Chapter 38 The First Day of Opening

Chapter 38 The First Day of Opening

Just as the fifth watch clapper had been struck, the sky was still dim and not yet bright. Outside the alley of Willow East Lane, the calls of various vendors selling breakfast and tea could already be heard through the walls:

"Rice, millet, and cowpeas, sugar buns, meat buns, and pea buns here!"

"Thin porridge made from white flour, paired with half a cucumber dipped in sauce, it's delicious—"

The liveliness carried by the morning breeze made the steam rising from the Shen family kitchen seem to rush out of the chimney. Amidst this vibrant atmosphere, Shen Miao calmly closed the last layer of the bamboo steamer.

On the thick table behind her, a lot of prepared dough was already covered with a damp cloth, waiting to rise.

In the corner, the ceramic broth bucket quietly emitted the warm aroma of mutton soup. A large mutton bone had been simmering in the soup overnight until morning, serving as the base for the broth. The mutton had also been cut into large chunks and added to the stew, but in just a few moments, as the meat became tender and its essence gradually melted into the soup, the broth would thicken and turn milky white, exuding a rich fragrance.

This mutton soup, made with real ingredients, could serve as the base for mutton noodles or be ordered as a soup on its own. Although pork bone broth was also prepared, the mutton soup was Shen Miao's main focus for the day—she had woken up early and immediately put on her clothes to check on the soup in the kitchen.

Fortunately, everything was going smoothly. She scooped out a spoonful to taste, and the soup was smooth but not greasy, leaving a warm and fresh sensation in her stomach as if a small flame had been lit within.

The buns and steamed buns that needed to be sold for breakfast had also been prepared the night before. After steaming them early in the morning, Shen Miao found herself with some free time, so she also fried some griddle cakes and layered pancakes.

However, she had already planned not to rush in the morning. The breakfast menu would mainly consist of mutton soup and these simple buns and steamed buns. After the breakfast period was over, she would slowly prepare the noodles and side dishes needed for lunch and dinner. Now that she didn't have to rush to the morning market on Golden Beam Bridge, even though she was selling more varieties, Shen Miao felt more at ease.

She planned to open the shop at 7 a.m., selling a wave of breakfast first. Lunch was not the main meal for people in the Song Dynasty, so she expected fewer customers and could prepare less, allowing her to rest. In the evening, she planned to stay open later because the night market in Bianjing was bustling, and the flow of people at night was no less than during the day. It was common for people to grab a hot midnight snack while out shopping.

As for the noodles sold in the shop, Shen Miao planned to focus on her "fried instant noodles" and the popular fried sauce noodles that had been well-received during the trial operation. She also added a few famous and delicious Henan specialties from later generations: "muddled noodles," "steamed noodles," and "stewed noodles"—she was quite cunning, intending to conquer the ancient people of Henan in the Song Dynasty with these timeless classic dishes.

However, Shen Miao didn't dare to be overconfident and only planned to try selling these few items for a few days, then slowly introduce new items based on the situation.

After the buns and steamed buns for breakfast were ready, Shen Miao moved two layers of the bamboo steamer to the small cart outside. The cart had already been preheated with a charcoal stove. Xiang Jieer, wearing a small floral apron and holding a giant fried dough stick like a golden cudgel, nimbly climbed onto the high bamboo stool. As the breakfast vendor appointed by her elder sister, she was quite dedicated and had also gotten up early.

After sitting down, she took a bite of the fried dough stick and sipped some sweet jujube soup, then began to call out the phrases Shen Miao had taught her for several days in a childish voice to the passersby: "Good skin, good filling, everyone praises the meat buns—"

"Shen's big buns, one bun with one tael of filling, two buns can fill a bowl—"

"First bite, the skin is soft; second bite, the filling is fragrant; third bite, the mouth is full of flavor—"

"Steamed buns and mutton soup, freshly made, freshly steamed, don't miss it when you pass by—"

The child's voice was high-pitched and sweet, like the juicy loquats on the early summer branches. Especially since Xiang Jieer was chubby and adorable, she would stop to take a bite of the fried dough stick after each call, sitting there busily and diligently, which even made the matchmaker, Madam Ning, who was on her way to the Gu family to arrange a marriage, stop in her tracks.

