Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 20

Today, Zhao Xiaojing’s skewer stall continued to be an immersive experience for customers, who enthusiastically volunteered as free labor.

Luckily, these patrons were buying food for their children and were mindful of hygiene. Under Zhao Xiaojing’s guidance, they all wore disposable gloves and applied sauces quite well.

Even when a couple of them were less skilled, the group surrounded them with advice—red bottle for spicy sauce, green for non-spicy, the end one for duck legs. They even had designated representatives summarizing instructions.

With parental guidance, students quickly found the new spot, and business boomed as usual.

To the right of the stall, eager students craned their necks waiting for skewers in the pot. To the left, a mix of adults and kids enjoyed their snacks with gusto.

Passersby, stumbling upon the scene, were full of questions.

A skewer stall causing such a stir?

Could it really be that good? Skeptical, he decided to queue and find out himself.

Though the line was long, his turn came within twenty minutes.

He’d already planned to order one of those tantalizing duck legs everyone seemed to be enjoying. Brightly glazed with sauce, they looked irresistible.

“How much for the duck legs, boss?”

“Today’s promotion—duck legs and chicken legs are 8 yuan, frames 4 yuan, tenders 2 yuan!”

“Sorry, duck legs are sold out. Only chicken frames and legs left.”

Two voices answered him at once.

“What?! Sold out? Ahh, my duck leg! I missed it because I was queuing!”

A parent engrossed in helping at the stall realized too late they hadn’t bought skewers and panicked. The passerby looked on in bewilderment.

“Sorry, no more duck legs. Want anything else?” Zhao Xiaojing asked, glancing apologetically at the distraught parent before turning to the passerby.

“Oh, sure! I’ll have two chicken frames and two tenders then.”

“Alright, that’s 12 yuan.”

While waiting for his skewers, another parent stepped in, donning gloves to take over saucing from the disappointed patron, who slinked to the back of the line.

“Boss lady, are you all running this stall together?” the passerby scratched his head, confused.

“No, just me. They’re all customers.” Zhao Xiaojing, flustered by being called “boss lady,” struggled to explain as parents laughed around her.

“We’re just customers. There’s so many of us eating that we help ourselves to sauce.”

“It’s become our DIY buffet stall.”

“Really? Can I sauce too?” the passerby eagerly asked.

“You’ll have to wait—they’re really into it now!”

“Skewers ready—spicy or not?” A parent called out familiarly.

“Spicy, please.”

The passerby joined the left-side crowd to devour his chicken frame.

Though missing out on duck legs, the chicken frame was impressive—a hearty portion for just 4 yuan.

Happily, he picked a meaty spot for his first bite.

Wow, it was packed with flavor! Who knew it could taste this good? He retracted his previous comment about value—it was delicious beyond its portion size! He could easily eat ten!

The crispy skin gave way to tender meat reminiscent of childhood flavors—classic comfort food!

The sauce was masterfully mixed, with hints of mysterious spices reminiscent of family recipes, adding a fragrant, spicy kick.

Especially around the ribs—thin, crispy, intensely flavorful even to the bone—absolutely delightful!

Chicken tenders were exceptional too! Crunchy outside, juicy inside—the perfect harmony of crispness and tenderness.

The spicy sauce elevated the tender flavor without overpowering it, igniting his taste buds and enhancing the skewer’s aroma.

Starry-eyed, the passerby regarded Zhao Xiaojing. Beijing and Tsinghua had their own culinary legends; she was becoming their city’s beloved Chicken Frame Auntie!

Meeting his gaze, Zhao Xiaojing quickly turned away, baffled by her customers’ eccentric enthusiasm.

“No more lining up, kids—it’s all gone!”

Seeing the glass cabinet almost empty, Zhao Xiaojing addressed the line of students.

“No more lining up, kids—it’s all gone!!”

The saucing parent repeated loudly when no one moved, knowing Zhao Xiaojing’s gentle voice didn’t reach them. Finally, students began dispersing.

Some approached to confirm, complaining they always missed out because older kids finished school later. They pleaded for reserved skewers next time before leaving reluctantly.

“All gone? That’s it?”

The saucing parent playfully chided Zhao Xiaojing.

“Make more! I spend hours pretending to run stalls online—finally doing it live, and it’s over?”

“Boss, lacking motivation affects your earnings!”

“Be punctual tomorrow! Don’t be late.”

Amused by their antics yet bewildered by her quirky patrons, Zhao Xiaojing couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“That’s right, Boss! Smile more, be lively—better yet, be as fierce as yesterday—we like it!”

Parents playfully joked again. Without lingering further, Zhao Xiaojing packed swiftly, delivering reserved skewers to Li Zhi’s stall before fleeing as Li Zhi tried to pay via QR code.

Back home, checking the system page showed task progress at 2519/3500 with 706 skewers sold today. Adding up the balance reached 3,594 yuan!

Despite discounts reducing profit compared to yesterday, she now held over 5,600 yuan!

However, solving the issue of later students missing out remained.

Threading more skewers was feasible with ample prep time now. But hot weather meant limited fridge space.

Buying a fridge wasn’t an option financially.

“System, you had an ice maker—do you have a fridge?”

Zhao Xiaojing ventured to ask.

[A fridge can be provided, but it comes at a cost.]

“What cost?”

[A specific reward task for a fridge is available. It’s simple but requires mental preparation.]

“I’ll take it!”

Unaware of what lay ahead, Zhao Xiaojing eagerly accepted.

However…