CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: THIS IS JUST TOO EMBARRASSING

Stepping out of the cafeteria door, Jiang Yu still felt a little uneasy.

He was well aware of why those students behind him were calling out to him, most likely because of the commendations during the freshman military training.

However, being naturally low-key and cautious, not one to seek the limelight, being suddenly thrust into such attention made him feel somewhat anxious.

But he also knew that since he opened the shop, as the owner, he couldn’t always hide in the kitchen; sooner or later, he would have to step out front.

Therefore, though the "sudden attack" from the juniors was abrupt, he didn’t feel offended, just slightly blushed.

This kind of situation was indeed quite embarrassing...

Throwing aside all these messy emotions, Jiang Yu took a deep breath and walked towards the shade of the trees by the roadside outside the door.

There, a seemingly nearly new electric tricycle was parked, and Boss Zhao, with a wide-brimmed straw hat on his head, was squatting under the shade, smoking a cigarette while squinting towards the nearby basketball court.

The sun had already set in the west, but the early September sunset was still fiercely hot, making several shirtless young men running wildly on the basketball court sweat profusely, their bodies glistening with sweat.

"Boss Zhao!"

Jiang Yu walked quickly, reaching Boss Zhao in just a few steps, and said with a smile,

"I’m really sorry, in such hot weather, having you make two trips in a day."

"What are you talking about? It’s business; who could mind the trouble?"

Seeing Jiang Yu coming, Boss Zhao stood up from the ground, took a few deep drags of his cigarette, stubbed it out, and tossed it into a drink can beside the tricycle seat, before saying with a grin,

"Boss Xiao Jiang, the ingredients you ordered this time are completely different from the ones this morning. Are you planning to make new dishes?"

"Not yet, just making some for the shop folks to try first."

Jiang Yu waved his hand and replied,

"There are several people who always eat at the shop; we can’t always just eat steamed buns with soup."

"That’s true, no matter how delicious, if you keep eating the same thing, anyone would get tired of it."

Boss Zhao nodded in realization and praised,

"Boss Xiao Jiang, you’re quite considerate of your employees, it’s rare to see people like you these days."

Jiang Yu modestly smiled and said, "Not at all!"

After a bit of small talk, Jiang Yu briefly checked the freshness of the ingredients before moving them from the cart.

Boss Zhao didn’t stay idle either, grabbing some things to help, and the two went into the cafeteria together.

Jiang Yu still felt a bit "nervous" about what happened earlier, afraid the students might come again, so as soon as he stepped inside the cafeteria, he quickly lowered his head and hurried towards the bun shop, reaching the shop door shortly after.

The students in line had actually seen him long ago, and seeing his shy demeanor, they couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

With their laughter, Jiang Yu didn’t even look back, reached out, pulled the shop door open with a "whoosh," and slipped inside.

Following behind, Boss Zhao was somewhat bewildered.

What was up with these students?

Why did they suddenly start laughing?

Perplexed, Boss Zhao didn’t dwell on it and followed Jiang Yu into the shop.

Behind them, the students began to murmur softly amongst themselves:

"The senior is really adorable, he even gets shy!"

"Maybe he’s not used to it. It seems the senior prefers to stay low-key!"

"Yes, yes, I wonder which lucky girl will marry him as a wife in the future..."

"Oh, have you fallen for him? If you have, you should act quickly, or you might miss your chance!"

"I know my limits. The senior is so nice and skilled, I’m not worthy..."

"..."

After putting all the ingredients in the fridge, Jiang Yu finally turned around, smiling as he said to Boss Zhao:

"Boss Zhao, you’re not in a hurry to leave, right? Why not sit in the shop for a bit, let me handle some things first, and in a few minutes, the shop’s steamed buns will be ready to eat."

Boss Zhao’s eyes lit up, he rubbed his big hands together, and said with a broad smile:

"Oh, I’ve been wanting to taste the buns from your shop, this really is a lucky coincidence.

Alright, I’ll just rest here, Boss Xiao Jiang, you go ahead with your work."

Jiang Yu didn’t engage in more small talk, he turned around, washed his hands at the sink, and got busy.

In just a few minutes, the whole small shop was filled with a sour and spicy aroma that made one’s mouth water.

Resting by the side, Boss Zhao was almost unable to sit still, tempted by the fragrance, but being a newcomer, he felt too embarrassed to ask directly. He could only act nonchalant, continuously drinking the water Yan Tongtong had poured for him.

He couldn’t help but be secretly amazed: What kind of soup was Boss Xiao Jiang making? It smelled too appetizing!

Finally, after Jiang Yu finished making the hot and sour soup, Boss Zhao was contemplating whether to ask for a bowl of soup when he saw Jiang Yu turn around, holding a bowl of soup, and a small steamer from the pot, walking directly towards him.

As Jiang Yu placed the dumplings and hot and sour soup on the table, he smiled and said,

"Boss Zhao, come, try it and see how it tastes. If it’s not good, you must give me more feedback."

Smelling the alluring aroma wafting to his nostrils, Boss Zhao couldn’t help but subtly swallow, maintaining his calm as he picked up his chopsticks, saying to Jiang Yu,

"Okay, Boss Xiao Jiang, then I won’t hold back!"

Saying this, he straightforwardly picked up a soup-filled dumpling from the steamer with his chopsticks.

Boss Zhao, having been in business for so many years and traveled to many places, was no stranger to famous local snacks like soup dumplings.

Putting the soup dumpling into his small bowl, he gently poked the paper-thin skin with a chopstick, and rich broth with a pleasant aroma seeped out from the skin.

He couldn’t resist any longer, pursing his lips to blow a few times, he lifted the bowl and took a sip of the soup, his eyes instantly lighting up.

For the following moments, Boss Zhao couldn’t care less about Jiang Yu, he buried his head and ate heartily.

It was as if he were a homeless man starving for three days and nights...

After the soup dumplings and hot and sour soup were all in his stomach, Boss Zhao finally straightened up, sighing with a satisfied face:

"Boss Xiao Jiang, your skills, I truly admire! All my years of traveling north and south, I’ve never eaten anything so delicious!"

"Boss Zhao, you exaggerate!"

Jiang Yu smiled, "If you like it, just come often!"

"Don’t worry, whenever I have the chance, I’ll definitely come again. After tasting such good food, who could forget?"

Boss Zhao stood up from his seat, adding,

"Thank you, Boss Xiao Jiang, for the treat today. I won’t stay and interfere with your business, I’ll take my leave now. If you ever need anything, just give me a call."

Actually, he wanted to pack some soup dumplings and hot and sour soup to take away, but since Jiang Yu invited him to taste today, he felt embarrassed to ask; if he offered money and the other party refused, that wouldn’t be good.

He’d wait for another opportunity next time.

"Alright, take care, Boss Zhao."

Jiang Yu, unaware of this thought, escorted him to the shop door and then turned back inside.

It was already half past five, Hu Zhihai and Yan Tongtong had already started to serve outside customers, and he had to hurry up too.

Seeing the line of students outside the window was noticeably longer than usual, he knew it was the effect of the freshman military training, meaning they would likely be busier today.