By linking my account to the check-in system, I became a leisurely traveler.

Chapter 105 Departure: A Cruise Through the Three Gorges! [6.4 thousand words]

(P.S.: I've been feeling really unwell these past couple of days. My neck and shoulders are sore, and I'm dizzy. I need some monthly tickets to help...)
……

The response to the freshly stir-fried hot pot base was unexpectedly positive, even to Li Younan and Chen Kunjie themselves.

Most of the tourists who came to watch were drawn by Li Younan's videos, while many others were just wandering around the area and were then attracted to stop and watch.

For people from other provinces, watching others prepare hot pot broth is part of experiencing Chongqing culture, which is quite interesting.

Many people stood still, taking out their phones to take photos and videos.

Chen Kunjie's parents and brother also huddled in the crowd, watching Chen Kunjie stir-fry the hot pot base with strange expressions.

Chen Kunjie's stir-frying method was naturally the one that Li Younan taught him.

After all, it was produced by the system. Although this pot was only a semi-finished product at this moment, the rich aroma it emitted was already eye-catching.

Li Younan and his group weren't worried that other merchants would write down the steps and try them out.

On the one hand, knowing only the steps but not the proportions and the specific time for each step makes it not so easy to replicate.

Moreover, most people would not start with such a large quantity when trying it out.

However, the difference in quantity can lead to significant variations in details.

Even if someone manages to perfectly replicate this hot pot broth, it doesn't really matter.

For a hot pot restaurant to be successful, in addition to taste, service, affordability, decor, and marketing are all important factors.

Moreover, Li Younan didn't think it was a zero-sum game. Even if there were similar hot pot restaurants, they probably wouldn't compete for the same customers.

Chen Kunjie had been cooking for a long time, and he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Two honest young waitresses, each holding a stack of flyers, were handing them out to tourists. They were working very hard.

One of them even sent a message to Chen Kunjie's mother: "Auntie, our hot pot restaurant officially opens at 5:00 pm. We guarantee that all the hot pot base is made on-site and is absolutely clean and hygienic."

Chen Kunjie's mother took the flyer and couldn't help but laugh as she read it. She and Old Chen exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat complicated.

At this time, Li Younan was doing a live stream, and the stream's popularity was astonishing.

This live stream of making hot pot broth attracted several thousand viewers simultaneously.

Many viewers mistook it for a live stream selling hot pot base, and flooded the chat with comments like, "Why isn't the streamer posting a link? This hot pot base looks amazing..."

Li Younan smiled with satisfaction; it seemed he had become a hit.

After the hot pot broth was prepared, everyone went inside to get ready.

The customers were already impatient. After the first batch of customers entered the store, Li Younan also started to help prepare the dishes in the kitchen.

Two waitresses collected the customers' menus; there was still a long queue outside.

In this situation, the only option is to give them a number. If there's no number dispenser, they'll have to write it down by hand.

Chen Kunjie was busy writing down numbers for people at the front desk, and he had already written down numbers up to 40.

Of course, these diners waiting in line may not wait indefinitely to be served, but there is no doubt that at least a second table will be served today.

Then, the scene became somewhat chaotic, like a battle.

There were only 8 tables of guests, but anyone who has worked as a waiter in a hot pot restaurant knows that ensuring the speed at which food is served to guests at the same table is not an easy task.

Fortunately, Chen Kunjie grew up in a hot pot restaurant and is quite familiar with kitchen management.

The two young girls weren't new to working as waitresses, and they managed to keep things afloat.

However, some customers were still urging: "Boss, please hurry up, we ordered our food more than ten minutes ago, and the pot hasn't even arrived yet."

"Coming, coming, almost here."

"Boss, I'd like a bottle of beer."

"Boss, I'd like a bottle of Viagra."

"Boss, give me two more servings of tripe."

Li Younan was at a loss. He was completely clueless. Should he work as a waiter to relieve the pressure in the front of house, or should he go to the kitchen to help out?
Fortunately, Chen Kunjie's parents inadvertently joined in at this moment.

