Jiang Feng hadn't expected business to be this good. It was only the second day, and wow, the line was incredibly long! Just as Jiang Feng finished cooking a batch, he looked up and saw a sea of people.
This area was surrounded by residential buildings, and the main gathering spot for everyone was Hongshan Park. Plus, there were many elderly and young people around. The elders were quite enthusiastic, always ready to share any new buzz with their neighbors. As word spread, everyone soon knew that a new, exceptionally delicious food stall had appeared, serving rice combo sets that were second to none!
At most, Jiang Feng could only handle five orders at a time. After taking five orders, he would ask those waiting in line to hold on for a bit, taking more orders only after finishing the current ones.
"Next group, what do you want?"
"I want two meat dishes and one vegetable: Yu Xiang Rou Si and Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet, with mushrooms and greens."
"I want a Yu Xiang Rou Si rice combo set."
"I want Home-style Stir-fried Pork and Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet, with Tomato and Scrambled Eggs."
"I want a Yu Xiang Rou Si and Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet combo."
"I want a Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet rice combo set."
The five customers behind voiced their orders.
Jiang Feng quickly organized the orders in his head, then fired up the wok with hot oil and began his busy stir-frying, expertly tossing the food. Once the marinated meat strips hit the hot oil, a gentle stir was all it took to release an enticing, savory aroma that wafted outwards. Those nearby who caught the scent felt their stomachs rumble with hunger, but since the line had already formed, they could only wait.
Meanwhile, a city management officer's patrol car slowly approached from a distance. The city's governance principle allowed street vending but prohibited obstructing walkways or negatively impacting the city's appearance. City management officers would admonish and fine stalls that violated these regulations. The spot Jiang Feng had chosen was a corner of the park, set back from the road, so it wouldn't affect passersby. Many pedestrians who saw the situation would cast a curious glance; such a long queue in a park corner was a rare sight. Could some company be giving away free eggs? they wondered.
The city management officers also noticed the situation in the park corner.
City management officer Zhao Nan said, "What's going on over there? Why are so many people lining up? There are quite a few elderly folks too. Could someone be selling health products and scamming them?"
City management officer Qian Bing responded, "Let's go check it out. Let's make sure it's not a scam."
Dressed in their city management uniforms, they drove their patrol car quickly to the corner of Hongshan Park. They looked towards the front of the line and saw a young man in a chef's uniform inside a food truck, his spatula moving at lightning speed. Several people were gathered around, almost as if supervising. The two officers were a bit dumbfounded.
Zhao Nan approached a nearby grilled sausage vendor and asked, "What's the deal with that food truck? Why are so many people lining up?"
The sausage vendor, already a bit nervous at the sight of city management officers, hurriedly replied, "It's just too delicious! Word spread like wildfire, from one person to ten, then ten to a hundred, and business boomed. He's only been here for two days, and customers are already queuing up like this."
Hearing the vendor's words, Zhao Nan and Qian Bing exchanged a disbelieving glance. They looked over at Jiang Feng. This cook is so young and good-looking; does he really have such skills?
"Just because it's delicious? That many people are lining up?" Zhao Nan asked again.
"It really is that good," the vendor replied. "I ordered a Yu Xiang Rou Si rice combo set the moment he started, and it was unbeatable. My stomach feels great even now after eating it."
Zhao Nan and Qian Bing looked at each other again. "Why don't we get in line and try it too? We're not busy anyway!" Zhao Nan suggested.
Qian Bing, seeing the long queue, was also curious. Besides, the aroma of Jiang Feng's cooking was incredibly enticing; just smelling it made them hungry. They had originally planned to patrol for a while and then return to their unit for lunch. But encountering such a long line today, they felt it necessary to investigate the truth.
"Alright, let's join the line and see," Qian Bing agreed.
The two city management officers parked their car and joined the queue at the roadside stall.
In this age of social media, the conduct of city management officers had changed. Those who bullied small vendors, if caught on video and exposed online, could face public condemnation. The city management bureau, unable to withstand the pressure, would then punish the troublemaking officers. Therefore, civilized law enforcement was now emphasized.
Actually, there were good and bad street vendors. Some abided by the law, while others conned and swindled. City management officers were indeed needed to maintain the city's civility and harmony.
