Food: Senior year internship, you take over the university cafeteria

At this moment, all that could be seen was the forum.

Wang Sheng's post quickly became a trending topic, with replies skyrocketing.

"A hundred dollars a day?! And it even includes a breakfast at Sheng Kee?! Boss, you're a god!"

"Pounding glutinous rice? I can do that! I've been single for twenty years, and my hand speed... oh no, I mean arm strength!"

"Brothers from the Sports Academy! It's time to show our worth!"

"A liberal arts student timidly raises their hand... I may not be very strong, but I'll cheer you on!"

"Boss, look at me! I'm a sophomore at the sports academy, specializing in shot put. Attached is a photo of my biceps [muscular hunk selfie.jpg]"

"Holy crap, the person upstairs actually posted a picture? It's rolled up, right? [Sweating in the gym.jpg]"

"You boys have had your fill... Are there any girls out there? We're strong too! (Yoga ball photo.jpg)"

The forum was buzzing with activity, and the private message inbox was overflowing.

Wang Sheng opened the message and saw that there were 999+ unread messages. He scrolled through them one by one, filtering them.

Most applicants were enthusiastic, but there were also some who were just trying to get free breakfast.

Wang Sheng focused on several factors: college major (which to some extent reflects work and rest schedule and physical strength), self-description, and whether there is relevant experience (even if it is just helping out at home).

He quickly narrowed it down to four candidates.

Zhao Gang, a junior at the School of Physical Education, specializes in shot put on the school's track and field team. The attached photo of his muscles is indeed impressive. His message is short and powerful: "Strong, able to get up early, and follow instructions."

Li Dali is a mechanical engineering student, but also a muscular gym-goer.

Sun Wei, a first-year graduate student in the School of Civil Engineering, said that he had "carried cement during his internship at a construction site," his tone simple and honest, exuding a sense of reliability.

Lin Xiaowen.

A sophomore at the School of Physical Education, specializing in women's volleyball. Among a bunch of photos of muscular men, she attached a photo of herself leaping and spiking on a volleyball court, her ponytail flying, her eyes sharp, with the caption: "Female PE students are still PE students, their strength is no less than that of boys, and they have regular schedules. Hoping for a chance to try out."

Three men and one woman, all of whom seem to be physically fit and have relevant majors (sports, mechanical, civil engineering), plus one other woman who can also serve as a publicity stunt.

This also avoids being accused of discriminating against women online.

Wang Sheng has no gender bias; he believes in physical labor and that the most capable person should take on the job.

He sent private messages to the four people, arranging to meet at 5:50 the next morning at the small storage room behind window number 07 in the cafeteria. He repeatedly emphasized, "You need to get up early. Make sure you can get up. If you are late or absent without a reason, the opportunity will be given to someone else. This is a one-day trial period. If it suits you, you can continue."

The four replied almost instantly, all saying, "No problem!" "We guarantee we'll be on time!" "We've already set ten alarms!"

With the manpower secured, Wang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, but the next step was more detailed preparation.

After finishing work that afternoon, he didn't rest, but instead rode his tricycle out again.

The goal this time is to purchase tools.

He was at the flea market.

The harvest was quick.

I found a heavy stone mortar and matching wooden mallet. Although they are a bit old, they are perfectly usable after cleaning and disinfecting, and they have a more traditional feel than stainless steel basins.

Objective 1.

Completed!

Then I bought two old-fashioned wooden steamers from a bamboo ware shop. They were the perfect size for steaming glutinous rice in batches.

Objective 2 accomplished!

I also bought 50 catties of high-quality round glutinous rice, 10 catties of black and white sesame seeds, and a large amount of white sugar.

Objective 3 accomplished!

Back in the cafeteria, he first soaked the glutinous rice in water.

The round rice grains gradually absorb water in the clear water, becoming crystal clear and plump.

Next, he carefully scrubbed the stone mortar and wooden steamer, scalded them with boiling water, and let them dry for later use.

The sesame seeds also need to be washed and dried in advance so they can be roasted tomorrow.

Everything was ready, and night had fallen.

Wang Sheng dragged his tired but expectant body back to the dormitory and fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the bed.

Before going to sleep, I was still simulating in my mind the process of directing the four "hammering specialists" to work the next morning.

……

The next day, at four in the morning.

Wang Sheng woke up on time, washed up, and rushed to the cafeteria. He first completed the routine shopping—black pork, flour, eggs, vegetables, fresh rice noodles, etc.

When he returned to the canteen's backyard with a truck full of ingredients, it was still dark, with only a lone lamp lit at the canteen's back door.

However, right at the entrance of that small warehouse, four figures of varying heights were already standing side by side!

Zhao Gang was burly and wore a sports vest; the muscles on his arms were still clearly defined even in the dim light.

Li Dali wore black-rimmed glasses and a plaid shirt, looking more like a science and engineering student, but he stood upright. Sun Wei was not tall, but had broad shoulders and dark skin, and stood silently.

Lin Xiaowen wore a high ponytail, a simple tracksuit, and a backpack. Her eyes were clear, showing no signs of early morning drowsiness.

None of the four people were late; in fact, they were all early.

Wang Sheng was somewhat surprised, but also somewhat satisfied. "You're all here? You're here quite early."

"Hello, senior!" the four of them said in unison, full of energy.

