Cooking System: Street Food Rules

*Task completed, reward received: Enhanced wrist strength.*

*The host's wrist strength has been enhanced.*

Jiang Feng had just received the system's weekly task.

Enhanced wrist strength sounded pretty good. He sometimes had to cook many dishes, and tossing a wok could be quite tiring. With increased wrist strength, the stamina he expended when tossing a wok would be reduced.

By now, netizens knew that Jiang Feng had come to Guangzhou and guessed he was planning to establish a Cantonese Cuisine Restaurant. He would also set up a stall to cook some local delicacies. Consequently, many people began to seek out Jiang Feng's whereabouts. This no longer surprised him, as it's just what happens when one becomes famous.

Jiang Feng still maintained a low profile. Traffic rules the era? He really didn't need it.

The following period was his time to rest. Jiang Feng strolled around Guangzhou, occasionally tasting the local cuisine. Sometimes, when Jiang Feng dined at a restaurant, many people recognized him. Some even asked to take a photo with him, and Jiang Feng would always respond with a smile.

That noon, Jiang Feng went to a small shop to try pig trotter with thick noodles, and he also ordered a serving of Cantonese dessert soup.

He had just sat down when someone across several tables waved and greeted him, "Boss Jiang, Boss Jiang, is that really you?"

"Guangzhou welcomes you!"

Jiang Feng replied with a smile, "Thank you."

As the two conversed, other customers also turned to look at Jiang Feng. Everyone respected personal space. They just took out their phones and discreetly took pictures without approaching to disturb him.

Jiang Feng possessed an ease that other celebrities or internet stars lacked. He was somewhat like stars from Hong Kong, who never considered themselves celebrities but just ordinary people. Jiang Feng also saw himself that way. He would go to a roadside eatery if he wished, politely respond to greetings, and didn't mind others taking his photo with their phones, as it was all inconsequential to him.

The pig trotter with thick noodles tasted quite good; the trotter was stewed very deliciously. After just a couple of bites, Jiang Feng already had the main method for preparing this dish in his mind; he could even recreate it almost perfectly. Of course, to achieve perfection, he would need to experiment a few more times with the seasoning proportions.

He ate leisurely. After finishing, he wiped his mouth and casually departed.

At that moment, someone asked, "Boss Jiang, when will you set up your stall? I want to try your cooking."

Jiang Feng replied courteously, "I should start in a few days. Come by then."

He had absolutely no airs about him and was a very affable person.

However, what followed was beyond Jiang Feng's expectations.

The weather in Guangzhou could change unpredictably. It had been clear skies, but a powerful typhoon made landfall, meaning there would be rain for a week. And it wasn't just any rain; it would be a torrential downpour, soon becoming a scene of flashing lightning and crashing thunder.

The city's meteorological station had already issued a warning, advising residents it was best to stay home during this period. Even the schools had closed. At a time like this, students might be happy, but workers would likely have a harder time.

Jiang Feng, however, wasn't too concerned. Being able to stay home suited him fine. He could keep company with his cat and dog, play games, and the week would pass by. After all, he couldn't set up his stall in such weather. When a typhoon was approaching, it was best to rest at home.

The typhoon arrived with astonishing speed. After just a day, the skies over Guangzhou darkened. Then came flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder, and ferocious winds. A massive black tornado swept through the city—a scene reminiscent of the apocalypse. The meteorological station's warning had escalated from yellow to orange, and they didn't rule out the possibility of it reaching a red alert.

The streets were almost empty. Everyone waited at home for the disaster to pass, some praying silently that no serious problems would arise.

Jiang Feng was at home with his cat and dog. His little black cat lay by the window, looking through the glass at the torrential rain outside, while Little Black (his dog) slept soundly in its bed in the living room.

Jiang Feng looked outside, his mind occupied with a few thoughts.

My car is in the underground garage; it shouldn't get flooded.

The food truck is in a rented storefront; it might get flooded if the rain is too heavy.

It's my first time experiencing a typhoon; I never thought it could be this extreme.

I hope nothing goes wrong.

He also checked in with Sun Zhuangfei, who reported no problems at his location.

The storm intensified by the minute. The sky was dark, as if someone were undergoing a celestial tribulation.

Jiang Feng kept up with the news online, encountering many concerning reports. Some areas were beginning to report casualties. A low-lying town was even submerged by floodwaters, with firefighters and armed police already underway with rescue efforts. But the storm continued to rage, making rescue work exceptionally difficult.

That afternoon, Jiang Feng watched a video on his phone. In the video, a group of fully equipped firefighters and armed police struggled forward through the pouring rain to rescue people trapped in the small town. The water was nearly waist-high. A journalist in a raincoat, holding a microphone, reported on the rescue efforts amid the downpour.

Jiang Feng recognized the journalist. It was Guo Li, whom he had met in Chengdu. Guo Li had said she wanted to cover major domestic events and deliver compelling live reports, showing audiences the reality of such scenes. Therefore, she had resigned from her job at Chengdu City News and gone to work for a large newspaper in Pudong. Unexpectedly, she was now in Guangzhou.

"Next, I will follow the armed police officers into the disaster area to see if there are still people affected."

