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

At the very front of the line, Su Weiwei was accompanied by no parents today.

She wore a beige knitted cardigan, which made her skin appear even whiter, and her long hair was loosely tied back, revealing her slender neck.

The morning light shone through the cafeteria window onto her, making her look as fresh as a gardenia with dew on it.

Behind her, several girls who were clearly roommates were excitedly whispering among themselves, glancing at Su Weiwei from time to time, and then at Wang Sheng, who was busy at the window, their eyes full of gossipy gleams that said, "I know."

"Weiwei, your recommendation is so reliable! This scent is amazing!"

"The boss is quite handsome, and he can cook too. Weiwei, you..."

"screw you!"

Su Weiwei blushed slightly and gave a soft rebuke, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the focused figure behind the control panel.

Wang Sheng also saw Su Weiwei, smiled and nodded at her, and his hands moved even faster.

The knowledgeable uncle from yesterday didn't come, but the number of times this pretty junior student turned her head was a living advertisement in itself.

The queue wasn't just filled with people like Su Weiwei. Several familiar faces who had vowed to arrive early yesterday were also there, eagerly staring at the steamer, rubbing their hands together, looking incredibly impatient.

"Boss! Do you remember me? I missed out on that yesterday because I lined up so long! I arrived half an hour early today!"

"Me too! I have to eat it today! I even rescheduled my classes!"

"College students, they're practically dying for their 8 AM classes, but what's getting up early for a meal?" A boy wearing black-rimmed glasses shook his head, eliciting a chorus of approving laughter from those around him.

While deftly portioning out the first batch of xiaolongbao, Wang Sheng replied with a smile, "I remember, I remember! We prepared plenty of ingredients today, everyone gets some! The new sweet taro is also ready; it tastes even better with the xiaolongbao!"

"Sweet taro? What's that?"

"Look, over there in that thermos, it's glowing red and looks so tempting!"

"Boss, a basket of xiaolongbao, and a bowl of sweet taro!"

"I want this group too!"

Wang Sheng lifted the lid of the thermos pot next to him.

In an instant, an even warmer, sweeter, and richer fragrance spread out!

That's the rich, sweet aroma of brown sugar and rock sugar blended together, the earthy fragrance of taro after being soaked in syrup, and that delicate, lingering scent of osmanthus, like the finishing touch on a masterpiece!

The sweet aroma blends surprisingly well with the savory fragrance of the steamed buns next to it. Instead of clashing, they complement each other, making one's mouth water and causing the cravings in one's stomach to rumble wildly.

Su Weiwei's eyes lit up: "Senior, I want a basket of xiaolongbao and a bowl of sweet taro."

"Okay!"

Wang Sheng quickly placed a steaming basket of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) with tempting golden hues on top, and a bowl of bright red, glistening taro garnished with golden osmanthus flowers in a small blue-and-white porcelain bowl on the table by the window.

"Be careful, it's hot. Taro can be eaten a little cooler for a more glutinous texture."

Su Weiwei nodded and picked up her chopsticks first. She started with the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). She gently picked one up, dipped it in vinegar, and took a bite.

"Um--!"

An even more abundant and delicious broth poured in than yesterday!

Black pork has a richer and more robust meaty aroma, with a natural sweetness!

The complex aroma of five-year aged soy sauce is fully released, resulting in a savory, rich, and mellow flavor with a long-lasting aftertaste!

The addition of dried shrimp and scallop powder makes the umami flavor even deeper and more layered, as if a symphony of umami is being performed in the mouth!

The skin remains thin and chewy, the filling is even more bouncy and juicy, and the seasoning, enhanced by top-quality ingredients, has reached a new balance and level!

Su Weiwei squinted her eyes in happiness, a satisfied blush rising on her fair cheeks.

She couldn't wait to scoop up a spoonful of sweet taro.

The taro had been thoroughly simmered in syrup, giving it a translucent, amber-like reddish-brown color.

When placed in the mouth, it requires almost no chewing; the incredibly soft and powdery texture melts on the tongue, so smooth and delicate it's almost unbelievable. The sweetness, derived from the simmering of brown sugar and rock sugar, is mellow and rich, just the right amount of sweetness without being cloying at all.

The fragrance of osmanthus emerges subtly at the end, refreshing and cleansing, adding a touch of elegance to this sweet and warm glutinous rice.

Take another bite of the savory and piping hot xiaolongbao, and drink a sip of the soup.

Then add a spoonful of warm and sweet taro.

Salty and sweet, savory and glutinous, piping hot and warm, alternating and blending in the mouth...

Su Weiwei ate without any regard for her image, taking small bites quickly, her cheeks bulging, her eyes shining like they were filled with stars.

"Weiwei, how is it? How is it?" her roommate asked, leaning over.

Su Weiwei finally swallowed the food in her mouth, let out a long sigh of relief, and her face showed undisguised amazement and happiness:

"It's so delicious... The xiaolongbao is even better than yesterday! This sweet taro... It's a perfect match! Absolutely a perfect match! You guys have to try it!"

