Chapter 1646: Strange Guests

Sister Li felt that those two people were really carefree, but she was also touched by this trust.

She was always very capable and had run a noodle shop by herself for nearly two years, so even when Chu Chengfeng wasn’t here, Sister Li managed it very well.

Although it was a bit tiring, Sister Li felt life was easier and more pleasant than ever before.

This might be a matter of mindset.

However, in the past few days, Sister Li had felt something was a bit off.

The story starts three days ago.

Three days ago, an old man about seventy years old came in, accompanied by a man in his thirties. They were both out-of-towners, dressed rather casually, and looked quite healthy, speaking with a Northwest accent, clearly tourists in the Imperial Capital.

At first, there was nothing unusual. But when two bowls of beef noodles were served, the old man’s expression changed.

This was learned from the waiter later.

The old man’s hand started trembling, almost knocking over the bowl, but thankfully, the grandson next to him was attentive and quickly steadied his grandfather.

It was said that the old man only took a bite before he stopped eating.

For the following two days, the old man and his grandson came every day, each time ordering a different flavor, and each time the old man took just one bite before stopping.

This went on for three days in a row.

They came again today, and Sister Li had to go out to watch them.

Because Chu Chengfeng hadn’t returned these days.

However, Sister Li was of a good nature and would remain very calm as long as no trouble was stirred up by others.

She stood at the bar, quietly watching the grandfather and grandson.

This time, they ordered the original flavor beef noodles, and the old man, instead of stopping after one bite, continued to eat mouthful after mouthful.

His expression was complex, with furrowed brows, seemingly full of thoughts.

His grandson was a clever one too, quietly eating his noodles, occasionally observing his grandfather’s actions, ready to notice if anything happened.

This was really a strange old man.

Sister Li was calculating the bill while secretly observing those two.

They probably weren’t here to disrupt business because after all, they were from out of town, and what reason would they have to cause trouble here?

Besides, Chu Chengfeng wasn’t one to be trifled with.

Not to mention outsiders, even locals didn’t dare to mess with them.

Sister Li thought, those few young waiters must have overthought it. She initially wanted to ask why he stopped eating after one bite, but since he finished the entire bowl today, she had no reason to inquire.

Sister Li amusingly shook her head, telling herself not to overthink it.

This was originally a very ordinary matter.

At this moment, the old man’s grandson also finished eating and politely called for the waiter to settle the bill. The waiter glanced at Sister Li, and Sister Li smiled and told her to hurry up.

Only then did the waiter walk over quickly.

The Top Grade Beef Noodle Restaurant was over three hundred square meters, so it was a bit far, and Sister Li couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she didn’t mind it.

She continued to concentrate on calculating with the electronic calculator.

Her fingers moved quickly; within minutes, she finished figuring the slip in her hands.

At that moment, the waiter came back, looking at Sister Li, "Sister Li, those two asked you to come over, saying they have something to ask you."

Sister Li was a bit surprised, "Didn’t you tell them the boss went out and hasn’t returned?"

"Sister Li, the old man is just looking for the person who made the beef and broth, so I told them it was you. Is that okay?" The female waiter, realizing too late, worriedly asked, "Are they here to poach someone? If Manager Chu finds out, will he fire me?"

Sister Li reassured her, "It’s okay, don’t worry. You go attend to other guests, and I’ll go have a look."

Sister Li put down the slip she was holding and approached the two, gently saying, "Gentlemen, I’m the head chef here. May I ask what’s the matter you have with me?"

The old man narrowed his eyes at Sister Li, and in a deep yet polite voice, he asked, "I’d like to know, did you make this braised beef and broth?" He added, "Of course, if it’s inconvenient to answer, you don’t have to."

Sister Li looked at the old man and his grandson, confirming she didn’t know them.

But she still smiled gently, "Yes, I made them."

The old man was taken aback, first squinting at Sister Li, then genuinely praising, "It’s really admirable that the head chef can create such a unique craft at such a young age."

Sister Li took no offense, "Sir, my craft was taught by my father, it’s not my own creation."

The old man was shocked, scrutinizing Sister Li carefully as if trying to discern something from her face. Unfortunately, he was disappointed but still asked, "May I know your name?"

Sister Li was stunned.

Though she was already in her thirties with over a decade of marriage behind her and was no longer a shy girl, it was still a bit unexpected to be asked her name by a stranger.

Her expression was slightly awkward.

The man beside her spoke up timely, his voice warm and pleasant, "My grandfather meant no harm. He just found the taste of these beef noodles very good, almost identical to what he had in his childhood, which is why we’ve been coming for three days, hoping to see if he might have run into an old fellow townsman..."

Sister Li thought about it and realized there was nothing to hide. After all, it was public information, she hadn’t done anything wrong or illegal, and besides, her father’s beef noodles were a family legacy, so what was there to fear?

"Sir, my surname is Li, and my name is Li Gufen..."

Before Li Gufen could continue, the old man across from her jumped to his feet, his expression changed, and his trembling finger pointed at Li Gufen, "Is your father Li Chengming?"

Li Gufen was astonished. How did this person know her father’s name?

Could it really be an old fellow townsman?

"...Yes..." Hesitating for a moment, Li Gufen nodded.

"Does he have a black mole behind his ear?" The old man’s eyes reddened slightly as he pressed on with trembling voice.

Moreover, his voice trembled.

This evidently didn’t seem like a fellow townsman.

The old man’s grandson supported the old man to prevent him from getting too worked up.

After all, he was a man in his seventies.

Li Gufen never expected the old man to get even this right. Her level of shock was not any less than the old man’s. She opened her mouth, choosing to speak honestly, "Yes, my father does have a black mole behind his ear."

When she was a mischievous child, she often tried to scrape the black mole off behind her dad’s ear.

So, she knew about this.

Then, the old man continued to ask for the date of birth, and when everything matched up, Li Gufen also felt something was amiss. At this point, several waiters were looking their way.

Li Gufen made a quick decision, "Sir, let’s talk in the back parlor first."

After all, this was a public area; their back-and-forth naturally attracted the attention of nearby diners, and moreover, Li Gufen felt it wasn’t appropriate to continue here.

Thus, she led the two of them, rushing towards the back parlor.