“This is so good, this bowl of noodles is freaking delicious! I wish I could have another one.”
“Too bad it’s limited to one bowl per person, but at least one bowl is enough to fill you up.”

“Sure, it fills you up, but that grounded pork is just too good. No matter how much you eat, it never feels like enough.”

“The chicken and beef are amazing too, and the portions are super generous. I wonder what kind of noodles we’ll get tomorrow.”

Early in the morning, Zhao Yonghe heard a noisy commotion outside. Annoyed, he stepped out and saw the alley packed with people eating noodles. His eyes flashed with jealousy. Seriously? That many people just for noodles? Isn’t this a slap in my face?!
Without a second thought, he grabbed his phone and dialed, “Hello? City management? There’s illegal street vending happening here.”

Not long after, the city management team arrived. Looking at the crowded alley full of noodle eaters, they were momentarily dumbfounded. This was their first time seeing something like this—so many people gathered just to eat noodles.

Captain Jiang Long stepped into the shop and said to Qiao Lu, “Young lady, you need to clean this up quickly. Such a crowd isn’t ideal.”

Before Qiao Lu could even respond, the noodle lovers outside started protesting.

“This isn’t a main road, nor is it a restricted area. We’re just here to eat noodles!”

“Exactly! This little corner doesn’t affect the cityscape. What business is it of yours?”

“We’ve been waiting in line for so long. No way we’re leaving without our noodles!”

Seeing how agitated everyone was, Jiang Long knew the shop wasn’t technically breaking any rules. The main concern was just the safety risk of such a crowd. And with repeated instructions from above to enforce rules with civility, he raised his hand to calm the crowd and said, “Everyone, it’s not that we’re stopping you from eating noodles. It’s just that this gathering poses risks. Let’s work out a proper solution. I promise it won’t take long before you can enjoy your noodles again.”

“Jiang Long, if you stop me from eating noodles today, don’t even think about climbing into my bed tonight!”

A woman with a child suddenly stepped forward, glaring fiercely.

“Darling? What are you doing here? And you brought our son too? Can’t you give me some face?!”

The moment Jiang Long saw his wife and child, he wilted like a frosted eggplant.

Hearing this exchange, everyone burst into laughter.

When Qin Feng found out what was going on, he approached Jiang Long and said, “Captain Jiang, how about this? I’ll ask everyone to move somewhere else to eat. That should solve the congestion issue, right?”

“As long as you can disperse the crowd, that’s fine.”

Jiang Long nodded in agreement.

Qin Feng turned to the crowd and said, “Aunties and uncles, I’m really sorry, but I’ll have to ask you to move elsewhere to enjoy your noodles.”

“No problem! We can eat anywhere!”

The crowd cheerfully picked up their bowls and started leaving the alley.

With the issue resolved, Jiang Long led his team away.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng noticed Shen Yuanshan and Feng Dong squatting like kids in a corner, slurping their noodles. He walked over and greeted them, “Old Master, why don’t you sit inside? I’ll clear a spot for you.”

“No need, we’re almost done. Xiao Qin, these noodles are truly something special. Eating them warms your whole body. It’s just a shame my stomach is too small—one bowl fills me up, or I’d definitely have a few more.”

Even now, Shen Yuanshan was still savoring the taste in his mind.

“As long as you like it, Old Master. Tomorrow’s a new noodle dish. Do come by and try it out.”

Qin Feng smiled as he handed him a napkin.

“Count on it, we’ll be here!”

Shen Yuanshan was already looking forward to tomorrow’s noodles.

Qin Feng returned to the shop and got back to cooking.

After another hour of work, the bowls of grounded pork, chicken, and the like were completely emptied.

“Ugh, I’m dead tired.”

Qiao Lu flopped into a chair, rubbing her sore arms. She was starving and exhausted, having been too busy to even take a sip of water.

“Here, eat up. You must be hungry by now.”

Qin Feng came out of the kitchen with a bowl of noodles and a big serving of the grounded pork and chicken.

“Shifu? Didn’t we run out? How is there still some left?”

Delighted, Qiao Lu started eating while asking.

“One thing you should know: a chef will never let themselves go hungry. And the best food? Of course, the chef gets first dibs.”

Qin Feng chuckled as he sat down with his own bowl. He’d never heard of a chef starving themselves.

“That’s true.”

Qiao Lu thought about it and realized it made perfect sense.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll handle cooking the noodles. Making noodles can be as simple or as tricky as you make it. The key is controlling the cooking time—some people like them soft, others firm. It’s all about timing, which you’ll get the hang of with practice. Start honing your skills.”

Considering how hard she’d been working on her knife skills lately, Qin Feng figured she needed a mix of practice and rest.

“Thank you, Master!”

Hearing this, Qiao Lu was overjoyed. She wasn’t allowed to handle stir-frying yet, but being entrusted with the noodles was a big step forward, and she was brimming with excitement.

Just as they were finishing their noodles, Qin Feng saw Nannan’s teacher, Xu Ru, walk in. He greeted her, “Teacher Xu, what brings you here? Did Nannan get into trouble again?”

Xu Ru quickly waved her hands, “Oh no, Nannan’s been an angel! It’s like this—the kids are all obsessed with your cola chicken wings. So the parents were hoping you could teach them how to make it so they can cook it at home for their kids.”

“That’s easy. I can just write down the recipe and instructions for them.”

Qin Feng nodded. It was no trouble at all.

“Well, the kindergarten was thinking it’d be better if you taught them in person. That way, the parents can learn more effectively, and the kids can have a treat too. They’ve been craving it for ages!”

Xu Ru brushed her hair aside. The school had sent her specifically because she was Nannan’s teacher, making it easier to discuss.

After hearing this, Qin Feng saw no issue and asked, “Sure. When?”

“Tonight! We’ll provide all the ingredients. The parents have already agreed to bring their kids.”

Xu Ru explained the school’s arrangement.

“You guys already set everything up before asking me? What if I’d said no? Wouldn’t that leave you all in an awkward spot?”

Qin Feng laughed. From the looks of it, they had been confident he’d agree.

Xu Ru also chuckled, “We knew you’d say yes. If you didn’t, we’d just have Nannan ask you. You wouldn’t turn her down, would you?”

“Impressive, truly impressive.”

Qin Feng gave her a thumbs-up. If Nannan had come to ask, there was no way he could refuse.