Food Intelligence King

Chapter 142 Business Changes During the National Day Holiday, Welcoming Tourists to the Shop
After a lot of work, the two sisters were finally settled in.

The eldest sister of the Lin family was asleep in Chen Taotao's room, using her niece's small pillow as a pillow and covered with a small quilt.

She slept peacefully. No need to worry.

Chen Taotao didn't mind her aunt sleeping in her bed, and in fact, she got what she wanted.

When I first heard that my aunt was coming, I said I would sleep in a hotel with her.

So this time, she returned to her small bedroom:
"I want to sleep with my aunt tonight!"

Chen Zhou gave her another set of pillows and blankets.

As for the younger sister of the Lin family, she was in her own master bedroom. She wasn't drunk enough to sleep like her older sister, but she was still in a dazed state.

The next day.

Chen Zhou got up, dressed, and criticized his wife:

"You put me in a very awkward position last night. I really can't let you drink anymore."

"Mmm." Ms. Lin buried her head in the blanket.

His voice sounded muffled. I felt incredibly ashamed.

Seeing her husband get up, she remembered that Chen Zhou hadn't started his holiday yet, so she poked her head out again:

"I'll make you breakfast."

"You should rest," Chen Zhou said.
"By the way, there's a food festival at Fangda Plaza. You can go check it out today. I'll cook dinner tonight to treat your sister well. I'll also buy some seafood this afternoon."

"Ah."

Due to the holiday, the store adjusted its business hours and didn't open as early as usual.

Upon arriving at the store and seeing the familiar Aunt Zheng and junior sister, Chen Zhou finally regained some sense of normalcy.

He listened patiently as his junior sister recounted her experience of watching fireworks the previous night.

Aunt Zheng, on the other hand, asked Chen Zhou for a day off.

She's going back to her hometown with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and will be back a day late.

Chen Zhou's principle remains the same: "Take leave when you need to."

Work is work and life is life.

I did hear Aunt Zheng talk about her hometown. Her husband passed away early, but she still has many relatives there, whom she visits during holidays. Originally, Aunt Zheng planned to return to her hometown after her grandson started school, but now she has found a job at the shop where she can continue to use her old rolling pin, and she has settled down with her son.

"The older I get, the more I want to see them," Aunt Zheng said.

Chen Zhou couldn't help but think of the two sisters who were drunk yesterday.

I guess Aunt Tao Tao feels the same way.

Because of the holiday, people in the neighborhood either went out or took a break from work.

So it's not quite the same as before.

However, business is not bad.

The media coverage mentioned in the market news also benefited his small shop. It's clear that many tourists from other places came to try his steamed buns.

"Boss, what's your signature steamed bun?"

"The steamed buns are filled with fresh meat, cooked meat, or vegetarian fillings like eggplant and green peppers. We also have soup dumplings from Bianliang, made with the techniques passed down from our master chef. Tea eggs and porridge are also available; please choose whatever you like. Side dishes are available by yourself."

Faced with customers who were completely unfamiliar with the store, Chen Zhou patiently introduced them to the different categories of products available.

Some customers even came after doing their research.

No need for the boss to answer questions.

"First, I'll eat steamed buns at the community canteen, then feed the seagulls by the river at the old shipyard, and finally go to the beach. This is a very full day. Waiter, can you pack this up for me to take away?"

I estimate that the first day will be spent visiting famous tourist attractions, and the itinerary for the second day will be more flexible.

During the lunch break, many customers came and caught the rotating serving of steamed buns, and quite a few were willing to try them.

Trying what the people of a city eat and learning about its past can be a great travel experience.

In summary, there were quite a few out-of-town tourists visiting the store.

They've been arriving one after another, without a fixed schedule, but the positive reviews keep coming.

In addition to steamed buns, the shop also prepared a second batch of mooncakes.

With yesterday's experience, the efficiency of the process has been significantly improved today.

Chen Zhou also baked the mooncakes he had prepared as gifts today.

They even experimented with adding some minced meat inside.

Yes, the dough is made with a thick batter, and the filling is fresh meat. It's easy to make mainly because the ingredients are readily available.

The cooking method wasn't authentic, but the taste was alright.

The combination of salty and sweet flavors, the dry and fragrant crust, and the juicy and delicious filling create a unique and delightful taste.

Because the ingredients and preparation of candied fruit are quite complicated, the store cannot produce it in large quantities.

