Chapter 18: Auntie Zhao Scolds Well!

“Com... Comrade, you must be mistaken. How could I possibly use diseased pork meat...” Wang Laowu said, his face pale and his voice trembling with panic.

Wang Defa, who had been acting high and mighty just moments ago, underwent a sudden change in expression. He instinctively took two steps back, his eyes darting around as he desperately looked for an escape route.

The customers sitting at the noodle stall instantly erupted into an uproar.

“Diseased pork! Why has Wang Laowu been buying diseased pork for so long?”

“What else would he be doing with it? He’s definitely using it to make the meat toppings! This bastard is truly rotten to the core—a real piece of work!”

“Giving us diseased pork for free... how immoral!”

Originally, when they saw him mixing in leftover vegetables, people felt they could somewhat tolerate it if his attitude toward making amends was decent.

But using diseased pork for meat toppings? Who could stomach that?

And the key was that it had been long-term and in large quantities!

This meant that Wang Laowu’s noodle stall had been using diseased pork to make toppings and sauces for everyone all along.

Some regulars of the stall already felt dizzy, their throats itching, and their entire bodies feeling unwell.

The surrounding workers retreated one after another, keeping their distance from the stall. Fortunately, the police arrived just in time!

That was close; they almost sat down to eat it!

“You’ve got it wrong, you must have made a mistake!” Liu Fen shouted, her voice trembling.

“The butcher Wang Qi from the farmers' market has already confessed. In the list of names he provided, you, Wang Defa, are the first!” An officer stepped forward and snapped handcuffs onto Wang Laowu’s wrists, saying sternly, “Confess for leniency, resist for severity! You two had better tell the truth once you get to the station!”

“Ah—” Wang Laowu and Liu Fen let out a cry of shock and collapsed to the ground simultaneously. Their faces were filled with panic, and their eyes instinctively darted toward Wang Defa.

Wang Defa didn't look back. He bolted, his legs moving so fast he was nearly running.

The commotion was so great that even the customers in the Zhou Yan Restaurant stood up with their noodles and crowded to the doorway to watch the spectacle. Everyone craned their necks and pricked up their ears, terrified of missing any crucial information.

There were also many people running out from the factory to watch; a police arrest was not a common sight.

Wang Laowu’s stall had been at the factory gate for a long time, and many people had eaten his noodles. Hearing that he used diseased pork, the crowd became incensed.

“Damn it! How dare he feed diseased pork to customers to make dirty money! May your children be born without an anus!” Zhao Tieying took the lead, one hand on her hip and the other pointing at the couple, cursing furiously: “The Kitchen God will flip your pot—the ledger of the underworld remembers everything clearly!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

“Well said, Auntie Zhao!”

Wang Laowu and Liu Fen kept their heads low, not daring to look up, as they were hauled away like rats in the street.

Zhou Yan stood by the door with his arms crossed. He was tall, so even with two rows of female workers standing in front of him, it didn't hinder his view of the drama.

Wang Laowu and his wife got what they deserved. The efficiency of the epidemic prevention station was surprisingly high; they had investigated Wang Laowu by noon. The report hadn't been written in vain.

He watched Wang Defa walking away quickly. Director Wang, with his flesh wobbling, looked extremely panicked. He had just said that Wang Laowu’s pork was just as good as the pork from the factory canteen. Could it be that the canteen also used Wang Qi’s diseased pork?

Zhou Yan recalled memories from his apprenticeship at the factory canteen. His master, Xiao Lei, had once gotten into a dispute with Wang Defa because the quality of the pork purchased by the canteen was too poor, and he was demoted from head chef to a mere prep cook.

The hot-headed young Comrade Xiao had tried to stand up for his master and caused a scene, which led to his dismissal.

He didn't think Wang Defa was a good person, but he currently had no evidence. It would depend on whether the police could squeeze information out of Wang Qi.

