Grand Opening Celebration
Qi Liangshan didn’t linger at the house. After helping Yang Lan load the stove and griddle onto the small cart, he left with Wen Ge’er.
Wen Ge’er seemed reluctant to part with Lin Qiao, turning back every few steps, his pockets stuffed with candies and pastries.
Yang Lan chuckled and said, “If Wen Ge’er were a bit older, he might have become your best friend.”
Lin Qiao didn’t understand what he was saying and didn’t have time to ask. He was already eager to go inside and start kneading the dough. He wanted to test how well the cart worked.
As it turned out, having the right tools made all the difference.
After making a few pancakes, Lin Qiao quickly got the hang of it. He could even fry an egg on the side while cooking the pancakes.
That night, the family went to bed especially early. The next morning, they were up before dawn.
Zhang Shi was in charge of steaming the dough skins. The water for washing the dough had been prepared the night before, so this morning, he only needed to pour off the clear water on top. Steaming the skins one by one was quick work.
Lin Qiao prepared the fillings for the pancakes.
Yang Lan sat in front of the large stove, tending the fire.
Half an hour later, as the sky began to lighten, they had finished their preparations. After drinking a bowl of porridge, the three of them took the ingredients, pushed the cart, and headed to their stall.
At dawn, South Street was nearly empty, with only a few shops just opening. Helpers sat at the doors, dozing off, but were startled awake by a rumbling noise. When they came out to see, they were instantly alert.
Three people were pushing a cart that looked like a table down the street. Such a thing was unheard of in Stone Town and certainly drew attention.
At the intersection, they turned onto North Street, where the scene changed dramatically.
Both sides of the road were lined with breakfast stalls, and the street was bustling with people, many of whom didn’t seem to be locals based on their attire.
Perhaps a ship was docked at the pier, and its passengers had come ashore to eat.
The novelty of their cart attracted quite a crowd.
“Hey, what are you selling here?” a man in black, biting into a steamed bun, asked.
Yang Lan, pushing the cart, smiled and said, “We’ve got cold noodles, stuffed pancakes, and egg-filled pancakes. Our stall is just ahead. If you’re not in a hurry, why not come with us and try some? It’s our first day open, and the first ten customers get an extra basic pancake for free.”
The man was visibly taken aback. He had traveled far and wide but had never heard of these three items.
Yang Lan glanced at the onlookers and explained, “Cold noodles are perfect for summer. The slippery noodles are wrapped with shredded potatoes and cucumbers, topped with a spoonful of spicy oil, making them tangy, spicy, and refreshing. Stuffed pancakes are a northern delicacy, with a thin, crispy pancake wrapped around a layer of egg, fried egg, sticky rice, and various small fillings. They’re filling and delicious! As for the egg-filled pancake…”
As he spoke, he noticed more and more people following them, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Finally, they reached the stall. The vendor selling stinky tofu hadn’t arrived, and the customers weren’t deterred at all.
Lin Qiao set up the stove and griddle. When he looked up, he saw a crowd of people, and he swallowed nervously.
Yang Lan gently patted him on the back. When Lin Qiao turned around, he mouthed silently, “You’re the best, Lin Qiao. I believe in you.”
Lin Qiao’s eyes reddened, and he nodded vigorously, placing the small dishes in a prominent spot and skillfully starting to make pancakes.
Yang Lan let out a sigh of relief.
Though there were many onlookers, no one had placed an order yet. Yang Lan knew they needed someone to take the first plunge.
He scanned the crowd and finally locked eyes with the man who had spoken to him first.
Judging by his attire and build, it was clear the man wasn’t short on money and had a hearty appetite.
So, Yang Lan smiled and said to the man, “Would you like to try the cold noodles? They’re five coins each, and I’ll throw in a pancake for free.”
The man didn’t hesitate and agreed immediately.
Yang Lan called out loudly, “Alright, one cold noodle and one basic pancake!”
Zhang Shi and Lin Qiao nodded, their hands moving swiftly.
The cold noodles were already steamed and quickly rolled up, placed in an oiled paper bag, and handed to the man.
The man took a big bite, and his eyes lit up. Just as Yang Lan had said, they were tangy, spicy, and refreshing.
Someone asked, “How is it? Does it taste good?”
The man didn’t reply, finishing the sizable cold noodle in a few bites, then said to Yang Lan, “Give me ten more!”
Wow! Big spender!
No one asked if it tasted good anymore. It was clear from the man’s reaction that it was delicious, or he wouldn’t have ordered so many.
Yang Lan was momentarily stunned. He reminded, “Sir, it’s hot these days, and cold noodles spoil easily.”
The man waved dismissively, “I’ve got plenty of brothers. One each, and they’ll be gone.”
Yang Lan nodded and said no more.
Zhang Shi was overjoyed and quickly started packing.
By this time, Lin Qiao’s pancake was also ready.
The man took a bite, savoring the rich sauce and the crispy, fragrant sticky rice. It was different from the cold noodles but equally delicious.
He quickly said, “I’ll take ten pancakes too!”
“Alright!” Yang Lan pointed to the small dishes on the table, “The one you just had is the basic version, five coins each. These can be added to the pancakes for two coins each.”
The man thought for a moment, ordered ten basic ones, and also got a full set.
Soon, his cold noodles and pancakes were ready.
Over a hundred copper coins were added to their cash box, covering the bottom with a thin layer, and all three couldn’t help but smile.
After the man left, the onlookers started placing orders. Though none were as extravagant as his, the sheer number of people meant sales were brisk, and the three of them didn’t stop working.
On their first day of business, they were unsure of how much to prepare, so they had limited ingredients. After just over an hour, the batter was nearly gone, and only a couple of cold noodles remained.
Yang Lan had to regretfully inform the remaining customers to come back tomorrow. With Zhang Shi and Lin Qiao looking on wistfully, he began packing up the stove and griddle.
“Our home isn’t far. I can go back and return quickly,” Zhang Shi said regretfully.
Yang Lan sighed, “We can’t earn all the money in one day. We’ve got plenty of time ahead. Since it’s still early, let’s visit Brother Wang and bring him some cold noodles and pancakes.”
Zhang Shi agreed but hesitated, “Is it okay to give others what we didn’t sell?”
“Why not? It’s not leftovers, and if I hadn’t set some aside, there wouldn’t be any left,” Yang Lan said nonchalantly.
They didn’t need to push the cart back. They left it in a warehouse at the end of the street. After packing up, they carried the breakfast for Brother Wang and headed toward South Street.
Before they reached the vegetable shop, they ran into a familiar face at the entrance of the Jishi Hall.