After the divorce, he took care of his child and sold fried rice; his ex-wife was filled with regret

The colors are red and white, with an alluring dark red hue.

Heat a wok. Add the sliced ​​sausage to the dry wok.

The heat should be controlled at a medium level.

As the temperature rises, the fat inside the sausage begins to melt, and with a "sizzle," clear lard seeps out and spreads across the bottom of the pot.

The rich, waxy aroma of the fermented Daqu Baijiu instantly rose up.

Once the edges of the sausage curled up slightly, Lin Fan grabbed the chopped garlic shoots and poured them into the pot.

The heat was instantly turned up. The bright green garlic shoots tumbled in the boiling lard, quickly coating their surface with a glossy sheen.

The wok flew up and down in Lin Fan's hands, and finally he added two drops of light soy sauce to enhance the base flavor.

"Out of the pot."

With a flick of the wrist, the red and white sausages, paired with the emerald green garlic shoots, were neatly placed into a white porcelain plate.

Steaming hot and glistening with oil.

Su Xiaoxiao carried the plate of stir-fried garlic sprouts with cured pork and a bowl of Xiangshui Gong rice to a white-collar worker who had just finished his night shift.

The office worker picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a slice of sausage and two garlic shoots, and stuffed them into his mouth along with a large mouthful of white rice.

The crispness of the garlic shoots and the firm, chewy texture of the sausage collide in your mouth.

It has no greasy feeling at all, but instead has a sweet wine aroma that lingers in the mouth.

This kind of home-style dish, coated in rich oil and wok hei (the smoky aroma imparted by a wok), is very appetizing.

The office worker didn't say a word, just lowered his head and started eating. In less than ten minutes, he finished the plate of food and the bowl of rice.

Lin Fan stood in front of the stove, steadily stirring the next batch of vegetables.

The portion size and cooking time of each dish are precisely controlled.

The range hood emitted a low rumble, and the blue flames under the stove licked the bottom of the pot.

Diners outside were sweating profusely as they ate, while the hall was filled with a down-to-earth atmosphere.

Time passed little by little.

The hands of the wall clock moved toward one o'clock in the afternoon.

The ingredients in the kitchen gradually decreased.

Lin Fan ladled the last serving of mushroom and chicken rice into a bowl and poured it over with a thick, glossy red sauce.

"Serve the food."

Take the iron pot to the sink, wash it clean with water, and place it upside down on a rack. Tighten the gas valve.

He took a clean towel and dried his hands.

Take off the white chef's apron and hang it on the hook on the wall.

Su Xiaoxiao collected the bowls and chopsticks from the last table of guests in the hall and took them to the kitchen.

Holding a wooden sign that read "Closed Today," she pushed open the door, went outside, hung it on the handle, and then closed the glass door tightly.

The hall fell completely silent.

The only sound was a slight breeze from the air conditioner heating.

"Brother Lin, the flow of water today is terrifying."

Su Xiaoxiao walked to the cashier, picked up a calculator to check the bill, her eyes sparkling.

"That batch of craft beer alone this morning sold tens of thousands. Add to that the new cured meat and rice bowls, and today's profits are significantly higher than before!"

Lin Fan stood behind the cashier, looking at the summary data handed over by Su Xiaoxiao, his face expressionless.

"understood."

He took out his phone from his pocket, opened WeChat, and transferred 1,000 yuan directly to Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao's phone vibrated in her apron pocket. She took it out, glanced at the screen, and froze.

"Brother Lin, what does this mean?"

Lin Fan draped the towel he was using to dry his hands over the back of the chair, his tone indifferent.

"That group of people was making a ruckus this morning, and with all the meals being served, you must have been exhausted. Here's your bonus. Take it."

Su Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, didn't refuse, and clicked "accept".

"Thanks, Brother Lin! I'll mop the lobby floor first."

"No need, don't you have classes this afternoon? Go home."

Su Xiaoxiao took off her apron, folded it neatly, placed it under the counter, and slung her canvas bag over her shoulder.

As she pushed open the glass door, she turned back and waved: "See you tomorrow, Brother Lin."

"Um."

The door closed.

The lobby fell completely silent, with only the faint sound of the air conditioner blowing heat.

Lin Fan walked to the door, pulled down the roller shutter, and locked it.

The shop went dark, with only the kitchen lights still on.

He turned and walked toward the kitchen, when he suddenly bumped into something soft.

"Meow--"

The little orange cat, Shrimp Dumpling, rubbed against Lin Fan's trouser leg, tilted its head back, and meowed, its voice trailing off. Usually at this time, it would run to the door to wait for Tuantuan to get out of school.

This is the fourth day since Tuantuan was forcibly taken away by Su Qing using their old marriage certificate.

Lin Fan squatted down and reached out to stroke the fur on Xiajiao's neck.

Shrimp Dumpling sniffed Lin Fan's fingers, but didn't smell the familiar scent of the little girl. It paced around a couple of times in a bit of agitation, then barked at the closed roller shutter door.

He stood up, walked to the cat bowl in the corner, poured out a handful of cat food, and changed the water.

The shrimp dumpling walked over, sniffed it, but didn't eat it. It lay down on the mat and buried its head in its paws.

Lin Fan ignored it and walked to the sink to start washing the kitchen utensils he had used that day.

I had just washed and cleaned several stainless steel pallets and stacked them on the shelf when my phone, which was on the countertop, vibrated.

The caller ID showed Wang Zhengming.

Lin Fan dried his hands, pressed the answer button, turned on speakerphone, put the phone aside, and continued wiping the cutting board with a cloth.

"Boss Lin, are you taking a break?" Wang Zhengming's voice was as calm and capable as ever.

"Yeah, we just closed." Lin Fan's hands didn't stop moving.

"Just to give you an update on the progress. Judge Chu Jianming has already completed the verification process for the surveillance footage, the application form for the early childhood education center, and the principal's statement that we submitted to the court."

Wang Zhengming paused for a moment, then continued, "Yesterday afternoon, the court officially issued a summons to Su Qing, requiring her to appear in court this morning to explain the circumstances of forcibly taking the child away."

Lin Fan washed the rag clean and wrung it out. "What about Su Qing?"

"Su Qing didn't show up." The sound of turning over papers came from the other end of the phone.

"This morning, Attorney Zhang went on her behalf. Attorney Zhang argued in front of Judge Chu that it was a misunderstanding caused by poor communication between the parents, and not a malicious attempt to transfer the child."

Lin Fan sneered and remained silent.

"The judge didn't buy it," Wang Zhengming said with a hint of a smile.

"The invalid marriage certificate is irrefutable evidence. Judge Chu rejected Attorney Zhang's case on the spot and recorded Su Qing's refusal to cooperate with the court summons. This is very advantageous to us."

Lin Fan pulled up a chair and sat down, looking at the empty kitchen.

"Attorney Wang, all I want to know is when I can rightfully bring Tuantuan back."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Boss Lin, I understand how you feel. But legal procedures have their own timelines. Su Qing is just throwing caution to the wind right now."

"I had someone investigate, and there's a huge problem with the Su Group's financial system. Su Qing hasn't even been home these past few days; she's been in company meetings trying to patch up the mess."

Wang Zhengming's tone became serious:

"She simply doesn't have the energy to care for the children, let alone deal with the court. The trial officially starts next Tuesday, and unless she produces substantial evidence to refute it, custody will inevitably be awarded to you."

"Understood. Thank you for your help, Attorney Wang."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Fan leaned back in his chair.