"Three... thirty thousand?"
Chen Meijuan stared blankly at her son.
She couldn't believe her ears. Thirty thousand! To a large restaurant, that amount of revenue might not be much, but her son's shop was just a roadside stall. It was only slightly more refined in its decor. Other than that, it wasn't much different from other roadside stalls. How could it sell so much in one day?
While she was stunned, Lin Xu had already started cooking the noodles. The dough sheets had been rolled out earlier for the staff meal; now they just needed a quick press.
As the noodles were nearly cooked, Lin Xu looked at his mother and asked, "Mom, do you want diced eggplant or tomato and egg? Those are the only two toppings available now, plus Oil-poured Noodles. But there aren't many veggies in Oil-poured Noodles, so I don't recommend them."
Chen Meijuan finally snapped out of her shock from the thirty thousand yuan.
"Tomato and egg then. I have no appetite right now; something light will do."
Her mind was a mess because of the thirty thousand yuan. She really wasn't in the mood to eat. But since it was personally made by her son, she had to eat it, even if she had no appetite!
The neighbor, Old Qian's son, had recently landed a job at the Penguin Company in Shenzhen with a starting salary of ten thousand a month. This made Old Qian and his wife so proud they even drove to a scenic spot just to brag about it. Now, Chen Meijuan finally felt the joy of vindication. A monthly salary of ten thousand is nothing! My son makes thirty thousand in one day!
Lin Xu ladled the toppings into a bowl and handed it to Chen Meijuan, whose mind was reeling. Then he grabbed a clean plate and portioned out a few chicken feet and half a dish of Ginger Lotus Root for his mom.
Since she had no appetite, eating less was fine. After such a long journey, she probably couldn't eat much anyway.
Coming outside, Lin Xu placed the dishes in front of his mom. "These are the Tiger Skin Chicken Feet and Ginger Lotus Root I made. Try some."
After speaking, he brought over his own half-finished bowl of rice, sat opposite his mom, and continued to eat.
Chen Meijuan looked at the chicken feet and lotus root on the plate. Her expression turned to shock once again.
Were these pristine, jade-like slices of lotus root also made by her son? And weren't these chicken feet exceptionally plump?
She picked up her chopsticks and put a slice of lotus root into her mouth. Her appetite was instantly awakened by the sweet and sour flavor.
One bite. Crisp and refreshing, with a hint of spiciness from the ginger.
After finishing the lotus root, Chen Meijuan picked up a chicken foot to taste. The thick chicken skin was soft, glutinous, and juicy. The meat was so tender it fell off the bone, yet the skin retained a slight chewiness, making it very pleasant to eat.
After finishing one chicken foot, Chen Meijuan was completely captivated by her son's culinary skills.
She stirred the toppings and noodles in her bowl with her chopsticks, mixing them well. Then she picked up a mouthful and tried it. The noodles were springy and smooth, thoroughly coated in the savory sauce.
The flavor was simply incredible! No wonder they could earn thirty thousand a day. If I were in Beijing, I would definitely come to eat here every day.
"Son, your cooking is truly wonderful!" Chen Meijuan finally found the words to express her awe when Lin Xu finished his noodles and was about to leave.
"Mom, take your time eating. I've got to get busy," Lin Xu said.
Chen Meijuan waved at him and continued with her noodles.
Lin Xu had just returned to the kitchen with his empty bowl when Shen Jiayue pushed the door open and walked in.
"Lin Xu, Lin Xu, it's the graduation ceremony tomorrow! Do you need me to drive and pick you up?"
Although she'd said she wouldn't eat Lin Xu's cooking again, every time she saw Lin Xu, Shen Jiayue's mood inexplicably brightened.
She was 173 centimeters tall, and today, wearing denim shorts, her long, fair, and straight legs were perfectly showcased.
Chen Meijuan, who was in the middle of eating her noodles, glanced over casually. Suddenly, she couldn't focus on her food anymore.
Oh my. This girl is so beautiful. How wonderful it would be if she were my daughter-in-law!
