Divorced Dad's Gourmet Shop

Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Souffle Bread Stuns Customers

"Honey, are we having stir-fried pork today?"

"We are. You like it?"

"Of course. I love anything you make."

Jun Qingmeng spoke with a gentle smile.

"Here, you can take this over first."

"Okay, okay. You should hurry over too, honey."

The three of them sat by the kitchen door, eating happily.

"Daddy, you have the meat."

"Honey, eat more meat. Here, have this shrimp, too."

Jun Qingmeng picked all the shrimp out of the soup and put it in Jiang Liu’s bowl, worried her husband would get too thin.

Soon, only a single piece of shrimp was left in her own bowl.

Jiang Liu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Alright, you two, my bowl’s about to overflow!"

He then put a few pieces of meat back into Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong’s bowls.

"Hurry up and eat. Don’t give me any more. It’s not like you two are made of iron."

"Okay."

"Daddy! Can I feed you a piece of meat?"

"Ahhh—" Jiang Liu opened his mouth.

Tongtong stuffed a piece of savory stir-fried pork into Jiang Liu’s mouth and giggled with delight.

’Feeding Dad is always so much fun!’

「After dinner.」

Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong took the initiative to clear the table.

Jiang Liu, on the other hand, got back to work.

The sashimi and wasabi were already prepared and stored in the refrigerated cabinet.

The pressure cooker was hissing, PSHHH PSHHH, releasing the fragrant aroma of spices and beef. Beside the counter, a large pile of cubed potatoes and mushrooms sat ready.

「6:55 AM.」

Jun Qingmeng walked into the kitchen and hugged Jiang Liu, reluctant to leave.

"Honey, I have to go to the kindergarten. I’m going to miss you so much, what should I do?"

"Daddy, your little baby has to go too. Waaa, will you miss her?"

Jiang Liu helplessly patted both of their heads to comfort them.

"It’s not like we won’t see each other again! When you get back, I’ll make you whatever you want to eat."

"Can I have ice cream then? Daddy promised Tongtong yesterday but didn’t give it to me."

Tongtong looked up with a face full of expectation.

Jiang Liu casually flicked her on the forehead.

’Teasing his daughter came so naturally to him.’

"Waaa."

Tongtong pouted but still gave Jiang Liu a kiss.

"Bye, Daddy."

"Love you, honey. See you this afternoon!"

The two of them left, full of reluctance.

At 7:01, Xia Changzhi, his forehead bright red, swaggered into the shop with his hands behind his back, basking in a sea of hostile glares.

"Uncle Xia, you’re here?" Jiang Liu greeted him with a broad smile.

Xia Changzhi smiled and sighed.

"Ah, good morning, Boss Jiang. I had a bit to drink yesterday and couldn’t get up this morning. Would it be possible to cut in line and buy a portion of the yak beef to take home?"

Jiang Liu replied, "No problem. Oh, right, I also made some Souffle bread. I’ll have you take some home for your family in a bit."

"Souffle bread??"

Xia Changzhi’s mouth instantly started watering.

"Oh, that’s just perfect! I was just craving some bread!"

’Even if Boss Jiang’s bread isn’t good, I have to praise it to the heavens.’

「Not long after.」

Jiang Liu packed him a portion of the yak, potato, and mushroom soup, and added two palm-sized pieces of Souffle.

Uncle Xia was a good man. Though he could be a stubborn old codger, he had always treated Jiang Liu well.

"I’m heading out then, Boss Jiang. I won’t bother thanking you, haha."

Xia Changzhi paid gleefully and headed out the door.

The customers in line, some of whom were just there for the spectacle, watched Xia Changzhi leave with his bag, feeling both envious and angry!

"Isn’t that Xia the Undying? Cashing in on his friendship with Boss Jiang for more free food and drinks?"

"What did you buy, Uncle Xia? Can you let me take a peek? I swear I won’t sneak a bite!"

"It looks like there’s a piece of bread in his bag. Am I seeing things?"

"Holy crap, don’t tell me Brother Jiang has a new item!?"