However, mooncakes with fresh meat are definitely worth trying.

After the lunch break, Chen Zhou called over Old Meng from the tobacco and liquor store next door to help him evaluate the new products from a customer's perspective.

He invited:

"Try it, I've changed the way I make it." Old Meng looked at the crust, which was the same as last time, but after smelling it carefully, he noticed something different.

"Meaty?"

"Correct."

After trying the food, Lao Meng said:

"I've never had this before, let me savor it."

The shop was empty, so Chen Zhou observed carefully and confirmed that the positive review had indeed increased by one. Although the target audience wasn't fixed, the taste was definitely good.

After pondering it for a while, Lao Meng scratched his head and said, "I think it tastes like a mooncake with steamed bun filling?"

"That's right. So, according to you, meat-filled glutinous rice balls are just dumplings?"

Old Meng: "That's not wrong either."

At noon, Chen Zhou and Lao Meng had a hot meal at the store, while Ms. Lin, along with her sister and child, strolled and ate at the food festival.

Chen Zhou will arrange a good meal for them tonight.

Just then, Brother He Qiang returned from the sea, and Chen Zhou received a message from him saying that he had brought back a lot of fish this time.

He went there with Lao Meng.

The seafood here, Brother He Qiang, is much cheaper than what's sold in the market.

It's just a waste of breath.

Everyone has to say "Brother, you're awesome" at least three times.

He Qiang's mouth practically stretched to the back of his head as he grinned, "Hey, just messing around."

The captain traveling with him, sporting the same thick dark circles under his eyes, turned his head away.

In the evening, Chen Zhou prepared for the family dinner.

Three female relatives also returned carrying large and small bags.

Of course, the ones carrying the bags were Chen Taotao and her daughter, Ms. Lin.

Needless to say, the little girl was the type who eagerly volunteered to help.

Chen Zhou glanced at his wife, sensing that she had grown up in the same way. Walking behind her sister, she carried her bag with practiced ease.

Ms. Lin gave her husband a look.

Chen Zhou understood immediately; these must be clothes Aunt Tao Tao bought for her sister and niece. There also seemed to be men's clothing, so he probably got some too.

Ms. Lin took her child to put away the clothes.

Chen Zhou greeted Aunt Tao Tao:
"Sister, I bought some seafood. Let's have a simple meal tonight. It's just off the ship, so it's really fresh."

Lin Yiling likes to eat seafood, but she hates the process of eating it.

Peeling and removing the thorns is too much trouble.

Out of politeness, she replied:

"Okay, a simple meal is fine. I ate quite a lot at Fangda Plaza for lunch. I must have gained weight from staying here these past two days."

Chen Zhou smiled:

"Save some room in your belly. I specifically picked out a sea bass with only one bone, and I'm making it like a home-style braised dish."

"One thorn?" Lin Yiling became somewhat interested.

“With Chen Taotao around, I don’t feel comfortable eating river fish,” Chen Zhou continued, “I’ve already peeled the shrimp, I’ll make a shrimp ring in a bit.”

Lin Yiling nodded, "Shrimp rings are delicious, I usually buy them ready-made."

"Crabs and mantis shrimp, these two are steamed."

Aunt Tao Tao showed a barely perceptible hint of regret on her face after hearing this, but she didn't say anything.

After Chen Zhou said, "I'll peel a few for you. This time I picked the big ones, and they all have seeds," he continued.

Lin Yiling said happily, "Oh, thank you so much, brother-in-law."

"Don't mention it, have you forgotten what I do?" Chen Zhou smiled. "This is a professional technique."

In fact, he's not just a professional; he's already moving towards becoming a master. Now, he even feels a little uncomfortable when he sees others not peeling away the layers cleanly enough.

Soon, Ms. Lin put her things away and came to the kitchen to help.

She mainly wanted to see the beer left over from yesterday.

However, she had already promised her husband she wouldn't drink it anymore. So, she could only bite the bullet and say to her sister, "Would you like another bottle chilled?"

Aunt Tao Tao frowned and shook her head.
"I don't want it at room temperature either, so please don't ask again."

The two sisters have lived together for almost twenty years. Lin Yiling understands her younger sister too well; she completely shut down the topic of drinking.

Ms. Lin sighed slightly after hearing this.

What's meant to happen will happen eventually; there's no escaping it.

Ms. Lin admitted it.

Be prepared to await your fate.

(End of this chapter)