Mephisto arrived at Eliphas Park for her usual morning run. She completed lap after lap, pausing to scan the area each time she rounded the corner.
Strange, why isn't he here today? Is he not coming?
The Hitmonlee beside her tugged at her clothing, clearly puzzled.
"Hitmon~ Hitmonlee~" What are you looking for?
The Fighting-type Pokémon hadn't accompanied her yesterday, so it had no idea what its Trainer was anticipating.
"Ah~" Mephisto snapped back to reality and quickly said, "It's nothing, let's continue running!"
Hitmonlee nodded, turning its head to examine the spot its Trainer had been staring at, its expression still filled with confusion. What was so special about that place? Why did its Trainer gaze at that particular spot every time they passed by?
Just as Mephisto and Hitmonlee departed, Lucas's food truck slowly drove into view.
After parking the vehicle, Lucas opened the side window of the truck and placed his Komala on the counter, just as he had done the previous day.
"Komala, same as yesterday, okay."
After giving this instruction, he began his preparations.
Lucas inspected the dough and fillings. Noticing that the dough had risen properly and the fillings were seasoned perfectly, he officially started wrapping the buns.
His hands moved with incredible speed. In no time, white, round buns appeared on the stove. Each one was nearly identical in size, with exactly 25 pleats on top, as if they had been crafted from the same mold.
After wrapping a batch, Lucas started steaming them, ensuring he wouldn't be caught unprepared when customers arrived later.
He had just begun the steaming process when a girl covered in sweat ran up to his truck.
"Boss, good morning," the girl greeted Lucas.
"Good morning, you're here quite early," Lucas responded in a friendly manner.
"Yeah, morning exercise." Mephisto wasn't particularly talkative, so her answers were always concise.
Lucas noticed her staring directly at the steamer, so he said with a smile, "They're not ready yet, you'll have to wait a while."
Mephisto shook her head. "It's okay."
At this point, the Hitmonlee standing beside Mephisto was completely bewildered. Was this truly the same Trainer who valued time like gold?
Shouldn't its usual Trainer prefer to run two more laps rather than waste time waiting for breakfast to be ready?
"Hitmonlee~" What's going on with you?
Hitmonlee tugged at Mephisto's clothes again.
Of course, Mephisto could sense her Pokémon's confusion, so she explained with her typical expressionless face, "It would only waste more time if we came later."
She knew perfectly well that a long queue would soon form here.
Hitmonlee: ? ? ?
As time passed, steam began to emanate from the steamer in the truck, accompanied by a rich, enticing aroma.
"It smells even better than yesterday..." Mephisto murmured softly.
Hitmonlee thought its Trainer was addressing it, so it tugged at her clothes again, as if asking: What did you just say?
Mephisto calmly shook her head. "Nothing."
Soon, Hitmonlee's attention was also captured by the overwhelming aroma emanating from the steamer.
As the scent spread throughout the park, customers gradually gathered, and before long, a substantial queue had formed.
"Boss, is it ready yet? I'm starving," someone called out impatiently.
"Soon, soon! Good food is worth waiting for!" Lucas replied with a cheerful smile, but his hands never ceased their work. One after another, buns and steamed dumplings took shape between his fingers.
This boss is so amazing! Mephisto thought to herself, genuinely impressed.
"Boss, your buns and steamed dumplings are so delicious! I only bought two yesterday, and I regretted it terribly after tasting them!" one customer chatted with Lucas while waiting.
"Yeah, same here. When I wanted to buy more later, the line was already cut off," another added.
Lucas responded with a smile: "Then you should buy extra today."
"That's definitely the plan. I want to eat ten today!"
"I want twenty!"
"Can you really finish twenty?"
"I'm sharing with my wife, of course!"
The rich aroma, the steaming heat, the laughter of customers... Lucas's stall became the liveliest spot in all of Nikola Park.
Finally, the first batch of buns and steamed dumplings was ready. The moment Lucas lifted the steamer lid, swirling steam rose up, releasing that tempting fragrance everywhere. The queue outside instantly grew more animated.
It smells incredible!
Mephisto, positioned at the front of the line, immediately said, "Boss, fifty buns, fifty steamed dumplings."
Lucas was taken aback. "Can you really eat that many?"
Hitmonlee was equally stunned by its Trainer's request! Each plump bun and dumpling was substantial in size. One hundred in total—could they possibly finish so many?