She stepped forward and asked curiously, "What kinds of buns do you have?"

Seeing a customer, Xiang Jieer quickly swallowed what was in her mouth, tilted her head to think, and began to list the menu: "Good morning! My sister said we have char siu buns, cabbage buns, shredded radish and shrimp skin buns, sweet bean buns, brown sugar buns, and Lin'an small steamed buns! Which one would you like? I'll use this bamboo clip to pack it for you! My sister said we can't use our hands, it's cleaner and safer to eat this way!"

As she spoke, she picked up the long bamboo clip from the small jar and made a "click-clack" sound in the air.

Madam Ning didn't have any children yet, and seeing Xiang Jieer's cheerful and articulate manner, she was also delighted. After glancing at the clean and tidy cart, she found that the other bun flavors were quite common, except for one... She hesitated and asked, "What are those Lin'an small steamed buns you mentioned?"

Xiang Jieer straightened up and pointed to the small bamboo steamer on another stove, carefully lifting the lid of the top layer: "These are Lin'an small steamed buns, they're small, filled with scallion and meat, one bite each, very fragrant!" She recalled the taste from when her sister let her try it yesterday, shaking her head in admiration, "So delicious, I can eat a whole steamer by myself!"

Madam Ning waved away the steaming hot white vapor, and underneath the steamer was a layer of clean gauze. The small, neatly folded meat buns were arranged on the gauze, looking very delicate and cute. Most importantly, each small bun was plump, with the meat oil seeping through the skin, and the aroma of meat mixed with wheat filled the air.

A steamer contained eight buns, with thin skin and generous filling, and it only cost ten wen!

Madam Ning, who had become a matchmaker at a young age, earned a hefty fee for every successful marriage arrangement. In Bianjing, matchmakers and monks were professions that didn't show their wealth openly but were secretly very lucrative. However, being a matchmaker not only required family tradition and a sharp tongue but also extensive connections and the ability to get along with everyone, making it not a job for ordinary people.

The well-off Madam Ning didn't hesitate at all, her throat moving: "Then I'll take a steamer! And a whole red bean baked bun."

"The small steamed buns are ten wen per steamer, the red bean baked bun is eight wen..." Xiang Jieer suddenly got stuck, counting on her fingers over and over, but couldn't figure out what "ten plus eight" equaled. Fortunately, Shen Ji, who had just finished helping Shen Miao carry water, heard her inside and quickly came out to help her out.

Shen Ji gently flicked her forehead and smiled at Madam Ning, "That’ll be eighteen wen."

Xiang Jieer stuck out her tongue, handed the giant fried dough twist to her brother for safekeeping, and eagerly grabbed the bamboo tongs. She carefully packed the Lin'an-style mini buns Madam Ning wanted into a folded oil paper bag, took the money, and handed it over with both hands. She even mimicked Shen Miao's demeanor and tone, curving her eyes into a professional smile, "Here are your buns, Auntie. If they taste good, please come again!"

When Madam Ning took it, she touched her face in disbelief: Was she already being called "Auntie" by a child? But soon, the aroma from the buns stole her thoughts. She walked to the willow tree at the entrance of the alley, turned her back, and took a bite of a small steamed bun.

The bun was soft yet chewy, with some parts soaked in meat oil. One bite revealed soft dough mixed with savory meat, and the rich broth flooded her taste buds. The wrapper was thin, and the filling was ample! And it wasn't greasy at all. Instead, each bite brought a delightful surprise, filling Madam Ning's throat with fragrance.

She couldn’t resist eating more. She hadn’t expected this new soup and noodle shop to make such delicious meat buns.

She polished off the entire basket. Though her stomach was full, she still wanted more.

Glancing at the still-closed Gu family home in Willow East Alley, Madam Ning turned her head to ponder the sky for a moment. Finally, she happily gave in to her craving and stepped into the Shen's Soup and Noodle Shop. Before entering, she turned back to Xiang Jieer and said, "Get me another half basket of mini buns."

