Chapter 85: So Hot, So Hot, But So Delicious

“Smells good? That’s what I’m talking about!”

“When your man steps up to cook, even something like a scallion pancake is no big deal!” Wang Yong boasted proudly.

“Say you’re fat and you start panting—seriously?”

“Maybe it’s just that the scallions are really high quality?”

“And the dough I prepped earlier was just right,” Zhang Yongxia shot him a glance.

“Ah, yes yes yes, my wife is absolutely right.”

“So, honey, are you full yet?” Wang Yong asked.

“Hmm, my stomach feels full, but the smell of the scallion pancake is making my nose hungry again,” Zhang Yongxia replied.

Usually when she ate, she just picked at her food until she wasn’t hungry anymore.

But today, for some reason, she just kept wanting more and more.

This must be… the irresistible pull of delicious food?

Ah, it smells so good. I can’t take it. I just can’t resist!

“Grandma, it smells so good! I want some, I want some!”

“Sweetie, Grandma steamed some egg custard for you, and even heated up a chicken drumstick.”

“Just wait a little longer and you’ll get to eat the drumstick, okay?”

“No no, I don’t want the drumstick! I want that thing that smells so good—the scallion pancake!”

Downstairs, familiar voices drifted clearly up to them.

Wang Yong and his wife had rented an old-style apartment to save money.

No elevator, the interior still stuck in the 1980s, poor soundproofing, no real security, overgrown landscaping, and electric scooters parked all over the place.

Their unit had decent lighting at least.

So during the day, they usually kept the curtains open and the windows wide, letting the sunlight pour in.

Of course, the downside was that they could hear everything going on outside very clearly.

Like now, they could hear the conversation between the grandmother and her grandson downstairs.

“What’s so great about pancakes? Meat tastes way better! Be good, now.”

“No no no! I want scallion pancakes! I want scallion pancakes! Scallion pancakes, scallion pancakes!”

“Zhang Xiaopang, if you keep throwing a tantrum like this, I’m calling your parents to come take you home.”

“Waaah, Grandma, the scallion pancake smells too good!”

“How about this—why don’t you take me upstairs, I’ll bring two eggs, and we can trade with them for a piece?”

“……”

Five minutes later, Wang Yong actually heard a knock at the door.

Standing outside were not only the grandmother and grandson from downstairs, but also the neighbor from diagonally across the hall.

“Hehe, Xiao Wang, have you eaten yet?” the old lady from downstairs asked with a smile.

“Grandma, we’ve eaten. Just making some pancakes for dinner. Did we disturb you?” Wang Yong looked a little embarrassed as he spoke.

“No, no, not at all.”

“Are you making scallion pancakes? The smell is amazing—it drifted right into our place.”

“My little grandson got so tempted, he insisted we come up here to trade some eggs for a pancake.”

“You see, well…”

After she finished, the auntie from across the hall chimed in.

“I was wondering where that mouthwatering smell was coming from. That toasty, floury aroma—it’s your pancakes, huh?”

“You’ve got some serious cooking skills, young man.”

“Hehe, I actually learned it all from my wife. It’s nothing, really.”

“The pancakes are almost ready. Would you like to try some?” Wang Yong offered.

“Yay, thank you, big brother!” The little boy behind the old lady jumped up excitedly.

“Well then, I won’t be shy,” the neighbor auntie said, stepping into the apartment with them.

Inside, Zhang Yongxia had taken over from Wang Yong and was now at the counter preparing spinach and egg pancakes.

When she suddenly saw Wang Yong bringing in a crowd, she smiled and greeted everyone warmly.

“Sis, you’re big brother’s wife, right? You’re so pretty, and your cooking is amazing!”

“Can I trade you a few eggs for one of your pancakes later?” the little boy asked eagerly.

“Hehe, this is my grandson. He’s still young and I’ve spoiled him too much. Don’t mind him,” the old lady said with a smile to Zhang Yongxia.

“Not at all, he’s adorable.”

“We’re all neighbors here, no need to be so formal.”

“Once the pancakes are done, I’ll send some over,” Zhang Yongxia said with a smile.

“Wow, sis, you’re beautiful and kind. Big bro is so lucky!”

“……” Wang Yong and Zhang Yongxia.

Kids these days really know how to talk.

“Miss, I live across the hall. My surname’s Liu. If you ever need anything, just come knock on my door.”

“Okay, thank you, Aunt Liu.”

After a few pleasantries, the hot, slightly crispy, golden-brown scallion pancake with bits of green onion and an irresistible aroma was finally done.

Inside the apartment, the smell of the freshly cooked pancake hit everyone directly and intensely.

The little boy from downstairs didn’t even try to hide it—he gulped audibly.

“Wife, it’s hot. Let me.”

Wang Yong, hands freshly washed, strode over and took the pancake out of the electric griddle, placing it on the cutting board under the intense gaze of everyone in the room.

He grabbed a knife and sliced it into small triangular pieces.

Then he placed them in a bamboo basket and handed them out.

“Thank you, big brother and big sister!”

The little boy was the first to thank them, then immediately took a bite, unable to wait.

“Hiss… So hot, so hot, but so delicious~”

He blew on it while chewing, his face full of bliss.

“Oh my gosh, this scallion pancake is amazing!”

“Crispy on the outside, soft inside, bursting with scallion flavor. The texture is incredible!”

“I’ve been making pancakes for years and I’ve never gotten them to taste like this.”

“Xiao Wang, Xiao Zhang, you two aren’t working at a restaurant, are you?” Aunt Liu from across the hall exclaimed.

“No, no,” they both shook their heads.

“Really? You’re not? My goodness, with skills like yours, why are you even working regular jobs? Why not set up a stall and sell pancakes?”

“I’m telling you, with your skills, you’d have a line of customers every day.”

“But the thing is, I don’t know if you young folks can handle the hard work or swallow your pride.”

“Selling pancakes really does make money, but it’s also seriously exhausting.”

Hearing this, the couple exchanged a glance but didn’t say anything right away.

Once the scallion pancake was done, Wang Yong put the spinach and egg pancake on the griddle.

During this time, the little boy from downstairs ate two pieces of scallion pancake, Aunt Liu had one, and the old lady had one, leaving four pieces for Wang Yong and Zhang Yongxia.

If the pancake hadn’t been cut into only eight pieces, the hosts themselves might not have gotten any.

It was just that good. You didn’t need any pickles or sides—it was perfect on its own.

“Big brother, big sister, have you really never thought about selling pancakes?”

“If you set up a stall, I’d come buy from you every day!”

“I wouldn’t just eat them myself—I’d bring my classmates too!”

“Well… I’ll talk it over with my wife later,” Wang Yong replied.

Once the spinach and egg pancake was ready, he gave everyone a piece.

The spinach and egg pancake had a different texture from the scallion pancake.

It was soft, savory, and fluffy.

But just like the scallion pancake, it was absolutely delicious.

After seeing off the guests who couldn’t stop praising them, Wang Yong and Zhang Yongxia sat at the dining table, eating pancakes and exchanging a look.

“Honey, remember what you asked me to guess earlier?”

“Director Lu from Jiang City Loving Heart Orphanage said… she thinks I have good character and is looking forward to working with me.”

“If I’m willing, I can go help out at their orphanage—farming, harvesting vegetables, that sort of thing. The pay is 200 yuan a day, and they provide meals!”

“You know how good their food is over there.”

“That’s why I was so happy,” Wang Yong said.

Having his character recognized and receiving an invitation like that made him genuinely happy at first.

But now, he was starting to think about something else.