Menu Today:
Steamed Clams with Egg / 188
Stir-fried Sweet Conch Slices with Soy Sauce / 388
Tom Yum Goong / 488
Grandma Yang noticed that there were fewer dishes on the menu today than yesterday. "Why are there so few today? There are no sea snails or prawns like yesterday."
Ye Jiujiu explained reluctantly, "We didn't receive much seafood today, so we can only offer five servings of each dish while supplies last."
"That's a pity," Grandma Yang said softly. She had wanted to order nourishing dishes for her daughter-in-law, but it seemed there wasn't much available. She patted Li Juan's hand gently. "Let's make do today. We'll come back for something better next time."
Li Juan smiled and nodded, ordering cold asparagus salad, steamed clams with egg, and Tom Yum soup—dishes suitable for children.
From the kitchen, Ye Jiujiu watched Li Juan as she looked around the restaurant. The old alley, lined with simple blue bricks and tiles, contrasted with the vibrant greenery and warm wooden tables inside. It was simple yet elegant, calming yet full of life. Seeing Li Juan's delight gave Ye Jiujiu a deep sense of satisfaction—it was all Li Juan's thoughtful design.
Wearing her mask, Ye Jiujiu got to work on the Tom Yum soup. She filled a small clay pot with water and placed it on the stove. Once it bubbled, she added lemon slices, lemongrass, galangal, and fresh mushroom slices. As the mushrooms simmered, they released a rich umami aroma.
Next came the pre-mixed Tom Yum paste, followed by ripe tomatoes that softened in the broth, enhancing its sweet and sour flavor. She quickly added four blue crabs, five prawns, and a handful of clams, filling the pot to the brim.
After a few minutes, she added a dash of lemon juice and coconut powder. The soup was now thick, white, and fragrant—an irresistible blend of fresh, sweet, and sour flavors.
When served, Li Juan tasted it and exclaimed, "Boss, this soup is incredible. It looks thick, but it's light and fresh—not greasy at all!"
Grandma Yang tried the cold seaweed salad and was equally impressed. "It's very fresh and crisp. Usually, seaweed tastes fishy to me, but not here at all. The owner said it was just caught."
Yueyue, engrossed in the steamed egg and rice, ate without pause. Seeing her child's appetite restored made Li Juan's heart swell. She polished off two bowls herself, feeling delightfully full.
As they walked back home past the shady trees, onlookers mistook Li Juan's bulging stomach for pregnancy. "Is she four or five months along?" someone asked.
"No," Li Juan said, sucking in her stomach and letting out a satisfied burp. "I'm just full."
Another person looked surprised. "Did you really eat all that in this heat?"
Li Juan laughed. "We found a unique restaurant, and Yueyue really enjoyed it."
People noticed Yueyue munching on cherry tomatoes and were curious. "She has a better appetite now?"
"Yes, much better," Li Juan confirmed with a smile.
"Did you find a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for treatment?" someone asked.
"No," Li Juan chuckled. "It's not medicine—it's just that their seafood is exceptionally fresh. Both adults and kids love it."
Hearing this, the young woman's interest peaked. "Really? A restaurant can help a child regain her appetite?"
Li Juan laughed softly. "It's pricey—steamed egg costs almost two hundred—but it's worth it for the quality."
Grandma Yang nodded in agreement. "The seafood is fresh and large; that's why it costs more."
The group didn't seem convinced, so Li Juan didn't insist. Taking her mother-in-law's hand, she led her upstairs. "It's too hot outside. Yueyue isn't fully recovered yet. Let's go back."
As they left, a young woman called out. "Excuse me, is the food at that restaurant really that good?"
Li Juan nodded. "It really is."
"Where is it?"
"At the end of Pear Blossom Lane. Look for several large pots of banana leaves at the entrance."
The young woman quickly noted down the address. Her own daughter, born prematurely, had been weak and picky with food. Hearing Li Juan's recommendation gave her a glimmer of hope. With her parents-in-law out visiting relatives, she could secretly take her child there to try it.