Bonus Side Story

What should we eat for lunch?

Yes, what to eat for lunch? It's the tenth greatest unsolved problem in the world.

"Never mind, let's go out for a walk first."

Wuling put on his coat and went to the food street next door. Seeing so many shops made it even harder for him to choose.

The "Forget-Me-Not Beef Noodles" were pretty good, but there was too little beef. The "Burning Heart Spicy Hot Pot" was cheap, but food safety was practically nonexistent. The braised pork intestines... forget it, I don't like that kind of thing.

As he passed by shop after shop at Wuling, none of them made him stop.

He felt extremely hungry at that moment, but he didn't settle for less. After all, how could he compromise on something as important as eating?

Looking up at the starry sky, I see virgin boy's urine eggs and pickled auks—what are these things? Should these even be here?

Wuling hadn't been here for a while, and he was surprised to see so many strange and unusual things appear during that time.

Finally, he stopped in front of a fried rice restaurant he had never seen before.

"Nuo Nuo Fried Rice? I don't think I've seen this place before. Is it newly opened?"

Driven by curiosity, Wuling opened the shop door and went inside.

Upon entering the store, I was greeted by a warm feeling; the air conditioning was set to a perfect temperature. However, apart from the owner who was leaning over the counter, I didn't see a single person.

Wuling went up to order a fried rice to try, only to find that the owner was asleep on the counter.

Phrolova had a dream that he made so much money that he couldn't spend it all in several lifetimes.

"Hehe, hehehe."

She dreamt of a happy place, and couldn't help but laugh a few times.

Wuling:...

Wuling even noticed that she was drooling when she laughed.

Is this boss out of his mind? Forget it, let's change it.

Just as Wuling was about to turn and leave, Phrolova, who was lying on the platform, seemed to sense something and groggily opened his eyes.

"I'm hungry! Have we got any guests yet?"

Phrolova stretched and yawned.

What would the guests like to eat?

Wuling's steps, which were about to leave, suddenly stopped.

Well, since we're already here, why not give it a try?

Wuling thought to himself.

He looked up at the menu, and after a fierce internal struggle, decided to order a plate of fried rice with eggs.

"Boss, give me a plate of fried rice with an egg, a braised egg, and a chicken leg, not spicy."

"Alright, please wait a moment, sir."

After writing it down, Phrolova prepared to start cooking.

"Wait a minute, boss."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Phrolova was clearly still unaware that he had saliva still hanging from his mouth.

Wuling pointed to the corner of her mouth with her finger.

Phrolova was stunned for a moment, and then her face turned a little red.

"No, dear customer, although I don't have a boyfriend, I really..."

Wuling:...

Why is this your first reaction when you see me pointing to the corner of my mouth? Shouldn't a normal person wipe their mouth to check for any dirt?

"No, I just wanted to remind you that you have drool at the corner of your mouth."

Phrolova's movements suddenly stopped, her mind clearing considerably. She hurriedly raised her hand to wipe her mouth, and the touch of moisture on her fingertips caused her cheeks to visibly flush red.

She frantically wiped her mouth with her hand, forgetting that there was a tissue right next to her.

"Sorry, sorry, I was asleep and didn't notice."

"... Never mind, it's alright. Go cook, I'm a little hungry now."

"Okay, I'll do it right away."

Phrolova quickly agreed, then hurriedly turned and scurried into the kitchen, her apron almost getting caught on the corner of the table.

Wuling is now starting to regret coming to this restaurant; the owner seems unreliable no matter how you look at it.

Wuling found a seat nearby and sat down.

He didn't have to wait long; soon a steaming plate of fried rice was served.

Wuling hadn't held out much hope for this, thinking it would be alright at best, but after taking his first bite, he dismissed all his previous assumptions.

Tasty.

This was Wuling's only comment; he hadn't eaten such a delicious meal since his mother passed away.

Ah, the taste of mom's cooking.

After that, Wuling ate fried rice at this restaurant almost every day, rain or shine, and gradually became familiar with the owner.

The owner's name is Phrolova. He's a normal person who lives on the ground. He chose to open a restaurant here because he didn't want his family's culinary skills to be buried.

And just like that, a month passed.

"Boss, your fried rice doesn't give me heartburn."

"Only when rules are established can the road ahead become wider and wider."

Two months.

"Boss, why is there an extra sausage?"

"It accidentally fell in there, so it's yours."

Half a year.

"Boss, your pickled vegetables are really delicious."

"Eat more if it's delicious."

One year.

"Old..."

"Fried rice with egg, less spicy, no scallions, plus a chicken leg and a braised egg."

This continued until the following winter.

That day, as usual, Phrolova waited at the store entrance for his arrival.

