nownovels Chapter 20 Inhumanity
Chapter 20 Inhumanity
Chen Feng stood behind the counter, his brows furrowed slightly.
He wasn't frightened by the lively scene, but rather by the chaos that made him realize the danger.
Especially when you see those diners who are trying to squeeze to the front of the counter, almost sticking their bodies inside.
He subconsciously glanced at Mengmeng, who was standing beside him, looking somewhat bewildered.
Mengmeng's big, dark eyes, like black grapes, were now filled with confusion and fear.
She had never seen so many "fanatical" adults, those mouths opening and closing, their faces flushed red with excitement.
It seemed a little too impactful in her small world.
She instinctively grabbed Chen Feng's apron and shrank her small body behind him.
"Everyone, please calm down and listen to me!"
Chen Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it had a penetrating quality that carried clearly through the noisy store.
"Those who want to eat steamed buns, please line up against the wall."
The shop has limited space.
For everyone's safety and to ensure a comfortable dining environment, please be sure to maintain order.
"Please line up properly, otherwise I won't be able to serve you."
The announcement of "We can't make it anymore" was like a bucket of cold water, bringing the diners, who had been overwhelmed by the aroma, back to their senses.
They looked at each other.
Although there was still anxiety in his eyes, judging from Chen Feng's uncompromising expression, it was clear that this boss was a man of principle.
So, under Zhang Qiang's guidance, the crowd slowly and orderly formed a crooked line in front of the cashier.
Chen Feng turned around, gently squatted down, and placed his hands on Mengmeng's little shoulders.
He looked at his daughter's slightly frightened face and said gently in a soft voice:
"Mengmeng, Daddy is busy steaming buns now, and Godfather is busy serving food to the guests and clearing the table."
"Mengmeng is the little owner of our shop. Can she do her dad a favor?"
Mengmeng pursed her little lips, her big eyes showing a hint of stubbornness: "Daddy, Mengmeng can help!"
"Mengmeng doesn't want to be the Big Bad Wolf, Mengmeng wants to help her dad sell steamed buns!"
"good."
Chen Feng smiled and patted her head.
"You'll sit in that high chair in a bit. Everyone line up and come over, and your job is to get them to scan the code and pay."
"If you're scared, look up at Daddy. Daddy's right behind you, okay?"
Mengmeng took a deep breath, like a little soldier preparing for battle, and sniffed heavily:
"Don't be afraid, Mengmeng! Mengmeng is going to earn lots of money to buy Daddy a big house!"
Chen Feng chuckled, then picked up Mengmeng and placed her steadily on the swivel chair behind the cashier.
At this moment, Mengmeng was sitting in that rather large chair, her two little feet dangling in mid-air, swaying slightly because they couldn't reach the ground.
She was still wearing that pink bunny apron.
At this moment, because of the awkwardness of the moment, the headband was slightly crooked, giving it an indescribable silly look.
She placed her two small hands neatly on the counter, with a QR code for payment in front of her.
His serious and determined demeanor, coupled with a forced display of courage, made him resemble a finely crafted, rare collectible figurine.
Leading the queue was the middle-aged woman who had hesitated for a long time before, but who ran the fastest in line.
She was initially very impatient, muttering "Why do I have to queue for steamed buns?", but when she looked up, she saw Mengmeng sitting on a high chair.
For a moment, the woman's expression froze on her face, then quickly softened like snow melting in the sun.
"Oh my goodness...whose little fairy is this?" The old lady's voice unconsciously dropped eight octaves, as if afraid of disturbing the porcelain doll in front of her.
As the first customer approached, Mengmeng wrung her little hands tightly around the edge of her apron, her palms already glistening with sweat.
Remembering her father's words, she mustered her courage and raised her head. Although her voice still trembled slightly, it was clear and melodious.
"Grandma...please, please pay here."
A serving of steamed buns costs twelve yuan, and the soy milk is...you can drink it for free.
After the little guy finished speaking, his long eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes held a hint of expectation and a little nervousness as he stared straight at the old lady.
"Okay, okay, I'll pay, I'll pay right away!" The old lady felt a little lighter after being called "Grandma".
She deftly pulled out her phone, scanning a QR code while exclaiming to her companion behind her, "Old Li, look at this child! He's so adorable!"
