Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Vacation in Africa
The customers following this topic were sorely disappointed. Some of them knew the old woman, and if she’d gotten a permanent position, wouldn’t it have been a case of a rising tide lifting all boats?
A short while later, Jun Xinghe, accompanied by Guo Dapao and his driver, was at the counter ordering.
With his elegant handwriting, he wrote down their order: one plate of beef, two plates of tuna, thirty steamed buns, three glasses of juice, table twelve.
Jiang Liu glanced at the order. "The beef is already sold out," he said. "How about switching it all to tuna?"
"Hm? It sold out that quickly?"
Jun Xinghe was astonished. This was his first time experiencing the terrifying speed at which things sold out at Jiang Liu’s shop.
Including the takeout line, he was probably about the sixtieth person, and even so, he couldn’t get any beef.
Jiang Liu smiled. "Come earlier next time."
Jun Xinghe smacked his lips regretfully. "Fine. We’ll take all tuna then."
Missing out on the Yak, Potato, and Mushroom Soup felt worse than losing a deal worth tens of millions.
The driver following them stared at the bustling shop in amazement.
Especially at the outrageous prices on the blackboard.
"President Jun, this place isn’t cheap. Back in Jing City, I can get a plate of yak for just over two hundred. And I’m talking about a regular restaurant, not some high-end place."
Jun Xinghe just smiled without a word.
Guo Dapao said irritably, "You don’t know how good you have it. If Boss Jiang’s yak and potatoes were in Jing City, it would cause enough of a crowd to shut down a subway line, you believe that?"
"Forget eighteen hundred—people would pay thirty thousand for it. Heh. It’s only because this is South City and Boss Jiang just opened that his reputation hasn’t spread. Otherwise, the three of us wouldn’t even be able to get a taste!"
The driver was completely bewildered.
’I didn’t even say anything bad!’
’Why are you hyping it up so much, my oh-so-famous President Guo?’
He wasn’t buying it. ’It might be a little tasty, but that’s a crazy exaggeration. Shut down a subway line? They only do that when some VIP is passing through, right?’
The three of them squeezed in at table twelve with the other elderly patrons.
There was no other choice.
There were too few tables and too many people, so everyone was used to sharing.
The atmosphere was great.
Aside from the occasional fight over a seat that led to someone discreetly calling for backup, everything was perfectly harmonious.
After a wait of ten-odd minutes.
Jun Xinghe’s order finally arrived.
Wild tuna sashimi, with every slice cut to the exact same thickness.
The plating was exquisite. At the bottom was a bed of crushed ice to keep it fresh, topped with a layer of crisp, green leaves. The slices of fish rested on top, with a small red flower garnishing the side.
All three of them gasped in surprise.
You could tell how good it was with a single glance.
The otoro was a pale, pearly pink, the marbling on its cut surface as intricate as a work of art. It looked incredibly rich.
The chutoro was a classic pink with much finer marbling.
And then there was the tender akami, a deep, solid red, with the lines of its grain clearly defined.
"It’s finally here! Let’s eat, let’s eat!"
Guo Dapao was the first to snap open his chopsticks. He picked up a piece of otoro, dipped it in the savory, secret-recipe soy sauce, dabbed it in wasabi, and popped the whole thing in his mouth.
His eyes instantly shot wide open.
The sashimi melted the moment it touched his tongue. It was cool and silky smooth, with a clean, sweet finish that carried a hint of spice from the wasabi.
Delicious. It was so, so delicious!
It was even better than the tuna he’d had in Japan!
It was as if the fish had been pulled from the ocean and served on his plate that very instant.
It was unbelievably fresh!
Jun Xinghe was already on his second piece.
He couldn’t stop himself.
Eating Boss Jiang’s food was simply the ultimate indulgence.
With one bite of sashimi, it was as if he were standing on the deck of a boat, the salty sea breeze washing over his face.
"Xiao Liu, hurry up and eat! Don’t watch us finish it all and regret it later!"
Jun Xinghe kindly handed a steamed bun to his driver.
He had just tried one himself. The buns were incredible.
It was hard to imagine that Jiang Liu could make even a simple steamed bun taste this good.
Unbelievable!
"Alright. I’m not a big fan of steamed buns, as you know, President Jun."
