I've been possessed by a culinary genius, and I've turned Shaxian snacks into a rip-off!

"Brother Yu, I'd like to go with you today and experience your life in every way."

Why are you experiencing my life?

"I need to know what kind of lives you second-generation rich kids lead in order to find the dish that really suits your taste. Hmm... that's called immersive user research."

"Hey, I'd like you to take me to experience something really exciting, the more thrilling the better, that way I'll get more inspiration," Li Zhibai said.

Yu Shen immediately understood, pointing at him and saying, "Good, good, Boss Li, I never thought you were this kind of person!"

Pang Yi interjected, "Old Yu, be careful. I don't think he's looking for inspiration; he's clearly not satisfied with ripping you off in the shop and is planning to follow you to your door to rip you off as well."

"Hey, you're slandering me! Do you think I, Li Zhibai, am that kind of person?!" Li Zhibai said indignantly.

But he was actually a little hopeful.

He was so eager to see what life was like for the second generation of locals!

Things like indulging in debauchery, living a life of extravagance and debauchery, and spending money like water...etc.

The most expensive place he'd ever been to in his life was Chef Fang's Lotus Breeze and Fine Rain restaurant; he'd never seen what life was like for the wealthy.

The thought of being able to broaden his horizons with Yu Shen, this local bumpkin, made his black heart a little excited.

Yu Shen readily agreed, "Sure! After you close up shop, I'll take you out to experience my life."

"OK!" Li Zhibai made a gesture.

Then he checked the dining slots for today and found that there was only one slot left. It was not yet 8 p.m., and as long as one last customer came, he could finish work early and go experience the glamorous world of Yu Shen, the second-generation rich kid.

It's like my wish came true.

The last guest pushed open the door and walked in.

Li Zhibai turned his head and saw a familiar face—Wen Ran.

[Financial Resources Level: White]

It was the same familiar white color, exactly the same as when she first entered the store.

But Wen Ran looked much better today, and she seemed more energetic.

"Boss, give me a regular bowl of noodles and a basket of regular steamed dumplings!" Wen Ran shouted generously.

Li Zhibai was somewhat surprised to hear this. This girl didn't bring any suckers today, yet she dared to order two portions directly. Unbelievable!

"Wen Ran, do you have some happy occasion today? You ordered so much."

"It'll be a secret for now!" Wen Ran said with a smile. "I'll tell you when it's done."

"OK."

Li Zhibai didn't ask any more questions and turned to go into the kitchen.

Su Su was helping to tidy up the stove inside when she saw him come in and asked in a low voice, "Master, Wen Ran seems quite happy today."

Li Zhibai nodded: "Yeah, I guess he found some money."

The hand-kneaded noodles are quickly scooped out of the boiling water after a quick flip, drained, and then topped with a spoonful of scallion oil. The aroma immediately rises up, making it incredibly fragrant.

Crystal dumplings are readily available and can be served directly. After opening the lid of the steamer, you can see the pinkish-white meat filling inside. The pleats are pinched very evenly, like a row of little ingots with protruding bellies.

Enjoy your noodles and steamed dumplings.

As soon as the two main dishes were served, Wen Ran couldn't wait to pick up her chopsticks and start by mixing the scallion oil noodles.

As soon as the noodles are stirred, the aroma of oil and wheat wafts into your nose, making you feel dizzy with its fragrance.

Wen Ran started slurping her noodles, eating with great relish. Then she picked up a steamed dumpling, blew on it, took a bite, and immediately squinted her eyes in bliss.

"Is it delicious?" Li Zhibai asked knowingly.

"Delicious!" Wen Ran nodded, and said while eating, "Boss, let me tell you, I got a job at a big tech company in Financial Street. Once I'm officially hired, I'll have money to eat here with you."

"I'll order the deluxe version then, the 3999 egg one! Two! I'll eat one and watch the other!"

Li Zhibai: "..."

Good guy!

This is what makes him a good customer; his aspirations are so simple and unpretentious.

"Congratulations on making it to shore! If you need more noodles, feel free to ask."

"real?"

"Really, but it will cost extra."

Wen Ran pouted: "Stingy!"

Then she continued to eat her meal, quickly finishing both main dishes completely before settling down the bill with satisfaction.

"Boss, I'm leaving!" She waved to Li Zhibai.

Take care!

The electronic screen at the restaurant entrance simultaneously refreshed its display: "[Number of dining slots remaining today: 0]"

Li Zhibai immediately hung up the "Closed" sign, turned to look at Yu Shen, and said impatiently.

