Chapter 377 Zha Jiang Mian (noodles with soybean paste)
Yan Wu stood there, stunned, without answering the old man's question.
The old man looked at him curiously, then suddenly seemed to realize something and sighed, "Oh, I know, young man, please have a seat!"
Today I'm treating you to Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste)! Eat as much as you want, it's all you can eat!
Just as Yan Wu was about to refuse, the old man pushed her to sit on a table in the shop.
Watching the old man busily cooking noodles and stir-frying sauce, his familiar movements instantly brought Yan Wu back to the past...
The first time he ate noodles at this small shop was when Li Qin brought him here.
At that time, only formal state-run restaurants were actually in the food business; basically, no other places dared to do business there.
The old man was getting on in years and had no relatives around, so he opened a small noodle shop with only two tables in this quiet alley.
Since everyone in the neighborhood knows each other and they are all easy to talk to, nothing happened.
Every now and then, some neighbors would come to his little shop to eat a couple of bowls of noodles and support his business.
Li Qin had been wandering the streets and alleys since she was a child. After accidentally discovering this small shop, she took a liking to it.
After getting to know Yan Wu, I took him to this small noodle shop.
Back then, they had no worries. The only thing they worried about every day was what to eat for dinner.
They are happiest whenever they come to the old man's place.
Because there's basically no one else here but them, they can joke around to their heart's content.
Sometimes the old man would join them and tell them some very funny stories.
As Yan Wu was vaguely thinking about the past, the old man placed a large bowl of noodles in front of him.
"What are you thinking about! The noodles are ready, eat up!"
Yan Wu snapped out of her daze, picked up a pair of chopsticks, and began to eat.
The moment it enters your mouth, the familiar taste comes through your taste buds.
"Grandpa, your cooking is still as good as ever!"
The old man sat next to Yan Wu, watching him eat with a smile. "Hmph, putting everything else aside, this old man's cooking skills are impeccable!"
Yan Wu nodded and began to eat heartily.
Watching him eat so heartily, a hint of emotion flashed in the old man's eyes. "Eat! Eat more, you might not be able to eat like this again..."
Yan Wu was so shocked by those words that he choked on a mouthful of noodles. He coughed violently a few times, "Wh...what? Sir, what do you mean by this?"
The old man sighed, "You can tell from my age. I'm so old, how many more years can I sell noodles? It's time to close this little shop."
My son just messaged me recently, asking me to help take care of my grandson, so I thought I'd do this for the last day. Tomorrow I'll close the shop, pack my things, and go find my son.
Yan Wu looked at him in surprise, "You have a son too?"
The old man glared at him. "What are you talking about! I'm so old, how could I not have a son?"
Yan Wu smiled sheepishly, "It's just that I haven't seen your family yet!"
Also, the people around me all say you live alone, so I assumed you..."
The old man grunted twice, "It's understandable that you think that way. I have indeed lived here alone for many years."
Over the years, I haven't let them visit me; we've only kept in touch through letters.
Yan Wu looked up in surprise, "Why? Don't you want to live with your family? Aren't you lonely by yourself?"
The old man sighed, "That's a long story..."
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