After giving the order, she found a table and sat down, looking around. The shop was tidy, with neatly arranged tables and chairs, and the floor was spotless. She nodded approvingly and turned to see the menu on the wall. At the top was a bold line of characters: "Shen's Soup and Noodle Shop Menu." Below it were two columns of smaller characters, each accompanied by a small, lifelike illustration of the dish, followed by the price.

This shop had some thoughtful details.

Madam Ning was well-traveled. She had arranged matches for many nobles and officials. To avoid being looked down upon by the elite, she had studied with a tutor for several years, learning to read and gaining some knowledge. However, she had no talent for poetry, calligraphy, or painting. After a few years of study, she was no longer illiterate and could hold her own among the elite, so she stopped wasting money on further education.

She scanned the menu, her eyes stopping on the line that read, "Stewed Lamb Soup, thirty wen per bowl."

The illustration for the lamb soup was also enticing. The creamy, milky broth was dotted with meat and scallions, served in a large celadon bowl with a wave pattern, with wisps of steam rising. Though not a fine brushwork painting, it had a childlike charm.

She was a great lover of lamb, whether fried, roasted, stewed, or boiled. Whenever she saw lamb, she couldn't resist. Thirty wen a bowl was a fair price for lamb soup, so she called out toward the half-drawn coarse cloth curtain, where she could vaguely see people bustling in the kitchen, "I’ll have a bowl of lamb soup!"

While waiting, she examined the two pieces of calligraphy on the opposite wall. Her eyes lit up, and she studied them intently for a while.

Shen Miao hadn’t expected a customer this early. She responded, and since everything was ready, she ladled a bowl of soup from the earthenware pot. Xiang Jieer, with her short legs, carried a small vine-woven bowl lined with oil paper, bringing Madam Ning half a basket of four small steamed buns.

Shen Miao placed the hot lamb soup sprinkled with scallions in front of Madam Ning and smiled, "Here’s your order. Enjoy your meal."

"Wait a moment, shopkeeper," Madam Ning pointed to the two pieces of calligraphy on the wall and asked curiously, "These two pieces are signed by... Xie Jiu? Who is this Xie Jiu? His brushwork has the style of a master."

Shen Miao looked up. They were the two pieces of calligraphy that Yan Shu had delivered last night, written by Xie Qi. The two pieces were mounted on plain silk scrolls with subtle patterns. From a distance, they appeared unadorned, but upon closer inspection, one could see the flowing and restrained embellishments beneath the ink. One piece read, "Three meals warm with the hearth, all seasons peaceful." The other read, "Spring births, summer grows, autumn harvests, winter stores, nourishing in harmony with the seasons."

She wondered if Xie Ninth Geer had seen the small wooden board at her backyard gate that read, "Autumn peace, winter joy." The two pieces he sent not only fit the setting of a food shop but also subtly aligned with her ideals.

She had no grand ambitions. The life she wanted was simply for her family to live in the warmth of "three meals with the hearth" and to "nourish in harmony with the seasons."

Not to mention that Xie Ninth Geer's calligraphy was excellent, but these two phrases alone were enough to make Shen Miao smile with understanding.

Therefore, she had eagerly hung them up that very night. At the time, she stood beneath the calligraphy, quietly admiring it for a long time. In the kitchen, the lamb soup was simmering, wrapping her in warm, fragrant smoke. Under the lamp, in the closed and empty shop, Ji Geer was shaking his head while reciting his lessons, and Xiang Jieer was holding the puppy, squeezing its thick little paws to make it stand on its hind legs, attempting to dance with the dog.

She looked at them, then at the calligraphy, and her heart felt like a quietly burning ember, enveloped in the warmth of the hearth.

It was remarkable that someone could see through a person's thoughts with such a light and casual connection.

She found it quite marvelous.

Shen Miao couldn't help but think of the hand that had gently brushed her shoulder under the crabapple tree at the entrance of the Imperial Academy. It was long, clean, and evenly jointed. She suddenly felt it was truly magical—such a soft, gentle, and polite person could have such sharp eyes that could see through people's hearts.

