Feng Qingqing looked over the menu options for the day and ultimately ordered the sweet-and-sour pork tenderloin, steamed egg with minced meat, and dry-braised winter bamboo shoots. Mindful of the two children’s tastes, she made sure to pick dishes they loved. Although she was not short on money, food ration coupons were not exactly abundant nationwide, so she still had to be frugal with her spending. She mused that now that she had arrived in Beijing, she would need to find time to visit the legendary black market to exchange for various tickets, whether local to Beijing or valid nationwide. Only then would she avoid compromising their expenses during their upcoming stay in the capital.
After placing the order, she led the children to an empty table. Although the state-run restaurant was quite busy at noon, the kitchen’s efficiency was remarkable, and the food arrived exceptionally fast. Just minutes after she and the children had sat down, they heard the waiter who had taken their order calling out the dishes she had chosen.
Once the meal was on the table, she first made sure the two children were well-fed before she began to eat heartily herself. The children clearly loved the food, especially the sweet-and-sour pork tenderloin; they devoured more than half of it, showing just how much they enjoyed the tangy, sweet flavor.
Chapter 626