Chapter 133: The Warmth of Food

Chapter 133: Chapter 133: The Warmth of Food

"Of course you can!"

Qing Qing agreed cheerfully, then added a compliment,

"You’re very capable, little one."

If Fu Chao had been there, his jaw would have hit the floor.

Because in his entire thirty years of life, the number of times he’d heard his own mother praise someone could be counted on one hand!

It was treatment that even he, her biological son, had never received, yet Nan Yi obtained it so easily!

Nan Yi, however, was unaware of this.

He just said, "Oh," and was about to pick up the kettle and run off when he suddenly turned back.

"Ma’am, aren’t you going to ask me?"

Qing Qing was confused.

Nan Yi explained, "Everyone else thinks I’m small and not very capable, so they always ask, ’Do you need any help?’ But you didn’t ask, Ma’am. Why not?"

To be honest, Nan Yi found it a little strange himself.

He rarely felt the urge to confide in anyone.

But upon meeting this lady today, he felt an inexplicable sense of warmth and familiarity.

So, the question in his heart simply tumbled out.

The corners of Qing Qing’s mouth turned up imperceptibly.

"Do you want me to ask?"

"No."

Nan Yi shook his head honestly.

Qing Qing’s gaze grew as gentle as still water.

"I thought as much. If you needed help, you would have asked. Since you didn’t say anything, that must mean you don’t. I respect you."

After thinking it over carefully, Nan Yi nodded seriously and said,

"Ma’am, you’re a very good grown-up."

Qing Qing shook her head.

"You’ve addressed me incorrectly."

"Huh?"

"You shouldn’t call me ’Ma’am.’ You should call me Grandma."

Qing Qing remembered that Nan Yi had just called Fu Chao "Uncle." By that logic, she would be in the grandmother generation.

Nan Yi’s little eyebrows furrowed tightly together.

Seeing this, Qing Qing was in a very good mood.

"What’s wrong?"

Nan Yi pursed his lips.

"Ma’am, grown-ups aren’t supposed to lie to kids."

He very seriously lectured the adult before him, warning her not to think he was easy to fool just because he was young!

Qing Qing was taken aback for a moment, then she chuckled.

Laughter rippled in her eyes like a flowing stream.

Just then, Fu Chao walked out of the kitchen carrying the pork and bamboo shoot soup, and this was the scene that greeted him.

If his hands hadn’t been full, Fu Chao would have rubbed his eyes hard.

Or even pinched himself to see if he was dreaming.

Otherwise, how could he be witnessing such a bizarre scene?

’Something’s not right. Not right at all.’

Fu Chao walked steadily to Qing Qing’s table and set down the small clay pot of pork and bamboo shoot soup.

"It seems our guest is having a nice chat with our little employee."

Fu Chao deliberately lowered his voice, his tone tinged with an inexplicable sourness.

Qing Qing didn’t notice at all, her attention completely captivated by the small white clay pot before her.

She just gave a nonchalant "mhm."

"He’s very cute."

Fu Chao felt a pang in his heart.

’His own mother had never praised him like that...’

’Whatever!’

’Since she was praising Nan Yi, he’d reluctantly let it slide and not hold it against the little guy!’

Fu Chao magnanimously curved his lips into a smile.

"Here’s the pork and bamboo shoot soup. Be careful, it’s hot."

With that, he walked away.

But he couldn’t stop himself from glancing back repeatedly, wanting to see Qing Qing’s reaction.

Qing Qing leaned forward slightly, and the already rich, savory aroma swirled more intensely around her.

She hadn’t even had a sip of the soup, yet it was as if she could already taste it.

But soon, Qing Qing realized she had been getting ahead of herself.

Smelling it and tasting it were two completely different experiences.

It was as if fireworks were exploding on the tip of her tongue, their lingering aftertaste echoing endlessly.

She never knew that the simple pleasure of eating could be one of life’s most sublime delights.

It could even... soothe the soul.

