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

Chapter 44 100,000 in Hand

Wang Sheng looked at his mother's face, which was marked by the passage of time but full of joy.

He quickly calculated the details of the plan in his mind.

The window is already operating at full capacity. During the morning rush hour, it serves congee, rice noodles, and rice rolls; during the late-night snack, it serves rice noodle rolls, glutinous rice cakes, and pancakes. Space and manpower are stretched thin. If we force the addition of new items, we risk neglecting some aspects.

"I have an idea. Brother Liu's stall next door has a good location and specializes in Northeastern snacks. He's an honest guy; he was incredibly grateful when I helped him make the sauce last time. Let's invest in his stall, let him learn to make taro dumplings, and add his Northeastern sauerkraut to create double-flavored dumplings. We can split the profits 50/50; he contributes the labor, and we provide the recipe—it's a win-win situation."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's eyes lit up: "Is Brother Liu reliable?"

"Reliable, a true Northeasterner, and loyal."

Wang Sheng smiled and said, "I'll contact him right away."

After saying that, Wang Sheng wiped his hands, walked out of the window, and headed straight for the small open space behind the cafeteria.

Brother Liu's grilled cold noodles stall was still there, sizzling on the griddle, but there were few customers; a few students bought some and left. Brother Liu was wiping the sauce jar with his head down, his face bearing the familiar, honest smile, but a trace of loneliness could not be hidden.

"Brother Liu!" Wang Sheng called out. Brother Liu looked up, his eyes lighting up. "Brother Wang! What's up? Just dropping by?"

Wang Sheng didn't beat around the bush. Leaning against the stall, he whispered, "Brother Liu, my mom tried the pickled cabbage you gave me last time and praised it highly. Today, my mom made taro dumplings and used some of your pickled cabbage; the taste was amazing. I'd like to discuss a collaboration with you."

Brother Liu was taken aback, his hand wiping the sauce stopped: "Cooperation? What kind of cooperation?"

"Invest," Wang Sheng said, looking him directly. "I'll put up 50,000 yuan in cash, taking 40% of your business. The condition is that you learn my mother's taro dumpling recipe, add your Northeastern sauerkraut, and launch a 'Taro and Pork Dumplings' and 'Sauerkraut and Pork Dumplings' combo. We'll use the same brand, 'Shengji Northeast Branch.' I'll teach you how to make the filling and wrap the dumplings; you'll be in charge of the daily operations. We'll split the profits 50/50—everyone makes money, and I'll cover the losses."

Brother Liu's eyes widened. Fifty thousand yuan in cash? That was an astronomical figure for him!

His stall is worth less than 20,000 yuan in total. Although business has been a bit better recently, he only earns two or three hundred yuan a day, which is barely enough to support his family.

"Brother Wang, you—you're not joking, are you? Why are you helping me?"

Wang Sheng patted him on the shoulder: "Brother Liu, you're an honest man. I remember you helping me out last time. Cooperation isn't charity, it's a win-win situation. Your seat is next to the cafeteria exit, where there's a lot of foot traffic for late-night snacks. Grilled cold noodles and dumplings complement each other perfectly. Taro dumplings are soft and refreshing, while sauerkraut dumplings are appetizing and go well with rice. If you take this out, it's guaranteed to be a hit."

Brother Liu's Adam's apple bobbed. After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! Brother Wang, if you trust me, I'll do it! But I'll give you 50% of the shares. You provide the money and the formula, and I'll provide the labor."

"Forty percent is enough." Wang Sheng shook his head. "Come on, let's sign a simple agreement. I'll have a lawyer draft it. I'll teach you how to make dumplings this afternoon."

.

The two made a vow by high-fiving.

The agreement was signed quickly, and Wang Sheng transferred 50,000 yuan from his account.

In the afternoon, when Wang's mother heard about it, she happily agreed to teach others: "Northeasterners are straightforward, so let's teach them!"

