Qin Feng filled the pot with oil in the kitchen, heated it up, and then poured in chili peppers to start simmering.

Before long, the rich aroma of chili oil wafted through the air.

“Shifu, that smells amazing! What are you making chili oil for?”

Qiao Lu leaned close to the pot, inhaling deeply, wishing she could scoop up a bowl of chili oil and drink it.

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll offer noodles for an hour. These will be the toppings. For a bowl of noodles, the toppings are the soul.”

After finishing the chili oil, Qin Feng started preparing the sauces, pork intestines, chicken giblets, and other side ingredients.

Seeing the large bowls filled with various toppings, Qiao Lu couldn’t help but drool, asking, “Shifu, didn’t you say you’d only offer one type of noodles each day? This looks like four or five kinds!”

“This is actually just one kind of noodles; the difference lies in the toppings. Don’t be fooled by these big bowls—they’ll barely be enough. Write the news about tomorrow’s noodle service on the blackboard and put it at the alley entrance.”

Qin Feng chuckled. The first dish he’d offer tomorrow was Chongqing noodles, a specialty from the Sichuan-Chongqing region, famous for their unique toppings and ever-changing flavors that left people craving more.

“Shifu, how much should we charge?”

Qiao Lu asked.

“Fifty yuan per bowl, including all the toppings.”

Qin Feng thought for a moment. Fifty yuan might be a bit pricey, but with unlimited toppings, it was worth the price.

Qiao Lu nodded and wrote the announcement on the blackboard, placing it outside the alley entrance.

As soon as the board was set up, a crowd gathered around.

Zhao Yonghe was the first to rush over. When he saw the announcement about noodle service the next morning, his face showed a hint of disappointment—his restaurant didn’t serve noodles, so he turned and left.

Among the crowd, however, a man with a rat-like face began scheming.

After a busy day, Qin Feng returned home to help Nannan with her homework, enjoying a warm family moment.

“Daddy, look at my drawing. Do you like it?”

Nannan held up her drawing and placed it in front of Qin Feng.

“Not bad. Is this Daddy, Mommy, and Nannan?”

Looking at the picture of two adults holding hands with a child, Qin Feng immediately understood what she had drawn.

Nannan nodded and pointed at the characters in the drawing. “This is Daddy, this is Mommy, and this is me. Daddy, my classmates keep asking when you’ll make cola chicken wings for them again—they really, really want to eat them.”

“I’ll find some time to make it for you all, okay?”

Qin Feng smiled, realizing those kids were addicted to his cooking. Constantly making food for them wasn’t a long-term solution—he’d have to think of another way.

After finishing her homework, Qin Feng told Nannan a bedtime story and coaxed her to sleep.

The next morning, Qin Feng got up early and headed to the shop. The noodle service would run from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

When he arrived, he saw a long line had already formed, stretching outside the alley.

“Boss Qin, with so many people waiting, how many of us will actually get to eat? Tell us first, so we don’t wait in line for nothing.”

Someone voiced their concern to Qin Feng.

“I’ve prepared some takeout boxes for you. If you don’t mind standing while eating, I should have enough for about sixty people today.”

After explaining, Qin Feng went inside.

“No problem! Standing is fine as long as we get to eat!”

Hearing Qin Feng’s assurance, the crowd cheered up.

Qin Feng boiled a large pot of water and began cooking the noodles. He handed the first bowl to Qiao Lu, instructing, “Take this out and ask the customers what toppings they want. Just ladle the toppings over the noodles.”

Qiao Lu brought the bowl out and asked the first customer in line, “We’re offering ground pork, chicken giblets, pork intestines, and beef. What would you like?”

“Ground pork, please.”

The customer glanced at the large bowls on the table and chose ground pork.

Qiao Lu scooped a spoonful of ground pork into the bowl and handed it to him.

The man quickly grabbed the bowl and started wolfing down the noodles, muttering, “So good, so good!”

Seeing this, the people in line became even more eager, craning their necks to catch a glimpse.

Soon, all the seats in the shop were filled, and many had to stand in the alley to eat. The atmosphere was bustling.

“Lu Lu, get me a bowl of noodles!”

At that moment, Xiao Wen walked in and greeted Qiao Lu.

“What toppings do you want?”

Qiao Lu didn’t bother to scold her for cutting in line.

“Just give me a bit of everything. Now I finally understand the saying, ‘It’s good to have connections!’”

Xiao Wen grinned happily.

Qiao Lu handed her a generously topped bowl and said, “Go eat somewhere else—don’t get in my way.”

Shen Yan helped her grandfather and Mr. Feng Dong into the alley, intending to have noodles. However, seeing the alley packed with people, her face showed surprise—she hadn’t expected such a crowd.

“Haha, I told you we should come earlier, but you didn’t believe me.”

Shen Yuanshan laughed heartily. Seeing everyone enjoying their noodles made his stomach rumble in anticipation.

“Grandpa, it’s too crowded. Let’s come back later.”

Shen Yan tried to persuade him, seeing how full the alley was.

But Shen Yuanshan waved her off. “The fun of eating lies in the atmosphere. The more people, the better it tastes.”

“Exactly! Let’s join the excitement.”

Feng Dong led the way into the shop.

Qiao Lu, busy ladling toppings, looked up and saw Shen Yuanshan. She quickly greeted him, “Grandpa Shen, you’re here? But it’s so crowded, and there’s no room left.”

“No worries, I’ll stand and eat. What’s this?”

Shen Yuanshan pointed at a bowl of ground pork.

“This is ground pork, made with minced meat. Would you like some?”

Qiao Lu explained, drooling as she glanced at the toppings—she hadn’t eaten a bite yet.

“Sure, sure, give me some!”

Shen Yuanshan smiled and nodded.

Soon, Qiao Lu served them each a bowl of noodles.

Shen Yuanshan stood to the side, eating like everyone else, commenting as he ate, “Delicious! The noodles with the ground pork are a perfect match. The spice level is just right—not too overpowering.”

“Exactly! These chicken giblets are amazing too—so tasty you can’t stop!”

Feng Dong was also digging in happily, his face full of satisfaction.

“Grandpa, slow down! You’re getting oil all over your clothes!”

Shen Yan tried to remind them as they ate like children, completely unconcerned about their appearance.

But Shen Yuanshan and Feng Dong paid her no mind, fully immersed in enjoying their noodles.