The little girl's voice was so soft that Grandma Yang didn't hear her clearly.
"What did you say?"
"It smells good."
The girl pointed toward the restaurant, repeating herself in a tiny voice.
Looking exhausted, Grandma Yang finally noticed the newly opened restaurant tucked in the corner. A faint fragrance drifted out from inside.
"It does smell quite good…"
The little girl tugged lightly at her grandmother's collar. "Grandma… I want to eat."
"You want to eat?"
Grandma Yang stared at her in shock. Her granddaughter had barely touched food since she fell ill. This was the first time in half a month she had asked to eat anything. Overjoyed, she hugged the girl tightly and hurried toward the restaurant.
"If Yueyue wants to eat, Grandma will buy it for you right away!"
She pushed open the restaurant door.
"This place sells food, right?"
"Yes."
Ye Jiujiu personally opened the door and welcomed them in with a warm smile. "We only sell seafood. Would you like some?"
Grandma Yang hesitated as she looked around the elegant interior, then at her suddenly spirited granddaughter. "…Eat."
"Please sit here."
Ye Jiujiu led them to a seat against the wall, away from the air conditioner to avoid discomfort. After they sat, she handed over the menu.
"Please take your time."
Grandma Yang had originally planned to splurge—until she saw the prices. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
"This… this… is it really this expensive?" she stammered.
"Our seafood is very special—excellent quality, extremely fresh, and naturally sweet. Everyone who's tried it loves it."
Ye Jiujiu glanced at the pale, delicate-looking child. "If you'd like to eat, order anything you want. If not, feel free to rest for a bit and have some tea."
Grandma Yang hesitated. For that price, she could buy several kilos of pork…
She turned to take her granddaughter away.
But the little girl wasn't looking at her. She was peeking through the bird-of-paradise centerpiece at Gao Yuan, who was sitting across the room, blissfully chewing on clams.
"So delicious…" he muttered as he ate.
The little girl licked her lips.
Seeing that, Grandma Yang sighed helplessly and ordered two of the cheapest dishes:
"One Thai-style cold clam salad, and… a steamed egg with clams."
"Okay."
Both dishes were simple; Ye Jiujiu quickly prepared them and brought them over.
Grandma Yang immediately scooped rice and egg custard into a small bowl.
"Yueyue, open your mouth. Grandma will feed you."
The girl hummed softly, opened her mouth, and accepted the bite. She chewed slowly, swallowed, then unexpectedly said on her own:
"I want more."
Grandma Yang's eyes instantly reddened.
Her granddaughter had been hospitalized last month and hadn't regained her appetite since. Even her favorite strawberries couldn't tempt her. She vomited anything she ate and had grown frighteningly thin.
They had tried everything.
Yet here—out of nowhere—she was asking for food.
"You don't feel like throwing up?" Grandma Yang asked carefully.
Yueyue shook her head. "No. It tastes good."
As long as she could eat, nothing else mattered.
Grandma Yang joyfully fed her another spoonful.
"Is it delicious?"
"Mm. Delicious."
Seeing her granddaughter show a bit of color again, the old lady almost cried from relief.
"Then let's eat more."
Yueyue gently pushed the rice bowl toward her grandmother.
"Grandma, you eat too."
The old lady laughed, eyes crinkling. "Alright. Let's eat together."
Sunlight streamed in from the window, falling on the grandmother and granddaughter. The warm light softened their silhouettes and brought back the smiles they had long lost.
Standing behind the counter, Ye Jiujiu watched them quietly. With no relatives left of her own, scenes like this always made her heart ache with envy.
How nice… to have someone who loves you.
After Gao Yuan finished eating, he came to pay the bill. There was no discount today, and the total was 1752. He paid without blinking.
"Boss, I'll come again tomorrow."
Ye Jiujiu kindly reminded him, "Eating seafood every day can easily cause gout."
Gao Yuan laughed. "I'm not afraid. The seafood here is so good—I could eat it daily."
"Thank you," she said, "but it's still not good for your health. Moderation."
Gao Yuan shamelessly pointed at his own face.
"I think seafood is great for health. Look at my skin! If I keep eating here, it might become as good as yours."
Ye Jiujiu's eyebrow twitched.
"Don't overthink it. I sell ordinary seafood. If you want good skin, go to bed early, wake up early, exercise, and eat light."
Gao Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Boss… do you eat bland food every day?"
She was about to cook a spicy mantis shrimp dish after he left, but she answered without blinking,
"Very bland."
Gao Yuan clearly didn't believe her, but Ye Jiujiu ignored him.
He could only leave with a sigh.
"I just think your seafood is especially good."
"I think so too."
Grandma Yang approached with her granddaughter to pay. "Our Yueyue hasn't had an appetite at all these days, but she just ate so well. Your seafood is wonderful."
"It's probably just because it's something new."
Ye Jiujiu gently patted the little girl's head. "Eat well when you get home, okay?"
Touched by the pretty big sister, Yueyue instantly blushed and hid in her grandmother's arms.
The total was 276. After paying, the old woman took her granddaughter home with an umbrella. Just as they entered the house, her daughter-in-law Li Juan called from work.
"Mom, did Yueyue eat anything for lunch? Is she still vomiting?"