Starting from a Bankrupt Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant

The little girl’s voice was soft, with a sweet, childlike lilt. Her tone held no trace of flattery, only pure praise.

The corners of Duan Yu Yan’s mouth curved up involuntarily. Ever since she’d come of age, she had heard far too many compliments from men. Praise born of a desire for her wealth or her looks rarely brought her any joy.

But the praise from this little girl was so pure and from the heart, it was impossible not to be charmed.

"Thank you. You’re very sweet, too," Duan Yu Yan said, smiling warmly at her. "What’s your name?"

She had chosen today’s beret specifically to go with her outfit. She’d bought it from a street vendor in Central; it was the cheapest accessory she owned, yet it was her favorite hat this year.

But the little girl wouldn’t care about a Gucci Bamboo bag or a Cartier watch. She just went by her feelings.

’Yes, in a way, we’re on the same wavelength.’

"Zhou Momo," the little girl said. She thought for a moment, then added, "I’m my Brother’s little sister."

Duan Yu Yan couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh. ’This little girl is too adorable! What a strange way to introduce herself!’

’So she’s his sister. No wonder she’s so adorable. She’s just so pretty.’

’Her cheeks are so chubby, I just want to give them a little squeeze!’

’But isn’t their age gap a little too wide?’

’He’s twenty, and he has a sister who’s about three?’

’She herself had two older brothers, one three years her senior and the other two. Their ages were close, so they fought constantly while growing up.’

"Have you eaten yet?" Duan Yu Yan asked with a smile.

"I’ve eaten already, Big Sister. You go ahead and eat now." Zhou Momo gave her a smile, then turned and ran back to the kitchen, where she once again sat down obediently behind the stove.

’So well-behaved! And so considerate!’

Duan Yu Yan withdrew her gaze, a smile on her face, and continued eating.

She ate rather slowly. She was already part of the second wave of customers, so by the time she put down her chopsticks, only two or three tables of guests were left in the shop.

Once Yan Fei confirmed that Miss Duan had eaten her fill, he commenced Operation Clean Plate.

’It wasn’t as hard as he’d expected.’

Miss Duan had eaten more than half of the cold-tossed chicken, leaving only five or six pieces for him.

It was the same with the braised pork ribs; only three pieces remained.

The dual-pepper minced beef was a little spicy, so there was more of that left. He mixed it with his rice and polished off two bowls.

Half of the braised pig’s head meat was still left. It was delicious, but he was too full to eat another bite. With Miss Duan’s permission, he had it packed to-go for dinner.

’He’d swing by home on the way back tonight and let his wife and kid have a taste. You couldn’t buy braised pig’s head meat this good in Jiazhou City.’

Wang had finished his meal a while ago. He was standing by the entrance, chatting with Zhou Yan, who was done with his work in the kitchen.

"I never would have guessed. It’s not just your braised meats that are excellent; your stir-fried and stewed dishes are top-notch as well." Wang’s voice was filled with undisguised admiration as he looked at Zhou Yan.

"You’re too kind, Grandmaster. I only know a few things. I still have a lot to learn," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"Well, I’ll be heading off then. Let me know when you make that braised beef, and I’ll come back for another meal." Wang gently patted Zhou Yan’s arm, glanced back at Duan Yu Yan, who had her back to the entrance, then got on his bicycle and rode away.

Zhou Yan watched him go, then turned to look at Duan Yu Yan. ’Time to figure out how to get this capitalist heiress to talk, and see if I have a shot at securing the Qiu Family’s Old Mansion.’

Duan Yu Yan got up and walked toward the entrance. Yan Fei hurriedly shoveled the last two mouthfuls of rice from his bowl and followed her up.

"Mrs. Zhao, the bill," Duan Yu Yan said as she opened her bag and took out her wallet.

"The gentleman who was just here paid for you both already," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile.

"What?" Duan Yu Yan was surprised. She took two quick steps to the doorway, but Wang was already out of sight.

Zhou Yan was also a bit surprised. Wang had already paid by the time he came out of the kitchen, so he hadn’t known.

’Her meal came to six forty! They just shared a table, and the old man secretly paid her bill?’

’That old man is too much!’

’Even with a retirement pension, he shouldn’t be throwing money around like that.’

’Then again, that’s just the kind of man he is—he follows his heart.’

He had been busy cooking in the kitchen earlier, but Zhou Yan had still pricked up his ears to listen to some of the conversation between Duan Yu Yan and Wang.

It was an exchange between intellectuals, a clash of philosophies that left him dumbfounded.

’This heiress was no airhead. Her conversation revealed a deep cultural understanding, a confidence born from her family background, and abilities honed by an elite education that set her far apart from ordinary people.’

’In the Grandmaster’s presence, the most Zhou Yan could do was ask for a book recommendation.’

But Duan Yu Yan had chatted with Wang about the Selected Works of Mao, Shakespeare, *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. They’d had a thoroughly enjoyable conversation.

’So it made sense that Wang would foot the bill.’

’A kindred spirit is a rare find in life, and Wang was clearly a man who lived freely.’

Duan Yu Yan didn’t dwell on it either. Since she knew Wang worked as a librarian in town, she could simply treat him to a meal the next time she visited Suji.

She turned to look at Zhou Yan, a slight smile on her face. "Hello, my name is Duan Yu Yan."

"Hello, I’m Zhou Yan," he replied, smiling back. ’She made the first move. I have the upper hand.’

"My grandmother is very fond of the braised beef from Zhang’s Braised Shop. I was wondering if you know how to make it? I didn’t see it on the menu," Duan Yu Yan said, getting straight to the point.

’Braised beef again? Why is everyone so fixated on the braised beef?’

Zhou Yan was a bit surprised, but when he heard it was Duan Yu Yan’s grandmother, a flash of delight appeared in his eyes.

’Mrs. Qiu loves braised beef? This is perfect! I was just wondering how I’d get an in with her, and now an opportunity has fallen right into my lap.’

"I’m still practicing my braised beef; I haven’t quite mastered the recipe yet," Zhou Yan said with a smile. "It’s very thoughtful of you to make a special trip to Suji for your grandmother. You can leave me an address, and next time my grandmother makes some braised beef—or once I master it myself—I can have it delivered to her."