Chapter 7: Braised Pork Rib Noodles

Zhou Yan had his own calculations.

Little Zhou had offended Director Wang of the factory cafeteria. Once his restaurant business picked up, he would be competing directly with the cafeteria. To prevent any retaliation, it was essential to build a good relationship with Vice Factory Director Lin Zhiqiang.

Furthermore, since he had already accepted the system quest, bringing it up proactively was a way to test the waters.

If a single bowl of pork rib noodles could complete the quest and also resolve Lin Zhiqiang’s worries, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

"Little Zhou, you really are thoughtful. I was so focused on filling my own stomach that I forgot—with how delicious your noodles are, maybe Xia Yao would actually be willing to eat a few bites." Lin Zhiqiang’s eyes lit up, but then he hesitated. "But how do I pack these noodles?"

"There’s a large lunchbox in the back kitchen; it’s just the right size for noodles," Zhao Tieying chimed in.

She had realized these two were leaders, but she hadn't expected them to be a Vice Factory Director and a Director—these were big shots from the textile factory.

"Alright, then Little Zhou, cook me another bowl of pork rib noodles to take away," Lin Zhiqiang nodded.

Zhou Yan acknowledged the request and turned into the kitchen. Before long, he emerged carrying a cloth bag with the lunchbox tucked inside.

"This is for the noodles; you must take it." Lin Zhiqiang took the bag and placed three yuan on the table, not giving Zhou Yan a chance to refuse. "Old Zhao told me about the situation with your restaurant. It’s not easy for a young man to run an individual business. Once your business is on the right track, I certainly won't refuse if you invite me to dinner again."

"Alright, then thank you." Zhou Yan didn't insist; three yuan was indeed very important to him right now.

"What are you thanking me for? If Xia Yao eats these noodles, I’ll be the one thanking you," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile. He picked up the bag and turned toward the door, adding, "Old Zhao, I’m going to borrow your bicycle to deliver these."

"Sure, take your time," Zhao Dong replied. He nodded at Zhou Yan and followed him out.

Zhou Yan waited for them to leave and then closed the door.

Once the textile factory started its shift, there wouldn't be any more customers until the lunch break.

"What was that all about?" Zhao Tieying finally couldn't help but ask.

"This Vice Factory Director, Lin Zhiqiang, is the uncle of the girl I saved yesterday. He came to thank me today. That bicycle was a gift from him..."

Zhou Yan briefly explained the situation.

"These leaders are really classy—they know how to repay kindness with such a generous gift." Zhao Tieying was moved. Two years ago, the '28-inch' bicycle their family bought from the black market cost them three hundred yuan.

"But you must never go into the water again, not for any number of bicycles!" Zhao Tieying stared at Zhou Yan, her expression stern. "Otherwise, I’ll break your legs!"

"I know, I know." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile. This feeling of being cared for and worried about was truly special.

He counted the money in his hand. He had sold twenty-one bowls of noodles this morning, totaling 12.6 yuan—a start far exceeding his expectations.

By seizing the opportunity provided by Lin Zhiqiang and Zhao Dong this morning, he had successfully opened up his sales channels and shattered the poor reputation that had accumulated previously.

It was foreseeable that with these eighteen customers spreading the word, plus those who didn't get to eat this morning due to time constraints, combined with his new reputation as a hero who saved a life, there might be even more customers at noon.

However, he only had enough toppings and sauce left for eight more bowls.

"Mom, please help tidy up the shop. I’m going to buy some more beef and pork ribs. I expect there will be even more customers at noon." Zhou Yan put the money in his pocket, grabbed a basket, and pushed the 28-inch bike leaning against the wall as he headed out.

He didn't want to miss this golden opportunity to boost his sales and reputation.

If customers came and couldn't get a meal, they might not come back next time.

But as long as they tasted his noodles, there was a chance to turn them into repeat customers.

"Alright, go ahead," Zhao Tieying agreed.

"Brother—" Zhou Momo chased him to the door, looking up at Zhou Yan with anticipation. "I want to ride the new bike too!"

"Come on then." Zhou Yan smiled indulgently, bent down to lift her up, and placed her on the crossbar, letting her hold the handlebars with her small hands.

