Chapter 60: Children Need Praise

This bustling scene reminded Qin Hongfei of the electronics markets of later generations, and she couldn’t help but sigh. The entire market covered over two thousand square meters, but Qin Hongfei didn’t rush to explore. She bought a newspaper first to get a sense of the layout. Though she had more than twenty years’ experience in another world, that place and this were completely different—two separate worlds.

After studying the map, Xia Shangxu, his pockets full of money and his mood soaring like that of a landlord, asked eagerly, “Hongfei, where shall we start our tour?”

Qin Hongfei glanced to the left, then to the right. She replied, “Let’s find a place to eat first. I’m hungry.”

Xia Shangxu’s excitement deflated like a ball pricked by a mischievous child, but a glance at his watch confirmed it was mealtime. Well, food it would be.

He intended to find a proper restaurant, but Qin Hongfei dragged him to an outdoor noodle stand. A wooden sign tied with red string announced two yuan per bowl. Qin Hongfei stepped forward and said, “Madam, two bowls, please.”

“Alright! Young lady, you know your stuff. Out of all these noodle stalls, mine serves the best noodles, and the most generous portions,” the woman boasted.

“I can see you’re a kind and honest person, so your food must be good—and it’s affordable, too,” Qin Hongfei replied with a sweet smile.

“Oh, what a clever child…”

Xia Shangxu watched the owner prepare noodles for the other customers: pale noodles topped with two slices of pork—just two, counted out precisely, any extra promptly removed—plus scallions and a meatball. It looked rather meager.

He could hardly imagine how one dared to boast, and the other to believe it!

“Uncle,” Qin Hongfei had already found a seat and called him over.

“Hongfei, you don’t need to save money for me,” Xia Shangxu thought she was being considerate, trying to help him economize. “I can afford a meal, you know.”

“You’ve misunderstood; I’m not trying to save your money,” Qin Hongfei replied.

“Say no more, I understand,” Xia Shangxu sighed. His cousin’s family was so poor, and this child was just too thoughtful. Well, noodles it was. If they ate too well, she might feel guilty.

Qin Hongfei had no idea what drama Xia Shangxu was playing out in his mind. She had chosen this spot for a reason: with so many customers, there were plenty of conversations—a much freer atmosphere than a restaurant, and far more information to glean.

Xia Shangxu didn’t know this; he simply assumed his niece was saving him money.

When their noodles arrived, the owner was true to her word: Qin Hongfei’s bowl had two extra slices of pork and an extra meatball, and she made sure to serve them separately, as if afraid Xia Shangxu would snatch the girl’s more generous portion. She urged Qin Hongfei to eat, didn’t leave until she saw her take a bite, and then departed.

Xia Shangxu felt as if his face must resemble that of an untrustworthy elder.

He grimaced but eventually bowed his head and ate. The pale noodles were certainly nothing special, but hunger won out and he finished his bowl. Afterwards, he waved for two more bowls, filling his stomach.

While Qin Hongfei listened for information, she noticed her uncle had already eaten three bowls. “Uncle, do you really like these noodles?”

Xia Shangxu interpreted her doubt as anxiety over the taste and possible criticism, and beamed kindly, raising his thumb. “Yes, Hongfei. You’re amazing—you picked a spot that’s both tasty and cheap!”

Children should be praised, after all.

But when they finished at the noodle stand and Qin Hongfei led him to a restaurant and started ordering dishes, he was left speechless: “……”???