Chapter 107 - 97: Trading a Slot

Chapter 107: Chapter 97: Trading a Slot

Afterward, Ning He served another seven or eight dishes.

As they savored the delicious food, everyone felt utterly outclassed.

Even though they all ran Level 1 Stalls, like Connie, they were all Second-level Chefs.

’It was just one level. Was the difference really that huge?’

’Why did the gap between their culinary skills and Ning He’s feel as wide as a mountain range?’

They finished the final dish—a bowl of hot oil noodles for each person. As they set down their chopsticks in satisfaction, a sliver of relief surfaced in everyone’s mind.

Some were relieved that they didn’t have to compete with Ning He.

Wendy and her group, however, were relieved that Ning He’s upgrade had failed. If she could make these dishes, their lives would surely be even more difficult.

"Is everyone full?" Ning He asked.

"Haha, absolutely! This was all so delicious. You might not find food this good even at the Holy River Restaurant. You’re amazing, Xiao Ning!" Quir praised from the heart.

"Well, we’re all full now. Why’d you call us here today? Just spit it out, don’t keep us in suspense," Skinny Winnie said irritably. He looked lethargic, as if he’d suffered some kind of blow.

The others also looked toward Ning He, curious about her true purpose.

"Alright, I’ll get straight to the point. I submitted an application to upgrade my stall, but it was rejected. The Food Company is now limiting the number of Level 1 Stalls, and no new ones can be added. I invited you all here today to ask if anyone would be willing to give their spot to me."

At these words, even Quir’s expression changed.

’He couldn’t be blamed for misunderstanding. After all, making such a shameless request was exactly the kind of thing the body’s original owner would have done.’

Ning He continued, "Of course, I’m not asking for it for free. Whoever is willing to help me out can choose any two of the breakfast items I currently sell—everything except the sweet fermented rice—and I’ll teach you how to make them. You can all think it over."

The moment she finished speaking, everyone’s expressions changed once again.

"...Are... you... serious?" The speaker was the middle-aged man next to Skinny Winnie, who also ran a breakfast stall and had arrived with Wendy. He looked thrilled, finding it hard to believe yet filled with anticipation.

Coming from anyone else, they would never have believed it. But after eating so many dishes they’d never even seen before, they were convinced that for Ning He, snacks like fried dough sticks were probably no big deal. It wasn’t out of the question that she would teach someone else.

"Of course," Ning He nodded.

The man was overcome with a wave of excitement and was about to speak when Skinny Winnie, who was next to him, yanked his arm hard.

"What are you doing? Don’t forget what we said before we came!"

The man glanced at Wendy and hesitated.

"But an opportunity this good..."

Wendy quickly said, "Uncle Qin, your vegetable medley soup sells quite well, too! It would be a shame if you stopped making it."

"Exactly. Don’t let her fool you. She must have some hidden conditions. There’s no such thing as a free lunch," Skinny Winnie said, looking at Ning He. "Isn’t that right?"

Ning He shrugged. "I do have a condition."

Skinny Winnie scoffed. "See? I told you there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Spit it out. What’s your condition?"

"My condition is—" Ning He held up a finger and waved it from side to side. "You can’t raise the price."

The room fell silent.

"That’s... that’s it?"

Ning He nodded.

This time, Skinny Winnie completely lost his composure.

"Any two? You’ll even teach how to make the fried dough sticks and the sweet rice cakes?" He practically jumped out of his seat, asking urgently.

"Yes."

"And if we learn how and sell them elsewhere, you won’t interfere?"

Ning He spread her hands. "Beiluo City has a population of one million. One more person selling fried dough sticks is a good thing."

The implication was, she wouldn’t interfere.

Now, even Quir was getting a little antsy.

He’d tasted her fried dough sticks before. They were a snack everyone would absolutely love. Even with a high-volume, low-margin strategy, the profits would be substantial.

Learn one more recipe, like red bean pancakes or rice cakes, and you’d have enough to run a wildly successful small shop.

What would the meager earnings from the cafeteria even matter then?

At that moment, everyone was tempted.

"I’ll do it! I’ll give you my spot!"

Skinny Winnie was the first to raise his hand and declare his position. Wendy stared at him in disbelief.

"I’ll do it too!" someone else decided.

Skinny Winnie hurriedly said, "We both run breakfast stalls! It makes more sense for me to give up my spot!"

"Winnie, have you forgotten what you said?" Wendy reminded him in a low voice, suppressing her anger.

"Sorry, Wendy, but an opportunity like this is too good to pass up. Let’s not sweat the small stuff," Skinny Winnie chuckled guiltily.

"Then what about us? If she successfully upgrades, our business will definitely get worse!" Aunt Xinmu said angrily.

The few of them began to argue in low voices. Hai Hei, who had been silent the entire time, looked at Ning He and asked, "After you upgrade, what do you plan to sell?"

Ning He smiled. "Noodles."

"The same kind of noodles as before?"

Ning He nodded. "Yes, and other varieties, with different flavor profiles, but just as delicious."

Hai Hei fell silent, as if lost in thought.

Ning He knew why.

Hai Hei also sold noodles.

Vegetable chow mein.

In truth, his flavor and skill were quite good, but there was still a gap compared to Ning He’s noodles.

Skinny Winnie, however, brightened up. He said to Wendy and the others, "See? She’s selling noodles. It won’t affect your business, so there’s no need to panic!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Hai Hei sighed.

"I’ll give up my spot."

Wendy’s heart sank instantly.

She maintained her expression and said to Ning He, "Isn’t it inappropriate to trade spots privately like this? The Food Company never said this was allowed."

"Oh, really? Is that also under the Food Company’s jurisdiction? If I recall correctly, we work for the academy’s cafeteria. The Food Company can really interfere with the cafeteria’s internal stall arrangements?" Ning He asked.

Wendy’s expression changed slightly. She forced a smile. "I just think there’s no precedent for this, and I don’t know if there are any risks."

"Ahem, what risk could there be? Wendy, stay out of this, and don’t go telling anyone. Don’t ruin this for everyone!" Skinny Winnie said hastily.

"Yeah, Wendy, this shouldn’t be under the Food Company’s control. Besides, everyone’s a willing participant, so there won’t be any problems," Uncle Qin chimed in from the side.

Wendy was absolutely furious and shot to her feet.

"Fine. I won’t stay any longer. You all talk. Goodbye."

Aunt Xinmu left with Wendy.

Quir sighed and also stood up.

"I’m very tempted too, but I’ve been running this stall for more than a decade. I just can’t bring myself to give it up. You all figure it out. I won’t get in your way. I’ll take my leave."

After Quir left, the owners of two lunch and dinner stalls also departed, leaving a total of five behind.

Half an hour later, these five also walked out of the restaurant.

Connie shot a disgusted look at Skinny Winnie’s retreating back. "That guy is revolting. To think he’d just sell Wendy out like that, especially when he was in on it too. What a loathsome person."

A moment ago, to salvage his reputation, Skinny Winnie had taken the initiative to tell Ning He everything Wendy had done.

"He is disgusting. People like that won’t last long," Ning He said.

"So? Have you decided who to choose?"

Ning He nodded. "Actually, I already decided."

Connie raised an eyebrow with a smile. "It’s Hai Hei, right? He’s the perfect fit. He’s quiet, doesn’t stir up trouble, and he’s reliable. Plus, he has a breakfast stall and sells noodles. He’s the ideal candidate from every angle."

Ning He nodded and smiled at her.

"Get a new sign ready. We’ll get the paperwork done in the next few days. Jinji Noodle House can finally reopen."