Inside the kitchen, Wang Mu took on the role of "master." Brother Liu washed his hands and learned how to steam taro. Wang Sheng offered guidance from the side, while Su Weiwei and Zhao Gang watched, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Cut the taro into chunks, not too big, steam them until cooked, and then mash them. Stir the minced meat clockwise until it becomes firm!" Mother Wang demonstrated, and Brother Liu learned diligently, but the first batch of taro paste was mashed too finely, and the filling was a bit loose.

"Brother Liu, with that kind of strength, you're chopping meat like you're smashing an iron plate," Wang Sheng joked. "Go easy, taro isn't cold noodles."

Brother Liu chuckled, "Hey, Brother Wang, I'm strong, it's nothing new. Sister Weiwei, try the filling, is it salty?"

Su Weiwei picked up some: "The saltiness is just right, but the taro paste could be a little smoother. Uncle Liu, you have a really strong grip—"

Looking at Su Weiwei, the Queen Mother secretly pulled Wang Sheng aside: "That girl is quite good, Sheng Sheng, you should seize the opportunity."

Wang Sheng was both amused and exasperated: "Mom, let's get down to business first."

After two hours, Brother Liu finally got the hang of it.

His hometown makes sauerkraut dumplings, so he has the basic skills. With a little adjustment, he was able to master the taro version.

The sauerkraut and pork dumplings are even simpler; he uses his own sauerkraut and adds some scallions and minced ginger when chopping the filling, giving them a unique flavor.

"Done!" Brother Liu wrapped a plate of dumplings, cooked them, and served them. The taro dumplings were crystal clear, and a bite released a burst of glutinous aroma; the sauerkraut dumplings were tangy and appetizing, and full of meat juice.

Wang Sheng tasted it and nodded: "Brother Liu, your pickled cabbage version is a pleasant surprise. The sourness cuts through the richness, and it's a perfect match with the taro version. We'll offer it for supper tomorrow, priced at 12 yuan per serving of 20 dumplings."

Brother Liu exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Wang, thank you and Auntie!"

The following night, Brother Liu's stall was completely transformed.

Wang Sheng had a small sign made that read "Shengji Northeast Branch," and a cooking pot was added next to the teppanyaki grill. The grilled cold noodles remained the same, but the main dish was now a combination of dumplings.

The afternoon sun was a bit lazy, but Liu's stall was bustling with activity.

The brand-new "Shengji Collaboration: Handmade Dumplings in Two Flavors" signboard stood out brightly in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the rather deserted grilled cold noodles griddle next to it. Two large pots steamed, and Wang Mu stood to the side, sleeves rolled up, intently watching Brother Liu cook the dumplings. Taro dumplings floated in the boiling water, their tempting grayish-purple fillings peeking through; while sauerkraut dumplings emitted a powerful, appetizing aroma of sour and spicy, tantalizing the senses.

Several students who had just finished class were attracted by the unusual combination of aromas and curiously gathered around.

"Uncle Liu, changed careers? Gone grilled cold noodles, now selling dumplings?" A young man in a baseball cap peered at the sign, his tone teasing. "And teamed up with Sheng Kee? With that super popular window number 07?"

Brother Liu wiped his sweat, his face beaming with an uncontainable smile, a mixture of honesty and pride in his expression: "Hey, Brother Wang and Aunt Wang really think highly of me! They taught me a trade, let's work together! Want to try some? The taro is so fresh, the pickled cabbage so refreshing!"

The boy perked up: "Okay, Uncle Liu, how about some taro dumplings to try? Hmm?" He leaned closer to the freshly cooked dumplings, their translucent wrappers encasing the generous filling. "Uncle Liu, these dumplings—they look different from the sauerkraut filling you used to make? Has your skill improved?"

