’Today I’ll go back and make a bowl of beef noodles for Mom and Dad, stir-fry some shredded potatoes, and bring some cherries.’

The house had many fruit trees—walnut, plum, loquat, grape, and fig—but no cherry trees.

He took everything he was bringing home out of the Storage Pavilion and placed it in the appropriate containers.

He closed up the shop and got on his motorcycle.

He headed home.

If he took the footpath along the gorge, the journey home was only two kilometers.

But on a motorcycle, he had to take the main road, which was a bit farther—about five kilometers.

Before long, he reached the village.

"Uncle Zhong, where are you headed?" Li You ran into a familiar villager, stopped his motorcycle, and greeted him.

The man’s name was Li Zhong, and he was about fifty years old.

Seeing it was Li You, Li Zhong smiled and said, "Just heading back myself. By the way, Xiaoyou, your restaurant seems to be doing alright. I passed by last time and saw quite a few people inside."

Li You smiled back. "It’s decent sometimes. Uncle Zhong, have some cherries."

Li You opened the bag of cherries and offered some to Li Zhong.

Li Zhong took two and said, "These cherries are nice and red. They must be delicious."

"Take more, take more."

Li Zhong waved his hand, indicating that a taste of two was enough.

Li You grabbed a handful, handed them to Li Zhong, and added, "Uncle Zhong, why be so polite? I ate plenty of plums from your place back in the day."

Li Zhong accepted the cherries and said, "The plums are growing well again this year. They’re just about edible now."

Li You said, "The plums are doing great this year. The tree at my house is full, too."

Li You’s family didn’t have a plum tree before, but they did now.

After chatting a bit more with Li Zhong, Li You said his goodbyes and continued riding home.

He arrived home.

His dad was outside the courtyard, digging in a patch of earth.

"Dad, what are you digging for? Planting something?"

"Just scattering some vegetable seeds. How was business today?"

"Not bad. Made dozens of yuan."

"That’s pretty good, then. Take your time."

His dad had previously been set on the idea that after a month or two, Li You would close the shop in Jiulong Gorge and open one in the county town.

However, after hearing Li You talk about how things were going at the shop recently, he realized that running a restaurant in Jiulong Gorge might actually lead to good business.

So, his idea of wanting Li You to open a shop in the county town had faded quite a bit. He even told Li You to take it slow.

Li You smiled faintly. ’I knew Dad would eventually come around.’

’Opening a shop is all about making money. As long as the restaurant in Jiulong Gorge is profitable, Mom and Dad will be fully supportive.’

Li You rode the motorcycle into the courtyard and parked it.

Then he went back outside the courtyard.

Their family’s plum tree was right at the edge of the patch of land his dad was digging.

The tree was laden with fruit.

Li You plucked one and popped it into his mouth to taste.

A little tart.

But it was already edible. Li You could handle the slightly tart flavor.

He ate a few more.

Li You picked a few more. Munching on them, he said, "Dad, I’m planning to create an orchard area in front of the restaurant. I want to plant some fruit trees. Does anyone in the village have any fruit trees they want to sell? Not the huge kind. It would be impossible to move them if they’re too big."

’Including the mulberry tree, I already have eight types of fruit trees in the orchard. Just two more and the current side quest will be complete.’

"Planting some fruit trees is a good idea. You can serve the fruit to customers, or just have them as ornamental plants." His dad was very much in favor of planting fruit trees.

After thinking for a moment, he continued, "I seem to recall Li Zhong mentioning he had a couple of pear trees he was planning to get rid of. You could go ask him."

"Uncle Zhong? I just ran into him on my way back. I’ll go ask him, then. I’ll go now; he should be home already."

With that, Li You headed toward Li Zhong’s house.

When he arrived at Li Zhong’s house, Li Zhong was indeed already home.

"Uncle Zhong, my dad said you have two pear trees you’re planning to get rid of. Is that right?"

Li Zhong nodded. "That’s right, there are two I’m getting rid of. What’s up, Xiaoyou?"

Li You asked, "How big are the trees?"

Li Zhong replied, "They’re not that big. The trunks are about as thick as an arm, and they’re a little over two meters tall."

Li You’s eyes lit up; that size was perfect. He added, "Uncle Zhong, if you don’t want them, sell them to me. I’m planning to plant some fruit trees in front of my restaurant."

Li Zhong said, "Planting some fruit trees in front of your restaurant is a great idea. But what’s this about buying and selling? Just dig them up and take them."

Li You said, "Uncle Zhong, I can’t do that. I have to give you something for them."

Li Zhong waved his hand dismissively. "I was going to get rid of them anyway, why would I take money? Come on, I’ll take you to see the trees first."

Li You agreed.

The two of them walked to a nearby plot of land.

Li Zhong pointed to two pear trees. "These are the ones. They’re both the yellow-skinned variety. Our family isn’t too fond of pears, so I was planning to dig them up and replace them with some other fruit trees."

Li You took a close look. Both pear trees were growing very well.

"Uncle Zhong, both of these trees are in such good shape. I’d feel bad if I didn’t pay for them!"

Li Zhong laughed. "You’re all grown up now and suddenly you’re feeling bad about it? Just dig ’em up, dig ’em up and take them."

Li You laughed heartily and said, "Alright, then I’ll come dig them up first thing tomorrow morning."

Li Zhong nodded. "Okay."

Li You added, "Uncle Zhong, you haven’t made dinner yet, have you? Why don’t you come eat at my place? I’ll make you beef noodles."

Li Zhong shook his head. "No, no need. Xiaoyou, you don’t have to be so polite."

Li You said, "This isn’t about being polite. I just want you and Aunt Chen to try my cooking. See what you think of my skills. Am I cut out for running a restaurant? Come on, Uncle Zhong. Aunt Chen should be home, right? I’ll go get her."

Usually, it was just Li Zhong and his wife at home.

Hearing Li You put it that way, Li Zhong hesitated. He really was curious to try Li You’s cooking.

Finally, he nodded. "Alright, then. We’ll try your cooking tonight."

Li You smiled. "That’s more like it. I’ll go get Aunt Chen."

Aunt Chen’s full name was Chen Jiyin. After Li You explained the situation and saw that Li Zhong had already agreed, she was delighted and said, "Great! We’ll get to try your cooking tonight, then."

The three of them returned to Li You’s house together.

His dad had finished digging.

When Li You explained the situation, his mom and dad were naturally very welcoming to Li Zhong and his wife.

His dad laughed. "I have no idea where this kid learned his skills, but the noodles he makes now are truly delicious."

Li Zhong said, "Then we’ll have to look forward to it."

Li You smiled. "Alright, I’ll go get started. Besides the beef noodles, I’ll also stir-fry some shredded potatoes."

Li You walked into the kitchen and began to prep.

The main task was shredding the potatoes.

With more people, he needed to make a larger portion.

Shredding potatoes with the Exquisite Kitchen Knife was much smoother and easier than with his old, ordinary knife.

After a flurry of activity, all the prep work was done.

He lit the fire, washed the wok, and got ready to stir-fry.

The traditional wood-fired stoves common in the countryside were very practical to use.

Li You was quite fond of using it.

Cooking on a wood-fired stove, compared to using an electric rice cooker and a natural gas or propane stove, had much more rustic charm.

After another burst of work, a huge portion of stir-fried shredded potatoes came out of the wok.

Next up were the beef noodles.

He made a large portion of this as well, and was especially generous with the beef.

Before long, five large bowls of beef noodles, piled high with beef, were ready.

Time to eat.

...