Chapter 23

The crispy fried chicken was brought to the table. The man first unhurriedly took out a pack of wet wipes from his bag and carefully wiped his hands and the table.

Then he took out his phone and took several photos of the dishes before taking out a pair of chopsticks from the chopstick holder.

He picked up a piece of boneless meat and put it in his mouth. The texture that bit down gave him four words in his mind instantly.

Crispy, fragrant, juicy, tender.

He was extremely satisfied.

This piece of meat should be from the chicken breast. Many people would make it dry and tasteless, but this piece was tender and soft, bursting with juice when bitten down.

He ate up at an unhurried pace, then waved to call Gong Sister-in-law over, flipped through the menu over and over again, and ordered a sweet and sour ribs.

Gong Sister-in-law took the order to the kitchen. While scrutinizing the Ding Sha, she murmured, "It doesn't seem like the keyboard..."

Just as she was murmuring, she saw the man nonchalantly yet elegantly take out a bottle of mouthwash and rinsed his mouth.

He typed on his phone, stopping from time to time as if editing something.

The sweet and sour ribs were brought up quickly.

As usual, Xiao Jun took photos with his phone before picking up a new pair of chopsticks to pick up a piece of caramelized, shiny, oily rib and took a bite.

The rib was substantial, slightly bigger than those cut at ordinary restaurants. When bitten down, the texture was solid and plump, very satisfying and surprising.

The flavor was moderately sweet and sour. It even had pineapples, not knowing where the pineapples came from this season, but the refreshing, slightly sour taste of the pineapple no doubt added to the dining experience.

When he tasted the juicy pineapple, it felt very surprising.

The man steadily finished this dish as well.

He wiped his mouth and tidied himself up before going to pay at the front desk.

After settling the bill, he politely explained his purpose.

"Hello, I'm an editor from a gourmet magazine. I saw your restaurant in Fei's livestream, so I came specifically to experience it. May I speak with your chef or owner?"

Zhuang Auntie was stunned for a moment and looked reflexively at Ding Sha who was walking over.

"Hello, I'm the owner of this restaurant. May I ask what this is regarding?"

The man repeated his self-introduction, "My name is Hu Zhilin."

Ding Sha brought him to sit on the stone chairs in the yard.

"What do you think? How was the meal?" Ding Sha asked Gong Sister-in-law to pour a cup of hot water. "It was worth the trip." Hu Zhilin's review was very high.

Xiao Jun was still busy in the kitchen. Hu Zhilin probably wanted to ask them some questions, so he chatted casually with Ding Sha and waited until Xiao Jun finished to get down to business.

"I'd like to do a feature on your little restaurant in our magazine, with photos and text together. What do you think?"

Xiao Jun looked at Ding Sha and thought for a moment, "Okay, but no photos of people."

Hu Zhilin agreed.

"I'm very interested in your store name, Ding Sha's Little Restaurant. It sounds like a lot of thought went into the unique name. Is there any story behind it?" Hu Zhilin took out a voice recorder and turned it on, placing it to the side.

"Ding Sha is my wife," Xiao Jun's eyes softened a little. "She has loved cooking since she was little, and has described to me many times what kind of little restaurant she wanted. When we were able to open a restaurant, we definitely wanted to make her wish come true."

Hu Zhilin smiled. Fine lines appeared at the corners of the refined man's eyes. Hearing such warm, soft emotions would make anyone unconsciously smile.

"Are the owner and owner's wife childhood sweethearts? You seem to have a great relationship." He exclaimed.

"Yes, we grew up together since we were young." Ding Sha held Xiao Jun's outstretched hand when she heard him say this.

"What are your signature dishes here?" Hu Zhilin wrote a few notes in his notebook.

"Ding Sha is the signature dish. With Ding Sha in the restaurant, all the dishes are signature ones." Xiao Jun said.

Hu Zhilin was stunned for a moment and laughed. "Then I'll have to come try the signature dishes again after the owner's wife gives birth to a son."

"You're most welcome."

The conversation was not very long and ended pleasantly. Xiao Jun and Ding Sha saw Hu Zhilin to the door.

Hu Zhilin quickly waved his hands, "No need to send me off, I'll be going now."

He added, "I'll send you a copy of the magazine when it comes out."

Ding Sha watched Hu Zhilin's retreating figure and pulled Xiao Jun's hand excitedly, "Wow, I'm not dreaming right! A gourmet magazine came to interview us!"

Xiao Jun laughed at her exaggerated tone of shock, eyes curving into crescents. He couldn't help but ruffle her hair a few times, "What's up? Happy?"

