Although they had only known each other for a day, Ye Jiujiu had already subconsciously regarded the little mermaid as one of her own. What if the little mermaid went out, touched water, and her pink tail appeared for everyone to see?
So when the chubby boy extended his invitation, Ye Jiujiu immediately stopped him.
"She's still too young to understand movies. You go with your mom and dad."
"Then let's go to the amusement park!" Lele quickly switched tracks. "Slides, trampolines, and the swimming pool! It's super refreshing there."
Swimming pool?
That was basically a free mermaid exhibition.
Ye Jiujiu pinched her brow. The chubby boy and the little mermaid were completely incompatible—none of the activities he suggested were suitable.
"Lele, Xiaoyu just finished eating. She's going to take a nap. She can't play today. Go on by yourself."
Lele's mind spun quickly.
"Then I'll stay with her during her nap! After she wakes up, we'll go together."
Ye Jiujiu felt a headache coming on. "No."
"Why not?" Lele stared at her suspiciously. "Sister, aren't you her sister? A real sister would let her play!"
"…Yes, I'm her sister."
"Then you still won't let her play? Only a fake sister locks her up to cook and do chores!" Lele grabbed the little mermaid's hand dramatically. "Were you kidnapped? If yes, I'll call the police and arrest her for you!"
The little mermaid blinked blankly. What was this chubby boy saying?
"…" Ye Jiujiu was speechless.
Even Lele's family was embarrassed.
"Lele, stop talking nonsense."
But Lele ignored everyone. He tugged on the little mermaid's hand, trying to pull her out the door.
"Pretty girls get kidnapped a lot. Come home with me. I'll protect you."
The little mermaid finally understood—this human boy was trying to steal her away from the place with endless food and candy.
Absolutely not.
She instantly darted behind Ye Jiujiu, clutching her clothes tightly. She liked it here. She had food. She had sweets. She wasn't going anywhere.
Ye Jiujiu raised an eyebrow.
"Lele, if you dare lure a child away, I'll call the police."
"I didn't!" The bravest troublemakers still feared the police. Lele trembled, ran back to his parents, and muttered stubbornly, "Fine! If she doesn't want to come, then I'll come play with her another day!"
Then he hurriedly dragged his parents away, terrified Ye Jiujiu would actually call the police.
Just as Ye Jiujiu opened the door to see them off, she froze.
Zhang Xin stood outside with her daughter.
The woman gave a stiff smile.
"Boss… we've come to eat."
She didn't expect Zhang Xin to return after what happened the last time.
Lele's mother glanced at Zhang Xin and sighed.
"Coming again? Aren't you scared of your mother-in-law causing trouble?"
Ye Jiujiu was worried too. But looking at the thin, malnourished girl clinging to her mother's leg, she felt a pang of pity. Since they had come as customers—she could not turn them away.
"Come in."
Lele's family whispered to each other as they walked away under the shade of the eaves.
"Who is she?" Lele's father asked.
"I don't know her," Lele's mother replied. "I bumped into her the day before yesterday. Her mother-in-law is… horrifying."
Grandma Lele frowned.
"After all that, why not divorce?"
"People have their reasons," Lele's mother said softly. "Everyone handles their life differently."
Lele's father sighed.
"If she's going to get scolded anyway, why bring her daughter? Isn't that making trouble for others?"
"She probably came for the food," Lele's mother replied. "That old Mrs. Yang told me her granddaughter regained her appetite after eating here. Maybe she came despite the scolding—for her child's sake."
"The seafood is good, but it can't be that miraculous," Lele's aunt muttered—until she suddenly froze.
Her underwear was wet.
Her expression changed instantly.
"What's wrong?" Lele's mother asked.
Lele's aunt grabbed her hand excitedly and whispered in embarrassment,
"M-my breast milk… it leaked."
Lele's mother stared at her clothes, then nodded knowingly.
"I knew it. The food really is something. Hurry home and breastfeed Weiwei."
The entire family rushed off, leaving Lele stunned.
"Then… are we still watching the movie?"
Inside the restaurant, Zhang Xin sat stiffly, her daughter in her lap.
"Boss… about that day… I'm really sorry. My mother-in-law scolded me, so she vented at you. She wasn't trying to cause trouble."
"I'm not interested in other people's family matters," Ye Jiujiu said calmly. "Just don't come causing trouble again. If it happens again, I will call the police."
Zhang Xin instantly swallowed all the grievances she had prepared to vent.
"…Let's order," Ye Jiujiu said, handing over the menu.
Zhang Xin ordered the two cheapest dishes again.
"After we ate here last time, An'an's appetite improved. She ate two xiaolongbao this morning."
"If you want to improve appetite, get a tofu, fish, and zucchini soup. The fish is very soft—good for children with weak stomachs."
Zhang Xin looked at the price. She hesitated for a long time, then clenched her fists and nodded.
"I'll add that. Thank you, boss."
Ye Jiujiu accepted the menu and returned to the kitchen. The little mermaid hopped down from her stool, carrying her empty plate with both hands.
"I've taken it."
"Be careful!" Ye Jiujiu quickly took the plate. "Just leave it outside. I'll clean it later."
"I'll help you."
Ye Jiujiu felt her heart warm.
"So thoughtful."
The little mermaid stretched out her tiny hand.
"Lollipop."
"..."
Warmth revoked.
But Ye Jiujiu still handed her a lollipop.
"Go watch TV. Sleep when you get tired."
Then she began cooking the tofu-fish soup—pan-frying each tofu-fish slice until golden, simmering them until the broth turned milky, then adding zucchini, wood ear, and fresh daylily buds. The aroma filled the kitchen.
Soon, Zhang Xin's dishes were served: shrimp custard, seaweed salad, and the fragrant tofu-fish-zucchini soup.
Zhang Xin's eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The restaurant was full of families introduced by Lele's mother. They ordered the entire menu today and were now savoring geoduck sashimi arranged in flower-like slices over ice. Smoke misted around the platter like something out of a high-end restaurant.
Guests were full of praise.
"Better than salmon!"
"The raw marinated crab—umami and tender!"
"Boss, your skills are amazing!"
"I trained under a seafood restaurant head chef in Haicheng," Ye Jiujiu said lightly.
"No wonder!"
Soon the questions came.
"Do you have seafood like the mantis shrimp and giant sea snails again?"
"Will more come in?"
"Do you take reservations?"
"No," Ye Jiujiu replied. "Seafood varies each day. Limited supply. First come, first served."
After everyone finished and left, she poured tea for Zhang Xin and her daughter again.
Zhang Xin barely ate; she fed everything to An'an. After the little girl said she was full, Zhang Xin mixed the remaining soup with rice and ate it ravenously.
Pointing to the untouched seaweed and steamed egg, she asked,
"Boss… may I pack these?"
"Sure." Ye Jiujiu brought containers from the kitchen.
"But don't leave them too long in this heat. They'll spoil."