Another lottery draw?

The new dishes at the shop can't even keep up with the speed of system rewards now.

But snacks...

Probably can't be added to the menu, right?

Lin Xu didn't take action right away.

He waited until Yuan Fei left, then stroked Dundun's head and silently chanted to himself:

"Lottery!"

With Dundun around, there's no need for praying or worshiping the gods during the draw—just a little petting is enough. It's quick, easy, and saves time and effort.

The lottery wheel spun in his mind.

Lin Xu pressed the draw button.

Soon, the system notification rang out in his head:

"Congratulations, host! You have obtained Excellent Level snack-making technique... Duck Goods Braising."

Duck... goods?

Not just one type, but duck head, duck neck, duck wings, duck intestine, duck gizzard, duck leg, duck foot, duck liver, duck heart, duck tongue, and duck collarbone? All of these can be braised?

Oh my god!

This isn't a lottery—more like a big gift bag drop!

Lin Xu rubbed Dundun's chubby, round head.

If he ever goes bankrupt, he'll just take Dundun and help netizens draw prizes.

Even the most unlucky souls can be saved by the luck this little guy brings.

All kinds of lottery games, better get ready to tremble!

"Meow!"

Just as he was thinking that, Dundun, who was lying on the cashier counter, let out a protest meow, then jumped straight into Song Tiantian's arms, expressing his protest in action.

It's not enough for you to use me alone, you even want everyone to get a turn.

What do you think this cat is, huh?

Seeing Dundun hop away, Lin Xu snapped out of it, tidied up the little guy's cashmere sleeping blanket, then headed back to the kitchen.

First, he washed his hands, then starting cooking while pondering when to introduce Duck Goods.

There's already Tiger Skin Chicken Feet among the shop's braised dishes, but that one's mildly spicy and savory—lots of customers who love spicy food complain it's not spicy enough, doesn't go well with beer.

If some Duck Goods are added, that tingling numb-spicy flavor will absolutely impress those customers.

Might even boost beer sales further.

But to offer Duck Goods, he'd need to cook a new pot of braising broth, couldn't mix it with the chicken feet broth, since Duck Goods are much spicier and darker in color than Tiger Skin Chicken Feet.

"Tomorrow I'll buy duck heads, duck necks, duck wings, and duck feet to try first. The other duck goods can wait a bit—a few at a time, not too many..."

Eleven a.m.

The lunch for the audit office was ready.

Shen Jiayue drove over and picked up all the lunch boxes.

This perfect chance to slack off openly and see her dear Xu-bao, of course she wouldn't miss it!

Shen Jiayue just left.

Old Gao wandered into the shop.

He was carrying a crossbody bag, which—if Lin Xu saw right—had a tripod, a selfie stick, and a power bank, all gear for live streaming.

"Xu, get me a bowl of Noodles with Braised Eggplant and Pork Sauce."

Old Gao said, then started fiddling with his phone, managing some comments and updates for his stream.

He used to have no fans, just played around, so didn't care much.

But now that it's become a legit business operation, he had to pay more attention.

Lin Xu agreed.

Then said:

"Master, Yanjie dropped off the live streaming contract this morning. You'll need to sign it later, or she'll keep bugging me."

Old Gao wasn't against signing.

On the contrary, he really needed someone to help manage the comments and the chat barrage right now.

"I'm fine with signing, but I can't show my face!"

He'd just shown his face in Wu Kexin's stream not long ago, as the revered state banquet master beloved by all the netizens.

And now suddenly he's suspected of being a sugar baby, aka Gao Xiaoshuai.

Old Gao couldn't handle that persona whiplash.

"I checked the terms, your stream is super free—company just does some marketing and promo, actual content is totally up to you."

"Alright, I'll sign!"

Lin Xu grabbed the contract from the cashier, along with a ballpoint pen.

Old Gao took them, swished out his signature.

Then stamped his personal seal.

Lin Xu filed away the contract, back at the cashier counter.

Returning to the kitchen.

He picked up the rolling pin, just about to roll the dough.

Old Gao, sitting at the kitchen doorway, suddenly asked:

"Xu, your business keeps growing, your grocery hauls are getting bigger and bigger—shouldn't you get a car?"

This issue...

Yeah, he really needed a car.

But in Beijing, you need a lottery to get a license plate, unless you do it like Shen—register it with your own company. Otherwise, you'll be "waiting for a monkey's birthday" for the plate.

Old Gao said:

"I'll help you get a grocery car in a few days when I have time. We're master and apprentice, and I eat at your shop all the time. If I don't gift you something, I feel bad."

That's too generous!

Really not appropriate.

Lin Xu refused over and over.

It's only right for him to look after his master—heck, even if he ate at the shop for free, all the chef skills master taught him are worth taking care of him for life.

Old Gao waved a hand:

"It's not a fancy car, technically I'm just loaning it to you. Should be no problem for you to go grocery shopping or deliver lunch boxes."

This...

Thinking it over, having a car really would make life a lot easier.

Lin Xu didn't insist anymore.

But he was a little curious.

Master doesn't even have a driver's license—where's he gonna get a car?

After the lunch rush.

Everyone snagged some rest time, plenty more work coming up this afternoon.

Lin Xu pays high wages, but it's all based on how much work you do.

Lin Ji now preps more dishes for one meal than some places do for an entire day, so that high pay isn't easy to earn.

Today, Xu Xinhua was off.

Jack-of-all-trades Ma Zhiqiang took charge of braised dishes.

He made a huge pot this morning—enough to last the whole day.

Strictly speaking, Ma Zhiqiang could take a break now.

But this guy can't sit still: after a quick breather, he cleaned up the stove, then grabbed a kitchen knife and went to help Niu Chuan slice meat.

When Lin Xu came back from a break at his rented place,

Ma Zhiqiang sidled over and said:

"Boss, how about Stew for dinner? Haven't had it in ages, I'm starting to crave."

Lin Xu glanced at him curiously:

"You know how to make it?"

"That's my specialty!"

"Then you do dinner tonight. Make a bunch—so I can learn a bit, too."

Back home, he'd sometimes get Stew at weddings or funerals, but in Beijing, he hadn't really had it. Someone's offering to make it, why not try it?

This dish may be simple, but making it delicious isn't easy.

If you're not careful, it turns out greasy, loses that fine balance of flavor and harmony between the ingredients.

Ma Zhiqiang agreed.

And went back to helping Niu Chuan slice meat.

Lin Xu washed his hands, just about to get busy, when he got a call from Shen Guofu.

After all, he's an old customer of the shop—the two swapped numbers a couple days ago.

"Bro, you got any dishes that flood your mouth with juice as soon as you bite in, the kind that just keeps you craving more? If you do, can you whip some up for me? I'm really craving meat today."

Floods your mouth with juice?

Lin Xu instinctively asked:

"How about Pickled Pork?"

"Oh man, you mention Pickled Pork and I start drooling... That's the dish, bro, make it quick! I'll swing by before 4:30 to pick it up... Give me a big portion, money's no issue!"

Lin Xu agreed:

"No problem, I'll get it ready now!"

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Here's the second chapter drop—begging for Monthly Tickets and recommendations, brothers!

Editor sent the notice today: shelf goes up next Friday. Hang in there a few more days, I'll tidy the upcoming plot and try to do a ten-chapter spree on shelf day, let everyone binge 'til they're stuffed!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.