"Happy!" Ding Sha exclaimed, "It feels like we've been recognized."

Xiao Jun put his arm around his still elated little wife and went back in. "So happy?"

"Of course!" Ding Sha couldn't help but pace around the yard again. "That was a gourmet magazine!"

"Mm-hmm, gourmet magazine." Xiao Jun followed behind her protectively, responding absentmindedly.

Ding Sha glared back at him and went into the room to sleep.

Xiao Jun scratched his nose, somewhat guilty as he went to sit at the front cashier counter.

A kindly, amiable old lady poked her head in, "Oh my, isn't this the shop opened by little Ding Sha?"

Xiao Jun looked up to see it was Zhang Granny.

Zhang Granny also saw Xiao Jun and walked in with a smile, "Little Xiao is here too? Then I must not have the wrong place. Where's little Ding Sha?" Xiao Jun welcomed her in to sit down, "Ding Sha is sleeping. She's pregnant and tires easily."

Zhang Granny nodded, "That's all normal. Pregnancy is tiring for women. Don't find fault with little Ding Sha, boy. She's carrying your child in her belly and going through such hardship at a young age. You have to cherish her well."

Xiao Jun nodded, "I definitely will."

Only then was Zhang Granny satisfied. She took out a small basket from her hand, "I counted the days and figured little Ding Sha would give birth soon. I saved some eggs to bring over for her."

"Eggs from free-range chickens that run around are much more nutritious than city eggs, right?"

"Make two eggs for her every day. Let her replenish herself. She must have lost a lot in the early stages. It can't just be brushed over, or she'll suffer when she's older."

Zhang Granny nagged on and on. When little Ding Sha lived next to her, she would get up early every day to work hard and earn money. She always remembered to give some of the delicious food she made to her little grandchild too.

So she was willing to dote on little Ding Sha more. This child was so well-behaved and capable, even more likable than her own diligent daughter-in-law!

Xiao Jun poured her a cup of hot water and brought out tasty, easy to digest pastries. "Granny Zhang, please rest a while. I'll go wake Ding Sha."

"What are you waking her for?" Zhang Granny admonished as she looked at him. "Pregnant women come first. Let her sleep well."

"Didn't I just tell you, she's the most important now. Why are you waking her?" Zhang Granny seemed to remember something. "Oh right, let me pass along some words from my wife. Listen if you're willing, or think it over if not."

"Please go ahead." Xiao Jun pursed his lips.

"Giving birth is very painful. Don't let her go through it alone, you hear?" Zhang Granny advised solemnly. "Also, you think it ends after giving birth? Let me tell you, the hard part is coming up!"

"The baby will cry and fuss at night, and in the day too. It needs adults around at all times. Adults have to be attentive and keep a close eye on the baby, or else something bad may happen if you're not careful."

"You've also opened a restaurant. I feel it would be best if you hire a nanny for Ding Sha, to specifically take care of her and the baby. New mothers are also moody. You have to pay close attention to Ding Sha too, understand?"

Xiao Jun nodded, "I'll remember that Granny Zhang. I've already started looking at nannies recently. I want to find the most suitable one to take care of Ding Sha."

"Good, that's good." Zhang Granny nodded satisfactorily.

"I should get going. It's not early and I have to go home to feed chickens and cook. Lots of chores at home!"

"Let me see you off." Xiao Jun stood up. He had learned to drive quickly and already obtained his license. He was just waiting to pick a car together with Ding Sha.

"No need, no need. I'll just take a car myself and head back. No need to see me off." Zhang Granny refused.

Xiao Jun escorted her to the door. "Even if you won't let me send you, I still have to head back. Ding Sha wants Uncle Wei to build a crib. I'm going to deliver the blueprints to Uncle Wei."

Only then did Zhang Granny agree.

Xiao Jun borrowed a car from the hardware store owner next door and drove back to the Little Village.

Zhang Granny sat in the passenger seat praising him, "Not bad, not bad. It's good to pick up some skills. Only state employees could drive back in our time!"

After sending Zhang Granny home, Xiao Jun went to Uncle Wei's house, left the blueprints and requirements, and put down a 200 yuan deposit before driving back to the shop.

He drove back fast and steady.

He was worried that Ding Sha would wake up and not find him there.

Sure enough, as soon as he got out of the car, he saw Ding Sha leaning against the counter at the door, looking around. Seeing him come back, her eyes lit up.

"You're back? Where's Zhang Granny?!"