Braised Pork Rib Noodles

Zhou Yan had a plan in mind.

Xiao Zhou had offended Director Wang of the Factory Canteen. Once the restaurant business picked up, it would be competing for the Factory Canteen's customers. To prevent retaliation, it was absolutely necessary to build a good relationship with Deputy Factory Director Lin Zhiqiang.

Besides, he had already accepted the system mission. Bringing it up himself was merely an attempt to see what might happen.

If a single bowl of Spare Rib Noodles could complete the mission and resolve Lin Zhiqiang's worries at the same time, wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?

"Xiao Zhou, you really are thoughtful. I was only thinking about filling my own stomach. Your noodles are so delicious—maybe Xia Yao really will be willing to eat a few bites." Lin Zhiqiang's eyes lit up, but then he hesitated. "But how do I pack these noodles?"

"There's a large lunchbox in the kitchen. It's just right for noodles," Zhao Tieying chimed in.

She could tell that these two were leaders, but she had never expected them to be the deputy factory director and a director. They were major leaders at the Textile Factory.

"Alright. Then, Xiao Zhou, make me another bowl of Spare Rib Noodles for me to take back," Lin Zhiqiang said with a nod.

Zhou Yan acknowledged him and turned toward the kitchen. Before long, he came out carrying a cloth bag, with the lunchbox inside.

"This is the money for the noodles. You have to take it." Lin Zhiqiang accepted the bag and placed three yuan on the table. Before Zhou Yan could refuse, he continued, "Old Zhao told me about your restaurant. It isn't easy for young people to run private businesses. Once your business gets on track, invite me to dinner again. I definitely won't refuse."

"Alright, then thank you." Zhou Yan did not insist. Three yuan was indeed very important to him right now.

"What are you thanking me for? If Xia Yao eats these noodles, I'll have to thank you instead." Lin Zhiqiang smiled as he carried the bag toward the door. "Old Zhao, I'm borrowing your bicycle to deliver the noodles."

"Alright, take it slow." Zhao Dong answered, nodded to Zhou Yan, and followed him outside.

After they left, Zhou Yan casually shut the door.

Once the Textile Factory started work, they would have to wait until noon, when the workers got off shift, before customers came again.

"What exactly is going on?" Zhao Tieying finally could not help asking.

"Deputy Factory Director Lin Zhiqiang is the uncle-in-law of the girl I saved yesterday. He came today to thank me, and that bicycle was his gift..."

Zhou Yan briefly explained the situation.

"These leaders really know how to conduct themselves. They repay kindness and gave such a valuable gift." Zhao Tieying was somewhat moved. A Twenty-Eight Bicycle her family had bought on the black market two years ago had cost three hundred yuan.

"But you can't go into the water again in the future. Not for any number of bicycles!" Zhao Tieying stared at Zhou Yan with a stern expression. "Otherwise, I'll break your legs!"

"Got it." Zhou Yan smiled and nodded. Being cared about and worried over like this really was a special feeling.

He counted the money in his hand. This morning, they had sold twenty-one bowls of noodles, bringing in 12.6 yuan in total. The start had far exceeded expectations.

This morning, he had seized the opportunity provided by Lin Zhiqiang and Zhao Dong to successfully open up sales channels. At the same time, he had shattered the terrible reputation that had built up before.

It was foreseeable that word of mouth from those eighteen customers, along with the customers who had not managed to eat this morning because of time constraints, combined with his current reputation as a hero who had saved someone, might bring even more customers at noon.

Yet the toppings and minced meat he had prepared today were only enough for eight more bowls of noodles.

"Mom, help clean up the shop. I'll go buy more beef and ribs. There'll probably be more customers at noon." Zhou Yan tucked the money away, picked up a basket, and pushed the Twenty-Eight Bicycle leaning against the wall outside.

He naturally did not want to miss such a good chance to build up sales and improve his reputation.

If customers came but could not get anything to eat, they might not come back next time.

As long as they tasted the noodles he made, there was a chance they would become repeat customers.

"Alright, go on." Zhao Tieying agreed.

"Brother—" Zhou Momo ran after him to the doorway, tilting up her little head as she looked at Zhou Yan expectantly. "I want to ride the new bike too!"

"Come on, then." Zhou Yan smiled fondly, bent down, scooped her up, and set her on the crossbar, letting her little hands grip the handlebars.

