Chapter 24 024 Offline [Second Update]

When the little dumpling arrived at the Wen family's shop, before it could say anything, the live stream chat exploded.

[Holy crap, holy crap, is this what they called collecting shells? This is the first time I've ever seen this!]

[The renovations are all almost identical! Isn't this misleading?]

[How disgusting! How can someone with such a character make any good food?!]

[Exactly! Doing it this way drags down people's good reputations. If someone makes a mistake, won't they face fierce online attacks?]

[Luckily, Da Tuanzi ordered food from two different places today, otherwise I don't even want to think about how those successful restaurants would survive.]

Why can't we sue them? Something similar happened in my hometown before; looking back, it's a classic case of Gresham's Law (bad money driving out good).

[For those who can't sue, this kind of appearance is everywhere. Even if you do file a lawsuit, the process is very complicated and takes a long time. Ordinary small business owners don't have that kind of energy.]

I'm so angry, and I feel so sorry for this family.

The big dumpling circled around first, and saw a little water stain on the ground at the entrance. It knew that this place might also have outdoor seating in the evening, but the hygiene was much better than Wu Ji's place that it had just looked at.

As soon as we stepped inside, a cool breeze from the air conditioner hit our foreheads, instantly improving Da Tuanzi's impression of the place.

When Mrs. Wen saw that customers had arrived, she said apologetically, "I'm sorry, we've sold out of lunch. We only have cold dishes and braised dishes left."

Da Tuanzi originally just came to take a look, but upon entering, she saw that the room was bright and clean, with cold dishes displayed in the counter, and even mosquito nets installed behind the counter to keep out mosquitoes and flies. The large pot of braised dishes was also placed near the entrance, but the difference was that there wasn't much broth in the pot, just a shallow layer, with a small fire underneath to keep it warm.

"...Give me a braised chicken leg, and a plate of cold appetizers."

Wen's mother: "I'm sorry, we're out of chicken legs. We only have some vegetables left."

"Then let's have vegetarian dishes."

"There are only two kinds of cold dishes left: stir-fried green beans and salted peanuts."

"Anything is fine."

Wenmu packed the food efficiently, while Datuanzi went to check the hygiene supervision certificate posted in the store with practiced ease.

After seeing the hygiene permit for the cold dishes inside, he couldn't help but strike up a conversation with Wen's mother.

"Your store even went to the trouble of getting this certificate?"

Wen's mother looked over and said, "Of course we should do it. Didn't we say before that the store should keep raw and cooked food separate? We have a special area set aside for cold dishes."

Perhaps thinking that Da Tuanzi had concerns because she had children at home, Wen's mother lifted the curtain of the kitchen without saying a word: "Look, we have everything clearly separated in our store."

This was the first time someone had opened the kitchen door for him to see during the long live stream. Da Tuanzi was shocked and hesitated before finally walking over.

Seeing that the kitchen was just as clean as the front, he immediately stopped doubting and exclaimed, "Your store is definitely one of the cleanest I've ever seen."

Wen's mother said proudly, "Putting aside everything else, my son is definitely clean."

Even Wen Fan was very mindful of this. Before her mother got the marriage certificate, they kept separate cutting boards and knives for cold and cooked dishes. It was just that the Wen family's place was too small; if it were before, she would have preferred to have separate rooms for raw and cooked food.

The little dumpling started chatting with Wen's mother: "Is our shop usually crowded?"

"More in the evenings, and more lunchtime orders are set meals and takeout, it's just too hot."

Are there outdoor seating areas in the evening?

"Yes, but it can't be too late. We usually close around 10 o'clock."

"Returning so early?"

"It's right next to the school. Besides, the store doesn't stay open too late. If you come after 8:30, there won't be much left."

...

After packing everything up, Mrs. Wen handed each box, stuffing it bulging, to the customer, saying, "Welcome to visit again next time."

Once the little dumpling was outside, she finally had time to carefully read the comments on her phone.

The owner of this place has a really good temper; she doesn't complain to anyone about such a nasty thing happening nearby.

They gave us so many things! The box was completely full!

