"55555, I'm so dumb, really, I thought eating buns would fill me up. I didn't know soup dumplings were different from regular buns. With regular meat buns, four would fill me up, but soup dumplings have a lot of broth. Of course, eating only four didn't fill me up... I'm so dumb, really!"
"Damn! Do you think you're Mrs. Xianglin? Didn't get full? Just get back in line and buy more, what's the point of rambling here?"
"I didn't get enough either. I feel like I can eat another basket! These soup dumplings are so delicious. How can I not eat enough after waiting in line so long? I'm going back to line up!"
"Wait for me, I'm going too!"
"..."
A group of people rushed to the back and lined up again, making the already long queue even longer.
Tongtong stood within the line, watching the scene, not feeling surprised at all.
Wasn't she one of those getting back in line?
These soup dumplings are so good that even Xiaoqi, who usually had no appetite, was tempted. It's worth it!
The worries in her heart were finally resolved, and Tongtong felt grateful towards the restaurant and curious about the owner.
She really wondered what kind of person he could be to make such delicious food.
Being his family, they must be really happy?
...
From eleven in the morning until two in the afternoon, the lively scene gradually calmed down.
Even then, there were still some students at the window who couldn't buy the legendary soup dumplings, each one full of complaints.
It wasn't until Jiang Yu personally came out to explain that the store had run out of ingredients and couldn't make more, promising there would be dumplings at five-thirty in the afternoon, that the students left satisfied.
Only then did the exhausted Jiang Yu and Hu Zhihai finally get to take a breath.
"I really didn't expect the business to be this good!"
Hu Zhihai slumped in a chair, his face full of excitement, he reached out to pat Jiang Yu on the shoulder, hoarsely asking,
"By the way, how much did we sell this noon? I was so busy dealing with those students, I forgot to count!"
All noon, he had been busy maintaining order, selling buns, and handling the cash register, fully playing the role of a qualified "shop assistant," at the expense of a hoarse voice.
But Hu Zhihai didn't care about that; he was happier that Jiang Yu's soup dumplings really sold well.
"I don't know either, I was just busy making buns, how could I remember all that?"
Rushing around, nearly three hours of making soup dumplings, Jiang Yu's arms were sore. Now sitting down, he didn't even want to move a finger.
"Haha, whatever, it's definitely a big hit."
Hu Zhihai chuckled, reached out to pat Jiang Yu's shoulder, and said proudly,
"See? My suggestion back then wasn't wrong, was it? I knew if you opened a store, you'd certainly make money!"
"No wonder, your insight is sharp!"
Jiang Yu joked and then turned to look at Hu Zhihai sincerely, saying,
"Zhihai, thanks a lot this time!"
Honestly, if it weren't for Hu Zhihai helping out this time, even though he had the idea of opening a store, he wouldn't have been able to set it up.
This favor he must appreciate.
"What's the thanks for? Between us bros, is there need for that?"
Hu Zhihai saw Jiang Yu's serious face and felt uncomfortable with the thanks. He twisted around and suddenly laughed,
"But, I helped as your shop assistant all noon. Even if there's no merit, there's hard work. Boss Jiang, you've got to reward me, right?"
"That was my oversight. I thought such a small store, with me alone should be enough, but didn't expect so many people on the first day of business."
At this, Jiang Yu sat upright with some struggle, seeming to think something over, and continued after a moment,
"Zhihai, I might need you to help out for a few more days. Once school starts and things settle down, we can see if we need to hire someone..."
Pausing, he laughed, "Don't worry about working for free. Then I'll pay you a salary, how's that?"
"I'm in my final year and don't have many classes anyway. I'm free even if I just help for a few days. What salary are you talking about?"
With a disdainful look, Hu Zhihai seemed someone not lacking money.
He glanced sideways at Jiang Yu, seriously saying,
"But let me say this upfront, you feed me if I help a day, my meals are huge.
Also, even if you hire someone later and don't need my help, you've got to let me in through the back door. I don't want to queue every day to buy your dumplings, it's so embarrassing!"
Thinking of it, others lining up for buns, and he just walks in and buys, that feeling, ah, delightful!
"Just this?"
Hearing Hu Zhihai's words, Jiang Yu laughed speechlessly. Given their relationship, even if Hu Zhihai didn't help at the store, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Fine, you come, you eat and drink as you please, okay?"
"No way, if I'm working in the store as cashier, that's being an employee, and meals are customary."
Hu Zhihai shook his head repeatedly, seriously said,
"If I can eat and drink for free without helping, then what about the classmates in our class? Those petty ones will definitely talk bad about you behind your back, so I'd rather pay to eat peacefully, and you'll have less trouble."
"..."
Jiang Yu was momentarily stunned. He hadn't thought that far, but Hu Zhihai had, considering even this layer. Certainly, the son of Jiangzhou's richest man, he always thought deeper than others, he said,
"Alright, alright, we'll do as you say, okay?"
"Okay, what?"
With a face full of grievance, Hu Zhihai looked eagerly at Jiang Yu, saying, "I've been busy all noon, haven't eaten yet. What about that promised meal? You can't mistreat your employee, right?"
"I know what kind of person you are! I anticipated this!"
Jiang Yu, speechless, kicked Hu Zhihai slightly, jokingly cursed, "I specifically saved twenty buns, put them in the fridge's fresh layer, you go steam them yourself. I need to rest a bit more!"
"Alright, I'm on it!"
Hu Zhihai stood up joyfully, ran off to steam the buns.
Once the buns were steamed, they filled their stomachs in a hurry, Jiang Yu rushed to the market.
The batch of ingredients bought in the morning had run out after just one noon, he needed to replenish them quickly, or there'd be no buns for dinner.
Hu Zhihai originally wanted to follow and help but was left behind to watch the store by Jiang Yu.
The stall at the university's cafeteria generally didn't close during the day, students could come to eat any time. Even though the bun shop had the "Closed" sign, students would still come by for inquiries, so having someone to watch over the store was better.
When Jiang Yu returned with large bags of ingredients to the cafeteria, the small back kitchen started bustling again...