So, facing Madam Ning's curious and probing gaze, Shen Miao recalled Xie Qi's words at the Imperial Academy entrance and smiled, "It's the work of a friend of mine. He doesn't like fame, so I won't say more."

"Ah, I see. Scholars often have a penchant for seclusion. That's understandable," Madam Ning chuckled, letting the topic drop.

Shen Miao told her to enjoy her meal and returned to the kitchen to pull noodles.

Madam Ning watched her tall and slender figure thoughtfully. The owner of this soup and noodle shop was clearly someone special.

The Song Dynasty was a time of cultural prosperity, and it placed great emphasis on poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Some calligraphy lovers would go to great lengths, even offering a thousand gold pieces for a single character. Some eateries even became famous simply because a poet had inscribed a poem on their walls, attracting daily customers regardless of the quality of their food.

The calligraphy in this noodle shop wasn’t worth a fortune, but it was still quite astonishing for such an unassuming neighborhood shop to have such exquisite calligraphy and paintings adorning its walls.

Maybe this little Shen's Noodle Shop had powerful patrons.

Madam Ning rubbed her chin and figured as much.

Shen Miao didn’t realize her offhand comment had piqued Madam Ning’s interest and even sparked an idea in her mind—she knew that Madam Shen had been divorced by her husband. Being the top matchmaker near Jinliang Bridge, she was well-informed about who was single, who was married, and who had separated. If she could set Madam Shen up with a good match, wouldn’t that also allow her to connect with the influential figures behind her? Perhaps she could earn several strings of matchmaking money...

Lost in thought, Madam Ning took a sip of the lamb soup.

As soon as it touched her tongue, all her wild speculations were forgotten. The rich, savory flavor exploded in her mouth, dispelling the morning chill. A few more sips in, the tender meat and broth melded perfectly, warming her entire body.

Madam Ning's eyes lit up: Now that’s a great bowl of soup!

Originally, she hadn’t held much hope for such a small shop. Lamb was a Bianjing favorite, but good lamb soup was hard to find. Even Madam Ning, a lamb lover, often complained about the greasy, gamey broth and chewy meat. After one too many bad bowls of lamb soup, she once splurged on a bowl at Fanlou. The lamb soup there was heavenly, but it cost 180 coins! For a tiny bowl!

Sometimes Madam Ning joked that Fanlou might as well have robbed her, but instead, they served her a bowl of lamb soup—almost a kindness.

But this little shop served up a delicious lamb soup for just 30 coins! What a bargain!

What’s more, this soup stood out from the rest. It skipped the usual spices like Sichuan pepper or star anise, seemingly relying only on scallions, ginger, and salt, simmered over a gentle flame. The result was a clean, fresh flavor. Madam Ning sipped blissfully, pairing it with a meat bun, her eyes closing in delight.

Halfway through the soup, she tasted a piece of the lamb, and it didn’t disappoint—tender and fragrant, with no trace of gaminess.

After finishing, she was thoroughly satisfied. She stood up to pay the bill and couldn’t resist complimenting Shen Miao, who was clearing the table: "Madam, you’ve got serious skills. This lamb soup rivals Fanlou’s, but it’s way cheaper. I’ll definitely come back for more."

Shen Miao didn’t feign modesty but smiled openly: "Thank you. Feel free to come back anytime."

She’d poured a lot of work into this deceptively simple soup, and it deserved the praise.

Although lamb was expensive, the people of Bianjing loved it. Running a shop wasn’t like setting up a stall—it needed a range of prices. Shen's Noodle Shop was located in the inner city, in a decent area near bustling places like the Great Xiangguo Temple and Maxing Street. After some thought, Shen Miao added lamb soup and noodles, pricing them as her premium dishes.

