Chapter 459 - 221: Oh, That Person from Mountain City

Chapter 459: Chapter 221: Oh, That Person from Mountain City

"If he can spend ten thousand on an old house, why wouldn’t he spend tens of thousands to build a proper restaurant?" Huang Ying looked at Huang He. "From what I’ve seen of Boss Zhou, he’s definitely not the type to settle for less. Those two current dilapidated storefronts are even worse than the restaurant he has now."

Huang He frowned in thought for a moment, then spread his hands and said with a smile, "What’s there to worry about? Jiazhou has never been short of genius chefs, nor of restaurants that suddenly take the city by storm. But the only ones that have been passed down for a hundred years are still Feiyan Restaurant and Le Ming Restaurant.

Your grandfather said to cook good food and treat our guests well. There are so many people in Jiazhou City; no single restaurant can serve them all. As long as we protect the Huang Family’s foundation, we can just wait and see where things stand in another twenty years."

Huang Ying nodded thoughtfully and smiled as well.

...

On his way, Zhou Yan stopped by the No. 1 Middle School. He left two lunch boxes, bundled in a net bag, at the gatehouse. He had clipped a piece of paper to them with Zhou Ming’s name on the front and a list of the contents on the back, asking the old man at the gate to give Zhou Ming a message.

He had brought Zhou Ming some braised food. He was really going to great lengths just to get Ming to practice his martial arts.

"Thanks, sir," Zhou Yan said, tucking the cigarettes back into his pocket before getting on his bike and riding away.

He didn’t smoke, but he always kept a pack of Yuxi in his pocket.

Among men, offering a cigarette could often quickly break the ice and make someone more willing to help with a small favor.

He patted his satchel, then pedaled his bike in the direction of Suji.

With the property deed in hand, the matter of buying the house was finally settled.

Mrs. Qiu and Duan Yu Yan would be staying for a few more days before heading directly to Xiangjiang. After that, Yan Fei would deliver the keys to him at the shop.

...

The final bell rang, and students streamed out of the main gate of No. 1 Middle School, heading home.

Once most of the students had gone, Zhou Ming pushed his bicycle, walking side-by-side with Song Wanqing. Only after they had walked two blocks did they get on the bike, a silent understanding between them.

Song Wanqing sat on the back seat, holding on as she chatted idly with Zhou Ming, a faint smile on her lips.

Before long, they reached Dongfeng Lane. The bicycle came to a stop in front of her courtyard gate.

"Well then, see you tomorrow, Zhou," Song Wanqing said with a smile.

"Teacher Song, wait a second." Zhou Ming bent down, took two lunch boxes from the bike’s basket, and handed them to her with a smile. "I brought you some braised food."

Song Wanqing was surprised. "Ah? When did you bring this? Weren’t you here first thing in the morning for exercises?"

"Zhou Yan came to Jiazhou on business today, so I asked him to drop it off," Zhou Ming explained.

Song Wanqing took the lunch boxes, and her hands dipped from the weight. "They’re so heavy! What’s inside?"

"It’s braised pork trotters made by Zhou Yan. They’re delicious. When I was a kid, my grandma only made them for the New Year, and only the youngest child got to eat half of one. I hadn’t had any for years until Zhou Yan learned how to make them." Zhou Ming said with a smile, "You can steam them over water—hot braised trotters have a better texture. I also brought some braised pig’s head meat for Elder Song to have with his drink."

"Braised pork trotters!" Song Wanqing’s eyes lit up, but she quickly grew embarrassed. "Zhou, this is too expensive! How much were they? I have to pay you back. Let’s just say you picked them up for me."

"Teacher Song, I borrow your bicycle every day and I’ve never offered to pay you. You’re being too formal." Seeing Song Wanqing fumbling in her purse, Zhou Ming turned his bike to leave. "You have an early reading session tomorrow, so I’ll come get you! See you!" he called out as he rode away.

Song Wanqing watched Zhou Ming pedal away, a smile spreading across her face. She called back in a bright, clear voice, "Okay! See you."

She turned to knock, but the door was already swinging inward.

Song Changhe stood in the doorway. He frowned as he looked at Song Wanqing’s beaming face.

Before he could speak, Song Wanqing was already holding up the lunch boxes. "Zhou Ming brought you some braised pig’s head meat. Want any? There are braised pork trotters, too. If you don’t want them, I’ll have them all to myself."

Song Changhe looked at her. "Won’t you feel lonely hogging it all?"

Song Wanqing shook her head. "Being alone can be lonely, but eating alone never is."

"A young lady should eat less at night to stay in shape." Song Changhe cleared his throat. "I’ll help you with your burden."

"Just remember, Zhou Ming brought this for *you*."

"I don’t know about that. I’m eating what *you* brought me."

"Then what am I supposed to do if I end up owing him too many favors to ever pay him back?" Song Wanqing said, walking into the courtyard. "Offer myself in marriage?"

Song Changhe grew anxious. "Absolutely not! Is that what all those classics you read taught you? To offer yourself in marriage over some pork trotters?! I have a pension. You give that boy the money tomorrow.

A young woman can’t be so gluttonous. Don’t ruin your life over a few bites of food. You need to be more discerning. If you do something reckless, how will I explain it to your mother and your Old Man?"

Song Wanqing flashed a sly grin. "When the time comes, you can just report to them: ’Mission accomplished. I’ve found a decent young man and am preparing to marry off this late-marrying daughter of yours.’"

At her words, Song Changhe couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head in resignation.

What could he do? The girl was as stubborn as a mule. Ever since she was a child, once she set her mind on something, not even ten bulls could pull her back.

"I’m going to go heat up the braised pork trotters and the braised pig’s head meat, and then we’ll eat," Song Wanqing said, carrying the lunch boxes toward the kitchen.

"Don’t heat the pig’s head meat! If you heat it, it’ll ruin the texture. The taste will be half as good!" Song Changhe called out hastily.

"Oh." Song Wanqing set down the container of pig’s head meat and carried the pork trotters into the kitchen. A moment later, she came back out, holding the heated lunch box with a towel.