Cooking System: Street Food Rules

After the typhoon swept through, the streets of Guangzhou appeared somewhat disarrayed.

Inside the disaster area, firefighters were still busy searching for victims. The wind had calmed considerably and was no longer raging. Several search and rescue boats floated on the water, drifting downstream toward the residential areas. The region where the boats were located had been a small town before. Now, only the taller buildings could be seen, as the single-story houses were almost entirely submerged. It had become like a water city.

On one of the search and rescue boats, a team of four firefighters continued to search along their designated route for any victims who hadn't managed to escape. Among them, a young man named Qian Yun, looking ahead, suddenly said, "There's some movement over there. Let's go check it out."

"Alright," a teammate responded, slowing the rescue boat.

Qian Yun jumped into the water and swam forward. Up ahead was a van floating on the water's surface, with a wet kitten atop its roof. The kitten, clearly frightened and weak, lay on the roof, unable to leave. It, too, had suffered no minor ordeal.

Qian Yun reached the side of the van, extended his hand, and carefully picked the kitten up. The little kitten did not resist at all. The rescue boat drew near, and Qian Yun placed the kitten onto the boat before climbing aboard himself.

Their primary mission was to save people. However, if no one needed rescuing, they would also save any cats and dogs they encountered. Many pets couldn't survive such a flood on their own. The little kitten lay on the dry deck of the rescue boat, crouching low, still not recovered from its panic.

"If we get through here, our search route should be done, right?" a teammate asked, looking ahead.

"Yes, then we'll loop back via another route for one more sweep before heading back," another responded.

Qian Yun couldn't help but speak up. "After this rescue mission is over, we definitely need to eat a good meal."

"Absolutely! Let's go to Old Zhang's restaurant and order several dishes."

"Just talking about it makes me hungry."

The men chatted for a bit, easing the oppressive atmosphere somewhat before refocusing on their search and rescue efforts. The mission had been arduous, taking a toll not just physically but mentally as well. This typhoon had struck with particular ferocity, unleashing terrifyingly heavy rains that, in turn, had caused severe flooding in low-lying areas. As they drifted along this stretch, they hadn't found any victims yet. It seemed everyone had evacuated in time, which was certainly a good thing.

With that, their current search leg concluded. The four of them sighed in relief. At that moment, they were famished and cold. During the search, they had only brought some compressed rations for energy. The rations tasted awful, like bricks, and they'd only managed a few bites each.

Dinner was supposed to be boxed meals; logistics were difficult in the area, so that was all they could order. Of course, there were also instant noodles, hot water, and sausages—enough to get by. The four men found themselves craving instant noodles. When cold and hungry, a steaming hot bowl of instant noodles sounded quite appealing.

On this rescue mission, they had only found one pitiful little kitten, which was, in fact, a good outcome.

Back at the assembly point, they saw that crowds had already formed along the roads. Some were people who had been affected by the disaster; others were local citizens who had come to provide support. Guangzhou, after all, was a top-tier city with significant resources and capabilities. It didn't require aid from other cities for such natural disasters; it could manage quite well on its own. Those in distress were taken to designated locations for shelter and care. Many locals, often both wealthy and with free time, brought supplies and goodwill, looking to see how they could help.

It was just after six in the evening, and the sky was still fairly bright. The area's power system hadn't been restored yet; if it got any later, daylight would fade.

Jiang Feng, after a busy day, drove up slowly in his food truck, which was laden with big meat buns. He had sold his steamed buns before, and even when his stall was on a mountainside, many people had lined up for them. Even the monks and Taoists from the mountain monasteries would purchase from him. His business had been incredibly good. The buns were large and round, generously stuffed with filling, and smelled delicious. No one could resist them.

The gathering area was a fire brigade station. Several fire trucks were parked by the roadside, and the firefighters were all in uniform. Jiang Feng found the person in charge of the fire brigade.

"Hello, I'm the owner of a small food business," Jiang Feng said. "I've prepared a lot of fresh buns and would like to give them to everyone for free."

Upon hearing this, the fire brigade commander replied immediately, "We appreciate the gesture, but we've also prepared dinner. The buns could be given to the affected..." Then, the commander recognized Jiang Feng. "Are you Boss Jiang?" he asked, his face breaking into an expression of delighted surprise.

He couldn't believe he was meeting Jiang Feng here. Jiang Feng was very well-known: a descendant of an Imperial Chef, capable of preparing various state banquet dishes, a truly top-tier chef. One might refuse buns from an ordinary person, but those made by a top-level chef were a must-try!

"It's me," Jiang Feng replied politely. "I just came to offer my support, doing what I can. I have about a few hundred buns."

"No problem at all! We have many rescue teams here," the commander responded. "They'll all be eaten."

Hearing this, Jiang Feng added, "This is something I'm doing personally, and I don't need any publicity. I've put the buns in foam boxes; they're in the food truck now. I don't need any publicity, and please don't mention this."

