As soon as they entered the restaurant, Manager Qian greeted them with a smile, saying he was glad they had finally arrived. He then inquired about the patient's condition. Tian Yu said he was fine and resting at the clinic. Manager Qian asked which clinic it was; he knew all the clinics in the county. After telling him the name, Manager Qian first gave a thumbs-up, but then added that the prices were too high for most people, though they had a limited number of free appointments each month, which were very difficult to secure. Intrigued by this, Tian Yu asked Manager Qian to explain further. After listening to Manager Qian, Tian Yu understood why even the waiters were so arrogant. The Xinglin Clinic had two doctors: one was the sick young man's father, the renowned Physician Li, whose family had practiced medicine for generations and was very famous in the area; the other was the sick young man himself, Li Xingyun, who, unfortunately, had broken both legs in a childhood injury and had never stood up again. However, his medical skills were no less than his father's, earning him the nickname "Little Divine Doctor." With that, Manager Qian led Tian Yu and the other two to the kitchen. Shopkeeper Qian first complained, hoping Tian Yu could teach their cook some more. He said the braised pork sold well, but he always felt it wasn't as fragrant and delicious as Tian Yu's. He hoped Tian Yu could give him some more guidance. As for the snails, nobody here usually ate them, but since Tian Yu had brought them, he believed she wouldn't disappoint him. The price was negotiable, but he and the cook had to watch the process. Tian Yu thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. Since Shopkeeper Qian was so agreeable, she didn't want to bother. After giving Chen Chong a few instructions, Shopkeeper Qian dismissed the other idlers, leaving him and a plump cook. She then brought Tangyuan a plate of pastries, which Tangyuan took and sat down at a low table nearby.
Chen Chong, having often assisted at home, knew exactly what to do when Tian Yu told him what dishes to make. He selected medium-sized snails from the basin and removed the back section. Tian Yu then scooped out some snails and clams, boiled them in hot water until half-cooked, rinsed them with cold water, and then picked out the meat one by one, cutting the larger ones open. Finally, she put them in a clay pot with rice and appropriate seasonings, and simmered them over low heat. Chen Chong finished processing the snails, and Tian Yu started stir-frying them. She also stir-fried some freshwater clams in a separate pan. These clams looked very similar to freshwater clams, something she hadn't seen much of in modern times, probably due to the water quality. She had found them in sandy areas, and their texture was also similar to clams, so she stir-fried them using the same method as clams wrapped in tin foil. The shopkeeper, pen in hand, busied himself recording each step and the various seasonings used. The chubby chef also watched and assisted. Once all three dishes were prepared, sprinkled with scallions, and served, Manager Qian couldn't wait any longer. He picked up his chopsticks and began to taste them, but when he got to the snails, he was a little embarrassed, saying that they only had flavor and no real meat. Tian Yu explained, but Manager Qian couldn't suck anything out even after trying for a long time. On the other hand, the fat chef was eating them one after another, enjoying them immensely. Tian Yu told Manager Qian to use a toothpick to pick them out, and only then did he successfully get the meat. After praising them, he called a waiter to bring them out for the guests to try. Tian Yu also went to the front hall with Manager Qian, only to find it already packed with people, all waiting outside as if they had planned it. What Manager Qian said later confirmed Tian Yu's guess. It turned out that he had already spread the word that Yuelai Restaurant would be launching a new dish at noon today, in limited quantities, on a first-come, first-served basis, which was why so many customers had been attracted. Manager Qian really knew how to do business.
Before the dishes could even be tasted, a rough shout rang out from the crowd, pushing everyone aside and forcing his way to the front. Hearing the shout, Tian Yu and Chen Chong exchanged a glance and both curled their lips; they were clearly thinking of the same person. When they saw who it was, it was indeed Li Yong. Upon seeing Tian Yu, Li Yong exclaimed, "Sister, as soon as I heard Yue Lai Restaurant was launching new dishes, I guessed it was you! I've finally been waiting for you!" He then joined the other guests in grabbing the dishes on the table, and in the blink of an eye, the plates were empty. Some guests who hadn't tasted anything could only wipe off the broth and sip it.
The customers responded very well, and many people ordered on the spot. Manager Qian told the staff to get busy, and then led Tian Yu and the other two to a private room to wait. He bowed and said that he was too busy at the front and would come back later to discuss the details with Tian Yu. Tian Yu didn't make things difficult and told him to go ahead and get busy. There was no rush, as they hadn't eaten yet and could rest there. Before long, the waiter brought them their food. Li Yong didn't stand on ceremony and came to eat with them again, acting very familiar and without any restraint.
"Girl, you've finally appeared! I've been looking for you for so long!"
"What brings Brother Li to see Tian Yu?" Chen Chong asked for the first time.
"Brother Chen, it's like this, you helped me last time, and I said I would repay you, didn't I?"
"Brother Li, you're welcome. It was nothing."
"Oh, that won't do. My brother said that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of gratitude. I, Li Yong, am not an ungrateful person."
"Then how does Brother Li intend to repay this kindness?"
"This is the money you owed last time. I'll pay you back five times the amount." He said, taking out a silver ingot.
"No need, Brother Li, we don't need it."
"Girl, please accept this. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease. I still think it's not enough."
"Oh, no, Brother Li, you've misunderstood. We really can't accept it. How about this, we hope Brother Li can lend a helping hand if we need it in the future."
"Sure thing. If there's anything I can do to help, just ask, and I'll definitely lend a hand."
"Then thank you very much, Brother Li."
"It's nothing. By the way, you said last time that you two weren't a couple, so what about that girl..."
"Brother Li, what do you mean by this?"
"Brother Chen, don't be nervous. I was just curious to ask why your husband isn't by your side. Is something wrong?"
"My husband was conscripted into the army years ago and has never returned." Tian Yu didn't want to say more because Tang Yuan was present.
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