Divorced, Raising a Child, and Running a Stall—My CEO Ex-Wife Chases Me Back

Several elderly people chatted animatedly nearby.

Three aunties were enough to put on a whole show. Huddled together, they gossiped about Lu Qin in low voices.

"Honestly, young Lu is really quite a catch. His looks go without saying—he's handsome. He's steady too, just that he has a child."

"What's wrong with having a child? Divorced men with kids are popular these days. Didn't you see that little girl? She's so cute and pretty, with bright eyes and pearly teeth. Everyone would love her."

"What is it, Wang Guifen? Are you trying to set young Lu up?"

"Why not? If word got out, even young girls would be lining up for him."

"Guifen, don't be in such a hurry. My cousin has a single young daughter. Let me ask her first."

An elderly man beside them could no longer listen and coughed, cutting the aunties off.

"Give it a rest, will you? You've known him for less than two days, and you're already matchmaking for him? Have you even asked whether he wants it?"

"What do you know..."

Suddenly, the fragrant wok aroma rose and spread through the air.

The elderly men and women all froze for a moment, then sniffed.

"Huh? Why does that smell so good?"

They stopped chatting and turned to look into the wok.

Golden rice noodles tumbled through the pan, mixed with cabbage, bean sprouts, onions, ham, and other ingredients. It looked incredibly appetizing.

Lu Qin kept lightly tapping his wok spatula into containers of soy sauce, salt, sugar, and other seasonings, measuring each amount precisely before scattering them into the wok.

After seasoning it, he gave it another five or six quick tosses, drizzled in a little sesame oil, and plated it.

The entire process flowed in one smooth motion, more dashing and practiced than even a hotel chef's.

The elderly men and women were stunned for a while before clicking their tongues in admiration.

"Good heavens, who would've thought young Lu had skills like this? So professional!"

"Mm, he really is impressive! His wok-tossing is even better than a chef's!"

"Hey, did you see that just now? The way he fried those noodles was like making art. Amazing!"

Lu Qin finished frying three portions and packed them into boxes. Uncle Ge hurriedly said, "Young Lu, no need to pack them yet. Let us have a taste first. You keep cooking."

As he spoke, he picked up one box of fried rice noodles. The glossy color made Uncle Ge, who had not eaten breakfast, even hungrier.

"I'll try it first."

He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, chewed, and swallowed.

The other elderly men and women watched intently from the side.

"Old Ge, how is it? Is it good?"

"It has to be good. It smells amazing!"

Before long, a look of amazement appeared in Uncle Ge's eyes. He praised it, "Fragrant! Chewy! Tender! Crisp! Refreshing!"

"Hey! These fried rice noodles are incredible! So delicious!"

The others could no longer hold back. "Let me have a taste too."

Uncle Ge took out several pairs of disposable chopsticks and handed them around.

The elderly people did not mind sharing with one another. Holding the three boxes of fried rice noodles, they each took a bite after another, unable to stop once they started.

"Mm, it really is delicious!"

"Oh my, I've lived more than half my life, and I've never had fried rice noodles this good. They're not greasy, not heavy, and they don't choke you up. They're springy and refreshing too. So good!"

"Boss Lu, give me two more portions—no, three portions—to take away!"

"Add two portions for me too!"

"I could never eat fried noodles or fried rice noodles for breakfast before, but the more I eat these, the better my appetite gets!"

Originally, Uncle Ge and the other neighbors had come to support Lu Qin's business and give him a little boost.

But looking at these fried rice noodles now, he did not need their support at all. His business definitely would not be bad.

After eating his fried rice noodles, they would not just be coming by to show support in the future. They would become regular customers.

No, they would come every day.

Uncle Ge finished a box of fried rice noodles right there, let out a satisfied burp, and finally felt content.

The way he looked at Lu Qin had changed completely. Nodding, he said with a smile, "Young Lu, who did you learn to make fried rice noodles from? They're so good that no other fried rice noodles can compare."

Lu Qin packed up more than a dozen portions of fried rice noodles and handed them to the elderly men and women one by one.

Looking at Uncle Ge, he replied, "I didn't learn from anyone. I figured it out myself."

"Good, very good!" Uncle Ge nodded approvingly.

Since these elderly men and women had come specifically to support his business, Lu Qin only charged them the price of vegetable fried rice noodles as a discount.

But the group all scanned the code and paid full price. They refused the discount and did not want to take advantage of him.

Uncle Ge said, "Boss Lu, your fried rice noodles aren't cheap at all. This is called getting what you pay for."

The elderly men and women left happily, carrying their fried rice noodles.

10:10 a.m.

Lu Qin packed up his food cart and rode away.

That morning, he had sold around 130 portions of fried rice noodles. All the mung bean paste had sold out too, bringing in around 2,000 yuan altogether.

After costs, his profit should have been 1,500 yuan. The earnings were quite considerable.

Thanks to the fatigue-reduction aura granted by the system, Lu Qin had fried over a hundred portions of rice noodles in a row without feeling tired. He had only sweated a little.

While waiting at a red light at an intersection, Lu Qin checked the system.

He had 268 system points.

The points had no other use and could only be spent on draws.

With a thought, Lu Qin drew twice.

Congratulations! You have obtained one "Sunny Day Card." After using the Sunny Day Card, the entire following day will be sunny. There will be no rain, snow, or hail, so you can set up your stall without worry.

Congratulations! You have obtained one "Stall Map App." The software has been automatically installed on your phone. Open the map to search for the best local stall locations. This software is bound to its user and will automatically transfer to your new phone if you change phones.

Lu Qin took out his phone and unlocked it. Sure enough, a new app icon had appeared on the home screen.

When he opened the Stall Map App, the interface looked similar to the map on his phone. At the top was a search button.

After Lu Qin tapped it, red dots appeared one after another on the map.

There was also a list on the right. Opening it revealed many options.

Guomao South Gate Old Street Alley Entrance, current foot traffic: 400, distance: 1.3 km

Tianhong Bridge Jiefang Road East, current foot traffic: 750, distance: 2.8 km

People's Square Pedestrian Street, current foot traffic: 1,650, distance: 3.2 km, stall fee required: 20 yuan

After studying it for a while, Lu Qin discovered that the foot traffic at stall locations changed with the time of day. This app was very useful.

The kindergarten children fought to taste Lu Xiyao's food!

Lu Qin put his phone into his pocket and rode through the streets.

After returning home, Lu Qin restocked some ingredients, seasonings, and food containers.

That afternoon, he could set up his stall according to the locations found by the Stall Map App, saving himself a lot of trouble.

Lu Qin washed his face, sat on the sofa to rest, and watched short videos for a while. Just as he was about to make lunch, a WeChat video call came in.

It was the little one calling from her smartwatch.

A smile appeared on Lu Qin's lips as he answered it.

The phone screen showed an adorable, fair little face.

"Papa, do you miss your little cutie?"

On the other end, the little one sat on a stone bench in the playground. It was probably free time during recess.

"I do. Does Yao Yao miss Dad?"

"Of course I do! Papa, did you go set up your stall this morning?"

The father and daughter chatted for five or six minutes before it was time for the little one to eat lunch.

Lu Qin ended the call. He planned to make himself a simple plate of fried rice noodles for lunch too.