Her reaction was the best GG.

The students who received their meals later, whether they were returning customers from yesterday or new customers trying it for the first time today, all had almost identical reactions after taking their first bite—

His eyes widened, he froze, and then his face quickly lit up with ecstasy and disbelief!

"My goodness! This minced meat! This broth! This upgraded version is absolutely amazing!"

"This sweet taro...even my mom can't make it taste like this! It's so powdery, chewy, sweet but not cloying! The osmanthus fragrance is the perfect finishing touch!"

"It's absolutely amazing when eaten together! It cuts through the richness and is so satisfying! It makes me feel incredibly happy!"

"Worth it! Absolutely worth it! This twenty yuan is the best investment I made today!"

"Take photos! Post them on Xiaohongshu! Post them on Douyin! This is going to be a hit!"

"Boss! Pack me two more baskets! No, three! I'm taking them to my roommate!"

"I'll also take a bowl of sweet taro to go!"

The area in front of window number 07 in the cafeteria was completely in an uproar!

Exclamations of praise, gasps of surprise, urging voices, the clatter of bowls and spoons, the slurping of soup...

They intertwine to form the most moving breakfast symphony.

Everyone's face showed the same thing: satisfaction, surprise, and happiness.

The queue grew longer and longer, almost circling half of the cafeteria. The students who arrived later, seeing the expressions of those in front of them as if the food was "delicious to heaven," had their curiosity and appetites piqued to the extreme, and even though they had to wait, they resolutely refused to leave.

[Ding! Received 1 positive review!]

[Ding! Received 1 positive review!]

[Ding! Received 1 positive review!] ...

The notification sounds in Wang Sheng's mind had already formed a cheerful melody.

The number of positive reviews skyrocketed!

[Over 300 positive reviews! Extremely popular!]

[400+ positive reviews! Positive word-of-mouth continues to grow!]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Hidden objective achieved for a period! Received ≥500 positive reviews!]

[Reward: Special Item - Kitchen Fume Avoidance Card (Permanent Passive)]

A cool current silently entered Wang Sheng's body, especially his face and respiratory system. He didn't feel anything special, but the system explanation appeared afterward:

[Prevent kitchen fumes from getting stuck (permanent passive)]

Effects: Completely isolates kitchen fumes from adhering to and harming the user's skin, respiratory system, and clothing. Fumes will automatically bypass and dissipate harmlessly. Maintains a chef's clean and healthy image, without worrying about "smoky" smells damaging their appearance.

Wang Sheng felt a surge of joy.

This reward is so practical! It's a godsend for chefs! Even if I'm busy at the stove all day, my face won't be greasy, my clothes won't smell, and I won't have to worry about the health effects of long-term inhalation of cooking fumes.

System, you really understand me!

He enjoyed the perpetual privilege of being free from cooking fumes, and his hands moved even faster. The upgraded ingredients and his increasingly skillful techniques significantly improved his efficiency in making steamed buns.

Stacks of steamers were steamed, and spoonfuls of sweet taro were scooped out.

The beeping sounds of banknotes and QR code payments were incessant.

Sales figures were soaring wildly.

All of this was observed by the pair of sharp eyes wearing gold-rimmed glasses at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Gu Lingyi arrived as promised.

Instead of rushing forward, she crossed her arms and observed with great interest.

Observe the ridiculously long yet orderly queue.

Observe the genuine, undisguised delight and happiness on the faces of every student who receives food.

Observe the young chef behind the small workbench, operating with the efficiency of a precision machine, yet with a wonderful sense of rhythm.

Her gaze lingered for a moment, especially on Su Weiwei's table, where she saw the pretty girl eating with a satisfied expression, and also saw the students around her frantically taking pictures and sharing them.

"Interesting..." Gu Lingyi's smile deepened.

She had only come out of a promise and a bit of curiosity, but now, this student named Wang Sheng and his little window seemed to have really done something extraordinary.

She took a step, her high heels clicking crisply and rhythmically on the polished floor, and walked unhurriedly toward the very center of the fragrance and cheers.

The students in line quickly noticed the outstanding and handsome "teacher" (they thought he was a teacher), and automatically made way for him, their eyes following him with curiosity.

Wang Sheng had just handed out several packed meals when he looked up and saw Gu Lingyi walking straight to the window.

A black suit, black stockings, gold-rimmed glasses, exquisite makeup, and a gaze that seemed to be both smiling and scrutinizing.

Wang Sheng's heart skipped a beat.

Principal Gu! She really came!

Moreover, it just so happens to coincide with his today's upgrade of ingredients, launch of new products, and explosive word-of-mouth!

Is it a blessing or a curse?

Wang Sheng took a deep breath, suppressing his rapidly beating heart, and put on a calm and composed smile.

"Good morning, Principal Gu. Would you like to try something?"