Returning to Parents' Seventeen
Chapter 111 "What are you doing here?

Chapter 111: Chapter 111 "What are you doing here?

During the following half a month, Xu Chuning and You Shuzhen clearly noticed that business at their small eatery had improved.

Many successful people started coming into the store, eating noodles and buying breakfast.

You Shuzhen was quite surprised, and so was Xu Chuning.

Neither of them had done any advertising for the store, yet suddenly, it seemed to have become popular.

One day, when Xu Chuning was delivering some takeout orders that had been placed several times a week by the employees of Xuyijia Supermarket, she found out that the manager and staff of Xuyijia Supermarket, including Xu Yiming himself, all enjoyed the noodle shop’s offerings and had started doing free word-of-mouth marketing for the establishment.

Upon hearing this, You Shuzhen nervously asked Xu Chuning whether they should give something to the staff and boss of Xuyijia Supermarket to thank them for their recommendations.

Without them, the eatery wouldn’t even have been able to make enough to cover the basic rent over the summer.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuning immediately replied, "No need."

You Shuzhen was taken aback, "No need?"

"It’s too deliberate." Noticing You Shuzhen’s puzzled look, Xu Chuning found a more suitable reason, "Mom, they recommended us spontaneously. After all, it’s because you make delicious food that people want to come."

If You Shuzhen’s culinary skills hadn’t been so good, even with recommendations, people wouldn’t keep coming back after their first visit.

The reason why the shop had so many returning customers ultimately came down to You Shuzhen’s culinary skills which left them wanting more.

You Shuzhen: "But—"

Xu Chuning understood You Shuzhen’s character; if she did nothing, she would definitely feel uneasy.

After pondering for a moment, Xu Chuning suggested, "If you really want to thank them, you can just send some extra marinated side dishes and cold dishes the next time they order takeout."

Hearing this, You Shuzhen’s eyes brightened, and she said happily, "Okay."

Xu Chuning hummed softly and hugged her, "Don’t overwork yourself."

You Shuzhen patted her head, "I know."

She turned to wash her hands, "Mom saw a new way to make tea eggs a few days ago, I’m planning to try it out. Do you want some tea eggs tomorrow?"

Xu Chuning: "Whatever you make, I’ll eat."

The mother and daughter smiled at each other, the atmosphere harmonious.

However, even though the business was good, You Shuzhen and Xu Chuning still booked their tickets to return to Pingning. To get from Jiang City back to Pingning, they first had to take a train from Jiang City to Ning City, then transfer to a coach bus to the county town above Pingning Town, and after that, catch a local minibus to Pingning Town.

The journey home was somewhat convoluted, but neither Xu Chuning nor You Shuzhen found it troublesome.

After deciding on the date of return, just like in previous years, You Shuzhen and Xu Chuning posted a vacation notice at the entrance of the shop and provided a contact number for people to call if they needed anything.

The day before the return journey, the shop was closed.

You Shuzhen and Xu Chuning went shopping, bought two sets of clothes for their grandmother, and also purchased some local specialties from Jiang City, as well as several bags of candies for the children visiting their home.

After shopping, the mother and daughter started packing.

Everything was packed and ready, and there was still time left.

Just as Xu Chuning was discussing with You Shuzhen what to eat for dinner, Shen Sinian called her first.

"Hello." Shen Sinian went to the film set last week and had been staying in the film studio these past few days. In the first two days of his arrival, Xu Chuning contacted him every day to ask about his situation there.

Knowing that Shen Sinian was adapting well, Xu Chuning felt a bit more relieved.

Yesterday, Xu Chuning informed Shen Sinian about their return to Pingning. Currently, he could not ask for leave from the film set—being a newcomer and asking for leave in the first week was highly inappropriate. Therefore, he temporarily dismissed the idea of returning to Pingning with Xu Chuning.

Just as he had finished filming his scenes, he eagerly asked Xu Chuning how the packing was going.

Xu Chuning chuckled, "Just finished packing, how about you? Have you finished your scenes?"

Shen Sinian hummed, speaking softly to Xu Chuning, "Ningning, I’m so tired."

