Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 10

Soon enough, the school bell rang.

“Wang Yiwen, let’s stand in the second row!” The chubby boy enthusiastically urged his desk mate, positioning themselves behind the class leader holding the sign.

“When we get outside, we’ll run straight there, follow me!”

“Okay! Run fast!”

They exchanged determined nods.

Several groups of elementary students prepared to bolt out as well.

“What’s up with the kids today? So excited right after school.”

“Kids these days are so full of energy, running so quickly.”

Unaware parents remarked with puzzling satisfaction.

“Sis, sis, I want fried bananas and rice cakes!”

“Sis, sis, sis, I want three squid skewers and everything else one each!”

“Sis,over here! I want lotus root, eggplant, potatoes, red meat, and that white one!”

“Sis, I was here first! I want a chicken leg!”

“Boss, I ate here yesterday. I’m the first here; I want five chicken tenders!”

“Pretty lady, I want…”

Zhao Xiaojing was a bit baffled. While packing skewers for the last customer, she saw students sprinting towards her as if in a hundred-meter dash. She wondered what was happening but soon realized they were all rushing to her stall for skewers.

This was madness!

She couldn’t tell who arrived first amidst the shouting children. What should she do?

“Hey, hey, hey! Line up, kids! If you line up, I can fry your skewers faster, right? Whoever lines up first gets served first!” Li Zhi shouted, gesturing to an open space. The students quickly formed a line, behaving obediently.

“Thank you so much! Boss,” Zhao Xiaojing gratefully thanked Li Zhi.

Li Zhi waved it off casually and returned to her congee stall.

Having been a vendor here for years, Li Zhi had seen many batches of parents and students, developing a thick skin. Organizing a line of students was a piece of cake.

Once the students lined up, skewer sales ran smoother than yesterday, increasing efficiency.

A large pot could fry several students’ orders simultaneously as long as attention was paid to oil temperature and frying times.

Yesterday’s mom finally navigated through the student crowd, parked her bike, and hurried over.

After being treated to fried bananas by her daughter yesterday and savoring other packed skewers at home, she agreed with her husband to dine out together today—no cooking at home.

Arriving at the alley, she found the bustling skewer stand with dozens of students neatly lined up, eyes fixed on the stall. Several had already bought skewers and stood happily munching nearby.

Her husband and daughter were second in line.

“Jiajia! Still waiting? Didn’t Old Li say he’d pick you up early?”

“Mom!” Her daughter rushed into her arms, hugging tightly.

“Oh my little darling!”

“You wouldn’t believe how crowded it was here! They were packed like sardines! I couldn’t squeeze in with the kids, so I waited until they lined up.”

Her husband hastily explained.

“Mom, we’ve ordered one of every skewer!”

“Already ordered? Well, add ten chicken tenders and ten pigeon gizzards for me!”

“Boss, add ten chicken tenders and ten pigeon gizzards to our order!”

“Alright!”

After placing their order, the family of three focused intently on the skewers sizzling in Zhao Xiaojing’s oil pot.

It took four takeaway boxes to pack all of their skewers.

“Smells amazing!” The father was captivated by the crispy, sauce-glazed skewers, unable to resist sniffing them as he received the package.

“Mom, they didn’t have this yesterday—try it!” His daughter excitedly grabbed two chicken gizzard skewers, one for herself and one for her mom.

Despite waiting long, “infamous double-standard” little cotton-padded jacket showed no intention of sharing with him. Sighing wistfully, he quietly snagged a chicken gizzard skewer for himself.

“Mmm~ This flavor is fantastic!” The mother praised instinctively as she chewed, examining the chicken gizzard skewer closely.

The gizzards were firm, offering a chewy texture while crisp and aromatic, with each bite bursting with flavor. Scored surface cuts appeared marinated for maximum taste.

Yet, somehow, the marinade balanced perfectly without overpowering the gizzard’s natural flavor. It lacked any strong seasoning taste, making the meat even more delicious.

Moreover, there was no trace of offal odor—she loved it.

Such skill could open a shop!

The mother indulged heartily in the variety of sauce-soaked skewers before her, forgetting any diet or fitness resolutions.

Skewers aren’t bad in moderation; breakfast, lunch, and dinner—they’re just perfect~

“Sis, did you save my pork belly and potatoes?”

At five-thirty, just after packaging the last skewer order, Li Zhi eagerly inquired.

Thanks to the skewer stall’s popularity, her congee business thrived today—most pots were empty. A brief stint at the night market would suffice for the evening.

Her stall was packed up, ready to ride to the night market afterward. She sat waiting next door for her skewers.

“Saved them! Just out of the pot—spicy or non-spicy?”

“Already fried? Fantastic! Spicy!” Li Zhi beamed.

Hearing her request, Zhao Xiaojing generously brushed spicy sauce over a plateful of assorted skewers.

Thanks to Li Zhi’s help organizing lines, skewer efficiency was high today. Despite having more skewers than yesterday, they sold out around the same time.

Li Zhi had already paid for her ten skewers. Zhao Xiaojing added an extra skewer of each type for her—fried and packaged as a gift.

“Wow! Why so many?” Li Zhi exclaimed upon seeing the packed boxes of skewers, surprised yet delighted.

Upon learning they were a gift from Zhao Xiaojing, Li Zhi insisted on paying. After some back-and-forth, Zhao Xiaojing refused the money, and Li Zhi gifted her a large bowl of congee instead.

Another day of selling out within an hour left Zhao Xiaojing feeling relieved once more.

Happily packing up, she rode home, parked the tricycle downstairs, and carried her food box bags upstairs, humming a tune.

Just as she soaked the boxes for cleaning, her phone rang.

Caller: Third Aunt.