal bar, letting her hold the handle with both hands.
The 28-inch bicycle was very tall, and most people would have to stand on tiptoe to get started, but Zhou Yan, at 1.80 meters tall, could put his legs directly on the ground and pedal away.
Zhao Tieying stood at the doorway, watching Zhou Yan's retreating figure with a look of satisfaction.
This kid is finally starting to look a bit grown up. He plays with his younger sister, learns how to interact with the leaders, and the restaurant is seeing more customers.
...
Lin Zhiqiang rode his bike, carrying noodles, back to the textile factory's family compound in just five minutes.
He was the deputy director and a key technical expert. He'd even won a provincial technical progress award this year, so he'd been allocated a spacious three bedroom apartment.
"Didn't you go to thank Comrade Zhou Yan? Why are you back?" Lin Zhiqiang opened the door. Meng Anhe, emerging from her side bedroom, was surprised to see him.
Lin Zhiqiang glanced at the plate of dumplings she was holding and whispered, "Yaoyao still don't want eat?"
Meng Anhe nodded helplessly. "Tofu pudding, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, wontons, dumplings, anything. Not even soy milk." Her eyes showed distress.
Lin Zhiqiang sighed and waved the cloth bag in his hand. "I brought her some braised pork rib noodles. Let her try it."
He emphasized, "This is the best noodles in Suji Town."
"She's not used to alkaline noodles. She didn't even touch the bowl last night." Meng Anhe shook her head.
"This isn't alkaline noodles. This is authentic handmade hand-pulled noodles, made by Comrade Zhou Yan. It's delicious. Cafeteria and state-owned restaurants can't make it taste this good. I had two bowls at his restaurant this morning." Lin Zhiqiang said confidently, "Take it in and let Yaoyao try it. She might want to try it."
"Is it really that delicious?" Meng Anhe was surprised.
She knew Lin Zhiqiang all too well. Outside of Shanxi, there were few noodles that satisfied him. He'd always said that our ramen, plain and simple. It was truly rare for him to speak so highly of noodles.
"You eat these dumplings. I'll take them in to try." Handing the dumplings to Lin Zhiqiang, Meng Anhe took the cloth bag from him and, with a heavy hand, said, "Such a generous portion? Go get a small bowl from the kitchen."
"Okay," Lin Zhiqiang agreed.
Meng Anhe knocked on the door again, lunch box in hand, and entered the side bedroom.
On the small bed, a young girl was leaning against the headboard, reading a book.
She had eyebrows like distant mountains, a cherry-like mouth, delicate features, and a refined elegance.
Her appearance and temperament were both stunning, though her complexion was visibly pale.
Yesterday's accidental fall into the water had frightened Xia Yao deeply.
She had forgotten the details of the incident, but she could never forget the feeling of near death.
The surging river made it impossible to breathe, impossible to struggle, and she could only let the current swallow her whole.
It was truly terrifying.
Yes, she remembered that hand, slender and powerful.
It was that person who had pulled her back from the clutches of death.
Hearing a knock on the door, Xia Yao looked up, her gaze fixed on the lunch box held by Meng Anhe. Her brows furrowed slightly, a hint of embarrassment rising. "Auntie, I really don't feel like eating."
"This is the braised pork rib noodles your uncle brought back for you. It was made by Comrade Zhou Yan, who saved you yesterday. It's rare to see noodles your uncle rave about, so you should at least give it a try." Meng Anhe walked in and placed the lunch box on the small table beside the bed.
Xia Yao put down her book, a hint of surprise crossing her sickly face. "Comrade Zhou Yan made noodles?" The image of that tall, slender, and sturdy figure flashed through her mind.
This morning, she had intended to go with her uncle to thank the man who saved her life. Because she was too weak, her aunt had left her at home, and she couldn't stop thinking about him.
Unexpectedly, the man had made her noodles.
Xia Yao shook her head helplessly, "But I really can't eat..."
Meng Anhe had already opened her lunch box. A gust of hot air, carrying the aroma of braised pork ribs and beef bone broth, reached her face. Rich but not greasy, the thick white broth shimmered with a hint of oil. Chunks of braised pork ribs were spread atop the bowl, smothered in amber-colored sauce and adorned with a few tender greens. It looked incredibly tempting.
Gulp.
