CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: YOU GET OFF WORK LATE, BUT YOU START EARLY

Who understands this situation, my dear fellows?!

I was just about to get my Steamed Buns, but then the boss suddenly closed that big box and told me there were no more Steamed Buns left!

I’ve been standing in line with an empty stomach for ages, and now you’re telling me there are no Steamed Buns?!

Who could bear this anywhere?!

Li Wei pleaded, "Boss, could you please open the box? I know there are still some inside."

Wang Fan looked helpless, "They’re really all gone, buddy. Maybe you can come earlier tomorrow?"

Li Wei didn’t believe it and kept pleading, "Come on, boss, take them out. I’m willing to pay extra!"

Wang Fan shook his head, "They’re really gone. The gentleman in front of you just bought the last few."

Damn it! Hell! I’m so angry!

Li Wei turned around fiercely, glancing toward where the good gentleman had just walked away.

Seeing that the person had a burly physique, he felt a bit intimidated.

"Forget it, they just really like the Steamed Buns. The root problem is that the boss didn’t make enough! Yes, the boss didn’t make enough!"

Turning his head, Li Wei said to Wang Fan, "Why did you only make so few Steamed Buns, boss? I didn’t even get any!"

Wang Fan shrugged helplessly, "800 Mushroom Beef Buns, 400 Minced Meat and Green Bean Buns, 280 Pepper and Eggplant Buns, adding up to nearly 1500. That’s about the limit I can make in a day, I really can’t help it."

Li Wei said seriously, "Boss, this won’t do. Should people who get off work late not deserve Steamed Buns? Even if I can tolerate it, can these guys behind me?"

The guys behind Li Wei, who were about to leave after hearing there were no more Steamed Buns, suddenly stopped. Then one of them said without hesitation, "That’s right! It’s unbearable! I clocked out right after work, took two subways and three buses to get here, and you’re telling me there are no Steamed Buns! Boss, put yourself in our shoes. Could you stand it?"

Wang Fan thought that he probably couldn’t tolerate it either, but since he was the boss now, he could maybe endure it.

"Well, there are actually plenty of good things to eat outside. Having only Steamed Buns at night might be too vegetarian. Why don’t you go over there for something hearty?"

"Boss, you have to set a limit on these Steamed Buns tomorrow! Otherwise, we who come back late won’t get any to eat!"

"Exactly, it’s only past 7 and you’re sold out. Can’t you make more?"

"If you can’t make more, then limit the purchase. We reserve the right to eat Steamed Buns. Whoever wants to eat at other restaurants can do so. The Steamed Buns are like wine; the more you drink, the more you enjoy!"

Faced with the excited customers, Wang Fan couldn’t leave even if he wanted to. The crowd surrounded him.

However, this time he didn’t want to set a purchase limit because it would slow down his sales, cutting into his time to go home and prepare more Steamed Buns.

Thinking about his previous life working in a corporate environment, Wang Fan suddenly had a bright idea.

He gestured repeatedly to signal that he wanted to speak.

The diners quieted down, waiting for Wang Fan to announce a purchase limit.

Wang Fan cleared his throat, "I know you come back late, but you have one advantage, which is that you get up and leave early. If you can’t get them at night, you can definitely get them in the morning. I start setting up my stall at 5:30 in the morning, so if you leave early, you can definitely buy them then."

Hmm?

Li Wei and the other diners were stunned upon hearing this. The boss seemed to make some sense?

Even though we come back late, we leave early, right?

Thinking about it this way, we might be the first customers in the morning!

Wang Fan continued to speak, "Besides, after a night’s sleep, you’ll definitely be hungry. The Steamed Buns will taste best then, better than at night. Besides, the ones I make at night are in better condition, so the morning buns will taste even better."

After all, the buns at night are prepared automatically, whereas the afternoon ones are handmade by me. The automatic ones are definitely tastier than the ones I make.

At least that’s what Wang Fan believed.

After all, he was just an amateur cook, so he couldn’t surpass the automatic system, right?

Li Wei thought about it carefully. While he felt something was off, he couldn’t figure out what exactly was wrong.

Before he realized it, Wang Fan had quickly packed everything and sped off in his van.

"Damn! He runs faster than a rabbit!"

"Alright, let’s disperse for now. Brothers, let’s come earlier tomorrow to catch him."

"This is worrying me sick. Without Steamed Buns, I don’t know what to eat tonight."

"Isn’t that the truth? I used to love having a bowl of noodles when I came home at night, but after eating these Steamed Buns, even the noodles seem bland?"

Li Wei shivered as he said this.

What?

Even noodles seem bland?

Did I really just say that?

Oh my God!

Could it be that the boss put something nasty in the buns?

You know, like that stuff the police are always warning us about!

A glint flashed in Li Wei’s eyes.

No way, I need to report this at the police station before eating the buns I buy tomorrow!

If the boss really did something sneaky, the whole community could be in trouble!

...

...

Wang Fan was almost home by 8 o’clock, and the vegetable market was still open.

Seeing that the amount of vegetables left might not suffice, Wang Fan drove to the market for more.

As he was moving things out, he saw the landlord approaching slowly.

Seeing Wang Fan busy, the landlord chuckled, "I really didn’t expect you to be so diligent in your work."

The old Wang Fan was somewhat self-centered, rarely caring about others’ opinions.

Wang Fan stood up, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "People are driven by circumstances, aren’t they? Are you here to collect rent? Let me get it from inside."

The landlord quickly said, "No rush, no rush. Your uncle is in need of cash now, and I’m not short of that bit of money. Use it as you need and pay when you have more. I just saw you coming home late and guessed you hadn’t eaten, so I brought some of our dinner over."

Saying this, he lifted the food container, "It’s not anything fancy; my wife keeps talking about dieting, so she doesn’t even allow a hint of oil at night. It’s just some stir-fried dishes, feel free to have some."

Wang Fan waved his hands, "No need, no need, thank you, Brother Wang. I’ve already eaten."

Wang Chunyang shoved the food container into Wang Fan’s arms, "Why are you being so polite with me? If you feel bad, just render this lard into cracklings for me. Keep the oil, I just want the cracklings. My wife tosses out anything oily now."

Then, like a magician, he pulled out a large bag from behind, "You know, those cracklings you made last time were really tasty. My parents are coming over in a couple of days too. If you have time, make some for them as well, as a favor to me."