Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Searching the Mountains for Wild Fruit Trees, and an Incident

Inside the restaurant.

Li You had already finished cooking the beef noodles for the teachers.

He served them to the teachers.

When the teachers saw the noodles, they had the same reaction as everyone else who had seen them for the first time: complete surprise and disbelief.

The teacher with the glasses, named Zhang Qinghe, said, "I’m suddenly starting to think what Teacher Chu said was true. These noodles look absolutely delicious."

The other teachers all nodded in agreement. They felt the same way.

They never knew there was a kind of beef noodle that looked so delicious just by sight alone.

’So what will they taste like?’

The teachers couldn’t wait to find out.

So, they all quickly picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

After the first bite of noodles and a piece of beef...

They knew.

An unprecedented wave of pleasant surprise washed over them, so much so that it was hard to believe.

This was a flavor more delicious than anything they had ever eaten before.

A taste that surpassed all imagination.

The aftertaste was simply endless.

In the past, a bowl of beef noodles was just a meal. Something for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Eating beef noodles was just about filling their stomachs.

At most, it was just something they craved once in a while.

But now, eating this bowl of beef noodles was about so much more than just getting full.

This was far more than just a meal.

It was an unparalleled pleasure that came with sating their hunger.

The teachers were utterly ecstatic.

They had only come today to give it a try. They figured as long as it was better than the beef noodles in town, the trip wouldn’t be a waste.

As for a surprise... well, they had hoped for one, but they weren’t holding their breath.

And yet, the surprise they received was enormous.

At this moment, the teachers completely believed what Chu Yiwei had said.

The beef noodles here really were unimaginably delicious.

If they hadn’t come, they absolutely would have regretted it.

It would have been a genuine loss.

’We have to thank Teacher Chu properly when we get back, thank her for the recommendation.’

That’s what all the teachers were thinking.

While they thought this, their hands and mouths didn’t stop moving.

Soon, they had devoured all the noodles and drunk every last drop of the broth.

They were left wanting more.

But at the same time, they were deeply satisfied. Eating beef noodles like this was a true pleasure.

’Oh, right. I remember seeing the "Today’s Specials" sign by the entrance. Besides beef noodles, they also have Yangchun Noodles and Stir-fried Shredded Potatoes.’

’Those two dishes must be delicious too, right?’

’Next time I come, I’ll try those two instead.’

The teachers had already decided: from now on, whenever they didn’t feel like cooking, they would come here to eat.

They were probably going to become regulars.

"By the way, Boss," Zhang Qinghe said to Li You, suddenly remembering something. "You’re planning to run this restaurant here long-term, right? You’re not going to move to the city, are you?"

Li You smiled. "No, I’m not. I’ll probably be running it here for a long time."

"That’s great, that’s great," Zhang Qinghe said, overjoyed.

The other teachers felt the same way.

After a moment, Zhang Qinghe added, "Boss, when Teacher Chu told us your beef noodles were incredibly delicious, we didn’t really believe her. But now, we’re believers. Your beef noodles are even better than she described."

Li You replied, "I’m just glad you all enjoyed it. Please come again."

Zhang Qinghe said, "We’ll definitely be back. Boss, I think anyone who eats here once will become a regular."

Li You laughed. "I hope you’re right."

After that, the teachers scanned the QR code to pay.

Two large bowls and four small bowls of beef noodles came to a total of 72 yuan.

After paying, the teachers said their goodbyes and left.

Dad and Li Zhong were still chatting in the orchard.

Li You walked into the orchard and said, "Dad, Uncle Zhong, are you hungry? It’s noon. How about we get some lunch? What do you feel like eating?"

His dad looked at Li Zhong.

Li Zhong said, "I’ll have the beef noodles again."

"Then I’ll have the beef noodles too," his dad said. "How much did you make from those customers just now?"

Li You replied, "72 yuan."

His dad nodded. "Not bad. Let’s go, let’s go eat."

The three of them returned to the restaurant.

Since his dad and Li Zhong were both having beef noodles, Li You decided to have some as well.

He quickly prepared three large bowls of beef noodles.

He put in an extra-large portion of beef in each.

When Li Zhong saw this, he said, "Xiaoyou, beef is expensive. You’re putting way too much in."

Li You smiled. "It’s fine. We’re eating it ourselves, so of course I’m going to add a little extra."

His dad added, "Old Li, hurry up and eat."

Li Zhong nodded.

After they slowly finished their meal, his dad and Li Zhong prepared to head back to the village.

His dad would be getting a ride back on Li Zhong’s tricycle.

Li You walked them to the parking area.

He said to Li Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, if you and Aunt Chen ever feel like having beef noodles, just come over anytime. Don’t feel shy about it."

Li Zhong let out a hearty laugh and said, "Alright!"

Then he drove off on his tricycle.

Li You went back to the front of the restaurant and lay down on the rocking chair.

’Time to rest for a bit. And while I’m at it, I should think about where to get that last type of fruit tree.’

’There are all sorts of wild fruit trees in the mountains.’

’Maybe I should go into the mountains and try my luck? See if I can find a species that isn’t already in the orchard?’

’If I find one, I’ll just dig it up and bring it back.’

’That’s the plan.’

Having made his decision, Li You didn’t rest any longer.

He immediately got up, closed the restaurant door, grabbed a hoe, and headed for the mountains.

It wasn’t long before he spotted a wild loquat tree.

’There really are a lot of wild loquat trees around here.’

However, the orchard already had a loquat tree. So he wouldn’t be digging this one up.

There were still plenty of loquats on the tree, but many had been half-eaten by birds.

Li You climbed the tree, picked a few good loquats, and ate them as he walked.

’The texture is decent, and they’re pretty sweet.’

After walking for a while longer, he saw a fuzzy peach tree.

’The orchard already has one of these, too. Got to keep looking.’

He walked on and on, unknowingly covering a great distance, but still hadn’t found anything.

It wasn’t going to be easy to find a species the orchard didn’t already have.

Just then, Li You suddenly heard the panicked chirps of baby birds.

’What’s going on?’

’Why are the chicks chirping so frantically?’

’Did something happen?’

Li You looked in the direction of the sounds and soon spotted a bird’s nest in a large tree.

And on the trunk, right next to the nest...

’Holy shit!’

There was a snake!

A bright green snake, over a meter long, was slithering toward the nest. Its head was already very close.

Li You jumped in fright.

Of all animals, this was the one he feared the most.

The snake was crawling toward the nest, probably intending to attack the chicks inside.

’No, not just attack—eat them.’

The chicks had sensed the danger, which was why they were crying out in panic.

The mother bird was nowhere to be seen. If she were here, she might have been able to fight the snake.

But since she wasn’t, the chicks were about to become the snake’s next meal.

Li You wondered if he should try to save the chicks. And if so, how?

’Should I find a long branch and try to knock the snake down?’

It was a viable plan. The only problem was, Li You looked around and couldn’t find a branch that was long enough.

’What should I do?’

...