By the time the stall was fully set up and all the ingredients prepared, Liu Meilan carefully hung out the Open sign. She wiped her hands on her apron and instinctively glanced across the narrow lane. Her movements paused when she noticed the stall opposite them.
The layout was strikingly similar to theirs—glass doors facing the street, a neat counter, and a small kitchen visible from the front. Even the placement of the shelves and stools felt familiar.
She frowned slightly and turned to call softly, "Anran, come and look. This stall looks almost the same as ours."
Shen Anran wiped her hands and walked over, peeking through the glass doors. After just one glance, she understood what her mother meant. The arrangement was almost identical to theirs, neat and modern, very different from the usual messy roadside stalls. From the setup alone, it was clear the owner wasn't an ordinary vendor.
"Maybe they've eaten at restaurants in the city before," Shen Anran said calmly after a moment. "In the future, food stalls will probably all look like this. Inspiration can come from anywhere."
Liu Meilan nodded, though her heart felt a little unsettled. She returned to the counter and poured herself a cup of milk tea, taking a slow sip. The warmth spread through her chest.
Yesterday's earnings alone had exceeded what she used to see in an entire month when her husband was still working in Yuxi County. Even then, such money only came once a month. Now, they had earned it in just one day. Her heart felt both light and unreal, as though she were walking on clouds.
She had barely sat down when the glass doors slid open with a soft sound.
A pregnant woman walked in, dressed in a loose, sleeveless maternity gown. Her stomach was round and prominent, yet her steps were steady. Liu Meilan startled slightly, then quickly stood up. These days, young women dressed far more freely than before. She pushed the thought aside and smiled warmly as she stepped forward.
"Good morning," she greeted.
The woman smiled back gently. "Good morning, Auntie Meilan."
Liu Meilan blinked, then laughed. "Aiya, I'm getting old. I almost didn't recognize you. Wanru!"
Lin Wanru nodded, smiling. She had gained some weight and looked well cared for, her face glowing softly. Liu Meilan remembered when she had been married off so young and couldn't help but feel relieved seeing her like this now.
"Auntie, sit," Lin Wanru said politely, gesturing toward the stool.
Liu Meilan sat down. Today she wore simple trousers and a blouse, but paired with light makeup, she looked noticeably younger. Lin Wanru couldn't help but glance at her a second time.
"It's been so long," Lin Wanru said gently. "How is Anran doing?"
Before Liu Meilan could answer, Shen Anran's voice floated out from the kitchen.
"Mother, come taste this! See if it's suitable for today's menu."
Shen Anran emerged halfway from the kitchen, holding a plate of freshly made pan-fried soup buns. When she didn't see her mother standing there, she lifted the plate twice in confusion—then suddenly heard laughter.
Startled, she stepped out fully and saw her mother sitting with a customer. Her ears instantly turned red.
"Mother…" she muttered softly, embarrassed.
The scene amused Lin Wanru greatly.
"Anran'er, you've really grown up," she teased. "You even know how to make people laugh now."
Hearing her name, Shen Anran finally looked closely at the woman, and her eyes lit up with recognition.
"Sister Wanru!"
Lin Wanru was Lin Xiaoru's elder sister. Unlike her younger sibling, she had always treated Shen Anran kindly, especially during the difficult years after Shen Anran's father passed away. Though her sister had later taken away the man Shen Anran loved, Shen Anran never mixed the two together.
The three chatted for a while, reminiscing about the village, before Lin Wanru explained what brought her here.
Shen Anran hesitated, then spoke honestly.
"Ah, today's menu is different from yesterday. But if you really want the braised pork, you can pay first and I'll go buy ingredients to prepare it."
Lin Wanru looked disappointed, but she quickly shook her head. She didn't want to trouble the mother and daughter.
"It's fine," she said with a smile. "I'm sure you have other dishes. What were you telling your mother to taste earlier? Give me that one."
Remembering the scene, she smiled again.
Blushing, Shen Anran turned back to the kitchen and prepared a fresh plate of pan-fried soup buns.
The moment Lin Wanru took her first bite, her eyes widened. The crispy bottom, the fragrant soup, and the tender filling burst in her mouth.
She felt like she was flying.
"This… this is incredible," she murmured, taking another bite without hesitation.
Before she could say more, another customer entered. Seeing Lin Wanru's expression, the woman immediately ordered the same dish. Her reaction was even more exaggerated—she closed her eyes after the first bite, as if imagining herself sleeping among the clouds, and ordered another portion on the spot.
Soon, more customers followed.
During the students' break, Shen Anran and Liu Meilan became extremely busy, barely having time to wipe their hands.
By the end of the rush:
They sold over 80 soup buns at 50 cents each, earning 40 yuan
They sold 150 cups of milk tea at 35 cents each, earning 52.5 yuan
Total earnings: 92.5 yuan.
Liu Meilan counted the money twice, her hands trembling slightly. She was almost dizzy from excitement.
Across the road, Li Yichen's stall was equally lively.
They sold:
40 soup buns at 60 cents, earning 24 yuan
50 milk teas at 40 cents, earning 20 yuan
Total earnings: 44 yuan.
Students whispered excitedly among themselves.
"This milk tea is so rich, and it's only 35 cents!"
"What? I paid 40 cents."
"No, not that stall. The one run by a young woman and her mother. Even after the discount, it's cheaper."
Unknowingly, Shen Anran had already stirred up a small wave around the school area.
When Lin Wanru finally stood up to leave, she insisted on paying despite Shen Anran's repeated refusals. In the end, Shen Anran had no choice but to accept the money and promised to prepare a dish of braised pork especially for her the next day.
Although Lin Wanru didn't get to eat the braised pork she had dreamed about all night, she left the stall smiling—happy that she had spent time with Shen Anran and Liu Meilan, and still savoring the taste of the soup buns lingering on her tongue.