The driver said demurely, casually picking up a "Three Delicacies" bun and taking a bite.
’Holy shit?’
Mmm...
’This flavor is... insane!!’
The pork was incredibly tender without a hint of gaminess. The savory flavors of eggplant and shiitake mushroom danced on his tongue, lingering long after.
Even the wrapper itself had the fresh fragrance of wheat!
Snapping back to reality, the driver stared blankly at the bun in his hand, his eyes wide with shock.
’HOLY HELL!! How can a steamed bun be this delicious!?’
’Forget two yuan, I’d pay a hundred for a taste of this.’
The driver finally understood why these two had turned down their other dinner plans.
If it were him, he’d have done the same thing!
’What garbage have I been eating my whole life? It’s been a complete waste!’
The three of them forgot themselves as they devoured the feast.
"God, how can the tuna be this tender!"
"Ahem, Xiao Liu, slow down. You might choke,"
Jun Xinghe said, hinting broadly as he saw his driver eating even more than he was.
Guo Dapao rudely dragged the driver’s plate of tuna in front of himself.
"Alright, you look full. I’ll take this tuna off your hands."
The driver was so flustered he nearly cried. "President Jun, look at him! This is blatant bullying!"
Jun Xinghe sighed and pulled the plate of steamed buns from the center of the table closer to the driver. "I’ll have a word with him later. Don’t be upset."
The driver: ...
’Fine, fine. So this is how you’re going to play, huh?’
Jiang Liu came over to serve steamed buns to the adjacent table.
The driver seized the opportunity. "Boss, how is everything you make so delicious? Do you have a secret?"
Jiang Liu stated flatly, "Trade secret."
"Ah, well, alright. It’s just too delicious." The driver suddenly noticed the boss didn’t look very old and quickly asked, "Boss, are you married? I have a daughter. She’s twenty-three, graduated from Renmin University. How about I introduce you?"
’He’s a lifelong meal ticket!’
’Besides, the guy is handsome. My daughter would definitely like him.’
Before Jiang Liu could even open his mouth.
Jun Xinghe cleared his throat. "Xiao Liu, I hear the scenery in Luwangda, Africa, is quite nice. How about you take a vacation there next month? It’ll be a paid holiday, don’t worry."
"Huh?" When it sank in, the driver, Xiao Liu, was moved to tears of gratitude.
"President Jun, you’re too, too good to me! But... if I go on vacation, who will drive for you? And who will protect you? I think it’s better if I don’t go."
"It’s fine. Just go."
"Alright then." Xiao Liu inwardly sighed. ’I really have met a great boss.’
Not only did his boss treat him to a feast, but he was also giving him a paid vacation.
’So considerate.’
In less than ten minutes.
All the food on the table had been completely annihilated.
In the end, Xiao Liu only managed to eat eight steamed buns and drink one bottle of juice.
Seeing that he knew his place, Jun Xinghe told him he would add two thousand to his monthly salary as an encouragement.
Xiao Liu was even more touched.
He may have sacrificed a super-delicious meal, but he had a daughter to think about!
’Later, I’ll get the boss’s WeChat, ask around a bit, and if it seems right, I’ll set them up.’
With this in mind...
Xiao Liu was filled with renewed determination.
"President Jun, are we coming back here after the afternoon dinner meeting?"
Jun Xinghe wiped his mouth, still not fully satisfied. "We probably won’t make it back. I have some business tonight and need to return to Jing City. I’ll come again when I have the chance."
"Alright."
Xiao Liu stood up, ran to the counter to mutter a few words to Jiang Liu, and then ran back.
"What did you go do?" Jun Xinghe asked, frowning.
"What’s wrong?"
Seeing the look on Jun Xinghe’s face, Xiao Liu answered cautiously, "I went to get his WeChat. As you know, President Jun, a daughter must eventually be married off, and my daughter..."
"Enough. I get it."
Jun Xinghe raised a hand, cutting him off.
The thought in his mind became even more resolute.
’First, I’ll send him to Africa for a few months. Let him come back after the sun has baked some sense into him.’
"Oh, okay." Xiao Liu scratched his head in confusion.
Guo Dapao said, "Since there’s nothing left to eat, should we find a place to rest for a bit?"
