Chapter 82: Thanks for Still Remembering Me

Chapter 82: Thank You for Still Remembering Me

Five minutes later, a black van stopped in front of the stall. An older man and a younger man, both looking dusty from travel, got out of the vehicle. They were Yu Yuande and Tao Penghai.

Their attire made them look like they had been doing farm work, which wasn't far from the truth—they had been to Xiaohe Mountain, and that was pretty much farm work. They had a bit of luck on the mountain: besides finding the fish and shrimp Jiang Yingxue had mentioned, they also found one of the many Spiritual Flowers on the way back down—the Spirit Thorn Flower.

Jiang Yingxue smiled at them and said, "Teacher Yu, Mr. Tao, I was starting to think you weren't coming. If you hadn't arrived soon, you'd have had to go to Taoxi Town to get them."

Yu Yuande laughed, "Haha, Ms. Jiang, of course we were coming! We just got a bit too excited when we saw the Spirit Thorn Flower on our way down, which held us up a bit. If we're ever late in the future, you can just go on ahead; no need to wait for us."

When she heard they'd found a Spirit Thorn Flower, Jiang Yingxue congratulated them, "Congratulations! If you're transplanting the Spirit Thorn Flower, it's best to take some of the dirt with it."

Yu Yuande smiled, "Thanks for the reminder." That's what they figured too. Since Xiaohe Mountain could produce such delicious food, the soil there must be special.

Tao Penghai said, "We're sorry to keep you waiting. We can pick up our orders ourselves next time."

Jiang Yingxue pulled out her laptop and smiled, "That works too. But if you've placed an order and haven't arrived by 12:30, you'll need to swing by Taoxi Town to get it, okay?"

Yu Yuande & Tao Penghai: No problem.

Yu Yuande got a Red Membership Card and loaded it up with 1 million yuan. Tao Penghai, on the other hand, got a light blue membership card.

Their order today came to 9,200 yuan. Tao Penghai tried to pay, but Yu Yuande insisted, saying, "Penghai, you're on fieldwork with me now, so meals are on me. It just wouldn't be right for you to pay for your own food while working with me."

A few thousand a day is nothing to sneeze at, and Tao Penghai felt bad about it. "Teacher, you covering the meals..."

Yu Yuande continued, "Don't worry about it. I'll get my son to reimburse me." Meaning the head of the testing agency would foot the bill.

Tao Penghai laughed, "Haha, that's great."

Even with Yu Yuande picking up the tab, Tao Penghai still spent his own money to buy four boxes of Spirit Flower Cookies and two boxes of Xia Yu Flower Candy. If you spend over 5,000 yuan, you also get a bottle of Spirit Guzhi Powder. He had actually bought a set of Spirit Flower Cookies yesterday too, and they were delicious. Since National Day is coming up, he bought another set to give to his sister during the holiday—he was sure she and his niece would love them.

After Yu Yuande and his apprentice left, Jiang Yingxue was finally able to hop on her tricycle and head home.

When she arrived at the usual spot near Taoxi Middle School, it wasn't even 1:10 PM yet, but many regulars from the food group were already waiting there.

Min Junru was delighted to see Jiang Yingxue and said, "Sis, you're here! Long time no see! I've missed you!"

The others chimed in, equally happy to see her.

Jiang Yingxue blinked and smiled, "Thank you for still remembering me—and my stall's snacks, too."

"Boss, what do you have left for sale at your stall now?"

"Yeah, sis, I'm dying to get something to eat."

Jiang Yingxue glanced at Min Junru, who was still carrying her school bag, and asked, surprised, "You haven't gone home for lunch yet, have you?"

Min Junru grinned, "Hehe, nope, I'm not hungry yet. I'll eat after I get my membership card."

Chen Jinbin, Long Ting, Pang Yuanmeng, and Min Junru—all four middle school students—hadn't eaten yet.

Jiang Yingxue first gave each of the four students four different flavored cookies, a box of Xia Yu Flower Candy, and a cup of Immortal Brew Honey Water. She said, "The lunch boxes and rice balls at the stall are sold out today. Have some cookies to tide you over for now. You're growing kids; you shouldn't skip meals."

She continued, "Besides giving out membership cards today, I'm also giving each of you a set of Spirit Flower Cookies, Xia Yu Flower Candy, and Immortal Brew Honey Water. If you like the taste after trying them, you're welcome to come by and buy more at the stall when you have time."

The four middle school students went off to eat their cookies, while the others got in line for their membership cards.

Officer Xiao Wu from the police station came to collect his membership card wearing casual clothes today.

As a police officer, it was his duty to handle the case impartially when someone reported that Xuehe Rice Balls were poisonous. But privately, Officer Xiao Wu believed Jiang Yingxue was innocent. He had actively followed up on the testing agency and the progress of the case. He was a decent person and had been a member of the Food Group even before the "poisonous food" incident.

After receiving his membership card and gift, he topped up his card with 20,000 yuan.

Lin Wenjuan and Xu Xina took their membership cards and gifts, said goodbye to Jiang Yingxue, and happily rode off on their electric scooters.

They had just left when their boss arrived by car.

He Ximin had just finished a meal with business friends at a hotel in the city and hurried over to Taoxi Town.

During the meal, he enthusiastically recommended Jiang Yingxue's stall to his friends, praising Xuehe snacks as heavenly delicacies, the kind of divine food you'd only find in myths.

When parting, he even gave a friend a crucian carp and a catfish, insisting they must try them fresh that evening.

He Ximin chuckled and said, "Ying Xue, I'm not too late, am I?"

Jiang Yingxue smiled, "Uncle He, you're here. It's not even 1:30 yet, still early."

He Ximin was also a loyal customer of Xuehe Gourmet.

Since he started eating Xuehe Gourmet food, his housekeeper had been specifically instructed to buy groceries from Jiang Yingxue's grandmother's stall, using the same seasonings as the Jiang family. He also frequently bought fish and shrimp from Jiang Yingxue's home, purchasing several days' worth at a time.

The most remarkable thing was that he occasionally went fishing with Jiang Yingxue's grandfather on weekends when he had time.

Jiang Yingxue took a bag of food from the cabinet in her tricycle and handed it to He Ximin. This was what he had privately ordered from her the night before. Additionally, she packed a set of gifts for the Rainbow Membership Card and gave it to him as well.

To accumulate points, Jiang Yingxue suggested he get a membership card and pay today.

After processing his membership card, he topped it up with 1 million yuan. Today's purchase of 5,120 yuan earned him 51 points.

He Ximin smiled and said, "I heard from Uncle Zheng that you've been brewing wine recently. When will I get to taste this fine wine, dear?" He rarely smoked but loved good wine.

Jiang Yingxue replied, "When the wine is ready, I'll definitely give you a taste, Uncle He. I just hope you won't mind if my brewing skills aren't up to par."

He Ximin laughed heartily, "Ying Xue, you're being modest. There's no way the wine you brew could be anything less than excellent."

By 1:30 PM, Jiang Yingxue processed membership cards for the four middle school students who had filled their stomachs. Min Junru topped up her card with 20,000 yuan and bought an extra set of Spirit Flower Cookies. The other three planned to pay for whatever they bought on the spot in the future.

Min Junru said happily, "Sis, I have some great news that'll make you really happy—Huilong Rice Ball isn't coming today! Hahaha!"