MMB Chapter 58 A New Week, Summary!
Chapter 58 A New Week, Summary!
The area in front of the counter was still noisy with people.
Xu Liang stood in the small restaurant, sweat dripping down his forehead and jawline onto his already damp collar.
The steamer in front of me was already more than half empty.
The originally piled-up spicy steamed buns and braised pork buns were taken away wave after wave of customers in just over half an hour.
Xu Liang didn't even have time to think about how many people had come today; he only knew that his hands hadn't stopped moving since the moment he lifted the pot lid.
Pick up the buns, put them in a bag, collect the money, give change, respond, comfort, pick up and put them in a bag again.
This set of movements was repeated over and over, and my arms were already sore, swollen and heavy.
His fingertips were slightly red and swollen from repeatedly touching the edge of the scalding hot steamer, and some parts were even slightly numb from the heat.
But he dared not slow down, nor could he slow down.
The queue outside the gate had not completely dispersed.
Some people stood on tiptoe to look inside, craning their necks and staring intently at the few remaining pastries in the steamer, as if afraid that they would be completely emptied in the next second.
Some people were getting impatient, pacing back and forth in small steps while muttering to themselves.
"There's still some, there's still some, but please don't let it all run out by the time it gets to me."
Some people, seeing the dwindling quantity, gritted their teeth and changed their original plan of buying two to five or eight, fearing that if they were a step too late, they wouldn't even have a chance to try a bite.
Xu Liang glanced at the steamer.
There were about forty spicy steamed buns left, stacked in the corner of the drawer.
They were still shiny and slick with oil, and the spicy aroma wafted upwards with the residual heat.
The more popular braised pork buns, however, are not doing so well.
Only about twenty plump buns remained, their skins glistening white from the steam, with the faint red sheen of the meat filling visible through the steam.
Just one glance at it is enough to make your mouth water.
This little bit of food is what sustains the last hope of the entire long queue.
"Next!"
Xu Liang called out, his voice slightly hoarse from constantly greeting guests.
At the front of the line was a young man in green overalls, his face showing the fatigue of working late into the night, but his eyes were very bright.
"Boss, give me four steamed buns and three twisted rolls! Several people in my group asked me to bring them, and I'm afraid there won't be enough to go around."
"Okay!"
Xu Liang swiftly scooped out the steamed buns and twisted rolls from the steamer.
The food-grade plastic bag was bulging, and he tied the opening tightly before taking the change the other person handed him.
He quickly counted the items with his fingertips and made change as he went.
"Here you are, take care."
The man took the bag, and eagerly tore one open right there on the roadside, taking a big bite.
It was so hot that he hissed, but even so, he still mumbled something unintelligible: "Delicious."
He then turned and hurried toward the factory.
He had barely left when the next customer took his place.
She was a woman with a child, holding the hand of a five- or six-year-old toddler.
The child stared longingly at the steamer, constantly tugging at the woman's clothes.
"Auntie, I'd like two steamed buns and two twisted rolls."
The woman said with a smile.
"The kids can't resist the smell. They didn't get enough to eat yesterday, and they were urging me to come over before dawn today."
Xu Liang nodded and deliberately picked out the two largest buns to put into the bag.
The child's eyes lit up instantly when he saw the steaming buns. He grabbed the bag and hugged it tightly, eliciting a few soft laughs from those around him.
The line moved forward little by little.
Some people only want steamed buns, saying they just love the spicy and chewy texture of the noodles.
Some people only like braised pork buns, thinking that the meat filling is substantial and the juicy filling makes their mouths water with every bite, which is the most satisfying.
Many people want both: steamed buns as a staple food and steamed dumplings as a snack to satisfy their cravings, and they never get tired of them.
Xu Liang gradually discovered that repeat customers made up the majority of today's customers.
Some people only bought one or two yesterday to try, but today they bought more than a dozen, clearly because they were completely won over after eating them.
There were also quite a few new faces, mostly attracted by the long queues, coming with a try-it-out mentality, but once they opened their mouths, they would ask for at least three or four more.
The atmosphere in front of the small counter grew increasingly tense.
As the amount of food in the steamer dwindled, a faint sense of scorching heat filled the air.
Those at the back of the line could clearly see the remaining number, and some couldn't help but ask questions.
"Boss, how many steamed buns do you have left? I'm afraid there won't be any left before I get to finish."
"Are there enough steamed buns? My family is waiting."
Xu Liang kept working while looking up to comfort him.
"Please wait a moment, everyone. Also, try to save some for everyone."
