The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland

As the female lead, Sang Yue’s defining characteristic was her immense empathy.

And indeed, she was a bit of a bleeding heart.

She was nothing like Shen Lu. Shen Lu had already been struggling and scraping by in the Lower City District for days; she had seen and heard many tragic things.

The moment Sang Yue transmigrated into this world, she was struggling to survive in a desert. The first living person she met was Jiang Gong.

After saving Jiang Gong, she fell into a long coma. Once she reached the Imperial City, she spent a few days in the hospital before moving into a hotel. ree

Jiang Gong was wealthy and had her stay in the best hotel in the Lower City District. The surrounding amenities were also quite good, so Sang Yue had yet to realize the cruelty of this place.

That was why she was so shocked when she met Deng Ying and her sister.

Sang Yue even thought Shen Lu was being too cold. ‘The sisters’ condition is serious enough that they should be sent to a hospital for proper treatment.’

Deng Ying opened the door and paused, surprised to see Sang Yue.

“You are?”

“I’m Sang Yue. I guess you could say I’m a new employee at the shop.”

“Oh, please come in.”

Deng Ying’s mind was entirely on her sister. She only knew there was a new face at the shop but didn’t know her name.

After Sang Yue entered, her gaze immediately fell upon Deng Xuan. The little girl’s face wasn’t as pale anymore, but her eyes were still closed.

“How are you and your sister feeling?” Sang Yue asked, her gaze full of pity. “I really think it would be better for you to go to a hospital for proper treatment.”

Deng Ying shook her head. “She’ll be fine after taking her medicine.”

Her sister had been frail since birth. Back then, their father had even wanted to abandon her. It was only because she had cried and raised a fuss, refusing to allow it, and because the neighbors had all chimed in with their rebukes, that the matter was dropped.

But her sister fell ill constantly, which annoyed their family to no end. Most of the time, they wouldn’t even buy medicine for her.

Several times, Deng Ying had thought her sister wouldn’t make it, but each time, she miraculously pulled through.

This cold seemed very serious, but Deng Ying knew that as long as she took her medicine and rested well for a few days, she would get better.

Sang Yue pressed her lips together, feeling it wasn’t right to persuade her further. After a moment’s thought, she took out two hard-boiled eggs from her personal space. She had cooked them a while ago; the space had a preservation function, so they would never spoil no matter how long they were kept.

“Here, for you and your sister to eat. You’re both too thin and need more nutrition.”

Deng Ying looked at Sang Yue, bewildered. ‘Isn’t this new colleague a little too enthusiastic? A little too generous?’

Seeing that she wouldn’t take them, Sang Yue placed the eggs directly on the table. “Get some rest. I’ll see myself out.”

After leaving, Sang Yue returned to her room, rummaged for a pen and paper, and began writing something meticulously, stroke by stroke.

Around five o’clock, it was time to make dinner again. Shen Lu continued to play the part of the hands-off boss and had Cai Su cook.

“Sister Cai, your dishes at lunch were pretty decent. With a bit more practice, you’ll be ready to cook for customers.”

Shen Lu was feeding Cai Su grand promises.

Cai Su’s confidence soared, and she marched off to make dinner with her head held high.

Dinner that evening was Shredded Pork with Green Peppers, Cold and Dressed Shredded Potatoes, and Shiitake Mushrooms with Bok Choy Hearts.

It wasn’t as good as Shen Lu’s cooking, but Shen Lu thought it was great just to have a meal she didn’t have to cook herself.

It was her birthday, and Shen Lu just wanted to take it easy and not tire herself out.

After her shower, she sat on the sofa and continued tinkering with the mini-app.

According to the weather forecast, tomorrow would be much like today, which meant the delivery service would continue.

‘Some people are just too annoying. I have to teach them a little lesson.’

By the time she was done, it was already ten o’clock. She stretched and was about to head back to her room to sleep.

Suddenly, Fu Cheng came in through the main entrance, carrying a bowl of clear broth noodles.

