CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: OH MY OLD BABY

The fried skewer stand owner, Qian Mo, exclaimed that he and his old pals were stunned!

Wasn’t it said that street food business at night is tough?

Wasn’t it said that after a tiring day at work, everyone just wants to eat something nice?

Alright, even if you want some street food, my crispy fried skewers infused with the essence of high-intelligence human wisdom, with their rich and spicy flavor—why aren’t you eating them, but going for a little steamed bun instead, does that make sense?

Qian Mo is also a smart guy, noticing the increasing crowd, he decisively turned up the heat, and after the oil warmed up, he tossed some chicken skewers and crab sticks into the oil pot, soon the area was filled with a rich aroma.

Then, he started shouting loudly, "Come and have a look, delicious and affordable fried skewers, chicken fillet, crab sticks, shrimp balls, fish balls, all available."

His hawking did attract a few people to look over, but no one bought anything.

Xu Youyou used to really like fried skewers, especially after they were fried and coated with sweet chili sauce, they were so delicious she forgot what she was eating.

But today, she had no urge to buy any.

Without comparison, there’s no harm.

The skewer master himself being unkempt was no big deal, but the station was covered with leftover food bits and oil stains, who knows how many days it hadn’t been cleaned.

Normally, she could comfort herself with the thought "a little dirt won’t hurt," but not today.

In reality, comparing people kills, and comparing goods throws them away.

Why stand next to someone who is your complete opposite?

This handsome guy not only looks clean, but his entire table is also ultra tidy, using stainless steel tongs to pick up steamed buns, unlike you who use your hands.

No more skewers tonight, this lady is going to taste if these steamed buns are any good.

"Boss, give me 10 Steamed Bun, 5 braised pork, 5 chive and egg."

Wang Fan smiled and said, "Just to confirm, my Steamed Buns are 10 yuan for 5, so 10 pieces are 20 yuan."

Xu Youyou said, "Not expensive, not expensive, the shop at the door sells small steamed buns for 10 yuan and you get 8, but you can’t even get a bite of meat, and you bite your fingers with two bites. Your steamed buns, I saw, have thin skin, big filling, and juicy, not expensive at all."

Wang Fan’s hands didn’t stop as he picked up the buns: "Good then, please wait a moment, I’ll finish packing the previous order first."

Wang Fan felt a bit overwhelmed, this order for 5, that one for 10, another for 15, making his head spin.

At that moment, he really missed his second uncle, who used to work the floor when young, effortlessly remembering orders. Once second uncle gets better, he must bring him over to help out.

Xu Youyou was a bit bored waiting, looked around curiously, and saw two small ornaments on Wang Fan’s table.

One was a Maneki-neko toy, seemingly out of battery, listlessly waving its paw.

The other looked like a small wooden fish, appearing quite cute.

Next to it was a little mallet, seemingly matching with the wooden fish.

Her eyes lit up, and she hastily asked Wang Fan, "Boss, can I play with this?"

Wang Fan turned around, saw her pointing at the small wooden fish, and immediately said, "Sure, just don’t use too much force."

Wang Fan didn’t show much on his face, but he was secretly delighted.

Finally, a customer wants to strike the wooden fish!

Here, because there’s no waiting for the steamed buns, few people bothered striking the fish, causing him to lose quite a bit of revenue unknowingly.

Granted Wang Fan’s permission, Xu Youyou joyfully picked up the little mallet.

"Knock, knock..."

The crisp knocking sound resonated, yet in Wang Fan’s ears, it was like the clinking of coins.

Xu Youyou was thoroughly engrossed in playing, so much so that she didn’t react when Wang Fan handed her the Steamed Buns, just kept knocking and enjoying herself.

Wang Fan didn’t mind. Once someone starts, those waiting customers will naturally follow in suit, and the more they strike, the higher his net profit will be.

Eventually, Xu Youyou put the small mallet down, somewhat reluctantly.

The main reason was, for some unknown reason, striking it a few times gave a soaring sense of happiness.

As if all her worries vanished.

Now, her mind was completely free from work annoyances and her mom’s nagging about blind dates, leaving only the goal of eating a Steamed Bun and then having a good nap.

Opening the plastic bag, the steaming Steamed Buns lay inside, emitting heat.

Picking up a small bun, the soft tactile sensation was even more satisfying than the stress reliever toys she bought.

"This texture is unbeatable, I almost feel reluctant to eat it."

With that thought, she found herself unconsciously stuffing the bun into her mouth.

No choice, truly, the wheaty aroma was too tempting, she tried to resist, but couldn’t, that’s not her fault, right?

The soft, plush bun bounced in her mouth, a slight pressure released the fresh taste of chives instantly throughout her mouth.

Xu Youyou was surprised to find, before biting into it, she didn’t smell the chive at all.

Is this bun that well-sealed?

Even more pleasantly surprising was that the chives lacked the usual pungent taste.

The flavor of other seasonings was light, highlighting the freshness and fragrance of the chives, like "no perfume can outdo the aroma of chives."

That taste was instantly intoxicating.

Finishing one, she licked the corners of her mouth, seemingly still tasting the essence of chive juice.

No way, 10 definitely isn’t enough!

"Boss, give me another 10!"

Her actions, without a doubt, served as another wave of advertisement for Wang Fan.

Some hesitant bystanders couldn’t stand it any longer seeing her.

"Although I’ve had dinner, I cannot miss the chive and egg-filled small steamed buns. Boss, give me 5."

"Watching this young lady eat makes me crave too, can a small steamed bun be that good? Boss, give me 5 to try as well, not tasty, no payment, right?"

"I want 20, missed out this morning, tonight got to feast."

"No rush, no rush, I only got two in the morning before they ran out, made me moody at work all day. Been craving them, can those in front leave me some?"

Fried skewer vendor Qian Mo started doubting his life again.

Was all his past experience wrong?

Is the trend now about small steamed buns?

Or are you all here just for that good-looking young vendor?

Is there no market for an old-timer like me?

I may be ugly, but I am very gentle!

No way, know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat. I must buy a few buns to taste, don’t want to die ignorant!

"Brother, give me two chive and egg, two braised pork, and one pork with sauerkraut to try."

Wang Fan felt he was so busy that he was about to leave afterimages, but seeing the ever-filling Treasure Chest, his smile was as bright as a flower.

With money to earn, he’ll gladly work himself to the bone!