◎ “Boss Ling, I Like You!” ◎
Almost everyone’s attention was drawn to the pink food truck that had suddenly appeared. Apart from the illuminated sign on its roof, the body of the truck was also decorated with cute barbecue illustrations, and a logo had even been specially designed for the words “Miaomiao Barbecue.”
Under everyone’s watchful gazes, the pink food truck leisurely drove up beside Ling Chuang’s fried rice stall and came to a stop.
Although North Gate Night Market was a naturally formed night market, the stall owners set up their stalls in fixed locations every day so that returning customers could easily find them. Ling Chuang’s food truck had always been parked in the same spot. When Tian Miaomiao visited that day, she’d noticed an empty space beside his truck.
She’d deliberately parked her own truck next to his for no other reason than to take advantage of some of his customer traffic.
Tian Doudou had always helped out in the kitchen at the family inn and had never set up a stall at a night market like this before. Seeing everyone staring at them, he suddenly felt a little uncertain.
“Why is everyone looking at us? Shouldn’t we go over and greet them or something?”
“Probably not.”
This night market street hadn’t been officially developed yet, so vendors didn’t need to pay any fees to set up stalls here. Basically, anyone who wanted to come could do so.
“Then is it really okay to park the truck here?” Tian Doudou was still a little worried. “What if someone already uses this spot?”
Tian Miaomiao replied, “When I came to scout the area the other day, I didn’t see anyone here. If someone really does show up later, we’ll just move somewhere else.”
“Mm.”
Tian Doudou nodded. Just then, the door of the food truck in front of them suddenly opened, and a young man stepped out.
“Someone’s coming out!”
Tian Doudou immediately grabbed Tian Miaomiao beside him.
Tian Miaomiao raised her head and saw the handsome guy she’d met that night.
Today, he was wearing an ordinary, loose-fitting black T-shirt. His slightly wavy hair gave him a touch of that laid-back Hong Kong-style charm.
When he’d been standing inside the food truck that day, Tian Miaomiao hadn’t noticed it, but now that he’d stepped out, his incredibly long legs were simply impossible to ignore.
As Tian Miaomiao watched him approach, her mind automatically supplied background music for him. It was Gu Xin’s recent cover of First Love.
“Damn, this guy is seriously handsome.”
Even Tian Doudou, who was standing beside her, couldn’t help taking a few extra glances at him.
“We’re all wearing T-shirts and jeans, so why does he look like he’s walking down a runway?”
“…Probably because of his looks, figure, and bearing.”
Tian Doudou fell silent for a moment before suddenly becoming alert again.
“Wait, he’s walking toward us! We haven’t taken over his territory, have we?!”
“…This land belongs to the country.”
“…Th-Then, could he be coming to collect protection money?”
Tian Doudou swallowed nervously.
Although he’d never set up a stall at a night market before, he’d watched plenty of television dramas! Places like this usually had local bullies who controlled the area!
After hearing what he said, even Tian Miaomiao began to feel a little uncertain.
“He looks pretty refined. I don’t think he’d do something like that.”
“You can’t judge a book by its cover!”
Tian Doudou lowered his voice but spoke with greater emphasis.
“Don’t you look pretty and cute too? Who would’ve guessed that back in our village, you could take on ten people all by yourself?!”
Tian Miaomiao: “…”
Watching the handsome guy draw closer, Tian Doudou moved even nearer to Tian Miaomiao, trying to hide behind her.
“If a fight breaks out later, you’ve got to protect me!”
Tian Miaomiao: “…”
What was the point of having a younger brother like this?
While the siblings were talking, Ling Chuang had already walked up to their food truck.
He looked at Tian Miaomiao, and the corners of his lips seemed to curve upward slightly.
“So it’s you.”
Tian Miaomiao froze for a moment and studied him uncertainly.
“You… remember me?”
This time, Ling Chuang’s lips definitely curved into a smile as he looked at her and said, “It seems North Gate Night Market really is more appealing than the entertainment industry.”
Tian Miaomiao: “…”
She’d changed her clothes today and even tied her long hair into a bun, yet he’d still recognized her.
His memory was simply astonishing.
