It was 12 o'clock noon, lunchtime.
In the City Management Bureau canteen, Zhao Nan and Qian Bing returned from their duties, heading to the canteen to get their meals.
They were also carrying a plastic bag, which appeared to contain some kind of delicacy.
They placed the plastic bag on the dining table, then went with their meal trays to get some food.
Several colleagues immediately gathered around.
"Zhao Nan, what delicious stuff did you buy?" one of the city management officers asked.
"Braised meat, duck intestines, and chicken gizzards," Zhao Nan responded with a smile.
"Not bad, getting something extra! Hurry up and open it so we can have a taste."
Those who ate at the same table usually had a good rapport, and it was common to share any delicacies.
Zhao Nan and Qian Bing opened the plastic bag, revealing transparent meal boxes containing two boxes of duck intestines, one box of chicken gizzards, and one box of chicken wings.
As the meal boxes were opened, everyone dove in with their chopsticks, some grabbing a chicken wing, others taking some duck intestines, and immediately popped them into their mouths.
Zhao Nan and Qian Bing also grabbed some ofr the braised meat and took a bite right away.
With the first taste, they were amazed by the sauce on the braised meat.
Although the braised meat had cooled, it was thoroughly marinated and simmered with a natural stock, containing no artificial additives.
Even cold, it was still delicious.
"Hmm, these duck intestines are really nice!" exclaimed one of the city management officers.
"So crisp, and well-marinated too! Where did you buy it? I've got to buy some myself."
At this point, another city management officer chimed in, "The chicken wings are also tasty; the meat inside is thoroughly marinated. These braised items are so fragrant!"
Everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves, enthusiastically reaching for the duck intestines with their chopsticks.
Seeing the feast, city management officers from another table came over to join in.
All of them were frontline workers, considered the hardest-working group in the department, and they all had good relationships with each other.
In just a few grabs with their chopsticks, the duck intestines, chicken gizzards, and chicken wings were all gone.
They all had satisfied expressions on their faces.
"Qian Bing, where did you guys buy this? The braised items from this shop are genuinely authentic, perfect for pairing with some drinks in the evening!" another officer said.
At this moment, someone nearby cautioned in a hushed tone, "Keep it down, the department has recently imposed a ban on drinking, don't let the leaders hear you."
Everyone looked at Zhao Nan and Qian Bing, waiting for their response.
Qian Bing deliberately kept them in suspense, smiling as he asked, "Guess where I bought it from?"
"Damn it, who could guess that!"
"Stop messing around and just tell us, I need to check out this amazing shop."
"Is it from one of those famous chain stores that sell braised items? Like those popular duck neck brands? Or some other shop?"
The crowd laughed.
At this time, Qian Bing revealed the answer, "Remember the rice combo set stall we ate from last week when we had the morning shift? That guy isn't selling rice combo sets this week. He's set up a stall selling braised meat near Shuize Resort. We bought this braised meat from him!"
The crowd was somewhat surprised to hear this.
"Really? The guy who sold rice combo sets? His sets were so delicious, how come he's making braised meat now?"
"It's really him? No wonder it tastes so good!"
"This guy is impressive. His stir-fries were delicious, and now his braised meat is excellent too!"
"Shuize Resort? That's not far from here. We can swing by when we're on patrol."
They chatted idly as they ate.
After enjoying some of the appetizing braised meat, they found the canteen's dishes slightly bitter and salty, but they could still eat them.
The city management officers were very interested to learn from Qian Bing that Jiang Feng was now selling braised meat.
Zhao Nan added, "His business is booming, there were still a lot of people queuing up at his stall, all familiar customers. People are definitely hooked on what he makes; even some folks from Hongshan Park go out of their way to buy from him. They just trust him!"
Hearing Zhao Nan's words, a nearby city management officer nodded in agreement, "It is delicious indeed. That braised meat was something else. If he continues in the food business, I really want to buy more."
A few of them discussed Jiang Feng's cooking as a topic of conversation after their meal.
Similar discussions were happening in many places.
Despite Jiang Feng being just a street vendor, his food was clean and tasted great, and his influence among the locals was beginning to show.
If there were a Culinary God in China, they wouldn't emerge from a hyped-up TV show. They would rise from the everyday lives of people, slowly building their reputation, convincing one person at a time.
Jiang Feng, however, wasn't paying attention to his growing fame.
He just felt that the braised meat sold really quickly today. Even faster than yesterday.
It was only one in the afternoon, and there wasn't much braised meat left in the pot.
Pig's trotters, duck intestines, and duck racks had long been sold out.
Chicken gizzards and chicken feet had just been completely bought out by someone.
There were only a few chicken legs left, and a little bit of pig's head meat.
After one or two more sales, Jiang Feng planned to pack up and head home. He could use the leftover meat for his own lunch, and also feed Little Black the dog.
It's almost sold out.
Then again, business hasn't stopped since I got here.
There are still so many customers, Jiang Feng thought to himself.
He had only planned to complete his task: sell 200 pounds and then call it a day. Considering the crowd, he had prepared a bit more, roughly 340 pounds. Unexpectedly, even with the extra, business went just as quickly.
"Boss, give me half a pound of chicken feet," another customer said as he approached.
"Sorry, the chicken feet are sold out. Only chicken legs and pig's head meat left," Jiang Feng responded. "I'm about to close up!"
"Sold out?" The customer was somewhat surprised. It was only 1 p.m.! Who closes up this early?
Another customer behind him, upon hearing this, immediately said, "Boss, give me two chicken legs and half a pound of pig's head meat." He was afraid there wouldn't be anything left to buy.
Hearing the person behind him, the first customer quickly added, "I want half a pound of pig's head meat and one chicken leg."
"Okay." Jiang Feng weighed the meat for both customers and packed it up.
Then, he stepped down from the food truck, began to remove his sign, and started to close up the food truck.
Just then, another diner came up. "Boss, rest a little later! I want two pig's trotters!" the customer said hurriedly, thinking Jiang Feng was just taking a break for the restroom or a meal.
Hearing this, Jiang Feng replied, "I'm not resting, I'm closing up. The braised meat is all sold out, only three chicken legs left. Getting ready to head back."
Upon hearing Jiang Feng's words, the customer was taken aback. "Closing up? You're closing up now?"
Jiang Feng smiled. "All the braised meat prepared for today has been sold out, so of course, I'm closing up."
"There are three chicken legs left, right? Then I'll take all of them."
"You take two, I'll keep one."
"Sure."
The customer paid, Jiang Feng scooped out two chicken legs for him, and then the customer left.
Jiang Feng, seeing no one was paying attention, fed the remaining chicken leg to Little Black. He had intended to save more for Little Black, but business had been too good; there was nothing he could do. The little guy had been a bit short-changed.
Little Black, however, didn't feel hard done by at all, happily eating away in his bowl.
Taking advantage of the lull in customers, Jiang Feng cleaned up the food truck and drove it straight out of Shuize Resort.
Seeing him leave, the surrounding stall owners showed envious expressions. That guy's so carefree! Shows up, sets up his stall for three hours, and customers line up to buy. Sells out, packs up, and leaves just like that. Running a stall like that... he's in a league of his own! Young people these days are truly incredible!
The other stall owners continued with their businesses. Occasionally, customers would come over and ask them if there was a stall nearby selling braised meat.
The owners would sigh and say, "There was, but he's packed up already. The braised meat was sold out by 1 p.m., and he went straight home."
Hearing what the stall owners said, the customers were both surprised and disappointed.
Closed already?
Looks like I'll have to come earlier tomorrow.