Chapter 31: The Fried Noodles Stall’s Scheme

Chapter 31: The Fried Noodle Vendor's Scheme

When Wang Juguang asked, Jiang Yingxue said, "Taoxi Town's Nanhe Village is my hometown, and Taoxi Middle School is my alma mater. I hope both teachers and students can taste good food and stay healthy. There aren't many wealthy people in our town, and the income and consumption levels are far lower compared to big cities. I could sell the food for what it's actually worth in a big city, but here in town, at the school gate, I want to set a price that most students and townspeople can afford."

These were Jiang Yingxue's sincere thoughts. Having left her hometown for many years, this place had never faded from her memory. Now that she was back, filled with nostalgia and affection, she was willing to sell the food below its actual value. However, this was a benefit for ordinary people. If anyone deliberately caused trouble, whether they were fellow townsfolk or relatives, she wouldn't go easy on them.

Wang Juguang said to Liu Junping, "With the way folks spend money in our small town and the location right at our school gate, how many students or adults could afford it if she sold them for 100 or 200 yuan a skewer? Ying Xue is a kind-hearted child; she just wants everyone to be able to afford good food."

Liu Junping's eyes also showed appreciation for Jiang Yingxue. "She's a good kid! Haha, you have a fine student!"

Hearing this, Wang Juguang nodded smugly. His pride was evident; after all, she was his class representative. "Hahaha."

"Hey, what's this packet of pinkish-white powder?" Liu Junping picked up a small packet of powder, his eyes curious.

"This is the Spirit Guzhi Powder I told you about. Just mix it with hot water and drink it. One cup in the morning and one in the evening, and you'll be in great shape." Wang Juguang had also checked books and searched online to find out what Spirit Guzhi Powder was, but he came up empty. He guessed this was another one of Jiang Yingxue's exclusive secret recipes. Regardless, it was a good thing.

Originally, Spirit Guzhi Powder was given as a gift during the first three days of the stall's opening. However, since the Spirit Guzhi plants in the field grew quickly, it became a regular promotion: buy one cup of freshly squeezed Qiong Peach Juice and get two packets of Spirit Guzhi Powder for free.

Liu Junping asked, "Juguang, be honest, can this be purchased separately?"

Wang Juguang shook his head. "I'm not sure about that. You'd need to ask Yingxue." He still had some at home from what Jiang Yingxue gave him on the stall's opening day, more than half a bag left.

As they chatted, it was almost time for school to end. They asked Jiang Yingxue for two bags, planning to take the shrimp and seaweed rice balls home.

Liu Junping and Wang Juguang also each bought an order of fresh shrimp and an order of raw fish balls.

Looking at the fish balls, Wang Juguang suddenly remembered that his son loved fish, and his son was coming home tonight. He asked, "Yingxue, do you sell whole fish? I'd like to get a whole fish for my son to try." Otherwise, his son could just eat the fish balls; he was sure his son would love the taste anyway.

Jiang Yingxue said, "I have whole fish, but only perch. They're not at the stall, only at home. Teacher Wang, how about this: after I close up, I'll bring it to you."

Wang Juguang waved his hand. "Don't go to the trouble. I can just go to your house with you when you finish." He had been there for a home visit before and still remembered the location.

That was a good idea. Jiang Yingxue nodded.

Hearing there were fresh whole perch, Liu Junping also became interested. "Young lady, Old Liu here would like to go to your house to buy one too, if you don't mind."

Jiang Yingxue smiled. "I don't mind. Uncle Liu, why don't I give you my number? If you want perch in the future, you can tell me a day in advance, and I'll bring it for you the next day."

"Good. Also, I'd like to buy more of this powder. Do you have larger portions here?"

"Yes."

Liu Junping added her as a contact, making future fish buys easier.

"Ding-ding-ding~" The school bell rang. It was 11 a.m.

Students started pouring out of the school. Many headed purposefully toward the Xuehe Rice Ball stall, and soon a short line formed in front of it.

The neighboring snack stalls also had business, but not as many customers as the Xuehe Rice Ball stall. Many stall owners were puzzled and envious, some even jealous.

Li Changlong, the owner of the fried noodle stall, muttered under his breath, "Is it really that delicious? The line's been long for days now." The queue even extended to their area, yet no one bought his fried noodles.

His wife, Zhang Shude, didn't think much of it. "She's the only one selling rice balls on this street. It's just the novelty factor. Things will return to normal after a while."

One sold fried noodles, the other sold rice balls—they weren't in direct competition. Zhang Shude didn't pay much attention to the Xuehe Rice Ball stall, but she was also jealous of the foot traffic. Because of this rice ball seller, her fried noodle business wasn't as good as before.

Li Changlong didn't see it that way. Their stall closed early, but on the rare occasions they closed late, he had seen the same luxury car, driven by the same person, coming to pick up rice balls. He also often overheard students passing by his stall praising how delicious the rice balls were, making him want to try one himself.

Zhang Shude said, "My sister-in-law wants to set up a stall too. Why not have her come here and sell rice balls? I think rice balls are quite popular."

"Can your sister-in-law outsell her?"

"Why couldn't she? My sister-in-law is a very hardworking person. And look at how expensive her rice balls are—even the meatballs are almost ten times more expensive than others. I think she's overcharging because she has no competition. Those students are foolish too; they could eat five portions of fried noodles for the price of one rice ball. Hmph, I already told my sister-in-law yesterday. She said she'd think about it."

"Suit yourself," Li Changlong replied casually. When there were fewer students, he went to the Xuehe Rice Ball stall and bought a pork chop rice ball, a skewer of fish balls, and a cup of Qiong Peach Juice.

Holding the packaged food, smelling the uniquely comforting aroma in the air that made one want to roll around in delight, he knew without even taking a bite that his wife's sister-in-law couldn't compare.

He took a bite and his eyes widened in shock. When he came to his senses, he realized he had already finished the entire rice ball.

He licked his lips, picked up a fish ball, and took a big bite. A few seconds later, the skewer was empty too.

Earlier, he thought his sister-in-law couldn't compare. Now, he felt even a five-star chef couldn't compare! Li Changlong thought it best to dissuade his wife and sister-in-law from the idea of setting up a rice ball stall.

So, he bought another rice ball and some meatballs to take back.

After eating them, Zhang Shude was indeed excited. "This tastes amazing! Can you tell what ingredients or sauces she used?"

Li Changlong shook his head and looked at her. "No. What are you thinking?"

A wolf-like, covetous gleam appeared in Zhang Shude's eyes. "If we could figure out what sauce and ingredients are in this, wouldn't we worry about business anymore!" She was already fantasizing about her shop being packed with customers every day.

That would mean piles of cash, numbers climbing in the bank account!