Gang Ge wasn't lying, he really has been to Guangfu.
Back then, his hair was still long, he had no credit card, nor a girlfriend, and not even a home with 24-hour hot water.
Guangfu has countless factories, and he went there to screw in bolts.
Earning a meager salary, with only two days off per month.
He ate rice noodle rolls most frequently in Guangfu; many small vendors would pedal bikes with Styrofoam boxes, dodging city management officers.
Later, he left the factories and entered the fitness industry, becoming a top internet celebrity, which was a notable success.
He has eaten rice noodle rolls since, but somehow could never find the original taste.
Until he started tasting Wang Fan's rice noodle rolls.
The soft and chewy rice wrap and the tender, bouncy shrimp not only delighted his taste buds but also brought back memories of his past self.
Taking a deep breath, Gang Ge praised into his phone: "Honestly, I haven't eaten such delicious rice noodle rolls since coming back from Guangfu. Friends in Beijing should definitely come try this, the taste is absolutely worth the trip."
Finishing his sentence, he picked up another piece of rice roll to show on camera.
"Look, everyone, this rice roll has an even thickness, chewy yet elastic without sticking to the teeth. And look inside, the shrimp looks fresh, with a bite you can taste the sea's sweetness. It must be fresh shrimp, not frozen, and the shrimp are quite large. This only costs 12 yuan, you all really should try it if you have the chance."
Then he said to Wang Fan: "Boss, you're so young but skilled, do you have a natural culinary talent?"
Wang Fan quickly shook his head: "No, no."
Gang Ge chuckled: "Just kidding, just kidding. Since we met, how about I close you up for the morning shift today?"
Wang Fan asked puzzled: "What does closing up for the morning shift mean?"
Gang Ge pointed to the ingredient boxes on Wang Fan's food cart: "It means I'll buy all your rice rolls and shrimp porridge, so you can knock off early, right?"
As soon as Gang Ge finished speaking, his livestream audience erupted.
"Here it is! The early closure series!"
"Hahaha, I can't wait to see the boss's delighted expression."
"Gang Ge's early closure series never gets old."
However, when they were all cheering, Wang Fan's response left them stunned.
"Sorry, I promised many customers when I closed yesterday that I'd be here this morning. If you let me close early, I'd be letting them down. That's not good."
Wang Fan indeed promised many customers.
With the year-end approaching, many are taking their leave to go back home for the holiday and want to enjoy Wang Fan's rice noodle rolls a few more times before leaving.
Furthermore, many know that Wang Fan might not be here from next week, so they have to make reservations in advance not to miss a single meal.
Gang Ge thought he misheard.
His early closure series was actually refused?
That's neither reasonable nor logical!
After a brief moment of silence, the livestream chat erupted again.
"Hahaha, even Gang Ge gets rejected sometimes."
"The boss has personality, I like it!"
"Hmm... The boss daring to refuse Gang Ge's early closure means it's really selling well. I'm really curious if these rice noodle rolls are that good?"
Shen Yu was watching Gang Ge's livestream all along.
Hearing "early closure" made her heart tighten.
Hearing the handsome boss straight out refuse, her heart instantly rejoiced.
"Hey guys, I'm almost at the stall, hahaha. I bought some rice noodle rolls yesterday, they were really delicious."
Just as Shen Yu sent the message, the bus slowly came to a stop.
"Shuofeng Park Station has arrived. For transfers to Metro Line 1 and Line 2, please take your belongings and disembark in an orderly manner."
Shen Yu clutched her bag, swiped her card, and dashed off the bus without looking back, sprinting toward Wang Fan's stall.
It wasn't far, and after a few steps, she saw Wang Fan's rice noodle stall and Gang Ge's muscular figure.
Without even greeting her favorite streamer, she called out to Wang Fan: "Boss, boss, one shrimp and one pork rice noodle roll please!"
Wang Fan looked up and recognized the young lady; she had been to his stall the day before.
It wasn't that Shen Yu was particularly memorable, but her comment, "If this little spice stung my hemorrhoid, I wouldn't flinch," left quite an impression.
Shen Yu, bold and carefree, didn't think much of it, and Wang Fan said nothing to avoid embarrassment.
With rice rolls she'd craved all night, Shen Yu couldn't wait to feast.
She forgot her long-time favorite streamer was standing right there.
Gang Ge silently stuffed his face with rice rolls, savoring the taste that blossomed on his tongue with his eyes closed after a big slurp of sauce.
"Ah... delicious, the taste is truly delightful."
Gang Ge sighed in contentment before snapping back to reality.
He was surprised to find the previously quiet stall now crowded, with people even queuing.
After taking a shot with his phone, he exclaimed, "No wonder the boss didn't want an early closure; it's just 6 AM and he's already packed. At this rate, the boss will sell out in one or two hours. Look at those with suitcases; they look like they're about to head home for the holidays but just had to stop by the boss's stall first."
The ones he mentioned with suitcases were Liu Bicheng, Old Wang, and the others.
Last night, they finally solved a mountain of code that had been piling up for who knows how long, and even woke their boss to celebrate in the middle of the night.
The boss, straight-up kind, gave out a large bonus and a holiday, and they immediately booked their tickets home.
Old Wang, arriving late, queued at the back with his car parked nearby.
It was pretty cold, so he didn't let his wife and kids come out; they stayed in the car.
Looking at Liu, laden with baggage behind him, Old Wang joked, "Hurry and buy a car, will you? You look like a refugee every time you go home."
Liu rolled his eyes and said, "Wang Ge, are you doing this on purpose? Do I get to decide whether to buy a car? I've been trying for three years without luck. What's the use if I can't get a license plate?"
They chatted leisurely while queuing, without rushing, though Old Wang's wife was a bit impatient.
Old Wang answered his phone quickly: "Hey hon, hang on a bit, there are quite a few people in line today."
Deng Yu grumbled: "Can't you get something else with such a line? Why hang on this one tree? I said you should make something at home, and look where it's gotten you, just delaying everything!"
Old Wang chuckled: "I just thought you two would enjoy something delicious. Just a bit longer, I guess five more minutes and it's my turn."
Deng Yu replied: "Otherwise, let's just leave it. We've got over a 400 km journey home; any later and we'll miss lunch."
Old Wang laughed: "Don't worry, I'll buy more to take back for the parents. I'm sure they won't be able to find fault with this rice noodle roll."