dognovel Chapter 54 I caught a big spender today
Chapter 54 I caught a big spender today
Xu Liang moved the last steaming hot spicy steamed bun to the center of the iron plate.
The spicy mini steamed buns are stacked layer upon layer, their surface glossy from steaming, with bright red chili powder and emerald green scallions embedded in the folds.
The aroma of wheat mingled with the spicy fragrance of Sichuan and Chongqing, permeating the entire restaurant and irresistibly tempting the taste buds.
Xu Liang pulled over a bench and sat down. He picked up a steamed bun, broke off most of it, and put it in his mouth. The soft dough melted in his mouth.
The numbing aroma of Sichuan peppercorns first spreads on the tip of the tongue, followed by the spicy aroma of chili peppers, creating distinct layers that prevent the food from feeling bland even when eaten plain.
Xu Liang chewed slowly, his eyes full of confidence. With this spicy steamed bun, he was ready.
His small restaurant finally filled the gap in staple food offerings and was no longer just a small eatery that relied on stir-fries to make a living.
In the 1990s, the catering industry in small towns in Sichuan and Chongqing was not very developed. Most restaurants in the town only served lunch and dinner.
The breakfast market early in the morning is full of street vendors carrying bamboo poles and pushing wooden carts, selling nothing more than white steamed buns, thin porridge, and boiled eggs. The flavors are monotonous and the presentation is not good.
The locals are picky eaters and prefer spicy and strong flavors.
I've gotten tired of the bland breakfasts on the street for so long, but no decent restaurant seems willing to get up early and work late to make breakfast, because they find it too troublesome and don't make much money.
Xu Liang wanted this untapped market.
The spicy steamed buns cost only 50 cents each, with a substantial portion and authentic taste. Factory workers, villagers going to the market, and long-distance drivers can fill their stomachs for just 50 cents or a dollar, making them excellent value for money.
He had already planned it out in his mind. He would make a batch tonight to taste it, and then officially start selling it tomorrow morning. If the sales were good, he would gradually add more items, such as Sichuan-style braised pork buns, spicy potstickers, and scallion pancakes, and start making breakfast step by step.
By filling the restaurant's morning lull, you can earn extra income, attract more customers, and unlock more dishes in the system's menu. No matter how you look at it, it's a sure-fire way to make money.
As darkness fell completely, the town had no streetlights, only the incandescent bulbs hanging from the roadside grocery stores, emitting a dim and faint light that made the road surface appear to be in a state of alternating brightness and darkness.
Few pedestrians were on the road; most were neighbors carrying farm tools and riding old-fashioned bicycles home. The footsteps and bicycle bells gradually faded, and the town was about to fall into silence.
Xu Liang glanced at the sky, then got up to prepare to close the door.
I was exhausted from early morning until evening today, searching for yeast, proofing dough, adjusting the seasoning ratios again and again, and precisely controlling the steaming temperature.
Xu Liang just wants to rest early so he can be well-rested for tomorrow's breakfast business.
He had just reached the doorway when he reached out and grabbed the glass door, preparing to pull it down.
Then, a steady and clear sound of footsteps slowly came from the other end of the street.
Xu Liang looked up and was stunned for a moment.
The two men were walking in front. The middle-aged man in front was about forty years old. He was wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit that was pressed very neatly. The fabric was flat and crisp. Xu Liang could tell as soon as he arrived that this was definitely not the kind of coarse cloth clothing that could be bought in a small town.
The diner had a calm demeanor, fair skin, and clean hands, clearly not a local who worked in the fields or did manual labor in a factory year-round.
A young man followed behind, wearing a clean polyester shirt and carrying a black leather briefcase, walking briskly.
He followed behind the middle-aged man the whole time, clearly acting as a follower.
The two of them stood at the street corner, and their clothes and demeanor didn't seem like they were working for a boss.
Xu Liang snapped out of his daze and hurriedly opened the glass door.
With a warm and genuine smile on his face, he stepped forward and greeted them, "Comrades, please come in. What would you like to eat?"
The town is so small, and the regular customers are all familiar faces. This is the first time he has ever seen such a well-dressed and distinguished guest in all the years he has run the restaurant.
The middle-aged man walked into the store and casually glanced around.
The shop wasn't big, but it was spotless. The wooden tables and chairs were polished to a shine, there wasn't a speck of oil on the floor, and there was no unpleasant smell of spoiled food in the air, only the aroma of freshly steamed buns and the lingering fragrance of stir-fried dishes. It was simple yet enticing.
He nodded slightly, his voice deep and resonant, his tone calm and composed, without any haste to discuss the dishes or haggle over the prices. The diner spoke directly.
"Boss, bring out a few of your signature dishes, along with some staple food."
With just that one sentence, Xu Liang immediately understood.
This is no ordinary diner; they might even be a hidden big spender. We've stumbled upon a VIP today!
He dared not delay and quickly led the two to a clean table by the window, introducing them with a smile.
"Comrade, our shop specializes in authentic Sichuan and Chongqing home-style dishes. Our twice-cooked pork and Mapo tofu are all freshly stir-fried, and our freshly steamed spicy flower rolls are unique—we're the only ones in town that make them. You've definitely never tried them before. Would you like to give them a try?"