Despite saying that, he knew better than anyone else what was going on.
There were still more than twenty steamed buns and forty twisted rolls left, which looked like quite a lot, but everyone kept buying more.
If one person buys ten, the rest will have to sell significantly less.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, several workers who had come together crowded in front of the counter.
"Boss, please help us out, we need twenty steamed buns and fifteen twisted rolls!"
Xu Liang was taken aback.
This almost emptied out most of the remaining buns.
He glanced at the steamer, then at the seven or eight people still lined up behind him, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.
In business, it's all about first come, first served. If someone's turn comes, you should naturally serve them first.
The tongs flipped the food quickly inside the steamer.
Twenty braised pork buns were put into a bag one by one, and in an instant, only a few buns remained in the steamer, lying forlornly in the corner.
Fifteen steamed buns were also taken, and the number of steamed buns dropped directly to the kill threshold.
Several workers left contentedly, carrying heavy bags, still talking amongst themselves.
"That's great, we won't have to worry about not having anything to eat this morning."
"You bet! These steamed buns are ten times better than the ones in the factory canteen."
As soon as they left, a small commotion arose in the group.
Those behind could clearly see that only seven or eight steamed buns remained.
"Hey, is that all?"
"I've waited in line for so long, I hope there aren't any steamed buns left!"
The sounds of complaints and urging intertwined, making the already bustling entrance even noisier.
Xu Liang didn't say much, but simply sped up his work.
The sooner they sell out, the sooner they can give the next customer a definite answer; it's always better than keeping people in suspense.
The next one was an old lady with gray hair, but she was very energetic.
"Young man, give me two steamed buns and two twisted rolls. I live nearby. I smelled the aroma yesterday but missed it, so I made sure to get up early today."
Xu Liang packed it up and handed it over.
Grandma took it, brought it close to her nose, and nodded repeatedly.
"It smells so good, no wonder so many people are queuing up."
Another customer stepped forward and immediately asked for five steamed buns.
Xu Liang glanced at the steamer basket; only five remained.
He paused for a moment, then picked them all up.
When the last five braised pork buns were put into bags and there were no more buns to be seen in the steamer, a chorus of regrets rippled through the queue.
"Are there no more steamed buns?"
"Are they really sold out? I'm only one short!"
Xu Liang wiped his sweat and explained.
"Sorry everyone, we've sold out of braised pork buns for today."
Upon hearing this, some people sighed in disappointment, while others pressed for answers out of resentment.
"What about the steamed buns? Do you still have any?"
"There are still steamed buns left."
Xu Liang pointed to the steamer.
There are still more than twenty steamed buns left, their spicy aroma still strong and their layers distinct, looking as tempting as ever.
Those who couldn't buy steamed buns had to settle for buying more twisted rolls instead.
Some people who originally only wanted two have now changed to four or six, afraid they won't even be able to get a steamed bun.
The team moved forward quickly again.
The number of steamed buns decreased at an extremely rapid pace.
Ten, eight, five...
Before long, only a few steamed buns remained in the steamer.
Those at the very end of the line breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
There are at least some left.
"Boss, give me three steamed buns!"
"I want two!"
"Give me two too!"
Xu Liang kept trying to satisfy him.
The tongs moved back and forth in the steamer several times, and the last steamed bun was put into a bag.
He put down the clamp and let out a soft breath.
The steamer is empty.
It was spotless, with only a faint aroma of flour and oil remaining on the bamboo drawer.
The line outside the door finally dispersed completely.
Some were satisfied, some had slight regrets, and some kept saying they must come earlier tomorrow.
The bustling street corner, which had been noisy all morning, gradually returned to calm, with only a few passersby peeking curiously into the restaurant.
Xu Liang remained standing behind the counter, not moving immediately.
My arms were so sore and I could barely lift them. The back of my clothes was soaked with sweat and felt cold against my skin.
He shook his arm slightly, his knuckles cracking as he maintained the same posture for a long time, which made his whole body stiff.
After a while, he slowly bent down and began to tidy up the mess on the counter.
The loose change was scattered on the table: one cent, five cents, and one dollar.
The banknotes were crumpled and some were wrinkled, while the coins rolled into the corner.
There were also used food plastic bags and a few drops of oil that had been accidentally spilled.
He cleaned everything up, gathered all the loose change together, and piled it in the center of the counter.
The small pile of money didn't seem particularly impressive.
But in this era, it carries a heavy weight.
Xu Liang pulled over a bench and sat down, slowly counting the items.
There are 250 steamed buns in total, each costing 50 cents.
