At the bank, "Ah friend, have you had lunch?" Gu Mingye asked her female colleague. They were both sitting at their desk; the time was 1:58 pm.
Chen Lihua wanted to lie, but her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl. They were interns at the bank, posted here for a short-term program. They didn't earn much, but their accommodation and meals were provided by the government.
"Tsk," Gu Mingye said with a frown. "You planned to lie, but your body failed you. Come, stand up—let's eat out. Stop eating cafeteria food." She tugged Chen Lihua gently to her feet.
Blushing, Chen Lihua followed. She was tired of the repetitive cafeteria meals, but what could she do? Brought up in the countryside, her parents had always favored boys over girls. She had almost been married at fifteen to a wealthy man who would have brought a large dowry and the "four big things." But on that very day, her aunt whisked her away quietly to Yuxi to complete her high school certificate. She studied for three years, graduated, and applied for an accounting program at a prestigious university. Her aunt had supported her entirely, funding her fees when her parents refused. Believing their daughter now had money, they constantly kept pressuring her to send money back home to save for her younger brother's wedding.
When Chen Lihua came down to Yuxi for her internship, her parents tracked her down, disgracing themselves at her aunt's house and threatening her. They also went to her workplace to disgrace Chen Lihua for abandoning her parents after they struggled and worked in the farm to train her at school. After a few weeks, her aunt gave up and she stopped supporting Chen Lihua completely. The little money Chen Lihua had earned she sent home—unable to save a single coin or buy new clothes. She ate mostly cafeteria food. Although the hygiene was excellent, the meals were average and repeated constantly. Her aunt seeing she was weak against her parents, banned her from coming to her house. Today, however, she felt a spark of excitement—good food was finally within reach.
She followed Gu Mingye, surprised at the small crowd outside the lane's restaurants. On the opposite sides were two eateries, and they were about to enter the one on the left when a female colleague called out to them.
"Mingye," she said sharply, ignoring Chen Lihua. "You eat lunch here?" Her gaze swept disapprovingly to the door of Shen Anran's restaurant.
"Yes, I do," Gu Mingye replied, keeping her cool. She had no love for this colleague.
"What's so special about here? Her food is… average," the woman said bluntly. In truth, she had never ate there.
"Average?" Gu Mingye thought, astonished. This was the first time she'd heard anyone speak badly of Shen Anran's place. In over a week of the restaurant's operation, countless people had praised the food, noting its freshness, flavors, and aftertaste. Gu Mingye herself had tried Li Yichen's restaurant before, but Shen Anran's charm had hooked her completely: low prices, beautifully plated meals, and impeccable customer service. She remembered the time Shen Anran had voluntarily prepared noodles for ten people hiding from the rain—inside her stall, for free. Gu Mingye had decided then that she would keep eating here until she left Yuxi.
"Yes," the colleague continued, unaware of the crowd, "she steals menu and sells them cheap to gain customers." Unfortunately, they area of discussion themselves were busy plating and serving meals
Murmurs spread quickly outside Shen Anran's door. Passersby whispered, speculating. "I've noticed it too; she serves almost the same style of food."
"Style? The same dishes. But I've tasted them. She plates more and sells for less."
"Now I see why her food is so popular—she's trying to win hearts."
The woman who started the rumor smiled smugly. She had fallen for Li Yichen and his meals; hearing of someone else preparing similar dishes cheaply angered her. She wanted to ruin the "copycat" restaurant to catch his attention. She imagined Li Yichen as a young, scholarly man, not knowing he was still struggling to pay off his loan.
Gu Mingye frowned who would go to share the content of their menus with their competitor. She found this logic unacceptable. They two stores don't even have helpers yet. "Copycat? Stealers? Do they have time to share menus? What if he's the one copying and raising his prices so nobody suspects him?"
The colleague couldn't say more and grudgingly left, entering the opposite restaurant to sneak more glances at her crush. People took sides in the debate but ultimately chose where they preferred to eat.
Chen Lihua was amazed by Shen Anran's restaurant. The interior was neat, and a cool breeze drifted in from the fan. She showed her delight openly, impressed that the owner had invested so much in the décor. This wasn't the work of an insignificant person. How could someone like that stoop to stealing recipes?
She sat near the fan with Gu Mingye, wide-eyed. Gu Mingye, fuming slightly, realized she had forgotten to show her the menu board. "Ah, Chen Lihua, I forgot to show you the menu," she said, taking her by the hand to the board.
Menu:
Steamed buns — 0.20 yuan
Sizzling luncheon meat (with dipping sauce) — 0.50 yuan
Soy milk — 0.15 yuan
Milk tea — 0.25 yuan
Delicious snow-white rice — 0.45 yuan
Braised pork — 0.60 yuan
Egg fried rice — 0.55 yuan
Braised vegetables — 0.20 yuan
Chen Lihua's eyes widened. She bent over and whispered, "Mingye… too expensive."
"Ah, don't worry. Just eat. My parents sent me plenty of pocket money. Don't stand on ceremony. Eat well, I won't shame you," Gu Mingye reassured her softly.
Chen Lihua, feeling the warmth, cautiously ordered fried rice, braised pork, some luncheon meat, and a cup of milk tea. Water was free, which made her even happier. She collected her tray, slightly bowing to Liu Meilan. Liu Meilan smiled at the new customer and told Shen Anran, who added some small touches to her meal.
The two girls sat and ate heartily. Gu Mingye ordered a bit of everything. Chen Lihua felt fully satisfied, perhaps for the first time in a long while. They left, holding hands happily, Chen Lihua repeatedly glancing back at the restaurant.
After serving and cleaning, Liu Meilan watched her busy daughter, a pang in her heart. They had posted a notice for helpers, but that day it had been torn down—perhaps by the opposite restaurant, though Shen Anran suggested the wind might have blown it. Liu Meilan promised to paste another, but it wasn't done yet. She had mentioned needing a helper to Lin Wanru, but there had been no news.
The glass doors slid open, and Liu Meilan went to check. She saw Lin Wanru enter with a young girl of six and a teenage girl of fifteen or sixteen.
"Wanru!" Liu Meilan called excitedly, pulling out a chair for her.
"Ah, auntie, thank you," Lin Wanru said, sitting and removing her shoes. Her feet were slightly swollen because of her pregnancy. She smiled at Shen Anran, who was cleaning her hands on a towel, and waved.
After introductions, Lin Wanru presented the teenage girl as someone who would help at the stall. Her name was Zhao Qingling, and she lived very close to the market. Shen Anran instinctively sized her up, asking about her living situation and why she wanted the job.
"I want to work to save for my tuition fees," Zhao Qingling replied. "My parents agreed, and I spoke with sister Wanru, who promised to help." She spoke earnestly, determined not to miss the opportunity.
Shen Anran and her mother were pleased. Zhao Qingling had a goal in life. They explained her chores: following Shen Anran to the market for bulk purchases, washing plates, serving customers, and showing respect even to students. Her salary was set at 3 yuan after two days. She accepted and thanked them, as well as Lin Wanru.
After some small talk with Han Yao, they ate and left, leaving Shen Anran and her mother to continue their busy day.