"Uncle Xia, is that bread you have in there?"

The neighborhood customers in line were getting anxious.

They craned their necks to get a look inside the bag.

Xia Changzhi’s ego was fully satisfied. He chuckled and said, "That’s right, you guessed it. Boss Jiang gave me two pieces of Souffle bread. He made them especially for me."

The customers gnashed their teeth in anger as they watched his smug expression.

’This is too much!’

’What’s there to show off about?!’

"Hey, you grinning old man, I’m telling you, don’t celebrate too early! Just wait and see if I don’t crush you at cards this afternoon!"

"Uncle Xia, want to go work out together tomorrow morning?"

"What’s the bread taste like? Let me try some, won’t you?" The thick-skinned Aunt Hou tailed Xia Changzhi.

Xia Changzhi hesitated for a moment, then stopped and opened the bag. "Alright, I’ll give you all a few small pieces. There isn’t much."

"I’ll take a piece."

"Thanks, Uncle Xia, you’re so nice."

"Let me have a bite, Old Xia! With our friendship, why are you trying to hide it?"

A crowd swarmed around him.

Everyone wanted to taste the bread made by Boss Jiang.

"So this is a Souffle? It looks so fluffy, like a marshmallow. Boss Jiang is amazing!"

"Let me have a piece, Uncle Xia. We were just on the parallel bars together at the park the other day."

"Let me try too."

"This tastes incredible!"

The aunties and uncles who got to taste the bread were stunned.

"This is delicious!!"

"The texture is so much better than the stuff from the Original Bakery. A single piece from their place costs over thirty."

"I’ve had theirs too. I’m telling you, if Boss Jiang decided to sell this, that place would be out of business in a few days!"

Everyone finished the bread in their hands, their faces a picture of wanting more.

It was too little. Just a tiny taste, not nearly enough.

"Old Xia, give me another piece. I’ll treat you to archery some other day."

Xia Changzhi had also eaten a piece and was already filled with regret.

It was far more delicious than he had imagined.

"That’s enough! If I give you any more, I’ll have none left. Break it up, break it up, I need to get home!"

Aunt Xu pressed him relentlessly.

"Old Xia, tell me the truth, is Boss Jiang selling this bread or not!"

"If Brother Jiang is selling, I’m definitely buying a few pounds to take home and savor."

"A few pounds? In your dreams. I’d be content if Boss Jiang would sell me even one piece."

All eyes focused on Xia Changzhi’s face.

His path home blocked, Xia Changzhi hesitated for a moment. "I don’t think Boss Jiang will be selling it. This was a gift for me."

His words were a stone cast into a calm lake, causing a thousand ripples.

The customers, already dying of envy, became frantic.

"Not selling? Then why did Boss Jiang give it to you?"

"Why you? Tell us, do you think Boss Jiang would give me some?"

"Exactly, why you? What makes you so special?"

"I want to eat it too! Sell some to me! I’ll give you a thousand for the whole lot!"

...Xia Changzhi fled as if his life depended on it.

Those eyes were practically glowing green. He suspected that if he stayed a moment longer, he’d be torn limb from limb!

At 7:15, Jiang Liu announced he was open for business.

"Open for business! Squeeze in, don’t leave any gaps!"

The customers in line were as excited as travelers in a desert spotting an oasis.

"Boss Jiang, fifteen buns and a bottle of watermelon juice."

"Excuse me, Brother Jiang, I’d like a portion of tuna and a bottle of draft beer!"

"Five shrimp and corn buns, five dill buns, and five three-delicacy buns."

The customers who had gotten their takeaway orders didn’t leave, waiting for Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu was puzzled. "What is it? Is there something I can help you with?"

"Boss Jiang, isn’t there something you want to tell me? About the bread, for instance."

Jiang Liu: ???

’Who are you? We’re not even close.’

"There was only a little bit of bread. It was a gift for my loyal, long-time customers."

Fu Lengleng spoke up, "Boss Jiang, can I buy some with money? A thousand for one piece, what do you think?"