Actually, when she first came in, she thought Song Tiantian looked pretty good. With her youthful baby face and gentle voice, Song Tiantian seemed like the ideal candidate for a daughter-in-law. But when Song Tiantian stood up to greet her, Chen Meijuan immediately dismissed that thought. Who could have imagined it? Such a delicate face, but why was she so big? As sturdy as a small iron tower. If she were to punch my son, wouldn't he cry for half a day?
"No need to pick me up; it's too much trouble."
Lin Xu's response left Chen Meijuan frustrated.
This silly boy! The girl had made herself so clear. Even a fool would know how to respond, right? But this blockhead of a son of mine just had to refuse, and so bluntly too. Was he switched at birth? How could my child, Chen Meijuan's child, be so foolish?
Shen Jiayue puffed out her cheeks.
No wonder everyone calls this jerk the Demon King. He really is quite detestable.
As she was silently fuming, Lin Xu asked her, "Do you want a small bowl or a big bowl today?"
Shen Jiayue responded subconsciously, "Small bowl!"
The moment she said it, she felt annoyed.
AARGH, why did I agree? Shen Jiayue, Shen Jiayue, you're already twenty-two, how could you still...
"Oh, and today we've introduced Ginger Lotus Root. Try some later and tell me what you think."
Ginger Lotus Root? The new dish is Ginger Lotus Root! That's my favorite!
She secretly swallowed but kept a nonchalant expression. "Alright, then. This young lady will help you check it out, so your customers don't complain later that it's not tasty."
Though her words were calm, inside, she was thrilled.
AARGH... I absolutely have to take a photo and post it under the Lin Ji's Food topic to make all those people who can't come eat today jealous!
Soon, Shen Jiayue's noodles were ready. It was still the small bowl of three-in-one noodles.
Then, Lin Xu served her five chicken feet and a whole plate of Ginger Lotus Root.
Chen Meijuan, who had just been internally grumbling about whether her son was switched at birth, glanced down at her own three chicken feet and half-plate of Ginger Lotus Root. Then she looked at the rich toppings in Shen Jiayue's noodle bowl, not to mention her five chicken feet and whole plate of Ginger Lotus Root.
Suddenly, she felt as if the piglet she had painstakingly raised had been lured away. The difference was just too stark! Am I really his mom?
After Shen Jiayue sat down, she first picked up a slice of Ginger Lotus Root to taste.
Ha! It's my favorite sweet and sour flavor! Did he introduce this new dish just for me, catering to my tastes?
She put down her chopsticks and arranged the chicken feet and Ginger Lotus Root beside the hand-pulled noodles. Then, she took out her phone, adjusted the aperture, and snapped a beautiful photo, which she posted under the Lin Ji's Food topic.
"I came to eat again today! I didn't expect the new cold dish to be Ginger Lotus Root—and it's the sweet and sour flavor that girls love! Everyone, come and try it! [picture][picture][picture]"
After posting, Shen Jiayue put down her phone and started with a few slices of Ginger Lotus Root to moisten her palate. Then she began nibbling on the chicken feet.
Chicken feet, you know, are always more flavorful when you hold them to eat. It's also easier to pull the tendons off the bones that way.
Just as she was getting into it, Shen Jiayue noticed a rather pretty auntie nearby kept looking at her. After a moment, the woman even sat down opposite her.
"Girl, is your family from Beijing?"
Shen Jiayue nodded. "Yes, Auntie. Is there something you need?"
Before the auntie could speak, Lin Xu's voice came over. "Mom, don't disturb her while she's eating. If you're finished, could you go help me tidy up the apartment a bit? I rented a place yesterday and haven't even bought bedding yet..."
After saying this, Lin Xu placed a set of keys with an access card in front of Chen Meijuan.
Shen Jiayue, who was enthusiastically gnawing on a chicken foot with both hands, froze.
Mom? This pretty auntie is Lin Xu's mother? Just yesterday, Lin Xu watched me from head to toe while I was eating chicken feet. I can't believe that today, while my hands are greasy and I'm lost in enjoyment, I get caught... caught red-handed by my potential mother-in-law! BOO HOO HOO, I'm so embarrassed I could die!