The younger sister mistakenly identified her brother when visiting relatives and was kissed by the c

Above the door hangs a gleaming wooden signboard with three large characters written in gold-stamped running script: "Chunheju".

Two large red paper lanterns hung on either side of the entrance. Although it wasn't evening yet and the candles weren't lit, their bright red color added an indescribable elegance and festive atmosphere to the quiet old alley.

"This place is owned by a relative of one of my comrades."

Lu Baizhou stopped and turned to look at Qiao Xinxin, a gentle smile now playing on his usually cold face.

"I heard the owner used to be a painter, but later switched to running a restaurant. The interior is quite different from those state-run restaurants outside. I thought you might like it, so I brought you here to take a look."

"An artist opening a restaurant?"

Qiao Xinxin blinked, then suddenly became interested and smiled, pursing her lips:

"Then I'd better broaden my horizons today."

She stepped over the green-painted wooden threshold and was slightly amazed by the sight before her.

The shop was indeed small, with only five or six square tables in total. But on each table, a simple, light blue checkered tablecloth was neatly laid out. In the very center of the table, there was a clean, sparkling narrow-necked glass bottle, inside which was a willow branch with tender yellow buds just sprouting, which made people feel the spring.

On the whitewashed walls on both sides, a few ink paintings were sparsely hung. Although Qiao Xinxin didn't know anything about painting, at a glance, the magpies, plum blossoms, and swimming fish in the paintings were all lifelike, and the brushstrokes were very delicate. It was clear that they were painted by someone with real skill.

What's even more amazing is that in the corner by the window, there's an old-fashioned wooden gramophone that's neither new nor old. Right now, the black film is slowly spinning on it, and a soft, soothing saxophone melody is quietly flowing in the air, sounding like the soundtrack from an old movie, instantly calming a restless heart.

In the 1980s, it was truly rare to find someone who could run a small restaurant with such style and taste.

"It's so beautiful." Qiao Xinxin exclaimed sincerely, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling.

Seeing that she liked it, Lu Baizhou secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense shoulders relaxed. He considerately pulled out a bamboo chair by the window for Qiao Xinxin:

"Sit here, it's warm here and you can look out the window."

"Thank you, Commander Lu." Qiao Xinxin said with a smile, her soft voice carrying a hint of playfulness.

The waiter quickly came over and handed over a handwritten menu written with a brush on rice paper.

Qiao Xinxin found it novel, held it in her hand and examined it carefully for a while, then pointed to the words on it and said:

"Then we'll have a stir-fried asparagus dish and a sweet and sour spare rib dish."

Lu Baizhou, sitting opposite her, also looked up and instructed the waiter upon hearing this:

"Add another sea bass with scallion oil, a bowl of mushroom soup, and two bowls of rice for your main course, thank you."

While waiting for the dishes to be served, Lu Baizhou picked up the large porcelain pot on the table and carefully rinsed the rough porcelain bowls and chopsticks in front of Qiao Xinxin with hot water before pouring her a cup of steaming barley tea.

Before long, the steaming hot food was served.

Qiao Xinxin's eyes lit up again at first glance. The presentation of each dish was much more refined than the haphazardly thrown-out dishes in state-run restaurants. The sweet and sour pork ribs were served on an exquisite blue and white porcelain plate, sprinkled with a few white sesame seeds, their bright red color making one's mouth water.

Qiao Xinxin is a foodie who loves to eat and knows how to eat. She couldn't resist picking up her chopsticks, taking a piece of pork rib, and putting it in her mouth.

The moment the ribs touched her lips, she couldn't help but squint her eyes in enjoyment. The meat was stewed until it was incredibly tender, falling off the bone with the slightest touch of her teeth. The sweet and sour flavor was perfectly balanced, and most amazingly, as she swallowed, a faint, refreshing apple scent lingered on her tongue.

"Mmm! This is delicious!"

Qiao Xinxin swallowed the meat and looked at Lu Baizhou with some surprise:

"Did they put fruit juice in these spare ribs? They're sweet and sour without being cloying; they really put a lot of effort into making them. Brother Lu, where did you find out about this amazing place?"

Seeing her enjoying her meal, Lu Baizhou's deep black eyes filled with a warm smile. He used serving chopsticks to place a piece of tender sea bass in her hand, explaining slowly and deliberately:

"I have a comrade-in-arms whose cousin used to work at this restaurant. During our gathering and chat over the Chinese New Year, he casually mentioned that the owner of this restaurant had studied cooking in the south for several years and was particular about the exquisiteness and original flavor of the dishes. The restaurant is located deep in an alley, and not many people know about it, but everyone who has been there once raves about it."

As he spoke, Lu Baizhou picked up the steaming bowl of mushroom soup, ladled out a small portion, and gently pushed it to Qiao Xinxin's side:

"Try this soup. My comrade said it's their signature dish."

Qiao Xinxin picked up the small bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in her mouth.

In an instant, a rich, mellow mushroom flavor burst forth on my tongue. It was a pure, unique flavor belonging to the mountains and the soil, completely different from the industrial umami flavor made with MSG and chicken essence in ordinary small restaurants. As it went down my throat, my whole body felt warm.

"Delicious!"

Qiao Xinxin put down the porcelain spoon in her hand, held the teacup with both hands, tilted her head, and stared straight at Lu Baizhou with her bright eyes:

"Brother Lu, I've noticed that lately you've been taking me to all sorts of strange and interesting places. A few days ago it was shadow puppetry and an old teahouse, and today it's here again."

When Lu Baizhou was looked at by her doe-like eyes that seemed to see right through people, his hand holding the chopsticks suddenly paused.

His long, curled eyelashes trembled slightly, and he awkwardly avoided Qiao Xinxin's gaze.

"cough……"

Lu Baizhou cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound as calm as usual. But his slightly tense jawline and the suspicious blush that was quietly spreading on his ears betrayed him.

"I was just thinking..."

He steeled himself and said in a low voice:

"You work too hard all the time. You're either busy at your little restaurant or working at the bathhouse, running back and forth, never getting a proper rest. Since you finally have some free time, I should take you somewhere different and have some fun. It's so boring to always go to those same old state-run restaurants."

He said this in a very flat tone, trying his best to appear nonchalant, as if he were just passing by.