As the dumplings were served, the boy eagerly picked up a small dumpling, blew on it, and took a bite. Instantly, his eyes widened! The thin, resilient outer skin broke open, revealing soft, delicate taro paste mixed with savory meat juices. It felt like warm silk gliding across his tongue, the rich aroma of taro and meat blending perfectly, sweet, glutinous, and savory, with layers of flavor that were truly amazing.

"Holy crap! Uncle Liu!" The boy almost jumped up, his voice trembling. "Amazing! These taro dumplings are incredible! Sweet and sticky without being greasy, so incredibly fresh! Your grilled cold noodles used to be just average, but these dumplings are amazing! It's a complete transformation!"

At the next table, a girl with a ponytail was drawn in by his reaction and also ordered a plate of sauerkraut dumplings. The moment the dumplings entered her mouth, the crisp sauerkraut, the bursting meat juices, the perfectly balanced salty and savory flavor, and the intensely spicy kick that hit her right in the head instantly ignited her taste buds!

"Wow!" The girl gasped, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "The pickled cabbage is really spicy! It's so satisfying! Uncle Liu, are you holding back your cooking tips? Your skills have improved so fast! You weren't this good before!"

Hearing the praise, Brother Liu grinned from ear to ear, waving his hands repeatedly, "You flatter me! It's all thanks to Brother Wang and Aunt Wang for their guidance! I only know how to make sauerkraut dumplings myself, it's a family recipe passed down from my hometown, but they upgraded the recipe for me, adding a secret ingredient! Eat up, and come back for more!"

He spoke in a loud voice, calling out to the growing number of students.

The queue quickly formed. The students spread the word: "Uncle Liu's stall has been transformed! The dumplings are even better than Shengji's!" In the first hour, Uncle Liu was so busy that he was drenched in sweat, but he couldn't stop smiling. He actually sold fifty servings, far exceeding the amount he used to sell for a whole day at his grilled cold noodles.

Wang Sheng stood a short distance away, observing quietly, feeling satisfied. Just then, a crisp notification sound rang out deep within his mind:

[Ding! Collaboration project positive reviews +20, popularity points +600!]

Taro and Pork Dumpling Proficiency +15, now 40/100

[Ding! Clay Pot Soup Proficiency has reached 90/100! Mastery of the essence, triggering reward! Submit to system?]

Wang Sheng's heart skipped a beat! It's here! Almost without hesitation, his mind raced: "Hand it over!"

[Skill: Clay Pot Soup (Basic)] Uploaded successfully! Reward issued: RMB 100,000, transferred to the host's linked bank account through legal and compliant channels.

Almost simultaneously, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Wang Sheng took it out and saw a bank message on the screen: "Your account ending in XXXX has received a transfer of 100,000.00 yuan. Balance: ————"

One hundred thousand! A full one hundred thousand in cash! Although his daily turnover is not low, this huge reward, directly cashed out by the system without any cost, is an affirmation of his day and night practice and research! A strong sense of pleasure swept through his body like an electric current. He subconsciously clenched his fists, his knuckles turned slightly white, but an uncontrollable bright smile bloomed on his face.

This money is the foundation for expansion, a guarantee for parents, and a heavy cornerstone in the blueprint for the future!

"Awesome!" Wang Sheng murmured, feeling his whole body filled with power.

As it was time to close up shop, Brother Liu, beaming with pride, tidied up his belongings while handing Wang Sheng a bulging envelope. His voice trembled with excitement: "Brother, you're amazing! A huge success on the first day! My business is booming! My students all say my skills have improved, and I'm so happy! Here's today's share, take it!" The thick stack of envelopes represented a solid share of the profits.

Wang Sheng didn't refuse much, accepted his share, and patted Brother Liu on the shoulder: "Brother Liu, this is just the beginning! Keep up the good work, there's much more to come!"

Watching from the side, Wang's mother's face was full of relief and pride, but there was also a hint of weariness and heartache for her son between her brows: "Shengsheng, I see that things are going well here, so I have to go back tomorrow. There's still work to be done at home. You—don't overwork yourself, there's always money to be made."

