Jiang Liu walked in front, holding Tongtong.

Behind him followed a drowsy Jun Qingmeng.

Her eyes were still hazy with sleep. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"You’re here, Boss Jiang?"

The old lady selling vegetables greeted him with a smile.

Ever since Jiang Liu started buying vegetables from her every day, her business had gotten much better without her even realizing it. Many aunties and uncles who were out shopping for groceries now made a special trip to her stall.

Jiang Liu smiled and nodded.

The old lady glanced at the sleepy Tongtong and asked with a chuckle:

"You brought Tongtong out before she was even fully awake?"

Jiang Liu shrugged. "I can’t help it. This little one is just too clingy."

"You’re such a happy family."

The old lady even gave Jiang Liu a pound of fennel for free.

After buying the vegetables and a pound of dried river shrimp,

The total came to eighty-nine yuan.

Jiang Liu drove back to the shop.

A long line was already formed at the entrance.

When the customers saw Jiang Liu, their gloomy mood from waiting in line lifted.

Office workers, business owners, uncles, aunties, students, and more.

All sorts of customers greeted Jiang Liu enthusiastically.

"You’re here, Brother Jiang? Any new items today?"

"I wish Boss Jiang would come up with more new items."

"Tongtong, why are you out here working with your dad again?"

"Boss Jiang, you can get it done in half an hour, right?"

"How many buns are there today? I’m worried I won’t get to buy any."

Jiang Liu smiled at them, then said to Tongtong in his arms, "Tongtong, what do you say to the uncles and aunties?"

Tongtong was much more awake now. In a sweet, childish voice, she called out, "Good morning, uncles, aunties, grandmas, and grandpas!"

"Hahaha, Tongtong is so cute."

"Little girl, Grandpa picked a bunch of grapes for you. Want some?"

"Boss Jiang, you better treat our daughter well, you hear!"

Wang Dongxu, sporting dark circles under his eyes, mustered up his courage and shouted, "I suggest, Brother Jiang, that you watch out for that blond-haired guy! Best not to sell him any buns."

The line erupted in laughter.

Tongtong flashed her little white teeth. "Thank you, Grandpa, but Tongtong is saving her tummy for Daddy’s buns."

"Such a good girl."

"What do I do, I want one too! Brother Jiang, can you lend her to me for a bit? I’ll give her back if she cries."

Tongtong’s little ears twitched, and she glared huffily at the blond-haired guy.

She didn’t like the blond-haired guy.

Jiang Liu set Tongtong down. Propelled by the customers’ enthusiasm, the small cart was pushed unstoppably up the little ramp.

Inside the shop, he turned on the air conditioner.

Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong started bottling juice inside the shop.

They wanted to do their best to ease Jiang Liu’s burden.

Jiang Liu started by letting the dough rise. While it was proofing, he quickly sliced the otoro, chutoro, and akami cuts of the tuna, arranged them on platters, placed them in the refrigerated display case, and set it to the appropriate temperature.

5:55 AM. The dough had risen.

Jiang Liu began to rapidly form the buns.

His hands moved up and down, shaping one bun after another in a display that was a pleasure to watch.

6:20 AM.

Three hundred buns went into the steamer.

Jiang Liu now had time to cook a meal for the two of them.

He put a prepared piece of dough into the noodle maker.

This machine was a piece of equipment that had been in the shop for a long time. His uncle had probably gotten it from somewhere. When he first opened the shop, Jiang Liu had cleaned all the tools, covering the unused ones with plastic bags to protect them from dust.

As the machine strained, running with a CLACK-CLACK-CLACK, long, thin, white noodles fell into the collection tray.

Jiang Liu didn’t stay idle during this time.

He put the Little Cyan Dragon meat into a wok of boiling oil to pan-fry.

This was to allow the oil to fully absorb the distinct umami fragrance of the shrimp meat.

After three minutes on high heat, the plump, tender shrimp meat became browned and dry.

He scooped it out and set it aside.

