Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

A long line of people had formed outside the bakery not far from the residential area. Judging from the distance we had just walked, the line must have stretched for at least two miles.

"Xiao Meng, your business is really doing well."

"No, no, no... It's not usually like this, it really isn't." Xiao Meng felt a little strange. Didn't she know exactly what level her business was at? The number of people queuing in front of the door was definitely enough for a normal day's total customer traffic.

And the number of people in line behind them keeps increasing.

Yu Zhe didn't think there was anything wrong with it: "Then let's go in and take a look. Aren't you just here to 'inspect'?"

Xiao Meng nodded, walked in front, and led Yu Zhe around the store. They entered the store through a back door through a passage that was only for staff.

Don't ask why we didn't go through the main entrance; there's a queue there! If you go straight in through the main entrance, people behind you who don't know the situation will just say you cut in line.

The kitchen is directly accessible through the back door.

Calling it a kitchen... Yu Zhe was quite surprised. Goodness, there were all kinds of sky-blue wallpaper, white ceramic tiles on the floor, spotless, and decorations like wind chimes hanging in the corners. The overall atmosphere was adorable.

Your kitchen is decorated better than the storefront!

That really has Xiaomeng's style.

Yu Zhe didn't complain much and followed Xiao Meng to a middle-aged woman sitting at a table writing something.

As they walked, Xiaomeng whispered to him, "This is a long-time employee who has worked at my house for over ten years. She's also the manager of this store. I've called her Aunt Liu since I was little. We'll have to ask her for the key to the food warehouse later."

"learn."

Standing next to her, Xiaomeng asked, "Aunt Liu? Are you very busy today?"

Aunt Liu hadn't noticed her surroundings while she was writing. When she heard the familiar voice, she turned around and saw Luo Xiaomeng. A hint of joy appeared on her tired face.

She put down her pen, stood up and said, "Xiao Meng, you didn't even come in through the front door... Oh right, you can't come in through the front door. Isn't that right? Today has been exceptionally busy; I haven't had a moment's rest since this morning."

"What's going on? Is it because of today's holiday?"

"Yes." Aunt Liu picked up a flyer from the table and handed it to Xiaomeng. "The boss came up with an idea, it's this Christmas-themed cake."

The "boss" here naturally refers to Luo Xiaomeng's father.

As Xiaomeng looked at the flyer, Aunt Liu continued, "I didn't expect it to sell so well. In the morning, there were only a few people, but starting around noon, I don't know if it's because the flyer spread or what, there has been a constant stream of customers, all coming to buy this."

Oh, I understand, Yu Zhe. This is what's called holiday marketing, which sometimes triggers this temporary herd mentality buying effect.

I told Xiaomeng about it, and she finally understood the current situation.

After Aunt Liu finished explaining these things, she turned her gaze and saw Yu Zhe behind Xiao Meng.

Then Aunt Liu was completely stunned.

Previously, all the neighbors agreed that Xiaomeng was the cutest and prettiest child in the neighborhood, and Aunt Liu still thought so just now.

But what's with this child in front of me...? Is she Xiaomeng's classmate? Can a human really be this beautiful?!

40. What's wrong now?

Actually, Yu Zhe could tell that although Aunt Liu was still chatting and laughing with Xiao Meng on the surface, she was probably very tired, and the fatigue on her face couldn't be hidden.

Moreover, what she wrote on the paper was a list of dishes that customers wanted, and she still had a lot to do later.

Therefore, Yu Zhe quietly reminded Xiao Meng, "Let's play our own games, Aunt Liu is probably still busy."

She quickly stepped back and said, "Okay, Aunt Liu, you're busy, we just came to check on you so as not to delay your work. And if there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

"Oh, no, no, Xiaomeng, you can take your friend to the back to get something to eat. We have enough manpower here."

Perfect.

Aunt Liu didn't think Xiao Meng was wasting time. She was happy to chat with Xiao Meng, even in her busy state.

From the beginning, Xiaomeng has always been the most beloved child among the neighbors. Everyone is eager to chat with her as much as possible.

But let's skip it today. There are just too many customers outside, and we don't want to delay the other employees' work.

Before the two of them walked to the side, they naturally obtained the spare key to the food storage room.

Looking at the keys that Xiaomeng was holding like a trophy, Yuzhe became a little worried: "Are you really okay? It might be fine normally, but today it's so busy outside, and we're still sneaking a bite. Can you even supply enough ingredients from outside?"

"It's alright! The raw materials we use are all directly supplied by nearby manufacturers. They'll definitely be delivering more frequently during busy times, so..."

"Oh no! At this rate, the raw materials will only last for two hours at most! What do we do?!"

The shout came from an employee who had just come from the main dining area to the kitchen, and he said it loudly to Aunt Liu.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Liu quickly put down her work and went out to arrange the matter.

Back in the kitchen, Xiaomeng, her face flushed, looked at Yuzhe with embarrassment: "So... um..."

After fidgeting for a while, she finally gave up and covered her face with her hands: "Ugh...so embarrassing, so shameful, I'm not usually like this."

The somewhat sullen tone emanating from her fingertips indicated that she was indeed very frustrated.

Originally, she had invited Yuzhe over to have some fun, but now things are really messed up. First, the entrance and the store are packed with people, so they can't even get in. The two of them can only stay in the kitchen.

Then, the raw materials that were never in short supply suddenly ran out.

Why am I, Luo Xiaomeng, so unlucky?!

Wait, Dad, what a coincidence that you came up with a Christmas cake!

