4:40 PM.
A cloud of rich, fragrant white steam rose and dispersed from the pot with Huang Tao's skillful movements.
It spread throughout the restaurant.
It was so enticing!
Yang Zhi, who was eagerly waiting for a bite, swallowed nervously: "Boss Huang, I was the first to arrive at the store. Could you please serve me first? I have a shift to catch! Give me 20 beef dumplings to go, and 4 bowls of century egg and lean pork congee, to take away."
"Boss, my son and daughter-in-law will be off work soon and coming home. They didn't eat enough this morning, so they specifically asked me to buy more this afternoon. Could you quickly pack 25 pork dumplings and add two bowls of century egg and lean pork congee, so they can try it fresh."
"Boss, I want 5 pork dumplings, 5 beef dumplings, and one bowl of century egg and lean pork congee to go. I've already transferred the money to your account."
Huang Tao quickly remembered and efficiently packed the dumplings and served the congee.
Very soon.
The earliest wave of customers all got their desired meals and left the store.
Only a few customers stayed to dine in the restaurant.
Not long after.
It was Jiangling and the other parents' turn; they all bought four or five dumplings, ready to taste them with their children.
"Qianqian, hold this."
After taking out one dumpling from the bag, Jiangling gave the remaining four dumplings to his daughter.
Seeing the size of the dumplings, he devoured one in a single bite.
The moment he bit into the dumpling, he clearly heard a very sharp crunch.
Oh my!
This is what you call crispy.
This is crispiness!
Crispiness that crumbles!
Wow~
The sensation when eating it was truly marvelous.
After the extreme crispiness, the full-bodied broth burst into his mouth.
So rich and flavorful!
Oh! My heavens!
There's even broth inside the dumpling! Broth! Warm, abundant broth~
"Ah, hoo hoo hoo, so hot, so hot!"
Jiangling hadn't expected such an amount of juice inside a little dumpling.
He got caught off guard… and was scalded by the hot broth.
Instinctively, he opened his mouth wide and exhaled to alleviate the burning sensation.
Even though he got burned, he was reluctant to spit the dumpling out.
Such a delicious dumpling, he felt shortchanged by missing even one bite, how could he bear to spit it out!
"Ha~ Ha~"
Jiangling breathed out as he chewed the dumpling.
Once swallowed, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Phew…
This dumpling, truly delicious!
He smacked his lips, yearning for more!
His gaze drifted downward, looking at the dumplings in the bag in his daughter's hands.
Oh no!
Daddy is craving Qianqian's dumplings!
Qianqian quickly clutched them to her chest, declaring her ownership: "You already ate one, these are mine!"
Jiangling: (￣▽￣")
He noticed Xuanxuan not far away, eating her dumplings while considering her father. She thoughtfully held a cup of water, brought it to Huang Tao, and asked if he was tired.
Then he looked at his own daughter, who wasn't willing to share a single dumpling with him.
Ah!
Both are daughters, but why is the difference so big?
When there's time, he should ask Huang Tao for tips on how to raise a daughter to be so sweet, sensible, and filial!
Fine!
Now, to line up and buy again!
He advised: "Qianqian, stand here, don't move. I'll go buy more dumplings."
Quite a few parents, like him, went back in line, all captivated by Huang Tao's dumplings.
The delicious dumplings even motivated them to try the century egg and lean pork congee, to bring some home for their families to taste.
Thus, boosting sales and return customer numbers.
...
Ye Wen and Xu Weiwei hurried over after work.
One had been drawn by the tempting aroma of the dumplings all morning, itching to try them, feeling incomplete without a taste.
The other felt the same, lured by the legendary dumplings, eager to try them sooner.
The main reason was that they had agreed with Huang Tao to have them after work.
They couldn't break their promise!
Before reaching the door, they saw Huang Tao's shop bustling with people.
"Wow, so many people!"
"Yes! I didn't expect Mr. Xuan's business to be this good!"
When the two teachers entered the shop, they saw many of the students from their class and their parents.
They smiled and greeted them.
"Teacher Ye, Teacher Xu, you're here…"
Xuanxuan waved to them, then called to Huang Tao: "Daddy, Daddy, the teachers are here…"
"Okay, Daddy knows."
Huang Tao brought out two bags that were packed in advance with dumplings and congee.
Each bag contained 10 dumplings and a bowl of century egg and lean pork congee.
Teacher Ye warmly greeted him: "Boss Huang..."
She used that title because she felt calling him Xuanxuan's daddy in the store seemed a little awkward, so she followed the other customers.
"Teachers, you can call me Huang Tao or Xuanxuan's daddy," Huang Tao said with a smile, handing the bags to the two teachers.
Xu Weiwei pulled out her phone: "Xuanxuan's daddy, how much in total? I'll scan and pay you."
"No need, it's on me."
"No way, if you don't charge us, we won't come back." Ye Wen quickly refused.
"Just for today, it's on me. Next time, I'll charge you."
Ye Wen and Xu Weiwei insisted on paying.
But Huang Tao firmly declined.
They had no choice but to accept.
"Well… alright, thank you!"
"Xuanxuan's daddy, thank you, we'll head off now!"
After expressing their thanks, the two waved goodbye to Xuanxuan: "Xuanxuan, Teacher Ye and Teacher Xu are leaving…"
"Goodbye, Teacher Ye, goodbye, Teacher Xu…" Xuanxuan responded politely, waving back
After seeing the two teachers off, Huang Tao went back to the kitchen to continue his work.
The dumplings were fried pot after pot, swiftly.
Returning customers arrived in waves.
And of course, there were old customers bringing new ones.
Like Lin Jiahui, who brought Ling and her group over.
While Lin Jiahui was in line, Su Lulu inconspicuously checked the place's cleanliness, running her fingertip along the table edge. Seeing her clean fingertip, she felt assured.
"This place looks pretty clean, no dust on the table, and no greasy odor either."
"Indeed, it's even cleaner than the sushi place we went to at noon!"
Du Xinyan and Ling, who was slightly cleanliness-obsessed, noticed this too.
They were quite satisfied with the environment in Huang Tao's shop.
The only dissatisfaction was the slightly longer queue.
"Boss, I want 8 beef dumplings, 8 pork dumplings, and 4 bowls of century egg and lean pork congee."
After a while, it was finally Lin Jiahui's turn; she smiled as she ordered.
Huang Tao immediately recognized her.
She almost forgot to pay at noon while lost in thought.
"Okay, to pack or eat here?"
"We'll eat here."
"Okay!"
Seeing she ordered quite a bit, Huang Tao helped carry it over for her.
Su Lulu and Du Xinyan couldn't help but glance a few more times in his direction.
Du Xinyan winked at Su Lulu: Lu Lu, did you see, the boss is quite handsome~
Su Lulu chuckled lightly: I'm not blind, I can see.
"You guys eat, I'll go get us some drinks."
Lin Jiahui went to the nearby cooler and grabbed 4 bottles of soda.
After scanning and paying, she returned to her seat.
As soon as she got back, she noticed Ling and Su Lulu and the others were all focused on their dumplings and congee.
And thoroughly enjoying themselves!