Qing Qing always felt cold.

It was as if she was still stuck in that one winter, never having moved on.

But this bowl of pork and bamboo shoot soup sent a tangible warmth through her entire body.

For the first time in a long while, Qing Qing felt a pang of hunger. Driven by an instinctual craving for warmth, she began to eat the soup faster, savoring the taste of every ingredient.

She squinted her eyes in contentment, and at some point, a faint, warm smile had appeared on her lips...

"What are you doing just standing there in a daze?"

Qi Pei’er had spotted Fu Chao standing at the corner of the kitchen, staring unblinkingly toward the main dining area. His gaze was filled with a mix of complex emotions—he looked touched, overjoyed... it was utterly bizarre!

This piqued Qi Pei’er’s curiosity.

Just as she was about to look in the same direction, Fu Chao quickly turned around.

Then, he explained with a straight face,

"I’m observing customer feedback so I can communicate with the kitchen in a timely manner!"

It sounded reasonable and well-founded.

But Qi Pei’er wasn’t buying it for a second.

She pursed her lips.

"Oh? In that case, take your time and watch all you want."

Qi Pei’er couldn’t be bothered to call his bluff. After telling Fu Chao not to slack off, she left with a dish in her hands.

Fu Chao went back to his work, but his gaze would occasionally drift in Qing Qing’s direction.

Qing Qing ate very slowly.

She savored the taste of every single ingredient, eating with great concentration, even the relatively ordinary stir-fried greens.

This was probably the most attentively she had eaten a meal in years.

Before she knew it, the entire portion of pork and bamboo shoot soup was gone.

Qing Qing was stuffed. She leaned back lazily in her chair and sat for a while longer.

Then, she specifically called Nan Yi over to settle the bill.

Nan Yi trotted over, his feet light. He glanced at the table and stated the total in the blink of an eye.

"Cash or mobile payment?"

He held up the payment QR code tag hanging on his chest.

"Mobile, please."

After paying, Qing Qing called out to stop Nan Yi.

Nan Yi stopped, a little puzzled.

"Ma’am, was there anything unsatisfactory about your meal?"

His customer service script was very professional.

Qing Qing shook her head.

"I wanted to give you something."

"No, I can’t accept..."

Nan Yi, who was practiced at refusing, couldn’t help but be drawn to the object in Qing Qing’s hand.

It was a black and gold fountain pen with a matte finish. Its design was clean and simple, adorned only with a gilded floral engraving at the end.

Nan Yi didn’t know how to write many characters, but he loved this fountain pen, falling for it almost at first sight.

Qing Qing said, "It’s nothing expensive, just a pen. You’re so smart. I hope you’ll take this pen and study hard in the future."

As she spoke, she gently patted Nan Yi’s head.

Normally, Nan Yi didn’t like anyone other than his mom touching his head.

Or even his hand.

But when this lady patted him, he felt a familiar warmth and froze for a moment.

He didn’t react in time, just stood there in a daze as Qing Qing pressed the fountain pen into his hand.

By the time he snapped out of it,

Qing Qing’s back was already disappearing through the restaurant’s entrance.

"Oh no."

Nan Yi clutched the pen in his small hand and bolted after her.

But when he reached the doorway, he looked left and right but couldn’t see any sign of Qing Qing.

He remembered his mother’s instructions and didn’t dare step outside the restaurant.

A moment later, Fu Chao hurried over.

"Yiyi, what’s wrong? Why did you suddenly run out here?"

After what had happened before, everyone was extra vigilant about keeping an eye on the children.

Nan Yi held up the fountain pen in his hand.

"The lady gave it to me."

"Isn’t this..."

Fu Chao was completely stunned!

This was the fountain pen his mother had used for years. His father had given it to her on their wedding anniversary.

And now, she had actually given it to Nan Yi?

’Well,’ Fu Chao thought, ’Mother must have her reasons.’

"Then you should accept it and take good care of it."