Chapter 141 The Father-in-Law's Physical Blockade, a Dismal Start and the Expert at Free Meals

Lin's Restaurant has been open for three full days.

What should have been a bustling scene of a new store opening with guests filling the doors was instead eerily quiet.

At each end of the alley entrance, several burly men were scattered.

Some of them squatted on the curb smoking, while others pretended to look at their phones under the utility poles.

But those pairs of eyes, like radar, were fixed on the brand-new black lacquered door of the Lin Family Restaurant.

As long as young tourists hold up their phones, curious and wanting to explore the depths of the alley.

These men immediately stubbed out their cigarettes and went to greet them expressionlessly.

"Excuse me, there is pipeline repair ahead, which poses a safety hazard. Please take a detour."

His harsh tone, combined with his uncompromising physique, effectively blocked all the customers a hundred meters away.

Let alone tourists from other places.

Even the stray yellow dog that used to beg for food from house to house in the alley just ran to the steps in front of the restaurant today.

Before it could even wag its tail, it was swatted across the street by a bodyguard disguised as a sanitation worker with a broom.

The area in front of Lin's Restaurant was practically deserted.

Apart from the old man from the next courtyard occasionally passing by with his birdcage, letting out a long sigh or two, there was no other sound.

The neighbors all knew perfectly well that the new boss had run into a brick wall.

A few kilometers away from the alley, in the private study of the Jiang family mansion.

The indoor temperature control system operated silently, completely keeping out the chill of late autumn.

Jiang Jianguo leaned back comfortably in the wide leather chair, holding a steaming cup of premium Da Hong Pao tea in his hand.

Directly in front of him was a row of high-definition surveillance screens.

Looking at the deserted alleyway on the screen, devoid of even a ghost, Jiang Jianguo couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He blew the foam off the tea with a satisfied smile and turned to look at the butler standing to the side.

"Old Wang, take a look."

Jiang Jianguo stretched out his finger and tapped one of the screens, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

"I knew it! Young people these days haven't experienced the harsh realities of society."

"Does he think that by repairing a few dilapidated pillars and writing a few nice characters, he can command the winds and rains in the capital?"

Old Wang respectfully handed over a warm towel, repeatedly agreeing.

"Sir, your move to cut off the enemy's supply lines is indeed brilliant."

"We've already spoken to the vegetable markets and suppliers around Nanluoguxiang."

"Now, let alone buying meat, he can't even buy a single clove of garlic."

Jiang Jianguo put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and gave a cold laugh.

"Starve him for a week."

"This kind of arrogant brat needs to be taught a lesson by reality."

"His little shabby shop will definitely be bankrupt within seven days."

"At that time, he'll be forced to close down in disgrace and come begging me to cancel the lease."

"Hahahaha, I really admire my genius idea!"

Jiang Jianguo had even begun to plan what kind of high-handed attitude he should adopt when Lin Mo came to apologize.

However, what Jiang Jianguo saw as a "desperate situation" was a completely different story in the courtyard of Lin's Restaurant.

The sunlight in the courtyard was lovely, shining on the golden nanmu pillars and giving them a warm, lustrous sheen.

Lin Mo moved a creaky old rocking chair and placed it in the sunniest corner.

He sank into the chair, relaxed, his eyes half-closed, his breathing long and even, enjoying the tranquility of the late autumn afternoon.

That sense of detachment and relaxation made it seem as if the airtight blockade outside didn't exist at all.

Not far from him, on the steps, Wang Cunzhen was squatting in front of a plastic basin, washing a few cabbage leaves with a worried expression.

He had to pedal his tricycle for over ten miles to the suburbs yesterday to barely manage to buy it.

Looking at the few withered vegetable leaves in the basin, Wang Cunxin sighed anxiously.

"Boss Lin, Teacher Lin, it's been three days, and not even a mosquito has flown into our shop."

He shook the water off his hands and approached Lin Mo with a worried expression.

"Our storefront is so grand, you'd think all those artsy young people would be lining up for ages."

"Judging from this situation, it's obvious that someone is trying to kill us from behind."

"How about I go back to Tsinghua University and find a few old friends to help us save face?"

Wang Cunzhu was genuinely worried for Lin Mo, and he was also afraid that if the restaurant went out of business, he would never be able to eat there again.

Lin Mo spun the walnut in his hand, making a crisp clinking sound.

He didn't even lift his eyelids, his voice lazy and steady: "What's the panic?"

"It's good that no one comes; it'll be peaceful. I didn't open the shop for business entertainment."

But actually, I felt some pressure inside, but I was too embarrassed to show it.

Jiang Ruoyun, who was sitting at the stone table flipping through a magazine, raised her head slightly upon hearing this.

She wore no makeup today, and her cool, aloof face looked exceptionally refined in the sunlight.

Hearing Lin Mo's Buddhist-like words, she couldn't help but let out a soft snort.

"My dad really acted very rudely this time."

Jiang Ruoyun put down the magazine, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at Lin Mo.

"But it's also good; the more he seals it off, the quieter it becomes here."

"Anyway, I don't want anyone else to eat your cooking."

"From now on, I'll make this my personal canteen."

Her words were spoken with such conviction and confidence, perfectly showcasing her protectiveness of her husband and her double standards.

Lin Mo was amused by her.

He opened his eyes, stood up from the rocking chair, and clapped his hands.

"Okay, since there are no customers, let's start dinner early today as a perk for our employees."

Upon hearing about employee benefits, Wang Cunxin's cloudy old eyes instantly lit up with an astonishing light.

He suddenly stood up, even spilling the water from the basin all over the floor.

"Brother Lin! What delicious food are you making today?"

Lin Mo strode towards the kitchen and uttered three words casually: "Yan Du Xian" (a Sichuan dish).

