Food: Starting with Wonton Noodles

Faced with Zhou Weiqiang's ulterior motives, Zhou Yu was helpless.

What else can we do?

Should I confront Zhou Weiqiang now and say, "Dad, I know you tricked me into going on this blind date. I won't go in a couple of days."

Fortunately, I now know the situation in advance through the system's wish task, so at least I won't be caught off guard when the time comes.

After lunch break, Zhou Yu prepared all the materials needed for setting up his stall that evening and rewrote the menu before setting off to open his stall in the afternoon.

However, to Zhou Yu's surprise, he hadn't even received a job offer from He Xiaoli yet.

Jiang Yan offered herself up first.

......

When Zhou Yu arrived at Haojiaxuan Convenience Store, Jiang Yan was already sitting at the table and chairs at the entrance, waiting for him.

She was too embarrassed to add Zhou Yu on WeChat last night.

Fearing that Zhou Yu would find another part-time job if she arrived late, she had no choice but to wait there in advance.

"Boss, didn't you say last night that you wanted to find a part-time job to wash dishes for you? Do you think I'm suitable?" Jiang Yan asked Zhou Yu somewhat nervously.

Since losing her part-time job with her senior classmate Peng Xiao, her source of income for living expenses has been greatly reduced.

Zhou Yu's part-time job seemed excellent to her; he could wash a dish for one yuan, and if he washed a hundred dishes in one night, he would earn one hundred yuan, which would amount to three thousand yuan a month.

Three thousand yuan—that's enough for her to live on for a whole semester.

Moreover, she carefully examined Zhou Yu's bowls and chopsticks and found that they were not difficult to clean. Furthermore, since it was located near a school, it could be described as an easy and flexible job.

"Okay, but you can have Xiaoli tell me via WeChat. You don't need to come so early," Zhou Yu said.

"No, I just decided to come find you."

Jiang Yan blushed slightly. Although she had been tempted when Zhou Yu mentioned looking for part-time jobs last night, she still spent a whole day mentally preparing herself.

The school gate is both a convenience and a burden for part-time workers.

"How many evenings a week can you come over?"

"We don't have any evening classes this semester."

That's true; otherwise, Jiang Yan wouldn't have been able to take on Peng Xiao's part-time job in the first place.

"Alright, if there are no problems, you can start washing dishes tonight, and you'll be paid daily," Zhou Yu said. "I've prepared two sets of dishes, so you can come here at 7 o'clock and then again after 8:30."

"And another thing," Zhou Yu added, "if you can't come one day, you should tell me in advance, and it would be best if you could help me find someone to replace you."

Jiang Yan nodded in agreement.

......

When Jiang Yan arrived at Zhou Yu's stall again around 7:00, He Xiaoli accompanied her.

"Boss, I'm here again. I'd like to take away three bowls of wonton noodles," He Xiaoli said to Zhou Yu with a smile. "Also, should I continue calling you 'Boss,' or 'Brother Yu'?"

After learning that Zhou Yu and He Jiafu knew each other, she also confirmed it with her father.

After discovering that her father also admired Zhou Yu, she felt closer to him.

In particular, He Jiafu, who has always disliked street food stalls, surprisingly encouraged He Xiaoli to buy food from Zhou Yu's stall more often.

This gave her a strange sense of satisfaction, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity when she looked at Zhou Yu.

"Brother Yu, your noodles are really delicious. This is the first time I've ever seen my dad back down when it comes to making bamboo-pressed noodles."

Seeing that Zhou Yu did not object to her address, He Xiaoli began to complain incessantly.

"You may not know, but my dad is very extreme when it comes to cooking. Just because I said when I was little that I liked his cooking and wanted to eat it every day, he really does cook the same thing every day."

"He's always nagging about how dirty and bad the food outside is. Every time he sees me eating something outside, he looks resentful. It makes me feel like I'm not human, like a heartless man who abandoned his wife and children. Even sneaking a bite to eat feels like having an affair."

Hearing He Xiaoli describe her relationship with her father in this way, Zhou Yu almost burst out laughing.

To describe having a meal as an affair is just unbelievable.

He suppressed a laugh and said, "I know, I've heard Uncle He mention it before. Actually, I also suggested that Uncle He try taking you to Haidilao and KFC. He should be seriously considering it."

He Xiaoli was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed with joy, "Really? He really agreed?"

"Not yet, but if you behave a little better to him recently, I think there shouldn't be any problem."

"Yu-ge, you're amazing! From now on, you're my real brother." He Xiaoli was so happy she almost jumped for joy.

"Brother, if my dad really changes later, I'll come to your place to eat every day from now on, and I'll even bring my classmates to eat here for you."

"Let's not eat this every day, or you'll get tired of it and start to dislike it," Zhou Yu joked.

"Hehehe, no way! Besides, I heard from my dad that you can cook a lot of dishes, but I'm really tired of it. You should just come up with some new dishes."

He Xiaoli continued somewhat shyly:

"Brother, I feel relieved that Yan Yan is with you. She recently met a jerk, and I came along tonight because I was a little worried about her. But since she's doing a part-time job with you, it's definitely fine."

After discovering that Zhou Yu seemed to be about to help her unlock the emotional lock that He Jiafu had placed on her, He Xiaoli's attitude towards Zhou Yu also changed completely.

She was no longer afraid that Zhou Yu, this handsome old man, would be the next scumbag to ruin Jiang Yan.

After He Xiaoli left, Zhou Yu noticed that Jiang Yan still frowned from time to time. It seemed Jiang Yan's relatives hadn't left yet.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yu cooked another bowl of ginger milk curd.

When Jiang Yan brought over the first batch of washed dishes.

Zhou Yu pointed to the warm ginger milk curd on the steamer next to him and said, "This is for the staff. Help yourself."

Although Zhou Yu was still cooking noodles by himself, Jiang Yan felt a warmth in her heart as she watched.

She quietly took the ginger milk curd from the steamer and sat down at the table and chairs in front of the convenience store to drink it.

Sometimes, the way people meet is so strange; just one glance can determine a lifetime.

For some reason, Jiang Yan always felt extremely cautious when facing Peng Xiao or anyone else, like a hedgehog.

But when Jiang Yan was by Zhou Yu's side, she always felt so at ease that her thorns softened and turned into warm fur.

Perhaps it was the warming effect of the ginger milk curd, or perhaps it was the distance between her and Zhou Yu that made Jiang Yan feel at ease.

After drinking ginger milk curd, Jiang Yan did not return to school to find a classroom to study as originally planned.

Instead, he did his homework right there on the table in the convenience store.

Only after Zhou Yu started packing up did she put down the book and begin washing the dishes again.

After Zhou Yu packed up his stall, he also moved a low stool aside and watched Jiang Yan wash the dishes.

"Are you getting used to washing dishes?" Zhou Yu asked.

"It's alright. Actually, I often wash dishes at home too," Jiang Yan said.

"Boss, I haven't thanked you for the ginger milk curd yet. It was very sweet and delicious."