"That porridge isn't as good as this one!" The little fatty had been thinking about Ye Jiujiu's crab porridge ever since tasting it yesterday. Now, in his heart, no other porridge in the world could compare.
Lele's mother ignored him completely and tugged him harder. "Come with me right now or I'll hit you!"
"I'm not going! I'm not leaving!" The chubby boy clung to the doorknob like a koala. His eyes reddened as he cried out dramatically, "You promised to bring me here today, but you lied! Waaah! Mommy, are you trying to starve me to death? Do you want me to die so you can have a new baby?"
His voice was so loud that even through the glass door, Jiujiu's ears hurt. She opened the door helplessly. "Little boy, it's you again?"
The moment the door cracked open, the little fatty slipped inside like a chubby eel. "Why did you take so long to open the door? I've been knocking forever!"
"I didn't hear anything." Ye Jiujiu blinked. "Why are you here?"
The flushed little fatty pushed aside his sweat-soaked bangs and announced seriously, "I came to eat that tasty porridge."
"...Porridge?" Jiujiu was stunned.
"We agreed yesterday! We agreed!" Lele looked at her with trembling eyes, as though she had betrayed him. "Sister, did you forget?"
Jiujiu smiled awkwardly. She hadn't expected him to actually remember.
Lele's mother hurried forward, bowing repeatedly. "Boss, I'm really sorry! He's been crying all morning, insisting he has to eat your porridge before he'll go to kindergarten. He runs so fast—I couldn't stop him at all!"
If Jiujiu remembered correctly, they lived on the next street—about a fifteen-minute walk away. This little guy actually ran that far in this heat… just for porridge?
"Was the porridge yesterday really that good?"
"It was delicious!" The chubby boy slapped his round tummy. "It's the best porridge I've ever had! Even better than the ones at home!"
"It's probably because the seafood was super fresh." Jiujiu guessed that was the reason.
Lele's mother hadn't tasted any and didn't know how good it was. She only wanted to settle her son down. "Boss, since this is a restaurant, could I buy some porridge from you?"
Jiujiu shook her head apologetically. "We're still closed for renovations. I'm not officially serving customers yet."
When the chubby boy heard that, tears spilled instantly. "I have no happiness left in my life…"
Jiujiu couldn't help laughing. This kid was really something.
Lele's mother tugged him in embarrassment. "If there's none left, then we're going to the kindergarten! Little Grape and Little Star are still waiting for you!"
But Lele had already entered full tragic-hero mode. "I've been thinking about that porridge all morning… I ran all the way here… and there's still no porridge…" He sniffled loudly. "I'm too sad. I can't go to kindergarten without porridge…"
His mother's forehead throbbed. "...Stop making a fuss. You're being annoying."
"I'm not annoying!" the chubby boy protested with a sniff. "I just want the porridge from yesterday. Eating it made me happy! I even got a perfect score on my test because of it!"
Jiujiu burst into a laugh. "You like it that much?"
"I love it!" he declared dramatically, grabbing her fair hand with his chubby one. "Beautiful sister, how can you bear to see such a cute little kid unhappy?"
"…" Jiujiu couldn't help smiling. Although he was loud, the kid was genuinely funny—almost like a tiny stand-up comedian. "Well, I don't have porridge, but I did make steamed eggs. Want some?"
The chubby boy immediately lit up like a firecracker. "I want it!"
"Wait right here." Jiujiu brought out the steamed clam egg custard and served him half a bowl of rice. "Eat this first, then go to kindergarten."
"Thank you, sister!" He wiped his tears, picked up his chopsticks, and poked the silky egg custard. The moment he tasted it, his eyes widened. "So delicious!"
Lele's mother finally exhaled in relief. She had nearly fought a whole championship match with him.
Jiujiu scooped another bowl and handed it to her. "Would you like to try some?"
Lele's mother instinctively wanted to refuse, but her son kept smacking his lips and praising the food. She glanced at the smooth, golden custard and plump clams… and subconsciously swallowed.
She had eaten a lot of seafood in her life, but she never expected a simple steamed clam egg to tempt her. After hesitating, she thanked Jiujiu, wiped off her lipstick, scooped a spoonful, and took a bite.
The moment the custard touched her tongue, she understood everything.
It was unbelievably smooth and fragrant. And the clams—though cooked—were still tender and full, with a very clean, sweet flavor. One bite turned into two, two into three… and before she knew it, she had finished the entire bowl.
The chubby boy stared wide-eyed. "Mom! You ate so fast! It's all gone!"
Lele's mother snapped back to reality, embarrassed. She wiped her mouth and said earnestly, "Boss, this steamed egg is incredible. I've never tasted seafood this fresh in steamed eggs."
She added sincerely, "The clams are tender and rich in flavor. Your cooking skills are amazing—better than many restaurants I've been to." She often visited high-end restaurants for work, so praise from her carried weight.
The little fatty licked the clam shell blissfully. "Super delicious!"
Jiujiu raised her brows and accepted the compliment with a smile. "Thank you."
"It really is delicious…" Lele's mother looked around. "I didn't know such a good seafood restaurant existed here. If I had, I would have come often."
Jiujiu blinked. A misunderstanding?
"This isn't a seafood restaurant," she explained. "Just an ordinary stir-fry shop."
Lele's mother was stunned. "Really?"
"There isn't enough seafood for large-scale supply," Jiujiu said honestly. She had no idea how much the refrigerator would drop each day, so she didn't dare dream of running a seafood place.
"That's really a pity…" Lele's mother hesitated, then took out her phone. "Your seafood is extraordinary. If you ever decide to sell it, could you please contact me?"
Jiujiu nodded and exchanged numbers with her.
After the mother and son left, Jiujiu began clearing the table.
Suddenly— ding.
Zhizhibao: You've received 500 yuan.