"This boss is so lucky to have such a little helper."
The man called Lao Li also came up and looked at Mengmeng's serious expression as she watched him pay.
He couldn't help but blush, and teased her gently, "Little girl, you're so young and you can already help your dad sell steamed buns? Does your dad pay you a salary?"
Mengmeng tilted her head and thought for a moment, then answered seriously, "Daddy makes delicious food for Mengmeng every day, that's Mengmeng's salary."
"Mengmeng also has to help her dad guard the shop and prevent the big bad wolf from coming in."
These innocent words from a child caused the diners at the counter to burst into laughter.
The slight anxiety and resentment that had arisen from queuing vanished without a trace under Mengmeng's "healing" cuteness offensive.
When paying, even though everyone was very hungry, they would unconsciously slow down and chat with Mengmeng for a bit.
Some praised her for being amazing, some complimented her on being cute, and some even wanted to reach out and pat her little head.
Of course, whenever someone was overly "enthusiastic," Chen Feng would always cast a calm glance from the kitchen.
The father's imposing presence kept everyone tactfully confined to simply admiring him.
At the other end of the checkout counter, Zhang Qiang was busy and sweating profusely.
Every time he saw Mengmeng successfully collect a payment, he would deftly hand the customer a specially made wooden number tag.
"Here you are, number fourteen! Please find a seat, the steamed buns will be served shortly!"
While shouting instructions, Zhang Qiang cleaned up the mess left by Lu Yuan and Zhao Dafa as quickly as possible.
"Slurp—"
A loud slurping sound echoed throughout half the shop.
Old Li closed his eyes, a look of rapture on his face.
As the delicious meat juice entered his mouth, Old Li's body involuntarily trembled.
"It smells...it smells so good!" he whispered, his voice filled with unprecedented satisfaction.
"How can you make this minced meat so springy and flavorful?!"
An elderly gentleman sitting at the next table heard Old Li's shout and immediately took a bite.
The next moment, the old man's eyes widened suddenly, and a surprising gleam appeared in his previously cloudy eyes.
He couldn't stop eating, letting the golden juices slide down his lips without even noticing.
This treatment is nothing short of inhumane torture for those who are still queuing or sitting in their seats waiting for their number to be called.
A young man sitting a little further away was clutching the "Number 26" sign tightly in his hand, craning his neck and staring intently at the table in front of him.
He watched the old man slurping his soup with obvious enjoyment, saliva gushing from his throat like a fountain.
"My God, is it really that amazing?" the young man muttered, swallowing hard, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
"Look at that old man's expression, he's happier than if he won the lottery."
"Why isn't it my turn yet! Number 25 has already been served, hurry up, boss!"
This mix of anxiety and anticipation spread like a contagious disease within the small shop.
Every time Zhang Qiang came out carrying a fresh basket of steamed buns, he would shout, "Number 30! Your steamed buns are here!"
Those around who hadn't received a number yet, or whose numbers were far back, would all have their eyes drawn to the basket of steaming, adorable, white rabbit-shaped buns.
They watched as the lucky ones took the plates.
Watching those delicate rabbit ears tremble slightly in the heat.
Watching the fragrance, almost tangible, trail a ribbon in the air...
"Why isn't it my turn yet...?"
"Hey friend, can I cut in line? I'll pay double!"
"Get out of here, get in line! Can't you see that young girl waiting there?"
Zhang Qiang was like a tireless spinning top at this moment.
He had just delivered the freshly steamed buns to the guests' table when he turned around and saw a guest leaving. He immediately grabbed a rag and rushed over.
He worked incredibly fast, wiping the tabletop until it gleamed in no time, while also loudly reassuring the anxious diners.
"Don't rush, everyone! Steamed buns are being made one batch after another!"
"Our boss is a perfectionist; as the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race. It's definitely worth your wait!"
Meanwhile, Mengmeng, who was sitting at the cashier's counter, gradually got used to this rhythm.
She noticed that although these adults seemed impatient, they all became very gentle when they were with her.
Whenever she received money, she would say in her childish voice, "Thank you, Uncle" or "Thank you, Sister," and the other person would show a genuine smile.
This made her feel like she had truly become her father's capable assistant.
She sat there like a little elf guarding a treasure, soothing the anxious souls in the room with her innocent smile.