The other table ordered several dishes as well, but avoided the more expensive raw marinated items and the ivory clam.
"These dishes are too expensive."
"They're completely wild, huge, and still full of roe. Even at the seafood market, they're not cheap," Gao Yuan said, lifting a plate of raw marinated seafood and showing it to them. "And the boss gives generous portions. This isn't something you finish in one bite."
The customer glanced over, intrigued by the unusual color. He hesitated, clearly tempted—but when he thought about his wallet, he reluctantly gave up.
Once the orders were finalized, Ye Jiujiu returned to the kitchen. Since the two tables had ordered almost the same dishes, she could prepare everything in one go.
While cooking the blood clams, she deliberately made ten extra and set them aside for the little mermaid as a treat.
The little mermaid, having just finished her cold noodles, happily started on the blood clams. Crack, crack—she ate them one by one, sounding like someone cracking sunflower seeds.
Ye Jiujiu glanced over and froze.
The little one was biting the shells.
Half of a blood clam shell in her mouth had already been gnawed into a crescent shape.
Good heavens—why was she chewing the shell?!
Ye Jiujiu quickly blocked everyone's view and whispered urgently, "You can't eat that! You'll break your teeth!"
The little mermaid obediently opened her mouth, revealing a neat row of white teeth.
"They're fine."
Taking the chance, Ye Jiujiu gently pulled the shell out of her mouth. "You can't bite this. Look—no one else eats it."
"They don't know how?" The little mermaid's eyes lit up. "I can teach them."
"They eat the meat, not the shell." Ye Jiujiu hurriedly picked up a piece of watermelon to distract her. "Want this?"
"Yes."
The little mermaid opened her mouth and swallowed the watermelon in one bite.
"Hey—don't bite my hand—" Ye Jiujiu hadn't finished speaking when the bell over the door rang.
She turned and saw Lele pushing the door open.
"Little Fish Sister! We came to see you again!"
Behind him followed his mother and aunt.
Ye Jiujiu stepped forward, surprised. "Why did you come tonight?"
"We came especially to thank you," Lele's mother said, carrying fruit, nutritional supplements, and bottles of milk her child liked.
Ye Jiujiu was confused. "Huh?"
"I ate your seafood at lunch," Aunt Lele said, lowering her voice but unable to hide her excitement. "I started producing breast milk before I'd even walked far. My baby can finally drink breast milk."
Treating acne was one thing.
But lactation?!
Ye Jiujiu was stunned. "This… could it just be a coincidence?"
"It definitely isn't," Aunt Lele said firmly. "My baby refused formula. We tried everything at home. But after eating here today, it worked immediately. Your seafood really works."
Lele's mother chimed in enthusiastically, "Boss, don't be modest! My child's appetite improved, and even my digestion is better. We can all feel the difference."
Ye Jiujiu hurriedly waved her hands. "It might just be individual reactions. Please don't exaggerate the effects."
"We understand," Lele's mother said knowingly. "You're just humble."
She set down the gifts and gestured behind her. Several unfamiliar women stepped forward, their expressions hopeful.
"These are mothers from our community group. They have the same problem and wanted to try after hearing about you."
"…."
Ye Jiujiu didn't know how to explain that she was running a restaurant, not a treatment center.
"Boss, we want to eat now," one of the women said softly.
"Please come in and have a seat." Ye Jiujiu naturally welcomed them inside.
Meanwhile, the nearby shops were quiet. A neighboring owner watched yet another table enter, eyes reddening with frustration.
"People are still going in? Is it really that good?"
"There's only one seafood place around Lihua Lane," someone muttered. "That's probably why."
"What's so great about seafood? Fishy, smelly, and expensive. Fried rice and noodles are cheaper and more filling."
"They'll scam a few gullible customers and shut down sooner or later."
Inside, the "gullible" customers took the innermost seats and ordered one of everything.
Lele's family lived in an upscale neighborhood in the new district. The people there were well-off and didn't even blink at the prices.
"Please wait a moment."
After confirming the order, Ye Jiujiu went to the kitchen, leaving the little mermaid out front.
Lele ran over to the little mermaid, put one hand on the chair back, and struck what he thought was a cool pose.
"Little Fish Sister, we meet again!"
"I watched a really good movie this afternoon," he continued excitedly. "There were lots of round little fish—super pretty!"
The little mermaid blinked. What fish could be prettier than her?
"I'm pretty."
"Little Fish, you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen," Lele said quickly. "And I'm the best-looking boy."
The little mermaid didn't care. She lowered her head and went back to gnawing blood clam shells—salty, fragrant, and perfect for grinding her teeth.
Lele quickly pulled his hand back. "Hey, you can't eat the shell!"
The little mermaid shot him an annoyed look. Was he trying to steal her food?
"Here."
Lele pulled out a round chocolate. "This is super delicious."
