It was too early for the supermarket to be open, and it was a bit late to go back to catch up on sleep, so Uncle Yu simply sat in the shop and took the opportunity to chat with Lin Xu.
He had not expected Lin Xu’s Shengjian Buns to be so good.
He kept praising them profusely. That Lin Xu is really impressive!
Not only is his cooking great, but even these small snacks are as good as those sold in the Shengjian Bun stalls on the streets. Having such great skills but running such a small eatery really is selling himself short. He should be running a big restaurant.
Lin Xu scooped two Shengjian Buns onto a plate and handed them to Uncle Yu. "Uncle, please give me some feedback. Be careful, they’re hot. There’s soup inside."
"How can I critique your work, Lin Xu? Today I’ve really been blessed... Oh, they are pretty hot. I’ll have to wait a moment before eating."
It was almost time for Niu Chuan and the others to start work.
Lin Xu scooped all the Shengjian Buns out of the pan, ready to make another batch. He wasn’t in the habit of preparing a separate meal just for himself. Since he made them, he might as well let everyone have a taste.
At half-past six, Niu Chuan and his team hadn’t arrived yet, but Dou Wenjing came by taxi instead.
"How come you’re here so early, Wenjing? Doesn’t the administrative service hall open at nine?"
Dou Wenjing patted Dundun’s head and said with a sigh, "Don’t mention it. I was sleeping soundly this morning when a phone call woke me up. I just decided to get up then."
Uncle Yu, who was eating Shengjian Buns, interjected, "Some people really have no manners these days. It’s hard enough for young people to get some sleep, and then they get woken up by phone calls. What can’t wait until after they wake up?"
Uncle, unless I misheard, wasn’t it you who made the call about the supermarket?
She thought Shen Guofu bought the shop as a surprise for his son-in-law, so she didn’t explain the situation and instead asked while yawning, "Boss Lin, do you have anything to eat now?"
Before Lin Xu could reply, Uncle Yu said, "Yes, yes, yes, you have to try Lin Xu’s Shengjian Buns. This flavor! Even if you searched every street in Shanghai, you wouldn’t find a shop with better skill than Lin Xu’s."
This made Lin Xu rather embarrassed. "It’s not that serious, not that serious. I just made a little because my girlfriend was craving them."
Uncle Yu was just about to praise him some more when suddenly, a bit of soup splashed from the Shengjian Bun in his hand. He didn’t have time to continue his praise and quickly stuffed the remaining bun into his mouth. This delicious soup, this tasty Shengjian Bun, must not go to waste!
Lin Xu served a few Shengjian Buns to Dou Wenjing, boiled some water, and took out the leftover wontons from yesterday to cook some more.
Shengjian Buns with wontons. Today, we are all Shanghainese!
Soon, the wontons were ready.
Lin Xu served two bowls. He offered one to Dou Wenjing, who was helping him with his affairs, and one to Uncle Yu, a veteran member of the praise group.
"Oh wow, there are wontons too! Boss Lin, this is really generous."
Although Uncle Yu’s tone had the exaggerated flair typical of Beijing natives, he was meticulous with his affairs. Without further ado, he scanned the payment QR code at the cashier’s counter and paid twenty yuan.
"You’ve been busy all this time; I can’t eat for free. Otherwise, I’d feel embarrassed next time you come to the supermarket to shop."
Lin Xu exchanged a few pleasantries with him and went back to making Shengjian Buns.
Meanwhile, Dou Wenjing, while eating, started to plan her work for the day. Yes, even if she wasn’t in the office and didn’t need to clock in, she still needed a detailed plan for her daily tasks—it was her longstanding work habit.
The landlord for the upstairs unit was settled. The shop had been vacant for over half a year; now that someone was interested, he was naturally eager to finalize the deal. The clothing store’s landlord was also inclined to transfer the lease, but the price needed a bit more negotiation. As for the bakery’s landlord, he practically had ’opportunistic price hike’ written all over his face. He kept stalling, using the excuse that the bakery’s lease hadn’t expired. How ridiculous. What does the tenant’s unexpired lease have to do with transferring the shop’s ownership? Today’s main tasks are to complete the deal for the upstairs shop, settle the price with the clothing store owner, and handle the transfer of the business license and other documents. As for the neighboring bakery... I’ll let him stew for a day and see.
When the Shengjian Buns had cooled down enough to handle, Dou Wenjing set aside her plans and began to enjoy the day’s meal.
Holding a Shengjian Bun in both hands, she carefully bit a small hole. A rich fragrance immediately burst forth.
"Doesn’t this smell amazing?"