"Yes." Mephisto nodded without hesitation, then looked down at Hitmonlee. "Let's go home and share with everyone."
Hitmonlee nodded silently, understanding now.
"Just a moment!" Lucas said with a smile, then quickly packaged the buns for Mephisto.
Fortunately, Lucas had prepared better today. Relying solely on tree leaves to wrap the buns and dumplings would have made it difficult for customers purchasing large quantities to carry them home.
Yesterday, since most customers were buying for the first time, they generally purchased only one or two at a time, with at most three to five. There had been no issue wrapping those in leaves.
Anticipating that some people might buy in bulk today, he had specially purchased packaging bags from the system store with the happiness points he had earned just yesterday.
He still wrapped each bun and dumpling with the special aromatic tree leaves, then placed them all into packaging bags for convenient transport!
After receiving her order, Mephisto couldn't wait to sample one, and she didn't forget to give one to Hitmonlee as well.
Hoo-ha~ Hoo-ha~
The freshly steamed buns were quite hot, but Mephisto's impatience won out. She took a bite directly.
Mmmm~ So delicious!
She squinted her eyes in delight, displaying an expression that Hitmonlee had never witnessed before.
With curiosity, Hitmonlee bit into its own bun, and instantly understood its Trainer's previous unusual behavior.
The freshly steamed offerings sold out rapidly, and Lucas had to announce to the remaining customers: "Everyone, please wait a moment. This batch is sold out; the new batch isn't ready yet."
Hearing this, those still waiting in line let out collective groans of disappointment.
"Could the people ahead buy fewer at once?"
"That's right! Aren't you worried about getting too full if you eat so many?"
"Boss, are you trying to starve us to death?"
When an elderly man arrived at Lucas's stall with his Growlithe, he was immediately shocked by the extensive queue. "Arceus! So many people?"
Since Lucas only accepted cash and didn't take digital payments, many potential customers yesterday had been unable to purchase anything because they hadn't brought physical currency. Today, those same people had specifically brought cash, all eager to taste the deliciousness that had tantalized them with its aroma the day before.
As a result, there were significantly more people at Lucas's stall compared to yesterday!
"If only I had arrived earlier," the old man grumbled as he joined the back of the queue with his Growlithe. Even with so many people ahead, he was determined to wait! He simply had to taste those steamed buns and dumplings(baozi); it wasn't as if he had anything else pressing to do.
Like the old man, Flamel, who had just arrived, was equally astonished by the length of the queue.
She had promised to bring something delicious to Princess Kimia today, so she had made a special effort to leave early. She never expected to encounter such an impressive scene!
Flamel checked the time on her Rotom Phone, calculated that she should still make it on time, and silently took her place in line.
Soon, a fresh batch of steamed buns and dumplings was ready, and the queue began to advance steadily.
Too busy, too busy! Lucas was moving so rapidly he was almost a blur. While packaging food for customers, his hands simultaneously continued to wrap buns and knead dough. Otherwise, the next batch wouldn't be ready in time.
The Komala was equally busy. Although its eyes remained closed as always, its small paws quickly accepted one banknote after another, remarkably making not a single mistake.
Finally, it was the old man's turn. He waved enthusiastically and said, "One hundred cabbage-filled dumplings, one hundred radish-filled dumplings, one hundred chive-dumplings buns, and fifty buns!"
Lucas was stunned by the enormous order. "Sir, aren't you buying a bit too much?"
The old man waved dismissively with a chuckle. "Not too much, not too much. I have many children at home; they'll finish it all." The Growlithe in his arms nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Grow~ Growlithe~" That's right, that's right!
"Alright, but this batch won't be enough. You'll need to wait a while," Lucas said helplessly.
"No problem, no problem," the old man replied nonchalantly. "This old fellow has plenty of time."
Lucas first packaged the available portion and handed it to the old man, then said with a smile, "Very well, please wait a moment for the rest."
The moment he received the steamed buns and dumplings, both the old man and his Growlithe couldn't resist sampling them immediately, causing the remaining customers in line to swallow enviously.
This old man is so unfair, buying such a large quantity at once!
The instant the steamed bun entered his mouth, the old man noticed the difference from yesterday. "Young man, why are your steamed buns suddenly even more delicious today?"
"You have a refined palate, sir!" Lucas explained while continuing his work. "I adjusted the filling recipe."