Their business is already pretty good; haven't you heard? They sell out by 8 PM.

I got off work early today, so I'll go check it out tonight!

[While passing by that Wu family's house, I spat on them. What kind of people are they?!]

The big dumpling looked at the comments and, although he thought the same thing, still said some polite words.

"Please don't be impulsive. There are two stores today. You can support Wenji, but please don't cyberbully the other one."

I'm not going to cyberbully them, I'm just asking, does that restaurant, which also serves cold dishes, have the necessary permits?

Exactly! And what about those pre-packaged meals? Are they made with good quality ingredients or are they from unknown brands or substandard manufacturers?

Has the hygiene been verified?

Where are the firefighters?

Amidst the fervor in the live stream chat, Da Tuanzi sighed and ended the stream, preparing to go home to edit the video.

Before leaving the street, he looked back and shook his head, saying, "Those who do many evil deeds will surely perish."

Even if it wasn't him, someone like that wouldn't go far.

****

When Wen Fan arrived at the store in the afternoon, he was dumbfounded.

Normally there wouldn't be any customers at this time, but now there are already four or five tables occupied outside.

Wen's mother was covered in sweat: "These people all came after watching the live stream... Xiao Tao, Xiao Tao, can you help me see who they're talking about? I didn't watch the live stream."

Local young people tend to be more righteous. If it were just a good restaurant and a bad one, people might just laugh it off. But today's live stream has made many people furious.

The reason lies solely in the unfair competition between the two companies.

One company honestly ran its business and gradually built its reputation through its technology, while the other did nothing but imitate others.

In an instant, many people put themselves in the role of Wen's mother, wishing they could curse the imposter to death.

Yang Tao was pulled aside by Wen's mother and questioned. After only a few questions, Yang Tao's eyes changed from confusion to excitement.

"Who are you talking about? Big dumpling?"

Wen's mother: "Is it called Big Dumpling? They said it would be a live stream, but I haven't seen anyone actually doing it today... There was a young man holding up his phone at noon, and I thought he was playing a game!"

Yang Tao gripped Wen's mother's arm: "Aunt Xia, we've really struck it rich!"

He quickly searched on the live streaming platform and soon found Da Tuanzi's account, which contained videos showing his face.

"Is it him?"

After a moment's thought, Wen's mother said, "Yes."

That's the guy who came to buy cold dishes and braised dishes at noon.

"Hahahaha!" Yang Tao exclaimed excitedly, "What incredible luck!"

The promotion fee for Da Tuanzi is not low. Someone said that it would cost at least tens of thousands of yuan to promote it once. And even then, the product has to be delicious, otherwise he won't take the job.

Now that he had a promotion for no reason, Yang Tao felt that nothing else bothered him anymore.

The Wen family's business is about to take off!

Wen Fan looked at the people in the shop with a blank expression.

When asked what they wanted to eat, they all said twice-cooked pork over rice.

"Little sister, could you talk to your dad and ask him to put more potato slices in the twice-cooked pork?"

I was watching the live stream at noon, and this was the most tempting thing to watch.

A group of foodies stared at each other, knowing they wouldn't be able to sleep all night if they didn't get to eat twice-cooked pork over rice today.

Wen Fan silently counted the heads, then picked up his phone to call his father.

"Dad, buy more pork belly... buy ten pounds, no, buy thirty pounds."

Mr. Wen was at the vegetable market when he heard this and thought he had misheard.

When he returned with thirty pounds of pork belly, he saw that all eight tables in the house were full, and some people were even sharing tables. Only then did he realize what was happening.

Wen Fan deftly took the pork belly from his father's hand.

Father Wen: "What...what happened?"

Business is usually good, but I've never seen it this good!

After considering it for a moment, Wen Fan chose to say what Yang Tao had just told him.

"This is the power of the internet."

Da Tuanzi rushed to finish editing the live stream and released it that same evening.

This was a big deal. Sun Mengyun was still wondering why her shop's orders had suddenly dropped sharply when she noticed the strange looks from the jianbing guozi (Chinese crepe) vendor next door, and heard someone vaguely saying that she had become popular.