"Brother Yu, let's go!"

"Take me to see what nightlife is like for you local rich kids!"

"Okay, I'll make sure you learn something new."

............

As Li Zhibai followed Yu Shen out of the Shaxian Snack Bar, he was still fantasizing about what the decadent nightlife of the second generation would be like.

Driving a sports car and making a ruckus in the streets? A yacht with a river view? A private banquet at a club? Or lighting cigarettes on a champagne tower? It would be nice to have a few people in the atmosphere group rolling dice together.

He even came up with a boastful caption for his WeChat Moments: "[Tonight I experienced accidentally wandering into the Heavenly Palace, it was just so-so.]"

The accompanying photos must include the Ace of Spades, cigars... whatever looks expensive, just photograph it.

As a result, twenty minutes later, Yu Shen took him to the first ordinary apartment building.

Li Zhibai got out of the car and paused for a moment.

"Brother Yu, where is this? What are we doing here?"

"Collecting rent."

"Collecting rent?"

"Yeah! My most important entertainment every night is collecting rent. Let's go upstairs together, there are still several more to collect after this one."

Li Zhibai: "???"

No, are you serious?

Yu Shen pulled a canvas bag from the trunk, inside which were several sets of keys, jingling as he slung it over his shoulder and called out:

"I have one apartment in this building, and two more in the two buildings behind it. The tenant I need to meet today is five days behind on rent. Let's go upstairs and talk to him."

Li Zhibai followed behind, stunned. This was completely different from what he had imagined!

Where's the promised decadent lifestyle? Where's the promised accidental intrusion into the imperial palace?

"Brother Yu, if you're going to collect rent, why do you have to come at night? Can't you collect it during the day?" Li Zhibai couldn't help but ask.

"These tenants are mostly at work during the day, so you won't be able to find them even if you come. It's more efficient to collect them at night."

"Why can't you just have the tenants transfer the money directly? What era are we living in that you still have to come to their door to collect payments?"

"Some are okay with it, but some people just like to procrastinate. You have to remind them offline occasionally to let them know that I, the landlord, am very dedicated. That way, they will be more proactive in paying rent in the future," Yu Shen said as he knocked on the tenant's door.

The person who opened the door was a young man wearing shorts, with a messy head, yawning as if he hadn't woken up yet.

However, when he saw that it was the landlord standing at the door, he instantly sobered up.

"Brother Yu, what brings you here?"

"Of course, it's your family's influence that blew me here," Yu Shen said irritably. "You're five days late on this month's rent, what's going on?"

"Hey, I'm a little short on cash lately, can you give me a few more days? I'll transfer the money to you as soon as I get paid, okay?"

"Okay." Yu Shen nodded, then changed the subject: "But there will be an extra 50 yuan late fee for each day of delay, it's all written in the contract."

"Seriously, Brother Yu! We're such good friends, why are you charging me late fees?"

"I need to eat too, brother!" Yu Shen thought for a moment and said, "How about this, I won't charge the late fee, but you have to introduce me to a tenant. There's still a vacant room in the building behind mine that I haven't rented out. Can you ask your colleagues and friends if they want to rent it?"

The young man immediately patted his chest and said, "No problem! A colleague of mine is looking for an apartment; I'll take care of it!"

"Okay, I'll wait for your reply, but the rent must be in place by the 20th!"

"Okay, okay!"

After leaving this place, Yu Shen took Li Zhibai to visit several more neighborhoods.

Most of them were tenants who hadn't paid their rent, and he had to go door-to-door to urge them. If the tenants were nice, he would happily chat with them for a few minutes. But if he encountered someone who was slow and indecisive, he would immediately change his attitude and force them to move out if they didn't pay by the deadline.

Li Zhibai followed him until almost midnight before they finished.

"No way, where did you get so many houses to rent out? You do nothing but buy houses every day, right?"

"Boss Li, you've misunderstood me. Actually, I didn't buy many sets; most of them were disassembled," Yu Shen said.

"Taken from a disassembled unit?"

"Yes, our old house was demolished during the redevelopment. Six of our houses were demolished, and then three more were demolished because they happened to be within the site of an expo. We were compensated with more than a dozen houses. That's how we gradually accumulated our wealth."

Li Zhibai: "..."

Good guy!

You tear it down, you compensate; you compensate, you tear it down again; you tear it down, you compensate again—are you playing a nested doll game here?!

He had initially felt somewhat guilty for killing this guy so many times.

What's there to feel guilty about now!

These despicable natives deserve to be slaughtered!