Customization1
And that was exactly what happened. The moment both of them opted to let Sun Miao handle the seasoning, her hands became a blur of motion. The large mixing bowl currently held the three portions for Hip-hop Mei, and with a spoon held deftly between her fingers, she began to artfully toss the spices. The seasonings seemed to obey her every command, landing squarely in the bowl without a single speck spilling onto the counter.
Once they were all in, she used two long chopsticks to mix everything together, ensuring the flavors fully merged with the Langya Potatoes2. The instant the fragrant spices met the hot, fried potatoes, an aroma blossomed in the air so intoxicating it made Hip-hop Mei’s eyes go wide.
I’ve confirmed with a look in the eyes3—this is definitely going to be a flavor I love.
Minced garlic, lots of it! More chili, too! A generous sprinkle of cumin, and oh, a dash of vinegar! Just a little vinegar, it’s insanely fragrant. Some Sichuan peppercorn oil, yes, yes, that’s the perfect amount.
With a spice mix like that, how could it possibly not be delicious?
Just watching Sun Miao work, Hip-hop Mei had one thought running through her mind: She gets me! Little Boss Sun really, truly gets me!
But what truly amazed her was that after Sun Miao finished mixing, not a trace of seasoning was left behind in the large bowl. It was almost unbelievable. With so many ingredients—granules, powders, fine bits, and various oils—how was it that after the Langya Potatoes were poured into a disposable container, the bowl was left so bright it could reflect a person’s image4?
Looking closer, she realized there were some faint traces after all—a slick, oily sheen coating the metal surface.
After finishing the portion, Sun Miao grabbed a ladle from below the counter, scooped up some water, and poured it into the bowl. With a single, effortless swirl, the water washed away the last lingering marks. She dumped the water into the large trash can, and in an instant, the bowl was as pristine as new.
When both their orders were ready, the Hiphop-Yabi duo carried their food to a nearby table and dug in. They were so moved they nearly shed tears of gratitude. It was just that good. Hip-hop Mei struggled to find the words, feeling only that every single thing about these Langya Potatoes was perfect.
She even thought they were better than the Pagoda Meat5.
No, no, that’s not right. I can’t say they’re better than Pagoda Meat. Of course, the Pagoda Meat was delicious; it was the best she had ever tasted. But that kind of deliciousness was different from the kind she was experiencing now. The magic of the Langya Potatoes was how perfectly they suited her personal taste.
The flavor of the Pagoda Meat was fixed, unchanging, and made no concessions to Hip-hop Mei’s preferences. She found it delicious, yes, but it didn’t satisfy that deep-seated craving for spice she held in her heart.
These Langya Potatoes, however, completely fulfilled that innermost, personal desire.
Everyone’s palate is different, right down to the amount of garlic or chili they prefer. Even among people who love intense spice, their tolerance for the actual degree of heat varies.
She loved this portion of Langya Potatoes because every single flavor was, for her, just right. And it was that precise “just right” that created the taste she loved most.
Hip-hop Mei wasn’t the only one who felt this way. An old customer standing in front of her was thinking the same thing. She was just an ordinary worker6 from Su Ruixi’s building and had become a regular of Sun Miao’s after the beef pancake7 craze. But she didn’t come often, and she wasn’t as conspicuous as Tong Yuwei, that toxic solo stan8 for the beef pancakes. She just dropped by once in a while, and if she was lucky, she could snag some of the limited-quantity items.
Today, she happened to be doing fieldwork nearby and came right over when she learned Sun Miao had her stall set up here. As she waited in line, she watched the customers ahead of her with envy. They didn’t need to say much; a single glance was all it took for Sun Miao to get it9. She would just nod and start preparing their customized seasonings.
If it were me, Little Boss Sun probably wouldn’t remember, the customer thought.
The second group chat is almost full, and she’s about to start a third10. I’m just one person out of so many, someone who only comes occasionally. How could Little Boss Sun possibly remember me? But it didn’t matter. It was enough that she remembered Little Boss Sun, because the food she made was truly incredible.
By the time it was her turn, she was near the end of the line. She’d been worried she might not get anything at all, her heart hanging by a thread11 the entire time. At one point, she had considered giving up. What if the people in front of me buy multiple portions and there’s nothing left? Waiting this long just to go home empty-handed would be awful. Maybe I should just leave.
But that thought was quickly steamrolled by another: But I’ve already waited this long! If I leave now, all that time will have been wasted! She knew this was just her mind fixating on the high sunk cost12, and that the rational choice was to cut her losses and go. But she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
It’s been so long since I’ve had anything Little Boss Sun made. I’m craving it so much.
Besides, she wanted to exchange a few words with her.
Every time the customer had come to buy food here, with the exception of today, it was because she was in a bad mood. She would think, I work so hard all the time. I deserve to treat myself to something good. And that’s what would bring her here, to wait in line.
She didn’t always succeed in buying something; the line was often just too long. But it was okay if she couldn’t get her food or talk to Little Boss Sun. Just being in the queue was enough to lift her spirits.
The line was long, filled with strangers in front and behind, yet everyone shared the same feeling—a hopeful anticipation for delicious food, craning their necks in eager expectation13. Some people played quietly on their phones, while others were more extroverted, striking up conversations with those around them.
