If I ask you to set up a stall, why do you always run to deserted places?

Zhang Qingyao's spoon stopped in mid-air.

He was completely stunned.

She just wanted to grab a quick bite, fill her stomach, and leave.

Seriously, just one bite.

But the moment the braised pork rice hit my mouth, the whole world went silent!

All that's left is the sound of the braising liquid bubbling and steaming on the tip of your tongue!

hiss!

It's so hot!

Zhang Qingyao moved her tongue, but couldn't bear to open her mouth!

With a gentle bite, the pork belly burst open instantly, making a soft rustling sound, while the rice grains were chewed crisply, making a popping sound.

The salty and savory aroma of the braising sauce surged up like a tide, spreading layer by layer and impacting every taste bud.

First comes the aroma of meat, then the aroma of soy sauce, followed by the aftertaste of various spices, which quickly spread in all directions.

The pork belly fat wasn't greasy at all; it was perfectly mellowed by the rock sugar that had been stewing for who knows how long, leaving a sweet aftertaste.

Each grain of rice is distinct, and you can feel the bounce with every bite. Coated in a thick braising sauce, it rolls and surges in your mouth.

Each grain of rice is like a pearl soaked in braising liquid; with one bite, the braising liquid gushes up and rushes down your throat.

What about pork belly?

The fatty parts have been stewed until they are almost transparent, melting in your mouth like a warm broth sliding down your throat.

The lean meat is firm and chewy, breaking apart between your teeth and releasing a rich meaty aroma.

The aroma of rice mixed with the lingering sweetness of egg yolk fills the entire mouth with a wonderful fullness.

As you chew, the juice explodes on your tongue, a rich and savory flavor.

Braised tofu is even more amazing.

The surface is covered with fine pores that absorb all the braising liquid. When you bite into it, the juice bursts out with a "plop," so fresh it makes your scalp tingle!

But will it get boring? Absolutely not!

The crisp and refreshing green vegetables perfectly complement the rich aroma of the meat and sauce, balancing out the greasiness just right.

Zhang Qingyao's eyes widened suddenly.

She chewed mechanically, the spoon uncontrollably shoving spoon after spoon into her mouth.

Her lips were smeared with braising sauce, but she was completely unaware.

Tears were still streaming down my face, almost getting into the braised pork rice.

But she just couldn't stop.

This smells absolutely amazing!

A scene suddenly flashed through Zhang Qingyao's mind.

An old kitchen with dim lighting.

And the iron pot on the stove, bubbling and steaming.

An old man was busy at the stove.

He wore a faded apron and his back was slightly hunched.

He scooped up a spoonful of the braising liquid, tasted it, and then added a spoonful of rock sugar.

Then he turned around and smiled at her.

"Little girl, are you hungry? Wait a little longer, it'll be ready soon!"

That is.....

Zhang Qingyao sniffed.

That was her great-grandfather.

She grew up with her great-grandfather, whose specialty happened to be braised pork rice.

It doesn't require any complicated preparation; it's just ordinary pork belly with ordinary soy sauce.

The stewed flavor is exceptionally delicious!

When I was young.

Every time she came home from school, she could smell the wonderful fragrance even before she entered the door.

Her great-grandfather would always serve her a big bowl of rice, pour on plenty of braised sauce and braised meat, and add a braised egg and a few pieces of braised tofu.

And what's in this bowl now.

It's exactly the same!

Zhang Qingyao always ate ravenously.

His great-grandfather was standing to the side, smiling kindly.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

"Slow down, slow down, blow on it before you eat."

"Great-Grandpa, why is your braised pork rice so delicious?"

"Because it's for my precious granddaughter."

Zhang Qingyao's eyes turned even redder.

A more complex, indescribable emotion surged through her nose.

It tastes sour and astringent.

She chewed on her braised pork rice, and her tears fell even more fiercely.

Zhang Qingyao suddenly realized.

I haven't had my great-grandfather's braised pork rice in a long time.

My great-grandfather is getting old, and his health is declining year by year.

Later, he couldn't even stand up against the stove anymore.

Later on, he couldn't even speak clearly anymore.

And then what happened?

After graduating from university, she was busy looking for a job, busy renting an apartment, and busy trying to survive in the city.

I'm going home less and less often.

Every time I make a phone call.

My great-grandfather always said, "It's alright, it's alright, you go about your business, I'm perfectly healthy."

She believed it; she really believed it.

Until last week, my mother called to say that my great-grandfather was dying.

When she rushed back, her great-grandfather was already unable to speak.

I saw her.

The old man's cloudy eyes suddenly brightened, and he opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

But Zhang Qingyao understood.

Great-Grandpa asked, "Have you eaten?"

Zhang Qingyao's tears fell like beads from a broken string, pattering down her face.

She knows that feeling all too well.

My great-grandfather was always like that, always afraid of going hungry.

Zhang Qinghan chewed the braised pork rice in her mouth hard, tears mixing with the braising liquid.

Salty, sweet, and hot.

She thought back to her childhood.

