Chapter 236 Opening a Small Stall

He took two steps forward, patted his chest, and said, "I've been thinking about turning that open space on the west side of the viewing platform into a lively spot, perfect for you! I'll have someone connect the water and electricity, and build a wooden shed, sheltered from the wind and rain, so you can set up your stall comfortably!"

Su Yingxue's eyes lit up, her shyness vanished instantly, and a smile spread across her face: "Really? Thank you so much, Uncle Wang!"

"No need to thank me!" Old Wang waved his hand, pointed to the line of tourists, and smiled broadly. "With your stall set up here, Wushan's reputation will only grow stronger! In the future, tourists will not only be able to see the sea of ​​clouds and terraced fields, but also enjoy your hot meals. It's the best of both worlds!"

Upon hearing this, the tourists nearby cheered, and someone shouted, "Great! From now on, when we come to Wushan, we won't have to worry about whether Miss Su's stall will still be there!"

The wind swept through the pine forest, bringing with it the sound of rustling pines, the tinkling of copper bells, the cheers of tourists, and the sizzling of oil in a wok. Looking at the lively scene before her, Su Yingxue suddenly felt that this summit of Misty Mountain had truly become her second home.

Yunhai Fireworks Shop Opening Day

Before the morning mist had even dissipated, the new stalls atop the misty mountain were already packed with people.

On the log frame hung a black wooden sign with words written by Su Yingxue herself: "Yunhai Fireworks Shop". Next to it hung a string of copper bells, which jingled in the wind, mingling with the birdsong coming from the foot of the mountain.

The stall's sunshade was made of cotton and linen, with light beige curtains hanging down, the hem embroidered with a few tender chives, which were the filling for Su Yingxue's specialty potstickers.

Old Wang, along with two staff members from the scenic area, were busy helping out early in the morning. They brought bamboo tables and stools, arranged them neatly in front of the stall, and also put up a signboard next to it.

The table is printed with Su Yingxue's signature dishes: fish ball soup, fried mountain stream fish, chive potstickers, and stone-ground corn porridge. Each dish is accompanied by a steaming photo, making one's mouth water.

Wearing a plain apron, Su Yingxue was adjusting the stove at the workbench. Clear mountain spring water flowed from the newly connected water pipe. She washed her hands, kneaded the dough she had prepared that morning until it was smooth, chopped the chives she had just collected from the farmers down the mountain, mixed them with finely minced meat, and drizzled sesame oil over them. The fresh and fragrant aroma instantly filled the air.

"Miss Su, the auspicious time has arrived!" Old Wang raised his hand to check his watch and shouted in a loud voice.

The surrounding tourists immediately applauded. The girl with the ponytail and her best friend squeezed to the front, holding up their phones and excitedly shouting, "Sister Su! Congratulations on your grand opening!"

Su Yingxue smiled and nodded, picked up a spatula, and gently tapped the oil pan. With a sizzle, she put the mountain stream fish coated in cornmeal into the pan, and golden oil bubbles rose up, the aroma mingling with the morning mist, wafting far and wide.

"The first serving of the day is for Uncle Wang!" A moment later, Su Yingxue scooped up a plate of crispy fried fish and a bowl of hot corn porridge, and handed them to Old Wang.

Old Wang took the fish, took a big bite, and with a crisp crunch, made everyone around him laugh. He gave a thumbs up and shouted to the onlookers, "Everyone, try it! This is a treasure trove of a stall in Wushan, it'll be here every day from now on!"

Tourists immediately formed a long queue. Some wanted fish ball soup, while others ordered chive dumplings. Su Yingxue responded quickly and efficiently, her wisps of hair on her forehead curling slightly from the steam, but her face was full of smiles.

Tourists that Su Yingxue knew before also arrived, helping to clear away the bowls and greeting guests, keeping them very busy.

As the morning mist gradually dissipated, sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the log stalls, Su Yingxue's busy figure, and the smiling faces of the tourists.

The copper bell was still jingling, the oil in the pan was sizzling, the fish balls were floating in the soup, and the aroma of the chive dumplings made one's stomach rumble.

In the queue, some people were live-streaming on their phones, some were taking pictures of the wooden sign, and others were gazing at the surging sea of ​​clouds in the distance while waiting for their food, exclaiming, "This is what life is all about!"

Su Yingxue looked up at the sea of ​​clouds on the horizon, then looked down at the steaming stove in front of her, and her smile deepened.

At the foot of the mountain

Wu Xiaobei was craving food again. Just thinking about the hot food she had at the top of the misty mountain last time made her swallow hard, and her fingertips almost poked a hole in the phone screen.

She dialed Ye Keke's number first, but there was only a busy tone on the receiver. It seemed that her best friend was busy with work and didn't have time to talk to her.

Her eyes darted around, and she immediately had a new idea—to take her parents along!

Her parents are well-known outdoor sports enthusiasts, especially her father, Wu Yong, who is proficient in rock climbing and hiking, and has invested in numerous outdoor projects. He's a high-ranking executive, a general manager level figure. Yet, they had such a lazy girl as her.

Sure enough, upon hearing that they were going to Wushan to eat Su Yingxue's delicious food, Wu Yong's eyes lit up, and he immediately decided, "Let's go! Let's set off now!"

The family of three drove to the foot of the mountain and began climbing the steps. After only half an hour, Wu Xiaobei couldn't go on any longer. She dragged her hiking poles, taking one step at a time, with beads of sweat rolling down her face and sticking her hair to her neck.

Looking at her father walking briskly ahead and her mother, He Ying, following closely behind without showing any signs of fatigue, she couldn't help but shout at the top of her lungs, "Dad! Slow down! Wait for me!"

Wu Yong didn't even turn his head, but quickened his pace, his hearty laughter drifting down with the mountain breeze: "Hey! You're so young, yet your stamina isn't even as good as this old man's! Hurry up, hurry up! If you're late, you'll miss the hot fish ball soup!"

He Ying smiled and turned around, taking a bottle of mineral water out of her backpack and handing it to her daughter: "Alright, stop complaining. I always tell you to go downstairs for walks more often, but you insist on staying at home watching dramas. Now you know the difference, right? Your dad just conquered Eagle's Beak Cliff a while ago. This little mountain path is child's play for him!"

Wu Xiaobei unscrewed the bottle cap and took a few big gulps. The icy spring water slid down her throat, finally easing her discomfort.

She was panting and about to mutter a few more words when a familiar aroma suddenly wafted to her nose—the smoky fragrance of fried small fish mixed with the freshness of chive potstickers, and the unique delicate flavor of fish ball soup!

Her eyes lit up instantly, as if the aroma had swept away all her fatigue. She gripped her hiking stick tightly and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Dad! Mom! Smell this! It smells like Sister Su's stall! Hurry! If we're any later, the fish ball soup will be all gone!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Wu Yong's loud laughter rang out: "You little glutton, you get all excited when you smell food! Come on! Dad will take you for a ride!"

The family of three, their figures crookedly embedded on the winding stone steps, accompanied by Wu Xiaobei's rambling, her parents' teasing, and the increasingly strong smell of fireworks in the wind, moved step by step towards the cloud sea fireworks display at the top of the mountain.