To perfect the lamb soup, Shen Miao had scoured lamb stalls both inside and outside Bianjing, familiarizing herself with the sources and quality of lamb in the Song Dynasty. Most of the lamb in Bianjing came from a few key places: first, the Yanchi Tan sheep from Xingqing Prefecture (Ningxia), famous for their lack of gaminess and tender, bright red meat, which was delicious no matter how it was cooked—boiled, stewed, roasted, or fried. However, due to the distance, transporting these sheep to Bianjing and slaughtering them there made them quite expensive. Second, the lamb from Qinzhou in Longyou, where the sheep grazed on lush pastures and medicinal herbs, giving their meat a subtle herbal aroma, making it perfect for braised lamb dishes. Third, the Hengshan lamb from Yongxingjunlu (Shaanxi), which grazed on fields of sand leeks and thyme, resulting in fragrant, chewy, and lean meat ideal for stewing.

After extensive comparison, Shen Miao signed a long-term supply contract with a stall owner outside the city who specialized in Hengshan lamb. First, Hengshan lamb was cheaper than the other two types. Second, it was perfect for stewing. Third, after visiting many stalls, only this one, which sounded like a blacksmith’s shop—"Big Hammer Hengshan Lamb Stall"—was willing to negotiate, finally agreeing to sell her lamb at 88 coins per pound, including two bones.

With the lamb secured, Shen Miao would first remove the meat and use the bones to make the broth the night before. Early the next morning, she would cut the lamb into large chunks, blanch them, and then stir-fry them in hot oil to render out excess fat. She would then splash in some wine, add scallions and ginger, and continue stir-frying until the aromas were fully released.

This process ensured that the soup wouldn’t be greasy, and the rendered fat would enhance the flavor.

Finally, she would boil the stir-fried lamb in the bone broth over high heat, skim off the foam, and then simmer it gently until the broth turned milky white.

Today’s lamb soup was made from Hengshan lamb, which had grazed on sand leeks and other aromatic herbs. However, Shen Miao didn’t dare to make too much, preparing only one pot for fear of leftovers. If the lamb went unsold, she, Ji Geer, and Xiang Jieer might end up eating it until their noses bled.

Later, she sold seven or eight bowls of fried sauce noodles, and then things quieted down.

Early in the morning, there weren’t many customers for noodles.

Instead, Xiang Jieer’s little stall outside was bustling. Some were regular customers from Jinliang Bridge who came to buy red bean buns; others were passersby drawn by the aroma, grabbing a few meat buns before hurrying off; and some were neighbors who, seeing the little girl sitting seriously behind her stall, busy and cheerful, stopped by to chat and buy a few buns.

Ji Geer occasionally went out to help Xiang Jieer with the accounts and collect money, then came back to help Shen Miao wash dishes. Afterward, he would grab a broom and cloth to wipe tables and sweep the floor. Shen Miao considered herself quite clean, but Ji Geer’s cleanliness seemed even more extreme.

Since the results from the Imperial Academy hadn’t been announced yet, Ji Geer spent most of his time helping out in the shop when he wasn’t practicing calligraphy or studying. While Shen Miao prepared noodles and ingredients, he took care of all the chores—carrying water, sweeping, washing dishes, sorting ingredients—keeping himself as busy as a spinning top.

Shen Miao couldn’t send him away, so she worked alongside him. As she turned the washed dishes upside down to dry, she recalled last night’s trial run, where she had sold over forty bowls of noodles. After closing, she and Ji Geer had washed an endless pile of dishes, pots, and pans. She had told Ji Geer to take a break, but the boy had ignored her, stubbornly continuing to work, his hands red from soaking too long in the soapy water.

Looking at today’s situation, Shen Miao pondered. In her previous life, running a restaurant, she could use industrial dishwashers or outsource dish cleaning to professional companies. Some small shops even used disposable tableware, eliminating the need to wash dishes. But in the Song Dynasty... dishwashing had become a major issue.

Whether Ji Geer could get into Piyong Academy or not, even if he didn’t, she planned to send him to study with a reputable teacher. Even in families where children didn’t study, they wouldn’t treat such a young child like a donkey for grinding.

Perhaps she should hire a handyman.

She remembered that during the busiest seasons of brewing in spring and autumn, Aunt Gu would go to the "Xing Lao," a place that connected employers with laborers, to hire temporary workers. They typically paid around ninety to one hundred wen per day for help; there were also idlers gathered at places like the teahouse near the bridge market, waiting for employers to pick them for labor. But these people were mostly "temporary workers" who might leave at the slightest disagreement, not a good choice.

