txolops Chapter 138: Back to Normal Life, Fermenting Anticipation
Chapter 138: Back to Normal Life, Fermenting Anticipation
It was 4:30 p.m. on the second floor of the rented house.
In the kitchen, the soup was bubbling in a stainless steel pot, emitting a delicious aroma.
The cutting board and sink have been cleaned spotlessly, and the chopped scallions, crisp radish cubes, and several trays of free-range eggs have all been neatly packed into food storage containers and baskets.
"Brother Chen, all the food preparation for tonight is done."
Wang Hai tightened the lid of the last food container and wiped away his sweat.
Today, without the complicated process of simmering minced meat, the two of them worked much faster, and the afternoon seemed to be quite leisurely.
"Okay, get ready to load it onto the truck."
Lin Chen dried his hands with a towel and turned off the gas stove.
Just as the two were preparing to move their things downstairs, Tangtang's voice came from the living room.
"Daddy! Uncle Fatty! I've finished coloring my drawing!"
The two went into the living room.
Beside the coffee table, Tangtang held up a large sheet of drawing paper with both hands, her little face full of pride at completing her masterpiece.
On the drawing paper, the pink-roofed, blue-walled castle has been covered in color.
Above the castle, Tangtang drew several clouds shaped like marshmallows with white crayons.
The most eye-catching thing is still the big red door in the middle that belongs to Lin Chen, and the small food delivery window in the corner that belongs to Wang Hai.
"That's a great drawing."
Lin Chen walked over, took the drawing paper, looked at it carefully, and said...
"Look, Uncle Fatty!"
Wang Hai also came over, pointing at the small window and laughing, "Not bad, not bad! Uncle's food delivery window is painted gold, it looks so festive!"
Tangtang's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with joy at the praise from the two adults.
"Daddy, I want to show this painting to Teacher Liu at kindergarten tomorrow!"
Tangtang said, tilting her little face up.
"it is good."
Lin Chen carefully rolled up the drawing paper and put it into Tangtang's little schoolbag. "Take it to the teacher yourself tomorrow."
Now I'm going to put on my coat, getting ready to go out and hand out spoons.
"Okay!"
Tangtang put on her little backpack and ran to get her light-colored jacket.
The two began carrying their tools downstairs to set up their stall.
5:15.
Everything has been loaded onto the truck.
Lin Chen helped Tangtang into the passenger seat and secured her in place before getting on his electric tricycle.
The two cars, one after the other, drove out of the urban village and headed smoothly towards the city center.
5 PM, Yintai Plaza.
Even on a weekend evening, there were still quite a few pedestrians in the square.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the flowerbed, bathing the open space in a warm golden glow.
Lin Chen and Wang Hai parked the car in their usual spot.
As soon as the folding table was set up, before Lin Chen could even start cooking, more than a dozen regular customers had already lined up by the flower bed.
This is more than the usual number of customers when the stall first opens on a weekend.
Wang Hai arranged the seasoning box and a whole tray of free-range eggs on the table. As soon as he looked up, he saw several young men at the front of the line peeking into the tricycle.
"Boss, don't you have any new dishes to sample today?"
The young man in the first place, wearing a baseball cap, glanced around the table and, not seeing the large insulated container of minced meat rice from yesterday's group photo, his tone immediately revealed obvious disappointment.
"Yes, boss, I saw the message in the group chat, and I made sure not to sleep in today to come over."
A slightly chubby boy behind him in line chimed in, "Are you really not giving out that half-cup of minced meat rice from yesterday today?"
Wang Hai smiled in response to the guests' persistent questions.
"Everyone, I'm so sorry!"
Wang Hai shattered their illusions: "Did everyone see the announcement in the group yesterday?"
Making the meat sauce takes a lot of time and effort, so I didn't make it today.
Today, our stall only sells authentic Minced Pork Fried Rice.
The young man in the baseball cap sighed regretfully, "Sigh, I shouldn't have gone to play games with my friends last night. I missed the food tasting, and I've been thinking about it all day."
"Who can argue with that?"
The slightly chubby boy shook his head as well, "Yesterday my roommate brought back a small paper cup, and the aroma of meat filled the whole dorm. He swallowed it whole without leaving me a single crumb."
Lin Chen turned on the valve of the gas cylinder.
"boom"
The flames leaped up, and Lin Chen looked at the team: "Today we're only making fried rice."
How many servings do you want?
"One serving, please! I didn't get to try any new dishes today, so please add some extra crunchy radish to satisfy my craving."
Although the young man in the baseball cap was a little disappointed, the familiar aroma of cooking oil from the stall immediately made his stomach rumble.
"I'll have one too, to go."
The slightly chubby guy also placed an order.
Lin Chen nodded slightly.
Heat oil in a pan, then add rice.
In less than three minutes, two servings of fried rice were ready.
Wang Hai quickly packed the fried rice into a takeout bag and handed it over.
Tangtang, who was sitting on a small stool next to her, immediately took out two disposable spoons from the small basket.
"Brother, here are your spoons!"
Tangtang handed it over with both hands.
"Thank you, little sister."
The two boys took the spoons, carried the fried rice to the side, and left.
The team moved forward steadily.
Although there was no tasting of minced meat rice today, no one left because of it; in fact, the long queue in front of the stall continued to grow.
As the line moved forward, while waiting for their fried rice, the guests involuntarily turned their conversation to the food festival next Friday.
"Boss, you guys said in the group chat that the new products will officially launch next Friday, and this time the portions will be generous, is that true?"
A young couple lined up at the front, and the girl asked Wang Hai with expectant eyes.
"Absolutely enough!"
While packing up fried rice, Wang Hai loudly assured everyone, "Next Friday we've stocked up on plenty of ingredients, so everyone can eat to their heart's content without having to fight over samples!"
"Very good!"
The girl smiled and tugged at her boyfriend's arm. "I saw that the mall's official WeChat account also posted about it. The summer food festival is being held in this square. Let's come over for dinner after get off work."
The boyfriend nodded: "Okay, a few of my colleagues saw the photos in the group chat yesterday and they're all craving it. They said they want to come over with us next Friday to try Boss Lin's new dishes."
The people behind them in line started chatting after hearing this.
"I also checked the mall's official WeChat account. I heard they're going to set up a stage with lights this time."
"The stage is just a backdrop; I mainly came for Boss Lin's new dish."
You wouldn't believe it, I tasted that tiny bit yesterday, and the pork belly was absolutely perfect—not oily or greasy at all.
"Dude, stop talking, the more you talk, the louder my stomach is growling."
"Next Friday is Friday, I'll have nothing to do after get off work."
I'll sneak out early to queue up and try to be the first to get a bite.
The customers' chatter rose and fell, and a sense of anticipation filled the entire stall.
Although we're only selling fried rice today, everyone's minds are clearly already on Friday night next week.
Wang Hai listened to the discussions in the group, a broad smile on his face, while his hands continued packing.
He turned his head and glanced at Lin Chen beside him.
Lin Chen remained focused.
The surrounding noise and the guests' discussions seemed to have no effect on him at all.
He kept his eyes fixed on the heat in the pot, and with a flick of his wrist, he precisely tossed the rice into the air with the iron ladle and caught it.
"Clang! Clang!"
The rice danced in mid-air, mingling with the aroma of scallion oil, soothing the stomachs of every diner in line.
"Next! Two servings of fried rice are ready, hold on tight!"
Wang Hai handed over the bag. Tangtang, sitting on a small stool, counted out two spoons from the small basket and handed them over.
"Auntie, here's a spoon for you!"
……