In the clean and bright restaurant, the aroma of the food gradually dispelled the haze in Meng Ruozhao's heart.
She took small bites of the steamed perch recommended by Pei Jiangmu. The fish was tender and delicious, cooked to perfection.
The stir - fried seasonal vegetables also retained the natural sweetness and crispness of the ingredients.
The taste was truly wonderful, a simple yet comforting flavor that soothed both the stomach and the soul.
She put down her chopsticks, and her eyes casually swept across the wooden price list on the wall.
Pei Jiangmu had ordered the dishes earlier. She had been absent - minded and hadn't noticed the prices.
Now, taking a closer look, the numbers on it made her pause slightly.
"The prices..."
Meng Ruozhao looked at Pei Jiangmu in surprise.
"They're much more affordable than I expected."
Pei Jiangmu was lowering his head to drink soup. Hearing this, he looked up, his eyes clear and calm.
"Yes, the boss sets very reasonable prices."
He pointed in the direction not far outside the window.
"It's the shop opened by the uncle of my friend who went abroad for an exchange program. It's like a family - owned business. They're very meticulous about the ingredients and cooking skills."
"And sister, you may not have noticed, but actually this place is not far from [Fuyunxuan]. It's just two streets away."
Hearing him say that it was close to Fuyunxuan, Meng Ruozhao suddenly realized.
No wonder she had always felt this place looked familiar.
However, she hadn't gone shopping much in the past six months, so even the area around [Fuyunxuan] wasn't very familiar to her.
She might have passed by here before, but she really hadn't paid much attention to the restaurants on the street.
But how could it be such a coincidence?
She looked around this elegantly decorated small shop with excellent dishes, and then at the affordable prices on the price list.
The doubts that had arisen in her heart because of the delicious food became even clearer.
She looked at Pei Jiangmu, her tone inquisitive.
"Since there's such a delicious and affordable place, why..."
She paused for a moment and then asked.
"Why did I see you munching on those cheap and unnutritious rice balls from the convenience store before?"
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The fingers of Pei Jiangmu holding the soup spoon tightened imperceptibly.
He quickly lowered his eyelashes.
His thick eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes, covering the complex emotions that flashed through his eyes for a moment.
After a few seconds of silence, when he looked up again, there was a hint of just - right embarrassment and uneasiness on his face. Even the tips of his ears were slightly red.
"Well, although it's already very affordable here."
His voice dropped a bit, with a kind of honest shyness.
"But it still... slightly exceeds the daily living - expense limit I set for myself."
He awkwardly touched the tip of his nose, trying to appear relaxed.
But the deliberately concealed sense of "being short of money" was clearly conveyed through his micro - expressions.
"The rice balls... are cheap, filling, convenient, and cost - effective... I'm used to them."
He forced a somewhat reluctant smile, trying to end this topic.
"And they taste okay too."
Meng Ruozhao's heart twitched slightly as if being gently tugged.
Looking at his appearance of "pretending to be okay" but unable to hide his embarrassment.
Then thinking of his calm and reliable demeanor these two days.
A strong sense of guilt instantly overwhelmed her.
He was in such a difficult situation, with injuries on his body, yet he was still trying his best to help her.
And just now, she had actually suspected him.
What had she suspected him of?
Suspected that he had ulterior motives? Suspected his relationship with this shop?
She really was too suspicious.
He was just a "student younger brother" who was in a difficult situation but still trying to live his life and was kind - hearted enough to help her.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked this."
Meng Ruozhao's voice dropped, with sincere apology and a hint of barely perceptible heartache.
Just then, Sister Lan, the proprietress in a plain cheongsam, walked over at the right moment, carrying freshly brewed tea.
There was a gentle smile on her face. Her eyes swept across Pei Jiangmu's face imperceptibly.
Then she turned to Meng Ruozhao, her voice kind and natural.
"Are you two satisfied with the food? This young lady looks new here. Is it your first time?"
Meng Ruozhao nodded. "Yes, the food is delicious."
"That's good!"
Sister Lan's smile deepened.
"Well, I just heard that your workplace is nearby."
"Our small shop has just launched a 'Warm - Hearted Monthly Subscription' convenience canteen service."
"It's mainly for customers like you nearby who value the quality of life and also pursue affordability."
As she spoke, she took out a simply designed card and placed it on the table.
"You can choose either lunch or dinner. You can come as many times as you want within a month, with a fixed set of three dishes and one soup."
"We guarantee a balanced diet and fresh ingredients."
"As for the price, it's much more cost - effective than ordering separately. It's especially suitable for friends who don't want to spend too much energy on three meals a day."
Meng Ruozhao's eyes lit up.
This service seemed tailor - made for her.
Since opening her shop, she had always eaten takeaways in the store.
She didn't know if it was because of the location, but it was really hard to find satisfactory takeaways.
Linlin and Gaogao were the same. They had complained more than once that takeaways were getting more and more unpalatable.
Not only were they unpalatable, but they were also extremely unfresh.
But it was impossible to cook in her shop, and she had always wanted to find a reliable restaurant to order meals from, but hadn't found a suitable one.
Unexpectedly, this solved another of her problems.
She hardly hesitated and immediately picked up the card and said to Sister Lan.
"This is great! Boss, please sign me up for a lunch package for four people.
"Also, sign me up for an individual dinner package first. If there are any temporary additions for dinner, can I call you in advance?"
This way, it would solve the work meals for her, Linlin, and Gaogao, and Pei Jiangmu could also come for a meal in the evening.
After all, he was too thin and always got injured. He should eat more and better.
Sister Lan nodded repeatedly.
"Of course. You can join our small WeChat group. I'll post the menu every day. If you have any requirements, just mention them in the group."
Meng Ruozhao took out her phone, scanned the proprietress's contact information, and then casually added Linlin, Gaogao, and Pei Jiangmu to the group.
Then she turned to Pei Jiangmu, her tone carrying a kind of natural and caring insistence, skillfully defining this as "employee benefits".
"Pei Jiangmu, this monthly subscription package is the employee benefit I'm pre - paying you as your temporary boss.
"From now on, whether you're busy or not, whether you're 'working' for me or not, you can come here directly for meals.
"Only when you're full can you have the energy... well, study and work hard."
She tried to make her tone sound like a proper boss.
This way, it could solve Pei Jiangmu's eating problem without making him feel embarrassed as if being given charity.
Pei Jiangmu was stunned.
He stared at Meng Ruozhao with wide eyes.
Her figure was clearly reflected in his deep eyes, and then great, unfeigned surprise and gratitude welled up in them.
The light was pure and intense, like a clear stream suddenly illuminated by sunlight.
"Sister, this... this won't do. It's too expensive."
He quickly waved his hands, his face showing genuine surprise at being favored.
"Why not? I'm your boss. I make the decision."
Meng Ruozhao deliberately put on a stern face, but there was a soft smile in her eyes.
She was completely different from when she was at the Du family just now.