Chapter 309 - 177: To Get Rich and Not Return Home is Like...

Chapter 309: Chapter 177: To Get Rich and Not Return Home is Like...

The food at Huang Ying’s table and Duan Yu Yan’s table next to it smelled so incredible that the previously hesitant customers all rushed to order.

’Mapo Tofu with rice... whoever thought of eating it this way is a genius! Just looking at it, I can already imagine how fragrant it is.’

Order after order was sent to the kitchen.

At eighty cents per serving, it was worth a try.

"I’m sorry, the Mapo Tofu is already sold out. We only prepared twenty servings today. Please order it again tomorrow." Before long, Mrs. Zhao took down the sign for Mapo Tofu, hung it in the "sold out" section, and said with a smile to the customers who were trying to order it.

"It’s sold out already?"

"But it’s only just lunchtime!"

"Mrs. Zhao, can’t you just make one more for me? I really, really want to eat Mapo Tofu."

The customers let out a collective groan, their mouths watering as they stared at the glistening red-and-white Mapo Tofu on the nearby table.

"We use West Bank Tofu, and once it’s sold out today, we have no way to get more. We’ll prepare more tomorrow," Zhao Tieying explained with a smile. "Be good now and order something else today. You can come back for the Mapo Tofu tomorrow."

Hearing this, the customers had no choice but to give up.

But each of them secretly made up their minds to come earlier tomorrow and order a serving of Mapo Tofu.

Duan Yu Yan didn’t usually like to eat rice, but today, thanks to the Mapo Tofu, she ate a full two bowls.

Today, she finally understood what people meant by a dish that "sends the rice down."

It was far better at making you eat rice than Twice-Cooked Pork; she was completely stuffed.

When they were almost finished eating, Yan Fei came in to finish up.

Mrs. Qiu offered to order another dish for him, but he refused.

Yan Fei scooped a spoonful of Mapo Tofu onto his rice and said with a smile, "Mrs. Qiu, this is more than enough for me. These are all great dishes for pairing with rice."

There was also a bowl of Kneeling Beef that was almost untouched; only the beef from the top had been eaten.

’Clearly, this was Miss Duan’s doing.’

’At least she didn’t order six bowls to make a hot pot out of it today.’

Yan Fei ate quickly. He devoured two bowls of rice, polished off the remaining dishes, and then picked up the bowl of Kneeling Beef to gulp down the soup.

"Tsk, look at these capitalists. The driver doesn’t even get to eat with them; he can only have the leftovers."

"Exactly! So disrespectful to the working class!"

"Oh, come on. I’d love to have braised beef, red-braised pork ribs, Kneeling Beef, and Mapo Tofu in one meal. And look how civilized and well-mannered they are—they deliberately left a corner of each dish untouched."

"Right? The driver seems perfectly happy with his meal, and here you are getting worked up about it."

The other customers discussed in low voices; some were indignant, while others were just teasing.

Yan Fei set down his bowl and let out a satisfied sigh.

’This Mapo Tofu is amazing! And the braised beef is to die for!’

’Finishing it off with the Kneeling Beef soup warms my whole body.’

’I have to admit, that buzz-cut kid, Zhou Yan, is a really good cook. Every dish on this table has its own unique flavor, and I can’t find a single fault with any of them.’

’It’s so much better than Feiyan Restaurant.’

He even seriously considered bringing his wife and kids here for a good meal next month, after Miss Duan returned to Xiangjiang.

As for the gossiping, Yan Fei didn’t pay it any mind.

’If they knew my monthly salary was eight hundred and fifty, their eyes would probably turn red with envy.’

Miss Duan always ordered a full table of food, but she and Mrs. Qiu never ate much. Plus, she was very particular about how she ate, so the food she left for him was never a mess.

Seeing that he had finished, Duan Yu Yan got up to pay the bill.

Mrs. Qiu and Wang also followed her out the door.

"Yuyan, are you leaving?" Zhou Momo ran over. She had taken off her small leather jacket but was still wearing the wine-red hat, tilting her head up to look at Duan Yu Yan.

"Yes, I’m full, so it’s time to go home." Duan Yu Yan smiled and crouched down, reaching out to pinch the little one’s chubby cheeks. "Do you want to come play with me in Jiazhou for a couple of days? I’ll bring you back afterward."

"Are we going in the little car?" Zhou Momo looked at the sedan parked nearby.

"That’s right. If you like car rides, I’ll take you for a drive every day," Duan Yu Yan said with a laugh.

The little girl thought about it seriously, then shook her head. "No, Mommy said I can’t just go stay at other people’s houses."

Hearing this, Duan Yu Yan and Mrs. Qiu both laughed.

"Alright, then I’ll come play with you again in a couple of days." Duan Yu Yan reached out and gave her a hug. "Quick, give me another kiss."

"Mwah!" Zhou Momo pecked her on the cheek. "Goodbye, Xiangxiang."

"Goodbye, baby Momo," Duan Yu Yan said with a grin, kissing her back.

Huang Bing, who was paying the bill with Huang Ying, couldn’t help but feel envious of Zhou Momo as he watched the scene.

’The goddess he couldn’t even work up the nerve to speak to was getting hugs and kisses from Zhou Momo!’

’It’s just too enviable.’

’When you’re that cute, you can get away with anything.’

"Look at other people’s little sisters," Huang Bing couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.

"Why don’t you look at her brother? He’s tall and handsome, an amazing cook, well-spoken, has great handwriting, is endlessly good to his sister, and is always surrounded by pretty girls." Huang Ying rolled her eyes at him and continued her tirade:

"I have photos at home, you know. I was that cute when I was little, too. Even Mrs. Qiu loved to hold me and give me kisses."

Huang Bing opened his mouth but found he had no rebuttal.

’Comparing yourself to others is just infuriating!’

’Before they came in, Miss Duan really was chatting enthusiastically with Zhou Yan. They seemed quite familiar with each other.’

’I shouldn’t have said anything!’

Duan Yu Yan looked at the two elders and suggested, "I’m so full. Grandma, why don’t we take a walk along the river to the library? I was just thinking I’d like to borrow a few books to read, and I can have Wang recommend one or two."