The old man nodded in understanding. "So that's it!" He gave Lucas an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "Young man, you're truly talented!"
Yesterday, his Growlithe had clearly preferred the taste of plain buns, but today it was drawn to the filled dumplings and was visibly drooling.
While the old man chatted with Lucas, Flamel stretched her neck to get a better look at the vendor, and with just one glance, she was struck with an odd sense of familiarity.
This boss... why does he look so familiar?
Flamel studied Lucas intently, but she couldn't quite place who he resembled!
Because Lucas wore a chef's hat that concealed his blond hair, Flamel didn't connect him with anyone from the royal family.
A new batch of steamed buns and dumplings was ready, and the old man, carrying his full bags, walked away humming a cheerful tune, thoroughly satisfied. The Growlithe in his arms struggled to jump down, then trotted after its Trainer with its little bottom wiggling happily.
Seeing the Growlithe's eager expression, the old man said affectionately, "Alright, alright, we'll go home and share with Grandma and Skitty."
Shortly after the old man's departure, it was finally Flamel's turn. "Boss, five of each filling of dumplings and five buns, please."
"Of course, please wait a moment," Lucas replied without looking up, quickly packaging the food for Flamel.
Flamel stared intently at Lucas's profile, still trying to recall who he resembled.
"Here you are!" Lucas handed the packaged mantou and steamed buns to Flamel.
After accepting them, she inquired, "Excuse me, can the side dishes be taken away as well?"
Lucas answered, "Yes, the side dishes are on the table. Customers can help themselves."
"Thank you."
Even as she turned to leave, Flamel still couldn't place who the food vendor reminded her of.
Carrying her bag of steamed buns and dumplings, Flamel headed directly to Princess Kimia's office. The princess was at her desk, absorbed in her work.
Knock knock knock~
Flamel knocked and entered the office. "Good morning, Princess."
Kimia looked up with a smile. "Flamel, you're later than usual today."
Flamel placed the steamed buns and dumplings she had purchased on the table. "I promised to treat the princess to breakfast today."
Kimia was surprised. "Are you serious?" She had already eaten breakfast.
"Of course," Flamel replied as she opened the packaging. Instantly, a rich aroma filled the entire office.
"What is this...?" Kimia swallowed instinctively.
"These are called steamed buns and dumplings. So many people were lining up to buy them, I almost couldn't get any," Flamel explained.
"They smell incredible." Kimia leaned closer to inhale the fragrance, immediately forgetting that she had already eaten breakfast. After all, who said breakfast could only be eaten once?
"Princess, call out your Gardevoir to join us. I bought plenty," Flamel suggested as she released her own Pokémon.
Her companion was a Florges, which the royal family had given her after she became the princess's personal secretary.
"Good idea." Kimia nodded, took out a Poké Ball, and released her own Pokémon—a shiny Gardevoir.
"Florges~ Florges~"
"Garde~ Gardevoir~"
The moment the two Pokémon materialized, they were captivated by the overwhelming aroma emanating from the food.
"Come sit and eat with us," Kimia beckoned the two Pokémon to join them, already unable to contain her anticipation.
So the two humans and two Pokémon gathered around the table, each eagerly taking a steamed bun.
Kimia held the soft, elastic bun in her hand, marveling inwardly: What a magical food. Even the softest bread can't compare to this texture.
Taking a bite, the juicy filling combined with cabbage flooded her mouth. With each chew, the fresh, fragrant, and crisp vegetables paired perfectly with the soft, chewy dough, creating a unique flavor profile. The sensation was simply irresistible, captivating her completely!
Huff~ Taking a deep breath, Princess Kimia finally recovered from the intensity of the delicious experience.
Meanwhile, the guards, maids, and officials passing by outside Princess Kimia's office couldn't help but pause.
What is that incredible smell? they wondered, their noses twitching slightly.
At the same time, Prince Raleigh, engrossed in his research in his laboratory, also detected the tempting aroma.
He looked up at Minister Alva, who stood nearby, and asked, "Alva, what is that smell?"
Alva appeared momentarily confused. He sniffed the air lightly, then shook his head firmly. "Prince Raleigh, please don't be distracted. Continue focusing on your research!"
Raleigh hesitated briefly, then pushed back his chair, stood up, walked straight to the door, and exited the laboratory, his curiosity impossible to ignore.