He placed the noodles on the coffee table and turned to Shen Lu. “Come and eat.”

Shen Lu blinked. “Longevity noodles?”

“Mhm.”

“You made them?”

“Yes.” Fu Cheng’s lips had a dewy sheen under the light. “They probably don’t taste as good as yours.”

“I had no idea you could cook.” Shen Lu couldn’t quite describe the joy she felt; it was as if countless bubbles were rising inside her, making her feel light and buoyant. “Don’t tell me you’re a one-in-a-million culinary genius?”

She was overjoyed but didn’t want to be too obvious about it, hoping a little joke would conceal her feelings.

But Shen Lu didn’t realize that her happiness was practically overflowing from her eyes.

Like a child who had just been given a piece of candy.

Fu Cheng was infected by her mood, his voice tinged with a soft laugh. “I just learned how to make it. I don’t know if it’s any good.”

“I’ll know once I try.”

There was a rug under the coffee table. Shen Lu sat down cross-legged, picked up a mouthful of noodles with her chopsticks, and put them in her mouth.

Of course, the clear broth noodles made by a kitchen novice weren’t exactly amazing, but they weren’t bad either.

Shen Lu ate with great concentration. It wasn’t a large portion of noodles, served with a fried egg and some green vegetables. The flavor was light and simple, making it very pleasant to eat.

After she finished, the empty corner of Shen Lu’s heart felt as if it had been filled.

For Shen Lu, a birthday could go without a cake, but it couldn’t go without a bowl of longevity noodles.

And that bowl of longevity noodles had to be made by someone else.

Shen Lu knew that if she told her employees it was her birthday, they would have certainly scrambled over each other to make longevity noodles for her.

But Shen Lu felt an indescribable sense of reluctance about it.

To put it simply, she hoped someone would realize it was her birthday and take the initiative to cook a bowl of longevity noodles for her.

Just like Fu Cheng had done.

“Thank you for the longevity noodles.” Shen Lu rubbed her stomach. “They were delicious. I’m stuffed.”

Fu Cheng couldn’t resist reaching out and ruffling her hair. “I hope you can be happy every day.”

“I’ll try my best!” Shen Lu snorted with laughter. “Fu Cheng, when you talk like that, you sound just like my dad.”

The corners of Fu Cheng’s smiling mouth drooped.

‘Like her dad?’

‘What nonsense.’

“I’ll take the bowl downstairs. You go brush your teeth and get to bed.”

“Okay.”

Shen Lu obediently followed Fu Cheng’s instructions and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

Fu Cheng went downstairs, washed the bowl, placed it in the sterilizer, and ran into Sang Yue as he was coming out of the kitchen.

Sang Yue was wearing a set of pale yellow pajamas, her expression a little dazed.

“Who are you?” Sang Yue asked first. After sizing him up for a couple of seconds, realization dawned on her. “You’re the big boss of this shop, right?”

By a strange twist of fate, this was the first time Sang Yue had come face-to-face with Fu Cheng. Previously, Sister Cai had told Sang Yue about him, saying he was the shop’s big boss.

Fu Cheng’s features were too distinct—missing an arm and a leg, one eye covered, and reliant on a wheelchair. It would have been hard for Sang Yue not to recognize him.

Although Fu Cheng had never formally met Sang Yue, his consciousness had “seen” her before.

He had no particular feeling about Sang Yue. He gave a slight nod and prepared to go up to the second floor.

Sang Yue suddenly called out to him. “Boss Fu, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

She hadn’t been able to sleep and was just wandering around the shop, not expecting to run into Fu Cheng.

Since they had met, it was the perfect opportunity to bring up the matter that had been weighing on her mind.

“If you have something to discuss, talk to Shen Lu.” Fu Cheng didn’t turn back, merely pausing on the stairs. “I don’t get involved in the shop’s operations.”

“It’s not about operations. I just think it would be better to send Deng Ying and her sister to the hospital.”