She leaned into the broken skin and gently sucked. A mouthful of hot, savory soup was drawn into her mouth.
WOW! This soup is truly exquisite! It was aromatic and savory, with a subtle sweetness in the savoriness, and within that sweetness, the distinct umami of Large Shrimp.
Originally, Dou Wenjing was still a little annoyed about Uncle Yu’s call. But now... thank goodness he called! Otherwise, I would have definitely missed this breakfast.
She blew on it, then took another small sip. The soup tasted even more delicious.
Paired with the delicious Shengjian Buns, she took another bite of a wonton. It made one feel like strolling along the Bund.
I wonder if Boss Lin will add Shengjian Buns and wontons to the menu. If he does, these two could make a Shanghai-style combo...
Enjoying the tasty Shengjian Buns and wontons, Dou Wenjing’s mind wandered, and she even began to think of names for the combos in the shop.
Before long, Niu Chuan and his group arrived.
Seeing that the shop was making Shengjian Buns today, all of them looked surprised. "When we just got out of the subway station, we saw a place selling Shengjian Buns and were thinking of buying some to try. We didn’t expect you to have already made them here, Boss!"
"They smell delicious."
"Boss, can we try some?"
Lin Xu smiled and said, "Quick, wash your hands and eat! I made a bit extra today, so everyone dig in. There’s plenty!"
Without further ado, they washed their hands, each filled a plate, and started eating, pairing the Shengjian Buns with freshly made wontons.
At seven in the morning, the Shen family of three pushed open the door and walked in.
As soon as Shen Jiayue entered, she reached out and started rubbing Dundun’s big head. Dundun whimpered pitifully and immediately jumped into Han Shuzhen’s arms.
"You naughty girl, treating Dundun’s head like dough, aren’t you?"
"I’m just playing with him. Dundun really likes it."
"I can’t see Dundun enjoying it that much; rather, it seems you like it... Wait until you’re married, and see how your mother-in-law disciplines you!"
"My mother-in-law is really nice to me, nothing like you!"
Maybe we should just have the wedding tomorrow, even if I have to pay for it. I don’t want to see this daughter for another day!
Shen Guofu looked at Lin Xu busy in the kitchen and said, "We originally didn’t plan to come today, but Yueyue said you were making Shengjian Buns, so I came with your aunt to taste them... Wenjing, have you eaten?"
"I have, Mr. Shen. Boss Lin’s Shengjian Buns are truly exceptional."
After Dou Wenjing finished eating, she used her mobile phone to book an appointment at the real estate transfer center online, planning to handle the ownership transfer for the upstairs shop today.
Upon seeing Shen Guofu, she quickly went over and gave him a brief report in a soft voice. Shen Guofu didn’t have much to say about it. "Just handle it. Contact me when it’s time to make the payment. We won’t go through the company’s account for this."
Using the company’s account for the transaction would involve company assets and be troublesome, and as Shen Guofu was someone who disliked hassle, he simply decided to pay out of his own pocket. Later, whether it was transferred to his daughter or son-in-law after the wedding, it would be very convenient.
Seeing his in-laws arrive, Lin Xu quickly served the prepared Shengjian Buns and wontons, added two side dishes, and then started having breakfast with the Shen family.
"Wow! Delicious, delicious! I always said your cooking was great!"
Shen Jiayue tasted a Shengjian Bun and, despite it scalding her tongue slightly, still felt that her Lin Xu made them even tastier.
Shen Guofu and Han Shuzhen also thought the taste was indeed good. Even if one were to eat them locally in Shanghai, this would likely be the standard to expect.
While the family of four was eating, a taxi slowly pulled up at the door.
Chen Meijuan, carrying large and small bags, got out of the car. She hadn’t opted for the high-speed train. Instead, she’d bought a sleeper ticket, boarding at 10:00 p.m. last night in Yinzhou. This way, she arrived in Beijing after a good night’s sleep.
Finally, I can see my son! I wonder how he’s been these past few days. Have Yueyue’s parents been giving him the cold shoulder?
While lost in thought, she pushed open the shop door and immediately spotted her son eating with Yueyue and a middle-aged couple. Seeing the four of them enjoying themselves so harmoniously, Chen Meijuan’s heart sank.
It’s all over! I was so focused on worrying about my little piglet suffering hardship in Beijing. Who knew they’d already broken into the pigsty... and stolen my pig!
Thank you to the friends who voted with the Monthly Ticket. Starting today, I will fulfill the promise of additional updates for Monthly Tickets. This Chapter is 5,800 characters; I hope everyone enjoys!