The snow was heavy that day, much heavier than any of the previous two years, but Phrolova still believed he would come.

There's no why; if I had to give a reason, it would simply be that there is no why.

The snow was blown by the wind and landed on Phrolova's face, making her little face red from the cold.

Sure enough, she soon saw the figure walking through the snow.

"You're here, but I've already made it for you, it's right here..."

Phrolova was speaking excitedly when Wuling raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Boss, I'm tired of it."

Phrolova had never imagined that words could be so cruel, so cruel as to sever all ties with the past.

She looked up, blinked her slightly sore eyes, and her face still had the rosy blush from waiting, though that vibrant color had gradually faded into paleness.

"I'm tired of it..."

She repeated it softly, her voice trembling slightly, without her even realizing it, like a slender branch about to break in the wind and snow.

It seems that people are always like this; habit is the gentlest yet cruelest thing in the world.

She was used to waiting for the same customer every day, used to reserving the freshest ingredients for him, used to remembering all his trivial preferences, and used to him opening the shop door on time every day and casually exchanging a few unimportant words with her.

She assumed he was used to it too.

"Alright then."

She didn't ask why, didn't try to stop her, and didn't cry or make a scene.

Most people's feelings are like this: humble and timid, even their reluctance can only be hidden in silence, not daring to express it.

She could only watch helplessly as Wuling went to the potato noodle shop next door.

All that remains is silence.

She returned to the shop, looking lost and dejected. She sat down in a chair, seemingly deep in thought.

She didn't know how much time had passed—perhaps a minute, perhaps an hour—before she shakily took out her phone and posted a message on her WeChat Moments: "Prime shop for rent."

She had no reason to stay in this place any longer.

"Boss, what's going on?"

Wuling held up her phone and showed her what she had posted on her WeChat Moments.

"Why did you suddenly quit?"

"... There's no reason why, I just don't want to think about it anymore."

Phrolova shook his head, giving a hasty answer.

"Also, we're just customers; please show some respect, sir."

Phrolova's tone carried an unprecedented detachment, as if the person in front of him had absolutely no connection to him.

"Alright, boss, the usual."

"Sir, I don't understand what you're saying. The menu is on the wall; please look at it yourself."

Phrolova wiped the table without looking at him.

Wuling pursed her lips, but still patiently said, "One serving of fried rice with an egg, a braised egg and a chicken leg, less spicy, no scallions. Payment transferred."

"Let me take a look."

Phrolova picked up the phone and glanced at it, but it wasn't actually unlocked.

When the fried rice was served, Wuling suddenly felt that something was missing.

"Boss, where are the pickled vegetables from before?"

"No, that's what I saved for my family."

So you've always considered me family?

"That's not the case anymore."

"Does it really have to escalate to this?"

Phrolova had never heard Wuling speak to him in such an impatient tone before.

Am I being unreasonable?

"... Let's pack it up."

Wuling felt that staying here now was not appropriate, since going back would be the same anyway.

"One takeout box."

"... It's turned around."

Only after watching him walk out of the door did Phrolova finally collapse onto the table, unable to hold on any longer.

But not long after, the sound of the door opening came again, startling her so much that she immediately sat up.

However, after seeing who it was, her complexion visibly worsened.

"Boss, does the sign on your door say that the kitchen is included?"

Nabomo pointed to the sign hanging outside, her tone sounding like a question, but with a hint of provocation.

I won't transfer it to you.

Phrolova snorted irritably and turned her head to the side, refusing to look at her.

"Don't rush me, I haven't even offered a price yet. The reason you're unwilling to transfer it to me is because of him."

Nabomo brought his mouth close to her ear.

"He ate all of my potato noodles yesterday, not a single drop left! He even said he can't live without coming home. You've never let him eat so well before, have you?"

The sound was like a heavy hammer, striking her heart again and again.

"Stop talking..."

Phrolova slumped onto the table, heartbroken.

If I hadn't acted that way, if I had been more patient, if my cooking had been better...

Two glistening tears slid down her cheeks, carrying with them immense pain and resentment.

"I just want him to come back..."

"Boss, boss? Are you even listening to me?"

Wuling waved her hand in front of Phrolova's face, not understanding why she had suddenly started spacing out.

Phrolova snapped back to reality, the image still lingering in his mind.

"Boss, I'm tired of this."

"If you're tired of this, then go to the place next door."

After finishing his drink, Phrolova turned to leave, but Wuling suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"No, boss, do you expect me to eat the potato noodles from that stall next door?"

"So what do you want?"

Wuling shrugged.

"If you're tired of this, just change it up. Give me a curry pork chop rice, no scallions."

Phrolova stared blankly into his eyes, only to be met with a pure, golden light.

She looked into those eyes and couldn't help but smile.

"Good."