Chương 7: Braised Pork Rib Noodles

Yan had a plan in mind. Little Zhou had offended Director Wang of the factory canteen, and once the restaurant's business improved, it would steal the canteen's business. To prevent retaliation, it was essential to be on good terms with Deputy Factory Director Lin Zhiqiang. Moreover, he had already accepted the system task, and bringing it up was just a trial. If a bowl of pork rib noodles could complete the task and resolve Lin Zhiqiang's grudge, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

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

" There's a large lunchbox in the kitchen, just the right size for noodles," Zhao Tieying replied. She recognized these two as leaders, but she hadn't expected them to be the deputy factory director and director—high-ranking leaders of the textile factory!

"Okay, then Little Zhou, cook me another bowl of pork rib noodles and I'll pack it up to take 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 containing the lunchbox.

"This is for the noodles; you must take it." Lin Zhiqiang took the bag and placed three yuan on the table. Before Zhou Yan could refuse, he said, "Old Zhao told me about your restaurant's situation. 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, turning to leave with the bag, saying, "Old Zhao, I'll ride your bicycle to deliver the noodles."

"Okay, take care." Zhao Dong responded, nodded to Zhou Yan, and followed him out. After Zhou Yan and the others left, they closed the door behind them. Once the textile factory started operating, customers wouldn'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 came today to thank me, and he gave me that bicycle…" Zhou Yan briefly explained the situation.

"That leader is really something, so grateful, giving such a generous gift." Zhao Tieying remarked with some emotion. Two years ago, their family bought a 28-inch bicycle from the black market for 300 yuan.

"But you can't go into the water again, no matter how many bicycles you have!" Zhao Tieying stared at Zhou Yan with a serious face: "Otherwise, I'll break your legs!"

"Got it." 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 twenty-one bowls of noodles this morning, earning a total of 12. 6 yuan, a start far exceeding expectations. This morning, he had seized the opportunity given by Lin Zhiqiang and Zhao Dong to successfully open up sales channels, and in doing so, he had also broken the bad reputation he had accumulated previously.

It was foreseeable that with the word-of-mouth recommendations from these eighteen customers, plus the customers who didn't get to eat this morning due to time constraints, combined with his current reputation as a hero who saved lives, there would probably be even more customers at noon today. He only had enough toppings and sauces for eight bowls of noodles left.

"Mom, could you help tidy up the shop? I'll go buy some more beef and ribs; we expect even more customers at lunchtime today." Zhou Yan tucked the money into his pocket, picked up a basket, and pushed his old bicycle against the wall out the door. This was a great opportunity to expand sales and improve his reputation, and Zhou Yan certainly didn't want to miss it. If customers came and didn't get any, they might not come back. Once they tasted his noodles, they had a chance to become repeat customers.

"Okay, go ahead," Zhao Tieying agreed.

"Guoguo—" Zhou Momo chased after him to the door, tilting her little head up, looking at Zhou Yan expectantly, "I want to ride the new bike too!"

"Come on." Zhou Yan smiled indulgently, bent down, lifted her up, and placed her on the crossbar, letting her hold onto the handlebars with her little hands. The old bicycle was quite tall; most people had to stand on tiptoe to start, but Zhou Yan, at 1. 8 meters tall, could stand directly on the ground and ride off with a single pedal stroke. Zhao Tieying stood at the shop entrance, watching Zhou Yan's departing figure with a look of satisfaction.

This kid is finally starting to act like a grown-up; he knows how to play with his little sister, how to deal with superiors, and the restaurant is getting 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, and this year he had even won a provincial-level technical progress award, so he was allocated a three-bedroom apartment, which was quite 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, somewhat surprised. Lin Zhiqiang glanced at the plate of dumplings she was holding and whispered, "Yaoyao still can't eat anything?" Meng Anhe nodded helplessly, "She can't eat tofu pudding, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, wontons, 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 some braised pork rib noodles. Let her try it." He emphasized, "This is the best noodles in Suji Town."

"She doesn't like alkaline noodles. She didn't touch the bowl 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. The canteen and state-run restaurants can't make it taste like this. I ate two bowls at his shop this morning," Lin Zhiqiang said confidently.

"Take it in and let Yaoyao try it. She might want to eat it."

"Is it really that good?" Meng Anhe was somewhat surprised. She knew Lin Zhiqiang too well. Outside of Shanxi, there were few noodles that could satisfy him. He always said that the noodles back home were plain. It was rare for him to praise noodles so highly.

"Eat these dumplings, I'll take them in and try them." Handing the dumplings to Lin Zhiqiang, Meng Anhe took the cloth bag from him, her hand feeling a sudden heaviness.