She paused, her gaze falling on Su Weiwei, who was helping to clear the dishes and standing gracefully. Then she looked at her son, her eyes holding a different meaning. "Weiwei, the more I look at you, the more I like you. Tomorrow I'm leaving, so if you have time, please keep an eye on Shengsheng for me and don't let him just focus on making money."

Su Weiwei blushed slightly and nodded obediently, "Don't worry, Auntie."

Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance of the cafeteria. A middle-aged couple with refined manners walked in. The man was slightly overweight, with a warm smile, but his eyes held the shrewdness characteristic of a gourmand. He looked around the cafeteria as if searching for something. The woman was well-maintained and dressed appropriately. Her features bore a resemblance to Su Weiwei, and she had a picky yet curious expression.

"Old Su, is this the place? I almost forgot." The woman asked softly.

"Hmm, that should be right, Shengji." The man nodded, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, then he was drawn to the unique "Shengji Joint Venture" sign in front of Brother Liu's stall and the busy figure of the Queen Mother, and his steps faltered slightly.

As the Queen Mother turned to get a rag, her gaze inadvertently swept across the entrance.

Her own light briefly met that of the slightly overweight middle-aged man in mid-air. A subtle, indescribable sense of familiarity suddenly swept through the Queen Mother's heart.

"Huh? This man—" Wang's mother muttered to herself, "Why does he look a bit like—that girl Weiwei?" The thought flashed through her mind, but she didn't pay much attention to it. After all, in a vast sea of ​​people, it's common to make mistakes, so she continued to busy herself with her work.

The middle-aged couple—Su Weiwei's parents, Su Mingyuan and Shen Jing—didn't notice the momentary pause Wang's mother made. Their attention was completely captivated by the unique aroma of dumplings, a tempting blend of sour and sweet fragrance that filled the air.

"It smells so good! What's this smell? Pickled cabbage? But it doesn't quite look like it—it's also a bit sweet and sticky?" Su Mingyuan sniffed hard, his professional instincts making him very interested in this novel smell. He pulled his wife and headed towards Brother Liu's stall.

He took out his phone, instinctively wanting to take a picture of something, but the screen was still showing the "Old Su's Home-Style Dishes" Douyin (TikTok) app.

Shen Jing frowned: "Cafeteria dumplings? How good can they be? It's not like Shengji, they're not even open yet. Old Su, don't—"

"Since we're already here, let's try some! It smells amazing!" Su Mingyuan had already squeezed to the front of the stall. "Boss, how much are these dumplings? I'll have one of each kind to try!"

Brother Liu had just seen Wang Sheng and his mother off and was happily counting his "huge sum" of money today—which was indeed a huge sum for him.

Hearing that a new customer had arrived, and one who clearly knew his stuff, he immediately perked up: "Alright! Taro dumplings 15, pickled cabbage 12!"

"Please wait a moment, we'll be right there!"

He deftly made dumplings, his face beaming with the joy and confidence of a booming business.

Su Mingyuan didn't rush to sit down. Instead, he observed Brother Liu's operation and the two boiling pots with great interest. He also looked at the "Shengji Joint Venture" sign and seemed to be deep in thought. Shen Jing, on the other hand, was less suspicious due to the tempting aroma. She found a relatively clean table and sat down to wait.

Wang Sheng accompanied his mother out of the canteen, preparing to take her to her temporary rented room to rest.

At that moment, Brother Liu, beaming, presented two steaming bowls of dumplings to Mr. and Mrs. Su Mingyuan: "Gentlemen, here's your dumpling combo! Be careful, it's hot!"

The translucent taro dumplings and the bright red sauerkraut dumplings lay side by side in the bowl, their aroma irresistible. Su Mingyuan picked up his chopsticks, with a slightly scrutinizing attitude, and first picked up a particularly plump-looking taro dumpling.