Dad went straight to the kitchen, while Mom busied herself in the main hall. Then she kicked her idle brother, saying, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and help in the kitchen!"

With the three of them on the team, the situation gradually became more orderly.

Although it's still busy, there's a sense of order amidst the chaos.

Chen Kunjie was busy calculating accounts in the front and preparing food in the back, so busy that he felt like he was about to burst, but the sense of peace in his heart was beyond words.

On the first day of business, we didn't invite any relatives or friends to come and celebrate, but we still had so many real customers. It was a lively and bustling day, a great start!

A truly successful start.

Business will definitely get better and better in the future!

Li Younan, holding his phone and still in the live stream, wandered around the lobby: "Family members, business is great today, thank you all for your support."

Many of the first group of guests were fans of Li Younan, and they grabbed him and forced him to take photos with them.

Because the ingredients for the stir-fried hot pot broth are all visible, everyone feels at ease and is not afraid of using old, stale oil. It is clean and hygienic, and there are no pre-prepared ingredients.

On this basis, even a slightly higher price is acceptable.

The restaurant was busy until 11 or 12 at night, and they only cleaned up after the last table finished eating.

The two waitresses were completely exhausted and slumped in their chairs.

The dishwasher had been running non-stop since the shop opened, and now she was finally taking a break, grumbling, "There are still two tables of dishes left to wash in the sink." She added, "I've been a dishwasher for so many years, and I've never been this busy..."

Chen Kunjie didn't expect to be so busy, but after doing the math, he found that today's revenue was over 8000 yuan.

The food in the kitchen is almost sold out. I was wondering before if such a large kitchen was necessary, but now I'm just glad that the kitchen space is big enough so that we can manage to increase the amount of food if needed in the future.

Chen Kunjie's brother was equally exhausted. He leaned back in his chair and said irritably, "You run a hot pot restaurant, but you can't even afford to hire people? At least hire a couple more chefs in the kitchen! Today, my husband and I were practically cooked for you!"

Chen Kunjie chuckled and said nothing. Indeed, if they were to maintain today's business standards every day, they would need at least two more waiters and two more chefs to improve the situation.

Then Chen Kunjie looked at his mother. She was usually the most talkative, but today she hadn't said much. However, she was also the busiest, greeting customers, directing two servers, and dealing with customers to smooth things over. Without her, the restaurant would have been in complete chaos.

Chen Kunjie said with a grin, "Mom, thank you!"

When Chen Kunjie's mother heard her son say such cheesy things, she immediately showed a disgusted expression: "Don't give me that!"

However, a look of satisfaction then appeared on her face. She crossed her arms and said, "Hey, I didn't expect that you, kid, would actually make this hot pot restaurant a success." Then she glared at Chen Kunjie's brother and said, "Look at your little brother, he has ideas and dares to go out and start a business."

Chen Kunjie's brother immediately said, looking aggrieved, "Hey, Mom! That's not what you said before! You even praised me for listening to you two. You two changed your tune so quickly!"

Old Chen took a puff of his cigarette and said calmly, "It has nothing to do with me, don't drag me into this."

……

The opening of the hot pot restaurant went even more smoothly than Li Younan had imagined.

It wasted two days.

Having learned from the experience of the first day, Chen Kunjie hired two more chefs.

The main responsibility is preparing ingredients in the kitchen. No particularly advanced skills are required; being able to make simple dishes like fried rice, brown sugar glutinous rice cakes, and pumpkin pancakes is sufficient. Two more servers were also hired.

Li Younan and Chen Kunjie both hope to keep this hot pot restaurant open for a long time, so when recruiting waiters, they try to consider long-term cooperation and are more meticulous in their recruitment process. The two waiters at the back are both very experienced aunties.

Although costs have gone up, based on the business performance on the first day, the revenue will be more substantial.

Li Younan had underestimated the loyalty of his fans and their spending power.

At least half of the first group of diners who came yesterday came because of his videos.

This situation will most likely continue in the future.

To maximize her advantages, Li Younan posted a group-buying link for a hot pot restaurant on her shop window.