"Spicy steamed buns?"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's eyes flashed with surprise, clearly indicating that he had never heard of this flavor before.
"Okay, then give me four steamed buns, one serving of twice-cooked pork, one serving of Mapo tofu, and a vegetarian soup. Hurry up."
"Okay! Just a moment, it'll be ready soon!"
Xu Liang responded promptly, turned around and rushed into the kitchen, busily getting to work.
The firewood in the stove was still burning, so he lit a fire to heat it up. The iron pot was heated until it was smoking, and he put in the sliced pork belly with skin on. He stir-fried it over high heat, and the fat sizzled and was slowly rendered out. The slices of meat rolled into lamp shapes, and the aroma filled the air.
Grab a handful of Pixian chili bean paste and stir-fry quickly until the oil turns red. Then add fermented black beans and chopped green garlic shoots. Stir-fry over high heat for a few seconds, and a plate of bright red, fatty but not greasy twice-cooked pork is ready to serve.
Next, prepare the Mapo Tofu. Cut the soft tofu into cubes and blanch it to remove the beany taste. Stir-fry the minced meat until fragrant, then add fermented broad bean paste and Sichuan peppercorn powder to create a spicy and numbing flavor. Add the tofu and simmer over low heat. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch, and a bowl of piping hot, tender, spicy, and flavorful Mapo Tofu is ready to be served.
Finally, stir-fry some seasonal spinach and make a bowl of egg drop soup. Three dishes and a soup, simple yet full of authentic Sichuan flavor.
Xu Liang carried the dishes to the table one by one, and then put four spicy steamed buns that had just been braised and were still warm in a rough porcelain plate in front of the two of them.
"Comrade, please enjoy your meal and see if it suits your taste."
The middle-aged man nodded his thanks, his gaze first falling on the steamed buns.
Unlike the firm and rough white steamed buns in the town, these steamed buns are white and plump, fluffy and soft, with red and green hues showing through the folds, making them look exquisite.
He picked one up, gently broke off a small piece, and put it in his mouth.
With just one bite, the middle-aged man's previously calm eyes instantly lit up.
The dough is soft and chewy, neither sticky nor hard, and the rich aroma of wheat fills the mouth.
Next, the numbing and mellow aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and the mild, spicy flavor of chili peppers infused into the dish.
There's not a trace of the bitterness of Sichuan peppercorns or the pungent taste of chili peppers. Each layer of the noodles is coated with seasonings, and the more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes. It's completely incomparable to the rough noodles sold on the street.
"It tastes good."
The middle-aged man made no attempt to hide his admiration as he looked at Xu Liang.
"These steamed buns are authentically made, with a perfect balance of numbing and spicy flavors. The dough is soft yet chewy, making them even better than the pastries in big restaurants in the city."
The young attendant next to him also took a bite, and his eyes lit up immediately, nodding repeatedly.
"Boss, your cooking is amazing! I've been to so many places, and this is the first time I've ever had spicy steamed buns. It's just the right flavor!"
Xu Liang smiled and waved his hand.
"It's just a simple home-style recipe, using local seasonings. I hope it suits your taste."
The middle-aged man said no more, picked up his chopsticks and ate. The twice-cooked pork was a perfect balance of lean and fatty meat, spicy but not greasy. The Mapo tofu was piping hot and perfect with rice. Paired with spicy steamed buns, he ate with great satisfaction.
He ate with composure and a leisurely pace, clearly someone who had seen the world and was used to fine food, yet he showed a particular fondness for the home-style dishes at this country restaurant, eating two steamed buns and most of the other dishes on the table.
Xu Liang stood to the side, feeling increasingly at ease.
The fact that such a distinguished guest praised it so highly is enough to prove that his skills and the taste of his spicy steamed buns can withstand the test of time. It is no problem that they will become the store's signature dish in the future.
Before long, the two finished their meal. The middle-aged man put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and looked at Xu Liang. "Boss, your dishes and steamed buns are very much to my liking. Next time I come to town, I'll definitely eat at your place again."
"You're welcome anytime, we guarantee we'll have this flavor anytime!" Xu Liang quickly replied.
The young attendant stood up to settle the bill, asking, "Boss, I'd like to settle the bill."
Xu Liang carefully quoted the prices based on the honest prices in the small town.
"Three pieces of twice-cooked pork, two pieces of Mapo tofu, one piece of spinach soup, two pieces of four steamed buns, eight yuan in total."
In an era when an average worker earned only twelve or thirteen yuan a day, eight yuan for a meal was not cheap in a small town.
The young attendant didn't even flinch. He simply pulled out a ten-yuan bill from his wallet and handed it to Xu Liang, his tone crisp and decisive.
"Keep the change, keep the rest as a tip. This tastes good enough."
Xu Liang was taken aback and quickly declined.
"Comrade, no, that won't do. Just take the amount you owe. I can't charge you more."
"Take it."
The middle-aged man waved his hand, his tone carrying an unyielding certainty.
"It's not easy to find such authentic flavors in a small town, it's only right."
After saying that, the middle-aged man got up and walked out. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back to give some instructions.
