“No, no,” Zhang Yunxi waved her hands. “We’re just from the same brigade, happened to run into each other, and decided to have a meal together.”

“Oh, oh, sorry about that. I just thought you two looked quite compatible,” the waitress said regretfully before handing Zhao Rencheng a slip of paper. “Take this to the kitchen window, give it to the cook, and wait in line. Your food will be ready soon.”

“Alright.” Zhao Rencheng walked to the window but kept a slight distance from Zhang Yunxi, feeling a little awkward.

Zhang Yunxi looked around, feeling equally uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Zhao Mo was waiting to carry the food. She had no money to pay Uncle Zhao back, so she thought about collecting firewood for him later. At the same time, she carefully observed the state-owned restaurant, trying to memorize every detail so she could share her experience with Ergouzi back home.

The walls were covered with slogans and posters, all in bright colors. The images depicted smiling people looking upward, full of hope and positivity.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t read the slogans.

Auntie said she should go to school. If she had the chance to come here again in the future, she’d be able to understand them.

Noticing Zhao Mo staring at the slogans, Zhang Yunxi bent down beside her and pointed at the words on the wall.

“This says: ‘People are like iron, food is like steel; laborers have strength!’”

“That one says: ‘Hard work and perseverance!’”

“The biggest characters say: ‘Cooking for the people!’”

Zhao Mo carefully memorized the words and repeated them to Zhang Yunxi, her voice a little nervous. “Auntie, did I get it right?”

“Yes! You’re so smart!”

She really was amazing. At such a young age, she already showed an extraordinary ability to remember things.

That wretched Zhao Hongqiang—keeping Zhao Mo from going to school had delayed her progress for so long.

Zhang Yunxi felt furious just thinking about it, but on the surface, she raised both thumbs in admiration.

“You’re incredible.”

Zhao Mo blushed slightly, but since her skin was dark, it wasn’t obvious. She turned back to the wall and repeated the words a few more times in her head.

She was determined to tell Ergouzi what they said!

At that moment, the cook called out their order. Zhao Rencheng stepped forward, collected the dishes, and placed them all on the table before Zhang Yunxi or Zhao Mo could even reach for them.

“Let’s eat.”

“Okay.” Zhang Yunxi guided Zhao Mo to the table and pulled out six pairs of chopsticks from the holder, handing a pair to each of them.

Zhao Rencheng accepted his and picked up a piece of braised pork for Zhao Mo.

“Eat up.”

“Thank you, Uncle Zhao.”

As she took a bite, tears welled up in Zhao Mo’s eyes.

This was the first time she had ever had an entire piece of braised pork to herself.

It was fragrant, slightly sweet, and the white rice was soft and delicious—without any pebbles or rice worms.

A single tear fell onto her lap. She quickly wiped it away and continued eating quietly, savoring the meat carefully.

Zhang Yunxi’s heart ached for her.

But she didn’t say anything—she knew how sensitive children could be.

Instead, she placed two more pieces of braised pork in Zhao Mo’s bowl, along with some shredded pork in garlic sauce.

“Zhao Mo, mix the shredded pork with your rice—it’s delicious that way.”

“Oh, okay.” Zhao Mo obediently followed her aunt’s instructions.

But after taking a bite, she was puzzled.

Why was fish-flavored shredded pork called that when there was no fish in it?

Had she just never tasted this kind of fish before?

Confused, she asked, “Auntie, why doesn’t fish-flavored shredded pork have any fish?”

“It’s because the dish is cooked with pickled peppers from the Sichuan-Chongqing region,” Zhang Yunxi explained. “In the most traditional version, the pickled peppers were fermented with fresh fish, which gave them a distinctive fish aroma. Over time, this flavor became a signature of Sichuan cuisine, so they named the dish ‘fish-flavored shredded pork.’”

“Ohhh.” Zhao Mo’s eyes lit up. She admired Zhang Yunxi even more.

