“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll remember,” Xu Gang said, guiding the customer back to his seat with a polite smile.
He then turned to the waiter:
“Go to the kitchen and have them make a scrambled egg dish as compensation for the customer.”
“Yes, master! I’ll go right away.”
The drunkard, seeing how considerate the shop owner was, felt very satisfied. Not only would he get the new dish at half price in two days, but today he even received a free plate of scrambled eggs. He didn’t argue further and continued eating and drinking contentedly.
Seeing the crisis resolved, Xu Gang finally relaxed.
At the same time, he felt a little regret—he hadn’t asked where Miss Shen lived. Otherwise, he could have sent someone to fetch her, and the new dish could have been introduced tomorrow. Now, he had no choice but to wait for her to come by herself.
Sigh—he really hadn’t expected the duck dish to be so popular.
After arranging everything at the eatery, Xu Gang returned to the inner courtyard and happened to see his daughter just finishing her duck.
The little girl ran to him, hugging his neck and praising him:
“Daddy, the duck you made is so delicious! It smells so good!”
His doting display made Shiniang (his wife) giggle, covering her mouth with a handkerchief.
Xu Gang cheerfully explained to Xu Chuyao:
“Yao Yao, that delicious duck wasn’t made by Daddy—it was made by a young lady.”
Xu Chuyao couldn’t understand. In her mind, Daddy’s cooking was the best. How could anyone cook better than Daddy? She didn’t believe it!
Seeing her pouting, Shiniang quickly got up to comfort her:
“Yao Yao, you must understand—there are always people better than us. Miss Shen will come in two days. I’ll take you to sneak a peek, okay?”
Xu Chuyao’s eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly. She wanted to see for herself who could cook better than her daddy. Hmm, she wasn’t greedy at all!
The next day, Shen Youyou went to Mo Yan’s house to find him.
After sending the two younger children home for breakfast, she said:
“Mo Yan, we need to go to Xu Family Eatery tomorrow. I guarantee the duck will be a huge hit. When we go, we should bring some for sale. So today, can you go up the mountain and catch a few more ducks?”
After saying this, she immediately felt that she might be asking too much—he had already caught animals for their own household, and now she was asking him to catch them for sale!
Quickly, she added:
“Mo Yan, I think you’re skilled. How about we go into business together? Normally, Tuanzi and Yuanzu can stay with my mother. You and I can run the business, and we split the profits.
You know, I’m a woman—sometimes I lack the strength, and it’s not safe for me to go out alone. My father’s leg is injured, and my younger brother is still small.
You’re the first person I’ve met since I became aware again, and I trust your character. You seem reliable. Will you partner with me?”
Shen Youyou’s heart raced—she didn’t know if Mo Yan would agree.
She didn’t know his past and didn’t want to pry.
She only judged by the days they had spent together—he was trustworthy, and having him as an assistant would make the business much easier. He could handle heavy work and act as a bodyguard. He was her best option right now.
Mo Yan, hearing her words, quietly exhaled in relief.
She had spoken so earnestly; at first, he even thought she was confessing her feelings.
Really? She wasn’t falling for him—she just wanted him to help with money? Back in the capital, many noblewomen had been enamored with him, but here, she only wanted a business partner?
Well, fine. If she did fall for him, he’d have to figure out how to refuse. But now wasn’t the time for romance.
Seeing Shen Youyou waiting for a reply, he finally came back to reality. Looking into her clear eyes and seeing no hint of embarrassment, he realized he had overthought things.
He quickly replied:
“Alright, we’ll partner up. You don’t have to split all the profits—two parts out of ten for me will do. And just make sure we have three meals a day taken care of.”
Shen Youyou was overjoyed.
“Deal!” she said brightly.
She then extended her hand, intending to high-five Mo Yan.
Mo Yan was confused, unsure of what she meant. Shen Youyou didn’t bother explaining—she just took his hand, tapped it once, and let go.
“Let’s go have breakfast at my place. Then we’ll head up the mountain together.”
“You’re coming too?” Mo Yan asked in surprise.
“Yes, why not? Can’t you protect me?”
Shen Youyou raised her brows, incredulous—she had just praised his martial arts skills in her heart.
Mo Yan, prompted by her words and expression, hurriedly denied:
“Impossible! Back in the capital, I was unbeatable—I could definitely protect you!”
Shen Youyou was surprised—so he was from the capital! No wonder he looked so fair-skinned, unlike the healthy wheat-colored youths in their village. He must be some young master who had somehow ended up in this remote mountain village.
Shen Youyou shook her head with a smile and walked ahead toward her home. Mo Yan scratched his head, following her. He realized he had accidentally revealed too much information earlier.
Seeing that she didn’t pry, he finally relaxed.
After breakfast, the two of them went together to the stream on the mountain to catch wild ducks.
Meanwhile, Shen Nan took Tuanzi to catch grasshoppers outside. Seeing the chicks eating happily, they were overjoyed and worked with even more enthusiasm.
Shen Fu felt guilty, saying:
“It’s all because of my bad leg. Otherwise, I could have helped, and our daughter wouldn’t have to endure the hardship herself.”
Li Shi, brushing little Yuanzu’s hair, comforted him:
“Just focus on recovering. Once you’re better, there’ll be plenty of ways to help.”
Yuanzu blinked and said:
“Yes, Grandfather. Listen to Grandma! Once you’re healed, come with me to catch bugs for the chicks!”
“Ha ha, alright! Once I’m better, I’ll go with you,” Shen He said, amused by the child’s innocent words.
Seeing everyone working together for the family, he, as the head of the household, felt he couldn’t just sit and enjoy life.