Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Preparing Staff Meals

The affectionate and excited shouts made Tong Ya's heart tremble involuntarily.

She didn't know how long she had been looking forward to that "Mom."

"It's a bit early to be changing how you address me!" Tong Ya's face fell slightly, "Your dad has only agreed to let me stay here; he hasn't accepted my confession yet."

"Humph, Dad is so wooden! Miss Tong Ya is so nice, why won't he accept you?"

"It's okay!" Tong Ya finished adjusting Tuan Tuan's backpack, "Your dad just has a lot to consider. Besides, we're already living together, so I can chase after him all the time now."

Tuan Tuan clapped his little hands and blinked his big eyes, "Do you need my help?"

Tong Ya pinched Tuan Tuan's little nose, "Of course I do! But, Miss Tong Ya barging into your life like this, can you accept it?"

She still cared a lot about Tuan Tuan's opinion; though he was young, he had his own thoughts.

"As long as you are nice to Dad, it's alright. Plus, I like Miss Tong Ya, and I want you to be my mom."

Tuan Tuan showed his talent for dancing right when he started kindergarten, which Tong Ya had discovered.

Over the years, their relationship had grown far beyond that of a teacher-pupil; many thought they looked more like mother and daughter.

"Okay, then you've got to remember to help me, okay?"

"Of course, can you buy me snacks to eat?"

Tong Ya hesitated for a moment, after all, it wasn't good for such a little child to always eat snacks.

"Then I'll buy them for you once a week."

"Deal!" Tuan Tuan stretched out his little hand, "Pinky promise, no backsies."

Tong Ya also stretched out her hand and hooked fingers with Tuan Tuan's, then took him to school.

The business at Chen Yu's shop was more than twice as busy as it was when he had just a food cart.

Previously, due to the limited size of the food cart, many customers missed out.

Now with a larger space, they had continuous supplies of ingredients and enough staff, effectively overcoming all previous shortcomings.

By ten in the morning, the shop was still bustling with activity.

And the semi-finished products piled in the freezer not only met today's demand but were more than enough for tomorrow's as well.

It wasn't until noon that the flow of customers gradually dwindled.

Chen Yu then allowed the six girls to go back and take a nap.

At half-past four in the afternoon, Tong Ya walked towards the shop, holding Tuan Tuan's hand.

"Tuan Tuan, what does your dad like to eat? Or does he have any hobbies?"

Tuan Tuan paused, "I dunno. Whatever I want to eat or do, he just goes along with it."

All of a sudden, Tuan Tuan felt that he had become so accustomed to Chen Yu's care that he didn't even know what his dad liked to eat or what his hobbies were.

Tong Ya ruffled Tuan Tuan's little head, "Has he always been like this?"

"Yes, he was like that with his ex-wife too!"

Tong Ya felt an inexplicable twinge of heartache, "Then let's both dote on your dad together, okay?"

"Okay!" Tuan Tuan gripped Tong Ya's hand tightly.

At that moment, the shop was filled to capacity, but everyone including Chen Yu looked quite relaxed.

Chu Hong and Li Yu calmly dropped the semi-finished products into the fryer.

Chen Yu, meanwhile, helped others with their packaging.

"Daddy!" Tuan Tuan called out and lunged into Chen Yu's arms.

Tong Ya, who had come back with him, just stood there looking at Chen Yu.

In her dark, jewel-like eyes, she no longer hid her affection for Chen Yu.

Chen Yu only met Tong Ya's gaze briefly before looking away, appearing somewhat awkward.

"Dad, I heard Miss Tong Ya confessed her feelings to you, did she?"

Chen Yu pinched Tuan Tuan's nose, "How did you know about that?"

"I just want to ask, when can I call Miss Tong Ya mom?"

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Chen Yu didn't answer, but simply put her down on the ground.

"Go home and do your homework. It's not your turn to worry about adult matters," he said.

Tuan Tuan pouted and somewhat resentfully went up to the third floor.

"The child was just asking. Why be so fierce?" Tong Ya complained, casually taking out a tissue to wipe the sweat from Chen Yu's brow.

The hall was now filled with people who were startled to see Tong Ya's gesture.

"My goodness, could it be that Boss Chen has a thing going with this young woman?"

"I have to say, they really do make a good match."

"That girl is sincere, too. Ever since Boss Chen's food cart started, she's always been right by his side."

"Boss Chen is hardworking and reliable. Who knows what kind of woman would divorce him, leaving behind such a cute daughter too?"

"No wonder he wasn't interested when people tried to set him up before. With such a great woman by his side, why look for someone else?" Sёarch* The nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

...

Chen Yu didn't refuse Tong Ya's offer to wipe his sweat, but he quickly took the tissue from Tong Ya and started to wipe himself.

"I'm going to buy some vegetables. Now that I have some free time, I need to arrange an employee meal that isn't just spring rolls and fried cakes all the time."

"Then let me go with you!" Tong Ya said.

Tong Ya tentatively took hold of Chen Yu's arm and they both headed to the nearby farmers' market.

On the way, seeing that Chen Yu hadn't refused her, Tong Ya boldly hooked her arm through his.

Chen Yu merely paused for a moment, then continued walking ahead.

"How much for the greens, boss?" Chen Yu crouched down in front of a vegetable stand.

"One yuan per bunch!"

"Give me five bunches and chop off half of that winter melon, please!"

"You got it!" Just as the owner was about to fetch the vegetables, he caught a clear view of Chen Yu's face.

"Eh, aren't you Boss Chen?"

Chen Yu nodded.

"I really love the fried cakes and spring rolls from your place! Eh, what brings you out today? Is the business closed?"

"We've hired waitstaff at the shop, so I have more spare time. I'm out shopping for some vegetables for employee meals."

The stall owner smacked his head. "Almost forgot! When I visited yesterday, I saw those six girls. They are quite capable."

With that, the stall owner looked over at Tong Ya.

"Eh, isn't this the girl who used to help you? You two are together now."

Tong Ya didn't speak but just chuckled and nestled her head closer to Chen Yu.

Their intimate gesture would lead anyone to assume they were boyfriend and girlfriend.

Chen Yu did not respond and instead looked at the meat stand next to them.

"Boss, is this yours too?" he asked.

"Yep, just got in some fresh beef this morning; want some?"

"I'll take three jin, and add some corn to that, please."

"Right away!" The owner efficiently packed up Chen Yu's meat and vegetables. "That'll be one hundred twelve yuan total."

After paying, Chen Yu returned to the store with Tong Ya.

Though the place was now crowded, everyone here was a regular.

After finishing their meals, they would all voluntarily clean up their tables spotlessly.

Moreover, many customers would place their orders, take their receipts to the counter, and just go straight to the window to pick up their fried cakes.

So, for the entire day, Zhang Qian, who was in charge of managing the hall, didn't even need to clean up.

Han Cai and Zhao Meng didn't leave the kitchen either, as they were continuously preparing semi-finished products.

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