Every time she did well on a test, her great-grandfather would make her a big bowl of braised pork rice.

"This is a reward for my little girl!"

She thought back to her college days.

Every month when she returned home, her great-grandfather would prepare braised pork in advance and wait for her at the door.

"You're back? Are you hungry? Come and eat!"

She remembered the last time she saw her great-grandfather, when the old man gave her a red envelope.

"Eat well when you're out, don't skimp on money! Grandpa has plenty of money!"

Zhang Qingyao remembered many, many things.

I remember my great-grandfather's rough hands, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled.

I remember the satisfied look on my great-grandfather's face every time he watched her eat.

"Is it tasty?"

"tasty!"

"Eat more if it's delicious."

Zhang Qingyao scooped up another large spoonful and stuffed it into her mouth.

My great-grandfather's braised pork rice wasn't as delicious as the bowl in front of me.

But the feeling it evokes is the same.

Happy and warm.

It's like being remembered and loved by someone at all times.

Every single bite.

Zhang Qingyao ate and cried at the same time, her face covered in snot and tears, making her look extremely disheveled.

But she didn't care at all.

All she wanted to do now was finish this bowl of rice as quickly as possible, leaving not a single bite!

Several elderly men nearby were enjoying their braised pork rice.

I looked up.

Seeing Zhang Qingyao like this, I almost dropped my chopsticks.

"Oh my goodness, why is this girl crying like that?"

Aunt Zhang, carrying a shopping basket, stared wide-eyed, forgetting to chew the braised egg in her mouth.

"Boss, what did you put in the braised pork rice? Why is my child crying?"

"That's right!" another old man chimed in.

"I've lived for over 70 years, and this is the first time I've ever seen someone cry while eating braised pork rice! Boss, you've gone too far!"

"No...it has nothing to do with the boss!"

Zhang Qingyao quickly waved her hand, but she couldn't stop the tears, and her voice was trembling with sobs.

"I just... I just remembered my great-grandfather."

"Great-grandfather?"

The old men exchanged glances and instantly understood what was going on.

Aunt Zhang sighed, walked over, and patted Zhang Qingyao on the shoulder.

"Daughter, has Great-Grandpa passed away?"

Zhang Qingyao nodded, and tears fell again.

"I just left... I... I just came out of the morgue..."

The old men exchanged glances again, this time with even more complicated expressions.

"Oh, please accept my condolences."

"Your great-grandfather definitely wouldn't want to see you crying like this. He wants you to eat properly, you know?"

"That's right, it would break your great-grandfather's heart to see you crying like that from heaven."

Zhang Qingyao nodded frantically, but she still couldn't stop the tears.

She looked down at the braised pork rice in her hand.

She scooped up another large spoonful and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing and crying at the same time, crying even harder.

Aunt Zhang couldn't stand it anymore and turned to glare at Su Yun.

"Boss, look what you've done!"

Su Yun: ? ? ?

"Exactly! It's a loss!"

Another old man came over, looking very serious.

"You not only set up a stall here, but you also make braised pork rice so delicious!"

"If you make someone's child cry, are you going to take responsibility?"

"I....."

Su Yun protested her innocence, "What does this have to do with me?"

"How can it be nothing? Ask this girl if she cried because she ate your braised pork rice!"

Zhang Qingyao nodded vaguely, "Yes...yes..."

Su Yun: ......

"Look at this! Look at this! Caught red-handed!"

"Boss, what you did was completely wrong."

"Let me tell you, this isn't over. You're responsible for appeasing this girl!"

Su Yun opened her mouth, wanting to explain.

But looking at Zhang Qingyao, who was both crying and eating, and crying while eating,...

The words that were on the tip of my tongue were swallowed back down.

Forget it.

He finally understood.

These old men weren't blaming him at all; they were just trying to distract Zhang Qingyao.

Your grandpa is truly something else!

With just a few words, he coaxed Zhang Qingyao so much that she was practically snotting up!

"Okay, okay, it's my fault, it's my fault!"

Su Yun wisely admitted defeat, turned around and ladled out a large bowl of steaming hot braised pork soup, handing it to Zhang Qingyao.

"Drink some soup, don't choke."

Zhang Qingyao's nose was red, and tears still clung to her cheeks. She took the rice bowl and whispered a thank you.

She lowered her head and took a big gulp of soup, then burst into tears again.

"Oh dear, why are you crying again?"

"I... this soup... it's delicious too... thank you, boss... I feel much better now."

Su Yun: ......

The old men fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"I forgive you, boss, but give me another bowl."

"I want a bowl too!"

"Give me one too, it's making me hungry."

Su Yun was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground. While serving rice and pouring braised sauce, she muttered to herself.

What's going on here?

I was just setting up a stall.

How come you're also working part-time as a psychologist?

only,

Although Zhang Qingyao was crying her eyes out, she ate a bowl of braised pork rice clean.

There wasn't even any soup left.

Su Yun felt a strange warmth in her heart.

Regardless, I guess I did a good deed.

Just then.

Suddenly, footsteps came from the alley entrance.

"Hey! Boss!"