Chapter 89

Early summer followed Logan back to the office.

The two first finished the work they hadn't completed today, then made a list together.

By the time the list was done, it was already late, so Summer and Logan didn't immediately go to find Ben.

They left work as usual and went back to their residence, doing their daily routines.

The next day at lunchtime, after eating, Summer and Logan took advantage of the break to find Ben and handed him the list.

After reviewing the list, Ben said, "Okay, I'll let you know when it's done."

Summer was both happy and a bit nervous, asking with concern, "Is there anything difficult?"

Ben smiled at her and said, "Getting some tables, stools, pots, and pans isn't difficult. The slightly tricky part is communicating with the township, but that's not a big problem. Once that's done, we'll sign an agreement with the grain and oil station and the food station, so the supply of ingredients won't be an issue. Our team also has its own grains and vegetables. We're just setting up a small stand, so we won't need much supply. It's not difficult."

Hearing this, Summer was completely reassured.

A state-run stand, backed by the government, really wasn't something to worry about.

If there was anything to worry about, it was the officials' concern. Her main worry was whether the noodle stand could make a profit once it was up and running. If it didn't, the team might reconsider continuing with it.

But that was something to worry about later. For now, Summer and Logan returned to their regular work and classes after handing the list to Ben.

In just another week, the team completed all the paperwork for setting up the noodle stand.

With the paperwork done, the plan was as good as confirmed.

Though the summer vacation hadn't started yet, all the preparations could begin.

The team procured various items needed for the noodle stand according to Summer's requirements and even sent her wheat, soybeans, and corn.

Summer wanted these things to make sauces in advance. Sauce-making took a long time, and starting now would mean it would be ready by the time summer vacation started.

Making the noodle sauce didn't require constant attention. They could cook the wheat, soybeans, and corn for half a day and then dry them, working on the rest in their spare time.

Summer and Logan focused on their tasks.

Apart from work, their thoughts and energy were also on the noodle stand, so they barely paid attention to how Henry and the others were doing.

Henry and his group lived a routine life.

They constantly complained about eating plain bread and occasionally lamented how unbearable it was, sometimes even shedding tears of frustration.

Despite the hardships, the ten of them generally stayed united and harmonious. Although they had minor conflicts and arguments, Henry's presence kept things from getting out of hand.

Life in the countryside was stifling and monotonous.

Often, they would gather to joke and laugh, finding joy amidst the hardship.

Henry and Sophia's feelings for each other also grew more intense in this atmosphere of despair and lack of prospects. It seemed only this way could they counterbalance the emotional and physical struggles.

Their only small hope was the second batch of vegetable seedlings they had planted.

With the lessons learned from their first attempt, they were much more careful the second time, seeking advice from the locals.

The seedlings thrived under the sun and rain, free from any major mishaps.

However, they would have to wait until autumn to enjoy the harvest.

***

"Students, today is our last day at school for this term. From tomorrow, we'll begin our longest holiday of the year—summer vacation. Remember to review and consolidate what we've learned this term while you're at home, so you don't forget everything by the time school starts again..."

As Summer and Logan announced the start of the summer vacation, the classroom erupted with cheers and desk-pounding so loud it nearly lifted the roof.

The kids jumped around in excitement, but they still lined up neatly to leave the school.

Seeing the children off for the last time this term, Summer sighed in relief.

The anticipation for vacation wasn't just something students felt; teachers did too.

Locking the school gate, Summer and Logan slung their backpacks over their shoulders and left.

Holding her bag strap, Summer turned to Logan and asked, "We have a day off tomorrow. The day after, on Sunday, the township has a market day. Are you nervous about starting the noodle stand?"

Logan, ever calm, replied, "What's there to be nervous about?"

Summer said, "Of course, I'm worried the noodles won't sell."

Logan remained indifferent, "If they don't sell, they don't sell. We won't lose much, just some effort."

Summer was about to continue, but then thought better of it, realizing she was being pessimistic before they even started. Logan, who never worried unnecessarily, would surely find it annoying.

So she stopped herself and smiled at Logan, saying, "With my cooking skills, I'm sure they'll sell."

***

With the vacation, there was less work and pressure, so they felt much more relaxed.

The next day, aside from eating, feeding the chickens, and reading, Summer and Logan stayed at their residence, fully resting for a day.

Having recharged, they got up early the next morning, as usual.

After breakfast, they headed to the team office.

The team had not only procured the necessary items for the noodle stand but also cleaned out half a storage room at the office to store these items.

Summer and Logan arrived, opened the storage room, and started preparing. They didn't immediately head to the market.

They set up the table and workspace, measured out one and a half pounds of flour, and made dough to roll out five portions of noodles.

For the first day, they took it easy since they didn't know how things would go.

After rolling out the noodles, they cut some vegetables and then headed to the market with their cart.

Clearwater Town's market was L-shaped, with stands along two walls.

After discussions with the township, they had set up a small square stove at the corner of the walls.

Using two thick bamboo poles, they had rigged up a makeshift canopy with old tarps.

When Summer and Logan arrived with their cart, most of the other stalls were already set up, and the market was bustling with people.

Seeing Summer and Logan, the other stall owners curiously watched them.

Though feeling a bit nervous, Summer methodically set up their stand.

She unfolded the small table and stools.

Logan, meanwhile, took the supply certificate and went to the food station.

After he left, the watermelon seller next to them couldn't help but ask Summer, "What's all this for? Cooking something?"

Summer smiled and pointed to the words on the wooden sign beside them, "State-run Noodle Stand, selling noodles."

Hearing this, the old man shook his head and tutted.

He then asked, "Which team are you from? How come you're setting up a noodle stand at the market? This might not work. The state-run cafeteria has bread, buns, noodles, dumplings, and everything."

Summer didn't argue with him and kept her good-natured smile, "We're from the Willow Creek Team. We're just trying it out, being the first to do something new."

The old man looked puzzled, "Setting up a noodle stand is being the first to do something new?"

Summer laughed, "Well, we're the first to set up a noodle stand on this street, right?"

If it wasn't the first, the old man wouldn't be so interested.

He continued, "What kind of noodles are you selling?"

Summer continued her preparations and replied, "Mostly what the state-run cafeteria doesn't have, like zhajiangmian (fried sauce noodles)."

The old man tutted again and shook his head, "I still think it won't work."

Summer just smiled and kept working, not arguing further.

The old man, with a "you'll regret not listening to me" expression, shook his head and said no more.

As Summer was nearly done setting up, Logan returned with a pound of pork.

He didn't rest either, washing the pork at the nearby water pump, then dicing it on the chopping board.

When the meat was nearly ready, Summer started the fire.

The wood crackled under the stove, and the pot soon heated up, emitting smoke.

When the pot was hot, she added oil, then the onions and ginger for aroma.

Then she added the pork, frying it until the fat rendered out and the meat turned golden and crispy...

The watermelon seller, in the middle of a cheerful chat with another vendor, suddenly stopped laughing and sniffed the air.

The scent of cooking meat had reached him.