Xia Yao's throat rolled uncontrollably.
Her eyes, once dull, brightened a little.
Braised pork ribs...her favorite.
The aroma was simply too overwhelming, and the appearance of the braised pork ribs was even more devastating. Her stomach, which had been on strike for a day and a half, began to stir.
"Gurgle!"
Not wanting to eat is a feeling, but stomach won't lie and will protest.
Meng Anhe took in all of Xia Yao's little movements, a smile spreading across her lips. Something was going to happen!
Knock knock!
There was a knock at the door.
Meng Anhe knew it was Lin Zhiqiang. "Come in."
Lin Zhiqiang held a small bowl, a pair of chopsticks, and a soup spoon.
"Yaoyao, try these noodles! If you wait, they won't be chewy anymore, and the soup won't taste the same." Lin Zhiqiang walked to the table, divided a bowl for Xia Yao, and placed it in front of her.
Xia Yao didn't rush to pick up her chopsticks. Instead, she looked at Lin Zhiqiang with concern and said, "Uncle, Comrade Zhou Yan..."
"I've already expressed my gratitude to Comrade Zhou Yan. He accepted the bicycle, and I told him you'd come to thank him in person once you're better." Lin Zhiqiang smiled.
"He's very concerned about your situation. He was the one who asked me to bring you these noodles. He's not only handsome, but also considerate and a good person."
"That's good." Xia Yao smiled, the gloom in her heart dissipating a little.
Once she recovered, she would have to go and thank him in person, the sooner the better.
"Eat it while it's hot. You won't have the energy to go out if you don't." Meng Anhe helped Xia Yao up and sat her down on the edge of the bed, pressing the chopsticks into her hand.
"Okay." Xia Yao replied, blowing on the bowl before taking two sips. The fragrant broth flowed over her lips and teeth, the unique umami flavor of beef bone broth, warm and delicious, cleansing her taste buds that had been dormant all day.
The soup flowed into her stomach, a warmth rising from it, warming even her cold fingertips.
Her taste buds were piqued, and hunger surged in. Her stomach now overwhelmed her mind.
Xia Yao eagerly picked up a piece of tender, braised pork ribs and bit into it. The sauce, mixed with the aroma of the meat, burst between her lips and teeth. The soft, lingering texture was so delicious it made her scalp tingle.
Even after swallowing it, the aftertaste of the meat lingered.
Ah! So delicious!
Xia Yao wanted to scream. These were absolutely the best spare ribs she'd ever tasted!
The braised pork ribs, which ranked number one in her heart, had been made by her father for eighteen years, but today, someone else had done it.
She finished a piece of spare ribs in a few bites, spat out a bone, and slurped down a mouthful of noodles. Even though she was starving, she ate them in small, quick bites, without making a sound.
The ramen noodles were soaked in the bone broth, and they were chewy and smooth, truly unlike the alkaline noodles sold in other shops.
Fragrant!
The noodles were delicious, too.
A mouthful of noodles, a bite of spare ribs, a sip of broth, and in no time, the small bowl noodles were gone.
A thin layer of sweat formed on Xia Yao's forehead, and her pale complexion took on a new rosy hue.
Meng Anhe quickly poured her another bowl. She exchanged glances with Lin Zhiqiang, and both couldn't help but smile.
As long as Xia Yao wanted to eat, that was fine. As long as she was full, she wouldn't have any other thoughts.
She ate small bowls at a time, devouring the entire large lunch box without even a sip of soup left.
"Erhh."
Xia Yao covered her mouth, a little embarrassed.
She'd barely eaten all day, and these noodles were so delicious that she couldn't stop eating them.
"Walk around the house, then get a good sleep. I'll call you for lunch at noon." Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang smiled as they collected bowls and closed the door.
"I didn't expect his noodles to be so delicious. The braised pork ribs are incredible." Xia Yao opened the curtains to let the sunlight in, and a smile crossed her face as she gazed out at the Qingyi River.
"Let's go to his shop for noodles tomorrow morning!"
...
[Ding! Side quest completed. After eating your braised pork rib noodles, Xia Yao is in a good mood and has resumed her normal diet. Quest Reward: Skill - Food Identification.]
When Zhou Yan was on his way back to the restaurant after buying some meat, a system notification sound suddenly rang in his mind.