Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Flavored Loaches Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Flavored Loaches In the town
At Xiaohe Restaurant’s entrance, Shopkeeper Fan knew Xuexue would come today and had instructed the restaurant’s staff to wait here for them early in the morning.
“Miss Mo, and this brother, the shopkeeper has been waiting for you for a long time, please come in quickly.” The assistant had seen Xuexue before, so he greeted them with a smile as soon as they approached.
It turned out that it was because of him that Shopkeeper Fan approached Xuexue and her companion. Once, on the street, he saw so many people crowding around a handsome young man and woman to buy loaches. Out of curiosity, he bought some to try. Little did he know, as soon as Shopkeeper Fan tried them, his eyes lit up, and he immediately thought of a way to rejuvenate the restaurant. After asking where he had bought the loaches, he ran out like a madman. However, when he returned, he was crestfallen. Upon asking, he learned that the young couple had sold all their tasty and unique loaches early and had gone home, leaving him to return empty-handed.
In the following days, Shopkeeper Fan went to the market every day but came back with nothing. His high hopes turned into disappointment daily.
Until a few days ago, he finally found Xuexue and two baskets of flavorful loaches that made him ecstatic all day long!
Indeed, with the two baskets of flavorful loaches, which had a unique taste and were exclusive to the town, plus Xuexue had sold them at the market and many townspeople had tried and loved them, the news about Xiaohe Restaurant taking over the loach business spread. Consequently, a swarm of customers rushed to Xiaohe Restaurant, and over several days, signs of revival began to appear in the restaurant.
This incident alarmed the Shopkeeper of Great Harmony Restaurant, who specially sent a spy to gather information. Unexpectedly, Shopkeeper Fan saw through the undercover agent, gave the person a beating, and threw him out of the restaurant.
“Hmm!” Xuexue acknowledged with a sound and stepped inside together with Big Bull.
“Shopkeeper, shopkeeper, Miss Mo and the big brother have arrived, hurry and come out.” As they entered the hall, the assistant shouted loudly towards the inside.
Despite Shopkeeper Fan’s advancing years, he stood up straight and his voice boomed like a bell as he came out smiling from the inside: “Oh wow! I’ve been eagerly awaiting you folks, come, come, have a seat.”
Shopkeeper Fan was very enthusiastic, even having the assistant serve hot tea and snacks, chatting while they ate.
Xuexue had something on her mind. She absentmindedly sipped the tea twice then put down the cup, tentatively asking, “Shopkeeper Fan, I have some fresh garlic shoots here, would your restaurant be interested?”
Shopkeeper Fan looked at Xuexue with full eyes of doubt: “Fresh ones? Hm, I remember that this isn’t the season for garlic shoots, where did you get these from?”
“We grew them ourselves.” Xuexue said and bent down to grab a handful of lush green garlic shoots from the basket, placing them on the table, “If you don’t believe me, take a look, Shopkeeper Fan.”
“Are these really garlic shoots?” Shopkeeper Fan was pleasantly surprised, touched them with his hand, found them very fresh, and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes, these are out-of-season vegetables, definitely a good sell.”
Indeed, at this season when everything is off, there is a shortage of fresh vegetables. Not just the poor families who might eat the same vegetable all month to the point of blandness, but even wealthy families are looking for fresh vegetables. Yet in this remote and impoverished place, the issue isn’t that they can’t afford to pay but that there simply aren’t any available sources.
Now, fortunately, not only does Xuexue have flavorful loaches, but also these off-season garlic shoots, which made Shopkeeper Fan so happy that his eyes crinkled into a smile, appearing even more fond of the two young people, looking like they truly are the lucky stars of the restaurant.