It was still early, and no customers had come for noodles yet. Shen Miao told Ji Geer and Xiang Jieer, "Once you’ve sold all the buns, push the cart back to the backyard. I’m heading to Aunt Gu’s house. Keep an eye on things; I’ll be back soon."

The two were busy packing buns for customers and replied without turning their heads, "Got it!"

Shen Miao decided to go to Aunt Gu’s house to ask about hiring help through the "Xing Lao," to avoid being swindled by those smooth-talking middlemen. But when she reached the backyard of Aunt Gu's house, she heard a quarrel inside and stopped in her tracks.

She faintly heard Aunt Gu scolding Gu Tusu, "How old are you, still not married? Do you want your father’s lineage to end with you? The eldest son of the Liu family next door, who runs the tofu shop, is the same age as you, and his son is already as tall as a table! What on earth are you thinking?"

Gu Tusu remained silent. In the dead silence, another woman's voice said, "Alright, alright, since your family hasn't reached an agreement yet, let's invite me next time. A forced marriage isn’t happy. The girls I've found are all good girls, and their families value them too, they wouldn't want to marry carelessly. Aunt Gu, just consider this trip a waste for me, I'm leaving."

Shen Miao quickly gathered her skirt and ran home, lest Aunt Gu think she was eavesdropping.

But as she turned around, she was so startled her heart nearly leaped out of her chest—Aunt Li had somehow appeared behind her like a shadow, also craning her neck to listen with great interest. Seeing Shen Miao suddenly turn around, she put her finger to her lips, her eyes shining as she shushed, "Don't shout, let's listen some more."

After a pause, she confidently added, "I saw matchmaker Ning enter the Gu family’s door from a distance, so I knew something was up, and sure enough! Don't worry, that matchmaker Ning is a distinguished guest, the Gu family will definitely send her out through the front door, not the back door."

Shen Miao was nearly in tears; she really hadn’t meant to eavesdrop! Now she’d become Aunt Li’s accomplice!

She awkwardly waved and quickly slipped back to her house across the street.

But it was a good thing she returned, as the shop had suddenly filled with more than a dozen people. They all wore Fan Yang hats, with waistbands tied around their middles, dressed in narrow-sleeved short jackets, and carrying long sticks, quivers, or big knives on their backs—they were Garrison Troops!

Under the hats, they all looked fierce, some with scars on their faces.

Ji Geer and Xiang Jieer had just finished selling breakfast and pushed the cart back to the backyard when these people rushed in. The two children were so frightened their faces turned pale, and they were frantically looking for her! She peeked through the curtain and swiftly hid them in the room, then brought Thunder to guard the door, "Don't come out, I'll go see, it's fine."

Xiang Jieer fearfully hugged Thunder's neck, pulling her sleeve, "Be careful, sister."

But Ji Geer's face darkened, showing the same fierceness he had when he heard she was bullied by the Rong family. He rolled up his sleeves and said seriously, "Sister, if anything happens, just shout, I'll go to the kitchen and get a knife, I'll fight them if I have to!"

"No need, no need, we haven't done anything wrong, just stay calm!"

She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and lifted the curtain to enter the shop, "Good morning, sirs, what's the matter?"

She had only been open for a day, surely she hadn't done anything wrong? She quickly ran through all the food she had sold yesterday and this morning in her mind, thinking, could someone have gotten sick and reported it? But her ingredients were very fresh, and she was very careful about hygiene, she even had several cloths for cleaning, never mixing them up. Besides, she and her family also ate the food she cooked, how could there be a problem?

After quickly thinking through the worst scenarios, Shen Miao remained calm on the surface but was nervous inside.

At this moment, the middle-aged man sitting in the center, surrounded by other Garrison Troops, spoke in a deep voice, "Are you Madam Shen?"

"Yes," Shen Miao instinctively straightened her back, not wanting to show weakness.

The middle-aged man looked up at her, silently scrutinizing her. His face was weathered, not only serious but also with sharp eagle eyes that added pressure. He looked at Shen Miao for a while, then turned his eyes to glance at the menu on the wall, took the knife from his waist, and placed it on the table, saying:

"Bring twelve bowls of that... fried instant soup noodles."

