txolops Chapter 185 This living father is here again!
Chapter 185 This living father is here again!
It's 4:30 PM at Yintai Plaza on a Saturday.
Compared to weekdays, the number of people on the squares and streets doubles on weekends.
Everywhere you look, there are young people strolling around in groups, as well as families of three taking their children out for a walk on the weekend.
The area for the summer food festival was already bustling with activity well in advance.
Lin Chen rode his electric tricycle slowly along the side road of the square.
Behind them, Wang Hai followed in his van.
As soon as the car rounded a bend, the entire view of Greenhouse No. 1 came into view.
Before the two cars had come to a complete stop, Wang Hai, who was driving behind, stepped on the brakes.
"Holy crap..."
Wang Hai sat in the driver's seat, looking ahead.
Lin Chen also gripped the brakes of the tricycle, bracing himself on one foot, his eyebrows slightly raised.
At the first tent, the stalls hadn't been set up yet, and even the stoves were cold, but outside the tent, an outrageously long queue had already spontaneously formed!
A quick glance revealed at least seventy or eighty people.
The procession started directly in front of greenhouse number one, made two turns, and extended to the green belt next to the main passageway.
The group included young girls holding parasols, college students wearing headphones, and even a few local residents wearing shorts and slippers.
A group of people peeked out and looked towards the auxiliary road intersection from time to time.
The most outrageous thing was that the long queues were so large that they were slightly obstructing traffic on the main passage, which alerted the plaza's security guards.
Three or four uniformed security guards were sweating profusely as they set up a cordon and tried their best to maintain order.
"Daddy, there are so many people!"
Tangtang looked at the dense crowd ahead, blinked her big eyes, and excitedly pointed forward with her little hand, "Are they all here waiting for Daddy to cook?"
"Um."
Lin Chen nodded.
Wang Hai pushed open the car door and jumped out, running a few steps to the tricycle.
"Brother Chen, these guys are crazy!"
Wang Hai lowered his voice, his tone filled with barely suppressed excitement, "It's only 4:30 now!"
We haven't even set the pots on the table yet, and there's already a long queue?
I just messaged in the group saying we'd be leaving in ten minutes, turns out these guys have been camping out here for ages!
Lin Chen didn't reply and turned the key.
The tricycle made a soft motor noise as it slowly drove towards the greenhouse.
Wang Hai quickly ran back to the car and followed.
Upon seeing Lin Chen's car appear, the group, which had been chatting amongst themselves, immediately erupted into chaos.
"Here he comes! Boss Lin is here!"
"Finally here! I've been queuing here since I finished shopping at 3:30, my legs are about to give way!"
"Wang Hai! You're finally here! Hurry up and get the pot ready, the kids are practically crying with envy!"
"Don't push! Hey guys in the back, watch your manners and keep up the formation!"
A stir ran through the crowd, and many people excitedly surged forward.
Upon seeing this, Zhang, the security captain who was standing at the front maintaining order, quickly raised his megaphone.
"Everyone back up! Don't push!"
Brother Zhang shouted at the top of his lungs, "The stall isn't even set up yet, what's the rush!"
"Step back and make way so the boss can drive in first!"
After finally calming down the excited diners, Brother Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly walked to Lin Chen's tricycle.
"Oh, my dear Boss Lin, you've finally arrived!"
Brother Zhang said with a wry smile, "Your business is absolutely amazing!"
I've worked as a security guard in this square for five years, and I've never seen a roadside stall that could make people so hungry.
"Your car is nowhere to be seen! There was almost a stampede in front of the greenhouse!"
Lin Chen pulled out the car key, got off the tricycle, and casually unbuckled his seatbelt to pick up Tangtang.
"Thank you for your help, Brother Zhang."
Lin Chen greeted him.
"It's not so much trouble, it's just that these people are too enthusiastic."
Brother Zhang sighed and pointed to the long line behind him. "Look, even our security team has to send three people over to set up a cordon for you."
Anyone who didn't know better would think it was a big celebrity holding an autograph session in the square.
At this moment, Wang Hai also parked his bread cart and came over.
"Brother Zhang, thank you for your hard work, brothers. It's so hot, helping to maintain order."