"Boss, are you still making steamed buns tomorrow morning? We're coming to buy some, and we'll bring a dozen or so."
"I'll make it! I'll make it every day, it'll be ready by six in the morning, you can come anytime!" Xu Liang quickly agreed.
"Okay, I'll be there on time tomorrow."
As soon as they finished speaking, the two disappeared into the night.
Xu Liang stood at the door, clutching the ten yuan in his hand, feeling both surprised and delighted.
The meal cost eight yuan, but the other party gave him two extra yuan. Such generosity is unheard of in this small town; it's definitely the behavior of a distinguished guest.
More importantly, the customer placed an order for breakfast the next day, buying more than a dozen at once, thus securing this wave of repeat customers.
He turned and went back into the shop. Looking at the remaining steamed buns on the table, still fragrant, he felt more confident about tomorrow's business.
After quickly tidying up the dining table and kitchen, and covering the remaining steamed buns with a clean white gauze, Xu Liang began to think about the ingredients for tomorrow.
Today we only made a little over forty. Tomorrow we have to cater to the early risers at the factory, the villagers going to the market, and also reserve a dozen or so for our distinguished guests. If we don't sell enough, we'll not only spoil the fun for the villagers, but also be disrespectful to our distinguished guests.
He carefully planned that he needed to prepare enough dough to make at least eighty steamed buns tomorrow. He also needed to have enough Sichuan peppercorn powder, chili powder, and scallions. Every step had to be done carefully to ensure that the taste and texture of each steamed bun were exactly the same as today's.
Once the breakfast business takes off, he can gradually expand the product range.
By adding spicy meat buns, brown sugar potstickers, and scallion pancakes to their breakfast offerings, the restaurant has become increasingly successful and has firmly established itself in this small town.
Xu Liang finished tidying up, closed the shop door, and put the door panel up. The town fell completely quiet, with only a few barks coming from afar, the night deep in the darkness.
Most importantly, the little dog at his small restaurant was also barking.
At this time, Xu Liang was at home and couldn't see it.
He had already made arrangements before he left, putting all the food and water in the bowl.
After arriving home, Xu Liang lay on the bed, but he couldn't fall asleep at all. Having worked in the kitchen of a hotel in his previous life, he understood all too well the importance of reputation, especially in a small place like this, where word of mouth is the best advertisement.
Tomorrow is the first day that the spicy steamed buns will officially go on sale. We must make sure there are no mistakes and that the taste and appearance are perfect to capture the taste buds of every customer.
Especially that mysterious distinguished guest, who clearly has a high status. If we can keep him here, he might bring more unexpected customers to our shop.
In this age of limited information, a compliment from a respected person is more effective than any form of advertising.
Xu Liang took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and slowly closed his eyes to rest, waiting for dawn to start his breakfast business at his small shop.
As dawn broke and the sky began to lighten, the sound of wake-up bells from the distant factory shattered the morning's tranquility, instantly bringing the town to life.
Workers riding old-fashioned bicycles, farmers carrying vegetable baskets, and villagers rushing to the market walked past the street corner in an endless stream, and the noise gradually rose.
Xu Liang got up before dawn, quickly washed up, and went straight into the kitchen.
The dough, which had been proofed in advance, was in perfect condition. The cutting board, jujube wood rolling pin, and wooden steamer were all laid out properly, with rapeseed oil, Sichuan peppercorn powder, chili powder, and scallions lined up in a row.
Without the slightest delay, he kneaded the dough, rolled it out, brushed on oil, sprinkled on the filling, rolled it up, and shaped it.
The movements were smooth and fluid, demonstrating exceptional finger dexterity.
In just over half an hour, neatly arranged, exquisitely shaped spicy steamed buns filled the cutting board, and the subtle aroma of spiciness had already quietly spread and drifted into the street.
"Boss, what are you making? It smells so good, spicy and numbing!"
"Is it noodles? It smells amazing! When will it be ready? Save me a couple!"
Several passing workers and villagers smelled the aroma and immediately stopped at the shop entrance, peering inside with curiosity on their faces.
Spicy steamed buns were a first for the town, and their unique aroma instantly whetted everyone's appetite.
As Xu Liang placed the raw flower rolls on the steamer, he responded with a smile.
"Sichuan and Chongqing spicy steamed buns, 50 cents each, steamed right away, all you can eat!"
As he spoke, he arranged all the raw dough pieces, covered the pot, brought it to a boil over high heat, then turned it to medium heat to steam slowly, strictly controlling the heat.
Before long, steam billowed from the pot, and the rich aroma of wheat mixed with the numbing and spicy fragrance burst forth, wafting throughout the entire street. More and more passersby were attracted by the aroma and gathered at the shop entrance to wait.
Xu Liang looked at the bustling entrance and a smile appeared on his lips. It seemed that this spicy steamed bun was destined to be an instant hit.
Just then, two familiar figures appeared right on time at the restaurant entrance.
It was yesterday's middle-aged man and his young attendant.
Xu Liang looked up and was overjoyed. He quickly went to greet them.
This big spender is really on time today; his first big sale of spicy steamed buns is in the bag!