“Please rest assured, everyone. We will definitely give you an explanation for this matter and ensure that the lawbreakers pay the price!” Gao Tianlei spoke loudly to the crowd. He glanced toward the restaurant and saw a tall, thin silhouette that looked somewhat familiar.

“Comrade, I’ve been eating noodles at Wang Laowu’s for several months. What if my health is ruined?” Wang Jianming stepped forward with a worried face; he was a regular at the stall.

“Me too,” Liu Laoba added with a bitter expression.

Many other victims were also distressed, wondering if they had poisoned their bodies.

Gao Tianlei raised his hand to calm them and said loudly, “Don't worry, everyone. I'll have Xiao Zheng record your names and situations...”

As the couple was taken away, the remaining bowls of toppings and sauces were taken by the epidemic prevention staff for investigation, and the stall was confiscated by the police.

Wang Laowu’s noodle stall, which had made such a grand show of challenging Zhou Erwa’s Restaurant today in an attempt to ruin Zhou Yan, had collapsed just like that.

Selling leftovers might have only led to moral condemnation if customers didn't get sick, and his "free noodles" initiative had regained him some reputation and goodwill.

But selling diseased pork was different. From this day forward, every worker in the textile factory would know that Wang Laowu used diseased pork for his toppings and sauces. Who would dare eat there again?

Furthermore, purchasing diseased pork long-term and in large quantities for food production was a serious charge. It was uncertain when the couple would be released.

“You mustn't be like Wang Laowu. We can earn a little less money, but we can't lose our conscience, or people will point fingers at us,” Zhao Tieying didn't forget to earnestly instruct Zhou Yan once they returned to the kitchen.

“Yes, I will definitely make sure the customers feel even safer eating here than they do at home,” Zhou Yan nodded with a smile.

【Ding! Wang Laowu has been arrested, the noodle stall has collapsed, mission complete! A somewhat mediocre business battle. Reward obtained: "The Perfect Steamed Rice in a Bamboo Steamer Guide."】

The system prompt popped up. Zhou Yan glanced at the reward and frowned. *That's it?*

Was there really some special technique to steaming rice?

Although with Comrade Xiao's skills, occasional issues like undercooked rice, burnt bottoms, or sticky grains occurred when cooking large batches, and the aroma wasn't quite sufficient...

Well, this "Perfect Steamed Rice Guide" actually seemed quite suitable for him.

He was already preparing to sell Qiaojiao Beef, which definitely needed to be paired with rice.

Rice steamed in a wooden bamboo steamer is the softest and sweetest, capable of enhancing the flavor of any dish.

Once he finished his work today, he would study this guide seriously.

With Wang Laowu arrested, the customers who had been watching the spectacle returned to their seats to finish their noodles. They had essentially provided free advertising for Zhou Erwa’s Restaurant.

Many envious workers followed the aroma into the shop and ordered bowls of noodles to try.

Zhao Tieying was blunt and hated injustice; her fiery "Sichuan/Chongqing dragon" personality won her the favor of many young workers, who affectionately called her "Auntie Zhao."

This made Zhao Tieying very happy, and she even served a small dish of pickled radishes with every order.

The sour, spicy, and crunchy pickled radishes instantly became a favorite among customers.

If the noodles felt a bit greasy after a few bites, a mouthful of pickled radish provided a crisp, sour, and spicy sensation that cut through the grease—it was the perfect match for noodles!

To get another dish of pickled radishes, the customers' calls of "Auntie Zhao" became even more gentle.

It wasn't until nearly one o'clock that the customers finished leaving and the factory shift began.

Zhao Tieying hummed a little tune while clearing the dishes, her steps exceptionally light.

“Auntie Zhao seems quite happy today,” Zhou Yan said with a smile.

He had sold fifty-two bowls of noodles this noon, making up for the slow morning. The hundred portions of toppings he had prepared were all sold out.

