Chapter 497 - 235: Happy Birthday, Comrade Xia Yao

Chapter 497: Chapter 235: Happy Birthday, Comrade Xia Yao

"Mom, the food at the factory cafeteria isn’t as tasty as what Zhou Yan cooks," Lin Jingxing said earnestly.

"Totally!" Lin Bingwen chimed in, nodding. "If you send my big brother to learn how to cook, our family could live the good life, just like Momo."

Meng Anhe waved them off. "Alright, alright, go wash your hands. It’s time to leave for dinner. We’re celebrating Yaoyao’s birthday today."

"Alright!"

"We get to eat cake!"

The two boys cheered and scampered off to wash their hands.

"Thank you, Auntie, for going out of your way to get me a cake," Xia Yao said with a smile.

"The last time I celebrated your birthday with you was eight years ago. Since it coincides with your internship this time, I had to make sure you have a proper celebration." Meng Anhe smiled as she opened the bag Lin Zhiqiang was holding, took out a small box, and handed it to Xia Yao.

"A present?" Xia Yao accepted it. Inside the box was a pair of small, delicate silver earrings. She smiled and said, "These earrings are beautiful. Thank you, Auntie!"

Meng Anhe looked at her and said with a warm smile, "I always see you without any makeup. Now that you’re working, you can wear some small, delicate pieces of jewelry."

"Okay, I’ll wear them tomorrow." Xia Yao picked up an earring to examine it, then carefully placed it back in the box and put it in her bag.

"Alright, let’s go eat. There should be tables available by now," Lin Zhiqiang said, glancing at his watch. The group headed out and went downstairs.

"Momo!" Lin Jingxing and Lin Bingwen trotted over, greeting Zhou Momo first.

"You two, wait a second. Yaoyao!" Zhou Momo ignored them completely and ran to Xia Yao. Looking up at her, she said in her sweet, childish voice, "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you, Momo." Xia Yao smiled, bending down to gently squeeze her chubby cheeks. She was a little surprised. "How did you know it’s my birthday today?"

"Brother said so," Zhou Momo said.

"I told Zhou Yan when I called in our order. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be much left to eat at this hour," Lin Zhiqiang explained.

"Oh, I see." Realization dawned on Xia Yao. She took Zhou Momo’s small hand. "Alright then, let’s go get some food."

"Yaoyao, you’re here." Zhao Tieying wiped her hands on her apron and smiled at Xia Yao. "It’s your birthday today. Happy birthday."

"Thank you, Mrs. Zhao," Xia Yao said with a bright smile.

Meng Anhe and Lin Zhiqiang smiled as well. Zhou Yan’s family was very easy to get along with.

They found an empty table and sat down.

Lin Zhiqiang said, "Zhao, you can go ahead and bring out the dishes we ordered."

"Will do. I’ll let Zhou Yan know," Zhao Tieying replied, then turned and went into the kitchen.

"Yaoyao, this is for you." Zhou Momo pulled her drawing out from behind the counter, ran over, and handed it to Xia Yao.

"Did you draw this just for me, Momo?" Xia Yao accepted the drawing. Looking at the hillside covered in a sea of flowers, with a little girl, a cat, and a big goose among them, she couldn’t help but smile. "The sea of flowers is so beautiful! Is this you with your cat and goose? It’s so cute, I love it!"

"Huahua isn’t here now, so I’m giving you the sea of flowers from springtime," Zhou Momo said, looking at her and offering a sincere wish. "Yaoyao, I hope you’re happy every day and live to be a hundred years old."

"Thank you, you’re so sweet." Xia Yao reached out, pulled the little girl into a hug, and kissed her on the cheek, feeling touched.

"You’re welcome~" Zhou Momo beamed and gave her a kiss in return.

"She’s so adorable, and the drawing is so thoughtful," Meng Anhe remarked, her eyes filled with mirth as she looked at the picture.

Lin Zhiqiang sighed wistfully. "It takes a daughter to be this thoughtful. Look at these two—all they think about is, ’What are we eating today?’ and ’What are we eating tomorrow?’"

Lin Bingwen: "Dad, what are we eating tonight?"

Lin Jingxing: ...

’My foolish little brother, can you please just shut up!’

The dishes Lin Zhiqiang ordered came out one after another.

The two brothers dug into their food, eating with great relish.

Lin Zhiqiang said to Meng Anhe, "Zhou Yan made Salted Burnt White today. The factory director treated us to lunch, and I had some. It was amazing, even better than Master Xiao’s."

"Mhm, it really is delicious. It’s rich but not greasy, and the pickled mustard makes you want to eat more rice," Xia Yao added, nodding.

Meng Anhe looked at the dishes on the table, then at Lin Zhiqiang. "Then why didn’t you order one tonight for me to try?"

Lin Zhiqiang held up his hands. "They’re all out. It was a new special today, and they only made ten servings. You’ll have to wait until your next visit to try it."

Meng Anhe ground her teeth in frustration. "If you ever dare to tempt me like this again, I’m not approving your expense report!"

Once they were about halfway through their meal, Zhou Yan emerged from the kitchen with a small bowl of noodles. It was topped with a fried egg and a few pieces of braised pork ribs, garnished with freshly chopped green onions. He placed it in front of Xia Yao and said with a small smile, "Lin ordered longevity noodles for you. Happy birthday."

"Thank you," Xia Yao said, looking up at him with a bright smile.

"You’re welcome. Enjoy," Zhou Yan said with a slight nod before turning back to the kitchen to finish the last few dishes.

Meng Anhe looked at her and said, "Go on and eat. You have to eat the longevity noodles."

"Okay." Xia Yao nodded and took a sip of the broth. It was the same savory bone broth as always. The hand-pulled noodles were perfectly chewy and tender, paired with her favorite braised pork ribs.

She took a bite of the fried egg. It was fluffy and soft, and it became incredibly fragrant after soaking up the bone broth.

She had already been feeling half-full and only planned on having a few bites, but once she started, she couldn’t seem to stop. She ate one mouthful after another, and in the end, she even drank all of the broth.

’As expected, she could never turn down a delicious bowl of Braised Pork Rib Noodles, especially not one made by Zhou Yan.’

Putting down the noodle bowl, she let out a small burp.

’Now she was truly full.’

Their table was the only one left with customers in the restaurant.

Zhou Yan untied his apron and came out of the kitchen.

"Alright, time for cake," Lin Zhiqiang said, placing the cake box on the table.