Zhao Tieying

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhao Tieying (赵铁英)
Alias(es)	Iron Lady; Zhao Auntie; Auntie Zhao
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Zhou family; Zhou Erwa Restaurant
Occupation/Role	Restaurant co-operator; kitchen worker and cashier
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Zhao Tieying is Zhou Miao’s wife and the mother of Zhou Yan and Zhou Momo. Before Zhou Yan’s restaurant began succeeding, she and Zhou Miao had exhausted their savings and incurred more than 800 yuan in debt to support his venture. Although the loss worried her, she cared more about whether her son could build a stable future. 3 11

In her younger days, Zhao was known throughout the surrounding villages as the “Iron Lady,” a name earned through both her fearsome temper and her work ethic. During the production-team era, she consistently earned the most work points while keeping her household orderly. 3 6

She learned the Zhou family’s Qiaojiao Beef soup-pot tradition after marrying into the family, though Zhou Yan’s refined version later surpassed her own cooking. 19

Appearance

Zhao Tieying is a small, middle-aged woman with a comparatively fair complexion, rosy cheeks, and fine lines at the corners of her eyes. Her large, lively eyes closely resemble Zhou Momo’s. 2

• Wore a blue polyester shirt patterned with yellow flowers when first seen. 2
• Previously considered fashionable among the women of Zhou Village, though she felt outmatched by Meng Anhe and Xia Yao’s urban clothing. 9 10
• Often works in an apron while tending the stove or serving customers. 6

Personality

Zhao is blunt, combative, and fiercely protective of her family. She tolerates criticism aimed at herself but reacts violently to anyone spreading rumors or insulting Zhou Yan. When Wang Laowu claimed Zhou Yan had drowned, she publicly berated him until Zhou Miao intervened by revealing his butcher’s knife. 2 3

Beneath her sharp tongue, Zhao is practical and deeply caring. She worries about debt, household spending, food safety, and Zhou Yan’s tendency to endanger himself, but her scolding is consistently rooted in concern. She warns him never to enter the river again, regardless of any reward. 7 8 18

As the restaurant prospers, she becomes proud but cautious. She enjoys the restoration of the family’s reputation, yet deliberately avoids excessive boasting because success can invite envy and sabotage. 9 25

Abilities & Skills

Restaurant Operations

Zhao becomes one of the central workers at Zhou Erwa Restaurant, managing customers while supporting Zhou Yan in the kitchen.

• Quickly learned the restaurant’s noodle-serving workflow by observing Zhou Yan. 6
• Handles the front of house, takes payments, clears tables, washes dishes, and serves food during busy periods. 8 19 25
• Could correctly track table orders despite being unable to read, provided Zhou Yan identified which table received each dish. 6
• Helped the restaurant handle large waves of workers and visiting students. 6 27 29

Cooking

Although initially skeptical of Zhou Yan’s techniques, Zhao becomes a capable cook in her own right.

• Rapidly learned to prepare and portion Qiaojiao Beef after several days of instruction. 20
• Manages the large outdoor soup pot and assists with noodles, toppings, and seasoning. 20 25
• Continues improving by observing Zhou Yan’s use of seasonings and preparation methods. 34
• Her complimentary pickled radish becomes a popular accompaniment to the restaurant’s noodles. 18

Public Confrontation

Zhao’s aggressive verbal attacks and fearsome reputation make her an effective defender of her family and business.

• Drove Wang Laowu away after he spread rumors about Zhou Yan. 2
• Publicly denounced Wang Laowu and Liu Fang after they were exposed for selling diseased pork; workers praised her as “Zhao Auntie.” 18
• Mocked rival Zhou Liangliang when he attempted to compete outside the restaurant. 42

Relationships

• Zhou Yan — Her eldest son. She fiercely protects him, helps operate his restaurant, and takes increasing pride in his maturity and success. 2 6 25
• Zhou Miao — Her husband. Their marriage is affectionate and humorous, with Zhou Miao often yielding to her forceful personality while recognizing her importance to the restaurant. 2 25
• Zhou Momo — Her youngest daughter. Zhao disciplines her roughly but affectionately and prioritizes her happiness over strictness. 8 25 29
• Zhao Hong — A relative and Zhou Fei’s wife whom Zhao recommends as a reliable restaurant employee; Zhao personally teaches her the kitchen workflow. 19 20
• Xia Yao — Zhou Yan’s rescuer’s beneficiary and a student Zhao favors greatly. Zhao repeatedly imagines Xia Yao as a possible daughter-in-law. 10 11 34
• Lin Zhiqiang and Meng Anhe — Xia Yao’s aunt and uncle, whose gratitude toward Zhou Yan earns Zhao’s respect and goodwill. 7 21
• Wang Laowu — Rival noodle seller. Zhao openly clashes with him over rumors, price-cutting, and his sale of diseased pork. 2 14 18

Story Role / Major Arcs

Supporting Zhou Yan’s Restart

Zhao visits Zhou Yan after hearing of his river rescue and forcefully defends him from Wang Laowu’s malicious gossip. Her concern, together with Zhou Miao’s protection, helps Zhou Yan accept the Zhou family as his own. 2

After tasting Zhou Yan’s hand-pulled noodles, she recognizes that he may genuinely be able to make a living through cooking. Though distressed by the cost of oil and ingredients, she sees hope in the restaurant for the first time. 3

Building Zhou Erwa Restaurant

When Lin Zhiqiang and Zhao Dong’s endorsement brings the restaurant’s first major rush, Zhao immediately joins Zhou Yan in the kitchen. She learns the service process quickly and becomes essential to handling the expanding customer base. 6

She later takes responsibility for front-of-house work, cooking Qiaojiao Beef, carrying ingredients, and managing the cash. Zhou Miao credits her with holding up half of the restaurant. 8 25

Defending Honest Business

During Wang Laowu’s price war, Zhao is angered by his attempt to undercut the restaurant, but follows Zhou Yan’s more patient strategy. 14

When authorities arrest Wang Laowu and Liu Fang for using diseased pork, Zhao publicly condemns them and reminds Zhou Yan that profit must never come at the cost of conscience. Her outburst earns widespread approval from workers. 18

Pride in Zhou Yan’s Recognition

Zhao’s shame over the restaurant’s early failures turns to pride after Zhou Yan saves Xia Yao, receives a Twenty-Eight Bicycle, earns public praise, and turns the restaurant profitable. 9 25

She is especially delighted when Professor Su Jun praises Zhou Yan’s advertising sense, handwriting, and practical intelligence despite his limited education. 28

Notable Quotes

“We can earn a little less money, but we can't lose our conscience. Otherwise, people will point fingers at our backs.” 18

“No number of bicycles would make it worth it!” 7

Trivia

• Zhao’s nickname “Iron Lady” refers to both her fierce temperament and her exceptional work capacity. 3 6
• She is illiterate but can accurately remember restaurant orders once tables are identified for her. 6
• Workers began calling her “Zhao Auntie” after her public denunciation of Wang Laowu’s food-safety violations. 18
• She values children’s happiness over strict discipline, praising Zhou Momo’s muddy eel-catching adventure rather than punishing her. 29