“Don’t tell me you remember every customer?”
“Not really,” Ling Chuang replied. “It’s just that beautiful young girls like you are easier to remember.”
“…”
Not only did he remember her, but he also remembered what she’d said. 🙂
“Hahaha.”
Tian Miaomiao laughed a few times, awkwardly but politely, intending to brush past the subject.
“My name is Tian Miaomiao. Starting today, I’ll also be setting up a stall here.”
Ling Chuang glanced at the various barbecue skewers she’d arranged in the refrigerated display cabinet and nodded slightly.
“You’re selling barbecue, huh? Looks pretty good.”
“Your fried rice is pretty good too.”
The words slipped out of Tian Miaomiao’s mouth before she could stop herself, and she immediately regretted saying them.
Ling Chuang raised his eyes to look at her and chuckled softly.
“My name is Ling Chuang. If you need any help in the future, feel free to come to me.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Tian Miaomiao was somewhat surprised to hear him say that.
He seemed like someone who naturally kept others at a distance, not at all like the warmhearted type who would readily offer help.
After thanking Ling Chuang, she couldn’t help asking curiously, “Which Chinese characters are used for your name?”
“The Ling from lofty ambitions, and the Chuang from traveling far and wide.”
Even after Ling Chuang had walked away, Tian Miaomiao was still savoring his name.
“Ling Chuang… That’s actually a pretty good name.”
“Yeah,” Tian Doudou said enviously. “Unlike me. I don’t even dare introduce myself to other people.”
Tian Miaomiao burst out laughing and looked at him.
“What’s wrong with Doudou? It’s pretty cute.”
“…”
Cute, but with a hint of having been chosen rather casually.
Meanwhile, as soon as Sun Xuchuan saw Ling Chuang return, he immediately approached him to ask about the newcomers.
“Brother Chuang, who are those two new people?”
“They’re selling barbecue.”
Ling Chuang took out a face mask from his food truck, preparing to open his stall for business.
Sun Xuchuan fell silent for a moment.
He could already tell they were selling barbecue. After all, there were several huge characters written right on the roof of their truck.
Thinking of this, he glanced at the pink barbecue truck again.
“Her truck is even more romantic than yours. From now on, you won’t be the most eye-catching guy at North Gate Night Market anymore.”
Ling Chuang paused briefly in what he was doing but ignored him.
Sun Xuchuan, sporting a head of dyed yellow hair, leaned closer again.
“That girl is pretty good-looking. Is the guy beside her her boyfriend?”
“Didn’t ask.”
“…” Sun Xuchuan looked at him with frustration, disappointed that he wasn’t making more of an effort. “How could you not ask something so important?!”
Ling Chuang glanced up at him and put on his transparent face mask. “If you’re curious, go ask them yourself. Don’t get in the way of my business.”
Sun Xuchuan: “…”
If he dared to go up and ask, why would he have bothered asking Ling Chuang?!
He returned to his grilled squid stall, but his eyes kept straying toward Tian Miaomiao.
Tian Miaomiao had also prepared the same kind of face masks Ling Chuang used. She handed one to Tian Doudou beside her. “Put this on.”
Tian Doudou took the mask and was just about to put it on when he suddenly exclaimed in alarm, “Sis, look over there! Is that big guy with tattooed arms also here to set up a stall?”
Tian Miaomiao followed his gaze and indeed saw a muscular man with tattooed arms setting up his stall on their other side.
“Oh, I saw him when I came here last time. He sells ice jelly and lianggao.”
The tattooed man had also noticed the additional pink food truck beside his stall today. After glancing at it, he walked toward them.
Tian Doudou started getting nervous again. “Oh no, oh no! Don’t tell me he’s the real boss around here?”
“…” Tian Miaomiao didn’t feel like saying anything.
The tattooed man walked up to their food truck and asked, “Is this food truck yours?”
“That’s right.” Tian Miaomiao smiled at him. “It’s our first day here.”
The tattooed man took out his phone and asked with a serious expression, “Your truck is so cute. Can I take a photo with it?”
“…Sure.”
Then, under Tian Doudou’s dumbfounded gaze, the tattooed man held up his phone, made a finger heart toward the camera, and smiled even more sweetly than a young girl.
