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

Six o'clock in the evening.

"Boss! Are you open yet? We're here to eat!"

Just as Li Zhibai finished cooking a pot of braised pork in the kitchen, a voice that was all too familiar came from the doorway.

He looked outside and saw a group of more than a dozen people marching towards the store entrance; they were Yu Shen's group of regular customers.

Actually, in principle, there shouldn't be so many regular customers today. Apart from Yu Shen, that unemployed bum who comes every day without fail, the others don't come so often, since they all have their own businesses to keep them busy.

The fact that so many people came today probably means they knew about the new dishes.

Upon seeing so many people arrive, Li Zhibai's face reflexively broke into a smile, his expression as enthusiastic as could be.

"We're open for business! Please come in, everyone."

Upon seeing Li Zhibai's familiar, cunning businessman face, Yu Shen turned and whispered to Lu Qianshan:

"It's normal now."

"Hmm, that's the smell."

"This face still looks more comfortable."

Yesterday, they couldn't stand Li Zhibai's aloof face no matter how they looked at him; his current cunning businessman face was much more pleasing to the eye, perhaps because they were used to it.

Li Zhibai vaguely heard them whispering something and asked curiously, "What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing," Yu Shen casually made up, "We're just complimenting you, saying you look great today and are much more energetic than yesterday."

"Really?" Li Zhibai touched his face and laughed, "I also think I look particularly good today. It's probably because we're serving new dishes that will... cough cough, let you all have some delicious food."

Everyone: "..."

Is the password just another way of saying they can rip us off?

"Boss, do you really have a new dish today? Is it the braised pork that Boss Su mentioned?"

Li Zhibai nodded: "Yes! Secret recipe braised pork."

However, according to the rules, only Grandpa Huo can order this new dish today.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a chorus of groans erupted in the store.

"I knew it."

"Boss, you're too ruthless! You just want us to smell it but not be able to eat it, are you trying to make us anxious?"

"We're already here, can't you be a little more accommodating?"

"Yeah, boss, don't you love money? With so many of us here, don't you want to make some?"

How could Li Zhibai not want to? He dreamed of how to rip them off. But rules are rules: "Sorry, bosses, I believe in honesty in business. On the first day of the customized dishes, only the person who ordered them can order them. Everyone else can wait until tomorrow when they are officially on sale."

Yu Shen and the others wanted to say a few more words, but just then, the wind chimes at the door started to tinkle.

The previously noisy crowd immediately quieted down and turned around to see that today's protagonist, Grandpa Huo, had made a dazzling appearance.

Today, Mr. Huo was dressed in a clean Zhongshan suit, looking very formal, energetic, and exuding a refined air.

This shows how much he values ​​this new dish today.

Eleven years have passed; he has waited eleven years for this plate of braised pork. Today is the day to see the outcome.

Yu Shen's eyes lit up and he immediately went to meet him.

"Grandpa! My dear grandpa! You've finally arrived!"

"We've been waiting for you for ages. Come, come, please come in. Be careful of the threshold, walk slowly, I'll help you." He warmly helped Grandpa Huo up.

The others were not to be outdone, and they all quickly greeted him.

"Sir, you look really handsome today, I almost didn't recognize you."

"Please sit here, the light is better here. Xiao Wang, move your chair over so the old man isn't crowding you."

"..."

A group of people surrounded Grandpa Huo, serving him tea and water and showing him great concern, even more so than if they were seeing their own father.

We can't be unenthusiastic; whether we get to eat braised pork today depends on the old man's attitude.

Huo Wang sat down, looked at the young people surrounding him, and chuckled: "You kids, stop beating around the bush, just say what you want to say."

Yu Shen chuckled, "Sir, you're so wise. Nothing can be hidden from you. I do have a small favor to ask. You see, so many of us came here today specifically for your braised pork. Could we try some too?"

"Don't worry, sir, we won't eat for free, we'll pay."

"Please, sir."

"..."

"It's just a small matter, I thought it was something important." Grandpa Huo turned to Li Zhibai and said, "Young boss, you don't need to give me any special privileges today. Sharing is caring, right?"

Li Zhibai readily agreed, "Sure!"

He was more than happy that Uncle Huo said that, so he could earn more money.

Yu Shen and the others were immediately overjoyed.

"Grandpa has such a broad mind! I knew he wasn't the kind of person who would hoard food for himself."

"Thank you, sir!"

"Sir, from now on you're my dear sir!"

"May the old man live to be a hundred years old!"

"..."

Huo Wang chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, stop flattering me."

While they were still flattering the old man, Li Zhibai turned around and walked behind the cashier, taking out an exquisite black velvet box from the drawer.

"Everyone! Before we taste the new dishes, let's have a little ceremony."

He walked up to Grandpa Huo, opened the box with both hands, and inside was a very high-class black card, which was the first exclusive custom-made collectible card of Shaxian Snacks.