“Of course! Everyone ate happily and praised our noodles and our pickled vegetables. They said they’ll come back next time,” Zhao Tieying said with a smile. “I’ve heard more praise today than in the first half of my life. Naturally, I’m in a good mood.”

“It’s just hard work for you,” Zhou Yan helped clear the dishes. Hearing the customers' praise, he was also in an excellent mood.

Swapping identities—from a diner in his past life to a restaurant owner—was indeed a new experience.

“Just carrying a plate and washing a bowl, what's so hard about it?” Auntie Zhao waved her hand dismissively and glanced toward the door. “But why did your old man come home so late today? Usually, he’s done by this time.”

“Goo-goo, hungry,” Zhou Momo approached, tugging at Zhou Yan’s pant leg and speaking in a milky voice.

*Screech.*

A bicycle stopped in front of the restaurant.

Zhou Miao stepped through the door, but his body swayed at the entrance, and he reached out to steady himself against the doorpost.

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Tieying dropped her towel and ran over to support him.

“Dad.” Zhou Yan hurried forward. Zhou Miao’s complexion looked poor; his lips were dry and peeling, and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.

“It’s nothing. I caught a cold from the wind this morning. I’ll be fine after a nap,” Zhou Miao forced a smile and explained gently.

“Daddy, are you sick?” Zhou Momo also ran over, looking up at him. “I’ll take you to get a shot.”

“Be good, my little girl. Daddy is fine, no need for shots,” Zhou Miao patted her head and forced a smile.

“Come, sit down first. I’ll pour you a bowl of water,” Zhao Tieying helped him to a table.

“How about some beef bone soup? I added some Chinese herbs to it; it’s good for dispelling the cold,” Zhou Yan suggested, walking quickly toward the kitchen.

On the honeycomb coal stove, the beef bone soup that had been simmering for eight hours was bubbling away. When he lifted the lid, the meaty aroma wafted out, mixed with the subtle, complex scent of spices and medicinal herbs, making it even more enticing.

Zhou Yan took a ceramic bowl, ladled a serving of soup, sprinkled some green onions, and placed a spoon in it.

“Dad, drink a bowl of soup first. You’ll feel better once your body warms up,” Zhou Yan said. “I’ll go prepare the hot pot. You can go upstairs for a nap after you eat.”

“Alright,” Zhou Miao responded. The meaty aroma followed the steam to his nose, and his heavy head seemed to clear slightly. Just as he picked up the spoon, he saw little Zhou Momo climbing onto a stool nearby, swallowing hard as she stared at the meat soup.

“Momo, do you want a taste?” Zhou Miao asked her.

“You eat yours. I’ll get her a bowl,” Zhao Tieying said, holding down his bowl.

“Daddy eat first. Only after eating will the sickness go away. Momo isn't hungry,” Zhou Momo shook her head seriously. “I’ll eat meat later.”

“Okay.” Zhou Miao nodded and took a sip of the hot soup. His tongue felt slightly scalded, and the savory flavor rushed to his head.

The Chinese herbs and spices were perfectly integrated into the soup, enhancing the aroma and flavor without a hint of a strange aftertaste. It was completely different from the soup Zhao Tieying made—it was much more delicious, an absolute flavor explosion!

Spoon after spoon, blowing on it slightly and taking large gulps, the bowl was finished in no time.

Zhou Miao felt a warmth spreading through his entire body. Sweat broke out on his forehead and back, leaving him feeling incredibly comfortable.

“Is it good?” Zhao Tieying asked with a smile.

“Yeah, it’s incredibly savory,” Zhou Miao smacked his lips in satisfaction and added, “It’s similar to yours.”

“Here it comes!” Zhou Yan emerged from the kitchen carrying a double-eared iron pot and placed it in the center of the table. At the bottom was Napa cabbage, covered by beef intestines and beef tendon, topped with thin, large slices of beef and tripe. The small pot was overflowing, sprinkled with green onions and cilantro, looking exceptionally tempting.