coobybook Chapter 36 Chive Dumplings
Chapter 36 Chive Dumplings
Although their business is called a breakfast shop, they are actually open for business three times a day. They just make steamed buns in the morning and dumplings and noodles for lunch and dinner.
The cafeteria is usually crowded at lunchtime and after class in the evening, so students often come out to eat.
After washing the chives, Zhang Yan chopped them into small pieces. She had to admit that the chives looked delicious and fresh, unlike any she usually bought.
However, just as she was about to mix the filling, Xiang Jianzhu called out to her.
"Honey, make less chives than you used to. Mix some meat or eggs in with it. These chives are 15 yuan a pound."
"What!" Zhang Yan paused, her face full of surprise, as she was about to put her hand down.
After regaining my senses, I stopped putting in a bunch of chives as before and quickly added more meat and eggs.
Goodness gracious! Chives cost 15 yuan per pound, which is more expensive than eggs and meat.
"Are you sure you bought it from your neighbor? Why does it cost 15 yuan? That's so expensive."
"Can this really compare to the regular stuff? It's already very fair that they sell it for 15," Xiang Jianzhu explained.
"Okay, but these dumplings can't be priced the same as usual, they have to go up a bit." Zhang Yan looked at the chives with a pained expression.
Normally, the cabbages or head cabbages from their family's farm cost only a few dollars a large head at the supermarket. Although there are many chives, they still add up to a considerable amount when spread out.
"Of course prices will go up. The small portion will go up to 14, and the large portion will go up to 17. The chive and egg portion will be cheaper by one dollar."
Xiang Jianzhu made a decision. Usually, their family's cabbage and pork dumplings are 11 yuan for 11 dumplings in a small portion and 15 yuan for 18 dumplings in a large portion.
"Sure, customers won't be happy if the price goes up too much."
After Zhang Yan finished speaking, she started making dumplings. This time she used larger dumpling wrappers, and the dumplings were about the size of a fist, so those with smaller appetites could have a small portion. Overall, the price of chives had gone up, but after spreading the chives out, she found that it wasn't too bad.
We'll see how things go. If this leek harvest can really boost the remaining supply, that would be ideal. If not, they'll lower the price again.
After packing the chives, Xiang Jianzhu stood nervously at the shop entrance until lunchtime. Although he spoke of the land, he was still a little uneasy, hoping that the chives would live up to his expectations.
Inside XX University, starving students were still attending classes.
Wang Gu played with his phone for a while, then looked up at the teacher who was giving a lecture and sent a message in the dormitory group chat.
"Hey, where are we going to eat later?"
"Where else can we go? The cafeteria, of course."
"The cafeteria will be too crowded after class, so I'll order takeout."
Wang Gu looked at the menu and didn't really want to go to the cafeteria, so he sent a message in the group chat, "How about we go out and take a look? Anyway, it's Friday and we don't have any classes this afternoon."
"Ok, Ok"
"+1"
"Then you guys go ahead, go back and get some takeout."
After deciding where to eat, Wang Gu played on his phone for a while. As soon as the bell rang and the teacher said get out of class was over, he immediately got up and followed his roommates out.
However, because their teaching building was quite far from the nearest side gate, they found that most of the small restaurants around the school were already full when they came out.
"What should we do? What should we eat? We were planning to have stir-fried dishes, but it seems that's not going to happen now."
"How about we go get some mala tang?"
"We just ate that yesterday, let's try something different."
A few people were standing nearby chatting about what to eat when Wang Gu suddenly spotted a shop and suggested, "Why don't we go to that 'Xiang Ji Breakfast Shop' over there? I remember they sell noodles and dumplings for lunch and dinner too. How about we have some dumplings?"
"Well, that's the only way then." So the three of them walked in that direction.
Xiang Jianzhu waited here, and as soon as the bell rang, he looked in the direction of the school, hoping to see students coming his way. But after waiting for a while, all the nearby stir-fry restaurants were full, while he only had a few customers, all of whom came to eat noodles.
Unfortunately, the noodles at his place were really just so-so, so he could only wait and see if anyone wanted to eat dumplings.
As they waited, they saw Wang Gu and the other two walk in.
"Boss, three large portions of dumplings, please," Wang Gu said as soon as he sat down.
"Okay, handsome, today we only have chives and eggs and chives and pork. It depends on what flavor you want."