The Twenty-Eight Bicycle was very tall, and most people had to stand on tiptoe to get going. But Zhou Yan was six feet tall, so his feet could plant firmly on the ground. With one push on the pedal, he rode off.

Zhao Tieying stood at the shop entrance, watching Zhou Yan's receding figure with immense relief.

This kid was finally starting to act like an adult. He played with his little sister, was learning how to deal with leaders, and the restaurant was getting more customers too.

Lin Zhiqiang rode his bicycle, carrying the noodles, and returned to the Silk Factory family housing compound in five minutes.

He was a deputy factory director and one of the factory's technical backbones. He had even received a provincial technological advancement award this year, so he had been assigned a spacious three-bedroom apartment.

"Didn't you go thank Comrade Zhou Yan? Why are you back already?" Lin Zhiqiang opened the door, and Meng Anhe, who had come out of the side bedroom, looked at him in surprise.

Lin Zhiqiang glanced at the plate of dumplings in her hands and asked quietly, "Yaoyao still can't eat anything?"

Meng Anhe nodded helplessly. "Tofu pudding, buns, fried dough sticks, wontons, dumplings—she can't eat any of it. She won't even drink soy milk." Her eyes revealed her heartache.

Lin Zhiqiang sighed as well, then raised the cloth bag in his hand. "I brought her a serving of Braised Pork Rib Noodles. Let her try it."

He emphasized, "These are the best noodles in Suji Town."

"She isn't used to alkaline noodles. She didn't touch the bowl of noodles last night at all." Meng Anhe shook her head.

"These aren't alkaline noodles. They're authentic hand-pulled noodles, made by Comrade Zhou Yan. They smell incredible. Neither the canteen nor the state-run restaurant can make this flavor. I ate two bowls at his shop this morning." Lin Zhiqiang was full of confidence. "Take them in and let Yaoyao try some. She might eat."

"They're really that good?" Meng Anhe was somewhat surprised.

She knew Lin Zhiqiang far too well. Outside Shanxi, there were rarely any noodles that satisfied him. He was always saying that hand-pulled noodles from his hometown did not need anything added to them. It was truly rare for him to praise noodles so highly.

"You eat these dumplings. I'll take this in and give it a try." Meng Anhe handed the dumplings to Lin Zhiqiang and took the cloth bag from him. Her hand sank. "That's quite a portion. Go get a small bowl from the kitchen."

"Sure." Lin Zhiqiang agreed.

Carrying the lunchbox, Meng Anhe knocked and entered the side bedroom.

A young girl was leaning against the headboard on the small bed, reading a book.

Her brows were like distant mountains, her lips like cherries, and her features delicate. She possessed an elegant, refined beauty.

Her appearance and temperament were both exceptional, but her complexion was visibly pale.

Yesterday's accidental fall into the water had frightened Xia Yao badly.

She had forgotten the details of what happened, but she could never forget that feeling of nearing death.

The rushing river, the inability to breathe, nowhere to struggle—she could only let the water swallow her whole.

It had been far too terrifying.

Right, she remembered that hand—long-fingered and strong.

That person had pulled her back from Death's grasp.

Hearing the knock, Xia Yao raised her head. Her gaze fell on the lunchbox Meng Anhe was carrying, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly. Looking troubled, she said, "Auntie, I really don't want to eat anything."

"Your uncle brought you Braised Pork Rib Noodles. They were made by Comrade Zhou Yan, the one who saved you yesterday. It's rare for your uncle to praise noodles so highly, so just try one bite." Meng Anhe walked in and placed the lunchbox on the small table beside the bed.

Xia Yao put down her book. A trace of surprise appeared on her sickly face. "Noodles made by Comrade Zhou Yan?" That tall, lean, agile figure surfaced in her mind.

She had originally wanted to go with her uncle that morning to thank her lifesaver, but she had been too weak, and her aunt had made her stay home. Yet she had been thinking about it all along.

She had not expected that person to make noodles for her.

Xia Yao helplessly shook her head. "But I really can't eat..."

Meng Anhe had already opened the lunchbox. A wave of steam carrying the aroma of Braised Spare Ribs and beef bone broth rushed toward them. It was rich without being greasy. The thick white broth glistened with a faint sheen of oil, while huge pieces of Braised Spare Ribs lay over the noodles, coated in amber-colored sauce. A few tender green vegetables decorated the dish, making it look exceptionally appetizing.

Gulp.

Xia Yao's throat bobbed involuntarily.

