In the Ming Dynasty 1498, my restaurant connects two worlds.

"Shopkeeper, may I ask what you would like to eat?"

"Huh? You're asking about this? Instant noodles? You don't even know what instant noodles are? That can't be!"

The Song family's small restaurant has been closed for more than two years. Today, Song Xiaoyi opened the doors and windows for ventilation for the first time, in preparation for reopening.

I didn't want to go out for lunch, and I had a few packs of instant noodles at home, so I cooked a pot myself. While I was eating the instant noodles, a man dressed in Hanfu inexplicably walked in.

Cooking instant noodles in a pot was the last bit of dignity that Song Xiaoyi, the sole inheritor of the "Song Family Cuisine," preserved for himself when he was down on his luck.

Taoye Ferry is an ancient ferry crossing from the Six Dynasties period. It is located at the corner of the Qinhuai River in Nanjing. It is a free scenic spot in the Confucius Temple tourist area, which is neither too big nor too small. It is not surprising to see people wearing Hanfu here.

But it's mid-June, already early summer. Isn't it hot wearing such a thick outfit? Song Xiaoyi held his chopsticks in mid-air, tilting his head to examine the strange man in front of him: in his late thirties, a bit greasy, but quite handsome, and the Hanfu suited him quite well.

"Well... I really don't know what instant noodles are. May I have the honor of trying some?"

This strange man in Hanfu who inexplicably walked into Song Xiaoyi's small restaurant left her completely bewildered. What's there to appreciate about this mushroom and chicken noodle soup? If you want to eat it, just say you want to eat it, why bother with appreciating it!

I've fallen so low that even my instant noodles are being fought over. When you're down on your luck, even drinking cold water can cause problems.

Song Xiaoyi, who had just taken a bite, instantly lost her appetite and pushed her chopsticks and bowl in front of the other person. There wasn't even a sausage; she hadn't really wanted to eat in the first place, and now she was even less inclined to touch her chopsticks.

"Fine, I won't eat it. You can try it if you want."

"Shopkeeper, I am not one to eat for free. Would you mind exchanging this manuscript for me?" The man in Hanfu probably sensed Song Xiaoyi's displeasure. He felt that he had ruined Song Xiaoyi's enjoyment of eating "instant noodles" and had also taken away Song Xiaoyi's food. If word got out, it would be a loss of face. So he casually pushed the rolled-up Xuan paper from his sleeve to Song Xiaoyi.

"Go ahead and eat it, it's fine. What's a piece of paper with writing on it worth?"

Song Xiaoyi didn't even glance at the paper, but only looked at the other person's outstretched hand—six fingers?

Well, everyone has their difficulties.

After saying that, Song Xiaoyi got up and prepared to go into the kitchen to continue tidying up the small restaurant.

The other party was not particular; he placed the Xuan paper on the table, sat down, and began to scribble.

Before Song Xiaoyi had taken two steps, two more people dressed in ancient robes entered. The tall, thin one asked, "Shopkeeper, what kind of food smells so good? And how much does it cost?"

"Huh?" Song Xiaoyi, being a military academy graduate who had climbed through nine years of compulsory education, knew a bit of classical Chinese. Mimicking the other person's tone, he said, "This is mushroom and chicken noodle soup, ten yuan a serving."

"Ten yuan? That's ten copper coins? That's a bit expensive!"

"Following this aroma, look at that person; they're eating with great gusto. Why don't we try some?"

"Let's try it," the two whispered for a moment, then the tall, thin man suddenly shouted, "Waiter, two servings!"

People actually eat instant noodles that cost ten yuan a bowl. No wonder it's Nanjing Confucius Temple. It's outrageous not to take business that comes to you. Fine, I'll be a shrewd merchant for once!

Song Xiaoyi thought to himself, "It's your fault for being so eager to eat, don't blame me."

I hadn't washed the pot I used to cook instant noodles. I added some water, brought it to a boil, cooked two packets of mushroom and chicken instant noodles in the same pot, added the seasoning packet, cooked it for a few moments, then took it out of the pot, put it in a bowl, and carried it out on a tray.

The two diners in long gowns stopped being polite. Faced with the "delicious food," they each quickly shoveled down their food, occasionally exchanging hushed comments about how "delicious" and "worth it"...

