It was Wang Daguo.
Shen Lu went to open the door. "You're right on time."
"Of course," Wang Daguo said with a simple-minded laugh.
She had already taught him what to do yesterday. Wang Daguo only asked if he should start moving the person now, and after getting a "yes," he began.
Shen Lu noticed that a metal plate had appeared on the cart's frame at some point. It wasn't too big or too small, fitting just right.
Seeing her staring at the plate, Wang Daguo spoke up. "I brought it. It's better with a metal plate on it."
As he spoke, Wang Daguo gently placed Fu Cheng onto the plate. The motion had the distinct feel of a tough guy's tender side, like a tiger sniffing a rose.
Choosing Wang Daguo to help her had been something of a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Shen Lu had seen him before. From his friction with Zeng Xiaodao, she got the feeling that while he looked fierce and burly, he wasn't a ruthless person.
Otherwise, how could he have let Zeng Xiaodao get away after clearly catching him?
Perhaps Zeng Xiaodao knew his nature and was just picking on an easy target, which was why he tried to snatch his nutrient liquid.
A person like that couldn't be all that bad. And it just so happened that Shen Lu needed someone to move things for her, which was why she had approached him.
Yesterday was the first day, and today was the second. Wang Daguo had already started to think on her behalf.
Shen Lu felt a sense of accomplishment. 'See? I have great judgment.'
"Thank you," Shen Lu said, her eyes curving into a smile. "But I won't be giving you a raise for this, you know."
Business was business; she couldn't just hand out extra money casually.
Wang Daguo laughed heartily. "I don't need money for it. I found this plate anyway, so it didn't cost me anything."
Shen Lu said no more.
Actually, she had previously considered putting something on the cart's frame. For one, it would increase the space for her things, and for another, it would be more comfortable for Fu Cheng to lie on.
But there was no wood or molded plastic sheeting around. A metal plate would add too much weight, and she wouldn't be able to push the cart.
With Wang Daguo around, that problem was easily solved.
Pushing her malatang machine, Shen Lu followed leisurely behind Wang Daguo, once again feeling satisfied with her decision.
'As expected, hiring someone to share the load makes things so much easier.'
She set up her stall, propped open the large umbrella, and Shen Lu's little food stand was open for business.
Wang Daguo smelled the aroma and swallowed hard.
'The food at Boss Shen's stall smells so good. It must be delicious.'
'I wonder if it's expensive?'
'It must be. Radishes are vegetables, and even the cheapest kind costs dozens of Star Coins per half-kilo.'
Wang Daguo licked his lips and forced himself to look away from the malatang.
"Boss Shen, I'll be going now. I'll come back this afternoon. You can just pay me for everything then."
"Okay," Shen Lu said, stopping Wang Daguo as he was about to turn and leave. "This is for you."
Staring at the egg waffle in Shen Lu's hand, Wang Daguo couldn't hide the shock on his face.
"Th-this is for me?"
"Yep," Shen Lu nodded.
Wang Daguo managed a hesitant wave of his hand. "Boss Shen, I... I'd rather just take the money."
The egg waffle smelled fragrant and looked delicious, but Wang Daguo knew it wouldn't be enough to fill the four mouths at home.
"It's a gift," Shen Lu said, pressing it into his hand. "Thank you for helping me find a suitable metal plate."
'How could he find a plate that fit so perfectly? Wang Daguo must have cut it to size.'
'He put in the effort for me, so it's only right for me to repay him with an egg waffle.'
Wang Daguo was a bit embarrassed. He hadn't had any ulterior motive in finding the plate; he just felt that Shen Lu was generous with her pay, so he had found a plate and cut it to the right size to ensure she would keep hiring him.
He never expected Shen Lu would actually give him an egg waffle.
"Thank you, Boss Shen."
But since it was already in his hand, Wang Daguo had no intention of pushing it back.
'No big deal. If Boss Shen runs into any trouble in the future, I'll just help out where I can.'
'This egg waffle smells amazing. I have to take it home for my family to try.'
Grinning from ear to ear, Wang Daguo walked away cheerfully.
His smile was infectious, and Shen Lu's eyes sparkled with laughter.
The malatang was very popular. In less than an hour of opening, she had already sold half of her ingredients.
The egg waffles and mint water sold at their usual pace.
Overall, business was booming.
The only issue was that customers were always complaining about the purchase limits.
Shen Lu felt helpless about it and could only smile and placate them.
"Hey."
As she was looking down and wiping used utensils, a rude call came from above her.
Shen Lu glanced up at him, then continued what she was doing.
'Speaking of which, this "Permanent 80% Cleanliness" privilege is incredibly useful.'
'A single wipe and the utensils are instantly spotless, just like new. It completely solves the problem of how to wash them.'
Zeng Xiaodao rubbed his nose. "Hey, you're not going to go back on your word, are you?"
'Why else would she pretend not to see me?'
"Am I that kind of person?" Shen Lu shot him a lazy glance. "I just don't like being called 'hey.' My name isn't 'Hey'."
"Then what is your name?"
Only then did Zeng Xiaodao realize he still didn't know her name.
"Shen Lu."
Shen Lu picked up a bowl, ready to scoop out some malatang for Zeng Xiaodao. "What do you want to eat? Tofu skin? Konjac?"
She didn't bother asking about the radish and kelp; he had eaten them so enthusiastically yesterday that he would definitely want them.
"I want it all. Both spicy and non-spicy, in the clear broth." Zeng Xiaodao wasn't one to agonize over choices—might as well get everything. "My name is Zeng Xiaodao."
Shen Lu scooped up the ingredients with a ladle. "I know. I've heard others call your name."
She ladled the broth over them and added a small sprinkle of chopped scallions. The visual appeal of the malatang skyrocketed; it was as beautiful as it was delicious.
Zeng Xiaodao felt the glutton inside him stir crazily. He took the bowl and immediately drank a large mouthful of the broth.
'Delicious!'
Especially with the added scallions. That hint of fresh, oniony fragrance was the perfect finishing touch.
The radish and kelp needed no introduction; he had tried them yesterday and they were exquisite.
The new additions today, tofu skin and konjac tofu, filled him with anticipation.
The tofu skin was about half a palm's length and tied in a knot in the middle. The konjac tofu was about the same size as the kelp but thicker, wobbling enticingly when picked up with chopsticks.
Zeng Xiaodao tried the tofu skin first. As his teeth bit through it, he could feel its chewiness, but it wasn't tough. It broke apart with just a little pressure.
The soy flavor, the spicy mala aroma, and the fragrance of scallions mingled in his mouth, creating an entirely new experience that made him want more after just one bite.
Unfortunately, there was only one piece of the spicy tofu skin, and it was gone after he ate it.
Zeng Xiaodao picked up the piece of tofu skin from the clear broth and popped it into his mouth.
Compared to the spicy version, the non-spicy tofu skin had a richer soy flavor and a more pronounced savory taste. It was equally delicious.
After finishing the tofu skin, Zeng Xiaodao was left wanting more, but he knew Shen Lu would absolutely not give him any extra servings. He could only pick up the konjac tofu.
The soft, springy texture was fantastic. Having absorbed the rich flavors of the broth, the konjac was incredibly satisfying to eat.
One bite after another, and in no time, all the konjac tofu was gone too.
Zeng Xiaodao took a bite of radish, squatted down next to Shen Lu, and nudged her gently with his elbow. "Boss Shen, there's something I'm really curious about."