Xiaoguo took a deep breath and teased Zhuang Zhuang. “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready!” Zhuang Zhuang followed her and took a deep breath. His heart was about to jump out of his chest.

As soon as Xiaoguo opened the vat, Zhuang Zhuang quickly looked inside. His face was filled with disappointment. The eggs hadn’t changed at all. They were still the same color.

Xiaoguo could tell what Zhuang Zhuang was thinking at a glance. “The change can only be seen inside. The exterior remains the same.”

Zhuang Zhuang was full of anticipation again when he heard this. Xiaoguo brought five century eggs to the kitchen. Under Zhuang Zhuang’s expectant gaze, she slowly removed the layer of mud on the outside, revealing the surface of the duck eggs. Then, she rolled them on the table. Zhuang Zhuang could already see some black portions along the cracks.

Zhuang Zhuang cheered loudly. Xiaoguo was also very happy. She quickly pried open the eggshell, revealing a beautiful transparent black egg. Zhuang Zhuang jumped in excitement, requesting to take a look. Xiaoguo handed the egg to him and told him to have a good look. She then took the remaining century eggs and went to cook.

First, she chopped two century eggs into small pieces and threw them into the porridge before giving it a good stir. Then, she cut the remaining two eggs together with the one that Zhuang Zhuang had just finished observing, and added them into a garlic and ginger paste. After adding some vinegar, the pickled eggs were ready.

The food was ready and moved to the dining table. Zhuang Zhuang tried a piece of century egg first. He picked up a piece and dipped it in the sauce. As soon as it entered his mouth, a strange fragrance diffused in his mouth. It was refreshing, fragrant and tender. Zhuang Zhuang was full of praise for the dish.

Xiaoguo reminded him not to eat too much even if it was delicious. After all, the eggs contained lead. Although she had marinated it herself, it was better to eat less.

Zhuang Zhuang was very obedient. After eating a few pieces, he stopped and started eating porridge and buns.

When Zhuang Zhuang was done eating, Xiaoguo got him to wash up and change his clothes.

The two of them were going to the county today because Ruyi Noodle Restaurant would be reopening.

The last time before she left the restaurant, Ruyi had specially invited Xiaoguo to bring Zhuang Zhuang to the opening ceremony.

Zhuang Zhuang returned to the house to change into the clothes that Xiaoguo had prepared for him. Xiaoguo was in the house with a basket. She went to the vat, opened the lid, and scooped out twenty century eggs.

Back in the house, she took out a piece of greaseproof paper and divided it into two portions. She packed the eggs in two separate packs, one with six eggs, and the other with fourteen eggs.

“Zhuang Zhuang, let’s go!”

Xiaoguo attached the cart to the donkey and walked out. When she reached the door, she called out to Zhuang Zhuang. The little guy had been inside for a long time. She wondered what he was doing.

“I’m coming! I’m coming!”

Zhuang Zhuang ran out as he spoke. Xiaoguo turned around and almost sprained her back.

“Zhuang Zhuang?”

“Yes! Mother! Let’s go!”

Zhuang Zhuang climbed onto the donkey cart and looked at Xiaoguo happily, urging her to set off.

Xiaoguo locked the door and smiled helplessly. “What was this child doing? Why was he dressed like this?”

Zhuang Zhuang was wearing the new clothes that Xiaoguo had made for him. He was also wearing new shoes. Even his hair was all slicked back. Xiaoguo had made a headband out of some fabric scraps, and Zhuang Zhuang had used it to tie up all his hair.

He had also washed his face, and was looking clean and neat.

Zhuang Zhuang was very satisfied with his outfit. After Xiaoguo got up the cart and sat down, he snuggled into her arms.

Xiaoguo could tell that Zhuang Zhuang was taking this opening ceremony very seriously. She then looked at herself. She was still wearing her old clothes from before. Was it appropriate?

After much consideration, she stopped the donkey cart. Fortunately, she had only traveled a short distance—she got off and asked Zhuang Zhuang to wait for her with the donkey cart.

Xiaoguo ran a few steps, unlocked the door, and hurried back into the house to change into her new clothes and shoes.

There was a bronze mirror in the house. Xiaoguo walked over and checked out her reflection. After confirming that she looked okay, she quickly left the house.

An auspicious date and time had been selected for the opening of the noodle shop. Xiaoguo deliberately went out early to avoid any delays.

