Shen Mu Ning packed her things away, washed off her makeup, and changed into a cotton shirt. She glanced at her watch; it was almost midnight. No wonder she was a little hungry. She gently rubbed her stomach, deciding to eat first before buying supplies for the rural area.

Full of anticipation for the dishes at the state-run restaurant, Shen Mu Ning rode her bicycle at breakneck speed.

Before the apocalypse, Shen Mu Ning came from a well-off family and had never tasted any particularly delicious or authentic dishes. She often ate at small restaurants, which were only slightly better than what she cooked at home. The apocalypse made things even worse. After struggling in the apocalypse for several years, although she was capable, the environment around her was terrible. No one put much effort into feeding her; just being able to fill her stomach was considered a blessing.

She didn't put her bicycle into her spatial storage until they were almost at the state-run restaurant. She was holding a cotton bag in her hand, which the original owner used to carry books. She was carrying money and a lunchbox.

As soon as Shen Mu Ning entered the restaurant, she saw a line of people waiting obediently at the window. There was a small blackboard on the right wall, which listed today's menu. The main dishes included rice, steamed buns, dumplings, noodles, and dumplings, while the side dishes included braised pork, steamed fish, eggplant with garlic sauce, braised pig's trotters, and stir-fried vegetables.

After looking at the menu, Shen Mu Ning decided to try the braised pork. Hai Shi is the birthplace of braised pork, and rich, dark sauce is a specialty of Hai Shi. She had never eaten authentic braised pork in her previous life, so she wondered what the braised pork cooked by the master chef of this state-run restaurant would taste like.

Shen Mu Ning stood at the very end of the line, watching as the various dishes ordered by the people in front of her were handed out from the window. She didn't show it on her face, but in her heart she kept urging them: Hurry up, why are the people in front of me so slow? What if there's no braised pork left by the time it's my turn? You know, even the dishes in state-run restaurants are rationed.

Finally, everyone in front of her had ordered, and it was Shen Mu Ning's turn. After the person in front of her had ordered, she took a big step forward and said eagerly, "Sister, I want two liang of rice and a serving of braised pork."

The waitress standing at the window was getting impatient from standing for so long and urging the food to arrive, but when a young girl with a clear voice and pretty face called her "sister," her legs and back pain instantly disappeared, and she perked up.

"Oh dear, my son is already in junior high school, why are you still calling me 'sister'? Young lady, your meal costs one dollar and twenty cents, plus two ounces of grain coupons and half a pound of meat coupons." Who wouldn't want to be called younger? The waiter's voice instantly became incredibly gentle.

Shen Mu Ning thought to herself, "This food is so cheap! I suddenly feel so rich." While thinking this, she pulled out a voucher and handed it to her, saying, "Sister, you already have a child? You look so young!"

Shen Mu Ning's words weren't meant to flatter the waitress, but rather to point out that the waitress was indeed living a comfortable life. It was obvious she hadn't done any heavy work, and eating well in a state-run restaurant made her look younger. Moreover, her mindset hadn't changed. People married young back then, and it was perfectly normal to be a grandmother in your thirties or forties. She still felt that someone more than twenty years older than her should be called "auntie."

Soon, Shen Mu Ning's food was ready. Because she was sweet-talking, the waiter even scooped a spoonful of the chef's own side dish next to her rice bowl.

After thanking her, Shen Mu Ning sat down with the braised pork. The pork was golden brown and glistening with oil. She picked up a piece and put it in her mouth; it melted in her mouth, rich but not greasy, with a fresh and delicious flavor—absolutely delicious! She was instantly captivated. She wouldn't be able to eat such delicious braised pork after going to the countryside. No, she had to take advantage of the time she wasn't going to the countryside to pack more food from the state-run restaurants. Even though she could cook, she only knew simple home-style dishes; she couldn't possibly make something this delicious. She needed to bring more to the countryside to satisfy her cravings.

Shen Mu Ning finished her meal in a flash, and with her sweet talk, she managed to get the waiter to pack several more portions for her. However, due to the limited supply of raw materials for the state-run restaurant, she couldn't buy much and had to leave with regret.