Chapter 33.1

Given Zhang Tieshan’s imposing build, Li Hehua figured he must have a hearty appetite. She served him over thirty dumplings, while the little one got six or seven.

Li Hehua placed a large bowl of dumplings on the table and prepared a dipping sauce for the father and son. “Start eating,” she said. “There are more in the pot. I’ll bring you more when you’re done.”

With that, Li Hehua hurried back to her work, too busy to say anything else.

Zhang Tieshan glanced at the overflowing bowl of dumplings before his eyes drifted to Li Hehua’s bustling figure. An unreadable emotion flickered across his face.

Feeling small hands tugging at his sleeve, Zhang Tieshan lowered his head, patted his son’s head, and picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks. He blew on it to cool it slightly before offering it to the boy.

The little one opened his mouth and took a bite, but his small mouth could only manage about a third of the dumpling at once. Zhang Tieshan remained patient, holding the dumpling steady until the boy finished it in three bites. Only then did he take a moment to eat one himself.

During a lull in her busy work, Li Hehua caught sight of Zhang Tieshan feeding the little one. A smile crept onto her face. Though the man appeared tall and burly, he possessed a surprisingly tender heart. The gentle way he treated his son was always touching to witness. He was a truly wonderful father.

Another group of customers arrived at the stall. Seeing that the little one was being cared for, Li Hehua focused on preparing the food. When she finally had a moment to rest, she remembered Zhang Tieshan and his son and quickly glanced over. She saw Zhang Tieshan holding the little one in his lap, making room for other customers to sit.

Li Hehua noticed that the bowl in front of them was empty. The little one was undoubtedly full, but Zhang Tieshan might not be. She walked over, took the bowl, and filled it with hot dumplings from another pot. Placing the heaping bowl in front of Zhang Tieshan, she said, “Eat up. I didn’t finish serving the dumplings I cooked for you earlier.”

Zhang Tieshan glanced at the dumplings but said nothing. He simply picked up his chopsticks and resumed eating, this time without feeding the little one.

Li Hehua appreciated Zhang Tieshan’s straightforward, no-nonsense attitude. At least she didn’t have to waste her breath on him.

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry! Are you alright?”

Dahe’s voice came from the next table. Li Hehua quickly looked over and saw Dahe frantically wiping the table with a cloth. Teacher Gu had stood up, his long robe stained with soup.

Li Hehua hurried over. “What happened?”

Dahe looked utterly remorseful. “I’m so sorry, Aunt Lotus. I was being too hasty while clearing the table and accidentally spilled the soup on this gentleman’s clothes. I feel terrible…”

Li Hehua didn’t scold Dahe. Instead, she pulled out a clean handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to Gu Zhijin .” Master Gu, I’m truly sorry. Our waiter was careless. Please wipe yourself off.”

Gu Zhijin shook his head. “It’s alright, it’s alright. I can wipe it off myself. The owner and the waiter don’t need to blame themselves. The stain will come out in the wash.”

Seeing Li Hehua’s outstretched handkerchief, Gu Zhijin hesitated for a moment before accepting it. However, instead of wiping his robe, he picked up a scroll of paintings from the table and gently dabbed at the stains on its surface with the cloth.

Li Hehua suddenly noticed that the painting scroll Gu Zhijin had brought with him was also stained with soup.

Startled, she quickly asked, “Teacher Gu, your painting seems to be wet too! Please check if it’s ruined.” She didn’t know if the painting was valuable, but if it was damaged, she wondered how much it would cost to compensate.

Gu Zhijin first wiped off the soup stains on the outside of the scroll, then carefully unrolled it to examine the inside. Li Hehua leaned over to look as well, and a landscape painting of mountains and wilderness unfolded before their eyes. The scene was vividly realistic yet retained an ethereal quality, with every mountain, river, and tree rendered beautifully. Flowing calligraphy at the top proclaimed, “Idle Mountain Dwelling Painting.”

Li Hehua had once seen a treasured ink wash painting in her grandfather’s study. At the time, she had thought both the painting and the calligraphy were exquisite. But now, she realized that neither could compare to the masterpiece before her.

Yet this magnificent painting was marred by soup stains, leaving it permanently flawed.

Li Hehua’s brow furrowed with guilt. “Master Gu, I’m so sorry! Your painting is ruined, but I’ll compensate you. Just name the price, and I’ll pay.”

Gu Zhijin shook his head dismissively. “It’s nothing, Boss. This painting isn’t valuable—just something I did to pass the time. I can always paint another. It’s not a big deal, so don’t blame yourself.”

“But…” Li Hehua hadn’t realized the painting was Teacher Gu’s own work, and she still felt uneasy.

Gu Zhijin smiled and pointed to the food container on the table. “Don’t worry, Boss. It’s really not an important painting. Look, you’ve lent me bowls countless times, and now this food container too. I’ve never paid you back. Why would you offer me money for such a small thing?”

