Most of the huge portion of dumplings Lin Xiaomeng had brought ended up in Dan Teng's stomach.
Lin Zhe ate only a dozen or so, while Lin Xiaomeng didn't touch any, afraid a late-night snack would make her gain weight.
"Burp~"
"Yep, yep, yep. Keep them at this standard, and you'll have absolutely no trouble~"
After polishing off dozens of dumplings, Dan Teng burped and offered another compliment.
His round belly had grown even rounder, like that of a woman nine months pregnant.
Lin Zhe joked, "Did Du Huan fall for you because you can eat so much?"
"How'd you know?"
Dan Teng looked at Lin Zhe in surprise.
"Huh?"
Lin Zhe looked just as surprised.
Beside them, Lin Xiaomeng glanced from one face to the other, then covered her mouth and giggled.
"Seriously? Having a big appetite can be a selling point with girls?"
Lin Zhe's eyes had been opened today. There were actually girls who went for that?
"Hahaha, my appetite is just one of my many strengths. My greatest charm is obviously my good looks."
"My Huanhuan is a devoted member of the looks-first club, too."
As Dan Teng spoke, he tugged at the little tuft of hair he'd managed to grow on his head, looking utterly pleased with himself.
"Xiaomeng, why do I suddenly feel sick? Blegh..."
Lin Zhe bent over the trash can and pretended to throw up.
Lin Xiaomeng covered her mouth and giggled beside them. These two were a pair of jokers. No wonder they were such good friends.
"Oh, get lost. You're just jealous that I landed a girlfriend as pretty and adorable as Huanhuan."
"Go ahead, be jealous. Jealousy has blinded you to all my good points."
"Not to lecture you, Zhe, but you're not getting any younger. It's time you found someone. My old..."
Dan Teng had been about to seize the opportunity to play matchmaker for his friend Old Li again, but he suddenly remembered Lin Xiaomeng was there and hastily stopped himself.
"My folks are always having people come over to introduce potential dates. You should give some thought to settling down, too."
Good thing I'm so damn quick on my feet, Dan Teng thought. Managed to cover that up.
Lin Zhe gave him a disdainful look. "Been watching too much of the Spring Festival Gala? Since when was it your turn to nag me about getting married?"
"..."
Whenever the two of them got together, it felt as though something was missing if they didn't trade a few barbs.
Their close friendship had been built entirely on those exchanges.
After some more banter, Lin Zhe noticed how late it was and unceremoniously kicked the fatty out.
Then he rode his little electric scooter to take Lin Xiaomeng home.
When they reached her door, Lin Zhe raised his wrist to check his sports watch. It was already 11:38 p.m.
"It's late. Go inside and get some rest."
"Mm-hmm. Sorry for the trouble, Zhe, making you bring me home so late."
Lin Xiaomeng smiled sweetly at Lin Zhe, happiness written all over her face.
"You've got some nerve saying that. Don't go wandering around alone at night again."
"Mm-hmm, got it~ I won't do it again!"
"I'm off. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Zhe~"
Only after watching Lin Zhe disappear into the darkness did Lin Xiaomeng reluctantly look away.
"If the moon has yet to come, the streetlight can still light the windowsill~"
"Shining on white camellias as they gently bloom~"
"If the morning breeze has yet to come~"
"The evening breeze can still settle in my arms~"
"Setting the tree shadows on the ground gently swaying..."
Lin Xiaomeng was in an exceptionally good mood that night.
Humming a cheerful tune under her breath, she pushed her little electric scooter through the door.
The night passed uneventfully.
The moon sank in the west, and the sun rose in the east, a streak of dawn glowing like fire along the horizon and lighting up the sky.
Although Lin Xiaomeng had gotten home late and gone to bed late, she still got up at five sharp the next morning.
After washing up and having breakfast with her grandmother, it was only a little past 5:40, not even six yet.
"Have you had breakfast, Xiaomeng?"
"Auntie, yes, I have!"
"Good morning, Xiaomeng. Good morning, Auntie."
Lin Xiaomeng had just put down her bowl and chopsticks when the women she'd arranged to interview yesterday entered the courtyard together.
They were all villagers from Lin Family Village, including the older female cousin Hu Ting had recommended.
Having lived in the same village for over twenty years, they all knew one another inside out.
"Aunt Liu, Aunt Zhang, Aunt An, Sister Han, you're here so early! Come in and sit down. Anywhere you like."
Upon seeing the women arrive, Lin Xiaomeng quickly stood up and invited them to sit. She was poised and welcoming, without putting on the slightest managerial airs.
"Of course, of course. Xiaomeng, you're getting prettier and more capable by the day. A manager already! You've really made something of yourself."
"Exactly! A university graduate really is far more capable than old women like us."
"If my son were half as accomplished as you, Xiaomeng, I'd be satisfied."
The women were all well versed in social niceties, and each laid on the flattery with practiced ease.
Though it was called an interview, it wasn't particularly formal.
It was really just a face-to-face discussion of pay, benefits, working hours, and duties.
After hearing Lin Xiaomeng's explanation, none of them had any objections, and they immediately said they were willing to work at the inn.
"Then come to work with me in a bit. You can try out a day at the inn first."
"If everything feels right, we can arrange for you all to move in tomorrow and get your insurance coverage started this month."
Lin Xiaomeng had no objections to any of the women, including Hu Ting's cousin, and decided on the spot to take them all to work with her.
The original plan had been to select three of the four applicants.
But after deciding last night to add the new three-delicacy dumplings to the Good Fortune Canteen's menu, Lin Zhe had authorized another position, bringing the total to four.
Counting Lin Xiaomeng and the three women already working there, the canteen now had eight employees and was beginning to take shape.
Once everything had been discussed, Lin Xiaomeng took the four new employees straight to the inn, letting them start without any further assessment.
It was Saturday, and the scenic area's visitor numbers had reached a modest peak.
The inn also benefited from the increased foot traffic, with all thirty-two rooms booked by around two that afternoon.
It was the first time in over three years that the Fortunate Inn had achieved full occupancy, a truly rare accomplishment.
Lin Zhe had just used a Cleansing Talisman on Friday night, so naturally, the inn's cleanliness earned unanimous praise from its guests.
With more guests at the inn, business at the Good Fortune Canteen rose along with it, setting another record.
The new three-delicacy dumplings were popular with the guests, too, with over twenty portions sold at lunchtime.
Each portion cost 29.9 yuan, the same as the Soul-Stirring Egg Fried Rice.
The inn's new guests were startled when they first saw the prices of the Soul-Stirring Series' main dishes.
They thought they'd checked into a rip-off establishment run by an unscrupulous owner.
A portion of egg fried rice, fried rice noodles, or dumplings actually cost a whopping thirty yuan!
Even inside a scenic area, that was expensive.
But then the new guests saw the regulars jostling to place their orders at the service counter.
One wanted four portions, another six. They ordered so freely, it was as though they weren't spending their own money.
The new guests began to wonder whether they'd stayed home too long and their ideas about spending had fallen behind the times.
After ruling out the possibility that the inn had hired shills, the new guests let their curiosity get the better of them and ordered from the Soul-Stirring Series as well.
Soul-Stirring Egg Fried Rice, Soul-Snatching Fried Rice Noodles, Soul-Snatching Egg Chow Mein, and Soul-Snatching Three-Delicacy Dumplings were currently the Good Fortune Canteen's four main offerings.
Though the selection wasn't extensive, it was enough to satisfy most guests' needs.
Once the new guests tasted the Soul-Stirring Series' main dishes, they instantly understood the regulars—and became regulars themselves.
But when they went back to order a second portion, they were told everything had sold out.
Before you continue