When the little dumpling and her brother returned to the kitchen, Caiyun was anxiously shouting:
"Can the chef please serve the food faster? The customers outside are waiting for too long and are about to start making a scene."
The four chefs were tossing and stir-frying the vegetables, feeling bitter as they listened to the proprietress's urging.
Today is the first day after the Lantern Festival, and everyone is out eating to celebrate.
Since the restaurant opened, the dishes have been served non-stop, and now the four chefs are so tired that their arms are aching.
Caiyun saw that the chefs' foreheads were covered in sweat, and knew that they were extremely busy.
"I know everyone has worked hard today, but the customers were really pushing us, some even slammed their fists on the table."
"Everyone hurry up with your work. After we close, I'll give everyone a big red envelope."
Although Caiyun's voice softened, her anxiety was still palpable.
"Boss lady, it's not that we're being fussy, it's just that we don't have enough staff. We still have more than a dozen tables of food to cook."
The chef's voice became hoarse from the fumes.
Seeing the four chefs looking exhausted and on the verge of collapse, Caiyun stomped her feet in frustration.
The little dumpling tilted its head.
It seems that Sister Caiyun has encountered some difficulties.
Sister Caiyun has always been kind to her, and Little Dumpling wants to help her.
The little boy turned his head a few times, then his eyes lit up, and he tugged at his brother's hand.
Mu Jinnian looked down and saw the little dumpling looking at him for help.
Mu Jinnian squatted down, "Little dumpling, do you have something to say to your brother?"
The little dumpling nodded.
"Brother, Sister Caiyun needs someone to cook. Can we help her?"
In fact, what the little dumpling said resonated with Mu Jinnian. He had just been worried about making money, but unexpectedly, a good opportunity had come up right now.
Mu Jinnian pulled the little dumpling to Caiyun's side.
"Boss lady, I can cook for you."
Upon hearing that someone could help her, Caiyun turned around with delight, but her expression immediately froze when she saw Mu Jinnian.
This playboy claims he can cook? Is that believable?
Caiyun lowered her gaze.
He's not as reliable as the little dumpling!
The little dumpling quickly understood what Caiyun meant and hurriedly said, "Sister, my brother's cooking is really delicious, you should believe him."
The little dumpling really wanted to help Sister Caiyun.
Mu Jinnian seized the opportunity, "Let me give it a try, I won't let you down."
"Boss lady, there's someone who can help right now, so hurry up and let him go up."
"Yes, the customers outside are still urging us to hurry up."
Upon seeing that they had helpers, the four chefs immediately began to shout orders enthusiastically.
There was no other way. Even though Caiyun didn't quite trust Mu Jinnian, she was desperately short-handed right now, and with Xiao Tuanzi vouching for her, she had no choice but to ask Mu Jinnian for help.
Mu Jinnian stretched his shoulders, walked to the stove, and deftly started a fire to cook the pot.
After heating the wok, Mu Jinnian added a spoonful of oil, and then poured in the chopped meat.
With a sizzling sound from the oil pan, the aroma of meat wafted into everyone's nostrils.
"You know how to stir-fry meat in a hot pan with cold oil to prevent it from sticking, brother, you're an expert!" The chef next to him praised Mu Jinnian.
Mu Jinnian smiled smugly. His cooking skills were taught by his mother herself, so they were naturally quite good!
"It smells so good! Brother is awesome!" The little dumpling jumped up happily.
It felt like she was back in the days when her mother was alive, and her brother and mother would cook for her together.
The little ones weren't idle either; they helped set out the plates and bowls in advance.
With the help of the siblings, the kitchen was finally able to operate in an orderly manner again.
Caiyun smiled with relief and went to the front hall to greet the guests.
"La la la~" The little dumpling hummed a little tune, not feeling tired at all.
Hearing the childlike singing voice, everyone who was initially tired and in a bad mood smiled.
The kitchen was busy until late at night before it finally quieted down.
The little dumpling walked over to her brother, who was sitting on the ground exhausted, and clenched her little fists, tapping his leg repeatedly.