They also turned videos related to hot pot restaurants into product promotional videos.

In other words, anyone who browses his shop window will be able to see the video entry point.

Because it's his own hot pot restaurant, Chen Kunjie pinned the video of him stir-frying the hot pot base to the top of his chat list, ensuring long-term exposure.

The following day, Li Younan did a live stream.

In the live stream, fans started making jokes.

One guy said, "The new guys might not know this streamer, so let me introduce him. He's a backpacker, a parkour master, a carpenter, a bricklayer, a plumber, a stone carver, a chef, and now he's a hot pot restaurant owner too."

Then, some fans suggested that Li Younan put these introductions in her personal profile.

The fact that Li Younan can play the piano was not shown in the video, otherwise he could have added another label to his identity.

Next, the live stream chat became lively. Comments floated across the screen: "There's a similar influencer with the tag 'Golden Right Face,' what about Li Younan? 'Golden Entire Face'?"

Some people even asked, "Li Younan, when are you going to publish a book? When are you going to officially become a writer?"

Li Younan actually listened to the advice.

After thinking for a moment, he changed his personal profile to: Computer engineer, amateur parkour enthusiast, amateur chef, amateur carpenter, stone carver... assistant owner of a hot pot restaurant.

There are currently eight or nine tags, and looking at these tags is quite interesting.

Netizens took this as an interesting meme and are all looking forward to when he will be able to unlock the next identity label.

Chen Kunjie originally wanted to accompany Li Younan to stroll around the area, but after the hot pot restaurant officially opened, troubles followed one after another.

There isn't enough hot pot base every day, so it needs to be stir-fried on-site every day, which keeps Chen Kunjie very busy.

However, he was quite satisfied, but said to Li Younan with some apology, "I can't go to the Three Gorges with you."

Li Younan didn't mind at all, and said, "I'll go for a trip around the Three Gorges and come back. I'll look for you then."

For Li Younan, the Three Gorges was more important than the city of CQ; it was a must-see.

However, the way to get to the Three Gorges was much more leisurely than I had imagined.

JK Dragon has secured numerous business deals, including one for promoting a luxury cruise ship across the Three Gorges.

The journey begins at Chaotian Wharf in Chongqing and proceeds downstream to Yichang. Li Younan's current fan base and influence allow him to command high prices for these promotional videos.

This was a wonderful thing for Li Younan, as it saved him money on boat fares and allowed him to earn some money. More importantly, he was really looking forward to this way of traveling.

It must be said that JK Dragon's business negotiations were very professional, clearly defining the price and the obligations of both parties.

The night before, a staff member from the cruise ship's marketing department contacted Li Younan to discuss some details of the cooperation.

At this point, there wasn't much left to discuss. The other party simply outlined the requirements for the video shoot, which naturally involved showcasing the best aspects of the video.

The company's marketing team and the cruise ship are separate, so the experience is more authentic.

After Li Younan boards the ship, there will be no other preferential treatment during the entire process.

The marketing department arranged a luxury double room cruise ticket for him for 5000 yuan. He only needed to follow the procedures to board the ship at the pier.

However, the videos that are filmed will definitely need to be reviewed by them.

JK Dragon can also handle the specific requirements.

Before Li Younan went to the dock, JK Long gave him special instructions, reminding him that he had to get some specific shots, which Li Younan noted down.

After thinking for a moment, JK Long said to Li Younan, "After you get on the ship, you can do more live streams."

Li Younan thought JK Long wanted to increase his popularity through live streaming.

However, Li Younan doesn't really like live streaming during his travels. Filming videos is enough for him. If he were to live stream the whole time, it would ruin the immersive travel experience.

While some streamers do livestream during their travels and chat with friends in the chat room, which can be quite enjoyable, Li Younan prefers interacting with real people.

Li Younan hesitated for a moment: "Do we need to do a live stream?"

JK Long paused for a moment before saying, "Let's not go."

Li Younan didn't pay any attention and then headed from the city to the dock.

the next day.

The radio was playing some soft music, not very loud, just in the background.

