The three of them sighed before setting off to the breakfast shop.
It was still not completely light outside, and there weren’t many people on the streets.
By the time they arrived, there was already a long queue at the breakfast shop’s entrance.
"So many people this early?" Wang Sirui was shocked as he looked at the line at the door.
They had walked over, and it was only about six fifty, yet so many people were already waiting. How good is this business?
"Boss, we’re here to work. Just let us know what we need to do," Chen Yao entered first, glancing around the shop, which was fully packed without an empty seat.
"Okay, this one here who looks more outgoing, sell buns at the door. He can clear the tables and dishes. Do you know how to cook noodles? If so, come in and help me cook." The boss looked at the three of them and immediately made a decision.
"I know a little. You can teach me more; I learn quickly." Chen Yao rolled up his sleeves and walked inside.
The boss handed them each a new employee uniform, asked them to put on disposable caps and masks, and after a brief explanation, they officially started work.
At this moment, there were already hundreds of thousands of people watching the livestream.
Comparing the three who were still dreaming to those who had already gotten up to work hard for breakfast money, the disparity was both amusing and pity-inducing for the viewers.
[Yesterday, I laughed until my stomach hurt because of this silly son who trapped himself, but seeing them wake up so early to work is inexplicably funny and sad. Why’s that?]
[This shop has so many people at this hour, business must be good. This job won’t be easy.]
[But it’s a lot easier than our jobs. We wake up early and work late, yet earn so little. They might get tired sometimes, but they earn much more. A traffic-star gets in a year what common folks earn in decades.]
[This boss is impressive. He saw through their characteristics in an instant, reasonably assigning them roles and managing the process neatly.]
[No wonder someone with "social anxiety" syndrome can sell buns with so many tricks.]
[Jokes aside, I think this silly son is quite suited for this job, smiling so happily. Maybe if he stops being a star, he can open a breakfast shop.]
[I don’t know if it’s just me, but do I feel like there are more people now? Or is their business always this good? The line is so long, must be more than a hundred people.]
[It’s not your illusion. It must be the fan army has arrived!]
[Sigh, missed yesterday’s brother’s popcorn and now today’s silly son’s buns. Feels like I have nothing left to live for.]
As time flew by, the three also began to find their rhythm, and more and more people came. Their movements became agile.
But then, the livestream turned off??
Fans who came in later were all bewildered. They just came in, and how was the stream already closed?
Clueless fans swarmed onto the official Weibo, complaining about why they turned off the stream.
Those who watched the morning stream knew this was the show crew being heartless, teasing fans to heighten their desire to watch, which maximized the show’s effect when it aired.
Yet until the end, no official explanation was given.
Fans could only rush to follow the livestream, fearing they’ll miss the next one.
After being busy for two hours and passing the peak time, the three had sore backs.
It was almost 9 o’clock now, and their two hours of work brought in 90 yuan.
With the money they earned, they headed to the market.
"What should we make for breakfast?" Wang Sirui stretched lazily to relieve fatigue and asked Chen Yao.
Among the three, only Chen Yao had some cooking skills.
"Not sure if they’re awake yet, how about scallion oil noodles with eggs, and some congee with preserved egg and lean meat, and buy some soup dumplings? This way, if it’s not tasty, there’ll be options," suggested Chen Yao after some thought.
"Sure." The two nodded immediately.
After all, they couldn’t do anything but help out.
"Or if you have any specialties, you can make them," Chen Yao added.
Wang Sirui immediately replied, "I can only eat."
Qin Hao hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let’s just follow Brother Yao’s suggestion."
The three bought noodles, preserved eggs, eggs, ingredients, and soup dumplings, spending a total of 68 yuan. By the time they got back, it was already 9:20.
They borrowed the hotel’s kitchen directly. Wang Sirui wanted to help, but almost got in the way, so Chen Yao shooed him off. He and Qin Hao got to work, one washing rice, and the other cutting meat and preserved eggs to start cooking the congee.
The hotel had a steamer, so they put the dumplings in it to keep them warm.
By the time they finished, it was nearly 9:35.
He thought for a moment and sent a message in the group chat.
Chen Yao: [Are you all awake? Breakfast is ready, including scallion oil noodles, congee with preserved egg and lean meat, and soup dumplings. Get ready and come down for breakfast if you’re awake.]
Pei Yan was already awake and replied to the message.
Pei Yan: [Awake, I’ll get ready and come down soon.]
Chen Yao: [What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.]
Pei Yan: [Scallion oil noodles, please.]
Chen Yao: [Okay.]
Qin Yun and Yang Leqi hadn’t replied, suggesting they were likely still asleep.
He planned to make something for them once they woke up. Wang Sirui and Qin Hao, who worked hard all morning, were surely tired and hungry now, so he asked, "Pei Yan is awake. You all must be hungry too. The congee isn’t ready yet, so should I prepare some noodles for you first? I can make more for Qin Yun and Leqi when they wake up."
Chen Yao said this as he started boiling water for noodles.
"Sure, sure, I could eat a whole cow right now. Anything will do," Wang Sirui leaned lazily against the fridge, not picky about food as long as there was something to eat.
"I can too," Qin Hao nodded directly.
After all, he was genuinely hungry.
Getting up early and working for two hours while watching others eat was torturous.
If they weren’t still filming, he would have already gone to a restaurant to eat.
With their responses, Chen Yao smiled. When the water boiled, he added the noodles, then fried scallions in oil to make scallion oil noodles, finally frying some soft-boiled eggs, serving up four bowls of scallion oil noodles.
Pei Yan came down just in time as Chen Yao finished frying the last egg.
"Perfect timing, help yourself," Chen Yao said, placing the last egg in a bowl, smiling.
As soon as Chen Yao finished speaking, other than the one with the final egg, Wang Sirui and Qin Hao quickly each took a bowl, their speed astounding.
Pei Yan strolled over leisurely to take the last remaining bowl.