Food Intelligence King

Chapter 16 Didn't you say you weren't jealous?
Chen Zhou set up his stall as usual today.

In addition to the classic pork buns and traditional pickled cucumbers, the food cart also offers two new condiments—

The vinegar I received from Tianli Vinegar Factory, and the chili oil I made myself.

The former was already in small packaging, and the latter was also placed in a small plastic box by Chen Zhou. Now they are neatly stacked together.

Customers buying steamed buns can choose whatever they want to eat.

There is only one principle: avoid waste.

As Chen Zhou was handing the steamed buns to the customer, he looked up and saw Manager Hu and his companion walking towards him from a distance.

He remembered that the other person was wearing a suit yesterday.

Today they changed into employee vests, making their identification more obvious and easily recognizable.

"You're here, Manager Hu!"

"We meet again, Mr. Chen," Hu Zhilong said with a smile as he walked to the food cart. "How's our vinegar?"

I saw Hu Zhilong turn the condiment box upside down, so that the vinegar was facing outwards from the food cart.

Chen Zhou knew in his heart that the other party had started taking pictures again.

He answered the other party's questions cooperatively.

"Small packages of vinegar are especially suitable for merchants like us who sell takeout."

"Yeah, I used thirty or forty packets tonight."

"Some customers recognized it as Tim Li vinegar."

Hu Zhilong and Chen Zhou only need to stand there and ask and answer questions.

Zhu Lili, who was in charge of taking photos, was much busier. She needed to run around, shooting from all angles and perspectives.

She finally couldn't hold back when filming the placement and usage of the vinegar.

"Mr. Chen, may I try your steamed buns?"

Of course, this was a condiment supplier who provided him with 3600 bags of balsamic vinegar for free, so how could Chen Zhou refuse such a small request?

He deftly used tongs to take out two steamed buns, packed them up, and handed them to the saleswoman.
"Here, sister, take two first."

"Thank you."

After Chen Zhou finished speaking, he turned to Hu Zhilong and asked, "Manager Hu, would you like to try some? I'll pack you another serving."

"I don't need it, you're too kind."

Hu Zhilong glanced helplessly at his unhelpless subordinate. He was just saying he wanted steamed seafood, but now he's completely captivated by steamed buns? Answer me!

He then told Chen Zhou about his experience working at Tianli.

The gist is that I never want to be jealous outside of work again, and anything related to jealousy is unacceptable.

Chen Zhou listened and expressed his understanding.

Few people can truly love what they do.

Meanwhile, Lili, under the shade of the tree, didn't hold back either.

They picked up the bag and started eating right there.

She gently bit open the bun's skin, the steam from the freshly steamed bun still trapped inside, and the intense heat bursting at her lips made her stop after just a small bite.

Zhu Lili could only silently eat a bite of the white noodle.

"It's quite soft; the dough rose very well."

As a food science major, she'd always had a better sense of taste than most people. She quickly noticed something unusual about the bun's skin.

"Why is there a faint milky smell? Did they add beef?"

Not sure, give it another try.

This time, she chose the spot furthest from the filling, where the pleats of the bun converge.

When Zhu Lili laid the steamed bun flat on her hand, she saw its appearance up close for the first time.

The fine, even folds converge at the top to form a beautiful vortex, making it as exquisite as a work of art.

"Wow, these are beautifully wrapped! Is this the kind of skill I'm talking about? Did I really eat this at a street stall?"

Zhu Lili looked at her leader with some confusion.

"The actors they hired? My manager wouldn't be acting in it with me, would he?"

There was no time to think about it anymore; the steam from the buns had dissipated, and she needed to enjoy them as soon as possible.

After taking a bite with the skin and filling, Zhu Lili was very satisfied.

"I never would have guessed, Master Chen is really good at making steamed buns."

Standing in front of the food cart, Hu Zhilong finally noticed the various expressions on his subordinates' faces. He had to admit that some people's eating habits were simply infectious.

Hu Zhilong asked curiously, "Lili, is it that delicious?"

"show you."

The steamed bun in Zhu Lili's hand was reduced to just the bottom.

The remaining juices, reflecting the setting sun, shimmered and clung to the dark brown dumpling skin.

This bun must be bursting with soup with every bite!

Hu Zhilong looked at Chen Zhou, then at Zhu Lili.

I found myself in a very awkward situation.

I just chatted with Mr. Chen for a long time about how much vinegar I drank to get promoted from a junior employee to my current position.

They even used this as a subtle excuse to decline the other party's steamed buns.

Now, if I ask him for it again, wouldn't it make me seem a bit shameless?
Not far away, Zhu Lili had finished one steamed bun and then took a big bite out of another.

Hu Zhilong finally made up his mind and said to Chen Zhou:

"Hey Mr. Chen, the steamed buns taste pretty good, huh? Look how much our assistant is enjoying them."

"Look at you," Chen Zhou said with a slight smile.

He still preferred Hu Zhilong's previous image as a career elite.

But seeing through something without saying it is also a virtue.

Chen Zhou then packed a few more steamed buns and handed them to him, saying, "This little sister works so hard, running around doing all this. Two definitely won't be enough for her."

Hu Zhilong felt relieved after hearing this.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Chen, I'll take it to her right away."

Chen Zhou called out to him again, "Here's another bag for you."

"okay."

Hu Zhilong, who delivered the steamed buns, inevitably kept one for himself as well.

He got what he wanted.

The plump, white meat buns are filled with juicy filling and have a rich, meaty aroma.

The minced meat was formed into a ball, with just the right amount of grainy texture. The taste was absolutely superb.

"No wonder Lili ate so heartily."

Delicious food can awaken some dormant memories.

Hu Zhilong remembered the steamed buns from his hometown. Back then, his father would generously pour a dish of aged vinegar for everyone, using the vinegar provided by the company.

Since it's free from the company, they don't care whether you can finish it or not.

Vinegar often splatters and spills onto the table.

"That happened a long time ago."

Thus, Hu Zhilong's craving for sour flavors and vinegar was rekindled.

"I'll make a packet of vinegar too."

Tear open the vinegar packaging and carefully pour it into the steamed bun through the opening.

The amber color slowly unfolded at the crack, vinegar flowed into the bun, but the flavor was brought out by the heat.

"This is the taste."

Zhu Lili, standing to the side, asked with some confusion, "Brother Long, didn't you say you weren't jealous anymore?"

"Ahem, this is also within the scope of my work."

Upon hearing the word "work," Zhu Lili took out her phone, found the right angle, and asked, "Which side should you stand facing?"

Hu Zhilong waved his hand, "Never mind, there's no need to film this."

"Oh."

After finishing the steamed buns, Hu Zhilong finally regained some of his dignity as a superior.

He joked with Zhu Lili:
"Steamed seafood later?"

"No need to spend any more money, manager." Zhu Lili shook her head frankly: "I can't eat anymore."

As if remembering something, Hu Zhilong turned his head and instructed: "Work log title: Good steamed buns go well with good vinegar."

(End of this chapter)