CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: OUT OF MY FIELD

My name is Jiang Jianjun, a retired university professor of architecture. That’s right, architecture, architecture, architecture.

Important things need to be said three times because that’s how I can explain why I can’t articulate the taste of the steamed buns—because it’s outside my expertise.

These steamed buns are really hard to describe; they’re the kind of deliciousness that’s hard to fully express in words.

To say they’re delicious seems inadequate to express my amazement at the taste. After thinking it over, the only words that could directly convey my feelings are "Holy cow."

"Hahaha, Old Jiang, you’re not any better. After looking down on me for ages, all you can say is ’Holy cow!’ Hahaha..."

Old Zhao pointed at Professor Jiang, laughing loudly.

See, old Jiang, you mocked me, and look who’s tripped up now? This is poetic justice, hahaha!

Professor Jiang stepped aside, covered his face, and sighed, "Shame on me, shame on me. The taste of these buns is indeed hard to describe in words. I’ve had a lot of good food, but such a delicacy is rare in my life."

What can I do?

If you asked me about mixing steel and cement, I’d be crystal clear. But if you ask me what’s so good about these buns, I’m utterly clueless!

Rushed, too rushed, I shouldn’t have bragged at the start.

Now my lifelong reputation is ruined in an instant.

"Goodness, Old Zhao and Old Jiang both surrendered?"

"Just how delicious are these buns?"

"Seeing the expressions of those two eating, they must be extremely delicious. Hurry, buy some to try. Don’t repeat the mistake with those beef buns, where we couldn’t find any to buy last time."

With the live demonstration from Old Zhao and Professor Jiang, these foodies have no worries at all about Wang Fan’s buns.

Not only that, they’re filled with curiosity about these buns.

"Spicy pepper eggplant buns, I’ll take 30 yuan worth."

"Minced meat and green bean buns, 10 yuan worth, and spicy pepper eggplant buns, 30 yuan worth."

Li Wei got off work relatively early today and found Wang Fan’s stall by following the aroma.

However, the long queue troubled him a bit.

But thinking about the delicious buns, he resolutely stood in line with an empty stomach.

3.2.1!

Finally, only one person was left in front of Li Wei, his excited heart and trembling hands!

The person in front of him seemed about 30, strong and robust. He hesitantly asked, "Boss, how many buns do you have left?"

Wang Fan opened the food storage box and replied, "There are 6 minced meat and green bean ones, and 10 spicy pepper eggplant ones."

The man waved his big hand, put a brand new 100 yuan bill into the money box, and said, "Give them all to me. Here’s 100 yuan, no need to give change."

Wang Fan quickly waved his hand, "No, no, just charge what’s due, 25 yuan will do."

As he spoke and tried to give change, the man took the buns and pressed Wang Fan’s hand firmly with a serious look, saying, "No need for change. These buns are worth this price, I even feel like I’m giving less. You don’t know, my old mother recently lost her appetite. We’ve searched all over the capital, but couldn’t find anything she’d eat. We’ve visited hospitals of all sizes, and the doctor said she has some kind of anorexia, worrying our family sick. That day, when I took my old mother to the hospital, we bought some of your buns on the way to satisfy our hunger. Just when we were about to take her into the hospital, she caught a whiff of your buns and suddenly got a huge appetite and devoured more than 10 buns in one go!"

After finishing, he happily added, "The most amazing thing is, even at lunch and dinner, she’s willing to eat! These buns are better than medicine. This time, we just got back from the hospital, and she’s already urging me to buy more buns. Boss, don’t mind too much; I even think I gave too little."

After saying this, he waved and left with the buns.

Wang Fan was stunned after hearing those words. He glanced at the system in his mind and indeed found that the earlier task had changed to 2/5.

With a helpless smile, Wang Fan could only put the money in the money box and then close the food storage box.

...

In an old-style building within the Tiantongyuan Community.

"Grandma, grandma, did you buy the buns?"

A chubby little boy, looking about seven or eight years old, with a red scarf around his neck, dashed into the house like a gust of wind. He hadn’t even entered yet when his voice reached inside first.

When Auntie Wang saw her fat little grandson, she immediately showed a doting smile: "Got them, got them. It’s your favorite beef filling, hurry and wash your hands to eat."

The little chubby boy’s eyes lit up. He rushed into Auntie Wang’s arms, hugged her neck, and gave her a big kiss: "I knew grandma treats me the best. We have buns to eat!"

Then he ran into the restroom and washed his hands in no time at all.

Auntie Wang laughed so much her mouth almost couldn’t close. She quickly went to the kitchen and brought out two dishes, one of stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, and the other of spinach with nuts.

She also took the warmed buns from their steamer to the table.

After washing his hands, the little chubby boy jumped onto a chair, sat properly, and directly reached for a bun.

The buns Auntie Wang warmed were quite hot. The little chubby boy obviously got burnt, but even with a painful look on his face, he couldn’t bear to put the bun down.

He juggled it from his left hand to his right and from his right hand back to his left, then blew on it as hard as he could.

Auntie Wang looked at him with affection but reproached him, "Don’t rush, don’t rush. They’re still hot, and no one’s going to steal them from you."

The little chubby boy had no time to respond to grandma as he already bit into the bun.

The hot juice made him sweat on his forehead, but he still couldn’t bear to put the bun down. After a few hot breaths, he eagerly swallowed it down.

"Delicious, delicious, it’s too delicious! This is way better than the food at school!"

The little chubby boy gobbled down one bun in one go, giving a big thumbs up and shaking it vigorously.

He reached again for the buns, and the temperature had lowered a bit—not as hot as before. His eyes lit up, and he grabbed a bun in each hand, biting the one in the left hand first, then the one in the right. His eyes smiling and squinting in delight.

Auntie Wang nudged the spinach with nuts over to him, reminding him, "Don’t just eat buns. Have some spinach. Eating only meat isn’t good for your health; you need vegetables for a balanced diet."

The little chubby boy looked down at the spinach with a disdainful expression: "Whoever likes vegetables can eat them; I won’t! I didn’t climb to the top of the food chain just to eat vegetables!"

Auntie Wang was stunned by the little chubby boy’s words, not knowing how to persuade him.

Thinking of her son and daughter-in-law working out of town and coming back to criticize her for not balancing the child’s diet and making him too fat, Auntie Wang started to worry.

Huh?

Just as she fretted, Auntie Wang’s eyes suddenly lit up. Didn’t that young boss say something about minced meat and green bean buns, and spicy pepper eggplant ones?

The young boss’s skills are so good. Their vegetarian buns should be delicious too, right?

Perhaps buying some vegetarian buns for her grandson to try next time?