"Don't say anything more. I'm living quite well here in the school cafeteria. Why would I want to go back to an empty house?"

Jia Dequan waved his right hand forcefully, looking displeased, and said,

"Don't forget, I'm your father, not your son. Why should I have to listen to everything you arrange? I'll do whatever I want, and you can't control me!"

"Oh, Dad! We aren't trying to control you. It's just that this place is too far from home, even if you were a bit closer, we wouldn't feel the need to stop you!"

Standing opposite Jia Dequan was a slightly chubby middle-aged man in his forties. His features bore some resemblance to Lao Jia, with frameless glasses perched on his nose, and he looked somewhat anxious and helpless.

He raised his hand and vigorously messed with his hair, continuing,

"Now that you've come so far, the key issue is that your health isn't great. If something were to happen, we wouldn't be able to get here quickly enough!"

"What could possibly happen? You rascal, are you hoping I kick the bucket soon?"

Hearing this, Jia Dequan immediately got riled up and said,

"I already told you, I don't need you to worry!

You guys should go back to your own busy lives. I live here alone without anyone bothering me, eating and drinking well every day. You have no idea how happy I am!"

Saying this, he couldn't be bothered to argue with his own son any more. He turned around and headed straight into the cafeteria.

"Hey, Dad! You're already so old, could you stop being so childish?"

Xiaojia saw his father starting to act stubborn again, feeling completely at a loss for words, he quickly chased after him,

"Even if you don't think about me, at least think about our family restaurant?

I'm already busy with the restaurant all the time, and now I also have to worry about you. Even if I split myself in two, I still wouldn't have time!"

"Trying to play tricks on me again, huh?"

Jia Dequan turned his head to glare at his son, sneering,

"I handed over the restaurant to you years ago. We agreed then that I wouldn't interfere anymore, so just give up that idea. Even if you mess it up, it's your problem. I'm definitely not getting involved.

I've spent my whole life raising the family and building up the estate, wasn't that all for you?

Now you're over forty and still want to rely on me, your old father?

I tell you, no way!

For the remaining years, I'm going to live for myself. Whatever makes me happy, I'll do. Nobody can interfere!"

"..."

As they spoke, the father and son entered the cafeteria.

It was already past lunchtime, and there was still some time before dinner. The cafeteria hall was empty, as students hadn't yet arrived to line up.

The only people left in the hall were a few part-time workers, including Chen Fugui, mopping the floor.

As for Jiang Yu, Lu Shuwu, and the others, before Lao Jia and his son returned to the cafeteria, they quietly slipped back into the kitchen.

They couldn't let the father and son discover them eavesdropping, or it would be too awkward.

Jia Dequan walked quickly across the cafeteria hall, opened the door leading to the kitchen, and sternly reminded,

"This is the kitchen, unauthorized personnel are not allowed in!

If you two come in and get thrown out, don't blame me for not warning you!"

Xiaojia and the middle-aged woman following him were both stunned and stopped subconsciously.

But Jia Dequan didn't care about them; he went straight into the working area, found a spot, and sat down heavily, sulking there.

Seeing Jia Dequan looking unhappy, Lu Shuwu hurriedly brewed a cup of tea and brought it over with a smile, saying,

"Lao Jia, why are you upset? Here, have some hot tea to calm down. No matter how big the issue, it shouldn't affect your mood.

If you're in a bad mood, you lose your appetite; without appetite, the delicious food gets eaten by others, and that's a real loss!"

"You certainly know how to talk! If my son were half as clever as you, I'd be grateful!"

Jia Dequan took the tea and drank it, shaking his head.

Lu Shuwu chuckled, "I wouldn't be a suitable son, how about I call you Godfather instead?"

Jia Dequan quickly waved him off, "No! I'm worried Lao Lu will come from Tanzhou to give me trouble!"

While Lao Jia and Lu Shuwu chatted in the kitchen, on the other side, Jiang Yu thought for a moment, then walked out of the kitchen. He immediately saw Lao Jia's son and daughter-in-law pacing anxiously outside.

Jiang Yu pushed the door open and went out, approaching them with a smile and asked,

"I'm Jiang Yu, the owner of this cafeteria. You must be Jia Dequan's family? How should I address you?"

"You're Boss Xiao Jiang?"

Lao Jia's son seemed somewhat surprised but quickly regained his composure and said,

"I'm Jia Qianxin, and this is my wife, Yang Yeli.

Boss Xiao Jiang, my old dad sure can run. He said he was just going downstairs for a walk, but before I knew it, he ended up here in Jiangzhou, scaring me into thinking something had happened to him, and I couldn't find him for days.

