Chapter 495 - 234: When One Is Up to No Good...

Chapter 495: Chapter 234: When One Is Up to No Good...

"Alright." Xia Yao put down her chopsticks, followed Wang Wei’s lead, and picked up a pig’s trotter, leaning in for a bite.

’This braised pig’s trotter is so tender!’

The skin melted right off the bone, and the tendons were tender and gelatinous, with a satisfyingly chewy bounce. The marinade had soaked through completely. She took one bite after another, unable to stop.

"How is it?" Wang Wei asked.

Xia Yao nodded. "These braised pig’s trotters are so good! They’re a little sticky on the lips, but they’re incredibly fragrant and wonderfully tender and chewy."

Wang Wei smiled. "This is my absolute favorite. I’d be willing to work in Suji for a few more years just for these."

Meanwhile, Wang Hongliang had been completely won over by the braised pork intestines that had just arrived at the table.

"My heavens! How can braised intestines be this perfect? Tender and chewy, with a rich flavor from the fat and marinade... it’s absolutely divine to chew." Wang Hongliang’s eyes were filled with praise as his chopsticks snagged another piece and delivered it to his mouth.

Braising was his culinary weak spot; maintaining a master stock simply wasn’t practical for a busy factory director.

And yet, he loved nothing more than some braised snacks to go with a drink.

He hadn’t eaten in the restaurant much lately, but every now and then he’d buy some braised snacks to have with a drink at home, or some five-spice braised vegetables for his grandson.

Today, these braised intestines had stunned him all over again.

Pork intestines were one of his great loves; braised intestines and dry-pot intestines were his signature dishes.

But cleaning the intestines was too much trouble. He only made them during holidays when his two sons were home, so he could assign the cleaning task to them.

Zhou Yan’s method for preparing the intestines was exactly to his liking.

They were washed thoroughly, with the excess fat removed, but a thin, even layer had been left on the intestinal wall, ensuring a great texture without being greasy.

"I’m definitely getting some of this to-go for later," Wang Hongliang said with a grin. "Braised intestines are delicious with a drink, even when they’re cold."

Everyone was thoroughly satisfied by the end of lunch.

Wang Hongliang stopped Lin Zhiqiang, smiling. "I’ll get this one. You can get it next time."

"Sounds good." Lin Zhiqiang smiled and nodded, not arguing the point.

"Uncle, let me pay for my pig’s trotters," Wang Wei said, taking out her purse and handing the money to Wang Hongliang.

"Alright, you’re the boss." Wang Hongliang accepted the money with a smile.

"Uncle, thanks for lunch! We’re going for a walk now," Wang Wei said, and then linked arms with Xia Yao and headed out.

At the door, Xia Yao scooped up Zhou Momo, and the three of them went for a stroll along the river.

"Girls make friends so quickly," Wang Hongliang said with a laugh. "They share one meal and they’re already linking arms to go have fun."

"Isn’t that the truth." Lin Zhiqiang smiled too.

’It’s good that Xia Yao is making new friends. With an outspoken friend like Wang Wei, she’s less likely to be given a hard time or bullied at the factory.’

Lin Zhiqiang walked over to the kitchen entrance and waved to Zhou Yan. "Zhou."

"Lin, what’s up?" Zhou Yan asked, plating two dishes from the wok before coming over.

"It’s Yaoyao’s birthday today, and we’re planning on having a small celebration for her here in your restaurant. An He asked me to give you a heads-up. She was hoping you could make a bowl of longevity noodles for Yaoyao tonight, if it’s not too much trouble." Lin Zhiqiang made a gesture with his hands. "Just a small bowl is fine. It’s the thought that counts."

"Oh, it’s her birthday today." Zhou Yan was a little surprised, but he quickly smiled and nodded. "No problem. I’ll get it ready for her. I’ll make the noodles just as you’re all finishing up dinner."

"Thanks, we appreciate it." Lin Zhiqiang took out a piece of paper and handed it to him. "An He is out inspecting a construction site today, so she might be home late. I’ve ordered a few dishes—could you set them aside for us tonight? Just so we don’t show up late and find everything’s sold out."

"Got it. I’ll make a note of it," Zhou Yan said, taking the paper and tucking it into his breast pocket.

"Well, I’ll let you get back to it. Don’t want to hold you up." Lin Zhiqiang then turned and left.

Zhou Yan was indeed busy. He turned right back to the stove and continued cooking.

When the lunch rush was over, Zhou Yan came out of the kitchen, took out the menu Lin Zhiqiang had written, and glanced at it. He had a good idea of what was needed.

"What did Director Lin say to you?" Mrs. Zhao asked as she cleared a table.

"He said it’s Xia Yao’s birthday today, so he wanted me to save a few dishes for them and make her a bowl of longevity noodles," Zhou Yan explained.

"Oh, it’s Xia Yao’s birthday? Then she certainly deserves a proper celebration." Mrs. Zhao thought for a moment, then said, "In that case, dinner tonight is on me. She’s given me so many gifts, and I’ve never had a chance to return the favor."

"Sounds good." Zhou Yan smiled and nodded. He went upstairs to change, then came back down, grabbing his wallet and wheeling his bicycle out the door.

"Where are you going?" Mrs. Zhao asked.

"To Jiazhou. To buy her a gift. You’re the one who kept reminding me, aren’t you?" Zhou Yan chuckled.

"What are you planning to get her?" Mrs. Zhao asked.

"I was thinking of going to the department store to pick out a nice-looking watch for her. I’ve noticed she doesn’t wear one," Zhou Yan said. "Do you think that’s a good idea?"

"The older generation says you shouldn’t give clocks or watches as birthday gifts; some people are particular about that sort of thing," Mrs. Zhao said after a moment’s thought. "We don’t care about those superstitions in our family, but you have to consider if others do."

Zhou Yan was taken aback. ’He really hadn’t considered that.’

After all, someone as thrifty as him had very little experience giving gifts.

"Why don’t you look for a pretty silver bracelet at the department store? I’ve noticed she doesn’t wear any jewelry on her hands," Mrs. Zhao suggested. "With her family’s means, she could definitely afford a watch if she needed one. The fact she doesn’t wear one suggests she either doesn’t like to or doesn’t feel she needs to."

"But no girl would turn down a pretty piece of jewelry. She can set it aside when she’s not wearing it and take it out when she feels like it. Compared to a practical watch, a bracelet is a much more heartfelt gift."

"That makes sense! Mom, you really are the best." Zhou Yan nodded, then pushed his bicycle out the door.

Zhou Yan went to the department store and picked out an exquisite silver bracelet from the Laofengxiang counter, which cost him 68.6 yuan.

The price of silver was 0.58 yuan a gram, but this bracelet’s complex craftsmanship meant the labor cost was a bit higher.

"Is this for your girlfriend? You have great taste. A lot of girls have had their eye on this bracelet, but none of them could bring themselves to buy it," the salesclerk said with a smile as she placed the bracelet in a brocade box for him.

"Thank you." Zhou Yan smiled, picked up the gift box, and left.

Back at the restaurant, Zhou Momo was sitting primly at a table, drawing. When she saw Zhou Yan come in, she looked up and said in her sweet, childish voice, "Brother, what gift did you buy for Yaoyao? Look, Huahua’s not here anymore, so I’m going to give her a sea of flowers, just like on the mountain behind Grandma’s house."