The 28-inch bike was tall, and most people had to stand on their tiptoes to start, but at 1.8 meters tall, Zhou Yan could stand firmly on the ground. With one push on the pedal, he was off.

Zhao Tieying stood at the shop entrance, watching Zhou Yan’s retreating back with a sense of relief.

The boy had finally started to look like an adult; he knew how to play with his little sister, how to interact with leaders, and the restaurant was finally getting customers.

...

Lin Zhiqiang rode the bicycle and arrived at the silk factory’s residential compound in five minutes.

As a Vice Factory Director and a key technical expert who had won a provincial technical progress award this year, he was allocated a three-bedroom apartment, which was quite spacious.

"Didn't you go to thank Comrade Zhou Yan? Why are you back?" Lin Zhiqiang opened the door, and Meng Anhe, coming out of the side bedroom, looked at him with surprise.

Lin Zhiqiang glanced at the plate of dumplings in her hand and whispered, "Is Yaoyao still unable to eat anything?"

Meng Anhe nodded helplessly. "She can't eat tofu pudding, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, wontons, or dumplings. She won't even drink soy milk." Her eyes were filled with heartache.

Lin Zhiqiang sighed and raised the cloth bag in his hand. "I brought her some braised pork rib noodles. Let’s see if she’ll try a few bites."

He emphasized, "These are the best noodles in Suji Town."

"She isn't used to alkaline noodles. She didn't touch a single bite of that bowl last night," Meng Anhe shook her head.

"These aren't alkaline noodles; they’re authentic hand-pulled noodles made by Comrade Zhou Yan. They’re so fragrant—neither the cafeteria nor the state-run restaurant can make this flavor. I ate two bowls at his shop this morning," Lin Zhiqiang said confidently. "Take them in and let Yaoyao try; she might just eat."

"Are they really that good?" Meng Anhe was surprised.

She knew Lin Zhiqiang too well. Since leaving Shanxi, there were very few noodles that could satisfy him. He always said that their local hand-pulled noodles didn't need any extra toppings, so it was rare for him to give such high praise.

"You eat these dumplings, and I’ll take them in to try." Handing the dumplings to Lin Zhiqiang, Meng Anhe took the cloth bag from him. Her hand sank. "The portion is so generous? Go to the kitchen and get a small bowl."

"Alright," Lin Zhiqiang agreed.

Meng Anhe carried the lunchbox and knocked on the door of the side bedroom.

On the small bed, the young girl was leaning against the headboard reading a book.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her lips like cherries; her features were exquisite, elegant, and refined.

Her appearance and temperament were superb, but her face was visibly pale.

Yesterday’s accidental fall into the river had terrified Xia Yao.

She had forgotten the details of the moment, but she could never forget the feeling of impending death.

The rushing river, the inability to breathe, nowhere to struggle—she could only let the water swallow her.

It was truly terrifying.

Wait, she remembered that hand—slender and strong.

It was that person who pulled her back from the hands of death.

Hearing the knock, Xia Yao looked up, her gaze falling on the lunchbox in Meng Anhe’s hand. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, looking troubled. "Auntie, I really don't want to eat anything."

"This is the braised pork rib noodles your uncle brought back. It was made by Comrade Zhou Yan, the one who saved you yesterday. It’s rare for your uncle to praise noodles so highly. Just try a bite," Meng Anhe walked into the room and placed the lunchbox on the small table by the bed.

Xia Yao put down her book, a look of surprise appearing on her sickly face. "Noodles made by Comrade Zhou Yan?" The image of that tall, lean, and agile figure surfaced in her mind.

She had wanted to go with her uncle to thank her savior this morning, but because she was too weak, her aunt had kept her at home. Yet, she had been thinking about it all day.

She hadn't expected him to make noodles for her.

Xia Yao shook her head helplessly. "But I really can't eat..."

Meng Anhe had already opened the lunchbox. A wave of heat, carrying the aroma of braised pork ribs and beef bone broth, wafted out. It was rich but not greasy; the milky white broth shimmered with a hint of oil, and large chunks of braised pork ribs were spread over the noodles, coated in amber-colored sauce, with a few tender green vegetables tucked in between. It looked incredibly tempting.

*Gulp.*

Xia Yao’s throat rolled uncontrollably.

Her eyes, which had lacked luster, became a bit clearer.

Braised pork ribs... her favorite.