There was also a line of text engraved on it: "[Secret Recipe Braised Pork Belly - Huo Wang's Exclusive]".

"Uncle Huo, this is your exclusive custom-made collector's card. Please keep it safe."

Huo Wang took the card and examined it carefully: "Not bad!"

Everyone's eyes widened when they saw that impressive collector's card.

Damn it, even though they usually complain that Li Zhibai's cards are useless, they can't help but feel envious and jealous when they actually see the real thing.

The only collector's edition card in the entire universe!

Imagine how awesome it would be to come here for a meal and show off with this card!

They were envious for a short while, and then they started ordering food one after another.

Lu Qianshan winked at everyone, meaning that since it was agreed today, everyone should stick to ordering only the regular version.

Everyone nodded knowingly.

"Boss, do you have all the regular dishes today? We're only ordering the regular ones; we're not even touching the deluxe ones. If you keep making excuses about them being sold out, we'll get angry!"

Li Zhibai nodded: "Sure, all the regular version is available today. Order whatever you want."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt even more uneasy.

"This guy agreed so readily, there's probably something fishy going on."

"Whether it's a scam or not, we agreed to stand together, and no matter what the temptation, we can't let things fall apart."

"Yes, as long as we stand together, he can't take advantage of us."

"Alright, alright, everyone hurry up, stop giving him any more excuses."

"good!"

So everyone started ordering food.

"Boss, give me a regular version of the fragrant mixed noodles, plus a bowl of chicken soup."

Me too.

"I'd like a regular chicken leg rice and a pork tripe soup."

"..."

"I've written it all down: four servings of regular noodles, three servings of regular chicken leg rice, two servings of regular wontons, three servings of regular chicken soup, and two servings of regular pork tripe soup." Li Zhibai scribbled down the notes in his notebook, then asked, "Anything else you want to add?"

There were no tricks, no extra charges, no hidden costs, and no excuses for new promotions throughout the entire process.

Pang Yi was somewhat incredulous. He nudged Yu Shen with his elbow and whispered, "Old Yu, am I dreaming? Pinch me."

Without saying a word, Yu Shen pinched his arm hard.

"Ouch~~~ You fucking pinched me!"

"Does it hurt?"

"nonsense!"

"Then it's not a dream, Li Heizi really let us order the regular version today."

"Brothers, it hasn't been easy!"

"..."

Li Zhibai, seeing them acting strangely, didn't take it seriously and asked again, "That's all? Do you want anything else?"

"That's all."

"Okay, I'll make it for you right away." Li Zhibai turned and walked into the kitchen.

The group of people outside became even more excited when they saw him actually go in and do it.

"This is the sixth time! I finally got the normal version on my sixth try!"

"We finally succeeded."

"Oh my god, I'm so touched, I almost cried. It's been so difficult."

"Celebrate! We must celebrate!"

"Today, our anti-black alliance finally got to hold its head high. We've breached Li Heizi's standard defense line."

Everyone clapped and celebrated; the scene looked like they had won the lottery.

Su Su, the only waitress in the shop besides Grandpa Huo who didn't participate in the celebration, wanted to remind them that they hadn't even ordered the new products yet and were getting excited too soon.

But then I thought better of it and decided to let them have their fun for a while, since there's something even more exciting to come.

"Oh right, we haven't ordered the new items yet." Yu Shen and the others finally realized.

"I almost forgot, the regular version is just an appetizer; the braised pork is the main dish today."

"Hurry up."

Everyone immediately turned to look at the newly hung wooden sign on the menu.

[New Product Launch: Secret Recipe Braised Pork Belly, 99 Yuan...]

Upon seeing the price, they were taken aback at first, then rubbed their eyes vigorously.

99?

It's not 128, not 288, not 588, and certainly not that insane 1288.

It's 99?

Has Li Heizi changed his personality?

"Brothers, look at that price! Li Heizi's new dish is only 99!"

"Holy crap, it's true, there really are no numbers after this price."

"Has Li Heizi turned over a new leaf and started a new life?"

"Doesn't that mean we'll all be able to eat at affordable Shaxian snacks from now on? 99 yuan a serving of braised pork, that's such a reasonable price!"

"I have to say, I'm not used to Li Heizi suddenly becoming so conscientious."

"Could it be that his braised pork wasn't cooked well?"

Just then, Mu Cixuan spotted Huadian first and whispered to them, "Hey, did you guys see that? It seems like the price says 'one unit' instead of 'one unit'."

"What's wrong with one piece? Aren't braised pork pieces always sold one by one...?"

Yu Shen stopped mid-sentence.

piece?

piece!

Not just one!

"Holy crap! They really do sell them by the piece!"

"99 yuan a piece, Li Heizi, are you even human?!"