Chapter 97 - 92: Welcome

Chapter 97: Chapter 92: Welcome

Ning He’s malatang stall had been closed for nearly a week since the last sandstorm. Customers accustomed to her food had long been eager for her to reopen, so when the announcement for the opening of Ning He’s restaurant went out, it was met with enthusiastic responses online and in group chats.

Furthermore, the tomato soup base that had made a fleeting appearance at the food festival was available again, so everyone planned to go and try it.

The opening was scheduled for 10:30 AM, so customers from the Inner Ring set out at nine. Although Ning He’s restaurant wasn’t far from a bus stop, there were few routes connecting to the Inner Ring, and the transfers took a lot of time.

"It’s clearly not that far, but there isn’t even a direct bus. I think we should write a proposal and petition the city to add a few more routes connecting to the Fourth Ring."

On a bus, a dozen or so members of the group chat who had set out together made the suggestion.

"Exactly. We have to take so many detours every time. It’s too much trouble."

"True. I think we could start a petition online and invite more people to join. It would probably succeed."

The group discussed for a while, quickly settled on a plan, and then started talking about the vegetarian buffet mentioned in the announcement.

"...Never heard of it. But it’s all vegetarian. Even as a buffet, how good can it be?"

"I’m a bit curious too. Aside from the eggs, the malatang is all vegetables, but the broth is simmered with bones, and that’s what makes it so fragrant. Purely vegetarian... It’s hard to say," an old man said, shaking his head.

"Who cares if it’s good or not? The malatang is guaranteed to be amazing. We’ll see about the rest when we get there."

Meanwhile, similar scenes were playing out elsewhere. The diners were passionate about the malatang but paid little attention to the vegetarian buffet.

Leitel and a few of his old buddies took Tom’s car and arrived at the restaurant early, bringing a pair of exceptionally beautiful, large flower baskets.

They weren’t plastic flowers, but real, fresh flowers.

Vibrantly colored, a mix of red and yellow, a large, eye-catching bouquet of gerbera daisies and lilies. They definitely weren’t cheap.

Ning He had just finished her work in the kitchen and came out. The moment she saw them, she was touched.

"This is too extravagant."

"Don’t be so formal with us! We’ve all been looking forward to this day. Now that you have a storefront, you can be open rain or shine. We can come over whenever we get a craving. How convenient is that?" Leitel said, stroking his beard and laughing heartily.

"Exactly! With your skills, you should’ve opened a restaurant long ago. Besides, these flower baskets are from Tom’s shop. We got them at cost, so they weren’t that expensive," the loud voice of the old man with the cane boomed.

"Hmph, if you don’t know how to talk, then just shut your mouth." The thin old man shot a glare at the man with the cane, then smiled at Ning He. "Expensive or not, it’s the thought that counts. From now on, just make sure to let us know first whenever you cook up something new and delicious."

Ning He held back a laugh and nodded seriously. "Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to put all of you on the VVVVIP list!"

Hearing this, the old men’s minds were put at ease.

"It’s almost time. After the opening ceremony, I’ll take you all to try the new buffet."

"Great! We’re very curious! Vegetarian dishes can be delicious too when they’re cooked well, right?"

The gray-haired old man shot a look at the others, and Leitel and his friends immediately nodded along.

"That’s right, the vegetarian pancakes and the malatang are both great!"

Ning He watched the old men’s clumsy acting, finding it both funny and a little touching.

’She was setting aside perfectly good meat dishes to make a vegetarian buffet. These meat-loving old men must have their doubts, but right now, out of consideration for her feelings, they didn’t ask any questions and were completely supportive of her.’

’How fortunate she was to have earned such loyal trust.’

Ning He didn’t explain why, just gave a sly smile.

"Well then, you all have to eat a lot later. At least three plates of vegetables each!"

The old men’s smiles immediately stiffened. Only Tom, who was stoic as usual, still looked relatively normal.

Ning He laughed out loud and patted Leitel’s shoulder.

"Don’t worry! Even though it’s vegetarian, it’ll be even more delicious than meat!"

The old men’s expressions instantly relaxed.

"I knew it! I knew you had another trick up your sleeve, you little rascal!" the thin old man said with a chuckle.

"We can begin now," Connie’s voice called out.

"Go on, we’ll wait here," the gray-haired old man said to Ning He.

Ning He nodded and walked to the entrance with Connie.

Connie had already arranged the flower baskets on either side of the entrance. Paired with colorful ribbons, decorative lights, and music, it created a lively grand opening atmosphere.

Besides Leitel’s group, two or three more batches of customers had arrived. About forty or fifty people were gathered around, all smiling as they looked at the small restaurant.

Clearly, everyone was looking forward to the new restaurant’s opening.

"I’m so happy everyone could come and show their support today. We were able to open this restaurant so quickly all thanks to you. From now on, we will continue, as always, to work hard to bring everyone all sorts of new and delicious experiences. Heqi Chinese Restaurant is now officially open!"