"Brother is tired, let me massage your legs."
Mu Jinnian patted her little head, hugged her in his arms, and kneaded her trembling, round arms.
This silly little dumpling, even though her voice was hoarse from exhaustion, still thought of massaging his legs first.
"Thank you for your hard work." Caiyun and Caixia walked into the kitchen, each carrying several bags of money.
As they handed out the money, the two said, "These are the red envelopes we promised everyone. We really owe you all a lot today."
Finally, it was Xiao Tuanzi's and Mu Jinnian's turn.
Caiyun rubbed the little dumpling's face until it was flushed from exhaustion.
"Especially our little dumpling, I really want to thank you today."
"Yes, thank you so much, little dumpling!" the other kitchen staff chimed in happily.
The little dumpling chuckled, covered her mouth, and shyly hid in her brother's arms.
Mu Jinnian took the rather heavy money bag.
"Let's open it together, little dumpling and your brother."
"Okay~ I'll go with my brother."
Two hands, one large and one small, gently pulled open the money bag.
"Wow!" the little dumpling exclaimed.
There were probably twenty or thirty copper coins inside, and a piece of broken silver.
Having never earned so much money before, the little dumpling clutched the money bag to her chest with both hands.
This sight made Mu Jinnian laugh; his little dumpling was such a little money-grubber!
"Let's go home."
Mu Jinnian picked up the little dumpling.
If we don't leave now, those shops will close down, and we won't be able to buy candied fruit and frostbite cream for Xiaotuanzi.
"etc!"
Suddenly someone called out to them from behind.
The little dumpling looked back and saw that Caiyun and Caixia had caught up with them.
"Little dumpling, Anian, take these dishes."
Caiyun handed several packages of vegetables wrapped in oil paper to Mu Jinnian.
"The food is all hot, you should go home and eat quickly."
Caixia offered her thoughtful advice.
"Thank you, sister." The little dumpling kissed Caiyun and Caixia on the cheeks.
Mu Jinnian accepted the dish and bowed deeply to the two of them.
After thanking Caiyun and Caixia, Mu Jinnian carried the little dumpling to the candied fruit stall.
"Little dumpling, come and see which ones you like to eat? Help yourself," Mu Jinnian said.
The little dumpling looked at the various kinds of candied fruit, smelled the sweet aroma of the candied fruit, and swallowed its saliva.
But she only glanced at it a few times before pulling Mu Jinnian away.
"Little dumpling..." Mu Jinnian stopped and called out softly.
The little dumpling turned around and smiled, "Brother doesn't know yet, does he? The little dumpling doesn't like candied fruit."
Mu Jinnian pursed her lips and didn't say anything, then picked up the little dumpling and walked forward.
The little dumpling wrapped its arms around Mu Jinnian's neck and nestled its head against his neck.
It's not that she doesn't like candied fruit, it's that she's reluctant to spend the money on it.
Her brother worked hard all day and only earned this much money; she couldn't bear to part with it.
Back home, in a house as cold as an icebox, the little dumpling couldn't help but shiver.
"Brother, get into bed quickly, it'll warm you up."
Mu Jinnian put the little dumpling into the quilt.
"Brother is going out for a bit, he'll be back soon."
After saying that, the little dumpling watched her brother walk out, and a little while later, she came back carrying a bunch of tree branches.
Mu Jinnian piled the dry branches on the ground and, by the moonlight, began to grind two stones.
The little boy stared intently at his brother's every move and asked curiously, "Brother, what are you doing?"
He rubbed the stone vigorously and quickly, and sparks soon flew out, igniting the dry branches.
The flames that shot up quickly illuminated the room.
The little dumpling opened its mouth wide in surprise, and its face, which had been cold just moments before, gradually warmed up with the heat.
"Brother is so amazing!" The little dumpling clapped her hands happily.
After my mother passed away, the house was never lit again.
The home, which was once like an ice cave, is now warm.
Now my brother not only makes money, but he's also started a fire.
The little dumpling not only felt warm on its body, but also on its heart.
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