1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 7 Braised Pork Ribs Noodles

Zhou Yan had a plan in mind.

Xiao Zhou offended Director Wang of the factory canteen. Once the restaurant's business improves, it will take away the canteen's business. To prevent retaliation, it is essential to be on good terms with Deputy Director Lin Zhiqiang.

Moreover, the system task had already been accepted, so bringing it up was just a way to give it a try.

If a bowl of pork rib noodles could complete the task and resolve Lin Zhiqiang's inner conflict, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

"Xiao Zhou is so thoughtful. I was only thinking about filling my own stomach. Your noodles are so delicious, Xia Yao might actually want to eat a few bites." Lin Zhiqiang's eyes lit up, then he hesitated and asked, "But how do we pack these noodles?"

“There’s a big lunchbox in the kitchen, just the right size for noodles,” Zhao Tieying added.

She could tell that the two were leaders, but she didn't expect them to be the deputy factory director and the director, who were high-ranking leaders of the textile factory.

"Okay, then Xiao Zhou, cook me another bowl of pork rib noodles so I can take it home." Lin Zhiqiang nodded.

Zhou Yan responded and turned to go into the kitchen. A short while later, he came out carrying a cloth bag, in which the lunchbox was placed.

"This is the payment for the noodles, you have to accept it." Lin Zhiqiang took the bag, put three yuan on the table, and before Zhou Yan could refuse, he said, "Old Zhao told me about the situation of your restaurant. It's not easy for young people to run their own businesses. Once your business is on track, I definitely won't refuse to treat you to a meal again."

"Okay, thank you then." Zhou Yan didn't insist; three yuan was indeed very important to him right now.

"No need to thank me. If Xia Yao eats these noodles, I'll be the one thanking you." Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile, picking up the bag and turning to walk out the door, saying, "Old Zhao, I'll ride your bicycle to deliver the noodles."

"Okay, take your time." Zhao Dong replied, nodded to Zhou Yan, and followed him out.

Zhou Yan and the others left, closing the door behind them.

Once the textile factory starts operating, customers won't arrive until lunchtime.

"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's the one who brought the bicycle..."

Zhou Yan briefly explained the situation.

"This leader is really something, he knows how to repay kindness by giving such an expensive gift." Zhao Tieying said with some emotion. A couple of years ago, her family bought a bicycle from the black market for three hundred yuan.

"But you can't go into the water anymore, not even with a bicycle!" Zhao Tieying stared at Zhou Yan with a serious face: "Otherwise, I'll break your legs!"

"I know." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile. This feeling of being cared for and appreciated was truly special.

He counted the money in his hand. He had sold 21 bowls of noodles this morning, earning a total of 12.6 yuan, which was a much better start than expected.

This morning, I seized the opportunity given by Lin Zhiqiang and Zhao Dong and successfully opened up sales channels, which also broke the bad reputation I had accumulated before.

It is foreseeable that, thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations from these eighteen guests, as well as the guests who missed out on lunch this morning due to time constraints, coupled with his current reputation as a hero who saved lives, there will likely be even more guests at noon today.

He only had enough toppings and sauces for eight bowls of noodles left today.

"Mom, could you help tidy up the shop? I'm going to buy some more beef and ribs. I expect there will be even more customers at noon today." Zhou Yan tucked the money into his pocket, picked up a basket, and pushed his old bicycle against the wall as he walked out.

Zhou Yan naturally didn't want to miss this great opportunity to expand sales channels and improve his reputation.

If guests come and don't get to eat, they might not come back next time.

Once you've tasted his noodles, you'll have a chance to become a repeat customer.

“Okay, go ahead,” Zhao Tieying agreed.

"Guoguo—" Zhou Momo chased after him to the door, tilting her little head up and looking at Zhou Yan with anticipation, "I want to ride in the new car too!"

"Come on." Zhou Yan smiled indulgently, bent down and lifted her up, placing her on the crossbar, letting her hold the dragon head with both of her little hands.

The 28-inch bicycle is very tall, and most people have to stand on tiptoe to start riding. But Zhou Yan is 1.8 meters tall, so his legs can stand directly on the ground, and he can ride away as soon as he steps on the pedal.