“This night market really is full of interesting characters,” Tian Doudou couldn’t help remarking after the tattooed man left.
Tian Miaomiao ignored him. She was busy promoting her barbecue stall in the residential complex’s homeowners’ group chat.
Building 18, Tian Miaomiao: Sorry to bother everyone, neighbors! My barbecue stall is officially open today! It’s at North Gate Night Market. Everyone is welcome to come and give it a try. All neighbors who come today will get a 12% discount! [cute]
After sending the message, she also sent a large red packet to the group.
With the red packet as an incentive, everyone began popping up in the chat. Tian Miaomiao then took a few photos and posted them in the group, doing a little more promotion.
Building 18, Sister Chen: Miaomiao, you’ve finally opened? I’ve already tried this barbecue on everyone’s behalf, and it really tastes good! [snickering]
Building 18, Tian Miaomiao: Aunt Chen, you’re welcome to come and eat! [cute] Neighbors who want to order can join my own group chat. I won’t keep talking about it in the main group~
She posted a QR code for her group chat, and neighbors gradually began joining.
To make it easier for everyone to find her, she even specially changed her WeChat display name to “AAA Miaomiao Barbecue.”
Aunt Chen: Miaomiao, grill ten skewers of beef fat and ten skewers of potatoes for me first. I’ll be there soon! [snickering]
AAA Miaomiao Barbecue: Alright! I’ll get my younger brother to grill them for you right away.
Building 21, Brother Wang: Boss, do you have a price list?
Tian Miaomiao posted a price list in the group.
Her prices weren’t high. The most expensive item, a beef skewer, cost five yuan, while vegetable skewers such as potatoes and corn cost only one yuan each.
Building 21, Brother Wang: Give me ten beef skewers and ten pork belly skewers first. I’ll be there soon too.
Feifei: Boss, do you offer delivery? [pitiful]
AAA Miaomiao Barbecue: I’m not on any food delivery platforms for now. I checked, and the platforms charge fees, so I’d have no choice but to raise my prices (:з」∠) I don’t really want to increase them.
Building 21, Brother Wang: The prices are affordable as they are now, so just go there and eat. Barbecue tastes best when it’s fresh off the grill.
AAA Miaomiao Barbecue: Exactly! When it’s freshly grilled and still sizzling with oil, the texture is the best!
While replying to messages in the group, Tian Miaomiao told Tian Doudou, “Beef fat, potatoes, beef, and pork belly. Ten skewers of each. Start grilling those first.”
“Alright!”
Tian Doudou was already prepared, so he immediately got to work as soon as Tian Miaomiao gave the instructions.
Messages continued popping up on her phone, but customers had come over to inquire about the food, so Tian Miaomiao couldn’t reply for the time being.
After attending to the customers, she picked up her phone and took a look.
To her surprise, her mother had actually sent her a message.
Mom: Miaomiao, have you started selling barbecue?
“…”
Tian Miaomiao hadn’t expected her mother to notice her name change so quickly. She hurriedly replied.
Miaomiao: No, it’s just an internet meme! Like AAA Professional Lotus Root Hole Punching or AAA Adding Sesame Seeds to Strawberries. I’m just following the trend for fun.
Mother Tian sent her a long string of ellipses.
Mom: You city people really know how to have fun. On behalf of the lotus root slices and strawberries, I thank you all.
Miaomiao: Hahahaha [doge] Just change my contact name on your end.
Mom: Already changed it.
Miaomiao: Alright.
After successfully fooling Mother Tian, Tian Miaomiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If she posted anything about her barbecue business on WeChat Moments in the future, she’d have to remember to hide those posts from her family.
After Aunt Chen and Brother Wang arrived, Tian Miaomiao specially took out the small tables and chairs she’d prepared and set them up beside the food truck.
They were all foldable, so they didn’t take up much space and were easy to store away.
Just as she was busy working, a sudden shout rang through the night market like a clap of thunder.
“Boss Ling, I like you! Will you be my boyfriend?!”
Author’s Note:
In the end, Boss Ling is still the most eye-catching guy on the entire street. [doge]