The commander was taken aback by Jiang Feng's words. No publicity? He knew that usually, when people made such donations, they almost always had many photos taken. The donor would also want to use the opportunity to promote themselves. Jiang Feng's approach was certainly unexpected.

"Of course, that's no problem," the commander agreed immediately.

After confirming the details, Jiang Feng called over Sun Zhuangfei. The commander then arranged for the logistics personnel to unload the buns from the food truck. The foam boxes were filled with steamed buns Jiang Feng had prepared; it had taken him an entire day to make them.

After the buns and corn porridge were unloaded, Jiang Feng got into his food truck and left directly. He waved his sleeves, not taking a single cloud with him—there was nothing worth lingering for. It was enough to have expressed his goodwill.

By this time, the team members had returned and were resting. The commander then called everyone to come and eat. They were originally supposed to have boxed meals, but today, buns were also an option.

Qian Yun was so hungry his stomach was growling. He fed the rescued kitten some food and then hurried with his teammates to the assembly point for the meal. Seeing some people already eating buns, he couldn't resist and went over to grab some.

Qian Yun picked up two sauced-meat buns. He took a bite out of one.

Just one bite, and Qian Yun was astonished. So fragrant! The skin of the bun was very thin, yet the filling was exceptionally generous. With one bite, he could see the hot, saucy meat inside. The meat had an excellent texture, and the gravy was rich and flavorful. The whole bun was plump and round, not at all flimsy.

Hmm? This is amazing! Qian Yun, already starving, felt even more ravenous after tasting such a delicious bun. He ate heartily, quickly finishing one. Several other firefighters were also devouring their buns with gusto.

Qian Yun wanted to grab another when the logistics officer called out, "Two per person at most! There are still others waiting. Eat your boxed meal."

Hearing this, Qian Yun hurriedly said, "What's the big deal about two buns? If there aren't enough, just buy more! Where are these buns from? They're so delicious!"

The logistics officer didn't answer his question, only saying, "You can't buy these buns. You've already had two; others still need to eat. Eat your boxed meal!"

At this moment, several other firefighters crowded around.

"Give us two more each!"

"We've all worked so hard, surely an extra bun isn't a problem!"

"These buns are really tasty; the flavor is amazing!"

"Who made these?"

Everyone spoke up one after another. The logistics officer quickly waved his hands. Another squad hasn't arrived yet; we need to be frugal with these buns. But considering how hard everyone had worked, he decided to give each person one more.

Meanwhile, the commander was thoroughly enjoying his meal. He had eaten four buns and drunk a cup of corn porridge. He felt an incredible sense of satisfaction throughout his body. No matter what, these were definitely the most delicious buns I've ever had. Simply perfect. Truly worthy of a top chef. How come these buns are so different from the ones I usually eat? And so incredibly fragrant! The commander praised silently.

The aroma of the buns was intense; whether it was the fragrance of the dough or the meat, both were extremely tempting. He felt warm all over after eating. The biting cold and hunger he had felt before were instantly soothed after eating these few buns.

The team members were still clamoring for more. Everyone wanted buns.

Another squad arrived, getting ready to eat. Upon hearing how delicious the buns were, everyone took two to try. Once they tasted them, they were instantly amazed by the buns' incredible flavor. They were indeed different from the buns they usually ate.

"Where on earth did these come from? Or where were they bought?"

"Right! Whose buns are these? I'm only eating from their place from now on!"

"It should be fine to tell us, right? We want to know who made these buns!"

Many firefighters pressed the logistics officer for an answer. Everyone looked at him, waiting.

The logistics officer responded, "They were sent to us by someone, not bought. There's no shop. If I could buy buns this good, I'd buy them myself. But you definitely can't buy buns of this caliber on the market."

Hearing this, everyone continued to press, "Then who sent them?"

"Just tell us, will you!"

Seeing this, the logistics officer decided not to hide it any longer. Jiang Feng had said not to publicize it too much. If it's just known internally, it doesn't count as external promotion.

"Do you all know Boss Jiang?" the logistics officer asked the crowd. "The owner of Jiangyue Terrace, who often sets up stalls to sell food in various places?"

"Of course, we know him!" someone replied.

"These buns were made by him," the logistics officer announced. "He personally delivered them as a treat for everyone."

"No way! It's him!"

"Really? These buns were made by the Imperial Chef?"

"Give me two more! I didn't savor the flavor properly the first time!"

"I want some too!"

"Save me half!"

Once the answer was revealed, everyone became instantly excited. Actually, plenty of buns had been prepared, enough for everyone. Seeing the crowd so enthusiastic, the logistics officer distributed two more buns to each person.

Everyone had been cold, hungry, and not in the best of spirits. Now, hearing that a top chef had made buns for them, their mood lifted instantly. Their bodies even seemed to be filled with new energy.