PDLP Chapter 56 Mengmeng's Growth
Chapter 56 Mengmeng's Growth
The long line at the checkout finally came to a temporary end after the last young man finished paying.
Mengmeng sat on the high stool, and her two wobbly little legs were finally able to stop and rest.
She glanced at the empty entrance, then looked up at the scene inside the shop.
At this moment, the Human World Fireworks Shop was extremely busy.
Zhang Qiang is like a spinning top that never stops.
With two bottles of water in his left hand and a tray full of tableware in his right, he moved nimbly among the densely packed tables and chairs.
His oversized vest was soaked with sweat and clung to his back.
I was out of breath from running so fast, and beads of sweat were streaming down my forehead.
Meanwhile, in the open kitchen not far away, Chen Feng and Xing Ruo were also busy.
The roar of the flames, the clanging of the iron pot, and the rhythmic "thump-thump" of chopping vegetables mingled together.
Mengmeng watched as Zhang Qiang nearly bumped into a customer who was getting up because he turned too sharply, and then she saw Xingruo gritting her teeth and trying her best to deal with that bowl of wood ear mushrooms that seemed to never be finished washing. Her little brows furrowed slightly.
"Everyone is working so hard..."
Mengmeng slid down from the high stool and bent down to straighten her pink bunny apron.
She didn't want to be just a "decorative vase" sitting around collecting money; she felt she was also part of the family and should contribute her share on this busy morning.
With firm steps, she walked to the kitchen counter, tilted her delicate, pretty face up, gripped the countertop with her little hands, and called out to Chen Feng, who was tossing the wok:
"dad!"
Chen Feng was intently watching the color of the shredded meat in the pot when he heard his daughter's shout. He flicked his wrist and deftly reduced the sauce.
While plating, I turned around and saw sweat trickling down my forehead and into my collar.
"What's wrong, Mengmeng? Are you thirsty? I'll have your godfather get you a glass of warm water later."
Chen Feng's voice was a little hoarse.
Mengmeng shook her head vigorously, her big eyes full of seriousness: "Daddy, Mengmeng isn't thirsty."
Mengmeng thinks her godfather is too busy, and her father and sister Xingruo are also too busy.
Mengmeng has already collected the money and is now quite free. She wants to serve the dishes and help her dad with more chores!
Chen Feng was stunned.
He subconsciously looked into the store.
The restaurant was packed with people, and the aisle was not wide, with tables, benches, and diners' legs sticking out from time to time.
For a five-year-old child dressed in a bunny costume, this was a minefield full of obstacles.
"No, Mengmeng." Chen Feng refused almost instinctively, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"There are too many people now, and the plate of this shredded pork with garlic sauce is heavy and hot to the touch."
If I were to bump into you or burn you, Dad would be heartbroken.
"Sweetie, go sit over there and rest for a while, or go play with that little girl from before."
This was the first time in Mengmeng's life that she hadn't obediently left immediately after Chen Feng said "no."
She stubbornly bit her lower lip, her small hands digging into the kitchen countertop, her fingernails turning slightly white.
"But... Dad, I just told Guoguo that I would help Dad make a lot of money. Dad said that Mengmeng can't break her promise."
Mengmeng pointed to the family of three who had just sat down not far away.
"It's very close over there, and Guoguo is watching Mengmeng right now."
Mengmeng has already collected the money, and she wants to help her godfather share a little bit of the burden.
"Daddy, just that one table, okay? Mengmeng will be very careful!"
Looking at his daughter's eyes, which were almost pleading yet also stubborn, Chen Feng's fingers holding the chef's spoon trembled.
He suddenly realized that this was not just a simple request to serve the dishes.
This was the first time Mengmeng had tried to break down the "greenhouse wall" he had built for her, and the first time Mengmeng had shown her own opinions.
If we were to abruptly extinguish this small flame at this moment...
Perhaps Mengmeng will revert to being that timid little shadow who always hides behind him.
This was not what he had hoped for.
Everyone has to learn to take that first step.
Even if that step is shaky, even if that step is full of unknown risks.
But now he can eliminate the dangers as much as possible.
Chen Feng took a deep breath, as if making an extremely difficult decision. He put down his spoon and, like a meticulous mine-clearing soldier, carefully examined every inch of the floor from the kitchen to the table.
"Mengmeng, this stone slab is a bit slippery... There's a customer's bag strap sticking out here..."
As Chen Feng pointed out these areas, he told Mengmeng to pay attention.
Xingruo stood in the kitchen, the wood ear mushrooms in her hands not yet washed, but her eyes never left the father and daughter.
Looking at Mengmeng's serious little face, she was shocked one wave after another.
"Mengmeng...you're really amazing, breaking through your own limits time and time again."
Xingruo felt an anxiety she had never experienced before.
This anxiety wasn't directed at Mengmeng, but at herself.
She watched as even five-year-old Mengmeng was striving to break through her own limitations.