"Such a large portion? Go to the kitchen and get a small bowl." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Okay," Lin Zhiqiang replied. Meng Anhe, carrying the lunchbox, knocked on the door and entered the side bedroom. On the small bed, a young girl was leaning against the headboard reading. She had delicate, arched eyebrows, cherry lips, and refined features, exuding an elegant and refined air. Her appearance and temperament were exceptional, but her face was visibly pale. Yesterday's accidental fall into the water had terrified Xia Yao.

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 struggle, the only option being to let the water swallow her. It was truly terrifying. Right, she remembered that hand—long and strong. It was that person who pulled her back from the clutches of death. Hearing the knock, Xia Yao looked up, her gaze falling on the lunchbox Meng Anhe was carrying.

With a slight frown, 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 her book, a hint of surprise appearing on her sickly face.

"Comrade Zhou Yan made noodles?" The image of that tall, slender, and athletic figure flashed through her mind. This morning, she had originally planned to go with her uncle to thank their savior, but because she was too weak, her aunt had left her at home, though she had been thinking about it constantly. Unexpectedly, that person had made noodles for her. Xia Yao shook her head helplessly, "But I really can't eat..."

Meng Anhe had already opened the lunchbox, and a wave of steam carrying the aroma of braised pork ribs and beef bone broth wafted out. Rich but not greasy, the thick, white broth glistened slightly, and large chunks of braised pork ribs were laid on top, coated in amber-colored sauce, with a few tender green vegetables as garnish—it looked extremely tempting. Gulp. Xia Yao's throat bobbed involuntarily. Her previously dull eyes cleared a bit. Braised pork ribs... her favorite braised pork ribs.

The aroma was so powerful, and the appearance of the braised pork ribs was even more striking. Her stomach, which had been on strike for a day and a half, began to rumble at this moment.

"Gurgle—" Not wanting to eat is a feeling, but the stomach doesn't lie and will protest. Meng Anhe took in Xia Yao's little movements, a smile appearing on her lips. There was hope! Knock knock! There was a knock at the door. Meng Anhe knew it was Lin Zhiqiang.

"Come in." Lin Zhiqiang was holding a small bowl, a pair of chopsticks, and a soup ladle.

"Yao Yao, try these noodles. In a little while, the noodles won't be chewy, 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've 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've recovered," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile." He's very concerned about your situation. He even suggested I bring this to you. The young man is not only handsome but also thoughtful; he's a good person."

"That's good." A smile appeared on Xia Yao's face, and the gloom in her heart dissipated somewhat. Once she recovered, she would have to thank him in person, the sooner the better.

"Eat it while it's hot. You won't have the strength 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 blowing on the bowl to cool it down, and then taking a couple of sips of soup. The fragrant bone broth flowed between her lips and teeth, the unique umami flavor of beef bone broth, warm and delicious, washing away the dullness of her taste buds after a day. The soup warmed her stomach, even warming her cold fingertips. Her taste buds were awakened, and hunger surged forth; her stomach had already overwhelmed her thoughts.

Xia Yao eagerly picked up a piece of tender, stewed pork rib and gently bit into it. The sauce and meaty aroma exploded in her mouth, the soft, lingering texture so exquisitely delicious it sent shivers down her spine. After swallowing, the aftertaste was lingering, the meaty fragrance lingering. Ah! So delicious! Xia Yao wanted to scream; this was definitely the best pork ribs she had ever eaten! Her father had been making her number one braised pork ribs for eighteen years, but today it was someone else.

She finished the rib in a few bites, spitting out a bone, then slurped up a mouthful of noodles. Even though she was starving, she ate quickly in small bites, without making a sound. The noodles, soaked in the bone broth, were chewy and smooth, definitely different from the alkaline noodles sold in other shops. Delicious! The noodles were delicious. A bite of noodles, a bite of rib, a sip of soup—in no time, the small bowl was gone.

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Xia Yao's forehead, and her pale face gained a bit of color. Meng Anhe quickly served her another bowl, exchanging a glance with Lin Zhiqiang, both unable to suppress a smile. As long as Xia Yao was willing to eat, she wouldn't worry about anything else. She ate little by little, finishing the entire large lunchbox of noodles, leaving not a drop of soup.

"Burp." Xia Yao covered her mouth, a little embarrassed. She hadn't eaten all day, and the noodles were so delicious that she couldn't stop eating them.

"Walk around the house for a bit, then get a good nap. I'll call you for lunch later." Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang smiled as they collected the bowls and closed the door behind them.

"I never expected his noodles to be so delicious! The braised pork ribs were amazing!" Xia Yao drew back the curtains to let sunlight into the room, looking out at the Qingyi River with a smile.

"I'll 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 Appraisal] Zhou Yan was on his way back to the restaurant after buying meat when the system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.