Wang Hai chuckled and patted Zhang Ge on the shoulder, "Don't leave after you're done. I'll cook some of our signature dishes for a late-night snack, something to fill your stomachs!"
"Boss Wang, you're too kind. We won't leave without a meal; you'd better get ready to set up your stall!"
Brother Zhang felt relieved and waved his hand with a smile, "These guys are green with envy. If you don't open fire soon, I think my men won't be able to stop them."
Brother Zhang waved his hand and turned around to continue directing the team.
Goodbye, Uncle Zhang!
Tangtang waved her little hand obediently at Zhang Ge's back.
"Hey, Tangtang, you're such a good girl! Go stay inside the greenhouse and don't run around."
Brother Zhang turned around and gave him some instructions with a smile.
Without any unnecessary chatter, Lin Chen and Wang Hai immediately got to work.
The two men opened the trunk of the bread truck and began moving equipment and ingredients into greenhouse number one.
"Everyone, please calm down!"
Seventy pounds of meat today, plenty prepared!
While carrying a heavy, large insulated container, Wang Hai loudly reassured the queuing customers, "Give Chen Ge and me ten minutes to set up the stall, and we'll start cooking right away!"
Upon hearing "seventy catties of meat," those at the front of the line breathed a sigh of relief, their faces beaming with satisfaction; while those at the back stared longingly at the enormous stainless steel barrel, fearing that it would be gone by the time it was their turn.
"Bang."
The insulated bucket was placed on the stainless steel workbench.
Next came whole boxes of Wuchang rice, several large baskets of untouched red-skinned free-range eggs, washed and chopped vegetables, and various spice containers.
Lin Chen remained calm and composed.
He took a clean cloth and quickly wiped the work surface.
Then, I turned on the gas cylinder valve and checked the pipeline of the high-powered stove to confirm that everything was in order.
Wang Hai quickly set up the takeout bag rack next to him, neatly arranged the disposable lunch boxes and chopsticks, and hung the smart speaker for payment on a conspicuous stand.
"Beep! WeChat payment has been enabled."
The speaker emitted a crisp notification sound.
Tangtang wasn't idle either. The little girl, with her short legs, moved her small stool to the far right of the worktable, away from the high-temperature zone of the powerful stove.
She held the small red basket filled with clean plastic spoons in her arms and sat down properly.
"Uncle Fatty, the candy is ready!"
Tangtang raised her little face and earnestly reported to the teacher.
"Alright! Squad leader, you're in position!"
Wang Hai burst into laughter.
Everything was ready. At that moment, all the diners' eyes were focused on the tall, slender figure standing in front of the roaring stove.
Lin Chen tightened the black apron around his body.
He reached out and decisively grasped the handle of the insulated bucket filled with seventy pounds of minced meat.
"Click".
The sound of the metal buckle being undone was exceptionally clear in the noisy environment.
Lin Chen used one hand to lift the heavy lid off.
A wisp of white mist rose.
Immediately afterwards, the aroma, a blend of the rich, fatty flavor of premium meat, the spiciness of shallots, and a secret blend of spices, wafted towards the diners queuing outside.
The young men at the front of the line were the first to be affected by the aroma; their Adam's apples bobbed uncontrollably, and they swallowed loudly.
"It smells so good! This is exactly the smell!"
"My God, I feel like I could swallow a whole cow whole!"
"Hey buddy in front, squeeze forward! The smell's wafting all the way to the back!"
A chorus of frantic swallowing filled the air in the queue.
The diners, who were initially a little anxious, instantly lost all their fatigue upon smelling the aroma of the meat, leaving only pure longing.
The fragrance, carried by the gentle breeze, quickly spread outwards from greenhouse number one.
The steak owner at the next stall, number two, was idly wiping his plates when he smelled that familiar aroma. His movements suddenly stopped, and a wry smile appeared on his face.
"That 'living dad' is here again..."
Lin Chen completely ignored the commotion outside.
He held the handle of the iron pot with his left hand and turned on the high-powered stove with his right.
"boom!"
Blue flames leaped up, licking the bottom of the pot until it was scorching hot.
Lin Chen picked up a long-handled iron ladle, scooped up a spoonful of oil, and slid it into the pot.