Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 24

“Li Jingying, why are you going through my phone again?!”

Wei Liguo’s expression froze as he quickly snatched his phone away.

“Oh, getting mad now? All those promises the other day were just lies, huh? You men are so pathetic—what you can’t have is precious; what you can have is worthless!” Li Jingying scoffed at Wei Liguo’s apparent irritation, slinging her bag over her shoulder, ready to leave.

“Yingying, Yingying, I’m sorry! I was wrong earlier, my attitude was bad. Listen to me! I just accidentally came across this while browsing locally last night! She only started posting these yesterday. Let me show you!” Wei Liguo panicked, grabbing her arm to stop her from leaving.

“Oh, you remember dates so clearly? Saw it yesterday and followed immediately? Coincidence, huh? I think you’ve been thinking about her!” Li Jingying snapped angrily.

“I’ll unfollow! I’ll do it now! How could I be destined with her when we’re the perfect match! Yingying, I’m genuinely curious. Look, a guy posted the video—she’s hanging with so many men. Why would I care about that?!”

“Hmpf, sweet talk again.”

“Really, Yingying! Think about my position now—hers. Look closely at those videos—she’s mixed up with all kinds of men, causing a scene! And she’s just running a street stall—how could I care about that? She’s nothing compared to you! Everything I said before was true! I’ve forgotten her ages ago! Believe me!”

Holding Li Jingying tightly, Wei Liguo pleaded until her expression softened.

“Last chance—are you telling the truth?”

“Absolutely! Don’t you believe me?!”

After more swearing and promises, Li Jingying rolled her eyes, finally quieting down.

As soon as they parted that evening, Li Jingying called Xiao Zhang, who had tipped her off days earlier.

“Hey, you were right—it’s Zhao Xiaojing. Wei Liguo’s been watching her on Douyin!”

“Which account? Is she streaming now?”

“Pfft, don’t flatter her! She’s running a street stall. Someone else filmed her and posted it—still acting all flirtatious!”

“Oh, jealous much? I told you Wei Liguo isn’t pure-hearted. You should’ve stuck with me!” Xiao Zhang teased casually.

“You’re no prize either. Just letting your dad hit you without payback?”

“What, you got a plan?” Xiao Zhang asked indifferently, grinning like a rogue.

“I’ll fund, you execute.” Li Jingying replied viciously.

“Oh? What’s the deal?”

“Well, don’t you have a…”

…

Another day, and by 3:30 PM, Li Donglai was racking his brain crafting an outing excuse.

Once he submitted his report log, he rushed out.

“Hey, I’m out! Wait downstairs; I’ll be home in three minutes!”

“Okay, three minutes!” His wife grabbed her bag and dashed to the roadside.

Lately, Li Donglai brought skewers home after picking up their child, each time delighting his wife with the flavors.

Initially content eating takeout, she changed plans after seeing another parent post a stall video online.

What kind of skewer stall had customers calling out enthusiastically, with the boss blushing in embarrassment?

Seeing the boss dazedly frying under patrons’ guidance amused her.

While the boss’s social anxiety was interesting enough, witnessing her resolve during the commotion, instantly turning into a resilient figure, was striking.

Who wouldn’t love such contrast and want to see it live?

So she arranged with Li Donglai for the family to join the fun today.

Parking nearby, they headed straight for the alley.

Arriving, they found parents had already secured yesterday’s spot from the potato seller—the boss hadn’t set up yet.

“Are they saving spots for the boss? This skewer stall is something else?” his wife marveled.

“I don’t know! Why so many people?” Li Donglai was stunned too. With such a crowd, the boss didn’t need help claiming spots. But with more people vying for space, would he even get a chance at saucing duties? Didn’t these people work?

Among parents, similar thoughts circulated—why come early for a mere stall?

“Boss! Boss, over here!” someone in the crowd spotted Zhao Xiaojing’s tricycle and shouted.

Riding up, Zhao Xiaojing momentarily forgot to steer.

What’s happening? Why so many people? Why are they so excited?

“Boss, these are recruits I brought you!” A man in floral pants gestured towards others proudly.

“Greet the boss!”

“Boss! Hello!” The group chorused together.

Zhao Xiaojing shivered, nearly veering away.

Help! What do you mean recruits? Won’t the police think I’m running a pyramid scheme? Why are these people so dramatic?!

Phones emerged among the crowd, capturing her startled expression—too funny not to share.

Fighting the urge to flee, Zhao Xiaojing kept her head down, parking swiftly to start setting up.

As soon as she stopped, Floral Pants helped unload the gas tank while his recruits followed suit with the stove. Parents joined in too.

Within a minute, the stall was fully set up—stove lit, oil heating.

Zhao Xiaojing stared wide-eyed at the setup and helpers.

“Boss, two duck legs, five chicken frames.”

“Wh-what chicken frames?” Someone ordered normally, catching Zhao Xiaojing off guard.

“Hahahahaha!”

“Messing around made the boss crash!”

“Sorry, sorry.” Amid laughter, Zhao Xiaojing regained composure, quickly placing skewers in the oil.

Today she prepared only duck legs, chicken frames, and tenders—these always sold out fast, leaving latecomers disappointed.

“Boss, one duck leg, three frames! Paid.”

“I’ll take one duck leg, ten tenders! Payment sent.”

“Sweetheart, five duck legs!”

Orders flooded in. Zhao Xiaojing immersed herself in frying, busy yet less awkward once working.

Except when reaching to sauce skewers, finding trays already empty from eager helpers.

When students arrived, parents dominated the stall—among them their own moms and dads.

“Mommy, did you buy our skewers?”

“No skewers—get in line! Don’t interrupt my business!” Enthusiastic at the sauce station, Trendy Mom didn’t look up.

“Freshly fried duck legs~ Don’t miss out~”

Students hoping to eat immediately eyed their moms, reluctantly joining the line.

Barely two minutes later, uniformed personnel exited vehicles, serious expressions aimed straight for the skewer stall…