One hundred and twenty-five yuan.
There are 120 braised pork buns in total, one yuan each.
One hundred and twenty yuan.
The two together make 245 yuan.
When the numbers appeared before his eyes, Xu Liang's hand paused slightly.
He counted them again.
Once, twice, three times.
The number remains at two hundred and forty-five yuan, not a penny more, not a penny less.
In an era when an average worker's monthly salary was just over three hundred yuan.
In just one morning, he earned more money than an average person earns in a month.
In my past life, I worked myself to the bone, running a restaurant all day long, working non-stop from noon to night, and only earned thirty or forty yuan a month.
Now, by only serving breakfast, in just three days, revenue has increased from over sixty to one hundred and thirty-five, and then directly to two hundred and forty-five.
Numbers don't lie, but taste doesn't lie, and the footsteps of customers certainly don't lie either.
Xu Liang sat on the bench, staring at the empty steamer basket and then at the gradually bustling street outside the door, his heart churning.
It wasn't an uncontrollable ecstasy, but a sense of solid grounding and security.
He was reborn not for empty talk of great wealth and status, nor for unrealistic fantasies.
He just wanted to rely on his own hands and his own skills to make a living and support his small shop.
To live a life that is no longer as fruitless as in my previous life.
And now, he has done it.
The spicy steamed buns became a sensation in the small town, and the spicy meat buns became a wildly popular item that everyone was scrambling to buy.
A morning of frenzied shopping, long queues, lingering aromas at the street corner, and curious glances from passersby.
He created all of this with his own two hands!
As pedestrians crossed the street, some curiously peered into the empty steamers of the restaurant and asked questions.
"Boss, do you still have steamed buns and twisted rolls?"
Xu Liang raised his head and revealed a refreshing smile.
"Sold out! Definitely tomorrow!"
The other party was somewhat disappointed, but also very understanding.
"Oh dear, I'm late. You'll have to make a lot more tomorrow; I'll come first thing in the morning."
"Definitely." Xu Liang nodded.
He stood up and slowly walked into the kitchen.
The chrome ring on the gas stove was still warm, and there was a faint aroma of oil left in the pot. The cutting board was spotless, with even the flour wiped clean.
He had tidied up beforehand, just in case things got chaotic at the last minute.
Looking back now, it actually saved a lot of effort.
Standing in the center of the kitchen, Xu Liang closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The aroma of breakfast still lingered in the air, a scent unique to him, and the beginning of a good day.
Today's frenzy, from opening to selling out, made him fully realize the momentum.
The customers' enthusiasm far exceeded his expectations. Even though he had stocked up to the maximum, the goods were sold out in just over half an hour.
Tomorrow, we can't have 250 steamed buns and 120 dumplings anymore.
Three hundred steamed buns, and two hundred more steamed dumplings.
The volume needs to increase to match the long queue at the entrance.
Moreover, we can't rely solely on steamed buns and dumplings to make a good impression.
With business booming like this, it's time to introduce new products.
He already had a clear idea in his mind.
Xu Liang thought for a moment. The brown sugar potsticker was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sweet but not greasy, and loved by both the elderly and children. The spicy potsticker, on the other hand, was crispy and fragrant with a strong numbing flavor, which suited the tastes of the people in the small town.
One sweet and one spicy, one soft and one crispy, they pair perfectly with steamed buns and dumplings, enriching the flavors and boosting revenue.
Once the new product is launched, tomorrow's revenue will definitely be more than just 245 yuan today.
Xu Liang walked to the door and looked once again at the familiar town street.
As the sun rose higher, the fog completely dissipated, and people began to stroll along the streets.
He used to think that this street was too small and dilapidated, and that he would be trapped here for the rest of his life with no hope of ever getting ahead.
Looking back now, every bluestone slab, every door, and every neighbor I pass by seems especially familiar.
This is his root, and the place where he stood up again.
He is Xu Liang, a man who has established himself in the small town with his culinary skills.
Meanwhile, people all over the street lined up to get his breakfast.
This small restaurant is no longer a run-down shop.
It is gradually becoming a landmark in the town, an anchor point for people to enjoy delicious food.
Then, Xu secretly made a vow in his heart.
He wanted everyone in the town to know that his small restaurant's breakfast was not only delicious, but also always plentiful!
Today's sell-out is not the end.
Rather, it's the start of a new week, a time to summarize business and set sail again.
Xu Liang raised his hand and gently wiped away the last bit of sweat from his forehead.
A new week begins tomorrow.
He wanted to keep pushing upwards.