CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: TODAY’S FILLINGS HAVE CHANGED

The fragrant spring onions gifted by the elder sister came in handy at this moment.

Steamed buns with spicy eggplant stuffing use scallions; the aroma of scallions can easily overpower everything else, but the bright green small spring onions are just perfect.

Then, ginger powder and minced garlic are tossed in, finishing the ingredient preparation for the spicy eggplant.

Heat some oil in the pan, and take out the recently purchased Er Jingtiao pepper from the drawer; the red pepper looks extremely spicy.

But this pepper can at most be considered mildly spicy; its aroma is its special skill.

The oil temperature rises quickly; as it begins to smoke, Wang Fan decisively tips the oil pot into the bowl.

The ground pepper and the ginger garlic blend are hit by the scorching oil, and with a "sizzle," the little aroma bursts out.

That unique fragrance makes Wang Fan want to stir-fry the eggplant dice and pepper dice and eat them straight away.

Taking a forceful gulp, Wang Fan begins to add the seasonings.

Sugar, MSG, thirteen spices, oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt—still clean without any high-tech additives or tricks.

Once the spicy eggplant stuffing is ready, it’s put into the ingredient storage box, and the preparation of the mushroom beef stuffing begins.

This one is much simpler, and after adding all the imagined seasonings, the three kinds of steamed bun stuffing for today are completely done.

Take the white dough, which looks like an inflated balloon, out of the bowl, put it on the cutting board, and begin a relentless kneading.

Then roll it into long strips, pinch off portions, roll them into wrappers, and start making buns.

The bun wrappers are very obedient in his hands; with a big spoonful of stuffing added, they instantly turn into round, plump xiaolongbao, and in the blink of an eye, a steamer full of buns is ready.

Seeing the ingredient storage box filled again by himself, Wang Fan wipes the sweat off his forehead, revealing a happy smile; these are all the fruits of his labor.

Even though it is now the dead of winter, his forehead is still covered in sweat.

He used to enjoy idling quite a bit, considering it akin to freeloading, but as he continued cooking, he actually grew to love the feeling of making food.

Especially when seeing the fruits of his labor appear, the sense of satisfaction is one that the automated system cannot provide.

Next, naturally, it’s time to load up and head out.

Today, he smartened up; Beijing’s evening rush hour usually starts at 5 o’clock, but this time he left at 4, which is much better than the situation at 5.

It only took a little over 40 minutes to arrive at Shibapan again.

It’s still early at this hour; even those working in state-owned enterprises haven’t finished work yet, so Wang Fan is doing an early shift.

But just because the workers haven’t returned doesn’t mean there are no customers.

A group of elderly men and women in their fifties and sixties gathered at the door, looking around for something.

Standing at the front of the group, Old Liu’s eyes lit up upon seeing Wang Fan’s car: "Beijing A00544, that’s him, that’s him, he’s here."

Old Liu’s shout was akin to a wake-up call, suddenly invigorating the elderly men and women, who then dashed towards where Wang Fan was parking.

Old Liu stood dumbfounded, watching the crowd instantly disappear from sight, angrily shouting: "You rascals, usually you need me to give up my seat on the bus, claiming to be frail and aged; look at your state now, you’re better on your feet than me!"

Aunt Wang said quickly while running: "I can’t help it; my little grandson ate three before school and wasn’t satisfied, and he’s demanding he won’t go to school without eating buns. He gave me a stern order, saying I can’t return home without buying 10 buns. Who can take that?"

Old Wu also said: "Our daughter-in-law has been seriously nauseated, and nothing tastes good; she only ate the buns bought this morning, all 15 by herself. For the sake of my unborn grandchildren, no one better try and compete with me today; I’m buying 30!"

"I bought only two this morning; they didn’t satisfy me, and eating anything else is like eating candle wax. I’ve starved all day, and no one better steal from me—I have to buy at least 50!"

Old Liu was dumbfounded when he heard this; good heavens, every one of you wants dozens, isn’t this bunch wrapping up that young boss by yourselves?

"Stop right there! No one better try to snatch my buns!"

Wang Fan had just parked his car when he saw a group of elderly people rushing toward him frantically. Terrified, without speaking a word, he jumped back into the car and locked the door directly.

What’s going on??

Did my identity as a traveler get exposed?

Or are you actually a scam gang?

With this rough estimate of forty or fifty people in your crew, even Beijing’s richest would go bankrupt compensating you?

Aunt Wang ran up to the car, just about to speak with Wang Fan, only to see the protagonist jump back into the car, immediately bewildered.

What does this young man mean?

Why did he just get down and jump back in the car?

Knocking on the car window, Aunt Wang said: "Young man, what are you doing? Hurry up and come out to sell the steamed buns! My little grandson will be back soon, and he’s waiting to eat your buns."

What? Buying buns? Is this for real?

Wang Fan skeptically looked at the crowd, seeing they showed no sign of intending to crash into his car, finally breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

Rolling down the car window slightly, Wang Fan cautiously said: "Those buying buns, step back a bit; I’m nervous with you all surrounding me..."

"Pfft... hahaha, the young guy has such a small courage! Relax and come out; we’re all returning customers who came in the morning; see how frightened you are."

Old Liu, who came quite late, saw the situation and immediately spoke while laughing.

This Old Liu, Wang Fan actually knew: "Uncle Liu, this... is really for buying buns?"

Old Liu panted as he answered: "Yes, yes, yes, everyone here either ate or heard about the buns you made in the morning; they’ve been waiting for this bite half the day. Hurry down and set up your stand."

When Wang Fan heard this, he finally felt at ease. After the crowd made some space, he cautiously opened the door and stepped down from the car.

Opening the trunk, he pulled out a table and then hugged the ingredient storage box to carry it down.

Over a thousand buns combined with the weight of the ingredient storage box itself exceeded a hundred pounds, yet Wang Fan effortlessly carried it down.

When the aunts and uncles saw the ingredient storage box, their eyes lit up, and they began to shout again in unison.

"Give me 30 of the sauce meat buns!"

"25 chive and egg buns."

"I want 30 pork and scallion stuffed buns."

Wang Fan raised his hands to quiet the crowd before speaking: "Uncles and aunties, tonight’s stuffing isn’t those three kinds; mainly it’s mushroom beef buns, they’re a little pricey at 10 yuan for 3, and then there’s minced meat and bean buns still at 10 yuan for 5, and finally the spicy eggplant buns, relatively cheap at 10 yuan for 7. Please decide carefully before buying."