pjbooks Chapter 45: [It's finally here!]
Chapter 45: [It's finally here!]
"Boss, you've hired more people!"
When the customers saw that behind the stall, in addition to Liu Zhuohao and Huang Weixiong, there was another unfamiliar face wearing a transparent mask, they immediately understood what was going on.
"There's no way around it. I make pancakes in the morning and steaks in the evening. Even if I split myself in half, it's not enough," Liu Zhuohao replied without stopping his spatula or looking up.
The fire in front of the stall was already burning, even more fiercely than yesterday.
Their food cart had barely stopped in its usual spot, and the folding panel at the rear hadn't even fully lowered yet, when the first group of customers swarmed around it like fish drawn by the scent.
After the three of them hurriedly wiped the iron plate clean and moved out the material box, the line had already stretched crookedly for more than ten meters, with its tail hanging over the tricycle selling sweet soup next door, almost blocking half of the sidewalk.
By the time the stalls opened, it was completely dark, and the queue had already begun to bend, just like yesterday, like a greedy snake.
Can this excitement last?
Liu Zhuohao wasn't sure, but having one more person certainly made things much easier for him.
While flipping the steak, he glanced up and looked at the back of the line.
At each of the borrowed folding tables, Li Zekai carefully carried a scalding hot iron plate, weaving through the gaps between the tables, chairs, and people's legs like walking on plum blossom stakes, delivering steaks to the guests.
Although the movements were somewhat clumsy, they were steady enough.
This young man is currently doing jobs like serving food and greeting customers, which is perfect for him.
Of course, it was mainly Huang Weixiong who stood up for himself.
With a new recruit, the kid started showing off what he had taught him before, and as he did so, he actually started to look like a seasoned master.
"Sorry everyone, thank you for waiting!"
Not long after the stall opened, Huang Weixiong made a trip and brought over the tables and chairs that had been agreed upon the night before.
The owners of the neighboring stalls, and even those two or three stalls away, lent out quite a lot of their goods.
Right now, next to the simple sign that reads "Liu's Street-Side Steak," tables and chairs stretch out, borrowing space from four or five other shops on each side.
As a result, some of Liu Zhuohao's customers, carrying sizzling hot plates, sat on plastic stools at the barbecue stall, some squeezed around the small square table at the rice noodle roll stall, and some even shared a table with the uncle selling fried noodles.
The stall owners didn't say anything; instead, they became even more attentive.
As Liu Zhuohao said before, the night market stalls have a large flow of people.
Rather than saying that they are the ones who are troubling others.
Rather, it's a win-win situation.
They provided Liu Zhuohao with seating for these customers, but these customers also brought them popularity.
Popularity is a key factor in attracting customers to this night market where all kinds of food converge!
"Don't be nervous, it's the first day, take it easy." Huang Weixiong quickly poured the sauce over the plate while taking a moment to whisper to Li Zekai, "It's not the busiest time yet, but during peak hours later, you need to be quick, but don't panic. Make sure you hold the hot plate steady and be careful..."
He really does have the air of a seasoned pro mentoring an apprentice.
Li Zekai nodded repeatedly, his eyes revealing the tension and seriousness of someone who had just arrived, much like Huang Weixiong back then.
Liu Zhuohao withdrew his gaze and focused his attention back on the iron plate in front of him.
It's normal to feel confused when you first arrive.
Richard Li must have seen his own videos on Bilibili and knows that his business is doing well.
The excitement of online videos is confined to a screen, while the excitement right in front of you is real, tangible, and has warmth and presence—they are completely different things.
On a summer night in August, the air is hot and thick.
The sizzling sound of oil on the hot plate, the chatter of customers ordering, the clanging of woks being tossed around by neighboring vendors, and the pop songs playing from someone's phone... all these sounds blended together like a pot of boiling soup.
People have to get very close to each other, almost shouting into each other's ears, to be heard clearly.
Such a lively scene, even viewed through a screen, evokes a sense of everyday life and peaceful times.
But once you're really immersed in this night market, especially as a waiter who needs to keep a steady hand and mind while weaving through the customers, it's truly a challenge.
If you can't adapt quickly, you'll only get more and more entangled in this noise, becoming more and more taut, until a string snaps.
That's just how the service industry is.
This applies not only to being a waiter/waitress, but also to other service professions.
……
They were busy until after midnight, when all the ingredients prepared on the stall were completely emptied again. This almost barbaric noise, which had lasted for nearly four hours, finally subsided like a stove that had been de-fired.
Disappointed customers who couldn't get a turn left and moved to other stalls nearby that were still lit up.
As usual, Liu Zhuohao found a quiet spot in the mess after closing up shop, sat on the curb, lit a cigarette, and let the nicotine, mixed with fatigue, slowly seep into his body.
"How are you feeling?"
He turned his head and asked Li Zekai, who was sitting next to him.
The young man hung his head, his vest stained with dark sweat on the front and back, reflecting the light under the streetlights.
"It's...it's alright." Li Zekai's voice was a little unsteady, and his answer was somewhat reluctant.
Liu Zhuohao did not ask any further questions.
In terms of personality, this guy is not as lively as Huang Weixiong. He basically doesn't speak unless someone takes the initiative to talk to him, which makes him seem a bit dull.
But he was physically strong and had powerful arms.
Helping out at night market stalls, especially carrying those scorching hot and heavy iron plates, is a basic requirement.
Liu Zhuohao silently smoked his cigarette, letting the silence spread.
Actually, the first person they contacted last night wasn't Li Ka-shing, but that young man named Zhou You.
The one with the best observation skills during the interview: seeing a large crowd at the breakfast stall, he immediately stepped forward to help collect money and give change.
But when I called, the other party had already entered the factory. Their tone was polite but clear: they had been working there for more than half a month and definitely couldn't leave.
I need to work for at least a few months to earn some money.
Indeed, things are different now than they will be in the future. Few recent graduates can comfortably stay at home unemployed and do nothing.
More often than not, they are driven by an invisible anxiety, sending out resumes, pulling strings, and rushing to find a job to settle down, as if delaying even one day would mean missing out on something crucial.
There aren't many people like Richard Li who can wait a month and be available whenever needed.
Liu Zhuohao exhaled a smoke ring and looked into the distance.
Huang Weixiong returned carrying takeout late-night snacks, his loud voice breaking the silence: "Come on, come on! Let's have an extra treat tonight, grilled oysters, to replenish our energy!"
……
……
However, when Liu Zhuohao returned home tonight, he found the living room lights were still on as soon as he opened the door.
Neither of my parents was asleep; they sat side by side on the old sofa. The TV was off, and the room was quiet.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" He frowned.
Staying up late is bad for your health, especially for people their age.
Of course, his schedule is different since he runs his own business.
With a quick glance, he saw a carton of milk and several plastic bags on the ground by the door, revealing dried goods such as mushrooms and seaweed.
"Has someone been here?" Liu Zhuohao immediately realized.
He looked at the coffee table again, where the glass ashtray, which was rarely used, was now overflowing with cigarette butts.
There were quite a few people who came, and they stayed for quite a while.
"Your eldest uncle and second uncle came over for a visit tonight," Mother spoke first, her voice a little dry.
The father sat beside him without saying a word, but picked up the now-cold teacup and took a sip.
The expression on Liu Zhuohao's face gradually darkened.
Yes, with my business so good, there's no reason not to come.