Lin Xu heated oil in the wok.

Without waiting for the oil to get hot, he dumped the sliced red onion from the basket into the pan.

Red onion is a type of onion that doesn't grow very big. Because of its strong onion flavor and natural sweetness, it has become an essential ingredient in many delicious dishes.

Slicing red onion into thin strips and frying them in oil until crispy makes what people call "fried red onion."

Making fried red onion takes patience.

Slowly fry them over low heat.

Only when the red onion strips are golden all over can you call it done.

Once the fried red onion is ready, scoop it out to drain the oil.

Later, when making braised pork, tossing it in gives the rice a ton of flavor.

As for the scallion oil, it won't go to waste either.

Stir-frying pork belly with it will make the braised pork even richer and more fragrant.

It's 8:30 in the morning.

Dongming Building near the West Third Ring.

Shen Jiayue, dressed up in business attire, was led by the HR manager of the audit firm to the office area.

"Hello everyone, this is our new colleague. Her name is Shen Jiayue, you can just call her Xiao Shen or Xiao Yue. Xiao Yue, your seat is by the window, and we've already set up your computer."

Shen Jiayue greeted her colleagues.

Then she sat at her desk to get used to the new work environment.

"Wow, so pretty!"

"Seriously, like a fairy."

"Looking at her makes me think of my first love... "

"Don't brag. If your first love was this pretty, I'd eat that broken projector in the conference room right now."

"I'll eat the printer."

"..."

The colleagues whispered among themselves.

Everyone was captivated by Shen Jiayue's looks.

Just then—

A food delivery guy walked up to the audit office door:

"Excuse me, who's Shen Jiayue? Someone asked me to deliver something for you."

"Me, that's me!"

Shen Jiayue immediately jogged to the door.

The guy handed over the bag:

"Looks like food, it's wrapped in layers of insulated bags, didn't want it to get cold."

"Thank you, bro!"

Taking the bag, Shen Jiayue returned to her desk.

She unwrapped it layer by layer.

Inside, she found the fried pork bun she'd dreamed about all night.

Six buns and a container of old-style egg soup—Shen Jiayue felt a little embarrassed.

"Will mother-in-law think I eat too much? Stupid Lin Xu, couldn't you have told her two less?"

But then she thought about it.

The reason Lin Xu told his mom to send six buns—

Maybe he was worried she wouldn't get full.

Yep! Xu-bao treats me the best!

She picked up a bun and took a bite, and the fragrance spread through the office immediately.

"Wow! Smells incredible."

"Right? It's amazing!"

A few female colleagues turned their heads expectantly, looking at Shen Jiayue and asking:

"Xiao Yue, where did you buy those buns? They smell so good."

"Yeah, I've never had buns that smell this good."

"Tell us the shop's name. I'll go there after work."

With a face full of happiness, Shen Jiayue said:

"My mother-in-law made them by hand. You can't buy them!"

Mother-in-law?

Already married, and so young?

The male colleagues who'd been daydreaming about office romance had their hopes wither before they could even sprout.

It was 10 a.m.

Lin Xu was busy in the kitchen—

when Chen Meijuan came into the shop with her luggage.

"Xu, if there's nothing else here, I'll head back. The scenic area is really busy. There are dumplings in the freezer and buns I steamed this morning; if you're hungry, just heat them up."

Lin Xu had thought his mom would be leaving in the afternoon.

He'd even planned to bring her to the station once things slowed down at lunch.

"No need to see me off, I know the way. That's that. The ride-hailing car I ordered is almost here. When things aren't busy, I'll come visit you again with your dad."

After speaking, Chen Meijuan picked up her bag and headed out.

Lin Xu chased after her:

"Mom, why do you have to leave now? Wait for the chicken feet to come out the pot and I'll pack a few for you to eat on the way."

Chen Meijuan smiled:

"Silly child, making money is more important. Besides, I'm not in the mood to eat. It's summer break now, and your dad and I have to hurry up and get the scenic area's summer promotions going. Every day we lose is money lost."

Summer vacation has always been peak season for scenic spots.

Tickets, transportation, dining, lodging, and all those viral paid attractions—it's all big money.

Chen Meijuan just couldn't feel at ease not going back to watch over things.

Just then, her ride-hailing car arrived.

After getting in, Chen Meijuan rolled down the window and said:

"Xiao Yue works over by West Third Ring, I sent you the address. Remember to use a delivery guy to send her some lunch at noon. She's the daughter-in-law I've set my heart on, so if you mistreat her, I won't forgive you."

Lin Xu gave a wry smile:

"Okay, okay, got it, Mom. If there's ever a show called 'China's Best Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law,' I'll sign you two up."

"Don't be cheeky. Go back inside and get back to work."

Mom left.

Lin Xu stood by the street feeling a bit down for a while.

Then he headed back into the shop to keep working.

Almost eleven o'clock.

Preparations in the shop were wrapping up.

Everyone grabbed a bowl and started eating lunch.

"Take your own rice and braised pork. As long as you don't waste, eat as much as you like."

With that, Lin Xu started packing up lunch for Shen Jiayue.

Three boxes in total.

One big box of braised pork rice topped with a few blanched greens.

Next, a half-sealed container of ginger lotus root and five or six chicken feet.

Last, a small box of nori egg drop soup, made step by step just like Grandpa Gao taught.

Once all three boxes were sealed, Lin Xu put them in a bag, stapled it shut, then ordered a runner online to pick it up.

"Tiantian, this is Shen Jiayue's lunch. When the delivery guy comes, just hand it over."

"Got it! Boss, you're so good to the boss lady."

Lin Xu smiled:

"If I'm not good to her, my mom would have my head."

When he put the takeout bag on the counter, Lin Xu noticed that what Song Tiantian had on her rice wasn't braised pork, but tomato and egg topping.

"So… is that good?"

"Super tasty, boss! Try it next time if you don't believe me. I can't get enough of tomato and egg sauce with my rice."

You can do that?

Lin Xu patted his forehead.

Felt like he'd gotten stuck in a rut.

Back when the system had him do that new dish task, it should have just been to steam some rice and make rice bowls.

But thanks to a happy accident, he ended up making braised pork rice instead.

Guess that's a blessing in disguise.

He thought for a bit, grabbed the electronic blackboard, and wrote down today's menu.

[Signature Braised Pork Rice/Noodles: Large 30/Small 27]

[Signature Noodles with Braised Eggplant and Pork Sauce/Rice: Large 30/Small 27]

[Tomato Egg Rice/Noodles: Large 28/Small 25]

...

Yeah, from now on, except for the oil-poured noodles, the rice and noodles can share the same toppings.

After writing, he hung the electronic board outside.

Then went back in to eat.

Soon after—

Customers started coming in, one after another.

"Whoa! You've got braised pork rice now? I want one large braised pork rice, one plate of ginger lotus root, and a bottle of North Pole."

"I want two large bowls of braised pork rice, six chicken feet, and two beers."

"I'll take a small bowl of noodles with braised eggplant and pork sauce, two chicken feet, and a cola."

"I want..."

Customers lined up at the door.

Ordering, paying.

Couldn't wait to try the new dishes on the menu.

Just then—

While Lin Xu was busy in the kitchen, he suddenly heard the system's notification:

"Host's points have surpassed one hundred thousand. The Points Mall is now open. Points can be used to exchange for cooking techniques, dish recipes, and various special items. For more details, please check the Points Mall."

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