"Our family has always had a single descendant. My grandfather wanted to teach my dad, and my dad did want to learn, but he didn't have the talent for it," Wang Wenhao shrugged.
"Later my grandfather said he would teach me, but I didn't want to learn. I grew up in the kitchen ever since I was little, and my classmates would say I smelled like kitchen fumes and didn't want to play with me, saying that working in the kitchen was only for little girls."
"Although I knew they were wrong, there was nothing I could do to keep studying cooking. I always felt uncomfortable inside."
"Grandfather was very disappointed, but he still hoped I would come back and learn," Wang Wenhao had a complicated expression. "But I really didn't want to learn. Now when I think back on it, it was just childish joking between us kids."
"But deep down, I would instinctively avoid this issue."
"Then why did you come back here?" Xiao Jun asked after listening to him finish.
"I guess I didn't want to regret it in the future."
"I'm graduating tomorrow. But whenever I think about what job I should do in the future, my first reaction is always what grandfather said, inherit the Wang family cuisine and carry it forward."
"It's just a pity it's a bit late for grandfather to know about this."
"We apprentices don't get paid much here, and the work is tiring," Xiao Jun suddenly stood up. "Are you sure you want to stay?"
"I'm sure!" Wang Wenhao happily replied.
"Alright then. Come help me move in a few days. You can live in the shop or rent a place outside, there are many rooms in the new home." Xiao Jun looked at his unruly hair again. "Remember to dye your hair back."
"Huh?" Wang Wenhao reluctantly touched his head. "Is there a restriction on hair color and style here? I thought there weren't any."
"There aren't," Xiao Jun walked back. "But it hurts my eyes looking at it."
Wang Wenhao was left speechless for a moment.
"Go on back home. The shop's closed recently, I'll let you know when we open," Xiao Jun added.
"Sure!" Wang Wenhao left happily without taking offense. "I'll go get my hair done."
Xiao Jun waved his hand without another word.
"What's up?" Ding Sha asked when he came back.
"Nothing much," Xiao Jun briefly replied. "Just took on a young apprentice."
Ding Sha said a few words before letting it go.
Because little Ping An was writhing around in bed, and had actually rolled over!
"Did you see that?!" Ding Sha was so excited she was nearly screaming. "Ping An can roll over now!"
"I saw it!" Xiao Jun was also rather thrilled, and even regretted not taking out his phone earlier to record his good son's first time rolling over.
The only one remaining calm was probably Ping An himself. He looked at his mom and dad, babbled some baby sounds only he could understand, and rolled over again.
Ding Sha was too emotional to speak, while Xiao Jun swiftly took out his phone to start recording little Ping An without even blinking.
Ping An smacked his lips together sleepily, seeming tired. He yawned once then settled down with eyes half-open, looking extremely cute.
"Alright, let him sleep. It's his regular nap time," Ding Sha covered Ping An with a small blanket and pulled Xiao Jun outside.
Xiao Jun was still reluctant. "I didn't get to record it."
"You can do it next time," Ding Sha said. "Hurry and tidy things up, we need to start moving stuff over bit by bit. There's so much, I don't want to keep dragging this out..."
"Sure," Xiao Jun put his phone away.
Ding Sha took out a piece of paper from her pocket. "I wrote down the order for moving things each day, it'll be easier to organize things after getting there. We just need uncle Wei to make the furniture."
"Slowly, no rush," Xiao Jun pushed the recliner outside. "We can get the big furniture shipped over in a truck."
Early next morning, Xiao Jun got up and started loading things into the car. Ding Sha had to stay home with the kid, so Xiao Jun called Wang Wenhao over to help move things.
"Master, what should I move?" Wang Wenhao asked energetically with his new buzz cut hairstyle, looking rather spirited.
Xiao Jun pointed to the things that needed moving.
Wang Wenhao was shocked. "That much?"
"What did you expect? It's called moving for a reason," Xiao Jun retorted.
The two worked up a good sweat moving things while Ding Sha helped pass items from the side.
Little Ping An was still sleeping. Ding Sha pushed out the baby crib for him to sleep in the lobby where she could keep an eye on him.
A girl watched them for a bit. "Boss lady, are you guys moving?"
"That's right, we're moving away," Ding Sha found the girl's eyebrows that were peeking out from her mask a little familiar.
"Ah! Then does that mean I won't get to eat here anymore?!" the girl exclaimed loudly.
Only then did Ding Sha remember who she was.
It was Du Rourou.
Du Rourou seemed a little disappointed. "I thought that after the pandemic I'd get to come here for big meals every day... Turns out you guys are moving away..."
Ding Sha reassured her, "It's not like we're going out of business. If nothing else, you can always order takeout in the future..."
"Takeout doesn't taste as good!" Du Rourou insisted.
She kept asking for the new shop's address. After Ding Sha told her, she saw the girl's eyes go wide.
"Ahhhhh my grandparents live around that area!" Du Rourou was happy again. "I can go every day!"
Ding Sha found her quite cute and couldn't help laughing.
Only after getting excited did Du Rourou hesitantly ask, "Boss lady, can I order something to eat today?"
"What would you like?" Ding Sha didn't turn her down.
Du Rourou thought for a bit. "I haven't had much of an appetite lately. I'd like something nice and sour and spicy..."
Ding Sha considered things then suggested, "The pickled mustard greens have been pretty good recently. Want to try some pickled mustard green soup?"
"Sounds great!" Du Rourou eagerly nodded.
Ding Sha smiled as she scooped some rice into a bowl for her. "I'll make an exception and let you eat here today, but takeout only from now on."
Du Rourou thanked her, then couldn't wait to pick up a spoon and take a sip of soup.
The taste was smooth and pleasantly sour and spicy, whetting her appetite.
Du Rourou felt her appetite that had been blocked up the past few days instantly get cleared.
Ding Sha sat holding a sleepy Ping An, watching Du Rourou eat and playing with Ping An from time to time.
"What a beautiful baby..." Du Rourou said admiringly and enviously.
Ding Sha smiled and thanked her.
Before Du Rourou could finish eating, Gong Sister-in-law and Zhuang Auntie walked in, both carrying bags.
As soon as Zhuang Auntie came in, she threw down her things and made a beeline for little Ping An.
"Yo, isn't this little Ping An! Auntie's missed you so much!"
