CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: RICE NOODLE ROLL TRACKER

The first day without steamed rice rolls, I’m missing them.

Shen Yu smacked her lips, as if the aroma of rice from the rolls was still lingering in her mouth.

She opened up her QQ group and found one called "Steamed Rice Roll Trackers," and sent a message: "Brothers, does anyone have news about the steamed rice roll shop owner? I haven’t had any rolls for a whole day."

This group showed 25 people, and more than half of the icons were lit.

Listening to the Wind Counting the Geese replied: "I’ve been working here in Tongzhou and haven’t seen any sign of the owner."

A guy with the online name Mo also replied: "I’m in Pinggu and haven’t heard of any new steamed rice roll shops opening."

Shen Yu said angrily, "This owner, seriously, not even using QQ. I should’ve asked for his phone number."

Listening to the Wind Counting the Geese said, "I tried, but the owner is a bit shy and didn’t feel comfortable giving it to me."

The responses mainly showed that everyone was scattered around Beijing, but no one had seen any trace of Wang Fan.

Another member named Sunshine Youth said, "Hey, there is actually a place selling steamed rice rolls near my house, I tried it at lunch today. Can’t compare to the ones at Shuofeng Park, though. The stuffing wasn’t good, and even the rice wrapper was soft and sticky. It’s miles apart in terms of quality."

Mo said: "I still have one serving of steamed rice rolls that I haven’t eaten. But now I miss that little wooden fish, tapping it a few times made me feel great all over and forget any unhappy things. I bought one online and the more I tap it, the more annoyed I get."

"Big brother upstairs, sell me your steamed rice rolls. I’ll give you twenty, I’ll cover the shipping. My house is at XX District, XX Community, Building XX..."

"Big brother, don’t sell to him, I’ll give you forty! Sell it to me! I’ll come pick it up myself!"

"Is this reasonable? How can you sell stuff in the group? Look, I’m the admin. Big brother, would you consider parting with it? I’ll give you 50 bucks!"

...

"No more, really no more, not a single one left."

The familiar scene played out once again, the familiar lines spoken over and over.

Wang Fan believed there might not be any vendor in the world unwilling to say something like this.

It represented the customers’ approval of his skills, also meant a day’s work was over, and even more so that today he made money.

Upon hearing Wang Fan’s words, the customers in line immediately got anxious.

"Boss, don’t do this. I’ve smelled the aroma of those steamed buns for ages now. Do you know how much I’m drooling? If you don’t let me have any today, I won’t sleep well at night!"

"Yeah! So many of us are waiting here. How can you honestly say you’re sold out? Do you have any idea how disappointed we are?"

Wang Fan said helplessly, "I prepared quite a lot today, at least 1,400 steamed buns. I just didn’t expect you all to be so passionate."

"That just shows you don’t know our community at all. Even if you brought 14,000, you’d sell out in no time!"

"Exactly! Bring 14,000 tomorrow, boss."

"What about tomorrow? What about today? My pants are already off for this? Boss, don’t think about going home unless you produce more steamed buns tonight!"

Wang Fan replied with a wry smile, "Big brother, go easy on me. The sooner I get home, the sooner I can make more buns, right? That way, I can bring more tomorrow. If you stop me from leaving, who’s going to make the buns for you? How will I sell them to you tomorrow?"

The big brother heard this and thought it made sense. If he stops Wang Fan, who would make the steamed buns?

"When do you usually start setting up your stall? Tomorrow, I’m definitely coming early. I refuse to believe I won’t get a single bun!"

Wang Fan quickly answered, "Usually around 5:30 in the morning, but the stall location isn’t fixed. It depends on where there’s space in the morning. In the evening, it’s around 6 o’clock."

The big brother’s eyes lit up and he immediately said, "Then, here it is. Just come here tomorrow. I’ll save a spot for you early in the morning. But don’t make it too late, it’s a bit embarrassing to hold a spot like this by myself."

Wang Fan quickly waved his hand, "No need, no need. This is a public space, so first come, first served. If someone arrives early, they deserve the good spot. Don’t save it for me. I’ll come early, and if you wake up early, just come and buy a few to try yourself."

After saying that, he began to pack up.

He carefully wiped down the table and everything he used today with a towel, then loaded it into his Seven-Star Hong Guang.

Then, under the reluctant gaze of a few customers, he drove off boldly.

It was almost 9 PM now, and there were still lots of cars on the road. But fortunately, they weren’t going too slowly, so it took less than an hour to get home.

Fortunately, he had prepared the vegetables and meat he’d need for the evening this morning, otherwise, coming back so late would mean he’d probably miss out on any decent groceries.

He couldn’t find any leeks to his satisfaction, so he changed the leek and egg buns to the classic recipe—pork and green onion steamed buns.

After moving everything into the house, Wang Fan carefully wiped off the dust on the Seven-Star Hong Guang again.

For one, it’s his business guarantee, and two, Wang Fan’s OCD can’t tolerate a dirty car.

Looking at the sparkling clean Seven-Star Hong Guang, Wang Fan finally felt satisfied and went inside.

Next comes Wang Fan’s favorite part—counting money.

The earnings from the morning were already under the blanket, and he poured the day’s takings onto the bed, covering more than half of it.

Just that there were no big bills; otherwise, this pile wouldn’t be a small sum.

He sold about 2,600 steamed buns today, at 2 yuan a piece, making a total of 5,200 yuan. Subtracting the costs, he earned about 4,000 yuan. Plus, the 10% earnings from the Treasure Chest and the little wooden fish, he made around 4,600 yuan today.

If he had rented a shopfront, his net earnings wouldn’t be this much. The shop rents in Beijing are intimidating even to inquire about, as knowing might hurt the heart.

But he doesn’t need a shopfront since the spots the system provides are ones where nobody stops you from setting up. Free stuff feels great, and continuous free stuff feels even greater.

Recalling his busy day today, Wang Fan missed the old smiling man.

"It won’t be long now. Uncle, you’ve rested long enough, soon you’ll be tagging along with me all over Huaxia."

Lying in bed, mumbled Wang Fan as he felt his eyelids grow heavy.

And soon, he was fast asleep.

...

"Ding, idle mode ended, 500 pork and sauce dumplings completed, gaining 500 experience points."

"500 pork and green onion steamed buns completed, gaining 500 experience points."

"300 pork and sauerkraut buns completed, gaining 300 experience points. Current level—LV13."

"Due to the host’s physical exhaustion, the idle mode lasted 4 hours, with 4 hours of deep sleep."

"Current physical condition—superb, vigorous."