The little mermaid perked up instantly.
"Delicious?"
"It's my favorite." Lele unwrapped a white chocolate and fed it to her. "Here, Little Fish Sister."
She swallowed it whole.
The taste was pure and sweet—like sinking into a pile of sugary seaweed. Blissful.
"Isn't it good?" Lele asked proudly.
"Delicious!"
"Want more?"
"Want."
Lele handed her another. "Tasty?"
"Delicious!"
She chewed eagerly, then stared intensely at the last chocolate in Lele's hand.
"Candy."
Lele hesitated. Only one left.
He quickly changed tactics and pulled out a bottle of milk.
"This milk is delicious too. I drink it at home all the time."
The little mermaid had never seen bottled milk before. She grabbed it and immediately tried to bite it.
"You're so silly," Lele said, inserting the straw. "You drink it like this."
The little mermaid frowned.
"I'm smart."
"If you're smart, why didn't you know?" Lele teased.
"I'm small," she retorted solemnly.
Lele nodded seriously. "Then I'll teach you."
When Ye Jiujiu came out, she saw the two of them sitting side by side, drinking milk. The little mermaid looked blissfully happy.
"Delicious!"
"Do you want to eat something else?" Ye Jiujiu asked.
"No."
The little mermaid grabbed another bottle, skillfully inserted the straw, and slurped loudly.
"Slurp—slurp—"
Seeing how much she liked it, Ye Jiujiu didn't stop her—only hoping she wouldn't wet the bed later.
She continued serving guests. By the time Lele's group finished eating, it was nearly nine o'clock.
Perhaps sincerity really mattered. Two mothers felt engorgement almost immediately, and others began feeling it too.
"So fast?!"
The mothers were stunned.
Lele's mother beamed. "I told you—the boss works wonders."
Ye Jiujiu: "..."
"I'll come a few more times. No more worries about feeding my son."
"I'll bring a colleague next time too."
"…."
Ye Jiujiu truly didn't know how to explain anymore.
After paying, the mothers prepared to leave. Lele looked longingly at the little mermaid holding her milk bottle.
"Little Fish Sister, I have lots of delicious things at home—chocolate, spicy strips, chips, cookies, nuts, marshmallows…"
The little mermaid's eyes sparkled.
"So many! I don't have any."
"They're all delicious," Lele tempted her. "Want some?"
She hummed eagerly.
"Wow…"
Lele grabbed her hand. "Then come home with me and be my little sister! I'll share!"
The little mermaid immediately agreed.
Ye Jiujiu's eyebrow twitched.
"Little chubby boy, are you trying to kidnap her again? And you—don't be tempted by food so easily."
"Don't eat too much," the little mermaid whispered seriously. "Take everything, eat slowly, and it won't cost money."
Lele: "???"
Ye Jiujiu coughed awkwardly. "No. That's his home. We can't take things from there."
"Why?" the little mermaid asked.
"Because you don't have money."
"…You're surprisingly considerate of me," Ye Jiujiu said, then explained carefully. "Those things were bought by his mother. Taking them would be rude. If we want snacks, we buy them ourselves."
The little mermaid blinked. "He told me to go."
"He asked you to be his sister. Would you want to?"
"Can't we just take some?"
She tugged Ye Jiujiu's wrist urgently. "Hurry. He'll run away."
"It's dark—you won't be able to come back," Lele suddenly said. He reconsidered, imagining his snacks disappearing. "You should stay here. We'll visit tomorrow."
Thinking he was clever, he grabbed his mother and left quickly.
"Mom, let's go. Grandpa and Grandma miss us."
"Wait!"
The little mermaid tried to chase him.
"Little Fish Sister, don't chase us!" Lele shouted as he ran. "We'll come tomorrow!"
She stomped her foot in disappointment.
"Oh no… he's fast."
Ye Jiujiu laughed. "Yeah. What if we can't catch him?"
"Do you know where he lives?" the little mermaid asked stubbornly.
"I don't." Ye Jiujiu pulled her back. "Those snacks aren't even that good. Our food is better."
The little mermaid puffed up.
"You lied. Candy and milk are delicious."
"Only those two," Ye Jiujiu insisted. "The rest aren't."
"If I have time tomorrow morning, I'll take you to buy chocolate and milk."
"Now?" the little mermaid pointed eagerly at the lit street.
"It's dangerous at night," Ye Jiujiu warned solemnly. "Bad people will eat us."
The little mermaid gasped and hid behind her.
"Are there big bad fish that eat little fish here?"
"Yes," Ye Jiujiu said seriously. "They eat little mermaids."
"Go back and hide!"
The little mermaid turned and ran into the backyard, her chubby bottom wiggling adorably.
Ye Jiujiu covered her mouth, laughing silently.
Little cutie… you really suffer from being uncultured.