Shen Miao was so nervous that she didn't hear clearly and instinctively said, "Huh?"

"What 'huh'? The boy said the address was here, I've walked all over East Willow Lane, and only your family is surnamed Shen. Your shop closed too early yesterday, I came for nothing. Hurry up, twelve bowls of instant soup noodles, the kind that you just pour hot water on and it's ready to eat." A younger Garrison Troop member gestured excitedly to the middle-aged man, "Just bring the dry noodles and hot water, we'll do the rest ourselves!"

Then, he turned to the middle-aged man to claim credit, "Coach, since you have time, I've seen how the boy eats it, I'll make it for you! It's so much fun, like a magic trick. In the blink of an eye, it becomes a bowl of thick soup noodles."

The other Garrison Troops burst into laughter, "Look at how this kid craves it, he's been talking about it for so long, our ears are about to grow calluses from hearing it. Madam Shen, hurry up and make it, or the drool from this kid will flood your shop."

The young Garrison Troops soldier blushed and scratched his head.

The middle-aged man they called the instructor finally curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a hint of a smile.

"Got it. I'll bring it right away," Shen Miao exhaled deeply, patting her chest as she turned around. She had been so frightened!

The hot water was ready, and the instant noodles were pre-cooked. She grabbed a handful of oven-dried vegetables, sliced some marinated meat and eggs, divided them into twelve portions, and took several trips to serve everyone.

Seeing the young Garrison Troops soldier eagerly pouring hot water for his colleagues to demonstrate the "magic trick," Shen Miao quietly slipped back to the backyard from the kitchen. She pushed open the door to the room where Ji Geer and Xiang Jieer were hiding and saw Ji Geer gripping a kitchen knife like he was ready for battle. She couldn't help but find it amusing. "Ji Geer, what did you say to those patrolling Garrison Troops when you went for the exam?"

Ji Geer, still holding the knife, was momentarily stunned. "Not much. They asked me where I bought the noodles, so I told them to come to our house to buy them."

Shen Miao silently gave him a thumbs-up.

That was some bold advertising—it nearly scared her soul out of her body.

She returned to the shop, where the tall and sturdy Garrison Troops had already finished preparing their noodles and were slurping them up. The entire noodle shop had turned into a sea of savory instant noodles, and the aroma made her a little hungry.

She stepped outside the shop to get some fresh air when suddenly she heard a commotion not far away at the entrance of another eatery with a sign that read "Deng Wu's Fresh Fish Soup." A simply dressed woman in her fifties was tightly holding the hand of a tall, sturdy girl who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old. The girl was being forcefully pushed out by a waiter from the eatery, who waved his arms dismissively, as if shooing away pests.

"Are you here to mock us? Your daughter is clearly a fool, not even as sharp as a three-year-old. How dare you come here looking for work? Get out! Get out! Don't come back again! Go away! What a bad omen first thing in the morning—don't ruin our business!"

The woman's eyes turned red with anger, and tears welled up in her tired, sagging eyes. But in the end, she said nothing. She just grabbed her daughter, who looked dazed and unaware of what was happening, and turned to leave, biting back her anger.

The mother and daughter walked heavily, the mother dragging her daughter, who was a head taller than her, past Shen Miao's shop with their heads hung low.

As they passed by, Shen Miao caught a glimpse of the pair.

With just one look, her heart felt as if it had been gripped by someone.

The mother and daughter were both dressed simply, in coarse brown short jackets and matching narrow-legged pants. The woman looked much older than her actual age, thin and slightly hunched from overwork. Yet, she had raised her daughter to be tall, strong, and healthy-looking, with a rosy complexion. However, the girl's appearance was somewhat unusual—she had wide-set eyes, a flat nose, and a blank stare. She kept unconsciously opening her mouth slightly, trying to speak, but only managing to produce short, indistinct sounds.

"Ma... Ma..."

Shen Miao heard her struggling to make the sound, calling for her mother.

The woman, who had been holding back her tears for so long, finally let them fall.