Zhao Tieying stood at the shop entrance, watching Zhou Yan's departing figure with a sense of satisfaction.

This kid is finally starting to act like a grown-up. He can play with his little sister, and he's learning how to deal with his superiors. The restaurant is getting more and more customers.

……

Lin Zhiqiang rode his bicycle, carrying noodles, and returned to the silk factory's residential compound in five minutes.

He was the deputy factory director and a key technical worker in the factory. He also won the provincial-level technical progress award this year, so he was allocated a three-bedroom apartment, which was considered spacious.

"Weren't you going to thank Comrade Zhou Yan? Why are you back?" Lin Zhiqiang opened the door, and Meng Anhe, who came out from the side bedroom, saw him and was somewhat surprised.

Lin Zhiqiang glanced at the plate of dumplings in her hand and whispered, "Yaoyao still can't eat anything?"

Meng Anhe nodded helplessly: "She can't eat anything, including tofu pudding, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, wontons, and dumplings. She won't even drink soy milk." Her eyes showed heartache.

Lin Zhiqiang sighed, then waved the cloth bag in his hand, "I brought her back a bowl of braised pork rib noodles, let her try it."

He emphasized, "These are the best noodles in Suji Town."

“She doesn’t like alkaline noodles. She didn’t touch the bowl of noodles last night.” Meng Anhe shook her head.

“This isn’t alkaline noodles, it’s authentic handmade noodles, made by Comrade Zhou Yan. It’s incredibly fragrant, and the canteen and state-run restaurants can’t replicate this taste. I ate two bowls at his shop this morning.” Lin Zhiqiang said confidently, “Take it in and let Yao Yao try it; she might want to eat it.”

"Is it really that delicious?" Meng Anhe asked, somewhat surprised.

She knows Lin Zhiqiang all too well. Outside of Shanxi, there are very few noodles that can satisfy him. He always says that the noodles in our area are plain and simple. It's rare to find noodles that he praises so highly.

"You eat these dumplings, and I'll take them inside to try." Meng Anhe handed the dumplings to Lin Zhiqiang, then took the cloth bag from him. Her hand felt heavy. "Is this a generous portion? Go to the kitchen and get a small bowl."

"Okay," Lin Zhiqiang replied.

Meng Anhe, carrying a lunchbox, knocked on the door again and entered the side bedroom.

On the small bed, a young girl was leaning against the headboard reading a book.

With delicate, arched eyebrows, cherry-like lips, and exquisite features, she possessed an elegant and refined beauty.

Her appearance and temperament were exceptional, but her complexion was visibly pale.

Yesterday's accidental fall into the water gave Xia Yao quite a fright.

She had forgotten the details of the incident, but she could never forget the feeling of being on the verge of death. The rushing river, the inability to breathe, the lack of escape, the only option to let the waters swallow her whole.

It's really terrible.

Right, she remembered that hand; it was long and strong.

That person pulled her back from the brink of death.

Hearing the knock on the door, Xia Yao looked up and her gaze fell on the lunchbox that Meng Anhe was carrying. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said with some difficulty, "Auntie, I really don't want to eat anything."

"This is braised pork rib noodles that your uncle brought back for you. It was made by Comrade Zhou Yan, who saved you yesterday. It's rare to find noodles that your uncle praises so highly. Why don't you try a little bit?" Meng Anhe walked in and placed the lunchbox on the small table beside the bed.

Xia Yao put down the book in her hand, a hint of surprise appearing on her sickly face. "Comrade Zhou Yan made noodles?" The image of that tall, slender, and agile figure flashed through her mind.

This morning, she had originally planned to go with her uncle to thank the person who saved her life, but because she was too weak, her aunt left her at home, though she kept thinking about it.

Unexpectedly, the person made her noodles.

Xia Yao shook her head helplessly: "But I really can't eat..."

Meng Anhe had already opened the lunchbox, and a wave of hot air carrying the aroma of braised pork ribs and beef bone soup wafted out. It was rich but not greasy, with a thick white broth that glistened with a little oil. Large chunks of braised pork ribs were laid out on top, covered with an amber-like sauce, and a few tender green vegetables were sprinkled on top, making it look extremely tempting.

goo.

Xia Yao's throat bobbed uncontrollably.