"Oh, there are only these two kinds?" Wang Fei was a little unhappy. He didn't like chives because he thought the taste was too strong.
"Well, I'm getting a bit hungry if I look for another shop," Cheng Liang said.
Wang Fei thought about it and agreed, so he sat down. "Okay then, boss, give me a small bowl of noodles."
"Brother Liang, what are you going to eat? I'll have a large portion of chive and pork dumplings," Wang Gu asked again.
"Then I'll have a chive and egg dish."
"Okay, I'll bring it up to you in a bit." Xiang Jianzhu wrote it down in his notebook and went into the kitchen.
Wang Gu sat in his seat playing on his phone. After thinking for a moment, he decided to pay first, only to find that the price had increased.
"Wow, look, this dumpling shop has raised its prices by several yuan."
"What? Let me see, this large portion is now 17 yuan. Prices are rising really fast."
Wang Fei pursed his lips, thankfully he had ordered noodles. "I remember this restaurant's food was just average, but they made the dumplings so expensive, and they even had chive filling. I hope they don't all end up with chives."
Wang Gu was somewhat speechless. "Sigh, whatever, we're already sitting here. We'll see how it goes later. If it's not good, we won't come again."
Cheng Liang nodded, "Okay, I'll see what they have to say before they dare to raise prices."
The three of them sat down and waited for the dumplings to be cooked. Wang Fei's noodles arrived first, and he immediately started eating them while playing on his phone.
After a while, when Wang Fei had almost finished eating, Xiang Jianzhu brought over two plates of dumplings. "Here, your dumplings are ready. Eat them while they're hot."
Two plates of large, white dumplings with a hint of green were placed on the table.
Wang Gu glanced at them and nodded. "Not bad, these dumplings are a little bigger than before."
Cheng Liang nodded, "I can accept this size."
After exchanging words, the two began to eat. Wang Gu, who was already starving, picked up his chopsticks and broke off a large dumpling, revealing a mixture of chives and minced meat. A strong smell of chives filled the air.
"Hmm, the chive flavor is quite strong." Wang Gu commented before putting the dumpling dipping sauce into his mouth, and his eyes widened instantly.
Wang Fei was looking at the dumplings in front of him with curiosity when he saw Wang Gu's expression. "What's wrong, Brother Gu? Does it not taste good?"
But Wang Gu didn't bother to reply; he just quickly picked up another dumpling and put it in his mouth.
Cheng Liang, who was standing next to him, suddenly exclaimed "Holy crap!" and then found himself in the same situation.
Wang Fei stared blankly as the two people in front of him devoured the dumplings on their plate like wild boars.
A thought suddenly occurred to him, "Could it actually be quite delicious?"
After having this idea in his mind, he observed the two of them more carefully and found that it was very likely true.
He couldn't resist reaching out his chopsticks tentatively, "Brother Gu, let me try one."
Unexpectedly, Nurse Wang Gu hugged the plate, swallowed a dumpling, and said, "Didn't you say you didn't like chives?"
Wang Fei looked embarrassed.
He didn't like the food before, but now he's really craving it because of how they look at him.
After eating, Wang Gu was indeed able to speak now that he had some food in his mouth.
"I'm not exaggerating, these dumplings are absolutely amazing. The chive flavor is strong, but they taste both spicy and delicious, with a hint of sweetness. It's an indescribable feeling, and the combination with the pork is just so good."
Cheng Liang chimed in, "My chive and egg dumplings are delicious too. The chives mixed with eggs are tender and appetizing. Brother Gu, let's take turns trying some."
The two exchanged two dumplings, and seeing Wang Fei's longing look, they each gave him an hour.
Wang Fei looked at the dumplings in the bowl, immediately picked one up and put it in his mouth, then he exclaimed, "Wow, it's so delicious! I regret it, I want to eat dumplings too!"
"Boss, boss, another small portion of chive and egg dumplings, please."
Upon hearing this, Wang Gu immediately said, "Brother Fei, order a large portion, and let the three of us share it. I haven't had enough yet."
"Okay, okay, then give me a large portion."
Xiang Jianzhu had been secretly watching Wang Gu and his group ever since he served the dumplings. Although he and his wife had both tasted the dumplings and approved of them, he still paid close attention to the customers. Now, seeing how much these young men were craving them, he knew he had it in the bag.
"Okay, okay, I'll be right there." With that, she went back into the kitchen to help make dumplings.