Along the way, Zhuang Zhuang kept praising Xiaoguo. This made Xiaoguo blush in embarrassment. She covered Zhuang Zhuang’s mouth and drove on towards the county.

“Zhuang Zhuang, stop it. Do you hear me?”

It didn’t seem appropriate to cover Zhuang Zhuang’s mouth. Everyone they met along the way looked at Xiaoguo strangely. They all thought that Xiaoguo was a child trafficker.

Zhuang Zhuang couldn’t tell what she was thinking. He thought that Xiaoguo was playing with him and continued talking even more enthusiastically.

Seeing that she couldn’t stop him anymore, Xiaoguo let go of him. “Whatever.”

As soon as Zhuang Zhuang regained his freedom, he spoke even faster. How and where he had learnt to speak so fluently.

The people on the streets listened to Zhuang Zhuang blabbering away. One moment, they were looking at Zhuang Zhuang, the next moment, they were pointing at Xiaoguo and smiling knowingly.

“Jiang Qingwen.”

Xiaoguo was completely embarrassed. She stared straight ahead, not daring to look at the people on both sides of the street. She really didn’t want this stupid child anymore.

Seeing that Zhuang Zhuang could read more and more words, and that he was getting really good at talking and reasoning, Xiaoguo could no longer fool him.

Fortunately, the three words “Jiang Qingwen” were still enough to scare him.

When Zhuang Zhuang heard Xiaoguo call him by his full name, he instantly stopped. He didn’t utter another word. His eyes flickered as he blinked at Xiaoguo.

“There’s no point in acting cute, little brat.”

Xiaoguo tried not to look into his eyes. It was too risky. She had almost surrendered. This child knew very well what her weak spot was. He knew that she would not be able to resist his little face.

“Eh?”

Zhuang Zhuang had a puzzled look on his face. Why wasn’t his mother kissing him today?

“Eh what? It’s useless. Behave yourself. We’re almost there.”

Zhuang Zhuang grunted and sat up straight, looking indignant.

When she arrived at the door of the noodle shop, Xiaoguo almost thought she had come to the wrong place.

The usual signboard of Ruyi Noodle Restaurant was gone. The old plaque had been replaced by a new one. It was even covered by a red cloth.

Xiaoguo found this interesting. Did they change the restaurant’s name?

Xiaoguo got out of the car with Zhuang Zhuang. Qin Anming was standing by the door when he spotted Xiaoguo. He quickly walked to her side.

“Xiaoguo!”

“Brother!”

Xiaoguo looked at the man in front of her happily. She had not seen him for a week. She missed him so much!

“Uncle!”

Qin Anming picked up Zhuang Zhuang and felt his weight in his arms. “Yo, our Zhuang Zhuang has gained weight again!”

“Mother said that I look best when I am round and chubby!”

Zhuang Zhuang was wearing a proud expression on his face. He did not detect the teasing tone in Qin Anming’s voice.

Qin Anming laughed when he heard that. He couldn’t help but pinch Zhuang Zhuang’s round face. Indeed, it was soft and nice to pinch.

“Sister Xiaoguo! Zhuang Zhuang!”

Ruyi came out with a bunch of firecrackers in her hands. When she saw Xiaoguo, she ran over happily to greet her.

Zhuang Zhuang greeted her by calling her sister, and Xiaoguo also greeted her warmly.

Ruyi brought Xiaoguo into the house so that she could admire the results of the renovation.

Xiaoguo was shocked. How much had they done in such a short time?

From the moment they entered the restaurant, there was a table with a large bowl on it. On top of the bowl, there was a wooden rod with many tongs hanging from it.

Beside the table was a large wooden counter. It had many compartments. In each compartment, there was a wooden basin filled with ingredients. The top rows were for meatballs and meat. And the bottom rows were for vegetables and noodles.

They walked ahead and arrived at another counter. This area was for weighing. According to the price of 20 copper coins per catty, an ordinary person would only need to spend about ten copper coins for a normal meal.

After weighing the plates, and paying the bill, a number plate would be given to the customer. When the dishes are cooked, the number will be called and the customer can collect their orders.

When the kitchen receives the ingredients that the customers had picked, they would be cooked and served with the selected soup base. The customer can then collect their orders from the serving area and add their desired condiments.

The condiments were stored in small jars with labels so that people would know what each condiment was.

The ingredients area, weighing area, and dining area were connected to one another. There was a space marked out for people to walk around.

The remaining space was allocated for tables. The number of tables were one third more than the previous setup, allowing for more customers to dine in at the restaurant.