After crossing the Yangtze River Bridge, the view suddenly opened up.

The car drove steadily along the riverside road, with the mighty Yangtze River right next to it.

The navigation system would occasionally remind us that we were getting closer to Chaotianmen Wharf.

A "ding" sounded on my phone; it was a text message from the cruise company: "Dear guest, the 'Voyage' cruise ship you are traveling on today is docked at No. 11 Chaotianmen Wharf in Chongqing. Please board the ship with your ID card between 18:00 and 20:00."

Li Younan glanced at it and felt more at ease.

The promoters had indeed already arranged his boat ticket.

As you drive into the Yuzhong Peninsula, you see more and more high-rise buildings and the roads become narrower.

When he stopped at a red light, he would glance at the light rail passing by or look at the houses built against the mountainside in the distance, not in a hurry at all.

Turning onto the familiar path leading to the pier, I saw many tour buses parked on both sides, as well as people like Li Younan who had driven there themselves.

He found a spot not far from the entrance, parked the car, and turned off the engine.

Pushing open the car door, the September heat wave, mixed with an even stronger river breeze, hit me, carrying a hint of fishy smell. Looking up, I could see the white "Voyage," like a giant building block, steadily moored beside the pontoon at Pier 11.

Several other cruise ships were moored nearby, and a huge number sign stood on the dock, with the number "11" standing out prominently in the sunlight.

Li Younan opened the trunk and took out some simple luggage: a rolling suitcase and a backpack.

As soon as I closed the trunk lid, a porter wearing a vest came over and asked with a smile, "Sir, do you need your luggage moved? We can take it to the side of the boat."

He nodded. "Please deliver it over there, thank you."

The craftsman deftly picked up the box and followed behind him.

The steps to the dock were long and steep, and as you descended one after another, the stone path was worn smooth by countless footsteps. The porters, used to this, walked quickly and steadily.

As we walked onto the pontoon, a band was playing some light music as a welcome.

The shipping company staff stood at the entrance, verified Li Younan's ID card, and then made him look at a small screen—it was an intelligent facial recognition system.

After passing through security, he stepped onto the gangplank connecting the barge and the cruise ship.

The diving board was wobbling a bit, and below it, the murky river water was swirling.

Looking up at the brand-new "Voyage", its 149-meter-long hull appears exceptionally large in the river.

Stepping into the ship's main hall, the air conditioning was very strong, and it immediately felt cool.

The receptionist smiled and handed over the room key: "Sir, your room is on the third floor. The elevator is over there."

Li Younan thanked him but didn't rush to his room.

He turned around and walked to the observation deck at the stern of the ship.

Although I need to take out my phone to film the specific scene, I'll need to use this footage to edit a video later.

Li Younan turned around.

This ship is said to be a new vessel launched last year, with more than 200 rooms and complete facilities such as entertainment lounges, a buffet restaurant, a bar, and a swimming pool.

After departing from the dock, the journey will take you downstream, passing important scenic spots such as Fengdu, Baidi City, Wuxia Gorge, and the Three Gorges.

The general feeling is like staying in a mobile hotel, which should be quite interesting.

After walking around for a while, Li Younan, still holding his phone, went into the cabin.

There's no buffet tonight, but the lounge upstairs is open.

After putting all his luggage in the room, Li Younan wandered aimlessly around the ship.

When we got inside the lounge, there weren't many people there, only two or three tables.

There are free drinks, but some are optional and require payment.

Li Younan had no intention of drinking alcohol. He ordered a glass of juice, looked around, and chose a seat. The window seat offered a very nice view.

Compared to taking a cruise on the sea, Li Younan was actually more looking forward to the experience of taking a cruise on the river.

The facilities on cruise ships are generally not much different, but if it's a 5-day trip, the scenery along the river is constantly changing.

As for the sea, it's just endless water, and looking at it for a long time can easily get boring.

Of course, Li Younan had never experienced a cruise ship at sea, and even taking a cruise ship on a river was a first for him; the above was just his imagination.

The window seat was naturally the traveler's first choice. Not long after he sat down, he heard a crackling sound behind him.