Seeing Gu Zhijin’s sincerity, Li Hehua knew he truly didn’t mind. She felt deeply grateful. “Thank you, Master Gu.”

Gu Zhijin waved dismissively, signaling her not to stand on ceremony. He slowly rolled up the painting scroll, then picked up the food container. “I’ll be going now, Boss. I’ll return the container and bowl tomorrow.”

Li Hehua nodded. “Take care, Master Gu.”

After Gu Zhijin left, Dahe lowered his head, his face flushed with shame. “Aunt Hehua, I’m so sorry. I’m just too clumsy.”

Li Hehua patted his shoulder. “It’s alright. You did great for your first day. Just be more careful next time. Don’t dwell on it—go back to work.”

Dahe nodded and returned to his duties.

Li Hehua returned to Zhang Tieshan’s table and found the little one wide-eyed, staring intently at Gu Zhijin’s retreating figure in the distance, who was carrying a painting scroll and a food box.

The little one never stared at strangers, only those he knew well. Puzzled, Li Hehua asked, “Baby, what are you looking at? Is it that teacher with the painting?”

The little one continued to watch Gu Zhijin’s receding figure without blinking.

Confused, Li Hehua glanced at Zhang Tieshan, hoping he might know the reason.

Seeing her questioning look, Zhang Tieshan said, “He’s not looking at the person. He’s looking at the painting.”

The little one had been fixated on the scroll since Teacher Gu unfurled it, and his gaze hadn’t wavered even as the man walked away. Zhang Tieshan himself couldn’t understand why the child was so captivated by the artwork.

Understanding dawned on Li Hehua. She patted the little one’s head. “Baby, did you like that painting? If you did, Mommy will buy you one to hang at home when she earns enough money, okay?”

Only then did the little one break his gaze, blinking at her.

Li Hehua pinched his tiny nose. “Are you full, baby?”

The little one couldn’t speak, but Zhang Tieshan answered for him, “He’s full. I just fed him eight dumplings.”

Eight dumplings were quite a lot for a child, and the little one was indeed full.

Li Hehua nodded and took away their shared bowl and chopsticks.

The lunch rush had passed, and the stall was gradually emptying. The streets were much quieter now. Li Hehua made some noodles for lunch, and after she and Dahe finished eating, the last customers had left.

Li Hehua began packing up the stall.

First, she loaded the pots, pans, and other utensils onto the pushcart. Dahe hauled them back home and quickly returned with the cart to help transport the tables and stools.

Zhang Tieshan was still sitting at the table. Li Hehua hesitated to ask him to leave, since they were finished packing up and needed to take the table home.

Before she could decide what to say, she tried to lift an empty table onto the pushcart. But the table was too heavy, and she stumbled, nearly dropping it. Startled, she quickly set it down, deciding to wait for Dahe’s help. But as soon as she lowered the table, Zhang Tieshan picked it up. With his sleeves rolled up, he effortlessly lifted the table and placed it onto the pushcart.

He was helping her move the tables.

Li Hehua was surprised, but she felt awkward letting him help, especially since they weren’t even friends. She quickly grabbed his sleeve. “Zhang Tieshan, don’t bother. We can manage ourselves. Just keep an eye on Shulin for us.”

Zhang Tieshan glanced at Li Hehua’s hand on his sleeve, said nothing, and turned back to lift another table onto the cart.

Li Hehua: “……” Why is he insisting on doing this? Is he out of his mind?

Dahe stood to the side, unable to help, staring blankly at Zhang Tieshan moving the furniture. His gaze drifted to the man’s solid, muscular arms, filled with admiration and envy. This guy is amazing! He lifted that heavy table like it weighed nothing, while I struggled so much.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Tieshan had loaded all the tables, chairs, and benches onto the cart, packing them tightly to maximize space. The entire load fit perfectly, ready to be wheeled back in a single trip.

Li Hehua opened her mouth, unsure what to say. Should she thank him?

After Zhang Tieshan finished moving the tables and chairs, he picked up Shulin and placed him in Li Hehua’s arms. Then, he pushed the cart down the alley, refusing any help and managing it effortlessly on his own.

Li Hehua blinked, rooted to the spot. Dahe stood awkwardly beside her, unsure what to do since Zhang Tieshan had taken over his task.

Noticing their hesitation, Zhang Tieshan turned to Li Hehua, his brow furrowing slightly. “Lead the way,” he said curtly.

Li Hehua reflexively replied, “Oh,” and carried Shulin ahead to guide him. She couldn’t shake the odd feeling that something was off. Just moments ago, the air between them had been thick with tension. Hadn’t Zhang Tieshan despised her? Why was he now so willing to help?

Zhang Tieshan pushed the cart back to Li Hehua’s small courtyard. After a brief, detached survey of the space, he patted Shulin’s head, said “I’m leaving” to Li Hehua, and strode out.

Li Hehua found Zhang Tieshan utterly baffling today. But it wasn’t a pressing matter. Unable to make sense of it, she shrugged it off and went to prepare tomorrow’s ingredients.