Chapter 269: Shrimp Balls
Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Shrimp Balls
After the floodwaters receded, most people were sent back, only to go hungry.
After all, with so many people suddenly descending on Su City, the city itself couldn’t handle the strain.
Some simply checked into hotels, burning through their money while they waited.
...
「Yangzhai Street.」
The street was a hubbub of activity.
The shop owners on the street were making an absolute killing, so much so that they wanted to build a shrine to Jiang Liu in their homes.
12:10 PM.
Jiang Liu announced he was open for business.
The customers, who could wait no longer, poured into the shop.
"Boss Jiang, one order of ham and a bottle of beer, please! I’ve been dying for this!"
Aunt Mengmeng and her dance troupe also rushed in.
"Little Boss Jiang, is there any free corn today?"
"Yeah, is there? Your food is seriously delicious. My grandson is howling for more."
"Sorry, no corn today."
"All right then."
Aunt Xu said, "Then we’ll take forty-five buns. You can pick the fillings, they’re all delicious. And add a plate of yak meat."
"Do you still have any steamed egg custard? What about shrimp noodles?"
"Boss Jiang, an order of tuna sashimi and an unfiltered beer." Jiao Shenghua had finally made it to the front of the line, and he could barely contain his joy.
Going a single day without Jiang Liu’s cooking left him feeling out of sorts.
He had to eat it, no matter the cost!
In just ten seconds.
The shop was completely packed.
The customers still waiting in line were silently praying that it wouldn’t sell out.
Every time they saw Tongtong bring out a dish, their hearts leaped into their throats.
They were terrified it might be the last one.
The ham was the first thing to sell out today.
Next was the yak, potato, and mushroom soup, and the third was the sashimi.
All three were world-class dishes.
The customers certainly had good taste. Not only was the food incredible to eat, but giving it as a gift would make you look good, too!
1:05 PM.
Jiang Liu announced he was closing for the day. Everything had sold out.
At the entrance.
A fashionably dressed young man looked dejected. "Crap! Sold out again? This is the third time Brother Jiang has stood me up."
"Sigh, I really wish I could kidnap Brother Jiang and make him cook for our school cafeteria."
"Brother Jiang, please, you have to make more this afternoon! There’s too little; it’s not enough for everyone!"
"Yeah, Boss Jiang! I can be your assistant. I’ll work hard and won’t complain."
Jiang Liu replied with a smile, "I only make this much each day. I can’t increase the amount."
"All right then. By the way, Boss Jiang, when are you going to get some chili peppers in here? I want to dip my buns in chili sauce. It would definitely be even more delicious!"
"I want to eat chili with the beef."
Jiang Liu said, "We’ll see. If I can make it, I’ll add it to the menu right away."
"Great, we’ll be waiting then, okay?"
The customers looked on in anticipation.
Even if the chili Boss Jiang came up with wasn’t good, they would still praise it to the high heavens.
The last group of customers left.
"We’re off now, Tongtong. You really are your daddy’s hardworking little treasure."
"I know, right? Hehe. Goodbye, Grandpa Niu."
Jiang Tongtong loved it when people praised her in front of her father.
That way, her dad would know just how amazing she was!
Jun Qingmeng was already taking out one trash can after another.
She didn’t want to see her boyfriend doing that kind of work.
So whenever she was in the shop, she would proactively take care of all the unpleasant chores.
Her boyfriend’s only jobs were to make money and look handsome!
Jiang Tongtong helped out for a little while.
Then she ran over to Jiang Liu to show off her work. "Daddy, look at the floor."
"Mm, it’s so clean. My Tongtong is truly outstanding!"
"Really? Then look at the juice, Daddy. I just bottled fifty of them."
"Nice, very nice. Your daddy is so lucky to have you."
Tongtong asked expectantly, "Then... can Daddy make his little treasure some delicious shrimp later?"
She had seen Jiang Liu buy some river shrimp earlier, and it made her mouth water.
River shrimp tasted different from Little Cyan Dragons.