"I couldn't sleep, so I just came." Zhao Gang grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

"I'm used to getting up early to train," Lin Xiaowen said in a clear voice.

Li Dali and Sun Wei nodded in agreement.

"It will take some time to steam the rice. While we're at it, I'll make you breakfast. You'll need to be full to have the energy to work."

Wang Sheng smiled and walked towards the stove, "What would you like to eat? Mixed rice noodles with soup? Steamed buns? Or would you like to try both?"

The four men's eyes lit up immediately. Zhao Meng rubbed his hands together:

"Brother Sheng, could you... try them all? Just a small portion is fine! I heard they're all amazing!"

The others nodded in agreement, their faces full of anticipation.

"Okay, then I'll prepare a little of everything for you, plenty of it."

Wang Sheng quickly began preparations.

Soon, four small bowls of mixed rice noodles (spiciness level optional), four small cups of meatball soup, a basket of mixed-flavor steamed buns, and golden-fried dough sticks were placed on the small table temporarily set up next to them.

"Eat first, then get back to work."

The four thanked him and, without bothering with formalities, immediately began to eat.

For a moment, only satisfied chewing and soft sighs of praise filled the operating room.

"This rice noodle soup...it smells so good! The pork cracklings are the soul of it!"

"The meatloaf soup is so delicious! The meat is so tender!"

"The soup inside the xiaolongbao is absolutely amazing!"

"The fried dough sticks are so crispy! They'd definitely taste good soaked in tofu pudding!"

While listening to their praise, Wang Sheng began to handle other preparations.

He drained the soaked glutinous rice, spread it on a huge steaming tray, and put it in the steamer to start steaming. At the same time, he started roasting sesame seeds in a separate pot.

Mix black and white sesame seeds in a certain ratio, pour into a clean iron pot, and stir-fry over low heat.

With a gentle stir of the wooden spatula, the rich aroma of sesame seeds quickly rose with the steam, growing stronger and more intense, gradually filling the entire work area and even overpowering the lingering taste of breakfast.

"It smells so good..." Someone sniffed and couldn't help but look towards Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng was completely focused, his eyes fixed on the changing colors of the sesame seeds in the pot.

When the sesame seeds turn slightly yellow and the aroma reaches its peak, immediately remove them from the heat and pour them into a prepared bamboo sieve to cool, preventing them from burning and becoming bitter due to residual heat.

Next comes grinding.

The cooled sesame seeds were poured into the hole of the small stone mill, and Wang Sheng pushed the millstone, applying even force.

With a soft "crunching" sound, delicate, warm sesame powder slowly flows out from the crevices like quicksand, making the aroma even more concentrated and pure.

Mix the ground sesame powder and fine white sugar according to the secret ratio, and put them into a large bowl for later use.

The sesame powder is ready.

Wang Sheng began teaching.

"Pounding is key."

He pointed to the stone mortar and wooden mallet, "After the glutinous rice is steamed, it should be poured into the stone mortar while it is still hot."

Then, using this mallet, hold it like this, using your waist and abdomen to drive your arm, applying force that is deep but even, not just brute force.

Pound, fold, and pound again in one direction. During this process, the rice dough will gradually change from a granular state to a sticky mass. Finally, pound it until it is smooth, fine, and can be stretched into long strands, without sticking to your hands or the mortar.

He picked up the mallet and made a few simulated movements:

"Like this, rhythmically and continuously. Two people per group, taking turns pounding to conserve energy. If it feels too dry during the process, you can sprinkle a little warm water on it. Got it?"

The four nodded seriously, with Zhao Gang and Lin Xiaowen even showing some eagerness in their eyes.

"It's steamed!"

Upon smelling the aroma, Wang Sheng immediately turned off the fire, put on thick gloves, and poured the steaming hot, translucent glutinous rice into the prepared stone mortar.

"First group, Zhao Gang, Lin Xiaowen, you two go first! Be careful with the temperature, don't burn yourselves!" Wang Sheng ordered.

Zhao Gang and Lin Xiaowen exchanged a glance and picked up the wooden mallet.

Zhao Gang, with his immense strength and powerful strike, brought down the glutinous rice with a dull thud, denting it with his first blow. Lin Xiaowen followed closely behind, her movements even more coordinated, her waist and stance perfectly aligned, her power penetrating.

"Yes, that's it! Keep the pace! Li Dali, Sun Wei, observe carefully and be ready to take over!"

A dull, rhythmic pounding sound echoed in the backyard.

"Bang...bang...bang..." accompanied by the subtle "plop" sounds as the sticky rice gradually stuck together and deformed.

Wang Sheng felt at ease watching this scene.

With these four new forces, the supply of mochi fruit is no longer a problem.

He turned around and began preparing the other breakfasts for customers that day, a satisfied smile on his lips.

The manpower issue is resolved today!

Our new mochi product is almost a success!

The "Golden Abundance Set Meal" (fried dough sticks + mochi) is coming soon!

"I'm just wondering if I should also come up with some new mochi fillings, to complete this innovation mission as well..."

"I'm just afraid that if I make it weird and it doesn't taste good, my cousin will scold me..."

[P.S.: Please vote for this book! Please follow it! Please give it a monthly pass! This is very important to the author. My book has dropped on the new book charts, sob sob.]

[The author's hometown dialect has always called it "mazi guo" and he mistakenly thought it could also be called that; this has been corrected.]