Twice-Cooked Pork is a favorite for many Sichuan and Chongqing people. Every family knows how to make it, each with their own unique method.

But the Garlic Sprout Twice-Cooked Pork they had at Zhou Yan Restaurant today was already being hailed by many as the best they’d ever had.

"This Garlic Sprout Twice-Cooked Pork is amazing! It’s so fragrant and tender, and not greasy at all."

"It’s so good with rice! I bet I can polish off three bowls of rice with this, no problem!"

"Qiang, slow down! I’ve only had one piece and you’ve already had three. If you keep this up, I’m going to have to claim my half and move it into my bowl."

"Hey, no need to keep score between buddies. It’s so good I couldn’t help but speed up. My bad. I’ll slow down, I’ll slow down."

"Factory Director’s Choice, truly nothing to complain about. Bringing people here for a meal next time would be way better than a state-owned restaurant. The food is great, and you don’t have to put up with any attitude."

"I was even thinking of bringing my wife and kid here on Sunday, but unfortunately, Zhou Yan isn’t open on Sundays."

The customers were full of praise, and some were already planning to invite guests to eat here.

Every dish at Zhou Yan Restaurant was presentable enough for any occasion. While the prices were a little higher, they weren’t that different from the state-owned restaurants.

Zhao Dong came to eat with his two regular dining buddies today. The plate of Twice-Cooked Pork was already wiped clean, without even a single sliver of garlic sprout left. There was still some sauce from the Huo Xiang Carp, which another one of them picked up and poured entirely into his bowl to mix with his rice, eating with great relish.

Zhao Dong got up to pay the bill and saw Zhou Yan coming out of the kitchen with a dish. He quickly called out, "Zhou, are you open on Sundays? I’d like to book a table. I want to bring my mother, wife, and kids to try your cooking. They absolutely loved the braised pork ribs I brought back yesterday."

Quite a few other customers had the same idea and also turned to look at Zhou Yan.

On weekdays, they could only come with colleagues for what amounted to a work lunch.

But on Sunday, when they didn’t have to work, they could bring their families or have a small get-together with friends. The feeling was completely different.

In fact, more than just one or two customers had asked Zhou Yan this same question over the past couple of days.

Previously, the restaurant only sold noodles and Kneeling Beef, which wasn’t appealing enough for customers looking to have a group meal. Since the textile factory was closed on Sundays, the restaurant had no business and naturally took the day off as well.

But with the introduction of stir-fries and braised dishes, the menu had gradually expanded, and this new demand naturally emerged.

Weekends were the peak time for non-work-related dining; this was an objective reality that Zhou Yan had researched.

These types of customers had stronger purchasing power and were more willing to spend money compared to the work-lunch crowd.

But not this week.

"I’m sorry, Director Zhao, but my older brother is getting married this Sunday. I have to go help with the wedding procession, so I can’t open for business." Zhou Yan said with a slight smile. "I’ll seriously consider opening on Sundays starting next week. I’ll post an announcement in advance to let everyone know."

Zhao Dong was a little disappointed to hear this, but he still nodded with a smile. "Well, that can’t be helped. A happy occasion definitely comes first."

The other customers now understood the situation and decided to wait for Zhou Yan’s announcement.

Zhou Yan put down the dish and headed back to the kitchen, still mulling over the matter.

’There are no factory workers on Sundays, so there’s too much uncertainty. I need to consider opening on Sunday very carefully.’

’Besides, after working for six straight days, I want to get some proper rest on Sunday too. Working 365 days a year without a break... even a man of steel couldn’t handle that.’

’But the weekend party-dining piece of the pie is truly tempting.’

’Especially gatherings of friends, which could expand the restaurant’s customer base beyond the textile factory.’

’Customers who choose a restaurant for a gathering instead of cooking at home usually have higher value.’

’In life, you want to make as many friends as possible. In the restaurant business, you want to get as many customers as possible.’

’There’s no rush, though. I’m busy this Sunday no matter what. I can make detailed plans next week.’

’If I can add a few more dishes, it would be better for customers ordering as well.’

’On Sundays, I definitely wouldn’t sell noodles or Kneeling Beef. If I only make stir-fries and braised dishes, I could at least sleep in a little. It would be much more relaxed.’

As one o’clock approached, the workers had all gone back to their shifts, and the restaurant grew quiet.

Stretching his back, Zhou Yan came out of the kitchen and saw a classic roadster bicycle parked at the entrance. A postman was pulling a letter from his green mailbag. He glanced at it, then looked up and called into the restaurant, "Zhou Yan! You have a letter!"

"Coming!" Zhou Yan answered, walking quickly to the door.

