pappabearbooks Chapter 31 Steamed Bun Shop
Chapter 31 Steamed Bun Shop
The chimes of the new millennium echoed throughout the streets and alleys of Jinchuan City.
The two people who lived across from each other at the noodle shop naturally wouldn't go out to join the crowd, but Fu Hongxia took her child to Labor Park to watch the fireworks.
"Master, you just got out of the hospital, leave the work to me!"
Fan Qiusheng snatched the dough from Zhang Yuanchao's hand and began to stretch it.
At this hour, most of the people in the noodle shop are caregivers who have just come out of the hospital.
Eating a bowl of hot soup noodles in the dead of winter is truly comforting.
Zhang Yuanchao, who just turned thirty-five, has been experiencing back pain for the past six months for some unknown reason.
In his previous life, he had this problem. He endured it for more than 20 years before going to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer.
The examination at the Second Hospital ahead of schedule was just a case of back muscle strain.
Fortunately, I quit smoking as soon as I was reborn.
"I'm fine. Why didn't you ask your friend to go see the fireworks tonight?"
"I can manage the business even if I'm left alone in the shop!"
"How can I leave you here alone, Master? Besides, I haven't even finished my apprenticeship yet. I should focus on learning my skills before thinking about dating."
Since Fan Qiusheng was arrested by the MCA, Zhang Yuanchao has stopped hiding his true intentions.
Over the years, he has mastered seven of his skills.
"With your level of knowledge, you'd have no problem making a living on your own."
"No way! I can't leave without learning your most secret techniques, Master!"
Zhang Yuanchao just smiled and didn't say anything. He walked back to the counter and looked at the test results he had brought back from the hospital again.
There are indeed no signs of early-stage cancer.
I recalled my previous life, when the words "Special Price Noodles 1 Yuan a Bowl" were written on the back of the medical report.
"Old Zhang, what's with this new special-priced noodle dish? Can you even make a profit selling it for a dollar a bowl? Maybe you're just not ordering a whole bowl."
"If you can't make money, you can't make money."
When I went to the hospital today, I saw many elderly men eating steamed buns at the entrance because they couldn't afford the medicine.
Besides, you've been eating at my house for so many years, when have you ever not been full from a bowl of noodles?
Zhang Yuanchao used leftover flour from the doorway to make some paste, and then stuck it to the wall by the gate.
As soon as I turned my head, I saw Zhang Cheng holding a candied hawthorn and walking over with Fu Hongxia by the hand.
"What are they putting up? Could they have come up with something new again?"
"What new noodles? They're just the same old stuff."
Why are you letting your child eat on the street? The smell of firecrackers outside is strong; they might get diarrhea.
As he spoke, Zhang Chaoyang snatched the candied hawthorn and ate the last one right in front of his son.
What he got in return was Zhang Cheng squatting on the ground and wailing.
For some reason, Zhang Yuanchao always felt a nameless anger rising in his heart whenever he saw his son.
She was fine when she was little; she was cute.
But the older they get, the angrier they become. The key is that the father and son look quite alike, but Fu Hongxia, as their mother, just thinks they are playing around.
"Qiusheng, why didn't you go to Labor Park? Today is the perfect day for a date!"
One sentence made Fan Qiusheng blush bright red, and Zhang Yuanchao, who was squatting at the door coaxing the child, also looked curiously into the house.
Fan Qiusheng still didn't answer, but simply scooped out the noodles, put them in a bowl, sprinkled some chopped green onions on top, and served it.
Just like in his previous life, the child got to know the waiter at the corner restaurant.
It is said that after MCA went to prison, the mortgage payments on the house could not be collected, and in the end, the current owner benefited.
The man who handed Zhang Yuanchao the crowbar was named Zhu Gan, a laid-off worker from Chun Province in the north.
It is said that he made some money by trading mountain products.
Unlike his previous life, he remembered that MCA had been operating until around the year 2000 when it could no longer continue due to excessive loans, and he fled overseas with his wife and children.
It's probably because his rebirth changed everything.
"Brother Fan, what does my mom mean? What does 'dating' mean?"
Zhang Cheng, who had just finished crying, had his snot wiped clean by Fu Hongxia; his little nose was still red.
A ten-year-old child doesn't understand what dating is, after all, his voice is still that of a spicy snack.
"Don't listen to your aunt's nonsense. Go back and do your homework. Don't come looking for me if you don't finish it during winter break."
