"Thanks to Boss Chen." While speaking, Fang Zhizhong rubbed Fang Yuanyuan's nape, only to have the little girl dodge with a "Pan Zhou Dan" maneuver.

"By the way, Boss Fang, why exactly is Yuanyuan angry with you?" Chen Mo, though tempted by the food, followed basic décor, starting with chatter rather than diving into the meal.

"It seems a relative's child wanted to play with Yuanyuan's toy, and Yuanyuan didn't want to, so they got into a fight. Then her mom blamed Yuanyuan."

Such things are common among children, but as soon as Fang Zhizhong finished speaking, Fang Yuanyuan put down her spoon and screamed, "No!"

"He! He stole VV's autographed photo. I asked him to give it back, and he wouldn't!"

Fang Zhizhong was taken aback, "VV?"

Ah, that explained it.

Chen Mo burst into silent laughter, "VV is a pop singer."

While it wasn't polite for outsiders to intervene in parenting, Chen Mo couldn't help but comment, "Boss Fang, if that's the case, I really don't think Yuanyuan should have been blamed. To you and your wife, it may just be a photo, but for Yuanyuan, it's something precious."

Some parents are like that; they dismiss things children hold dear. After breaking them, they say: Isn't it just something or other?

They truly don't understand.

And this was a signed photo of a favorite idol. Imagine, if someone secretly took Yao Ming's autographed basketball from you to play with.

Yikes!!!

Wouldn't it be fair to break his leg?

Seeing someone understand her, Fang Yuanyuan perked up too, "That's what I had you accompany me to the concert for last time, waiting in a long line to get it signed! I'm the only one in our group who has it. I placed it in a frame on my desk, and he smashed it..."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt. Her voice might have been loud, but it only masked the tears she was about to shed.

Seeing his daughter like this, Fang Zhizhong was utterly heartbroken. Instantly, his face softened, and he cuddled Fang Yuanyuan's head, "I'm sorry, Daddy apologizes on behalf of Mommy, alright?"

Fang Yuanyuan couldn't hold it anymore and began weeping, with Fang Zhizhong getting a bit teary-eyed himself.

This feeling was something only a father like Mu Xin could understand. He turned, wanting to share some warm, fatherly words with his daughter too.

"Brother Chen Mo, here, try this; the squab from our restaurant is delicious."

Mu Mu placed a piece of squab meat into Chen Mo's bowl.

"And this, shark fin is really hard to find in Jingzhou, these are flown in, have a taste!"

Chen Mo gobbled it down eagerly.

Mind you, while the buns were delicious, they paled beside the squab and shark fin.

Moreover, Cantonese cuisine indeed had its wonders. Just two bites in, Chen Mo felt an incredible umami flavor, realizing he should really step up his culinary game. Always making noodles and buns wasn't viable.

Mu Xin paused for a few seconds and then quietly left the private room.

After crying for a long time, Fang Yuanyuan returned to normal.

Kids, really, all they wish for is their parents to understand them. Even if parents are at fault, they simply hope for an apology.

Running away from home, fasting, staying quiet, are just naive forms of silent protest.

Once parents admit their mistakes, the children harbor no grudges, forgiving quickly, and even regaining their appetites exponentially.

However, if the knot is never untied, a misunderstanding at twelve may linger even at twenty. No matter how many years pass, thinking of it still evokes a sense of grievance.

"Is it good? Careful, it's hot."

Fang Yuanyuan: "Yummy, yummy."

Pouring the bright red soup over rice, mixing, and devouring it, spicy and numbing, coupled with the beef's umami and the rice's texture, Fang Yuanyuan felt she could go for another bowl!

After finishing the rice, she took a bite of the steaming tofu.

It was tender, unprecedentedly tender.

No need to chew, a gentle press and the tofu melted in the mouth, devoid of any beany taste, enriched with meat flavor and peppery spice, seemingly brimming inside out.

Seeing his daughter devour her meal, Fang Zhizhong felt a bit tempted too, "Boss Xiao Chen, could this dish be added to your stall's menu?"

Chen Mo was still savoring the squab, "I'll consider it. But good tofu is hard to find, I'll need to hunt for some ingredients over the next few days."

The tofu available in supermarkets these days just wouldn't do for this dish.

Even though it's just humble tofu, it's quite particular. Chen Mo brought this up because such an incident actually occurred where he grew up.

An elder made his tofu so well that locally, it sold out quickly with people scrambling for it, often selling out by early morning.

Some didn't even take it home to cook, standing in the street eating straight from the bag because the tofu was sublime!

On the other hand, tofu from vegetable shops was only bought as a last resort.

The same in Jingzhou, Chen Mo bought tofu a few times and found it lacking. The tofu here at Yueyun Pavilion was superb; Chen Mo thought it might be worth asking the boss privately where they sourced it.

Fang Zhizhong didn't forget the important matter.

He moved two seats over, sitting beside Chen Mo, "I said I wouldn't let you work for nothing. This time, not only did you get Yuanyuan eating normally again, but you also mended our father-daughter rift. Please accept this."

Chen Mo cast a slight glance, taking a peek first.

Quite a thick envelope, based on his limited experience with cash, at least half a grand.

"No, no, I can't accept that!" Chen Mo raised a hand, pushing Fang Zhizhong's small arm, "It was just a small effort, besides I can still set up stall this evening, might just have less time to prep, at worst, sell a bit less."

"What!" Fang Zhizhong immediately felt guilty, "I knew it would affect your stall, it's all my fault!"

He twisted aside, pulled more money out, stuffing some back in.

"You must accept it!"

"Ah no, no!"

"Please take it, honestly, it's just a token of my appreciation."

"No, no..."

Fang Yuanyuan and Mu Mu stopped what they were doing, feeling like it was New Year's. One wanted to give, one wanted to accept, yet their performance was actually quite genuine.

Eventually, Chen Mo couldn't refuse anymore. Of course, he didn't take it actively; it was shoved into his pocket by Fang Zhizhong.

Fang Yuanyuan had finished her tofu too, earnestly asking Chen Mo, "Uncle, when can I have that delicious tofu again?"

Chen Mo chuckled, "I'll set up early, and your dad can bring you by to eat."

"Can you play VV's songs while cooking?"

Chen Mo's smile was frozen on his face, thinking he had a playlist back in the food cart, but seeing Yuanyuan's eager face, "Uh...sure."

"Really!" Fang Yuanyuan hugged Fang Zhizhong's arm, "Dad, can we go eat tofu today, tomorrow, every day?"

Is it to eat tofu? No, it's to watch a performance.

Fang Zhizhong laughed heartily, "As long as it's before eleven at night."

Fang Yuanyuan was satisfied, not asking for more tofu, but happily helping herself to the other dishes on the table.

Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief, "Boss Fang, nothing more for me here, I'll take my leave."

"Finish eating before you go!" Fang Zhizhong made a move to pick food, but was stopped by Chen Mo.

"No, really," this time he meant it, "I need to head back early to prep ingredients, so maybe I can set up tonight."

"Still at the sports institute tonight?"

Chen Mo nodded, "Yes."

Since Boss Xiao Chen had work, Fang Zhizhong didn't press further, "Alright then." He gave a nod towards his daughter eating, "I won't see you off."

"Spend time with your daughter, we'll see each other again."

Mu Mu also bid farewell to Fang Zhizhong, and they both left the private room.

As they left, a smile flickered across Fang Zhizhong's face, pulling out his phone to open his pinned group chat.

[Fang Zhizhong: Latest scoop, tonight, sports institute!]

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