Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe-Chapter 139 - 119: What Kind of Decent Person Sets Up a Stall in the Rain?!

When it comes to foreigners' manners, if you really compare them, they're actually no different from back home—littering, spitting anywhere, and even relieving themselves in public.

But from a normal person's perspective, they put extra effort into their behavior in public places.

Even if it's just for show, they'll put on a front of being a gentleman or a lady.

Holding the door for you when exiting the subway or a building, pulling back the curtain for you when leaving a supermarket—those kinds of little gestures.

So, even if everyone knows deep down, they maintain their public image and refrain from inappropriate actions.

Like what just happened, jumping the queue like that is definitely dropping the act; that's genuine urgency.

"What's the difference? It's just us few here anyway."

"Exactly. On a rainy day, people prefer lying in a soft bed, sleeping in. Who would come out for breakfast? It's just crazy."

"That might be a bit much, buddy. It might describe you, but we're all here for the Head Chef's cooking."

"Exactly."

Gray couldn't help but add, "We both work at the hotel. Once the restaurant opens, we get free staff meals. Isn't it reasonable to want to try the Head Chef's cooking early?"

"Right, exactly!"

Elise nodded intensely like a pecking chick behind him.

"We have a legitimate reason, and we can also provide the chef with market research insights."

"Hey, hey, stop chatting and say how many you want quickly before they get cold."

Lin Chen had already lifted the lid for quite a while, and no one came to buy. Glancing up, he saw they were absorbed in conversation, leaving him no choice but to interrupt.

He noticed a few umbrellas appearing in the rain near the hotel direction; if they didn't hurry, they'd be late for sure.

"They're ready?! Give me ten!"

"Me too! I want ten too!"

The two who didn't get any earlier weren't fools. Seeing the first batch people run to queue up meant they must be tasty, so buying more was the safe bet.

When it was Gray's turn, only ten were left in the pan, leaving him no choice.

He was about to say 'I'll take them all' when Elise's cough suddenly came from behind.

"Cough, cough."

"?"

He turned back puzzled, "What's up?"

"There aren't many people now. Just queue again. I've been working for almost twenty-four hours straight without sleep, can't hold on anymore. Save three for me, I'll head home after eating! Also, with your appetite, ten won't be enough anyway. You'll have to line up a second time sooner or later."

Gray recalled yesterday afternoon when she sneaked him out for hand-held seafood, and realized she was right; ten wouldn't fill him up. It was better to reduce a competitor and be practical.

"Alright, I'll save you three. Next time something good happens, remember to invite me~"

"No problem!"

Holding seven plump Fried Dumplings, he just moved away from the counter and saw a few umbrellas approaching on the sidewalk in the distance.

His expression changed, and he rushed to the end of the line, securing his spot first.

"Ah... ha! So hot, so hot!"

"These Fried Dumplings are so good, crispy and juicy, the more you eat, the more appetizing they get, paired with this tangy spicy sauce, it's amazing!"

The butter hot pot base wasn't particularly spicy to begin with. After his secondary processing yesterday and diluting it once, the numbing flavor increased, and the spiciness wasn't much.

At least to him, it was just mildly spicy at most.

The butter, it's mainly about the fragrance; the spiciness accumulates gradually later on.

Once he sold out the first pan, he immediately started making the next batch of potstickers without stopping.

A batch of thirty takes a little over two minutes to fill the pan, and that's under ideal conditions. In actuality, maintaining four-second-per-dumpling speed is impossible for long.

Frying a batch takes eight minutes, and theoretically, you can prepare another batch in advance and fry it right after selling out.

He glanced at the idle Lucas. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Old Lu! Come and help me with the dishes later. I need to keep making potstickers, or we'll fall behind."

"Huh? Me?"

Lucas pointed at himself, "But I don't know how..."

"Scoop the potstickers from the pan into the box, add the sauce, collect the money. Is that difficult??"

"Oh, oh, you mean this kind of serving? I thought you wanted me to help fry. No problem then."

He brought over several stacks of drink cups, placing them on the folding table, neatly arranging soy milk boxes beside them, with a cooler full of ice on the table's left.

When customers need something, they can help themselves; he's in charge of payment. With the proximity, there's no worry about anyone slipping away.

Besides, isn't there a guy in line responsible for maintaining order?

"So many people?"

The newly arrived diners were surprised to see several customers around the window, each holding a kraft paper box, already eating, some even appearing to line up for seconds, sparking their curiosity.

Even though the hotel had started promoting this restaurant online in advance, most hotel guests were tourists. Few stayed more than three days; ordinarily, they'd check out after a day or two, not caring about what happens next week.

This meant the current diners likely wouldn't be the restaurant's future customers afterward.

Lin Chen anticipated this, which is why he was comfortable revealing his identity.

Even though these customer sources might be temporarily lost, it doesn't prevent him from building a reputation. Who knows, they might return for another visit someday?