Food Stall: Customers Chase Me across the Country

"Wow, so many people! Boss Wang is still impressive as ever."

Officer Zhong and Xue Ning originally planned to visit Dali, but the lingering taste of Wang Fan's braised chicken made them decide to have another meal before leaving.

As soon as they arrived at the restaurant, they saw it was already packed.

Several people were waiting eagerly at the door.

Xue Ning looked at the sign: "Dezhou Roasted Chicken 68 yuan each? And each person is limited to buying 2? I remember on the train it was only 30 yuan each? It's a bit pricey, yet so many people are lining up?"

Officer Zhong chuckled and said, "Do you think a chicken weighing around 2 pounds, with meat priced at 10 yuan per pound, after going through complex preparation processes, can sell for just 30 yuan?"

Xue Ning hesitantly replied, "Then it shouldn't be profitable, right?"

Officer Zhong shrugged, "Definitely not profitable. The cost of time and materials means selling at 30 yuan is about making a reputation rather than profit. It's okay for a day or two as a promotion, but it's impossible to always sell like that. So the truth is only one thing, and that is..."

Xue Ning chimed in, "Cheap raw materials."

"Exactly."

Officer Zhong nodded toward the people in the shop with his chin, "Quality matters. If the raw materials are lacking, no matter how skilled a chef is, the food won't taste that great. Just look at the diners' reactions, and you'll know Boss Wang must be using top-notch ingredients."

Xue Ning nodded, feeling the diners' over-the-top enthusiasm was a bit exaggerated.

"But their eating style is really too flamboyant, like they're racing to finish. Let's not eat like that later, no matter how delicious it is, we shouldn't eat like we're starving."

Officer Zhong smiled wryly, "I suspect that's asking too much. You know how good Little Wang's food is, and even when we eat braised chicken and rice, we don't eat much better either."

Xue Ning pouted: "Not resorting to eating with my hands is my final line!"

...

"Hey..."

"Let go of that drumstick! It's mine!"

"You just ate my chicken bottom! This drumstick counts as repayment!"

"No way! Who repays with a drumstick for a chicken bottom? You're cheating! Give me back my drumstick!"

"Can't you show a bit of hometown goodwill? Give me back my meat!"

Chen Guili and Jiang Shuyao, along with Zhuo Qianqian, were eating and grabbing at each other's food, the scene quite intense, reminiscent of World War II.

Tall and sturdy Chen Guili managed to grab the most. After finishing his and what he grabbed, he still felt unsatisfied.

"Boss, another one!"

Chen Guili said to Wang Fan, burping as he spoke.

Having wolfed down two Dezhou Roasted Chickens, his stomach felt a bit full, but the exquisite taste made him reluctant to stop.

Wang Fan laughed and said, "Sorry, each person is limited to two chickens. It's not that I'm concerned you can't afford them, but your stomach can't handle more than that."

These chickens are generally over 2 pounds, even up to 2.5. With some shrinkage and discarding bones, you'd have about a pound of meat per chicken, two chickens mean over two pounds, beyond that, it'll upset your stomach.

Chen Guili's face fell: "Come on, boss. I came all the way from Dangui. Can't you make an exception and sell me more?"

Wang Fan shook his head firmly, "Really can't do that, eating too much is bad for health."

Unyielding, Chen Guili asked, "Then can I at least pack one to go?"

Wang Fan still shook his head: "Taking it to go means it cools down, affecting the entire chicken's taste, and I don't want you cursing me when you get home for a bad meal."

"Hey..."

At this point, Jiang Shuyao was already slumped in her chair, stuffed to the brim.

She worked out often and had good physical fitness, but now felt like her stomach was about to burst.

"I'm done, done. One more bite and I'll explode."

"I'm full too, I didn't realize I ate so much."

"Let's go, let's go, we need to take a walk."

Jiang Shuyao's group of four got up, holding their stomachs as they headed out of the restaurant.

Wang Fan glanced at the sleeping Zhuo Qianqian, helplessly shook his head, and got up to clean the table by himself.

New customers couldn't wait for Wang Fan to finish tidying before sitting down eagerly.

"Waiter, one roasted chicken each!"

Wang Fan nodded, cleaned the table, returned to the counter, and began preparing for them.

The restaurant was somewhat noisy at the moment.

"Oh my god, I can't tell if I'm eating chicken or my tongue, it's so delicious! I remember Dezhou Roasted Chicken wasn't this good before!"

"Can't speak for others, but this place is truly too delicious. Initially thought 68 yuan was a bit pricey, but just for this taste, it's absolutely worth it."

"Super worth it! Unbeatable, isn't it? Yesterday's braised chicken and rice was also super delicious and completely different from this roasted chicken."

"This is too darn delicious! One is definitely not enough! Boss, another one for me!"

"Me too! Boss, please hurry!"

Wang Fan furrowed his brow slightly, glanced at the sleeping junior employee, and gestured for the customers to lower their voices, then pointed to the counter.

The few customers sheepishly waved, lowering their voices significantly: "Boss, four more for our table."

Wang Fan turned back to continue plating, then delivered the roasted chickens to the customers.

The customer who spoke earlier whispered to Wang Fan, "What's going on? Is the boss taking a nap?"

While speaking, he pointed to the counter.

Wang Fan shook his head: "The boss is working here, the employee is taking a nap there."

"Huh?"

The customers were very surprised. Usually, you hear about bosses slacking off while employees work to the bone; it's their first time witnessing a boss being so busy while an employee sleeps soundly.

"Boss, you're generous!"

They couldn't help but give Wang Fan a thumbs-up.

Wang Fan shrugged helplessly: "No choice, I'm stuck with such a clumsy and lazy employee."

At this point, a few more tables of customers left, allowing Officer Zhong and Xue Ning to finally get a seat.

Wang Fan calmly cleaned the table and invited the two to sit down.

Officer Zhong admired, "Boss Wang, I've never admired anyone in my life as much as you. Cooking different dishes and making each a hit, you're the first I've seen."

Wang Fan smiled, "Perhaps it has to do with my attention to detail."

Officer Zhong laughed, "After tasting your food, I understand why someone once brought your steamed buns to our police station for testing; your creations are indeed unique, unforgettable."

Wang Fan paused: "Someone took my buns to the police station for testing? Why?"

Xue Ning laughed, "Of course, because your buns were too delicious. They thought you spiked them with something."

Wang Fan chuckled helplessly; the kind of 'extra ingredients' police mention and what a chef considers are certainly different. He's not foolish and understood the implication.

"Rest assured, I neither have the guts nor the inclination. My culinary skills alone suffice to make diners loyal customers."

Wang Fan's voice was not loud, but filled with self-assurance.

This is the pride of artisanship; when craftsmanship is spot-on, shortcuts are unnecessary, and any desired effect can be achieved.

Officer Zhong and Xue Ning could sense Wang Fan's confidence, pride, and self-esteem.

"We'll each take two."

Officer Zhong astutely ordered two right away, remembering the time when the boss vanished after his patrol, like it was yesterday.