Actually, bringing Yu Zhe to her restaurant was on Zhang Zhi's advice. She said that if she wanted Yu Zhe to like her, the first step was to understand her life and get into it, so that a sense of familiarity and intimacy would be created.

It has to be said that Zhang Zhi's suggestion was a lucky accident. Yu Zhe was indeed very interested in the concept of "life," after all, what he was looking for was his own interesting daily life.

But Luo Xiaomeng knew that today's situation was not normal at all!

Seeing her sobbing and shaking her head, Yu Zhe couldn't help but comfort her: "It's okay, this is a special situation. Besides, I'm not a glutton, I won't be disappointed just because the food I ordered is gone."

Xiao Meng peeked at Yu Zhe through her fingers. Ah, he's so gentle, just like an angel. No, he really is an angel!

This time, it was Yu Zhe who had the initiative.

He patted Xiaomeng on the shoulder and told her to come with him.

Xiao Meng followed behind him like a little hamster, and the two stopped behind a wall at the corner where the kitchen and restaurant met.

You can see the state of the restaurant from here.

Sure enough, not only was the store packed with people, but the long queue stretched as far as the eye could see from the glass wall.

Of course, the store isn't just for buying cakes; there are also people sitting at the tables eating.

Yu Zhe glanced at the various dishes on the waiter's tray and said, "Actually, Xiao Meng, I've been wanting to ask this before. Your shop is clearly labeled as a bakery, but you even have braised pork ribs. Isn't this actually a general restaurant?"

“That’s right,” Xiaomeng explained. “It’s actually a restaurant, and quite comprehensive. It’s not just these cooked foods; besides bread, the menu also has barbecue and hot pot.”

"Then why is it called a bakery?"

"This... it seems like my dad used to say that there are too many restaurants in Fenghai City. If you start a business from scratch and do the same things as everyone else, there is no way out. He did start with a bakery, but when he had a few more customers, he started to expand to other dishes. However, he insisted on not changing the name of the shop. Over time, it seems that everyone remembers this place."

Yu Zhe understood; it was a novel experience.

It's clearly a multi-purpose restaurant, but its name has always been a bakery. The simple name has become a unique feature, or rather, it has become a kind of "meme" among consumers.

With the taste and quality of the dishes guaranteed, it would be strange if his bakery didn't make money.

It has to be said that, considering the idea for this Christmas cake, Xiaomeng's dad is truly a marketing genius, even though he seemed a bit dim-witted just now.

While Yu Zhe was thinking about these things, she didn't notice the direction she was looking. There were several young waitresses busy serving dishes. Most of these waitresses were part-time and were probably local female college students.

Their clothes were also cute, with pink and white as the main colors, and the style seemed to be modified from maid outfits.

Of course, Yu Zhe was just thinking about things and didn't deliberately look at them.

Luo Xiaomeng, who had been watching Yu Zhe the whole time, couldn't help but feel a little jealous: "Yu Zhe, do you think those older sisters are pretty? And their clothes are so light and airy, right? I mean... they may be pretty, but at least I designed the clothes!"

It's just like a child who has lost a game and is trying their best to win back the score.

"Huh?" Yu Zhe was confused. "Oh, you mean those waitresses? They are pretty, but they're nowhere near as pretty as you, aren't they?"

"Pfft... Yu Zhe, don't say that. I'm small in stature and have a small heart. I can't take it."

"?"

Judging from this, these part-time young women seem to be very busy and fulfilled.

After observing for a while, Xiaomeng said with a mischievous smile, "Do you want to try it too? Wear a light, flowing dress, and then steadily..."

Place the dishes on the table, say "Enjoy your meal" to the customers, and then give them a sweet smile.

Oh no! Just thinking about this scene made Xiaomeng a little shy. Yu Zhe would be so amazing!

She was met with a swift chop from Yu Zhe: "Don't even think about it. And what about skirts? Anything in women's clothing is none of my business. But if it's to help serve the food, I think I could..."

"no!"

"Huh?"

Who knew that Xiao Meng, who had just brought up the topic, would immediately deny it: "I... I meant you don't need to help, we can manage here!"

Maybe Xiaomeng really does have some selfish motives...

If we let him go out to serve dishes, given Yu Zhe's appearance, he would undoubtedly become the center of everyone's attention. If that were the case, Xiao Meng would be a hundred times unwilling. Yes, that's right... So it's enough for him to stay by my side.

Is this what they call selfishness...? This feeling is truly strange.

Just then, a waiter called out anxiously from not far away: "Aunt Liu, Aunt Liu, something bad has happened!"

What's wrong now?!

41. Let me try.

Before the waiter could even put down his tray, he anxiously reported to Aunt Liu, who had just returned to the kitchen.

"Aunt Liu! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's wrong now? Why are you all so flustered? You college students should be more composed."

"It's not a matter of being prudent or not!" She looked at the crowd outside that had suddenly stopped moving and looked troubled. "The cake maker who was supposed to be on the afternoon shift just called to say he's sick and on leave!"

"He took leave?! Of all times, at this time?" Aunt Liu was also quite agitated.

Yu Zhe and Xiao Meng, who were listening from the sidelines, were speechless. They were busy today, but why were there so many unexpected situations?

Especially Yu Zhe, he shook his head. Indeed, Xiao Meng's dad is a marketing genius, but he is far from good at management. First, the ingredients were not distributed properly, and then there is this matter at hand.

The fact that they didn't even give advance notice of taking leave, but waited until the tense moment of shift change, clearly shows a lack of proper management.

As a result, Aunt Liu is now immediately distressed.