Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 19

“Boss, your spot got taken! We argued with them, but they said it’s first come, first serve—it’s not your spot!”

“That corner was empty before you came. This person’s just envious!”

“Exactly, some people can’t stand seeing others do well and even fight over a corner!”

Zhao Xiaojing was caught off guard. That spot wasn’t particularly good; on her first day, unfamiliar with the area, she chose the shaded corner to avoid taking someone else’s regular spot. She never expected competition for it.

“No worries, boss. We found an open spot for you—not ideal, but it’s shaded too! Check if it works.”

The short-haired woman from yesterday, hooked on helping with the stall, waved Zhao Xiaojing along.

Passing her previous spot, Zhao Xiaojing noticed another skewer vendor there—not one of the original three stalls. A closer look revealed it was yesterday’s baked potato seller!

Zhao Xiaojing instinctively glanced back. Yesterday’s skewer stall owner was still at the gate, occupying two spots, rolling her eyes at Zhao Xiaojing. Seeing her turn, she quickly looked away, like she’d seen a ghost.

Seems guilty—was she behind yesterday’s disruption?

“Girl, don’t bother with some folks. Blame yourself for doing well while hogging the corner, forcing others to switch from selling baked potatoes to crowding at the corner! Don’t put others in a bind!”

Seeing Zhao Xiaojing pass, congee seller Li Zhi loudly joked.

Knowing she was in the wrong, the baked potato seller glared at Li Zhi without retorting, while Li Zhi rolled her eyes dramatically.

Zhao Xiaojing took it in stride. The spot-stealing was minor mischief compared to yesterday’s real trouble—just moving locations, no big deal.

“Sister Li, join me after closing; I’ll treat you to duck legs.” Zhao Xiaojing smiled, genuinely grateful.

“No worries, Boss Li. We won’t buy burnt potatoes or be fooled by burnt skewers~” A parent following the tricycle chimed in supportively.

“Indeed, blame our great skewer sales—not because they’re tasty, but because that corner has good feng shui! Take that spot, and people will queue for fried slippers!”

“Wow, are fried slippers tasty? Sounds better than baked potatoes!”

Parents, seemingly ignited, joined the banter, leaving the baked potato seller fuming green.

Following the energetic woman down the street’s end, they found a spot with trees and walls offering shade.

“Set up here. We’ll guide students. We’ve arranged for some parents to handle skewer orders.”

“Yeah! We’ll guide them. No way those baked potatoes get business today.”

Parents were indignant as if managing their own stall. Zhao Xiaojing felt touched again.

“By the way, today we only have chicken legs, duck legs, frames, and tenderloin. Thanks to everyone for yesterday, all skewers are discounted: tenders 2 yuan, duck/chicken legs 8 yuan, frames 4 yuan.”

After setting up, Zhao Xiaojing announced the promotion.

“This… can you profit from that? You use fresh ingredients daily—there must be costs.”

“Boss, we didn’t help much yesterday; you dared call the police because you knew your ingredients were good. Other stalls faced trouble but weren’t confident enough to report.”

“Right! Exactly!”

“Supporting you means ensuring quality for our kids. If they push you out, who’ll sell quality food?”

“Yes, boss, after yesterday, we trust your ingredients more. No need for discounts—that pricing isn’t profitable!”

Parents heard about the promotion, concerned Zhao Xiaojing wouldn’t profit, each offering advice.

Only when Zhao Xiaojing insisted, explaining compensation supported the discount for one day, did parents relent.

Once the school bell rang, parents sprang into action.

The first wave of students entered, confused. Used to spotting glass cases for direction, today they saw multiple cases. Reaching the usual spot, they found a different vendor.

Some students followed Li Zhi’s directions, but she had her own business; during congee sales, some ended at the baked potato seller’s skewer stall.

“Boss, a duck leg, tenderloin, frame!” The bespectacled student was thrilled to snag a prime spot without queuing.

“20—tomato or chili?” The baked potato seller lowered items into oil.

“Hmm, there’s tomato? New flavor?” Oblivious, the student asked excitedly.

“Yes, just for you guys!”

“Tomato then!” The student happily paid.

Curly-haired woman assigned to guide students came from Zhao Xiaojing’s stall. Approaching the congee area, she saw the student waiting at the wrong stall, too late to stop him.

She signaled confused students behind him.

“Where’s Skewer Sis? This doesn’t seem like her stall.”

“Skewer Sis is ahead! Keep going.” Seeing a student speak up, Curly-hair eagerly pointed forward, speaking loudly.

The bespectacled student finally realized something was off. No glass case? So many skewer varieties? Not the nice lady boss? Something’s wrong…

Turning around, classmates were already running ahead.

“This isn’t Skewer Sis’s stall?” The student lamented.

“It’s the same! Mine’s tastier!” The baked potato seller forced a smile.

Curly-hair, seeing his audacity, grabbed a cardboard from Li Zhi, borrowed a pen from students, wrote “Skewer Sis 50m Ahead,” and stood before the stall with it.

Students ran past, saw the sign, glanced at the vendor, then sprinted forward.

“What do you mean by this!” The baked potato seller yelled furiously.

Nearby guiding parents rushed over, standing by Curly-hair with her sign.

“Why, Potato Seller—is this road yours?” A tattooed man smoking intervened.

“…”

Intimidated, the baked potato seller returned silently to his seat.

The tattooed man took Curly-hair’s place with the sign.

Curly-hair grinned at the baked potato seller’s glaring eyes before happily resuming guiding kids at the alley entrance.

Seeing the cooperative parents left the baked potato seller breathing heavily in anger.