His eyes, which had previously lacked vitality, became clearer.

Braised pork ribs...it's her favorite braised pork ribs.

The aroma was so strong, and the braised pork ribs looked amazing. My stomach, which had been on strike for a day and a half, started to rumble at that moment.

"Gululu——"

Not wanting to eat is a feeling, but your stomach doesn't lie and will protest.

Meng Anhe took in Xia Yao's subtle movements, and a smile appeared on her lips. There was something going on!

Tuk Tuk!

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 in his hand.

"Yaoyao, try this noodle. In a little while, the noodles won't be chewy anymore, and the soup won't taste the same." Lin Zhiqiang walked to the table, poured a bowl of noodles for Xia Yao, and placed it in front of her.

Xia Yao didn't rush to pick up her chopsticks, but looked at Lin Zhiqiang with concern and asked, "Uncle, what about Comrade Zhou Yan..."

"I have already expressed my gratitude to Comrade Zhou Yan. He accepted the bicycle, and I also told him that I would personally visit to thank him once you have recovered," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile.
“He is very concerned about your situation. He even suggested that I bring this to you. The young man is not only handsome, but also thoughtful and a good person.”

"That's good." Xia Yao smiled, and the gloom in her heart dissipated a little.

Once she recovers, she should personally thank him, the sooner the better.

"Eat it while it's hot, you won't have the energy to go out if you don't eat." Meng Anhe helped Xia Yao sit up on the edge of the bed and put chopsticks in her hand.

"Mmm." Xia Yao responded, first bringing her mouth close to the bowl and blowing on it, then taking two sips of the soup. The savory bone broth flowed between her lips and teeth, a unique flavor of beef bone broth, warm and delicious, washing away the dullness of her taste buds after a long day.

The soup warmed my stomach and made my cold fingertips feel warm again.

The taste buds are awakened, and a surge of hunger follows; at this moment, the stomach has already overwhelmed the brain.

Xia Yao couldn't wait to pick up a piece of stewed pork ribs until they were tender and soft. She gently bit into it, and the sauce mixed with the aroma of the meat burst in her mouth. The tender and lingering texture was so wonderful and intoxicating that it made her scalp tingle.

After swallowing, the aftertaste is lingering, and the aroma of meat remains.

Ah! It's so delicious!

Xia Yao wanted to scream; this was definitely the best pork ribs she had ever eaten in her life!
The number one dish in her heart, braised pork ribs, has always been made by her father for the past eighteen years, but today it's been made by someone else.

She finished a piece of pork rib in a few bites, spat out a bone, and then slurped up a mouthful of noodles. Even though she was extremely hungry, she ate quickly in small bites without making a sound.

This ramen is soaked in bone broth, and it's chewy and smooth, definitely different from the alkaline noodles sold in other shops.

Fragrant!
The noodles were delicious too.

A bite of noodles, a bite of pork ribs, a sip of soup—in no time at all, a small bowl of noodles was gone.

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Xia Yao's forehead, and her pale face gained a bit more color.

Meng Anhe quickly served her another bowl, exchanged a glance with Lin Zhiqiang, and both couldn't help but smile.

As long as Xia Yao is willing to eat, she won't think about anything else once she's full.

She ate it bowl by bowl, finishing every last drop of the noodles in the large lunchbox, not even leaving a drop of soup.

"belch."

Xia Yao covered her mouth, feeling a little embarrassed.

I hadn't eaten all day, and these noodles were so delicious that I couldn't stop eating them once I started.

"Take a walk around the house, then get a good night's sleep. I'll call you for lunch later." Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang smiled as they collected the dishes and closed the door behind them.

"I never expected his noodles to be so delicious, and the braised pork ribs were absolutely amazing." Xia Yao drew back the curtains to let the sunlight into the room, looked at the Qingyi River outside the window, and smiled: "Let's go to his shop for noodles tomorrow morning!"

……

[Ding! Side quest complete. Xia Yao is in a good mood after eating your braised pork rib noodles and has returned to a normal eating habit. Quest reward: Skill - Food Identification.]

On his way back to the restaurant after buying meat, Zhou Yan suddenly heard a system notification in his mind.

(End of this chapter)