Chapter 3: “Let’s Find a New Mom—How About Teacher Rong Shuang?”
“Dad, I want fried chicken.”
“How about I give you a slap instead?”
“Wuwu… Fine, no fried chicken. Can I at least have ice cream? The green one!”
“Just for today. Not tomorrow.”
The father and daughter arrived home.
Jiang Youyou tossed her clothes onto the sofa and flopped onto it.
“I want to watch cartoons!”
“Go ahead. I’ll make some food.”
“Dad, do you need help? I can wash the vegetables!”
Youyou was a sensible child. She trotted over and helped Jiang Feng wash tomatoes and scallions.
Jiang Feng steamed rice, stir-fried tomatoes with eggs, made scallion beef, and sliced an apple.
At six in the evening, the two sat down to eat.
“Wow, this beef is SO good!”
Jiang Feng smiled. “Then eat more.”
Jiang Feng took a bite as well.
The two of them devoured both dishes clean.
After dinner, they leaned back in their chairs, rubbing their full bellies in perfect sync—proof they were truly father and daughter.
“Do you miss Mom?” Jiang Feng asked. “If you’re sad, tell me, okay?”
Kids around five or six were the most vulnerable to emotional issues.
Jiang Feng could move on, but he wasn’t sure about his daughter.
Youyou hadn’t mentioned her mother once, so he decided to bring it up.
“Why would I miss her? I barely even saw her.”
Youyou, wise beyond her years, rolled her eyes.
Xu Na had always been busy with work.
Over the years, the family rarely ate together.
Even on Youyou’s birthdays, Xu Na had canceled last minute to dine with clients.
Youyou genuinely didn’t miss her.
As long as she had her dad, she was fine.
Jiang Feng hugged her.
Seizing the opportunity, Youyou wiped her mouth on his shirt.
Jiang Feng sighed in amusement. “If you ever feel upset, tell me. I can take you to see her.”
“I have a better idea.”
“Why don’t you find me a new mom?”
“Someone pretty, nice to me, and nice to you.”
“I asked around—Teacher Rong Shuang isn’t dating anyone. Never has. But she’s kinda mysterious. No idea what her family does.”
Youyou spoke with the seriousness of a matchmaker.
Jiang Feng couldn’t help but laugh.
This little schemer had done her research.
He flicked her forehead. “Since when did you start playing matchmaker for me?”
“What’s a matchmaker?”
“Someone who tries to get two people married.”
“Then I can do it! I think Teacher Rong Shuang likes you. She smiles extra wide whenever you show up.”
Jiang Feng sighed. “That’s just professionalism.”
“No way! My gut says you’re special to her!” Youyou insisted.
Jiang Feng changed the subject. “Do you still want that ice cream or not?”
Still too young to recognize a distraction, Youyou happily scampered off for her treat.
“Eat slowly. Don’t upset your stomach.”
After dessert, Jiang Feng helped her wash up early.
“I have to wake up at 3:40 tomorrow to open the shop. You sleep in, and I’ll come back at 7 to take you to kindergarten.”
Their home, the shop, and the kindergarten were all close by—super convenient.
Youyou perked up. “Opening a shop?! Making money?! Take me with you!”
“No.” Jiang Feng refused firmly. “You need sleep, or you won’t grow tall.”
“I will! Please, Dad? I just wanna see our shop!”
Youyou wasn’t usually money-obsessed.
But she knew Jiang Feng was tight on cash now, and she worried.
Plus, she didn’t want him walking alone in the early morning.
What if someone kidnapped her handsome dad? Then she’d be all alone!
Jiang Feng softened. “Fine, tomorrow only. After that, you sleep in.”
“If business goes well, we’ll open during the day too. You can come then.”
They went to bed early.
Youyou dreamed of her dad making piles of money.
Just as she dreamed of him buying her mountains of ice cream, Jiang Feng’s voice woke her.
“If you’re too tired, sleep. I’ll go alone.”
Eyes still closed, the little girl sat up and fumbled for her clothes.
Jiang Feng dressed her, carried her out, and headed to the wholesale market.
Many vendors were already there, along with early-rising seniors and restaurant staff stocking up.
“Boss, how much for the pork?”
“Three pounds, please.”
“Got it. Is this your daughter? So cute! Why bring her out so early?”
“First day open. She insisted.”
“Lucky you. My daughter sleeps like a log—can’t wake her even if you try.”
The butcher chatted while slicing three pounds of pork, even tossing in extra scraps—good cuts, too.
By 4:15 AM, Jiang Feng finished shopping:
Fresh pork and beef (3 pounds each)
Scallions (20 pounds)
Meat prices were stable, but vegetables? Ridiculously expensive.
Wholesale chives cost over 4 yuan per pound. Scallions? A shocking 7 yuan.
Since it was his first day, Jiang Feng kept purchases modest to avoid waste.
The shop already had flour and seasonings, so no need to stock up yet.
Youyou, the little lucky charm, scored him at least an extra 3 ounces per item—vendors kept giving freebies just because she was adorable.
“We should buy a car,” Jiang Feng mused as they walked back.
Carrying dozens of pounds wasn’t hard yet, but if business picked up, it’d be unsustainable.
Youyou’s eyes lit up. “If we buy one, can we ask them to throw in free toys?”
“Cars don’t come with toys.”
“Then you buy me some!”
“Just say you want toys instead of hinting at it.”
Back at the shop, Jiang Feng washed his hands and got to work.
Kneading the dough – Warm water, salt, oil, and baking powder. Once smooth, he oiled it and let it rest.
Prepping the fillings – Seasoned the meat separately before mixing it with vegetables.
Chopping greens – Coated chives and fennel with oil to lock in moisture.
With master-level skills, Jiang Feng worked fast and flawlessly.
Soon, the steamer hissed to life.
Jiang Feng portioned the dough—25g per piece, perfectly uniform, like machine-cut.
After steaming, each would puff to 40g, plus 25g of filling—70g per bun, a medium size.
He steamed the first batch: seven beef buns.
Youyou, drooling, begged, “Dad, I wanna try!”
Jiang Feng handed her one. “Careful, it’s hot.”
She took a tiny bite.
The snow-white, fluffy wrapper gave way to juicy beef, scalding her tongue.
Jiang Feng’s seasoning was perfect—just enough ginger-scallion water to remove gaminess, rich but not greasy.
And the salt balance? Spot-on. Good seasoning alone could make anything delicious.
Blowing on the filling, Youyou gobbled the meat first, then gave a thumbs-up.