Chapter 21 Selling Noodles at a Stall

After Jiang Zhi finished doing all this, she called everyone over and helped them tidy up the benches, small tables, cans of chili sauce, and the noodles that had already been packed.

After tying each item up with rope, Jiang Zhi handed them over to everyone, then carried the heaviest load of noodles and hurried out.

She needs to find a good spot this time so that her early arrival won't be in vain!

*

As expected, the sun hadn't even set yet, its afterglow still lingered in the sky, and the earth was scorching hot.

Some diligent people have already started setting up stalls at the night market, but most of the stalls are completely empty.

Jiang Zhi finally found a good spot, and then she busied herself setting up stools, tables, and noodle buckets, working like a fluttering butterfly in front of her stall.

What about the others?

Pei Ye and You Yi were still being driven far away as before.

Unlike before, this time there was another figure beside them, Gu Yuan. She was still chased far away by Jiang Zhi.

Actually, Gu Yuan wanted to buy another meal from Jiang Zhi, but Jiang Zhi coldly said: "I only brought this much today. I won't sell the three of them what they've already eaten. Let them find their own food."

Only Xiao Mahua was left there as usual, quietly but diligently helping to count money, and also helping to carry bowls and plates.

Jiang Zhi was busy with her hands, but she was secretly making notes in her mental ledger about the things she needed to buy later.

For example, after she moves out tomorrow, shouldn't she ask a carpenter to make a small cart to help her?

We can't keep bothering our regular customers!

Moreover, Jiang Zhi was already secretly calculating: she planned to sell them at clearly marked prices in the future.

This loyal customer has already put in the effort, so we can't expect them to pay again! They'll have to pay something back eventually.

*

Jiang Zhi finally finished cleaning up the stall. As she had done before, she also swept the floor to make sure it was clean and tidy before starting to portion out the cold noodles.

There was no way around it; she was absolutely confident that the cold noodles she made today would make everyone fall in love with them after just one bite!

But it doesn't smell very fragrant.

The biggest problem is, how is she going to get someone else to have a bite?

Although Jiang Zhi hadn't come up with a solution yet, she still had to get the designs done.

Maybe some people will find it delicious when mixed?

Although that's what she thought in her heart, Jiang Zhi didn't actually feel anything about it.

Although everything is neatly arranged now, she is actually waiting for the group of diners who ate her food a few days ago to come back as repeat customers.

So when a neatly dressed young scholar suddenly came to ask about the price, she was surprisingly shocked and raised her eyebrows.

The scholar was wearing a hat and his clothes were neat and clean. Jiang Zhi glanced at him casually and made a rough guess in her mind: he looked like he had sneaked out of his teacher's house.

The scholar, a little shy, pointed with one finger to the noodles that Jiang Zhi had just served and said softly:

"Young lady, how much is this bowl of noodles?"

Jiang Zhi gently patted the little twisted dough stick, and just then, the little twisted dough stick made eye contact with the scholar.

She whispered, "4 coins."

The scholar looked at the little twisted dough stick's timid voice, probably thinking of his younger sister or other relatives, and his voice couldn't help but soften a bit as he spoke.

"Then give me a bowl."

Jiang Zhi knew this would be the effect. She smiled and served the scholar a large bowl, which surprised him so much that he waved his hands repeatedly. Only then did she dismiss Xiao Mahua and smile at the young master.

"Thank you for your cooperation, young master. You've brought my little sister out to broaden her horizons. Please give me some money, and I hope you'll come and patronize my business often in the future!"

The young man couldn't help but blush, and somewhat embarrassed, he accepted the bowl of noodles that was piled high with food.

Then he found a chair, sat down, and started eating.

The scholar's real name was Su. He had been secretly observing from the sidelines for a long time before coming to eat at this noodle shop run by the proprietress.

First of all, the shop was so clean and tidy. For someone with OCD, this was a huge advantage. He thought that if the shop could be kept so clean, then even if the food wasn't good, it couldn't be unclean!

Secondly, the reason he was here today was not because he was a spoiled brat skipping school, as Jiang Zhi thought. He had a bit of an upset stomach today, and after getting some prescriptions from the pharmacy on his way from his teacher's house, he suddenly felt a bit hungry while passing by this night market.

Unfortunately, the night market was filled with all sorts of grilled meat and fish, as well as various kinds of fried noodles and rice noodles, and the smell made him want to vomit.

Then he saw Jiang Zhi's stall, and his eyes lit up.

Look at those refreshing colors: pale yellow and light green noodles lie loosely in the bowl, topped with green cucumber strips, white bean sprouts, and a handful of bright green scallions.

It looks exceptionally cool!

He quickly picked up the chopsticks that were placed to the side, took a bite, and put it in his mouth.

The cool noodles first brushed against his tongue, followed by the slightly sour broth that enveloped them, which then began to invade his mouth. Combined with the subtle sweetness that followed the noodles, it was as if his mouth had become a stage, with all sorts of flavors taking center stage.

