Chapter 456: You're Told to Open a Food Shop, But You Operate at 3 AM

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Protagonist:

Lu Feng

"Tsk, look at you, all big and burly — didn't expect your observation to be quite meticulous."

Ma Wenliang, hearing this, couldn't help but smack a palm onto Zhu Chang's shoulder, sighing with emotion.

He had always thought this fatty only had food in his eyes normally, didn't expect today he actually noticed something was off with him.

Zhu Chang rolled his eyes at him in annoyance: "Alright, if you don't know how to compliment someone then don't force it, okay? A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory — what, you really have to go far away? Not coming back to Jiangcheng?"

As he spoke, he sized up Ma Wenliang with a somewhat reluctant gaze.

The two of them had known each other for over half a month in Lu Feng's restaurant; although they saw each other every day and sat together, they'd bicker before saying more than a few words.

But if Ma Wenliang really stopped coming from now on, Zhu Chang felt that with one less person to argue with, the fun of eating here would also seem a bit less.

"Scram scram scram, can you not look at me with such mushy eyes? I don't swing that way! Also, who said I'm not coming back?"

Ma Wenliang moved away from Zhu Chang with a face full of disdain, then said somewhat reluctantly: "Last time our company was negotiating cooperation with clients from Mo Du, because I brought a portion of xiaolongbao bought from Lu Boss's shop and the client ate it, he got so happy he directly signed the contract. I inexplicably became the project lead, and now the company is directly sending me to Mo Du on a business trip to coordinate the project — estimated at least a month."

"Holy crap!"

Zhu Chang's eyes instantly widened, his tone full of envy: "You're something, kid! Thanks to Lu Boss's blessing, you even ran into this kind of good thing! This is a good thing! After this trip you'll definitely get promoted and a raise right away? When that happens don't forget to treat me to a meal at Lu Boss's!"

The envy in Zhu Chang's eyes was no different from when Ma Wenliang looked at Pang Lingling just now.

He himself holed up at home day and night writing novels, updating ten thousand words daily, manuscript fees barely enough to fill his own stomach.

Ma Wenliang, a programmer, already had a salary much higher than his, and now ran into such good fortune.

Why didn't he have such good luck?

Zhu Chang instantly felt the wealth gap between him and Ma Wenliang had widened another notch.

Ma Wenliang still looked dejected though; he stared at the busy figure in the kitchen, couldn't help but sigh again: "So what if I get promoted and a raise? Once I go to Mo Du, I won't be able to eat Lu Boss's cooking — a whole month! How many good things will I miss!"

The more he spoke the more dejected he got; his heart held zero joy for the promotion and raise, instead his mind was full of worry about not being able to eat good food later.

Zhu Chang couldn't help but laugh, patting his back: "Brother, your future's more important! You go with peace of mind."

He paused, then deliberately continued in an infuriatingly smug tone: "Worst case after you leave, I'll come to Lu Boss's every day and eat two extra dishes — consider it eating your share for you."

"Scram scram scram!"

Ma Wenliang was already depressed at heart; hearing Zhu Chang's words made him even angrier: "Do I need your help? When I get back from the Mo Du trip, I'll order three extra dishes every day — then you won't get a single bite, I'll make you drool with envy!"

Zhu Chang laughed heartily: "You wish! With your appetite, don't come crying to me when you can't finish it and get blacklisted by Lu Boss!"

In the bustling hall of Lu Family Restaurant, the two started bickering back and forth again.

…………

At this moment in the Lu Family Restaurant hall, the queue at the counter snaked from inside the shop all the way to the entrance of Food Street.

Diners at the back of the line craned their necks from time to time, looking forward, hoping their turn would come soon.

"Lu Boss, your shop's business is getting more and more booming!"

Zhao Zhenhui, having just reached the front of the line, waved toward the kitchen and called out loudly to Lu Feng inside: "Today I left the company just ten minutes later than usual, and ended up queuing until now! My wife and I were just worrying we might not get to eat your cooking today!"

His wife Zhou Yaqin beside him had already turned her gaze to the price list on the wall, contemplating what to order.

Lu Feng walked out from the kitchen and smiled gently at the Zhao couple, a greeting.

Ever since Zhao Zhenhui ate at Lu Feng's shop the first time, he had become a loyal fan.

Except for weekends when Lu Family Restaurant was closed, he came here every day for a meal — not a single meal missed.

Although Zhao Zhenhui was a company boss, he was very easygoing and generous; when he had nothing to do he liked sending red packets in the "Lu Boss Business Notice Group".

Even Hu Xiaoyun, who joined the group later, snatched quite a few red packets in the group.

Coming often, Lu Feng and he became familiar; sometimes they'd chat a few sentences.

"Good morning Boss Zhao, good morning Sister Zhou! What are you planning to eat today?"

Hu Xiaoyun behind the counter asked very enthusiastically.

"I'll have the same as yesterday — one portion of Pig Trotter Noodles plus one Tea Egg!"

Zhao Zhenhui's ordering voice carried a regular's casualness: "My wife will have a bowl of Yangchun Noodles, and another portion of Crab Roe Xiaolongbao."

Hu Xiaoyun answered sweetly, lowered her head and started entering the order.

Lu Feng was just about to turn back to the kitchen to continue cooking when his gaze swept past Zhao Zhenhui's back and he suddenly noticed that Qian Laoban, who had been coming with Zhao Zhenhui these past few days, didn't seem to be here today; he asked casually: "Where's Qian Laoban who often comes with you to eat? How come I didn't see him come together with you today?"

Mentioning this Qian Laoban, Lu Feng couldn't help but recall that gold business card of his that nearly got thrown away as trash.

"Qian Zong? He went back to Yangcheng — took a flight this morning."

Zhao Zhenhui smiled: "He stayed in Jiangcheng for nearly half a month; he still has a lot of matters to handle in Yangcheng. This morning when I went to see him off, he complained the whole way — you could tell he really didn't want to go back!"

Zhou Yaqin also chimed in with a smile: "Right, I heard him say it all the way — said every single thing Lu Boss makes here is especially delicious, and after returning to Yangcheng he won't be able to eat such delicious food for a long time."

"That's for sure — where can Yangcheng's chefs compare to Lu Boss?"

Zhao Zhenhui laughed and nodded: "But Qian Laoban said before boarding the plane that once he's done with matters in Yangcheng, he'll come to Jiangcheng again!"

Lu Feng listened and couldn't help but smile.

This Qian Laoban really is a genuine foodie — to eat his cooking, he practically treats Jiangcheng like his own group branch, running over here whether he has business or not.