Gourmet: Midnight Vending-Chapter 332 - 309: Changing the Stall Location

"Hey buddy, how’s this Lion’s Head?"

Yu Hongtao lifted his eyelids to glance at the unfamiliar person asking him and quickly understood their intent.

Just take this Lion’s Head for example, one costs 88 Yuan. Most ordinary people wouldn’t even consider eating something like this. Of course, if someone does want to eat it, they have to think it through. Imagine spending so much money and it’s not tasty; how disappointing would that be?

"Delicious, really delicious! Especially when dipped in Chen vinegar, it’s unbelievably good."

Just like the first time Yu Hongtao saw a Lion’s Head dipped in vinegar, Zhang Huixiang and Liu Xu both looked bewildered.

They exchanged a glance as if to say, are you joking?

In our Huaiyang cuisine, most Lion’s Heads are braised or steamed. Some even use crab roe, which justifies selling them for fifty or sixty.

Seeing their disbelief, Yu Hongtao couldn’t be bothered to explain further.

After all, food is a personal thing. Just because you find it delicious doesn’t mean others will. What if they don’t like it and blame me?

Zhang Huixiang didn’t mind. He wasn’t here for a meal anyway; he was just giving Liu Xu an ultimatum.

If within a month the Ecological Garden still can’t provide a concrete plan, then actions will be taken.

By then, the Ecological Garden, which cost a fortune to build, would just be left to deteriorate. It can’t be put on hold indefinitely.

"That’s it then, Director Liu. You should think this over more. Honestly, I’m just the messenger. That’s all for today, I’m leaving."

"Okay."

Liu Xu watched Zhang Huixiang get into his car, standing alone at the park entrance feeling disheartened.

Judging by the current situation, the outcome for the Ecological Garden was already set, and finding a turnaround would be challenging.

After all, no improvements have been made in so many years; what scheme could turn things around in just a month?

At that moment, Liu Xu heard noise coming from the previous stall location.

"Not even a dime cheaper? Little boss, you gotta be more flexible in business. We’ve already spent over 300 Yuan here, can’t you knock something off?"

"No can do."

"Add two more, I won’t argue, here’s 170!"

"No, it’s 176."

"Hey, come on..." Yu Hongtao waved his hand helplessly, "Alright, alright, since I, Yu, love my food, I’ll pay, give me two more."

Chen Mo poured new bowls of Chen vinegar, scooped a Lion’s Head each for the customers.

It’s not that it can’t be cheaper.

It’s business hours now, and every Yuan means some Experience Value. After roaming for so long, it’s time to level up, right?

Liu Xu watched curiously and walked over.

"Hey buddy, is this Lion’s Head really that good? Aren’t you tired of eating three?"

"Well, I find it quite good. As for getting tired of it," Yu Hongtao glanced helplessly at Chen Mo, "You wouldn’t know, but this little boss has some Chen vinegar at his stall, and dipping this makes it tastier and not greasy at all. It’s just really good."

Now Liu Xu was genuinely curious.

Eating a Lion’s Head with vinegar was a first for his life and sounded unheard of to him.

Luckily, this was in the Ecological Garden. If such a way of eating reached the ears of traditionalists, they might challenge this young boss directly.

"Boss, give me one too," Liu Xu eventually couldn’t resist.

Taking the bowl from Chen Mo, he first sniffed. The vinegary aroma made him frown slightly; it wasn’t as exaggerated as the others claimed.

Then he dug a small piece with a spoon, dipped it fully in Chen vinegar, and put it in his mouth.

"Damn!" Liu Xu suddenly swore, "It’s actually pretty good!"

Yu Hongtao looked proud, continuing to munch on his big Lion’s Head.

The three of them stood around the food cart, scooping bites into their mouths. After eating the third Lion’s Head, Yuan Xiaolin burped, rubbing his stomach.

"I can’t, I’m full."

"I’ve had enough too, that was satisfying!"

Liu Xu held out his empty bowl, "Give me one more!"

"Shall we head home then? A walk back will help digest all this."

Yu Hongtao shivered, realizing he couldn’t refuse today, so he might as well embrace it openly!

Before leaving, Yu Hongtao specifically asked, "Boss, are you setting up the stall tomorrow as well?"

"I’ll be here for the next few days."

Yu Hongtao thought for a bit and said, "But just selling Lion’s Head is a bit too plain. Are you planning to sell anything else?"

"There’ll be new dishes coming; it takes time. I’m new here, today’s Lion’s Head is just a trial run."

"Alright, see you tomorrow." Yu Hongtao pulled Yuan Xiaolin’s hand, heading into the Ecological Garden.

Both of them had annual passes here, and ever since the Ecological Garden started charging an entrance fee, a single ticket was 10 Yuan, but an annual pass was only 100 Yuan for unlimited access.

"Boss, give me another!"

Chen Mo was a bit taken aback, looking at the middle-aged man, called "Director Liu" by the other vendors earlier.

This buddy was much rougher with his food than the last guy, two bites to one fist-sized Lion’s Head.

After eating three in a row, Liu Xu finally let out a long breath, "Ah, satisfying! Your Lion’s Head is quite different from ours over here, and it’s quite good."

Chen Mo just smiled.

"By the way, little boss, I heard you’re coming to set up a stall tomorrow too?"

"Yes. I’ve already paid the 20 Yuan stall fee," thinking Director Liu might want to discuss money matters.

Since earlier the vendors all offered their food, Chen Mo kept quiet, worried they might cause trouble?

Liu Xu said, "Then I’m telling you, if you’re setting up tomorrow, I suggest you do it at the park’s North Gate."

"Oh?" Chen Mo looked puzzled.

He’d been to the North Gate before, and there were hardly any stalls. Initially, he thought setting up wasn’t allowed there.

"Over at the North Gate, although it’s quiet now, it gets crowded after dusk."

"How so?"

"Sigh..." Liu Xu sighed.

"You’re not from around here, are you? You wouldn’t understand, but if you trust me, just set up your stall in the north."

It’s a long story.

Although the Ecological Garden charges an entrance fee now, locals still find ways to enter, and Liu Xu turns a blind eye because arguing over ten or eight Yuan with locals is pointless.

During the day, locals are more restrained.

But when it gets dark, many sneak in, loop around inside, and eventually exit from the North Gate.

In short, the crowd really picks up after dark in the north. It’s just that no stalls are set up there.

Liu Xu kindly reminded, "You don’t have to pay a stall fee over there, but you can only set up by the roadside."

"Thanks."

Not sure why Director Liu shared all this, but Chen Mo figured there must be a reason.

Seeing that it was still early in the day.

With nothing happening by the South Gate and hardly anyone there, Chen Mo packed up and drove out.

He decided to give Director Liu’s suggestion a try.