Meanwhile, the big kid himself was still hiding behind his master, and even the sight of a stranger would make his heart race.
"Shen Xingruo, you are really useless."
"You're here to be the first disciple, how can you lose to a little girl?"
Xingruo cursed herself inwardly, her movements unconsciously becoming somewhat rough. She wanted to finish washing quickly so she could go out and help.
Chen Feng finished giving instructions on all the things that needed attention.
He carefully brought out a plate of freshly cooked shredded pork with garlic sauce, and thoughtfully placed a heat-insulating tray at the bottom of the plate.
Still worried, he repeated his instructions:
"Mengmeng, you must be careful."
Make sure to hold the base firmly with both hands, and keep your eyes on the ground, not on the plate.
If you feel it's too heavy, call for Daddy right away, okay?
Chen Feng's tone was more serious than ever before.
"Yes! Mengmeng knows!"
Mengmeng excitedly puffed out her chest and solemnly accepted the tray, which seemed a little heavy to her.
At that moment, the air in the store seemed to freeze.
Zhang Qiang happened to be walking over with two bowls of rice when he saw this scene, and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets in shock:
"Fengzi! Are you crazy? How old is Mengmeng...?"
Chen Feng raised his hand, making a shushing gesture.
His gaze was fixed on his daughter, his body leaning slightly forward, like a leopard ready to pounce and protect its cubs.
Mengmeng has set off.
She walked very slowly, really slowly.
The pink bunny overalls swayed with her movements.
The shredded pork with garlic sauce on the tray was still emitting an enticing aroma, and the sauce swayed slightly in the plate with her steps.
"One step... two steps..."
Mengmeng's little face turned red from straining, and her cheeks bulged as she exerted herself.
What was originally a distance of only a few dozen steps seemed to stretch out infinitely at this moment.
The other diners also stopped eating.
Everyone's hearts were in their throats as they looked at the wobbly little rabbit.
"Hey, little girl, be careful."
"Boss, you're being too reckless! Hurry up and accept the offer!"
An elderly man sat next to them; he couldn't bear to see children suffer.
His hands instinctively hovered in mid-air, forming a protective posture.
It seems that if Mengmeng really slips, he will rush over to cushion her fall.
Another young girl also put down her chopsticks, muttering softly, "Stay calm, stay calm, you're the best little bunny..."
Under those concerned and worried gazes, Mengmeng walked with unwavering determination.
Although her balance is not yet very good, her body will occasionally tilt to the left or right.
But each time she managed to regain her balance, her little hands gripping the edge of the tray tightly.
Finally, the pink figure stopped in front of Guoguo's family's table.
"Uncle...Auntie...your shredded pork with garlic sauce is ready."
Please enjoy your meal.
Mengmeng's voice was a little breathless, but very clear.
She carefully tiptoed and, with the help of Guoguo's father, steadily placed the tray on the table.
"call--"
Throughout the entire Human World Fireworks shop, a unified, relieved exhale echoed.
"Sister! You're so amazing!" Guoguo jumped up excitedly, clapping her little hands, her eyes full of admiration.
Mengmeng wiped the sweat from her forehead and gave Guoguo a bright smile.
Chen Feng stood at the kitchen doorway, his usually steady hands now trembling slightly.
He watched Mengmeng's relieved and slightly smug back as she walked away, and felt a lump in his throat.
Without realizing it, the little girl who used to always hide behind him seemed to have completely disappeared at this moment.
He used to think that protecting Mengmeng meant hiding her behind him and not letting her experience any of the storms of this world.
But now he understands.
True protection is watching her grow wings and seeing her gradually develop her own resilience through the mundane routines of daily life.
From a little shadow who would only hide behind her father, to a calm and collected cashier in front of adults, and now to this little shop assistant who has shown her initiative and dares to take responsibility for the first time.
At this moment, Mengmeng completed her "transformation".
"Master, Mengmeng... is really amazing." Xingruo walked to Chen Feng's side, her voice low but revealing an unprecedented determination.
Chen Feng turned around and saw that a small flame had now ignited in Xing Ruo's previously bewildered eyes.
"Xingruo"
Chen Feng reached out and gently placed his hand on Xing Ruo's shoulder.
"Mengmeng is walking her own path."
But you have your own path. No need to rush, let's take it one step at a time.
"Yes!" Xingruo nodded heavily.
She returned to the pool.
This time, her movements were no longer anxious. She mentally rehearsed what she should say as she walked out of the kitchen and faced everyone.
Zhang Qiang ran over at this moment and punched Chen Feng in the chest, his eyes also a little red:
"Fengzi, our Mengmeng will definitely be the coolest flower on this old street in the future."
"That's right, don't you even know whose daughter she is?"
Chen Feng smiled and replied, then picked up the chef's spoon again.
At that moment, sunlight streamed obliquely into the store, falling on the pink bunny that was hopping back to the kitchen to collect its reward.
Chen Feng turned around and exerted force with his wrist again, the iron wok making a crisp sound in the firelight.