novelno Chapter 31 A Closed Loop of Goodwill
Chapter 31 A Closed Loop of Goodwill
As the last bite of the savory bean-flavored shortbread was swallowed, the noise in the shop seemed to slow down, gradually becoming gentle and relaxed.
The young people, who had been tense and slightly frantic in their quest for that "divine taste," now mostly wore a languid expression of extreme satisfaction. Some leaned back in their chairs and let out long sighs, while others were still quietly reminiscing with their companions about the moment the gravy exploded in their mouths.
One by one, people began to get up and say goodbye.
"Boss, this is amazing! I'm definitely bringing my buddies to stake out this place tomorrow!"
"Goodbye, Mengmeng! See you tomorrow!"
The first group of people to leave were young people who were eager to get back to work.
Chen Feng stood behind the counter, nodding slightly to each departing customer. He was delighted by these sincere compliments.
"Qiangzi, get to work." Chen Feng patted Zhang Qiang on the shoulder, his voice slightly hoarse.
Zhang Qiang was supporting himself on his knees as he struggled to stand up.
His once neat T-shirt was soaked through on the back, the colors varying in shade, like a heavy shell clinging to his body.
He chuckled dryly twice, his voice hoarse as if it had been sanded:
"Fengzi, to be honest, I wasn't this 'weak' when I was carrying cement on construction sites. With so many people around, the sheer number of them is more exhausting than carrying bricks."
Although he kept complaining about being tired, Zhang Qiang's hands were busy. He grabbed the rag that had been washed countless times and walked skillfully to the empty tables.
At this time, there were about seven or eight customers left in the shop, who were the "lucky ones" who hadn't bought any steamed buns but had unexpectedly tasted the bean curd cakes.
They were sipping the remaining soy milk with lingering enjoyment when, upon hearing the commotion beside them, they all turned their gazes toward Chen Feng and Zhang Qiang, who were busy at work.
Zhang Qiang's movements were nimble, but every time he bent over, the soreness and stiffness were practically written all over his face.
Chen Feng carried two heavy stacks of empty plates toward the kitchen. His steps were slow but steady, but if you looked closely, you could see that his fingertips were trembling slightly as he gripped the plates.
Those are symptoms of high-intensity manual labor.
"Fengzi, I'll put these plates in the sink to soak first," Zhang Qiang said as he vigorously wiped a table.
He wiped it very carefully. Even if the table didn't look dirty, he would first wipe it with a damp cloth and then finish with a dry cloth.
This is what Chen Feng said in his spare time: "Human Fireworks" sells food, so hygiene must be strictly controlled.
Zhang Qiang wholeheartedly agreed, and he was risking his life for his brother.
The remaining diners felt a little uneasy watching the two grown men meticulously cleaning up the mess even after it had been declared "sold out".
Especially the young man who had been praising the "generosity of the boss," he looked down at the bean curd cake wrapped in a tissue in his hand, which was originally a freebie, and then at Zhang Qiang's soaked back.
"This boss... he really has it tough," he muttered to himself.
Not only is he skilled and has a good character, but he is also very honest in his work. At this moment, he was a little teary-eyed.
The young man suddenly stood up.
Instead of leaving directly, he haphazardly gathered the two paper cups of soy milk and a few used tissues from his table together and threw them into the trash can next to him. Then, he picked up the small porcelain plate containing the bean curd cakes and strode towards the large table in the front row, the one closest to the kitchen.
"Brother Feng, Brother Qiang, you guys take a break." The young man placed the plate steadily next to the pile of dishes waiting to be washed, scratched his head a little embarrassedly, "I'm just eating for free, I feel bad seeing you guys so tired and still helping me clear the dishes. This is a small thing, I can do it myself."
This sound seemed to break the tranquility of the store.
A girl sitting in the corner also came to her senses. She had wanted to do this for a long time, but she didn't have the courage to lead the way.
She slung her bag over her shoulder, quickly brought over her and her companion's plates, and carefully stacked them on top of the young man's plates.
"Yes, Mr. Chen, your skills saved my life. How could I let you go through all that trouble?" the girl exclaimed dramatically.
As she placed the plates down, she gave Chen Feng a sweet smile.
In an instant, the remaining people in the store all stood up.
"Me too!" "Hey, that plate is heavy, give it to me."
"Boss, please sit down and rest for a while. We're old neighbors here, no need for formalities!"
Zhang Qiang, who was bending down to collect the bowls, froze. He was still holding a rag in his hand, standing there dumbfounded, watching these strangers as if they were busy in their own kitchen, clearing the table and gathering the tableware.
"Hey... everyone! No need! Really, no need! Just put it down, I'll take care of it!" Chen Feng rushed out from the kitchen, his hands still wet, his tone carrying a hint of hurried refusal.