One was from the river, and the other was from the sea.
Jiang Liu patted her head. "All right. Daddy will make you some delicious shrimp balls in a little while."
"Wow! Daddy’s the best!"
Then, a new thought popped into Tongtong’s head, and she asked:
"Then Daddy, for dinner tonight, can we have twice-cooked pork? Hmm, no, wait, and Di San Xian, and stir-fried fish with chili, and egg fried rice, and shrimp patties... Sob, there are too many! What am I going to do? Tongtong can’t possibly eat all of that!"
There were too many delicious things.
The little darling wanted to eat them all.
But Daddy could only make one dish, and she only had one little tummy.
"Mommy, what do you want to eat? Can you choose for Tongtong?"
Tongtong was having trouble choosing.
Jun Qingmeng shrugged, mimicking Jiang Liu. "I don’t know, either. My boyfriend is just too amazing; everything he makes is delicious. I’m completely overwhelmed by all the wonderful food."
Tongtong pretended to be mad, crossing her arms and glaring at Jiang Liu. "Exactly! It’s all this bad guy Daddy’s fault for making us delicious food every day. Now we don’t even know what to eat!"
Listening to their banter, Jiang Liu just chuckled.
"How about this," he said. "Let’s have Di San Xian tonight. The eggplant is fragrant and soft, and it’s delicious."
Jiang Tongtong wasn’t satisfied. Being a little greedy, she asked, "Just Di San Xian? Is that really enough?"
But then Tongtong quickly added:
"But if Daddy’s tired, then just Di San Xian is fine! Tongtong super loves it too."
Even though there were many things she wanted to eat, her dad couldn’t get tired.
Jiang Liu said, "Oh, it’s not tiring. It’ll only take a few minutes. I’ll make a dish of twice-cooked pork, too, and I’ll boil two ears of corn for you to gnaw on."
"Yay! Daddy, you’re Tongtong’s own personal Superman! A Superman who can cook~"
"Quick, your little darling is going to give you a kiss as a reward... Mwah."
The shop was all cleaned up.
Lin Qiu and Jiang Dahai pushed the door open and came in.
Their arms were laden with all sorts of things.
Snacks, fruit, daily necessities...
Jiang Liu was stunned. "Mom, did you two go to the supermarket?"
"Don’t even ask! Your customers forced all this on us!"
Jiang Dahai placed the items on the table, panting.
He was absolutely exhausted.
"Oh? Really... The people who gave you this, did they have any distinguishing features?"
Jiang Liu wanted to remember them so he could give them some extra buns and juice next time they came.
As a criminal police officer, Jiang Dahai paid close attention to such details.
He easily described them to Jiang Liu.
He even remembered their names.
As someone who navigated official circles, his mind was as sharp as a tack.
When someone gives you a gift, it’s just common sense to ask for their name.
"Liu’er, you have to remember this kindness. We should always try not to be in anyone’s debt," Lin Qiu reminded him.
"Don’t worry, Mom. I know."
"Good. I have faith in you."
Their son was much more capable than them now, so the old couple didn’t pry as much anymore.
"Mom, you and Dad have a seat. We’ll eat in a little while."
"Should I come help you?"
"No need, Mom. It’ll only take a few minutes. It’ll be quick."
With that, Jiang Liu headed to the kitchen to start cooking.
Jun Qingmeng followed him in.
She went wherever her boyfriend went.
A moment later, Tongtong also came scampering into the kitchen.
"Daddy, when will the shrimp balls be ready?"
"Soon. Just wait a little bit."
"Okay~"
Jiang Liu instructed Jun Qingmeng on how to devein the fresh, tender river shrimp.
Meanwhile, he was on the other side of the counter, mixing a batter.
Scallion Shrimp Balls.
They were made by deep-frying a batter of eggs, chopped scallions, sweet potato starch, flour, white pepper, and other seasonings.
For the eggs, Jiang Liu used free-range organic ones, which had no unpleasant smell and even carried a faint, creamy aroma.
The flour, of course, was also from premium wheat.