Even her previously lifeless eyes became a little clearer.

Braised Spare Ribs... her favorite Braised Spare Ribs.

The impact of that aroma was simply too powerful, and the appearance of the Braised Spare Ribs dealt an even greater blow. Her stomach, which had been on strike for a day and a half, began to stir at that moment.

Grrrumble—

Not wanting to eat was one thing, but her stomach would not lie, and it voiced its protest.

Meng Anhe took in all of Xia Yao's little reactions, and a smile appeared at the corner of her lips. There was hope.

Knock, knock!

Someone knocked 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 spoon.

"Yaoyao, try these noodles. If you wait any longer, the noodles won't be springy anymore, and the soup won't taste the same." Lin Zhiqiang walked to the table, served Xia Yao a bowl of noodles, and set it before her.

Xia Yao did not immediately pick up her chopsticks. Instead, she looked at Lin Zhiqiang with concern. "Uncle, about Comrade Zhou Yan..."

"I already expressed my gratitude to Comrade Zhou Yan. He accepted the bicycle, and I also told him that once you recover, you'll personally visit him to thank him." Lin Zhiqiang smiled.

"He was very concerned about your situation. He was the one who suggested I bring these noodles back for you. The young man is not only handsome, but thoughtful too. He's a good person."

"That's good." A smile appeared on Xia Yao's face, and some of the gloom in her heart faded.

Once she recovered, she really had to thank him in person, and the sooner, the better.

"Eat while it's hot. How can you have the strength to go out if you don't eat?" Meng Anhe helped Xia Yao sit up by the bed and placed the chopsticks in her hand.

"Mm." Xia Yao answered. She first leaned close to the bowl, gently blew on it, and took two sips of the soup. The fresh, fragrant bone broth flowed over her lips and tongue, carrying the unique savory taste of beef bone broth. It was warm and delicious, washing over taste buds that had been dormant for a day.

As the soup entered her stomach, warmth rose from within, bringing temperature even to her cold fingertips.

Her taste buds awakened, and hunger surged in after it. At that moment, her stomach had completely overpowered her mind.

Xia Yao impatiently picked up a piece of ribs that had been stewed until soft and tender, then gently bit into it. The sauce and meat fragrance burst across her lips and tongue. The soft, melting texture was so wonderful and intoxicating that it made her scalp tingle.

After she swallowed, the lingering flavor was endless, the meat aroma refusing to fade.

Ah! This is so delicious!

Xia Yao wanted to scream. These were absolutely the best ribs she had ever eaten in her life!

The Braised Spare Ribs ranked first in her heart had always been made by her father for the past eighteen years, but today, someone else had taken that place.

She finished a piece of ribs in just a few bites, spat out the bone, and slurped up a mouthful of noodles. Though she was starving, she still ate quickly in small bites without making the slightest sound.

The hand-pulled noodles had absorbed the bone broth. They were chewy and smooth, truly different from the alkaline noodles sold outside.

Delicious!

The noodles were delicious too.

A bite of noodles, a bite of ribs, a sip of soup. Before long, she had finished the small bowl of noodles.

A thin layer of sweat formed on Xia Yao's forehead, and some color returned to her pale face.

Meng Anhe quickly served her another bowl. She exchanged a glance with Lin Zhiqiang, and both of them could not help smiling.

It was good that Xia Yao was willing to eat. As long as she ate her fill, she would not think about nonsense.

Bowl after small bowl, she ate until she had polished off the entire large lunchbox of noodles. Not even a mouthful of soup remained.

Burp.

Xia Yao covered her mouth, somewhat embarrassed.

She had not eaten for an entire day, and the noodles were simply too delicious. Once she started, she could not stop at all.

"Walk around the house for a bit, then get some good sleep. I'll call you to eat again at noon." Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang smiled as they collected the bowls and casually pulled the door shut behind them.

"I never expected his noodles to be so delicious. Those Braised Spare Ribs were incredible." Xia Yao pulled back the curtains and let sunlight into the room. Looking at the Qingyi River outside the window, she smiled. "I'm going to his shop for noodles tomorrow morning!"

[ Ding! Side mission completed. After Xia Yao ate the Braised Pork Rib Noodles you made, her mood improved and she resumed normal eating. Mission reward: Skill—Food Appraisal. ]

As Zhou Yan was returning to the restaurant after buying meat, the system prompt suddenly rang out in his mind.