Chapter 66: A New Crisis

Page 1

The boss’s real name was Ma Ju, but everyone was so used to calling him “Boss” that, over time, his true name faded from memory. At noon, precisely twelve o’clock, Ma Ju pushed his little cart to the entrance of The Neighbor’s Kitchen, drawing all manner of curious stares.

“Haha, how come Second Brother isn’t off on a pilgrimage, but instead is selling snacks on the street?”

“Second Brother’s even wearing a tie! So classy, so refined!”

“Hurry, take a picture with Second Brother for me!”

“Second Brother, Master’s been captured by a monster!”

…

His arrival instantly stirred the crowd waiting in line. Nobody paid any attention to the cart itself; instead, they whipped out their phones, eager to snap photos. Even Su Rui, unable to resist, joined in for a selfie during a lull between serving dishes.

The scene was teetering on chaos.

In just a few minutes, word had spread across the old street: Second Brother had descended to earth to do business. People flocked over to witness his splendor firsthand.

“Everyone, please don’t knock my cart askew,” Ma Ju said, his headgear causing him to sweat profusely and making his words come out in breathless bursts, blending seamlessly with Second Brother’s persona.

“Don’t crowd around—get in line, or you’ll lose your spot!” Su Rui laughed, helping Ma Ju out.

“Second Brother, what are you selling in that cart? Is it the Queen Mother’s immortal peaches?” someone finally cut to the heart of the matter.

“The things in my cart taste far better than those peaches,” Second Brother replied, patting his bulging belly as he stepped beside the cart. The belly was so enormous, he nearly toppled the little cart, sending the crowd into fits of laughter.

Ma Ju chuckled awkwardly.

He hadn’t meant to do that—his real belly was large enough, but the costume’s thick padding made it even more exaggerated.

After righting the cart and his cartoonish belly, he slid open the lid, revealing two large metal tubs and seven or eight storage boxes inside.

A wave of invigorating coolness swept through the air. Those closest inhaled deeply, feeling the heat inside them dissipate.

“What is this?” someone asked.

“This is my special chilled cheese. There’s a sugar-free version and a sweet version,” Ma Ju explained, pointing to the storage boxes, which held colorful bits. “You can add almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, raisins—whatever you like. It’s refreshing, perfect for beating the heat.”

“Second Brother, you’ve picked the wrong time to set up shop—we’re all waiting for dishes from The Neighbor’s Kitchen, don’t want to spoil our appetite. What a shame.”

“Don’t worry, cheese is special—it won’t ruin your appetite, in fact, it whets it.”

Page 2

Originally, Ma Ju had planned to sell fruit-flavored slushies, but after discussing with Li Can, the latter pointed out that slushies might dampen customers’ hunger, and suggested cheese instead.

So, selling cheese was Li Can’s idea, but the recipe and marketing were Ma Ju’s own innovation.

He trusted Li Can’s judgment.

“Really? How much for one? I’ll try it. The line’s still long, who knows when it’ll be my turn. Sweet version, please,” said a girl, her face flushed from the heat, emboldened by Second Brother’s appearance.

“Not expensive, fifteen per serving. One yuan for each type of nut,” Ma Ju explained, quickly scooping cheese into a disposable bowl before she could change her mind, and pointed to the nuts for her selection.

“Um, I’ll have raisins, walnuts, and almonds,” she replied.

“Alrighty.” Ma Ju grinned as he handed her the bowl, and she paid without hesitation.

Everyone, idle as they waited, turned their attention to the cheese in her hands, eager to see how it tasted. If it truly didn’t spoil the appetite, they wouldn't mind having some chilled cheese to quench their thirst.

She held the little bowl in one hand, staring intently at the cheese and the trio of colorful nuts atop it.

The cheese’s hue was so pure that any color sprinkled on it seemed charming rather than out of place, adding a touch of cuteness.

But it was really cold—her palm was almost numb.

Even so, she snapped a photo for her social media before tasting it.

The cheese’s coolness burst forth as it touched her tongue, making her feel as though she’d been transported to a snowy land—delightfully refreshing.

As it melted, it became silky smooth, with a faint milky fragrance mingling with a subtle hint of rice wine, soothing and invigorating.

Gulp—

One mouthful, not bloating nor overly cold—just right.

And that hint of wine made her hungrier with every bite.

“Very good. The cheese tastes pure, and it truly stimulates the appetite,” she confessed.

“Second Brother, I’ll have one too—sweet, with all the nuts.”

“I want the sugar-free version, no nuts.”

“I’ll take two, sweet, you pick the nuts for me.”

…

Page 3

Within two minutes, a third of the hundred or so people queued up had ordered cheese, and the number kept rising!

Seeing his business suddenly boom, Ma Ju was flustered. He’d only intended to test the waters today, but unexpectedly, sales had exploded.

Happiness had arrived with breathtaking force!

“As expected, Chef Li knows food best,” he sighed, sincerely impressed.

In fact, the cheese was simple to make: boil milk, let it cool, remove the skin, add equal parts rice wine and a splash of lemon juice, mix well, steam, then chill without removing the lid.

Its simplicity highlighted Li Can’s brilliance—he understood how rice wine and lemon could stimulate appetite and chose the perfect snack.

According to Li Can, even the chopped nuts on top weren’t random: as customers chewed, their mouths produced more saliva, which also encouraged hunger.

Shaking off his thoughts, Ma Ju hurried to serve his customers.

Truthfully, today’s explosive success wasn’t only thanks to the cheese.

His costume was equally crucial.

The old street’s business model was outdated, but his bold experiment brought in something new—a beacon in the night, impossible to ignore.

Right place, right time, right person—he had it all!

In a few days, every diner at The Neighbor’s Kitchen would remember that on the old street, Second Brother sold chilled cheese to pass the time while they waited.

Aside from Ma Ju, other restaurant owners saw a rise in reputation, though none matched his impact.

As the old street sounded its horn of revival, nearby dining areas grew noticeably quiet. They banded together in protest.

A regional rivalry was beginning to brew.

(To be continued…)