He quickly chewed a couple of bites of the cucumber strips and bean sprouts. Each one was crunchy and juicy, and in an instant, he immediately experienced the taste of summer.

Jiang Zhi had just asked the young scholar about his preferences and then added a small spoonful of chili to his bowl.

At that moment, the bean sprouts right next to the chili sauce were also put into the mouth. Instantly, the battle between the tongue and teeth was no longer a two-way contest, but a three-way standoff.

Although it's not very spicy, what Jiang Zhi made is a spicy plus version, or in short, a spicy compressed package.

In an instant, it was as if sparks were spitting out from the young scholar's throat.

...

Although the young scholar reacted quickly, startled, he immediately threw the spoonful of chili sauce he had just added onto the ground. However, the burning sensation, which he couldn't tell was either pain or pleasure, still lingered in his mouth and even in his throat.

*

At this time, there were still few people in the night market, so Jiang Zhi simply sat down opposite the scholar with nothing to do, watching him change his expression with a smile.

Then he simply started chatting with the scholar.

*

When Jiang Zhi's group of loyal diners finally arrived, Jiang Zhi, with a smile on her face, thoroughly explained the daily routine of the young scholar's academy.

Although the young scholar didn't realize it, Jiang Zhi still had a rare bit of conscience. She subtly hinted to him a few times that he should stay and that she would bring him a drink later.

After giving the hint, Jiang Zhi noticed that there were more pedestrians passing by. Regardless of whether the young scholar had understood the hint or not, she spontaneously went to call out and get busy.

There was no way around it; perhaps because Jiang Zhi's stall opening times were extremely fixed the previous two times, the loyal customers who were lured by Jiang Zhi's delicious food were also extremely punctual.

As soon as the sun sets, around 7 PM, a long queue forms in front of the ginger stall.

Jiang Zhi saw many familiar faces inside, such as the masked girl who bought her lemonade the first time, or the little brother she met on her second order...

Whenever Jiang Zhi encounters a customer like this, she greets them with a smile and then quickly tells them what dietary restrictions they have!

Just as Jiang Zhi had predicted, everyone she greeted, regardless of gender or age, was overjoyed.

When Jiang Zhi asked with a smile if this was a dietary restriction, everyone was overjoyed.

Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly. Back then, in order to do live streaming online, she had deliberately studied some psychology.

This involves two psychological concepts: self-satisfaction and reciprocity. Jiang Zhi herself didn't fully grasp the specific difficulties back then, but she still managed to understand these two theories broadly through the lens of the business world:

In short, firstly, the owner remembers my preferences and cares about me! Secondly, the service here is excellent; she remembers my dietary restrictions without me having to mention them, and her attitude is great!

Jiang Zhi's hands were almost moving like blurs while her mind was still wandering.

But then she suddenly realized that she might have been thinking about something inappropriate, so she hurriedly shook her head, glanced at the silent little twister next to her who was collecting money with one hand, and went back to serving noodles!

*

By the time the queue had grown into a long line, Jiang Zhi only had time to wipe away her sweat; her hands were practically moving like an assembly line.

First, two chopsticks of noodles, then a spoonful of sour soup, then a spoonful of cucumber, a spoonful of bean sprouts, and a small half spoonful of chopped green onions. Finally, look up and ask the customer if they have any aversion to spicy food. If not, add a small half spoonful of chili sauce.

Finally, it is handed directly to the customer.

Jiang Zhi had placed a sign nearby to warn everyone that the bowls could not be taken away.

So, customers who managed to grab a stool sat down and ate heartily. Those who had no stools left had no choice but to stand beside the long queue and slurp their food.

It's all about making people drool!

This led to a problem: Jiang Zhi's queue seemed to have been going on for a long time, yet it also seemed like she hadn't been queuing at all; it was still incredibly long.

Jiang Zhi glanced at the remaining noodles in the bucket, then looked at the long queue.

She rarely sighed, and facing the back of the line, she cupped her hands into a megaphone shape and shouted loudly.

"Dear customers, we're running low on noodles today! Please stop queuing, as there might not be any left even if you do!"

A later visitor said with resentment.

"Boss Jiang, we just told you last time that you should make more!"

"Next time, next time, I'll definitely remember!"

Jiang Zhi smiled awkwardly. She had thought that making extra this time would be enough, but who would have thought...

*

With most of the food sold out, Jiang Zhi smiled and asked Pei Ye to go home and pour a bowl of chilled plum juice. She personally delivered it to the first young scholar who had come to buy some. After finishing his cold noodles and drinking the plum juice, the young scholar's eyes crinkled with happiness; he was clearly extremely satisfied.

Then, Jiang Zhi collected the bowls and utensils that the customers had just finished eating from, put them away neatly, and then put away the benches and chairs that had been moved out earlier.

Jiang Zhi and the others who were waiting nearby worked together and carried the things back in one trip.

Then, seeing that it wasn't too late, Jiang Zhi happily left the unwashed dishes aside and went out for a stroll.