Chapter 88: Nan Family’s Small Restaurant

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Nan Family’s Small Restaurant

"Sorry, we’re out of braised meat, and the other braised dishes are gone too."

"Uh, we’re not making a second batch right now. We only have this one pot of braising liquid."

"How long of a wait? It’ll be this afternoon at the earliest."

"Sir, why don’t you go home and wait? Your health..."

Fu Chao’s advice was well-intentioned.

But the old gentleman across from him, who looked to be at least eighty, leaned on a cane, his legs trembling. Only his voice was full of vigor:

"What’s wrong with my health? I’m perfectly fine! It’s just a few hours in line! Absolutely no problem!"

The others clearly didn’t believe him.

Even though they were all packed in so tightly, they still kept their distance from the old gentleman, afraid of bumping into him.

Fu Chao was also worried, but the old gentleman was a stubborn foodie at heart and absolutely refused to go home and come back later as they suggested.

There were many others like this old gentleman.

Even though Fu Chao and the others kept stressing that the braised meat was sold out for now, people continued to linger outside the restaurant, unwilling to leave.

Incredibly, some people, smelling the lingering aroma of the braised food and lamenting that they’d missed out, even decided to join the line!

There was nothing to be done.

Nan Zhi had no choice but to have them carry the large earthenware pot back inside and put the lid on it.

Only after the fragrant aroma of the braise slowly dissipated did the customers gradually begin to leave.

The first thing Nan Zhi did upon returning to the restaurant was add new ingredients to the large pot in the proper proportions to maintain the quality of the braising liquid.

Fu Chao wiped the sweat from his brow.

"I didn’t expect so many people... Oh no!"

Everyone, including Nan Zhi, instinctively turned to look at him, thinking something terrible had happened.

But Fu Chao’s expression was exceptionally grave, his brow deeply furrowed. He asked with great solemnity:

"All the food is sold out. What are *we* going to eat?"

[I thought it was something serious...]

[LMAO, the indomitable foodie spirit, right?]

[Fu Chao, take a look down by your leg at your good little nephew with the greasy mouth!]

[Hahaha, all the little ones have eaten until their bellies are round, and he’s the only one who doesn’t know!]

[Did you finally realize you’ve been left out?]

...

It was obvious Nan Zhi was holding back a laugh.

She raised an eyebrow slightly and pointed to Qing Xi, who was standing beside Fu Chao.

"Don’t worry, I saved a portion."

’It was just that the kids had nearly finished it all.’

There was nothing for it.

After all, Nan Zhi had felt bad that they were so tired from helping, so she’d let them go into the kitchen to eat the braised dishes she had set aside.

The group of kids had found a chance to sneak in and were now gathered around a large basin, eating with total abandon.

Many of the vegetables hadn’t even been cut and were still in large chunks. Their small hands could barely hold on, but they still gripped them tightly, continuously stuffing them into their mouths.

Eventually, even Nan Yi joined the group, eating happily with the other kids.

Before long, Xie Yu noticed. Without a change in expression, he slipped into the kitchen and had a little snack.

Qi Pei’er was sharp-eyed too. She quietly followed him, sneaking a few bites before coming back out.

...Only Fu Chao knew nothing.

Fu Chao clenched his fists.

"You guys are too much!"

Xie Yu’s expression was unchanged; he remained as calm as ever.

Qi Pei’er looked away, a bit embarrassed.

The four kids blinked their big, innocent eyes, their faces a mask of "I don’t know anything."

Only Nan Zhi said:

"There’s a little bit left at the very end. Do you want it?"

"...Yes!"

Although it was just the dregs, it was especially flavorful because it had been soaking for so long.

Soothed by the Food, Fu Chao’s disgruntled mood quickly calmed and improved.

He even thought smugly—

’The stuff at the bottom of the pot is the best part!’

’You all don’t get it!’

...It was safe to say he was very easily appeased.

In truth, everyone was a little tired by now.

Although the time spent selling the braised meat totaled only about an hour, there had been so many people that just maintaining order was incredibly draining.

Everyone’s workload was immense. They were so busy they barely had a moment’s rest, and after just one hour, they were already feeling a bit worn out.

And this was only the first day—just a small warm-up.

Fu Chao suggested, "Maybe we should limit purchases."

Qi Pei’er nodded in agreement. "I think that’s a good idea."

Xie Yu also nodded. "After all, we’re a small restaurant, not a dedicated braised-food shop."

As they spoke, they all turned their gazes to Nan Zhi.

Like a group of employees seeking their boss’s opinion.

The hierarchy was clear.

Nan Zhi said, "Mm, the braised meat was originally just a way to attract customers. Next, we can add it to the restaurant’s menu."

She had a clear plan, taking each step steadily and according to her design.

Everyone present, as well as the viewers in the livestream, could sense a certain steadfastness about her.

It was as if she were a pillar of stability; just by standing there calmly, without doing anything, she put everyone at ease.

Just then, Qi Pei’er suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right! Someone just asked for our restaurant’s name! They said they wanted to spread the word about it!"

Fu Chao was surprised.

"Isn’t that a good thing? So what’s the problem?"

"Don’t we need a sign for our restaurant?"

Qi Pei’er pointed at the empty space above the door.

Everyone suddenly realized what she meant.

They remembered that in their rush to open, they had forgotten the most important thing: the sign.

Even Nan Zhi had overlooked this.

"Sorry, I forgot. I remember there’s a shop on this street that makes custom signs, right?"

"Don’t worry, don’t worry!"

Qi Pei’er patted her chest with a grin.

"Zhizhi, you’re the head chef. You don’t need to worry about trivial things like this, just leave it to us! So, I actually ordered a sign yesterday. Thinking about it, it should be arriving right about now... Look! Here it comes!"

Nan Zhi’s gaze suddenly froze.

She saw the sign being carried in, bearing the four words "Nan Family’s Small Restaurant."

For a moment, her voice was strained.

"...How did it end up with this name?"

When they were applying for the food business permit, choosing a name for the restaurant had been a big headache.

In the end, everyone agreed that they should include Nan Zhi’s name in the restaurant’s name, as she was their ultimate star attraction.

There was once a variety show called *X Restaurant*, so Qi Pei’er had a sudden inspiration and suggested the name Nan Restaurant.

Nan Zhi had thought this was the name they had settled on.

Fu Chao noticed the subtle change in Nan Zhi’s expression and quickly explained.

"Weren’t you taking Yiyi to the bathroom at the time? We thought about it again and felt that name was a little strange, so we changed it to this. We didn’t expect Qi Pei’er to actually have it made into a sign, we all got busy and forgot... Nan Zhi, you don’t like it?"

"Of course not."

Nan Zhi looked at the name, which was exactly the same as her grandfather’s restaurant. She never imagined that, as if by fate, it would appear here in such a coincidental way.

Thinking about how this name would spread with the popularity of the variety show, Nan Zhi was filled with emotion.

Nan Yi seemed to sense it.

He quietly tugged on Nan Zhi’s finger, looking up at her with his clear, dark eyes.

Nan Zhi smiled and patted his head.

’I love it so much.’