The impact of the aroma was too powerful, and the appearance of the ribs was a critical hit. Her stomach, which had been on strike for a day and a half, began to churn at this moment.

*Gurgle—*

Not wanting to eat was a feeling, but the stomach wouldn't lie, and it was now protesting.

Meng Anhe noticed Xia Yao’s small reaction, and a smile touched her lips. There was hope!

*Knock, knock!*

There was a knock at the door.

Meng Anhe knew it was Lin Zhiqiang. "Come in."

Lin Zhiqiang walked in with a small bowl, a pair of chopsticks, and a soup spoon.

"Yaoyao, try these noodles. If you wait any longer, they won't be chewy, and the soup won't taste the same." Lin Zhiqiang walked to the table, portioned out a bowl of noodles for her, and placed it in front of her.

Xia Yao didn't rush to pick up her chopsticks, but looked at Lin Zhiqiang with concern. "Uncle, about Comrade Zhou Yan..."

"I have already expressed my gratitude to Comrade Zhou Yan. He accepted the bicycle, and I told him that once you recover, we will visit him in person to thank him," Lin Zhiqiang said with a smile.

"He was very concerned about your condition; he was the one who suggested I bring these to you. The young man is not only handsome but also very thoughtful. He’s a good person."

"That’s good." A smile appeared on Xia Yao’s face, and the gloom in her heart dissipated a little.

Once she recovered, she would have to thank him in person—the sooner, the better.

"Eat while it’s hot. You won't have the strength to go out if you don't eat." Meng Anhe helped Xia Yao sit up on the edge of the bed and placed the chopsticks in her hand.

"Mm." Xia Yao acknowledged, leaned toward the bowl to blow on it gently, and took two sips of the soup. The fresh, savory bone broth flowed over her lips and teeth—the unique, rich flavor of beef bone broth, warm and delicious, washing over her taste buds that had been silent all day.

As the soup entered her stomach, a warmth rose up, bringing color back to her cold fingertips.

Her taste buds were awakened, and hunger surged. At this moment, her stomach had overridden her brain.

Xia Yao couldn't wait to pick up a piece of the tender, braised rib and bite into it. The sauce mixed with the meat’s flavor exploded in her mouth; the soft, lingering texture was so wonderful and intoxicating that it made her scalp tingle.

After swallowing, the aftertaste was rich, and the aroma of the meat lingered.

*Ah! So delicious!*

Xia Yao wanted to scream. This was definitely the best pork rib she had ever eaten in her life!

For eighteen years, the number one braised pork rib in her heart had always been the ones her father made, but today, that had changed.

In a few bites, she finished the rib and spat out the bone. Then, she slurped a mouthful of noodles. Even though she was starving, she ate in small, quick bites without making a sound.

The hand-pulled noodles were soaked in the bone broth, chewy and smooth—truly different from the alkaline noodles sold in shops outside.

*Fragrant!*

The noodles were also delicious.

A bite of noodles, a bite of rib, a sip of soup—in no time, the small bowl of noodles was gone.

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Xia Yao’s forehead, and her pale face gained a bit of color.

Meng Anhe quickly served her another bowl. She exchanged a look with Lin Zhiqiang, and both couldn't help but smile.

As long as Xia Yao was willing to eat, she would be fine. Once she was full, she wouldn't let her mind wander.

Eating bowl after small bowl, she actually finished all the noodles in the large lunchbox, not even leaving a drop of soup.

"Hiccup."

Xia Yao covered her mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed.

She hadn't eaten all day, and the noodles were just too delicious; once she started, she couldn't stop.

"Walk around the house a bit, then get a good sleep. I’ll call you for lunch later," Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang said as they cleared the bowl, closing the door behind them.

"I didn't expect his noodles to be so good. The braised pork ribs are absolutely divine." Xia Yao pulled back the curtains to let the sunlight into the room, looking at the Qingyi River outside, a smile on her face. "I’ll go to his shop for noodles tomorrow morning!"

...

【Ding! Side quest completed. After eating the braised pork rib noodles you made, Xia Yao is in a pleasant mood and has returned to a normal diet. Quest reward: Skill—Food Appraisal.】

On his way back to the restaurant after buying meat, the system’s notification sound suddenly rang in Zhou Yan’s mind.