Chapter 36: Booming Business

What does twenty pounds of meat actually mean? It is a lot—too much for a single basin to hold. Chen Zhou had to use a portion of the meat filling to make ready-to-eat buns at home, so that they could simply be steamed once loaded onto his cart. Then, he had to pack another basin of filling into the cart’s small refrigerator, ensuring his hands wouldn't be idle while the first batch steamed. Finally, one more basin remained at home, waiting for his wife to bring it over after she finished work.

And twenty pounds of meat filling also meant kneading twenty pounds of flour. That was not even accounting for the vegetarian eggplant and green pepper buns. Consequently, Chen Zhou had barely stopped moving since finishing his lunch. Considering the limited capacity of his snack cart, the proofing state of the dough, and the preservation of ingredients, he was already pushing his stall to its limit.

Chen Zhou checked his system notification:
[Significant Surge in Customer Traffic]
"I didn't expect my workload to increase so drastically as well."

...

In the early evening, a bit earlier than usual, Chen Zhou pedaled his bun cart out of the residential complex only to find people already waiting at his spot. They were two boys, eighteen or nineteen years old. Upon seeing the bun cart, they politely stepped aside and checked their phones to verify something. However, their next words were less than polite.

"Is this the one?"
"Yeah, it’s gotta be. Look at that sign, it’s ridiculously huge!"

Chen Zhou laughed. "The buns are all made to order, so please wait a moment."
"No problem!"

While waiting for the first steamer, the two boys struck up a casual conversation with Chen Zhou. He learned that they had just submitted their college entrance exam applications and were traveling together. "We saw a video of your stall at the hotel last night. Since we happened to be in Haibin City, we took the subway straight here today."
"Boss, you have no idea. Watching that video made me so hungry that I ordered late-night takeout immediately."

Chen Zhou could only offer a bit of consolation: "The condiments are free, and you can help yourselves to the pickled cucumbers."

As the old saying goes, "A growing lad can eat his father out of house and home." The boys’ appetites were immense. After finishing four fresh meat buns and two vegetable buns on the spot, they bought four more to take away. As they walked off, they chatted:

"In my list of applications, I think I filled in Haibin University of Architecture and Technology. It would be great if I could study here in the future."
"Damn, that’s foresight! Why didn't I think of that? I applied to Hangzhou."

Listening from behind, Chen Zhou felt a secret shock. *Surely we don't need to sacrifice our future for the sake of a bun.* Unfortunately, once applications were submitted, they couldn't be changed; otherwise, Chen Zhou would have definitely dragged him back to talk some sense into him.

After the pair left, it was as if a faucet had been turned on, and customers began to pour in. Soon, the crowd in front of Chen Zhou’s cart was as packed as the buns in his steamer.
"I want the same signature fresh meat bun!"
"Is there no iced plum juice left?"
"Can you really put green pepper and eggplant inside a bun? Let me try one."

...

During the evening rush hour, Chen Zhou spotted Officer Wang Meng in the queue. Behind him was a man in his forties with a beer belly; although not in uniform, he was chatting with Wang, and clearly, he was his superior.

Chen Zhou called out, "Captain Wang, you should have told me you were coming!"
"Hahaha, give me four fresh meat buns," Wang Meng laughed, giving Chen Zhou a wink that clearly meant, *I just wanted to make this guy wait in line.*

When it came time to pay, the beer-bellied man displayed the grace of a leader and insisted on treating them. Officer Wang Meng didn't refuse. "In that case, Master Chen, add two more for me."

Practicing the art of mingling with the masses, the two of them followed the example of the surrounding customers and began eating right there on the street. Wang Meng’s boss, Jiang Zhibin, was a southerner and hadn't been particularly interested in wheat-based foods. However, the video had been so viral that their official department account had never seen so many likes before. He felt he had to come and taste it for himself.

As he bit into the bun, the tender, springy texture softened his heart and lowered his defenses. Wheat-based foods seemed to possess a more grounding substance than rice. He chewed slowly, savoring the flavor. Before he knew it, he felt as if he were standing in a golden wheat field, being ground into powder along with a ripe grain, falling into a deep sleep. Suddenly, a basin of cold water splashed him awake, and a pair of sturdy hands reached out, kneading and pressing him repeatedly. He had no choice but to cower on the cutting board, rolling and gasping. Just as he finally managed to huddle together with his companions, he was sent into the sauna...

Standing beside him, Wang Meng asked, confused, "Director, why are you only eating the skin and not the filling?"

After a thorough investigation of the interior, Jiang Zhibin blurted out, "Delicious... Such delicious buns. Isn't this exactly what serving the people is all about?"

Though the leader’s words were a bit disjointed, his perspective was certainly high-minded. Chen Zhou took it to heart. His bun stall might be small, but it made him feel as though he carried a certain responsibility. *Now that I have a system, my goals should be set higher, and my vision should be long-term. Let more people eat delicious, safe food.*

A billion positive reviews—that’s just ten small goals, right?

...

Not far away, at Jinda Tobacco and Liquor, the owner, Meng Da, had set up a small table in front of his shop to catch the evening breeze. As he stepped out, he bumped into Tony from the barbershop, who was collecting towels outside. The two neighbors couldn't help but talk about Chen Zhou’s bun stall.

"Why is his business so good today? The line is so long."
Tony glanced over and said, "His food is delicious, so of course it’s popular. You haven’t tried it yet, Brother Meng?"
"What are you saying?" Meng Da said, pointing his thumb at himself with pride. "I’ve eaten there several times. I’m a regular."

Around the Sunshine City complex, the buns were indeed quite famous. But many of the customers today didn't look like locals. Neither man understood why. Tony watched the bustling crowd nearby and sighed, "From now on, if I want a bun, I’ll have to go early."

Meng Da envied the bun business. He lit a cigarette and lamented, "If my shop had this many people every day, the eighth aircraft carrier would have been launched by now."
"Ugh, gross," Tony flicked his towel, shooing away the annoying smoke. "I hate hanging out with you guys."
Meng Da grinned. "It’s fine, my wife is working tomorrow. You girls can chat while you eat buns."

Hearing Meng Da mention his wife, Tony thought of Chen Zhou’s wife. He lowered his voice, "The guy who sells the buns lives in this complex. His wife works during the day and comes to help after she gets off in the evening. She even mentioned coming to my shop for a haircut the other day."
"She was just being polite," Meng Da retorted bluntly. "But honestly, I don't envy their business as much as I envy their relationship. I've been married for so many years, and I’ve rarely had a hot meal at home."