CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43 WHEN DID THE SQUARE BECOME SO LIVELY!

The two teenage Taoist priests returned to the Taoist Temple, and the first thing they did was light the stove and steam the buns to warm them up.

Then, they immediately got busy arranging the morning vegetarian meal in the dining hall.

Today’s breakfast was a bit late, but there weren’t many people in the Taoist Temple, and after informing everyone, they all understood.

Soon, breakfast was ready, and they went to tell everyone it was time to eat.

The administrator of the Taoist Temple was Taoist Priest Yunshui. The title "Taoist Priest" was typically held by experienced senior Taoists responsible for managing the various tasks within the temple.

Above the Taoist Priests were the "Zhenren," "Zhenjun," and "Celestial Masters."

However, the Taoist Temple on Fengqi Mountain was a small one and didn’t have anyone at the level of a "Zhenren."

At this moment, Taoist Liu Fu, with a smile on his face, said to Taoist Priest Yunshui in a calm and unhurried manner, "Master, today’s breakfast is a bit late, but I assure you the taste is good."

"I specifically went out to buy these buns."

Hearing his words, Taoist Priest Yunshui hadn’t said anything yet, but the two teenage Taoist priests behind him scorned Liu Fu in their hearts. It was clearly they who had gone to buy the buns! But what could they do? Liu Fu was the senior disciple.

"Let’s start eating; you’ve also worked hard," Taoist Priest Yunshui said.

He sat down at the table and, as usual, ladled a bowl of rice porridge, then picked up a bun with his hand.

This bun felt completely different from the usual ones the moment he held it.

Very soft, very springy, very substantial.

The dough had been fermented excellently, and the steaming was just right.

Judging by the weight, this bun was stuffed solid.

What a bun!

Taoist Priest Yunshui put the bun to his mouth and took a bite.

With just one bite, the meat filling mixed with the bun skin entered his mouth.

Instantly, his eyes lit up.

Delicious!

A thin skin with a generous filling; the meat was exceptionally ample.

Chewing it was simply too satisfying.

"The bun tastes good," Taoist Priest Yunshui remarked.

Then, he asked Liu Fu, "Where did you buy these buns?"

Liu Fu replied honestly, "They’re from a food truck owner I found online who is extremely skilled. Today, I saw online that he’d come to Fengqi Mountain, and just when we had some issues with breakfast, I decided to buy from him."

"This food truck is very popular."

"Moreover, as far as I know, the monks from the temple nearby have also been placing orders with him for their breakfast."

Hearing Liu Fu say this, Taoist Priest Yunshui nodded.

"Preparing breakfast in the Taoist Temple is also a form of practice, and we need to make it ourselves."

"From now on, we’ll go to him to buy some every few days."

Liu Fu added, "Master, this food truck owner has quite a personality. He changes locations about every week or so."

"In a few days, he might not be on Fengqi Mountain anymore."

Taoist Priest Yunshui was enjoying the delicious bun, but he paused slightly upon hearing Liu Fu’s words.

Not on Fengqi Mountain anymore? We’d lose such delicious buns?

Thinking of this, Taoist Priest Yunshui said, "The weather has turned a bit colder these days, and the temperature has dropped, making the early morning practices quite tough."

"The Taoist Temple also needs thorough cleaning."

"For the next few days, let’s not make breakfast ourselves; let’s buy it all from him instead."

Upon hearing this, Liu Fu immediately responded, "Yes, Master."

At this very moment, the two teenage Taoist priests were relishing their buns.

They had been disheartened upon initially hearing Taoist Priest Yunshui say that they should prepare breakfast themselves.

But when he then suggested purchasing it from Jiang Feng, they instantly became happy again.

The taste of the buns was truly exceptional.

Stuffed with savory meat filling and mixed with an appetizing sauce, the flavor was not greasy at all but incredibly fragrant.

One bite could stimulate the appetite, making them want to eat more and more.

After eating one, they couldn’t resist reaching for a second.

After finishing the second, they still wanted a third.

Since not many were bought today, two buns per person was just enough.

Luckily, the buns were big enough that eating two would almost make one full.

Today’s breakfast atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

The arrival of a food truck owner seemed to bring some vibrancy to the solitary days of practice in the mountains.

「Eight in the morning, at the little square.」

The crowd at the little square today was larger than usual.

Many were regulars who had made a special trip just for breakfast.

In this world, many rush about in the mornings to get to work, while others have ample time to enjoy a delicious breakfast leisurely.

