The hour of You had just passed, and customers started arriving one after another. After the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, a long line had already formed at the entrance. Many workers rushed over after finishing their jobs, afraid they would miss the delicious food.
"Miss, I want one set meal with three meat dishes and two vegetables. Please give me more twice-cooked pork."
"Miss, I want the same. Three meats and two vegetables, plus three bowls of rice."
"Three bowls of rice? Are you sure?" Sasha looked at the rough-looking middle-aged man with wide eyes.
The man pounded his broad chest with pride and said, "Don't worry, I can finish it!"
"Okay." Sasha quickly opened a new pot. The hot rice was full and shiny white, pleasing to the eye and full of fragrance.
There were only two pots of rice left.
She tilted her head slightly and looked toward the entrance. It was still full of people.
"Yuno, go check how many people are still waiting outside."
"Okay!" Yuno put down his pen, blew on the account book he just wrote in, and quickly ran back.
"Sasha, there are still fifty-three people outside."
What?
Sasha opened her mouth in shock. She looked down and estimated how much food and rice was left. It was only enough for forty people. She quickly told Yuno to let the others know to stop waiting and come back tomorrow.
Even though she had prepared double the amount in the afternoon, it still wasn't enough. She needed more help as soon as possible.
The people outside who didn't get to eat looked very disappointed. Some of them had come all the way from Wuyang Street and Wuping Street just for this food.
Food is the most important thing to people, and word about good food spreads fast. Sasha still didn't know that the name of her small restaurant, Bright Moon Eatery, was already becoming well-known. She didn't know that in just half a month, it would become the most popular food place in Wushui Town.
At three-quarters past the hour of Xu, Bright Moon Eatery finally turned off the last lantern hanging outside.
When Gordan came back, Sasha and Yuno were still busy checking the accounts.
"Sasha, the young master is back." Yuno saw the familiar figure at the door and called out happily. But he was confused why Gordan wasn't coming inside.
Sasha quickly stopped what she was doing. Before she got close, she already smelled a light scent of alcohol.
"Gordan, you've been drinking?" She hurried to help him up from where he was crouching by the door and sat him at the table.
A light rose scent surrounded both of them, making Gordan's heart tremble even more from the alcohol. His unclear eyes landed on Sasha's white neck, and the slightly open collar showed a soft curve. Her fair skin looked so beautiful that he couldn't look away.
"Sasha." Gordan softly said her name.
Sasha froze for a moment, bit her lip without thinking, and her cheeks turned red.
"Gordan, you're drunk." She let go of his arm and reached for a cup of tea, but a warm hand firmly held hers.
"Sasha, you're so beautiful." Using the courage from the alcohol, Gordan spoke from his heart under the moonlight.
Yuno was so embarrassed that his eyebrows twisted together. He quickly ran into the kitchen and started washing dishes.
Sasha's heart skipped a beat from Gordan's sudden words. She tried to quietly pull her hand away from his, but he pulled her back and she fell halfway into his arms.
This was the first time they were so close. The mix of pine scent and wine filled Sasha's nose, and beautiful pictures filled her mind.
She looked at Gordan's handsome face so close to hers. A trace of struggle appeared in her eyes.
Too tempting. She really wanted to kiss him right then.
She quickly shook her head and pulled her small hand back, pretending to stay calm. "Gordan, why did you drink so much?"
"The village chief and the official helped you finish your registration, so I took them to Peach Blossom Pavilion for a meal. I only drank a little, just three cups. That's not enough to get drunk." As soon as he finished speaking, he fell into Sasha's arms and didn't move again.
In the candlelight, her heart was touched gently, like the cool wind outside brushing across a calm lake, creating soft ripples.
Sasha slowly lifted her hand and placed it on his shoulder. She gently moved the hair from his chest behind his ear.
They leaned on each other for a while. Gordan's breathing became calm and steady. Only then did Sasha call Yuno to help carry him back to the new house they rented.
It was a small courtyard house with two sections. It was no longer the cold and damp mud house from before. This one was built with grey bricks and black roof tiles. It looked neat and proper. The rent was five taels of silver a month. Living there was much more comfortable than in Linhe Village. The bathroom especially was spacious, bright, and well-ventilated. There was no dampness or bad smell at all.
By the time Sasha finished settling Gordan, it was already late at night. She still had two big pots of braised meat that weren't completely done, and the business accounts had not been checked. Her whole body felt even more tired and sore.
She didn't have the strength to do anything more. She could only wake up earlier tomorrow and keep working.
Lying on the big bed, Sasha stared at the ceiling without blinking. Her work now felt harder than the nonstop 007 job schedule.
Before dawn, Sasha got up early. But to her surprise, Gordan and Yuno were already awake.
A small yellow book and breakfast were placed neatly on the table.
"Sasha, this is your household registration from Linhe Village. Keep it safe."
Inside it showed her basic information. Except for the birthdate she told Gordan, everything else was made up.
Looking at the booklet, her worried heart finally felt safe.
"Gordan, thank you." Sasha didn't talk much, but these few words showed her true feelings.
She had seen everything Gordan did for her. At that moment, her heart suddenly jumped, like a little white rabbit running wildly inside.
"Sasha, you don't need to thank me. If I hadn't met you, the Moonlight Inn would not be running so well."
Then he handed her three hundred taels in silver notes. "This money is for you. I don't have much left with me now, but when I return someday, I'll thank you again."
Sasha looked at the large silver notes he gave her but didn't take them. Yuno had said Gordan might only have about a thousand taels left. Now with the new shop and house rental, buying ingredients and furniture, he had even less. She couldn't accept it.
Gordan noticed her hesitation. He smiled, lifted her hand, and placed the silver notes into her palm.
"Sasha, even though I'm the owner of the Moonlight Inn, you're the one really supporting it. You've done so much. This money belongs to you. Take it."
"Yes, Sasha, please take it. If you keep saying no, the young master won't be able to sleep at night," Yuno said quickly.
Forget about these three hundred taels. Even if Sasha asked for all of Gordan's money, he wouldn't even blink.
A beautiful smile from a woman is worth more than gold. That saying has always been true for men.
Sasha held the warm silver notes, and her eyes filled with tears.
Gordan was truly a good man.
But she didn't belong in this world. What if one day she returned to her old life? What would happen to Gordan?
Rather than falling deeper, it was better to keep this feeling soft and unclear, a beautiful memory hidden deep in her heart.