Butcher Fulang’s Noodle Shop - Chapter 52

On an official road from Yuezhou City, a group of people approached. It seemed that the governor was personally accompanying someone. After the man disembarked from the official sedan, everyone saw clearly—it was Butcher Xu!

An idle man shouted, “Butcher Xu, your wife is about to give birth, why don’t you go back quickly?”

Xu Zhongyue, startled, glanced at the idle man with eyes like cold stars. He quickly mounted his horse, started riding, and raised his fist on the horse to express gratitude to the man who reported the news.

Song Shi’an had never experienced such pain in his two lifetimes. Sweat covered his head, and his hands strained with visible veins. The midwife kept encouraging him, saying, “Yes, yes, that’s it. Breathe in, breathe in. Exhale, inhale. Save your strength, don’t yell. When I ask you to exert your strength, you do it again!”

It hurts… It was like walking on a mountain of knives. When wills this end?

Outside, there was a commotion, and someone shouted, “Oh, men can’t go in the delivery room!”

Footsteps approached, and it was Xu Zhongyue!

Beads of sweat adorned the tip of his nose and chin, and the blood on the midwife’s hands was visible. Even the toughest man gave up on his feet and knelt beside Song Shi’an’s bed.

“My dear, it hurts… if it hurts, bite me!” He offered his arm to Song Shi’an’s lips. The midwife had no time to care about him and shouted, “Okay, harder!”

“Ah!” Song Shi’an opened his mouth and bit down in pain.

He didn’t know how long it took, but Song Shi’an, exhausted, let go of his mouth, and a loud cry echoed from the delivery room.

“Wow wow wow -”

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Two years later, the second branch of ‘Dragon Looks Back’ in Yuezhou City opened successfully.

There were crowds of people in front of the three-story building, all beaming with joy. Two tall bamboo poles were hung with loud red firecrackers.

The restaurant’s employee, wearing an apricot bottom and a black apron uniform, stretched out the firewood in his hand to light the fuse.

A tall and handsome man covered a baby’s ears. The baby, beautiful with hands and feet like tender lotus roots, had round and fleshy features with two black grape-like eyes wide open, curiously watching the firecrackers explode.

Xu Zhongyue kissed his son and said with a smile, “When you are older, Dad will take you to set off firecrackers!”

More than a year ago, Song Shi’an fully recovered after giving birth, and he and Xu Zhongyue became more and more intimate. They opened a branch in the city. Countless people now knew that Xu Zhongyue was the legendary general brave in battle, protecting family and country. Not greedy for wealth, he had resigned from his post and returned home to open a restaurant with his beloved wife.

‘Dragon Looks Back’ was already very delicious, and with this layer of legend, customers flocked in. Soon, reservations were needed in advance. Opening another branch was natural; even the prefect wouldn’t object!

Baihe Restaurant influence waned. The shop owner fell ill several times due to anger. When talking about ‘Dragon Looks Back’, he would disdainfully say, “This is because the emperor doesn’t care about them. A dragon looks back, haha, what a name! They dared to come up with such a big store name! You’ll get into trouble one day!”

Yet, nothing he said could halt the booming business, and its reputation reached the capital.

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On the opening day of the second branch, the first 100 customers received a pot of ‘spicy shrimp’ for free. As the queue grew, Song Shi’an stood on the stairs, giving instructions. Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure – his famous brother-in-law Xu Shuqing, who had returned twice in the past two years.

Why was he here again? With him were three people, two easily identifiable as strong and robust, with bright eyes. The other, a few years younger than Xu Shuqing, had a long face with regular and elegant features. When Xu Shuqing spoke, the youngest person showed respect and fear.

Guessing something, Song Shi’an invited them in alone. Today, the store served various crayfish dishes. Unsure if the mysterious customer could handle spicy food, they presented spicy shrimp, garlic crayfish, and braised crayfish.

The guest initially ate with elegance but eventually ignored etiquette, using a handkerchief to wipe his runny nose while continuing to devour crayfish with both hands.

As Xu Zhongyue entered, about to salute the guest, the latter waved his hand and said, “Hiss—my good minister Xu, there is no need. Hiss, your crayfish is so delicious! Hiss—is this your son? He’s so big. Haha, I finally understand why you don’t want to go back to Beijing but want to stay here forever, hiss—”

When Song Shi’an came to greet him, the guest’s eyes sparkled, and he asked, “I rewarded my beloved minister Xu’s house and two restaurants last time. If you want anything else, just come to me. When do you plan to come to the capital and open a restaurant?”

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After entertaining the distinguished guests, they returned home satisfied. Xu Zhongyue and Song Shi’an smiled at each other. They planned to open a branch in the capital, also planning to give their eldest son a younger brother and sister. All of this was reflected in each other’s eyes.

Soon, escorted by the imperial court, a gold-plated and black-lacquered plaque arrived.

At the top were the three words mentioned by the emperor himself, with the dragon flying and the phoenix dancing: “The Dragon Looks Back!”