Chapter 39 - 38: Dad said, I will not be able to eat such noodles in the future_1

"Oh dear, young master, you’re really making me blush."

The old man shook his head in response to Chen Chang’an’s words, expressing his reverence.

"Without the recipes you gifted in the past, there would be no me today."

"Young master, you only come to dine here once in a long while. It wouldn’t be human of me to not serve you well."

"Cui Er, Cui Er."

Speaking thus, the old man called to the kitchen.

"Yes, dad? What’s the matter?"

At the old man’s call, a little girl of about seven or eight years old ran out from the kitchen.

She had a baby face, wore her hair in two pigtail plaits, and projected a lively and charming youthfulness.

The old man said to his daughter:

"Cui Er, hurry and ask your mother to come take care of things here. The young master is here, and I must cook his food personally."

"The young master? Dad, did you say the young master is here?"

"Alright, I will go call mom immediately."

Upon hearing her father’s words, the little girl’s eyes sparkled.

She quickly ran toward the back kitchen, shouting as she went.

"Mother~! Mother~!...Master Chang’an has arrived."

"Master Chang’an is here...!"

The Master Chang’an mentioned by the little girl referred to Chen Chang’an.

He earned this name when he first came down the mountain and claimed to belong to the Chang clan.

"You little girl, lower your voice! All of Tianshui City can hear you."

In a short while, a woman came out and lovingly scolded the little girl.

She then took over from the old man.

The old man walked off to the back kitchen to get busy.

Soon, the old man returned.

Following him was the little girl known as Cui Er.

"Young Master, your noodles and flat meat are ready."

The old man placed a bowl of noodles and a dish of flat meat in front of Chen Chang’an, speaking respectfully.

"Mm."

Without any qualms, Chen Chang’an picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

He first tasted the broth of the flat meat.

You could hear him hum in delight.

The instant he tasted it, a flavor as tantalizing as in his previous life filled his taste buds.

This exquisite taste made him lose himself completely.

Next, he took a bite of the noodles.

In an instance, another familiar aroma filled his senses.

"Mm, not bad, Old Liu. The taste has improved since the last time I was here."

As he ate, Chen Chang’an generously complimented Old Liu.

"As long as it pleases the young master."

Being complimented thus by Chen Chang’an, Old Liu couldn’t help but give an embarrassed smile.

For him, no matter how tiring, a word of praise from his benefactor made it all worthwhile.

However, his happiness was tinged with a sense of luck and nostalgia when he thought about his life over these years.

He and Chen Chang’an had met ten years ago.

Ten years ago, he was just an ordinary vendor and his shop was nowhere near as big as it is now.

He was just pushing a small cart through the alleyways of Tianshui City, calling out for business.

Due to bad business, his family often did not have enough to eat.

Until the day he met Chen Chang’an.

At that time, Chen Chang’an, was as he is today, elegant and refined.

At that time, Chen Chang’an had bought a bowl of noodles from him. After tasting the noodles, Chen Chang’an shook his head and then nodded.

Afterward, Chen Chang’an proposed a deal.

The trade involved Chen Chang’an teaching him a craft, but the condition was that unless he fell on hard times, Liu should never leave Tianshui City.

Furthermore, unless circumstances were beyond his control, Liu could not let this craft die out.

At the time, Liu was at the end of his rope and he agreed to this condition.

What he did not anticipate was how his business prospered as soon as he applied the craft taught by Chen Chang’an.

Not only did they have enough to eat, but they were also able to buy a shop, providing them a place to call home.

Meanwhile, Chen Chang’an would appear in the city every so often and invariably order the same two dishes at the store.

Noodles and flat meat.

These two dishes were the very same craft that Chen Chang’an had taught him.

Liu’s biggest wish in life was to cook noodles and flat meat that would satisfy his benefactor, Chen Chang’an.

It seemed like he had achieved his wish already.

"It’s okay, Old Liu, don’t mind me."

"Go about your work. I can manage on my own."

After eating for a while, Chen Chang’an noticed that Liu was still standing by his side, so he said.

Old Liu quickly shook his head and replied,

"It’s no problem, young master. It’s only proper for me to be at your service when you’re here."

"As for the kitchen, with my wife there, work can proceed without a hitch."

"Alright then, as you wish."

Upon hearing Liu’s words, Chen Chang’an decided to let things be.

He taught Liu how to make noodles and flat meat, so that when he descended from the mountain, he could have his fill.

As for what Liu might think, that was none of his concern.

As long as it did not interfere with his enjoyment of the noodles.

"However, I think you should go and help her."

"The business here is booming. Your wife won’t manage on her own."

"If company is what you think I need, let Cui Er keep me company."

Observing the bustling shop, Chen Chang’an still felt the need to point this out.

"Ah, yes, young master."

Upon hearing Chen Chang’an’s advice, Liu instantly perceived its wisdom.

He then embarrassedly gave a polite bow to Chen Chang’an and turned to Cui Er.

"Cui Er, stay here and wait on the young master as he eats. Whatever the young master needs, make sure to get it. Don’t neglect the young master."

"Heehee, daddy, I know. I’ll watch over Young Master well."

Cui Er giggled in response.

After reiterating his instructions several times, Liu finally left.

"Slurp~!"

"Slurp~!"

Upon seeing Liu leave, Chen Chang’an continued eating the noodles.

Since crossing over into this world, it had become his habit to visit this noodle shop a few times each year.

It wasn’t his fault. In his previous life, he had been quite fond of these ’Sha Xian’ (a place in China famous for its cuisine) style noodles.

The rich taste of the noodles complemented by the soulful taste of the meat soup, gave him the feeling of an ascension with each mouthful.

This experience is something that those unfamiliar with it can never understand.

Having crossed over into this world was beyond his control, but when it came to matters of taste, Chen Chang’an was unwilling to compromise.

"Big Brother, isn’t the noodles from our shop delicious?"

At this moment, a little girl came up to Chen Chang’an and looked curiously at him with wide open eyes.

"Mm, they’re very good, Cui Er, you’re a blessed little princess."

Chen Chang’an reached out, patted the little girl on the head and replied with a faint smile.

He had watched Cui Er grow up and he was drawn to her vibrant energy.

"But, Big Brother, Cui Er may not be able to enjoy such delicious noodles in the future."

About then, the little girl’s head dropped slightly as she spoke these words with a touch of sadness.

"You won’t be able to enjoy the same noodles?"

Hearing this, Chen Chang’an furrowed his brows.

Then patting the little girl on the head, he asked,

"Cui Er, tell Big Brother, why won’t you be able to enjoy these noodles in the future?"

"Daddy said I can’t."

Cui Er shook her head, keeping her lips sealed tight.

"Daddy said, I can’t let Big Brother know about this thing."