Qiao An'an's Snack Shop [Gourmet]

[My next story, Midnight Fried Rice Stall, is coming soon. Follow the author's page to save it to your collection. The blurb is at the very bottom.]

The first thing Qiao Man did after returning from the apocalypse was “win” custody of An'an.

She had just enough money to pay the rent, hadn't bought back the Qiao family restaurant, and had a grade-schooler to raise.

Qiao Man gritted her teeth. She'd start with street snacks!

·

One morning, Qiao Man appeared at the entrance to a cramped, narrow alley, pulling a little food cart behind her.

Steamer baskets were stacked high. When she lifted their lids, steam billowed out and delicious aromas filled the entire alley...

Thin-skinned lamb shumai with pleated edges, tender and juicy meat buns, crispy-bottomed potstickers with a sweet, golden crust, fragrant chicken soup wontons...

Later, the line of customers never seemed to end, but the little bun cart was gone.

At the same time, a small shop in the alley finally put up its sign: Qiao An'an Snack Shop.

After the snack shop became a hit, it closed once again. But the eager customers waiting outside were handed a fresh new flyer.

“Welcome to Qiao Family Restaurant. I'm the head chef, Qiao Man.”

-

At the entrance to the alley opposite the Haishi Criminal Investigation Unit, Jiang Feng spotted the sparkling-clean snack cart and asked his colleague, “Did the team get a new recruit?”

His colleague clutched the buns he'd just bought, reluctant to let them go. “What are you talking about? That's not an undercover cop. It's our new canteen!”

[Bonus scene]

The first time Jiang Feng visited Qiao An'an Snack Shop, he casually pointed at the child's homework. “You got this one wrong.”

His colleague looked surprised. “You two seem close.”

“A little closer than you and me.” Jiang Feng smiled, then asked the child, “Hey, kid, where's your mom?”

“Seriously, Uncle? You've been chasing after her for so long and you don't know she's my aunt?” The child looked up with an innocent face. “Also, Uncle, I'm a girl.”

◎ Primarily a Gourmet business story with an unconventional take on raising a child;

◎ The scumbag isn't the heroine's ex, and there's no romantic entanglement;

◎ The male lead works in criminal investigation, but it's not scary;

◎ An everyday Gourmet story with a large ensemble cast.

******************Midnight Fried Rice Stall [Gourmet]*****************

Chen Jingqiu thought her life was over...

Divorced, fired, forced to take off her scholar's gown and sell fried rice to make ends meet, while her neglected daughter grew rebellious and ran away from home...

Thirty-six-year-old Chen Jingqiu stared at her swollen fingers, rubbed her aching shoulders, and stood by her deserted fried rice stall, lost and despairing.

Then one day, when she woke up, several glowing lines of text appeared before her eyes...

[Congratulations, you've bound the Comeback System. The skill you've chosen: A Culinary God's Instruction]

[Your current cooking level: Won't kill anyone]

-

Not long afterward, in the north of the city...

The night market was quiet and desolate, but the unassuming fried rice stall was bustling with customers.

The owner wielded an iron spatula, stir-frying over a roaring flame. Box after box of fried rice was snapped up in an instant.

People sat or stood around the stall, savoring every bite.

Zhang Congzhou tried this heavenly fried rice when he was at the lowest point in his life.

It was this heavenly fried rice that inspired Zhang Congzhou to quit his job and start a business, eventually becoming the successful Mr. Zhang.

But later, people realized they couldn't find Mr. Zhang in any of the high-rise office buildings. Every day, he could be seen packing orders for customers at the food stalls in the north-side night market.

-

Chen Jingqiu always thought her daughter was embarrassed by her selling fried rice at a street stall.

Then one day, her daughter was brought to the stall by a classmate. Awkward but proud, she said, “This is my mom.”

◎ The heroine has a System, but her success comes from hard work and honing her cooking skills. The System is also an important golden finger.

◎ Before becoming a mother, Mom had her own interests and life. Believe that she'll find herself again and build a better life, but that doesn't mean she doesn't love her daughter.

Theme: Make a comeback