Sun Mengyun then saw her store on the short video platform.

Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared intently at the screen.

To be fair, Da Tuanzi is quite cautious. Whether it's ordering takeout or visiting restaurants, she always uses mosaics to cover the main parts. At least you can't tell which two restaurants it is just by watching the video.

However, netizens are good at digging up codes, and someone posted all the store names below.

The authentic store is Wenji, next to a convenience store and a pharmacy. Wuji is fake; it's next to a jianbing (Chinese crepe) shop. Don't go to the wrong one!

I went to Wen Ji restaurant tonight, and it was incredibly crowded. I even heard someone say that the guy surnamed Wu there would try to stop customers at the front. Don't listen to that nonsense if you go there!

Wenji's braised dishes are truly exceptional; I've never had such delicious braised chicken legs.

Waaah, I got off work late, and when I got there, there was nothing left.

[It's so delicious, I wouldn't let go even if you slapped me.]

...

Sun Mengyun's hand trembled as she held the phone. She wiped away her tears, put the phone down, and was about to confront Wen's mother.

Wu Daneng walked in from outside and stopped her when he saw her like this.

Where are you going?

Sun Mengyun: "I'm going to go and fight her to the death!"

She just couldn't understand why Wen's mother was so ruthless. All she did was copy her, and her business wasn't even as good as hers. Why was her mother so intolerant? With this video out, how could she possibly keep her shop open?

Isn't this going to kill her?

"Xia Yingzhi is too cruel, too wicked! How are we supposed to live like this?!"

Sun Mengyun cried for real this time, feeling a mix of inexplicable regret and resentment towards the Wen family.

Wu Daneng seemed to have lost all his energy overnight, but seeing his wife in such a state of collapse, he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.

"Why are we looking for them? Did they force us to do this?"

Wu Daneng coughed twice and slumped down: "Mengyun, I know you want to live a good life, but from beginning to end, no one took the initiative to do anything."

When we first started competing for business, the other party didn't say anything.

Later, when they raided the shops, no one came to cause trouble.

Now that the post has been shared online, Wu Daneng feels dizzy and disoriented as he looks at the comments.

Looking at it from outside this circle, what they did was really despicable. Even if they had actively sought out internet celebrities to expose them, so what?

What he said wasn't a lie.

Sun Mengyun choked up as she spoke, feeling wronged: "What can we do? If she wants me to back down, I'll just do it. But will she come out and say it's not our problem?"

Even if they clarify, can the store still stay open?

Wu Daneng said with a wry smile, "It can't be opened."

"Let's not compete with her anymore, let's keep running the rice noodle shop."

Wu Daneng pointed ahead: "That place on the street, the empty shop next to the hair salon."

"They're already putting up signs."

"It's a rice noodle shop."

Sun Mengyun's legs went weak instantly, and she covered her face and started crying.

Wu Daneng was also somewhat bewildered.

How did I end up like this?

Why would someone who was doing so well selling rice noodles suddenly want to cause trouble for others?

He seemed to have said something before, that he would never use pre-packaged meals. His own child was only four or five years old, and he felt that he should extend that love to other people's children as well. Even if it was just for the sake of his child's good karma, he would not use those harmful, unregulated products.

But how did they end up ignoring those words?

Is it because of greed, or because of the pressures of life?

It's too late to talk about it now.

Sun Mengyun and her husband closed their shop, and within a week, a "For Rent" sign appeared on the original shop.

When Wen's mother passed by the shop, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Such a good life, sigh."

Wen Fan sat on the back of the electric scooter, not feeling much regret about the family members who had disappeared from his life.

"Mom, can I have a crème brûlée today?"

"Didn't we just drink it yesterday?"

"Then... how about taro boba milk?"

"Three parts sugar."

"Three parts sugar isn't sweet enough!"

"If you can't handle it, then don't drink it."

"...Three parts sugar it is."

-----------------------

Author's Note: The villain is offline now. From now on, I'll be updating six chapters a day, usually before midnight. Thank you all for your support today. I will work even harder and try to update more often!