"You’re Zhou Yan?" the postman asked, sizing him up.

"Yes, I’m Zhou Yan, the owner of this Zhou Yan Restaurant," Zhou Yan confirmed with a nod.

"Alright, then this is for you." The postman handed him the letter. Since it was standard mail, no signature was required.

Zhou Yan glanced at the sender’s name on the letter and quickly called out to the postman, who was about to leave. "Comrade, if I want to send a letter, do I have to go to the post office?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Comrade Zhou’s social circle was limited to Suji, and he had never written a letter to anyone, so this Zhou Yan truly had no experience in the matter.

The postman turned back and, with a smile, pointed to the green mailbox standing by the factory gate. "Just put your letter in a sealed envelope, stick a stamp on it, write the address and postal code clearly, and drop it in the mailbox. The textile factory’s mailbox is checked once a day. An eight-cent stamp is enough for standard mail."

"Thank you, Comrade," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"You’re welcome," the postman replied, pedaling away on his bicycle.

Mrs. Zhao and Zhao Hong, who were clearing bowls, stopped what they were doing and turned in unison to look at Zhou Yan as he came back inside with the letter.

"Is it from Xia Yao?" Mrs. Zhao asked with concern.

"Yaoyao!" Zhou Momo, who was sitting at a nearby table playing with her Barbie doll, looked up at Zhou Yan, her eyes bright.

"It is." Zhou Yan’s gaze shifted from the letter, and when he looked up, he was met by the trio’s intense stares.

After a brief pause, Zhou Yan silently turned and went back outside, sat down on a chair under a tree, carefully tore open the envelope, and took out three sheets of paper.

Zhou Yan had actually received plenty of love letters back in his school days. After all, when you were a student, looks were a huge advantage. He was tall and handsome, so his desk drawer was never short on love letters.

However, aside from the first few he received, which he opened and read, he took all the subsequent ones straight back to the orphanage and locked them in a cabinet.

Dating would only slow down his money-making, and he felt extremely insecure without money. The letters were a token of affection, so it didn’t feel right to throw them away. He just saved them all.

In his previous life, he had lived in too much of a hurry and died very suddenly.

Life is unpredictable; you might just hit the jackpot the moment you walk out the door.

In this life, he had both his parents and an adorable little sister.

Although he was still short on money, his life was now filled with a love and warmth that had been unattainable for him before.

As long as he ran the restaurant well, his life was full of hope.

His solitary mindset also seemed to be changing slightly.

For example, as he opened this letter now, he was curious about what had happened to Xia Yao after she returned from Suji, and what she wanted to share with him.

Zhou Shuren once said: "When you become curious about someone, it marks the beginning of your downfall."

Zhou Yan didn’t believe this ancestor’s nonsense. Curiosity was just curiosity. How could it be a downfall?

He unfolded the letter, and lines of elegant handwriting filled his vision:

"Zhou Yan:

I hope this letter finds you well.

We’ve returned safely to Mountain City. The puffed rice candy was delicious. Deng Hong and Yuyu wanted me to thank you.

It’s funny, ever since you helped deliver that love letter, Deng Hong and Ma Xingye’s relationship has progressed rapidly. Ma Xingye brings her breakfast every day and even fills up the hot water thermos for our entire dorm."

"What a simp," Zhou Yan couldn’t help but chuckle as he read this.

’A man should never be a simp!’

He continued reading. The rest was all about the interesting little things she encountered in her daily life and studies.

The elegant characters and fresh writing style made Zhou Yan feel as if he could once again see that poised, graceful, and wise young woman.

The corners of Zhou Yan’s mouth had turned up into a smile at some point, and it remained there until he finished the two pages of the letter.

"The weather in Mountain City was a bit stuffy today, but the sunset was beautiful. I sat by my dorm window watching it for a long time. I wonder if you saw it too.

But then again, you were probably busy in the kitchen at that time, right?

So I painted it for you, so we could appreciate it together.

I look forward to your reply.

Through dusk and twilight, may our lives be ever bright.

Xia Yao."

Zhou Yan turned to the third page. It was a trimmed piece of drawing paper.

A blazing sun dyed the sky red. The oil paints, like splashed molten gold, blended into a vast expanse of colorful clouds. A red wall was bathed in a soft, pale golden light, and the majestic silhouettes of distant mountains were rimmed with gold, creating a scene of magnificent beauty.

Zhou Yan didn’t know anything about art.

But in that instant, he felt a sense of beauty.

It was as if he too could see the sky filled with rosy clouds and the boundless beauty of the setting sun.

The girl who sat painting by the window had crossed mountains and rivers to deliver this beauty to him.

...