Li Younan turned his head curiously and saw two old men and a seemingly quiet young woman sitting around a small table. The clattering sound was coming from the chessboard in front of them.

However, to some disappointment, the two old men were playing Go, not Chinese chess.

A game of Go can take a very long time.

The two elderly people were playing with great enthusiasm, but the girl next to them was getting sleepy and yawned softly.

The game was nearing its end, and the old men exchanged a few trash talk. One said, "If I make this move, you're definitely out of options." The other replied, "If you make this move, then I can do this and that..."

The game is over.

Perhaps because Go has a high barrier to entry and not many people know how to play it, the girl didn't quite understand it either. The two elderly men wanted to keep her entertained, so one of them suggested, "Xiao Chun, how about we play Connect Four? You can join in too."

The girl, called Xiaochun, rubbed her sleepy eyes and said with a smile, "Grandpa Zhou, Gomoku is no fun. Although I don't understand Go, I can play Chinese chess with you."

The chessboard they used, when flipped over, becomes a Chinese chess board.

Grandpa Zhou said with a smile, "You can't beat me at chess. There's no other old man in the neighborhood who can beat me."

Another old man laughed and scolded him, "That's because they're being lenient with you. Don't underestimate my granddaughter. When she was a child at the youth center, no one dared to say such things."

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Zhou immediately became interested: "Then let's give it a try." He then flipped the chessboard over, replaced the pieces, and arranged the chess pieces.

The girl got into position and began playing chess with the old man.

Li Younan, holding a glass of juice, stood up with some curiosity and watched from the side.

The three noticed Li Younan, but none of them paid him much attention.

Li Younan's interest in chess stemmed partly from his acquisition of chess skills, which further fueled his passion for the game.

The young girl's chess playing style was indeed methodical, showing she had received formal training. In contrast, the old man seemed to lack a set pattern, but perhaps due to experience, he played steadily and took a very long time to think.

After the middle game, the old man quickly gained the upper hand and won. This continued for several games with the same result.

The little girl looked unconvinced, but the old man who had been watching was displeased and laughed, scolding, "You old man, you're too ruthless. You're not giving my granddaughter any leeway."

Old Zhou said seriously, "This shows that I respect your granddaughter. The greatest respect you can show your opponent is to go all out. Your granddaughter's chess skills are quite good."

The old man wasn't having it, saying, "It's getting late, my granddaughter and I are going to rest. See you tomorrow morning."

Old Zhou sighed softly, "Then you guys go and rest first. I'll stay here for a while and enjoy the night view."

Li Younan was speechless, thinking to himself, "Is that all?"

After the game ended, he decided to go and rest.

But just then, Old Zhou suddenly glanced at Li Younan, and they made eye contact for half a second. A slight look of surprise appeared on Li Younan's face.

Old Zhou pointed to the seats in front of him and said, "Young man, I've seen you staring for a while now, why don't you play a couple of rounds?"

Li Younan blinked: "This... I actually... um, okay then..."

Li Younan sat down.

The old man said, "You go first."

Li Younan showed no mercy, took the red pieces, and immediately launched a cannon attack.

Old Zhou raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "Hehe, the first shot... the horse jumps first..."

Li Younan had no intention of holding back, and he played extremely quickly. It was almost as if the old man had been thinking for a long time before making a move, and he placed his piece without any hesitation.

Not long after, the old man's brow furrowed more and more deeply. After a while, he tapped the chess piece and conceded defeat.

The two then chatted for a few more minutes, mostly asking Li Younan about his background, where he was from, and what he did. Li Younan answered all their questions.

After everyone got to know each other better, they asked Li Younan who he learned to play chess. Li Younan casually replied that he studied chess scores.

However, he was naturally not convinced and said that he had been careless just now, so he asked Li Younan to play another round.

Li Younan glanced at the time and smiled, "Tomorrow then, it's a bit too late today."

Seeing this, the old man had no choice but to give up, and said, "Alright, it's been raining for a long time tonight, and I'm not feeling well."

The two made a promise to fight again tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)