The customer didn’t talk much. She wasn’t a very social person, but if someone spoke to her, she would put her phone away and reply. For some reason, the mood in Little Boss Sun’s line was always overwhelmingly positive. People would chat with eyebrows flying and faces dancing14, discussing the long and short of family matters15, and their cheerful chatter would even smooth the tight furrows in the customer’s brow.
When she met girls her own age, they would team up to complain about their bosses and the way they were treated like cattle and horses16 at work.
Even if she didn’t get any food in the end, it didn’t matter. Her mood had already improved. It was even fun to join the others in jokingly admonishing Little Boss Sun for her limited supply. The customer felt her stress just fly away.
But if she could get some food and say a few words to Little Boss Sun, then it would be a perfect day. Little Boss Sun always had a smile as warm as a little sun17 on her face. She was quick and efficient, radiating a vibrant, upward energy that shone on this corporate drone steeped in the scent of work18, burning away her gloomy atmosphere.
That’s why she loved coming here, even if it was just to space out for a bit. It felt like she was stepping out of a giant screw factory and back into the mortal world of smoke and fire19, filled with sunlight and life.
When her turn finally came, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness I stayed. Otherwise, I would have missed out.
She knew today’s special was Langya Potatoes; it was announced in the group chat and on Little Boss Sun’s social media. Although she didn’t come often, she frequently checked both. Sometimes, seeing the photos Little Boss Sun posted would make her think, Since I can’t get the real thing, I’ll just buy an affordable substitute20.
When Sun Miao was making the classic fried skewer trio21, she would order fried skewers from a takeout app. When Sun Miao sold Bridgehead Pork Ribs22, she would get some from a chain restaurant. The customer knew they wouldn’t be nearly as good as Little Boss Sun’s, but what could she do? She had to buy a dupe to satisfy the craving.
This time, she had finally made it. “I’d like one order of Langya Potatoes to go,” she said excitedly, quickly pulling out her phone to scan the payment code. Sun Miao’s prices were higher than other street vendors, and the customer was afraid she’d change her mind if she didn’t pay fast enough.
As Sun Miao finished frying the potatoes, the customer opened her mouth to specify her preferred toppings, but Sun Miao beat her to it. “Mildly spicy, less garlic, no cilantro, extra scallions, and a little bit of vinegar, right? Do you want any Houttuynia23?”
The customer’s eyes widened, and the words tumbled out before she could even think. “Ah! Little Boss Sun, how did you remember my order?”
Sun Miao replied, “You’ve been here many times! Back when I sold beef pancakes, you always got them mildly spicy, and your other orders have been the same. Did I get it wrong?”
“No, not at all! I—I don’t come that often, so I didn’t think you’d remember me,” the customer stammered, waving her hands. She paused for a moment, then, seeing Sun Miao waiting, remembered the initial question. “The flavor is right. No Houttuynia.”
“Okay.”
Watching Sun Miao expertly add the seasonings, the customer felt a lump form in her throat. She had come to this metropolis from a small county for school and work. To her, this big city was a place where she was a stranger in a strange land24, with no one to really talk to. The daily grind left her feeling numb.
But in this one moment, she realized she had a friend in this city—Little Boss Sun. She suddenly felt that her life wasn’t just a monotonous loop between the office and her rented room; there was another place she could go.
While Sun Miao was mixing the flavors, the customer said haltingly, “I happened to have fieldwork in the area today, so I had time to come by.”
Sun Miao worked quickly, and by the time the sentence was finished, the food was already seasoned and packed in a bag. The customer knew she didn’t talk while she worked, but she could tell from the focus in her eyes that Little Boss Sun was listening intently.
As Sun Miao handed her the bag, she heard Sun Miao say, “That’s great. Does that mean you can go home a little earlier today? Tomorrow is Saturday, so you can even sleep in a bit.”
In reality, the customer didn’t have Saturdays off; she had to work tomorrow. She only got one day off a week. But hearing Sun Miao say “you can go home a little earlier” and seeing her smile, she couldn’t help but smile back. “Yeah! I’m taking it home now. I’ll eat it later while I watch TV.”
“It’ll get a bit soft if you heat it in the microwave.”
“I know, that’s okay.” She waved to Sun Miao. “See you next time, Little Boss Sun!”
“See you.”
The customer walked away, carrying her Langya Potatoes, her steps much lighter than when she’d been waiting in line. The bag swung gently, its rich aroma making her a little dizzy. By the time she neared the subway station, the scent had dissipated somewhat. She carefully tied the bag shut and tucked it into her tote, not wanting the smell to bother other passengers.
It was the bag she carried to work every day, and she didn’t feel bad about putting things in it. Besides, for Little Boss Sun’s Langya Potatoes, her bag was getting a treat. And they were made so well—not greasy on the outside at all.
Just the thought of going home to eat her Langya Potatoes made a smile spread across her face, one she couldn’t hold back.
The author has something to say:
The story of Little Boss Sun and Susu-jie is expected to conclude in the first part of this month. There probably won’t be any extras, because their relationship has always been stable and grounded, and I’ve pretty much written all there is to their daily life.
My next book will be in my comfort zone, a supernatural novel titled 《She Said I’m Super Strong as a Ghost》. Begging you to add it to your collection25!
The book after that will also feature a System, but it will be a supernatural story as well. However, the System is going to suffer this time. After experiencing a host whose cooking talent was maxed out and who was also diligent, it will meet a host who just wants to lie flat26 all day, can’t cook at all, and only wants to let it rot27. Heihei.28
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If my food stall boss is like this I will definitely choose to be there until I’m old.