Food Intelligence King

Chapter 31 Teacher Li and Xiao Sui

Food blogger Teacher Li, after buying steamed buns, officially began filming with his assistant Xiao Sui.

He first read his opening remarks for the day:

“An old friend recommended that there is a century-old steamed bun stall here, and I must come and try it. It costs 16 yuan for two people.”

After reciting his lines, Teacher Li started complaining to the camera assistant:

"But I just chatted with the owner of the steamed bun stall, and he's only been setting up his stall for a short time."

“That means the intelligence was wrong,” Xiao Sui asked with a smile. “Isn’t it a century-old establishment?”

Teacher Li waved her hand.

"It's not a big deal to make a difference of a few years. But their business is pretty good. They can sell hundreds of buns in one night. If we come any later, we'll miss out."

"Teacher Li is calling on me," Xiao Sui joked. "I'm the one driving today."

“No way, my brother drives, edits videos, and is in charge of filming. He does all that work by himself.”

The two smiled at each other and then sat down on the stools.

Xiao Sui adjusted the camera position, signaling to Teacher Li to start tasting.

But as soon as Lao Li lowered his head, he raised it again and then shoved the steamed bun right in front of the camera:

"The appearance is worth mentioning; in two words, it's standard."

"I never expected to see such meticulously made steamed buns at a roadside stall." Teacher Li picked up another one for comparison and said:
"The sizes are almost identical, the owner's skills are definitely professional level."

Assistant Xiao Sui acted as a teleprompter, adding on the spot: "The pleats of the buns are even and fine, twenty-four in total, no more and no less."

Teacher Li took a bite and savored it carefully.

"The bun wrappers are fluffy and soft. The dough has risen very well."

"The filling is pork and scallion. The seasoning is excellent, with just the right amount of saltiness and savory flavor. You can taste the natural aroma of the pork; it's not fishy or greasy, and the meat is very fresh."

"The seasoning and ingredients are also very good."

After filming so many videos, the assistant rarely saw Teacher Li so naturally at ease. It was like what? A professional chef finishing a meal at home, inevitably offering a few comments.

Xiao Sui couldn't help but ask, "Are these steamed buns special today, Teacher Li?"

"Nothing special, really," Old Li shook his head and continued:
"But as for the taste, it's like cooking at home, using ordinary flour and fresh pork to make a simple but delicious batch of steamed buns."

Xiao Sui chimed in, "Northerners eat a lot of noodles, so when they eat steamed buns, they can more or less taste the flavor of home."

Teacher Li then changed the subject: "But I never said these steamed buns were so-so."

Xiao Sui: "What did Teacher Li taste?"

Old Li smiled mysteriously, "He also put garlic in these steamed buns."

After hearing this, Xiao Sui asked in confusion, "Should steamed buns be eaten with garlic? But is there garlic in the meat filling?"

Teacher Li explained, "It's garlic water; there's a trick to it."

Assistant Xiao Sui also has some cooking experience, but he still didn't understand what Teacher Li was saying.

"Normally, when mixing filling with water, isn't it scallion and ginger water?"

Teacher Li gave an example: "Look, when making pork and scallion buns, the scallions are always added to the filling last. Why is that?"

Xiao Sui thought for a moment and replied, "Onions will rot if left out for too long."

Teacher Li held up her finger, "It's the same principle."

Xiao Sui couldn't help but tease:
"You've revealed all the secret recipes to everyone."

Teacher Li looked at the camera and smiled, "You don't need to study if you don't set up a stall."

Then he instructed Xiao Sui:
"Go back and censor this part to protect it."

Teacher Li definitely ate a whole meat bun.

But his assistant, Xiao Sui, didn't.

He had to remind him at the opportune moment: "Let's summarize, Teacher Li." Old Li pondered for a moment and said:

"You can buy 200 of their signature fresh meat buns for 500 yuan. There's nothing wrong with them; they're all good."

"If I had to point out a drawback," Teacher Li paused, then adopted a joking tone, "the only drawback is that we only have two stools for meals."

Xiao Sui: "Since it's a roadside stall in the community, customers buy food to take home and eat."

Teacher Li nodded, "These two stools were specially given to us because people know us. Other customers don't get this kind of treatment."

He looked at the steamed bun stall owner and quickly realized that it was probably a place where the family of three would rest.

"Let's return it to them as soon as we're done filming; they've had a long and tiring night."

Not far away, Chen Zhou watched the two filming a video on the spot and found it quite interesting.

They chatted and laughed while filming the video.

This work environment is truly enviable.

Thanks to the intelligence, I prepared two small stools for them and added disposable chopsticks.

Otherwise, we'd have to make them eat standing up.

After the two finished filming and came over, Chen Zhou handed them two cups of plum juice, saying, "Teacher Li, Brother Sui, here are two cups of plum juice for you."

Assistant Xiao Sui joked, "Teacher Li, I have fans now too."

After looking at the plum juice, Teacher Li said to Xiao Sui, "Look, even the plum juice is homemade."

He then insisted on scanning the payment code.

Chen Zhou had learned that besides being a food blogger who reviews restaurants, Teacher Li was also a very accomplished senior chef who had previously served as the executive chef of a large hotel. But after getting to know him, he found him to be exceptionally kind and approachable.

Chen Zhou asked with a smile, "How was it, Teacher Li? Any suggestions?"

Teacher Li said in a serious tone, "Young man, hurry up and open a shop. I'll come back again and have a good meal."

"Haha, I'll definitely open a shop, and I'll invite you over then!"

However, Chen Zhou still had a question.

My stall has only been open for a short time and mainly serves local residents, so I really don't know why it attracted food bloggers to come and explore it.

Taking this opportunity, I couldn't help but ask:

"Teacher Li, what made you decide to eat steamed buns at my little stall?"

Teacher Li was probably really thirsty.

The plum juice was being sipped through a straw with a loud slurping sound.

He replied, "This isn't a small stall. My friend in Beijing told me it's a century-old stall and that I absolutely have to come and try it."

When did I become a century-old establishment?!
Chen Zhou: "That's Grandpa Yu!"

Teacher Li nodded: "It's him."

Teacher Li and Xiao Sui were about to leave when they said to Chen Zhou one last time, "Take it slow, and business will get better and better!"

It warms one's heart.

It's time to pack up and close up shop.

Chen Zhou did have Grandpa Yu's contact information, but at that time, the other party thought he was an antique collector.

This time, he actually managed to find Teacher Li for him, so Chen Zhou couldn't help but take the initiative to contact him:
"Thank you, Grandpa Yu, for helping with the promotion. Teacher Li and the others came by today."

Yu Shaochun's voice message:
"Why thank me? There's no need. I will definitely do what I say I will do."

Grandpa Yu is still as generous and righteous as ever.

Chen Zhou: "What if I said I'd send you some pickled cucumbers?"

Yu Shaochun: "The address is xxxx [clasped hands]"

(End of this chapter)