CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: EATING CRYSTAL SHRIMP DUMPLINGS (PART 1)

"Here they come, here they come, everyone make way!"

"Don’t push, don’t push, we queued up so early, we’ll definitely get some."

"Hey, you cutting in line, get out! Don’t be so shameless!"

"Make some room and clear the way. If you don’t let him in, none of us will get any Steamed Buns."

Old Liu held a small megaphone, directing the scene.

It can’t be helped, there are simply too many people buying the Steamed Buns.

Wang Fan isn’t even here yet, and there are already about thirty people gathered around his usual stall.

The crowd is generally well-behaved, aside from a few trying to take advantage, most are lining up properly.

Aunt Wang chatted with Old Liu, "I wonder if the young vendor has any vegetarian Steamed Buns today, my big grandson needs to watch his weight."

Old Liu chuckled, "Chubby as a child doesn’t count, they’ll slim down when they’re older."

Aunt Wang rolled her eyes, "As if, when he gains a pound, my son and daughter-in-law won’t stop nagging me. They make me watch him all day but I don’t get any credit, what’s in it for me?"

Old Liu agreed, "Tell me about it, you can’t eat this, can’t play that. Lucky my kid isn’t married yet."

Wang Fan hadn’t expected these people to be so enthusiastic. He hasn’t even arrived, but the food lovers are already in position.

Old Liu, at the front, smiled and asked, "Young man, what fillings do you have today?"

Wang Fan replied while setting up his table, "Today it’s crystal shrimp dumplings and preserved mustard greens with pork."

"Crystal shrimp dumplings?"

"Preserved mustard greens with pork?"

These fillings aren’t common, usually only available at specialty stores; the preserved mustard greens with pork is slightly more common, but crystal shrimp dumplings are truly a rarity.

Old Liu had eaten many dumplings, but never crystal shrimp dumplings.

"Oh, looks like I’m in for a treat today. Never tried crystal shrimp dumplings before, wonder how they taste?"

Aunt Wang added, "I’ve tried it with my son once, it was just okay, but the price was outrageous. Last time, a basket cost 68 yuan, and there were only four pieces. How much are you selling them for, young man? Hope it’s not as expensive."

Aunt Wang wasn’t saying she couldn’t afford 68 yuan, just that it wasn’t worth the price.

Other customers also showed concern after hearing Aunt Wang’s words.

"Yeah, boss, hope it isn’t that expensive. I can’t afford it if it’s that pricey."

"Forget 68, even 34 is too much. Are we eating gold or something?"

"Boss, since we’re regulars, how about a 25% discount? I’ll try it at that price."

At 25% off, which is 17 yuan for four pieces, they might just be able to afford it.

Wang Fan smiled and said, "My crystal shrimp dumplings are 10 yuan for three pieces, but if you insist on 17 for four, I don’t mind either."

Aunt Wang’s eyes lit up, "Oh? Why are yours so cheap?"

An old saying goes, you get what you pay for. If it’s too expensive, it’s unaffordable, but if it’s too cheap, people might think it’s not good.

Wang Fan explained, "I use freshly oxygen-cut off shrimp, so the price is relatively lower. They’re not as lively but much better than frozen ones, all clean and safe to eat. You can come to me if there’s any problem."

"Oh, I get it now. I often buy those oxygen-cut shrimp; their taste isn’t much different from fresh shrimp," the retired Professor Jiang Jianjun chimed in with a smile.

Wang Fan opened the ingredient fresh-keeping box and used stainless-steel tongs to take out a crystal shrimp dumpling.

The dumpling’s skin was similar to rice rolls, white and semi-transparent; even unopened, the filling was easily visible.

Wang Fan pinched the ends of the shrimp dumpling and gently pulled it apart, and oil dripped out from the crack.

A large reddish-pink shrimp meatball was revealed to everyone.

At the same time, a delicious aroma began to spread.

Amidst the rich smell was a hint of vegetables, but the shrimp’s aroma was most prominent.

Professor Jiang Jianjun sniffed and praised, "Good stuff, this scent isn’t from any old shrimp. The young man wasn’t lying."

Wang Fan then put the shrimp dumpling in his mouth.

Fearing one wouldn’t convince them, he took another from the fresh-keeping box and put it in his mouth.

As he prepared to grab a third, the customers became anxious.

Old Liu called out in frustration, "Hey! Put down that shrimp dumpling! You only made a few today, and we already have to split them. How could you eat two yourself? Don’t you know the customer is king? Put that shrimp dumpling down! Down!"

Professor Jiang Jianjun also looked distraught, "We never said we didn’t believe you. Why are you eating? You can make them anytime at home. But these belong to us, it’s a crime!"

"Exactly, I skipped work just to eat your dumplings! If you’re gonna eat them all, I took the day off for nothing!"

"Boss, if you put that shrimp dumpling down, we’re still friends!"

"Whoa! Stop grabbing it; put it down! Even if you’ve touched it, we’ll still take it!"

With the shrimp dumpling in hand, Wang Fan found himself in a dilemma; neither eating nor putting it back seemed appropriate.

If he ate it, the outraged customers might tear him apart with any sudden move.

Putting it back seemed unfit, as it had already been handled, so it wouldn’t be clean anymore if returned.

After some thought, he stuffed it into his mouth—delicious.

"Ahhh, boss, you’re evil! If I don’t get those shrimp dumplings today, I’ll dissect you to rescue my shrimp dumplings!"

"Ew... that’s gross, but the boss’s actions are indeed frustrating. Guys, let’s buy less and teach him a lesson!"

"Buddy, even ten people apart, I can sense your sly plan. But you’re right. Folks, go easy; I missed out yesterday and came earlier today."

Xu Youyou gained new insight into the buying power of elders.

She usually bought about ten Steamed Buns at most, but they could carry forty or fifty in one go!

How many Steamed Buns are there in total? Only a few dozen elders could clear out all the Steamed Buns.

She hadn’t had tasty Steamed Buns for two days!

Missing out on those, she bought some outside the shop, which was a huge disappointment.

What used to taste quite nice now seemed full of flaws.

The dough wasn’t soft enough, the filling was too salty, the meat too dry, and there was no juice. The chili lacked fragrance—everything had an issue.

Xu Youyou cupped her hands around her mouth and called out, "Folks, take it easy; we want to eat Steamed Buns too!"