The film Shen Sinian had joined was a martial arts movie. He played the role of the male protagonist’s direct disciple, which came with a substantial amount of screen time and many fight scenes.

This role was challenging, and if played well, Shen Sinian could become famous overnight.

Every young man has dreams of heroism, and while the character played by Shen Sinian was not a great hero, he really liked the character’s sense of personal honor.

Hearing his words, Xu Chuning comforted him, "How about having something nice for dinner?"

Shen Sinian: "I can’t."

He was frustrated, "I need to maintain my physique."

The role requires wire stunts, the thinner the figure, the more it will resemble a young man, and the more stunning it will look on camera.

That’s why, since joining the production, Shen Sinian hasn’t touched a single grain of rice. He eats protein, dietary fiber, and coarse grains every day. Min Jian wouldn’t let him eat refined white rice.

He’s afraid of losing control once he starts.

"Not even a little bit?" Xu Chuning felt a pang of sympathy.

Shen Sinian: "A little bit should be fine, don’t worry about me."

To divert Xu Chuning from worrying too much, Shen Sinian changed the subject, "What time is your train tomorrow?"

Understanding Shen Sinian’s thoughts, Xu Chuning didn’t spell it out, answering his question, "The eight o’clock train."

"How many hours to Ning City?" Shen Sinian had never taken a train before.

Xu Chuning: "Four hours."

"So you’ll arrive at Ning City at twelve?" He frowned, "And getting home?"

Xu Chuning: "Not sure yet, if the train runs on time, should reach home around three."

Shen Sinian was taken aback, remarking: "That’s a long time."

In the future, it would only take a bit more than an hour by high-speed train to reach Ning City, and Xu Chuning’s entire trip home wouldn’t take more than four hours.

Xu Chuning chuckled, "Is it that long?"

Shen Sinian: "Yeah, if you get bored on the train, message me."

He emphasized, "I’ll reply as soon as I see it."

Xu Chuning smiled slightly, "Okay, you also need to be safe on set, and tell me right away if something troubling happens."

"Got it."

Mother and son had a sweet conversation on the phone, while You Shuzhen had already decided what to cook for dinner.

She was cooking in the kitchen.

After dinner, the mother-daughter duo watched some TV, went to their rooms to sleep, and prepared to get up early the next day to go home.

Going back to Pingning the next day, Xu Chuning was a bit excited. Lying in bed, she couldn’t help but pick up her phone, intending to privately tell Shen Yubai about her trip back to Pingning. Opening his chat, Xu Chuning felt it was a tad deliberate.

After much thought, she opened the group chat with several people and told everyone in the group: [I’m going back to my hometown tomorrow, guys don’t leave the place deserted these days.]

School was out for the summer break, but Deng Xitong, Cheng Mingyin, including Yu Gaoyi and Ban Shu, would still occasionally come to the small shop to eat.

The message was sent out, Deng Xitong was the first to respond: [!!! I was planning to go eat noodles at the shop tomorrow.]

Yu Gaoyi: [I’m craving Aunt You’s noodles too.]

Ban Shu: [Am I the only one who craves Aunt You’s tea eggs?]

As they were chatting, Xu Chuning’s phone vibrated. She closed the group chat to check, it was a private message from Shen Yubai: [What time is your train?]

Xu Chuning: [Eight o’clock.]

Shen Yubai: [Train?]

Xu Chuning: [Hmm.]

Shen Yubai: [Leaving at seven?]

Xu Chuning did some calculations: [Probably at six-thirty.]

Normally, it takes forty minutes by bus from their place to the train station, but to avoid traffic congestion and the rush at the station, Xu Chuning and You Shuzhen usually leave home a bit earlier to allow for enough time.

Shen Yubai: [Got it.]

Xu Chuning blinked, not quite understanding what he meant by ’got it.’

But she didn’t ask further.

Going back to the group chat, she chatted with the others for a while, then Xu Chuning reluctantly put down her phone to sleep.

The next morning, Xu Chuning and You Shuzhen got up at six o’clock, had a quick breakfast, and got ready to leave.

Upon opening the door, Xu Chuning saw Shen Yubai standing at the doorstep.

After two seconds of eye contact, Xu Chuning was startled, "What are you doing here?"