He thought it over: the window should stay, so breakfast could be served directly through it—very convenient.
Inside, the layout could be modified. They wouldn’t keep a counter in the main hall; the square table would be moved, replaced with a long table along the wall, so people could sit on three sides. The table should be sturdy, paired with round stools that are easy to move. Outside, only a few stools would be set; if customers knew each other and were willing to squeeze in, extra seats could be added.
At that point, they could sell noodle soup or rice noodle soup, something warm to eat. The weather was cooling down, so it would be a good trial season for the business this winter.
Lu Liu felt this plan was too modest, not as ambitious as he had imagined. He wanted something bolder, thinking of vetoing it.
Chen Guizhi said, “This is good. Just buying soup might feel insufficient to some people; adding noodles or rice noodles gives flavor and fills the stomach.”
Zhao Peilan agreed, “People buy soup in the morning, and at noon we can change the menu.”
Wang Fengnian, seeing their approval, also agreed.
“Cooking noodles isn’t difficult; it’s convenient.”
Lu Liu hesitantly said, “Then it’s technically dine-in…”
Chen Guizhi replied, “No problem. Just having noodle soup makes the shop lively. If we call out to customers outside, they hear it and feel it’s worth it. If they find it unsatisfying, they can leave for another place—but once they come in, we can upsell. The soup might not be enough; they’ll order more. Once there’s foot traffic, we explain our clay pot soups, sizes, and portions. We start with popularity, then adjust.”
Lu Liu was convinced.
He considered hiring an assistant cook. If business was busy, another person could be hired. Profitable business would cover the cost.
The elders at home could still focus on soup, preparing it there. If free, they could help at the shop—no heavy labor required.
He understood, smiling in agreement.
Li Feng discussed modifications to the back courtyard. Along the corridor, he planned to add a layer of mud bricks to the walls for stove safety and place the stove outside. The kitchen couldn’t be altered much inside, but it could be tidied. A room would be reserved for a helper.
For storing grain, vegetables, and firewood, the front room would be cleared—conveniently close and ample space at home. The yazi business could handle the arrangements; Hai Youtian would come tomorrow to bring workers and relay the requirements.
After dinner, Lu Liu was still excited, humming mountain songs while washing dishes.
Li Feng, busy from early morning to late evening, would come home to hold the children and play with them. Since Lu Liu hadn’t gone far, the children usually played in the alley.
With Li Feng at home, he could carry both children at once, taking them outside. Three dogs followed him, tails wagging, happy and lively.
During curfew, in the small alley, Li Feng would also take the pony out, placing Xiao Mai and Zhuang Zhuang on its back, helping them get used to riding.
Zhuang Zhuang’s previously domineering nature had changed. He used to push Xiao Mai aside to get attention, but Li Feng corrected him gently but firmly. The discipline worked gradually—sometimes a reprimand, sometimes a reward.
Li Feng was strong; lifting the children and spinning them gave the sensation of flying, their laughter clear and bright.
Amid the commotion, Shun’er helped relieve Lu Liu.
“Sister-in-law, go play too. Otherwise, the two little ones might think they only see one father—seeing you by day and my brother by night.”
Lu Liu shook her head, “No, it’s nothing. Have the dogs been fed?”
Shun’er brought out the food; when Li Feng returned, the three dogs found their bowls and ate happily. Later, the bowls would be washed, and Lu Liu sent him back inside to talk with their mother.
“You’re about to manage the shop—nervous or excited? Talk with Mother.”
Shun’er grinned, “I’m not afraid; I’m happy!”
He had learned as much as Lu Yang could teach—without a shop and many customers, there wasn’t much else. The waterfront shops were too far. Finally, they had a small shop.
Shun’er asked, “Sister-in-law, if one day there’s a chance to open a big restaurant, would you?”
Lu Liu nodded, “Yes.”
Shun’er was curious, “Then why not rent a bigger shop?”
Lu Liu put away the dishes and wiped the stove, explaining, “This small shop is for family matters. We’re not aiming for profit; it’s enough. Look, we’ve added noodle soup even before opening. If it were a big shop, we’d be busy cooking dishes at noon. A large restaurant will be a family enterprise—I’ll hire someone to manage it. Once you’re experienced, you could become manager at the big restaurant without exhausting the whole family. That’s manageable.”
Shun’er felt his heart warm, “It’s wonderful to come to the prefectural city and stay at home. If I married elsewhere, I wouldn’t have the chance to do this work.”
He wiped the stove, whispering, “My brother’s words to Hai Youtian annoyed me. I knew he was haggling, but when he said you’d care for the children and mother, I got angry. I’ve always believed a man should care for the home while the husband works outside. Now that you can earn, my brother should care for home. My brother is diligent, though—he’s never idle, so I let it pass. I used to be upset over other men for no reason. This afternoon, Mother asked Hai Youtian about matchmakers. I wonder if I could marry into the Gu family someday.”
Lu Liu teased him, “Ah, Shun’er is thinking about marriage now?”
Shun’er blushed, nodding. “I’ve learned planning from Brother Yang. I want to resolve marriage now while I’m still not fully experienced, dealing with a small stall and shop. I’ll have children early, so Mother and Brother feel assured. Once I gain experience and manage a large restaurant, pregnancy won’t hold me back. Then the husband can care for the children while I earn money!”
Lu Liu reflected on giving birth last year, recalling the fuzziness of that period. Now, he agreed with Mother—having children is part of life’s work.
He had been too weak before; help or no help made little difference. Now, with children, his career could develop steadily—no rush, no haste. Everything in its place.
After tidying the kitchen, Lu Liu washed and dried his hands, patted Shun’er on the shoulder, and said, “Talk with Mother. Marriage is important. You didn’t dare before, but now you can think for yourself. Tell Mother what you want; we’ll help find it. Difficult or easy, we’ll follow your requirements.”
They were both taught by Lu Yang—planning was second nature.
He added, “Plans can change; don’t pressure yourself. Especially marriage and children—later is fine too. Look at my brother—when he was ambitious, he didn’t avoid having children. It matters, but not much. You won’t always need to stay in the shop.”
Shun’er hesitated, “Only one head of the household per family.”
Lu Liu didn’t believe it; he had been to the Wu family.