Before long, several tightly wrapped oil paper packages appeared on the kitchen counter.

This was something Lin Mo asked an old man who collects scraps in the back alley to secretly throw into the courtyard last night.

Opening the paper package revealed a piece of Jinhua ham, its color a deep red and its aroma of aged meat filling the air.

A piece of black pork belly with evenly distributed fat and lean meat and firm texture.

There were also a few tender winter bamboo shoots covered in fresh soil, just dug out of the ground.

The bodyguards outside the door can block the main road, but they can't stop the intricate social interactions in this old Beijing.

Lin Mo picked up the kitchen knife and exerted a slight force with his wrist.

The knife blade slices through the fresh winter bamboo shoots, producing a crisp and pleasant rustling sound, and cuts them into evenly sized rolling pieces.

The tender pork belly and the rich salted meat were also neatly cut into cubes.

This famous dish from Jiangnan emphasizes the perfect interplay between cooking time and the ingredients.

After blanching to remove the blood foam, the three main ingredients were poured into a heavy, coarse earthenware pot at the same time.

Lin Mo never relies on those random seasonings when cooking.

A handful of scallions tied in a knot, two slices of ginger, and a small spoonful of Shaoxing wine to remove any fishy smell—that's all.

The casserole was tightly covered, and the charcoal fire underneath was stirred just right.

A faint "thump-thump" sound began to echo rhythmically inside the casserole.

Time passed slowly as the food simmered over a low flame.

The salt accumulated in the salted meat is gradually forced out by the warm water and seeps into the fresh pork belly.

The few tender winter bamboo shoots, like sponges, greedily absorbed the rich oil rendered from the meat.

More than half an hour later.

An incredibly rich and savory aroma wafted out through the wooden window lattice of the kitchen.

The flavor isn't overpowering, but it has a penetrating power that strikes straight to the soul.

It is a perfect blend of the mellow aroma fermented by time and the fresh air of the mountains.

Wang Cunzhu was standing in the yard in a daze when he smelled this odor, and his legs went weak.

He unconsciously swallowed, and moved to the kitchen doorway as if he had lost his soul.

Jiang Ruoyun also stopped turning the pages of the book, her peach blossom eyes gleaming with an undisguised longing.

Not long after, Lin Mo walked out of the kitchen carrying the steaming hot casserole.

He placed the casserole pot steadily on the stone table in the center of the courtyard.

The moment the lid was lifted, white mist billowed upwards.

The once clear water has now been boiled into a thick, milky-white broth.

The crimson of salted meat, the tender white of fresh meat, and the bright yellow of winter bamboo shoots float and swirl on the soup noodles, glistening with an enticing sheen.

"Eat up, dinner's ready."

Lin Mo picked up a soup spoon, first serving Jiang Ruoyun a bowl, and then handing Wang Cunzhu a large bowl.

Wang Cun received the bowl with both hands, which were trembling slightly.

He picked up a piece of winter bamboo shoot and stuffed it into his mouth, not even noticing it was hot.

With one bite, the crisp bamboo shoot flesh breaks apart between your teeth, and the rich, fresh juice instantly fills your entire mouth.

The salty and savory flavors blend together, achieving an incredible balance between intensity and freshness.

Immediately afterwards, he picked up the bowl and gulped down a large mouthful of thick soup.

The warmth traveled down the esophagus and spread throughout the stomach, creating a soothing sensation that made even the pores of the skin open up.

"this……"

Wang Cunxin suddenly stopped eating, his old face already covered in tears.

The highly respected head of the architecture department, who was in academia, was now chewing on meat and crying at the same time.

"I've wasted most of my life."

He roughly wiped his tears with his sleeve, his voice choked with sobs.

"All those so-called delicacies we used to eat were just a bunch of junk!"

"I wouldn't trade being able to eat these kinds of staff meals every day for the president of Tsinghua University!"

He held the large bowl and wolfed down his food, as if afraid someone would snatch it from him.

Jiang Ruoyun sat across the table, her movements as she drank the soup were elegant, but her speed was by no means slow.

After taking a sip of hot soup, she let out a satisfied sigh.

Through the rising steam, she quietly gazed at Lin Mo across from her.

Lin Mo was slowly picking through the ginger slices in the soup, his expression as calm as a still autumn lake.

He seemed completely unconcerned about the blockade outside the door and was used to Wang Cuncun's exaggerated reaction.

This innate composure and calmness made Jiang Ruoyun feel extremely at ease.

But at the same time, a strong competitive spirit quietly rose in her heart.

On what grounds?

Such a good person, making such amazing food, why should she be suppressed like this by her unreasonable father?

Lin Mo could ignore it and continue living his leisurely life.

But Jiang Ruoyun couldn't swallow this insult.

She absolutely refused to allow her man's hard work to be so ruthlessly destroyed.

Jiang Ruoyun put down the soup bowl, her eyes becoming exceptionally calm.

Since the old man wants to go all out offline, then don't blame her for stirring up trouble elsewhere.

It was midnight.

The main light was off in the bedroom on the second floor of the Jiang family villa.

Jiang Ruoyun locked the solid wood door and tiptoed to the spacious desk.

She pulled open the bottom locked drawer and took out a graphics tablet that was wrapped tightly in a dust cloth.

Gently brush away the thin layer of dust with your fingertips.

Connect to power and turn on the screen.

The deep blue light illuminated her resolute eyes.

With a soft tapping sound on the keyboard, she skillfully logged into a social media account that had extremely high authority across all major online platforms.

Page refreshed.

A legendary account with over 12 million followers, which hadn't posted anything for a whole year, has suddenly become online again.

The homepage's verification information is very simple: freelance artist, aesthetics blogger.

The ID that countless fans have been eagerly awaiting is just three simple characters.

Deer in the Clouds.