"You wouldn't know either; the ancient poems you copied for me last time were all wrong!"
Picking up his schoolbag, Zhang Cheng stomped his little feet and headed upstairs, finally peeking out and making a face.
Winters in Jinchuan City are quite cold. Although it doesn't snow, the biting sea wind makes your bones ache.
The noodle shop remains as popular as ever, mainly because the special-priced noodles are so popular.
At first, the family members accompanying the patients thought it was just a bowl of plain noodles, and one yuan was cheap enough.
But when it was served, it startled them.
What does it mean to get vegetables and braised eggs for just one dollar? Is there even any profit in that?
In his previous life, Zhang Yuanchao's withdrawal from discounted noodles was purely for charity, relying entirely on alcohol sales to boost profits.
Since his rebirth, the system has increased his monthly salary as his master to over three thousand, which is considered a middle-class income in Jinchuan.
"Qiusheng!"
A little girl with her face slightly red from the cold stood at the door, hesitant to sit down, and simply closed the door gently.
Her cotton-padded jacket was faded from washing, and her hair was neatly combed.
The noodle shop wasn't crowded in the afternoon, with only a few customers.
Zhang Yuanchao saw this but didn't say anything. He bumped Fan Qiusheng with his butt, knocking him out of the kitchen.
"Master..."
"Don't get in my way!"
Ever since the steamed bun shop on the street corner opened, Fan Qiusheng has made a bowl of longevity noodles for his half-savior every year.
Over time, he naturally started chatting with the waitress, Xiaoqin.
"Qiusheng, I didn't eat the steamed buns at noon. They were chive-filled, you should try them!"
"I'm not hungry, you can save it for dinner."
The steamed buns in Fan Qiusheng's arms were still warm, and Fan Qiusheng held them in his hands, which stunned Zhang Yuanchao behind him.
It's good to be young. He's been trying to talk to his wife lately, but she keeps rejecting him. When he asked around, she said it was because she was cold towards him.
"Take it if I give it to you, don't make me angry!"
I saw a sign on the door advertising discounted noodles. Can they even make a profit selling a bowl for one yuan?
Fan Qiusheng also saw the paper through the glass, but he didn't think about his master's thoughts.
He's just an apprentice; he should be more interested in practicing making noodles and preparing soup than worrying about these things.
Zhu Gan rang the door bell as he entered. He turned his head and saw his own waiter looking at him from his seat.
He wore a shiny leather jacket; if he hadn't been wearing an apron, no one would have known he was the restaurant owner.
Why are you looking at me? You two go about your business!
"Hey Zhang! There's nobody here now, let's have a drink!"
After serving the last bowl of noodles, Zhang Yuanchao wiped his hands and came over.
Before he even sat down, Zhu Gan placed the beef shank he was carrying on the table.
"Old Zhang, this is wine made with old ginseng. I bought it for over two hundred yuan when I went back to my hometown last time. It's very precious!"
Without a wine cup, Zhu Gan simply poured the liquor into a glass.
I was a little reluctant to pour half of it out, so I poured some into my own cup.
"You're so stingy, you didn't even fill it to the brim!"
"How about I buy you some sorghum liquor next time? Don't treat me like I'm drinking gold every time I come."
"You don't understand, this stuff is too nourishing if you drink too much of it. Maybe even my sister-in-law can't handle it tonight."
"I've brought meat and wine with me, aren't you going to cook a couple of dishes?"
"Help yourself to eat whatever you want; all the side dishes are freshly prepared."
That old man even made his guest do it himself, what a bastard!
Zhu Gan muttered to himself, then turned around and saw Fu Hongxia walking in from the doorway, her scarf still on.
"Hey sister-in-law, you're off work so early!"
"Oh, I just came back to get something. You two can drink slowly."
Just as she was about to take off her scarf, she saw two young people timidly preparing to go out. Fu Hongxia gave her husband a look and followed them out.
"Miss Zhu, did Qin Qingyou, that bastard, bully you?"
Standing at the door, "Xiao Qin" turned her head to glance inside, and seeing that Zhang Yuanchao wasn't looking in their direction, she asked directly:
"Qin Qingyou, my brother's intention is to make you a safeguard."
If the old man is unwilling to pass on his skills, then it'll be up to you!
"Don't worry, Miss Zhu, I've almost got the hang of it!"