These people came specifically for Jiang Feng.

"Boss, a serving of egg fried rice and two buns."

"Same for me, a serving of egg fried rice and two buns."

"I want five buns!"

Customers came in an unending stream, and soon, the tables and chairs Jiang Feng had set out were filled.

There were also some who could only stand to the side and eat their steamed buns.

Jiang Feng, watching the influx of diners, was also a bit astonished.

I thought business would be average, but I didn’t expect to be this busy so quickly!

The usually desolate Fengqi Mountain had become a bit livelier than usual.

All the regulars are here; I should prepare more variety tomorrow, Jiang Feng thought.

Many cars were parked along the side of the mountain road.

Luckily, the road was wide enough that, even with a string of cars parked on the side, other vehicles could still pass without hindrance.

Huang Ye, the manager of the Fengqi Mountain scenic area, was heading up the mountain today and drove to a spot halfway up.

He was a bit bewildered to see a line of cars parked along the road.

What’s going on? Is there a temple fair?

During festivals and holidays, many people would come to the mountain to pay their respects, especially during Chinese New Year, when cars would line up all the way down the mountain road, creating an extremely impressive sight.

But on a normal day, there weren’t many people on this mountain.

Something’s not right about today.

Curious, Huang Ye parked his car at the very front of all the other vehicles, then got out and walked towards the small plaza halfway up the mountain.

It wasn’t until he reached the entrance to the small plaza and looked ahead that he could see what was happening.

He saw that Jiang Feng’s food stall was surrounded by customers.

Some were sitting at little tables eating their steamed buns, others were queuing, and some who had just bought their buns were walking back.

The scene was quite lively, resembling a bustling morning market.

Huang Ye stood there dumbstruck.

What in the world is going on? Since when did Fengqi Mountain get this kind of customer traffic? There are way too many people!

Looking closely, he saw an auntie tidying up tables and chairs.

The auntie had been hired by Jiang Feng from six in the morning until nine, for three hours, at 200 yuan.

The auntie lived at the foot of the mountain. Earlier, some villagers from the nearby area had come to chat with Jiang Feng, and when he mentioned he needed help, someone immediately applied for the job.

Huang Ye walked over to the food truck.

When Jiang Feng had set up his stall here before, he had chatted with Huang Ye.

Since this was a natural scenic area with not many people, there were no regulations against setting up a stall.

Huang Ye had helped Jiang Feng find this spot.

Who would have thought? Good heavens! Just two days, and the small plaza is already this packed!

Huang Ye joined the back of the line.

The queue wasn’t long, and the purchasing of buns was swift, so it wasn’t long before it was Huang Ye’s turn.

"Manager Huang, you’re also here to buy steamed buns?" Jiang Feng greeted him with a smile upon seeing Huang Ye.

Huang Ye was very kind, and Jiang Feng thought he was a good person.

"Yes, I was on my way up the mountain and saw eight or nine cars parked outside, so I came to see what was going on," Huang Ye said. "Are all these people here for you?" he asked in surprise.

"Some are tourists as well," Jiang Feng replied with a smile.

Huang Ye ordered two pork buns. Jiang Feng said he wouldn’t take his money, as Huang Ye had helped him when he first came here.

But Huang Ye still scanned the QR code and paid.

"With business this good, I’ve got to try them."

Huang Ye held the bun with a paper bag, let it cool a bit, and then took a big bite.

The bun was springy but felt soft upon biting into it. His teeth sank through the fluffy and aromatic bun skin and hit the savory meat filling, taking a mouthful of both meat and bun together.

A hint of hot oil seeped out from the filling.

The aroma of the meat instantly filled his mouth.

"PHEW! PHEW!"

The bun was still a bit hot, and Huang Ye quickly puffed out two breaths of hot air.

Once it had cooled down a bit, he chewed vigorously.

After tasting the bun, Huang Ye’s eyes instantly lit up.

This is delicious!

The taste was as if it had some sort of magic, more addictive the more he chewed.

As he swallowed, he felt his mouth water involuntarily.

Clearly, his taste buds were thoroughly delighted.

"Mmm!" Huang Ye nodded in appreciation and then took another big bite of the bun.

The filling is so generous!

Though the steamed bun was a bit pricey at five yuan each, after tasting it, he felt it was worth every penny.

Huang Ye looked around at the lively scene.

No wonder there are so many people. It really is delicious! From now on, if I have free time in the morning, I’ll have to come here for some steamed buns too.