If he hadn't slipped and called an old friend, I wouldn't have known he came here alone and even rented a place to live!

"This, this is really too worrisome!"

"Yeah, these days we haven't even been able to take care of the restaurant business because we're worried something might happen to him."

Yang Yeli nodded and sighed, saying,

"I mean, at such an old age, can't he just stay home? Why does he have to run around and cause trouble for us, his children?"

Jiang Yu didn't say much, with a faint smile on his face and stood quietly listening to them "vent."

Simply put, this is an issue between Jia Dequan and his son, and as an outsider, he really shouldn't interfere.

Of course, he never intended to intervene, just to see if he could find a compromise, so that Lao Jia could stay here a bit longer.

Once they'd said enough, Jiang Yu raised his hand slightly, and said with a smile:

"Brother and sister-in-law, you came all this way over without a break, I'm guessing you haven't really eaten yet today?

Are you hungry? How about sitting here for a while, and I'll go to the kitchen to make you two bowls of noodles to fill the stomach, and then we can have a good talk once you're full."

"Ah? Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"No, no, please wait a moment."

With that, Jiang Yu turned back to the kitchen, took some noodles and two eggs, and soon brought out two delicious bowls of egg noodles.

As soon as the egg noodles were placed down, the steamy aroma wafted straight into their noses, making Jia Qianxin's Adam's apple involuntarily move up and down.

"Dig in, the noodles will get mushy if they cool down."

As soon as Jiang Yu said this, Jia Qianxin and Yang Yeli couldn't help but grab their chopsticks and started eating heartily.

"Mmm! These noodles taste better than the old man's cooking, so smooth and springy, with a fresh and thick broth, absolutely delicious!"

"Honey, this fried egg is also great, crispy outside, tender inside, a bite is crunchy, the egg inside isn't overcooked, and after soaking up the broth, it's flavorful, really delicious!"

"..."

"Slurp! Slurp!"

The couple sat there, buried in their food, and soon finished both bowls of egg noodles, even drinking every drop of the broth.

After eating, they still seemed to want more, licking their lips while looking at Jiang Yu, as if they wanted another bowl but were embarrassed to ask.

It seemed Jia Qianxin understood something, he shook his head, sighed, and said:

"I get why the old man refuses to leave, after just one bowl, even I'm reluctant to go!"

"Brother Jia, you should be happy, the old man has worked hard his whole life, and now he's found something he loves to eat and is happy here. It's better than being at home watching TV alone, right?"

Jiang Yu smiled and said,

"Besides, since he likes my cooking, he probably won't wander around like before. He's just a bit farther from home, you can come check on him anytime; you won't lose track of him.

It's much better for him to settle in one place than to wander around, especially considering his age. Running around is tiresome."

"Honey, I think Boss Xiao Jiang is right."

Jia Qianxin hesitated, and Yang Yeli nudged him and whispered,

"If the old man wants to stay, let him. We can visit anytime, plus it's a school, nothing dangerous."

Jia Qianxin, understanding, realized that his wife emphasized "anytime" with heavier intonation.

Isn't it because she's tempted by this bowl of noodles too?

If the old man went back with them, what excuse would they have to come to the Seventh Dining Hall for such delicious food?

Sigh! Ultimately, nothing persuades like a bowl of egg noodles!

By this point, Jia Qianxin realized he wouldn't be able to persuade the old man to go back with them.

After hesitating a while, he exchanged phone numbers with Jiang Yu and asked him to look after his father and call him if there's anything.

Then he hurriedly returned with his wife, Yang Yeli.

With Jiang Yu helping, it's better than having his father hide alone somewhere unfamiliar, and as long as he's here, they can visit whenever they have time.

The key is, as long as they're here, they can enjoy a delicious meal, what's not to love?

After finally sending Jia Qianxin and his wife off, Jiang Yu took a deep breath and went back to the kitchen, where he saw Jia Dequan with a puffed-up face like a grumpy old child, and he couldn't help but recount the whole matter:

"Your son and daughter-in-law have gone back, Lao Jia, you don't need to be upset. They're genuinely worried about your safety, it's not like they're relying on you.

I talked with them, and as long as you don't wander off, you can stay here, putting their minds at ease.

Rest assured, they will visit whenever possible.

Honestly, your son and daughter-in-law are much better than many."

"They left? Not asking me to go back with them anymore?"

Jia Dequan's eyes lit up, he stood up from his seat with a victorious expression on his face, and muttered to himself,

"That brat, at least he has some conscience!"

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