Food Intelligence King

Chapter 72 The number of customers is slowly increasing.
In the morning, Chen Zhou took some time to go next door.

Old Meng was still huddled in a corner behind the counter, watching some video on his laptop.

It's probably some kind of anti-Japanese war drama with exaggerated plot twists, like tearing apart Japanese soldiers with bare hands.

The junior sister complained to Chen Zhou about it after delivering the soup dumplings last time.

When Meng Da saw Chen Zhou enter, he quickly paused the video and greeted him with a smile:

"Hey, business isn't busy at this hour."

"I'll have some free time around ten o'clock." Chen Zhou nodded, then said, "Could you find me a pack of cigarettes, Brother Meng?"

Old Meng thought for a moment, "I remember you don't smoke, are you thinking of giving this away?"

"I bought it for my dad," Chen Zhou said with a smile.
"Around twenty yuan, I guess. He doesn't want to smoke anything too expensive. Can you help me choose a suitable brand?"

Old Meng glanced at the glass cabinet, turned around, and pulled out a Yuxi cigarette.

"This one will do, it'll cost exactly 200."

Chen Zhou wasn't sure about the price, but the same model in the store would definitely retail for more than 20.

"Don't lose money."

"We don't do business that loses money," Old Meng reassured Chen Zhou.

As he packed lighters into the bag, he inquired, "The soup dumplings you had Xiao Zhao bring me that rainy day were delicious. Why don't I see any selling them at your shop today?"

Chen Zhou replied:

"I tried making it, and I'm planning to adjust the product range these days. I'll be able to eat it tomorrow."

The information provided by intelligence agencies is one thing, but listening to diners' feedback is something every restaurant owner needs to do personally.

"Brother Meng, how do you like the taste of these soup dumplings?"

Old Meng cleared his throat and said, "The salty and savory flavors intertwine with the aroma of meat, making it delicious and unforgettable."

What kind of delicious steamed buns?

Chen Zhou gave him a thumbs up. "You're really professional, Brother Meng."

“We have to learn it.” Meng Da picked up his notebook and showed the video he was watching.

Chen Zhou glanced at it:
Good heavens, the "hand-tearing Japanese devils" has become Chinese breakfast.

"Well," Old Meng continued somewhat embarrassedly, "if there are any new products, I can also be responsible for tasting them."

Chen Zhou smiled: "Okay, no problem."

The customers in the small shop are gradually no longer limited to the local residents.

Especially around lunchtime, you can often see people driving over to eat steamed buns.

In addition to word-of-mouth recommendations, loyal customers also share their recommendations on social media among acquaintances and friends.

The shop owner's personal recommendation also played a significant role.

Chen Zhou really often invites people to his shop to try his steamed buns, such as the vendors at the market who sell vegetables there, and the watermelon vendor he meets at the intersection.
That day, he even saw the young girl who had processed his certificate at the service hall before.

Chen Zhou was indeed just saying it offhand.

Unexpectedly, they actually came.

"Boss Chen! I'd like to try some steamed buns."

Wang Ying waved enthusiastically to Chen Zhou.

I must say, outside of work, this young woman's demeanor is completely different.

"Just got off work, right?"

"Hmm, your little shop is quite nice. Although it's not big, it looks really clean."

Upon hearing the customer's words, the junior sister couldn't help but proudly raise her head towards Chen Zhou.

Customer encouragement is sometimes more effective than the boss's motivation.

Chen Zhou turned to the young girl and said, "The signature pork bun, and a bowl of porridge, please."

Wang Ying was indeed a little hungry.

After her junior sister brought her some steamed buns, she immediately started eating them in big mouthfuls.

As she ate, she thought to herself:
No wonder they were able to go from a street vendor to a shop so quickly; the food is truly exceptional. After eating, I'll go back and rest for a while, and then I can happily get my documents processed this afternoon.

She didn't forget to give a positive review on the spot: "Boss Chen, these buns taste really good."

Chen Zhou smiled and said, "Come again if you like it."

Wang Ying remembered that many of her colleagues had ordered takeout for lunch.

This is really not as good as having some steamed buns here. She couldn't help but make a promise to the owner: "I'll bring all my colleagues over later."

Chen Zhou watched the customer leave.

He thought to himself: Isn't this how businesses are built up little by little?

Clean up and prepare for business the next day.

Then close the shop and lock the doors.

The shop owner and waiters are becoming increasingly familiar with the current work process.

Chen Zhou said goodbye to his junior sister. Then, with a pack of cigarettes in his pocket, he headed home.

As he walked, he thought about going back to his hometown on Friday.

Bring a pack of cigarettes, buy some things, and then cook a dish for Old Chen.

I have no idea what my wife found out.

night.

Ms. Lin got the answer from the two elderly people.

After telling Chen Zhou, even she herself felt that the task hadn't been done well.

Old Chen loves stir-fried shredded potatoes.

After hearing this, Chen Zhou remained silent for a while.

I remember that in the few times I went out to eat with my parents, Old Chen would always add a plate of shredded potatoes after ordering two or three dishes.

When the food is served, he will show his disdain for his son's preferences: What's so good about this?

Chen Zhou also complained about his father's stinginess: "Why do you always order shredded potatoes when we finally go out to eat?"

But he never seems to have explicitly stated what he likes to eat.

Think of shredded potatoes, think of Old Chen.

Chen Zhou felt a sudden soreness in his nose.

He couldn't help but look at his child. He quickly realized the problem:
"Tao Tao, cats don't eat vinegar when they eat cat food, so you don't have to let them try everything."

"Ow."

Chen Taotao obediently let Fa Cai go.

Then, at her mother's command, she took the vinegar back to the kitchen.

Ms. Lin turned to Chen Zhou: "Should I ask again? Are we really going to stir-fry some shredded potatoes for the old man?"

Chen Zhou knew that his wife had done her best.

So he comforted her, saying:

"My dad seems to really like shredded potatoes, so there's no need to ask anymore. Besides, home-style dishes are easy to make, and we'll probably be there quite late by the time we get there."

Ms. Lin blinked. "Really?"

“Really.” Chen Zhou nodded. “He orders this dish every time he eats out.”

"That's good." Lin Yifan was relieved.

Ms. Lin occasionally strives for perfection in certain things—such as tying Tao Tao's hair into a pretty braid.

But my basic requirement for myself is to be competent in all aspects.

Therefore, she didn't want to be a daughter-in-law who couldn't even handle such a small matter properly.

At this moment, Chen Taotao put the vinegar back and returned to the living room.

The little girl is quite familiar with and appreciates the home-cooked dishes that her father inherited from her grandmother.

When she heard her parents talking about shredded potatoes, she reminded them:
"You should add green and red chili peppers to the shredded potatoes!"

Ms. Lin relayed to Chen Zhou: "Taotao means to garnish with green and red peppers."

This translation achieves the basic goals of faithfulness, expressiveness, and elegance.

But Chen Zhou looked at his wife:

"I understand."

"Ah."

Chen Zhou smiled and pulled Ms. Lin into his arms.

(End of this chapter)