After I Was Forced to Inherit the Community Cafeteria

My new story, "Big Sister Stockpiles Supplies in the Mountains After the Apocalypse," starts on July 8.

Qu Xiaoxiao had finally graduated from "New Western" and was ready to return home to become a full-time daughter and make her mark.

She never expected to be greeted not by her parents, but by a letter of disownment stuck to the door.

Her delighted parents had abandoned her to travel the world together. With the door locked, no money and nowhere else to go, she had no choice but to follow their instructions and return to their old residential compound to run a community canteen.

The moment she stepped into the dilapidated old compound, a voice rang out in her mind: "Community Canteen System activated!"

And so, a community canteen suddenly appeared between the run-down old residential compound and the bustling modern city.

Word had it that you could get the tastiest meals there for the lowest prices.

But some people scoffed when they heard the rumor, mocking, "What could be good about a canteen in an old residential compound? It's just pretending to serve the public good."

But then the news reported that today's menu at the Minsheng Road Community Canteen included: tender fish in tangy pickled cabbage broth, spicy fish head with chopped chilies, fresh scallops with garlic and vermicelli, sweet-and-sour pork ribs, refreshing stir-fried mixed vegetables, and light stir-fried shredded vegetables...

The very people who had just laughed saw the prices and couldn't help asking, "Boss, are you making any money? Please, I want to move into the Minsheng Road Community too!"

Reader's guide:

1. A food story full of everyday eating and drinking

2. There is a System, but it doesn't play a major role

My completed book, "The Waterworks Office Kitchen," is open for reading!

Upcoming book: "Big Sister Stockpiles Supplies in the Mountains After the Apocalypse"

Blurb: Li Mai was born after the apocalypse. She struggled to survive for years, but in the end, she still starved to death.

Just when she thought she'd died and arrived in a fairyland, how else could she explain a place where the plants didn't move, people didn't turn into zombies, and food was everywhere?

Just as she looked forward to finally living a peaceful life, the village chief said, "The Yue people are invading. You three siblings need to run!"

Then he ran off in a flash.

Looking at the mountains full of food and the perilous terrain, Li Mai couldn't bring herself to move. She thought: Why run? A remote mountain where there's food and drink, and no one can find you, is just the place for me.

Every season has its own flavors.

In spring, braised bamboo shoots and crispy spring rolls; in summer, lotus leaf chicken and plump mandarin fish; in autumn, chestnut chicken and candied yams; in winter, lotus root and pork rib soup and warming lamb.

Li Mai gets up early and goes to bed late, and never lets an opportunity to take something home pass her by. She's determined to build up her family's wealth.

Some time later.

Li Mi looked at their cave, packed full of dried bamboo shoots, lotus seeds, chestnuts, yams, and all kinds of meat, then at her big sister behind her, casually carrying a wolf on her shoulders. She said with a helpless smile,

"There's really no more room in the cave."

With food in such abundance, Li Mai could finally put her mind at ease. If anyone tried to steal her survival supplies (food)...

Theme: Food is paramount to the people