"There's no reason for us to make our guests do the work! Everyone, sit down and rest for a bit!"
"Brother Feng, you're being too polite," the young man in the lead waved his hand, his expression earnest. "You're treating everyone to pancakes for free today, that's your kindness. We're just collecting the bowls, that's our conscience."
If you refuse again, we really won't dare to come again.
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng found himself unable to utter a single word of the polite phrases that were on the tip of his tongue.
Looking at this group of young people, at their energetic and smiling faces, the weariness in his heart seemed to be instantly washed away by a warm current called "feedback".
He said nothing more and bowed deeply to the lovely diners.
That is the highest tribute a craftsman can pay to a kindred spirit.
Soon, the store was cleaned up again.
On the table in the front row, white porcelain plates were stacked neatly, like a small tower symbolizing goodwill.
There wasn't a single piece of trash, not even a drop of water, on the other desktops.
The diners greeted Chen Feng and Mengmeng and then came out of the room.
The bell rang again, its clear sound like a mountain stream, carrying away wave after wave of warmth.
Zhang Qiang breathed a sigh of relief, walked to the front door, and flipped the wooden sign over.
"Resting".
The moment those three words were hung up, it seemed as if the outside world's hustle and bustle and dust were instantly shut out.
Zhang Qiang plopped down on the round stool next to Chen Feng, slumping down like a lump of mud: "Fengzi... finally... finally I can catch my breath."
Chen Feng sat down as well, and he hugged Mengmeng, who had been obediently staying by his side, so that the father and daughter were close together. He took out his phone and opened the bill interface that he hadn't had time to look at closely.
That string of green payment records was like a grand fireworks display.
"1200 yuan."
This is the total revenue from today's 100 bunny-shaped steamed buns.
It wasn't much, not even a fraction of what Chen Feng would make for a high-end banquet at a grand hotel in Beijing, but in the eyes of these three people, the 1200 yuan felt incredibly valuable.
"Fengzi... 1200!" Zhang Qiang pointed at his phone screen, his voice trembling slightly. "One hundred servings! We actually sold out one hundred servings on the first day! And it's only 2 PM! And that's one serving per person!"
Chen Feng looked at the number, but his eyes remained calm: "How fast it sells isn't important. What's important is how many of these hundred people genuinely like this flavor, and how many of them feel the sincerity of our 'Human Fireworks'."
He turned his head and looked at his daughter in his arms. Mengmeng was now full of energy again, playing with the straps on Chen Feng's apron.
"Daddy, Godfather." Mengmeng tilted her little head up, her big eyes full of confusion, "Why did some uncles and aunts leave after they finished eating, but the uncles and aunts behind them helped us clear the table?"
The teacher said we should do things ourselves, so if they do them for us, does that mean we've become lazy?
Hearing his daughter's innocent question, Chen Feng felt a surge of tenderness. He held her tiny hand in his palm and began his earnest lesson on "kindness":
"Mengmeng, listen to Daddy. Those uncles and aunties in front of us have the right to leave after they finish eating. They paid for their meals and are here as guests."
As the hosts, clearing the table is our job, so it's understandable that they don't. We shouldn't think badly of them because of that, you know?
Mengmeng nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite: "Oh... what about the uncles and aunties behind them?"
"Those uncles and aunties behind them are there because they received kindness from Dad and Godfather," Chen Feng patiently explained.
"Dad gave them bean curd cakes, which warmed their hearts. They felt the kindness, so they wanted to reciprocate. By helping us clear the table, they were giving back the kindness they had received. This is what 'reciprocity' means."
Chen Feng gently stroked Mengmeng's little nose, his voice soft:
"So Mengmeng, you must remember this: in the future, if someone is kind to you and shows you goodwill, you must remember to return that kindness. This is the essence of human life, understand?"
Mengmeng giggled and replied emphatically, "I understand! Just like when Daddy makes me steamed buns, I want to kiss Daddy!"
After saying that, the little guy gave Chen Feng a big kiss on the cheek, which made Zhang Qiang laugh out loud.
"Alright, Fengzi, you've rested enough. Our real-life version of 'human life' isn't over yet." Zhang Qiang pointed to the "plate tower" in the front row, rolled up his sleeves, and said, "Let's go. We still have to deal with all these plates on this mountain. As a godfather, I probably haven't washed more dishes in my entire life than I have in a single day."
"Walk."
Chen Feng stood up and patted Zhang Qiang on the back.
The two men stepped back into the kitchen.
A sense of peace settled over them. This peace came from the 1200 yuan they had actually earned, and even more so from the trust and kindness of those complete strangers.
The first day of business for "Human Fireworks" marked the perfect end to this benevolent cycle.