As the two officers queued at the back, another customer arrived to join the line. Looking up, he saw the two city management officers and froze for a moment.
Are those... city management officers? he thought. Even city management officers are lining up here? This rice combo set stall must be really something!
The queue moved forward in an orderly fashion. About fifteen minutes later, Qian Bing and Zhao Nan reached the front.
When Jiang Feng looked up and saw two men in city management officer uniforms and hats, he also paused, his spatula freezing mid-air. The relationship between street vendors and city management officers was much like that between taxi drivers and traffic police: one specifically managed the other.
Don't tell me I've caused too much of a stir, and they're here to stop me from setting up my stall, Jiang Feng thought anxiously.
Zhao Nan noticed Jiang Feng's surprise and quickly said, "Boss, don't misunderstand. We're not here to bust you. We're just here for some rice combo sets."
"I'll have a Yu Xiang Rou Si rice combo set," he added.
Qian Bing also chimed in, "I'll take a Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet and Yu Xiang Rou Si combo."
Hearing they weren't there on official business, Jiang Feng breathed a sigh of relief. That gave me a fright! he thought. Seeing city management officers, I really thought I'd have to close up shop!
"Alright, one serving is 28 yuan. Please wait a moment; it'll be ready shortly," Jiang Feng replied.
Zhao Nan and Qian Bing thought it was a bit pricey, but it was far from "arbitrary pricing or overcharging," so they didn't comment and waited to the side.
When some customers finished eating and left a table, an aunty immediately came over to clear and wipe it clean. This aunty was an employee Jiang Feng had hired. Earlier, Jiang Feng had asked a local resident if they could find someone to help with cleaning for three hours in the afternoon, offering 200 yuan. It didn't take long for the resident to find this aunty. Earning 200 yuan for three hours of work was a very good gig for her.
Zhao Nan and Qian Bing found a place to sit, and soon their rice combo sets were served.
Zhao Nan looked at the Yu Xiang Rou Si rice combo set he had ordered. The Yu Xiang Rou Si sauce was still hot, exuding a steamy warmth. The glossy sauce seeped into the rice, making not only the meat strips glisten but also rendering the rice itself delectable. He picked up some shredded pork with his chopsticks; all the strips were evenly coated in sauce. The meat was perfectly tenderized and coated, the glaze clinging flawlessly—definitely the work of a top-tier chef!
"The presentation is really something; no wonder so many people are here," Zhao Nan remarked.
Zhao Nan took a bite of the Yu Xiang Rou Si. With that first mouthful, his eyes lit up. The sauce was incredibly flavorful and not at all greasy. Moreover, it was extremely appetizing, making him crave more with each bite. No wonder there are so many people, he thought. This Yu Xiang Rou Si rice combo set really hits the spot!
Zhao Nan was both satisfied and slightly regretful. Satisfied because the Yu Xiang Rou Si was even tastier than he had anticipated; regretful because he had only ordered the Yu Xiang Rou Si and now wished he had tried other dishes too. With this thought, Zhao Nan snuck a piece of Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet from Qian Bing's plate. The Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet was even more delicious, especially the subtle hint of sesame—a stroke of genius! And it was even more of an appetite stimulant.
"If you want some, order your own! I don't have enough for myself!" Qian Bing said, protectively covering his rice combo set. He mixed it, then grabbed a disposable spoon and began shoveling the food into his mouth.
Zhao Nan was hungry too. He hadn't eaten lunch yet during his patrol and was already famished. Now, faced with such delicious food, he couldn't care less about anything else. He ignored the fact that the Yu Xiang Rou Si was still piping hot, gave his own plate a quick mix, and started eating heartily. Steam billowed from his mouth. As he chewed, the hot sauce oozed from the meat, flooding his palate with an utterly satisfying flavor. Every grain of rice became delectable, and the more he ate, the more he craved.
Before long, he had polished off his entire rice combo set. After finishing, his taste buds screamed for more, but his stomach signaled it was full. It was a perfect combination of supreme taste and comfortable satiety. Thoroughly satisfied, Zhao Nan let out a long sigh. Then, he and Qian Bing got up to continue their patrol, inspecting the streets.
"Next time we're on patrol, let's come here for lunch!" Zhao Nan proposed.
"Definitely!" Qian Bing agreed.
The two officers left, completely satisfied.