“Auntie, you’re so smart! You know so much!”

Zhang Yunxi, being thick-skinned, nodded seriously.

Zhao Mo giggled, revealing her little teeth, and ate even more happily.

Meanwhile, Zhao Rencheng silently focused on his food.

To be honest, this was his first time hearing the origin of fish-flavored shredded pork.

He had eaten the dish plenty of times in the military, but he had never thought to ask about its name.

Now, thanks to Zhang Yunxi, he finally understood.

In the end, he finished three bowls of rice and cleared the remaining dishes.

Zhang Yunxi and Zhao Mo only had one bowl each, but the servings were big and packed tightly, making Zhang Yunxi feel completely stuffed.

Seeing Zhao Rencheng eat three bowls, she was genuinely impressed.

After finishing their meal, the three of them prepared to head back.

On the way, Zhao Rencheng carried the bags and walked slightly behind Zhang Yunxi.

From his view, he could see her holding Zhao Mo’s hand, swinging it back and forth.

Zhao Mo was practically skipping down the dirt road, her plain, dark-colored clothes unable to hide the energy and life radiating from her.

It was a stark contrast to before.

Despite being only seven years old, she had once carried a lifeless, solemn expression.

Now, she was alive again.

As they neared the entrance of the village, Zhao Rencheng handed Zhang Yunxi her bags.

“You go ahead. I’ll stay here a bit longer.”

“Alright, thank you, Brother Zhao. Next time, I’ll definitely treat you to a meal.” Zhang Yunxi spoke with sincerity.

Zhao Rencheng gave a small nod.

“Go home.”

In that moment, Zhang Yunxi no longer found him intimidating. She smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

She and Zhao Mo returned to the female educated youth dormitory.

On the way, they attracted plenty of curious glances—but not as bold as the day before.

After all, this was the same girl who had dared to pull a knife on Zhao Hongqiang yesterday.

Today, Zhang Yunxi had become the most talked-about person in the entire brigade.

This girl was not to be messed with.

She had outmaneuvered Zhao Hongqiang in a way that left him with no room to argue.

And while Zhao Hongqiang was furious, he wouldn’t tear his relationship with her apart just yet, since the money would eventually be returned.

Meanwhile, Zhao Mo had truly benefitted.

She had a real room to sleep in, she had food to eat, and she could go to school.

She was now on equal footing with the boys in the brigade.

Zhang Yunxi didn’t care about the whispers. She showed Zhao Mo the measurements of her new clothes and said,

“After work and dinner, come find me. I’ll teach you to read for half an hour, okay?”

“Okay.” Zhao Mo hesitated for a moment before asking, “Auntie, how can I help you?”

“You don’t have to do anything. You’re a child—your only job is to be happy.”

Zhang Yunxi ruffled her hair, then playfully lifted the corners of her mouth with her fingers.

“Like this—just smile and be happy.”

Zhao Mo gazed at her deeply, engraving this moment into her memory.

If gods existed in this world, then her aunt must be one.

She had suddenly appeared in her life—giving her candy, protecting her from beatings, letting her sleep in a bed, taking her shopping, buying her clothes, and letting her eat meat.

“Auntie, I’ll take care of you when you’re old!!”

“Pfft, why are you thinking so far ahead?” Zhang Yunxi laughed: “I take care of you now and treat you well, not to pressure you. You’re wonderful, and that’s why I love you. Don’t think that taking care of me in my old age is your mission. You have a long life ahead of you, and my greatest wish is for you to do what you love.”

Zhang Yunxi hoped that one day, Zhao Mo’s childhood could heal her.

Zhao Mo was puzzled: “Things I love?”

“Yes!”

Zhang Yunxi didn’t know what butterfly effects her care would have on Zhao Mo’s life, or if she would become a big shot, but none of that mattered.

As long as she was happy, joyful, and healthy.

That was better than anything.

Just like Zhao Mo in the past, she only had one request for her: enjoy the world to the fullest!