Song Xiaoyi shook his head. He saw that the men in Hanfu at the other table had finished eating and left, leaving behind empty bowls and rolled-up Xuan paper. He didn't pay attention to them, picked up the Xuan paper and put it aside, and picked up the empty bowl to go back to the kitchen to wash it.

Before he could even turn around, another man in Hanfu walked in through the door! Speaking the same classical Chinese, when asked what they wanted to eat, Song Xiaoyi treated them all the same: ten yuan a bowl, fair and square, take it or leave it.

The strong, unique aroma of instant noodles lingered in the lobby, leaving you no room to hesitate.

"Shopkeeper, one order please."

"Shopkeeper, please bring me one too."

Is this a gift from the ancestral master?

Following the same steps, after serving two bowls to the two men in Hanfu who arrived later, Song Xiaoyi saw that the two men in long robes had finished eating and left, leaving behind a handful of coins on the table. Wait, what's this? He picked it up and took a closer look—Yongle Tongbao coins?!

Holy crap! I want ten yuan a bowl, and you're trying to fool me with these fake antique copper coins?

Song Xiaoyi chased after him out the door in a huff...

The Taoye Ferry crossing is bustling with people, both men and women, all dressed in Hanfu or long gowns. The other shops also resemble ancient shops, making it feel like stepping into a period drama.

Song Xiaoyi turned to look at his own storefront, where the four characters "Song's Restaurant" were dazzlingly bright!

Good heavens! Where did you bring me?

"Am I dreaming?" Song Xiaoyi was a little unsure of himself. His family's signboard clearly read "Song Family Heritage Restaurant"!

I pinched my thigh, and it hurt!

Before him, to the right lay a bustling ancient ferry crossing, and to the left, a tranquil and peaceful ancient street stretching as far as the eye could see. The vibrant atmosphere of everyday life was palpable. Song Xiaoyi rubbed his eyes, feeling dazed. "Have I transmigrated?"

Turning back to the small restaurant, the two diners who had just gotten up each dropped ten copper coins!

Song Xiaoyi could clearly see that they were copper coins, not steel coins!

"Judging by this flavor, the shop's handmade dishes are truly delicious. Although the price is a bit high, it's fine to eat them occasionally."

"Wait a minute, you two!" The two diners stopped and looked at Song Xiaoyi with puzzled eyes. "We didn't lose any money!"

"I'd like to ask, what year is it tonight?"

"What year is it? Hahaha~ Has the shopkeeper lost his mind? This year is the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign."

"Where is this place?"

Another person waved their hand up and down in front of Song Xiaoyi, "Shopkeeper, have you gone mad? You own a shop, and you don't even recognize Taoye Ferry in Yingtian Prefecture?"

"Sigh, the shopkeeper must be exhausted; he should take a break."

It really was time travel! The eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign, the Ming Dynasty! The eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty, Taoye Ferry, the location is correct.

The real ancient times, not a dream.

"So this mushroom and chicken noodle soup is now a collector's item? There were only two packs left..."

Song Xiaoyi walked through the kitchen sandwiched in the middle to the second floor, then up to the attic storeroom, and searched for a long time, but couldn't find any instant noodles.

Disoriented yet tinged with excitement, Song Xiaoyi returned to the second floor and looked outside. "Wait, something's not right! Isn't this modern times?"

A row of six-story residential buildings outside the door! High-rise buildings in the distance! Song Xiaoyi rubbed his eyes, rubbing a little too hard, making his vision even blurrier, but those were clearly buildings!

Song Xiaoyi rushed out the door, and on the street, there were modern community hospitals and tourist souvenir shops!

The small supermarket diagonally across the street! It's run by my aunt!

Song Xiaoyi rushed to the supermarket, and his aunt was there too!

"Auntie, give me a few packs of instant noodles, two packs of ham sausages, and a tray of eggs from the store by the door."

"Oh~, Xiao Yi is back?!" The owner of the small supermarket was Song Xiao Yi's mother's mahjong partner. If it weren't for the fact that Song Xiao Yi's grandfather and parents had disappeared one after another, the two families would practically be old friends.

"Yeah, I'll come back and tidy things up. I'm thinking of setting up the little restaurant at home."

The real modern world is not a dream.