"I hope everyone will continue to follow our coverage."

"This is reporter Guo Li."

With Guo Li's words, the video segment ended.

Jiang Feng felt quite emotional seeing an acquaintance. Guo Li was a determined person, willing to work hard for her ambitions. On the other hand, seeing the situation in the disaster area, Jiang Feng hoped the people there would suffer less.

「Just like that, another day passed.」

The typhoon in Guangzhou gradually subsided, and the storm slowly abated. Citizens were emerging and beginning to move around the urban area. The whole city looked as if it had been tossed in a giant washing machine—clean yet chaotic. Signs of the storm's passage were everywhere. There were broken branches, trash cans blown away by the strong wind, and dislodged market signs and sun umbrellas, among other debris.

Jiang Feng took Little Black out for a walk. Then, he took the opportunity to check on the small shop he had rented. This small shop, not open to the public, served both to park the food truck and as a place to cook. He did this in every city he visited. The shop was in good condition; the water levels hadn't risen too high. The city's drainage system had withstood the storm's test.

Confirming that his property was undamaged and he hadn't suffered any losses from the disaster, Jiang Feng felt relieved. Then, he continued to monitor the situation in the disaster area.

From Guo Li's reports, it was evident that the armed police officers in the rescue efforts had been working tirelessly for two days and nights. They were exhausted but still persisted on the front lines. At the same time, many warm-hearted citizens also went to the disaster area to help with rescue efforts. "When one side is in trouble, all sides offer support"—people were still very willing to help with such matters.

Jiang Feng made a decision and phoned Sun Zhuangfei.

Sun Zhuangfei answered the phone and immediately responded, "Boss, I'm still alive."

Jiang Feng said, "Are you busy right now? If not, hurry to the shop. On the way, buy some fresh pork. Go to the mall, get the good quality kind, and buy plenty."

"Okay, Boss, no problem. Are we going to set up the stall?" Sun Zhuangfei guessed. After all, the storm had just ended and the weather was improving, making it a good opportunity to reopen for business.

Jiang Feng explained his thoughts to Sun Zhuangfei. "We're not setting up the stall; we're supporting the disaster area.

"There's a saying, 'Specialization is essential in every endeavor.' I can't help with the rescue; professional matters should be left to the armed police and firefighters. But I'm good at logistics.

"I plan to make a lot of buns and hot porridge to send to the affected people and the rescue officers.

"We still have plenty of time.

"I've checked; we have plenty of rice and flour, and enough seasonings, but we're out of fresh meat.

"I'll start preparing the dough now. You go buy the meat, and we'll meet at the shop later.

"Let's try to deliver it to them by six o'clock this afternoon."

For Jiang Feng, while he couldn't help everyone in the world, he was willing to perform acts of kindness within his ability, especially if they involved no personal risk. Indeed, many people are willing to do good deeds. Unfortunately, doing good often comes at a price nowadays; helping the elderly or calling an ambulance or the police for someone can interfere with one's own tasks, making people less willing. Jiang Feng felt the same way.

However, during natural disasters like this, many people needed help. Whether it was sending food to the affected people or to the officers working through the night, Jiang Feng was happy to do it. As a chef, he naturally wanted those in need to taste good food.

Sun Zhuangfei hadn't expected Jiang Feng to have such an idea and was particularly moved.

"Alright, Boss, no problem! I'll go get ready now," Sun Zhuangfei said. He quickly gathered himself and hastily left for the mall to purchase supplies.

Jiang Feng also got busy in the shop. He had made a great many delicious dishes and knew what was most suitable for this situation. If many people were eating in a basic environment, the best foods were items like buns or savory pancakes.

Jiang Feng decided to make buns. He had once set up a stall selling buns and was very familiar with preparing various kinds. These included sauce meat buns, pork and green onion buns, beef buns, Orleans-style chicken buns, and the char siu buns that were very popular in Guangzhou.

Jiang Feng planned to focus on three types: sauce meat buns, pork and green onion buns, and char siu buns.

He would also cook a large pot of corn and pumpkin porridge. Jiang Feng asked Sun Zhuangfei to also buy some disposable cups, similar to those used for milk tea at Mixue Ice CIty. The shop had a sealing machine. Later, the pumpkin porridge would be poured into the cups, sealed, and served with a straw. This would make it convenient to drink.

This act of cooking was purely out of Jiang Feng's goodwill. He had seen how hard the rescue officers were working and simply wanted to make some delicious food to comfort them.

While he was busy preparing, the system's voice suddenly rang out.

*Temporary mission activated: Post-rain Rescue.*

*Prepare 500 portions of food for people in need, allowing them to feel satisfaction.*

*Mission reward: White Jade Pendant – Heart of the Culinary God.*

Hearing this, Jiang Feng was slightly taken aback.

A temporary mission?

He was doing this purely out of his own volition; being able to complete a system mission on the side was an unexpected bonus.

The shop began to bustle with activity. Jiang Feng immediately started making the dough, preparing large quantities.

Two hours later, Sun Zhuangfei arrived with the fresh meat. He had bought fresh pork directly from the slaughterhouse.

Everything was ready. Now, it was time to turn these raw ingredients into delicious meat buns.