「Around 2 p.m.」
Jiang Feng opened the steamer and glanced at the rice inside. Only one tray was left. He looked up at the densely packed crowd still queuing; it truly hadn't diminished at all. A subtle smile flickered at the corner of Jiang Feng's mouth.
He shouted to the people still in line, "Everyone, we're almost out of rice! Those at the back don't need to queue anymore! There'll be no more rice after another dozen or so orders, so please stop queuing."
Hearing Jiang Feng's words, the people in the queue were somewhat astounded.
"Damn it! No more rice?"
A few people at the very end of the line sighed. "Alas! We've still come too late." They could only leave reluctantly.
Some in the middle weren't giving up hope, thinking of waiting a little longer. What if it's just my turn! They certainly didn't want to leave.
Those at the front were getting anxious, hurrying with their orders. Jiang Feng got busy again.
Just then, a young man in the middle of the line suddenly fainted and collapsed to the ground. The people nearby were startled.
"What the hell? What's going on?"
There was some commotion in the queue.
"Young man, what happened to you?"
"How come someone fainted!"
Jiang Feng also put down his spatula and looked toward the crowd. What's going on here?
"'What happened to that guy? Should we call an ambulance?' Jiang Feng asked. 'He's a young man; people can help him up.'"
Just then, a man standing behind the fainted youth helped him to his feet. The young man's face was deathly pale, his lips completely devoid of color, looking somewhat frightening. He was conscious and said, "I'm fine. It's hypoglycemia; I've had this condition for a long time. I heard there was a delicious rice combo set here, so I came to queue. The line was a bit long, and I couldn't stand very steadily."
The young man managed to stand up with some difficulty. Seeing this, everyone said, "You go first, don't rush! There's still some left."
"That complexion does look a bit scary!"
"Let him order first."
Jiang Feng, seeing the situation unfold, also sighed in relief internally. If someone actually fainted in front of his stall, it would be troublesome, as it might lead people to think there was something wrong with his rice combo set.
The young man thanked everyone as he walked to the front of the queue.
Jiang Feng asked, "What do you want?"
"I'll have the Kung Pao Chicken rice combo set," the young man placed his order. He did look really weak, with hardly any color in his lips.
"Okay, just wait a moment."
The young man paid by scanning a code and sat down at a table to wait. Jiang Feng began to prepare the chicken: dicing, seasoning, marinating, and stir-frying. Soon, a hot, steaming rice combo set was ready.
Upon seeing the rice combo set, the young man immediately picked up his chopsticks. Without waiting, he started shoveling it into his mouth. He wolfed down the food voraciously, his eagerness making the surrounding customers even hungrier.
"Young man, eat slower! Don't choke!"
"You shouldn't eat so aggressively."
The young man nodded and replied, "This rice combo set is too delicious; I couldn't hold back. I haven't eaten well these past few days. Thank you, Uncles and Aunties."
Hearing the young man's thanks, the surrounding elders also felt pleased.
At this moment, a customer in the line noticed something fishy. The customer mulled it over. How come I remember this young man was here yesterday? Am I mistaken? Couldn't he be faking a faint to get a rice combo set! But his complexion doesn't quite look like it. He ended up not voicing these thoughts.
The young man polished off his meal in no time. After eating, he wiped his mouth and let out a long, satisfied sigh. Aah, that was so good! Incredibly satisfying! However, his face did not show it; he still pretended to be a bit woozy.
After he got up, a kind old man said, "Young man, are you okay? Do you need us to call an ambulance?"
Hearing this, the young man put on a sorrowful expression. "No need, Uncle. I've mostly recovered. After eating that rice combo set, I've got my energy back. I'm going to go home and rest now."
The young man stood up, still feigning a bit of dizziness, his body swaying. Then, cradling his "weak" body, he slowly left the corner of the park. People watched him leave, their eyes filled only with concern.
A heavy look covered the young man's face, but internally, his only appraisal for himself was two words: Best Actor!
The young man naturally had a pale complexion. As for his pale lips, they were the result of makeup skills he had specially honed earlier to fake sickness and skip class. Who knew they would come in handy here!
At that time, the line was getting a bit long. Jiang Feng had also mentioned that the rice was almost out and he was about to close up shop. Consequently, the young man worried he might not get to eat such a delicious rice combo set. A plan to feign fainting then popped into his mind.
The young man sighed. Was it easy to get a rice combo set? He'd even resorted to military strategy! Thankfully, the result was good in the end. That Kung Pao chicken rice combo set was really delicious! Worth it!
The customers at the stall were all sorts.
There wasn't much rice left, and the customers still in line grew even more anxious. At this point, another customer approached the stall.
"Give me two servings of shredded pork with garlic sauce rice combo set and two servings of Kung Pao chicken rice combo set," the customer said.
The moment he spoke, those waiting in line were momentarily stunned. Jiang Feng had already said that there wasn't much rice left and not many more people could be served. This guy, however, ordered four servings for himself. So inconsiderate!
Then, a man from the back of the line said, "You're ordering four servings for one person? Can you finish them all?"
Another chimed in, "Yeah, this isn't takeout. Can you really finish it all by yourself?"
"If you order so much, what will we eat?"
"We've been queuing for so long, and you order four servings for yourself?"
"Brother, that's not cool. Are you planning to hog it all?"
The young man who ordered was also a bit confused. He turned to look at the angry crowd and hesitated for a bit. But then, thinking he had no reason to back down, he said, "There's no rule saying one person can't order four servings. Can't I take them home to eat?"
As soon as he finished speaking, several people in line became even angrier.
"We've been in line for half an hour! Can't you be a bit more considerate?"
"Go ahead and order then! Who can order more than you?"
"You plan on eating all that? Go on, see if you don't choke!"
Seeing that the crowd was getting rowdy and about to start a fight, Jiang Feng thought to himself, I really don't want any trouble at my small stall. Harmony brings wealth. I'm just selling rice combo sets; is it really worth all this fuss? However, he didn't really know what to say, because he indeed hadn't set a rule that each person could only order one serving.
At this moment, a kind-looking old lady advised, "Young man, everyone has waited so long. How about you order one less serving? Everyone wants to eat a rice combo set, and it's not easy for anyone."
Hearing the old lady's advice, the young man relented. "Alright, I'll have one rice combo set with both shredded pork with garlic sauce and Kung Pao chicken."
The young man placed his new order. Hearing his words, the diners stopped fussing.
Jiang Feng glanced at the line and saw there were roughly nine people left. He looked at the steamer again; the rice was just about enough.
Jiang Feng then said to everyone, "Just these people here, one serving each. It's just enough. I won't be taking any more orders after this. Don't rush, everyone will get to eat."
Hearing Jiang Feng speak, the people waiting in line all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now I can rest easy!"
"As long as I get to eat, it's good!"
"Boss, take your time cooking!"
Jiang Feng continued to wield his spatula, busy preparing orders for the customers.
The dog, Little Black, rested beside the cart, looking utterly bored. Some diners found Little Black adorable and would squat down to play with it. The little fellow wasn't afraid of people, wagging its tail as if greeting customers on Jiang Feng's behalf.
Time passed by slowly, and one order after another was completed.
Finally, the rice in the steamer was all used up, and every diner got to taste the rice combo set they had been eagerly anticipating.
Jiang Feng set down the spatula and sat in his chair to rest.
"It's finally over," Jiang Feng exclaimed.
He stretched a bit. Instead of feeling tired, seeing the happy faces of the customers actually energized him.