YM778.TV Chapter 61
Then she caught herself, her heart skipping a beat. She responded in a calm tone.
[What’s the matter?]. [Lu Qin: This Friday, the kindergarten is hosting a parent-child activity. All the other kids’ parents will be there, and the little one is hoping you can come too.].Shen Muyan’s heart stirred, and she sent a message to Song Xuanxuan.
[What’s the schedule for this Friday?]. [Song Xuanxuan: Boss, there’s a department meeting at 9 a.m. and interviews for the kitchen staff at the Bauhinia Restaurant at 3 p.m.]. [Shen Muyan: Push the department meeting to next Monday and handle the interviews without me. Let Manager Hao take full responsibility.]. [Song Xuanxuan: Got it.].Once everything was arranged, Shen Muyan replied to Lu Qin.
[Alright, let the little one know I’ll be there.]. [Lu Qin: Thank you.]. [Shen Muyan: Thank you? Am I not the little one’s mother?]. [Lu Qin: Uh… then I take it back.]. [Shen Muyan: Make something to bring that day.]. [Lu Qin: Sure.].After that, the chat fell into a brief silence. Shen Muyan’s slender fingers tapped lightly on her phone screen, but she wasn’t sure what else to say.
[Lu Qin: Are you still the same?]. [Shen Muyan: What?]. [Lu Qin: Busy with work and often forgetting to eat on time.]. [Shen Muyan: What can I do about it?]. [Lu Qin: Work is never-ending, but enjoying life is important too.].Shen Muyan stayed silent for a few seconds.
[I know. Get some rest.]. [Lu Qin: Goodnight.].The chat ended. Shen Muyan put her phone aside and continued soaking in the bath. At that moment, her mood unexpectedly lifted. She closed her eyes slightly and began to hum a tune softly.
“In the pond of happiness, dreams grow into an ocean,
Wide-eyed and big-mouthed, singing aloud together…”
______
The next day, at 5:30 a.m., Lu Qin woke up. Whether it was habit or the fatigue-dispelling effects of his systematic routine, Lu Qin always felt energized when he woke up early, with no desire to sleep in.
The May morning was already bright. After a light stretch, he freshened up. At this moment, the door to the little one’s room opened.
“Daddy~! You’re up so early~?”
The little one, still half-asleep, looked like her soul was still wandering in dreamland.
“Daddy slept well last night and woke up early, so I thought I’d go to the market to buy ingredients and prepare breakfast and set up the morning food stall.”
The little one stretched out her small arms, and Lu Qin picked her up.
“Daddy~! Hugs~!”
Her soft little cheeks rubbed against his face.
“Daddy~! That’s so tiring for you~! Yaoyao feels bad~!”
“No, Daddy’s not tired at all. If I ever get tired, I’ll take a rest.”
“Really~?”
“Really.”
“Why did Yaoyao wake up so early?”
“I need to go potty~!”
After using the bathroom, the little one climbed back into bed and quickly fell asleep again. Lu Qin drank half a glass of warm water, then rode his three-wheeled food cart out of the courtyard.
In the neighborhood fitness area, many elderly residents were already out for their morning exercise, practicing tai chi, walking backward, clapping their hands…
Chen Dahai had quietly rented a place in this old neighborhood and quickly built rapport with Grandpa Ge and the other long-time residents.
“Wow, Old Chen, how many years have you been practicing this tai chi push-hands? Your borrowed force technique is amazing—I’m struggling to keep up!”
Chen Dahai replied smugly, “How about that, Old Ge? Now you see what it means to overcome action with stillness.”
“Wow, impressive!”
As Lu Qin’s food cart passed by, he slowed down.
“Grandpa Ge, practicing, I see?”
Lu Qin glanced at Chen Dahai and found him somewhat familiar.
Chen Dahai smiled and said, “Boss Lu, what’s the matter? Don’t recognize me anymore?”
“I bought fried noodles from your stall yesterday and even joined your WeChat group,” Chen added with a grin.
Lu Qin smiled back.
“No wonder you look familiar.”
“I’m Chen Dahai. Just call me Old Chen.”
“I’ll call you Uncle Chen.”
“Anything works. By the way, what time do you set up your food stall? Just seeing you reminds me of your fried noodles and icy cakes. My cravings are already kicking in!”
“A little after 8 a.m. I drop my daughter at kindergarten before setting up the stall.”
Grandpa Ge walked over, patting Lu Qin on the shoulder with a cheerful smile.
“Little Lu, can you give Grandpa Ge an autograph?”
Lu Qin was confused.
“Grandpa Ge, I’m not a celebrity. What would you need my autograph for?”
Grandpa Ge chuckled, pulling out his phone and opening Douyin.
“At yesterday’s music festival, you stole the show singing with a big star!”
Chen Dahai hadn’t heard about this and curiously took the phone to have a look.
“Wow, Boss Lu, you really look great on camera!”
Lu Qin felt a bit embarrassed.
“You flatter me.”
Chen Dahai teased.
“You should learn a few more songs. Your voice isn’t half bad.”
Lu Qin gave a helpless smile. He rarely even went to karaoke bars and thought singing a children’s song decently was already an achievement. Besides, he doubted he’d ever have the chance to be on stage again. The other elderly neighbors noticed Lu Qin and came over enthusiastically.
“Boss Lu, what time will you set up your stall? My grandson’s been pestering me to get your icy cakes!”
“Yesterday, I went to Tianhong Plaza for your fried noodles, and the line was so long! Boss Lu, you’re amazing—your snack stall has a fanbase!”
“Make sure to stock up when you shop for ingredients. I’ve missed out a few times because you sold out!”
…
After greeting the neighbors, Lu Qin headed to the market. He spent over half an hour there, purchasing enough rice noodles, eggs, meat, vegetables, and seasonings. He also ordered 4,000 disposable meal boxes from Boss Zhao. Boss Zhao’s wife was increasingly surprised and envious.
“Old Zhao, this is incredible. Look at Boss Lu’s business. From a few hundred meal boxes a day to 4,000 now. How many orders does he sell daily? He makes in a day what we make in a month!”
“Not a month,” Boss Zhao corrected, “probably two months.”
His wife’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Are these stalls popular now? Should I restart my old business?”
“Come on, get real,” Boss Zhao retorted. “Boss Lu’s business is booming because of his skills. Do you have what it takes to match him?”
Although Boss Zhao tried to play it cool, it was clear he felt a bit envious. But there was no denying it—Lu Qin’s talent was unmatched.
After finalizing the meal box order, Lu Qin left the market. Unlike other ingredients, Lu Qin bought meat and vegetables daily, never stocking up to ensure the freshness of his food. This shopping trip cost him 1,938.40 yuan.
Yesterday, Lu Qin unlocked a max-level skill for Gan Gao Soup(Liver Soup), but he had no plans to sell it for now. The dish was too complex and time-consuming to make, and its taste wasn’t universally appealing—unsuitable for a food stall.
He also decided not to sell stir-fried tomatoes with eggs. Priced under 15 yuan per portion, the dish wouldn’t generate much profit. Cooking it in large quantities would turn it into a generic bulk dish, ruining the taste. If cooked in smaller amounts, the time investment wouldn’t be worth it compared to higher-profit dishes like twice-cooked pork. In any case, hearty dishes sold better.