Jiang Liu sniffed the oil left in the wok; it had a rich shrimpy aroma.

He added mountain spring water and brought it to a boil.

He then added the heads of the dried river shrimp to layer the fragrance, simmering for a minute until the shrimp oil from the heads had infused into the broth.

The shrimp broth was now a pale yellow color, and its flavor was exquisitely savory.

A rich shrimp flavor had infused both the oil and the broth.

Jiang Liu added the noodles. After cooking them for two minutes, he put in the julienned Little Cyan Dragon meat, vegetable leaves, and seasonings. The Little Cyan Dragon meat couldn’t be cooked for too long, or it would become tough.

That’s why it had to be added at the end with the greens.

After turning off the heat, he sprinkled in the crushed river shrimp powder.

A pot of shrimp noodles was ready!

Compared to tuna stir-fry, the shrimp noodles had a much more complex recipe.

But it was still quick to make. As long as the ingredients were prepped in advance, it was just a matter of a few quick steps over high heat.

Jiang Liu wiped his apron and carried a tray to the dining table.

Tongtong and Jun Qingmeng were already drooling in anticipation.

"Jiang Liu, what kind of noodles are these?"

"Wow~ It smells so good, Daddy! Can I eat it?"

"Shrimp noodles. Go ahead and eat."

The beautiful duo, one big and one small, were already ravenous from the aroma.

The moment the noodles were set down, the two of them eagerly tore open their disposable chopsticks, picked up a few slippery strands, and put them in their mouths.

They were springy and chewy in the mouth!

They took a sip of the shrimp broth.

The rich shrimp fragrance filled their taste buds. The scalding, savory liquid flowed down their throats and into their stomachs, bringing a warm, comfortable feeling.

’So delicious!’

’The shrimp is so fragrant!’

’The noodles are amazing too.’

Jun Qingmeng couldn’t help but be amazed once again.

"How did you make these shrimp noodles, Jiang Liu? The flavor is way better than what you’d get at a specialty shop."

"Are you going to sell them?"

Jiang Liu shook his head. "It’s too complicated to make. I’m not considering it for now."

Jun Qingmeng slurped a mouthful of the savory shrimp broth, smacking her lips to savor the shrimpy flavor.

"Daddy, why are your noodles so yummy? Tongtong loves them so much! I want to eat Daddy’s noodles every day."

As Tongtong spoke, she lifted the bowl, which was bigger than her head, and took a big gulp of the shrimp broth. GULP GULP.

She loved it so much!

Pleased by the praise, Jiang Liu smiled at the two of them and replied, "If you like it, I’ll make it for you again. As long as you have good ingredients, the right cooking methods, and perfectly balanced seasoning, you can create the most delicious food."

Jun Qingmeng blinked, indicating she didn’t quite follow.

Little stars seemed to sparkle in Tongtong’s eyes.

"My daddy is the best, hehe."

"In the future, Tongtong is going to make noodles just as yummy as Daddy’s."

Even though she didn’t understand any of it, her dad was her everlasting pride.

"Hurry up and eat, or you’ll be late."

"Okay~"

Jiang Liu also sat down across from them and started to eat.

The sound of slurping echoed through the little food shop.

The aroma gradually drifted out through the gap in the glass door.

The customers at the door couldn’t help but sniff the air.

"What’s that smell?"

"It smells good. Is that sesame oil?"

"It’s definitely shrimp. A really rich shrimp smell."

"What’s Boss Jiang doing in there? It sounds like they’re eating something."

"What!! Boss Jiang is secretly eating?!"

The customers were not having it.

’The nerve!’

’How could he have something delicious and not sell it to us first!’

’Does he even care about his customers anymore?!’

An auntie walked up and knocked on the door. "Xiao Jiang! What are you eating? Is it for sale?"

Jiang Liu held up a noodle, gesturing to the auntie. "Just some noodles I made. Not for sale."

The auntie grew anxious as she looked at her grandson, who was practically drooling.

"Please sell me a bowl. My grandson is drooling, he wants it so badly."