W Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Seeking Someone

Lu Hua, who bought steamed buns and mantou, was also happy. She held the white, plump, and soft buns and mantou in her arms and turned to the rouge stall to buy rouge.

After Lu Hua left, more people were trying the steamed buns at the stall.

Because Shen Hui was there, no one dared to cause trouble. Under Ling Xing’s voice, everyone lined up in an orderly manner.

The taste of the steamed buns and mantou was undoubtedly good, but not everyone who tried them would buy.

There were also those who were greedy for small gains and tried to grab most of them at once, or those who ate and then lined up again, but they all wisely refrained from doing so under Shen Hui’s cold face.

Quite a few were sold, and three steamers were quickly sold out. Ling Xing quickly continued to wrap them, handing over the sales work to Shen Hui.

After Shen Hui took over, the initial remarks that everyone would make, such as “stall owner, make it cheaper” or “pick the biggest one for me,” were no longer heard.

The whole process was very quiet, with money changing hands for goods.

Ling Xing glanced at Shen Hui, who was packing mantou and buns in an orderly manner, and then focused on wrapping the buns.

People have a herd mentality. The queue at the steamed bun stall was obviously different from the other stalls, which only had two or three people.

Ling Xing’s movements in wrapping the buns were fast, and he also cheerfully hawked.

When he heard the words “free tasting,” he successfully kept the people who were about to glance at the situation and leave.

Then let’s have a bite before leaving.

The other two steamers were also sold out. The five-layered steamer can only produce fifty mantou and buns at a time, not one more.

Ling Xing, stacking the freshly wrapped buns, said to the crowd, “Customers who didn’t get any can go and wander around other places. The next batch won’t be ready for nearly half an hour.”

“Oh, so slow?”

“Yeah, even the baked wheaten cakes and meat pies aren’t this slow.”

It was not unusual for diners to have emotions after finally getting in line, only to be told that the goods were sold out when they reached the front.

Ling Xing couldn’t help it. He only had so many steamers. More would not work; the ceramic pot could not bear the weight, and he would have to get iron pots made.

He smiled apologetically, “I’m really sorry, everyone. How about this, I’ll sell two buns for five coins in the next batch as compensation.”

It is said that one should not hit a smiling face, let alone when the person is giving a discount of one coin.

“Little stall owner, you have to keep your word. You can’t let me run empty again in the next batch.”

The man in the first place in line emphasized to Ling Xing, and Ling Xing nodded with a smile, remembering the man’s appearance, “Alright.”

The crowd dispersed because the first batch of buns was sold out.

Ling Xing looked at the empty stall again, thinking that he really had to come out earlier tomorrow. Moreover, he had to find a way to get something to keep them warm, otherwise, how much could he sell if he just waited for the buns and mantou to be cooked?

Alas, this would mean spending money again.

As soon as Ling Xing thought of this, he swung his arms and wrapped the buns, wrapping more to earn money!

He also wanted to wear well-fitting clothes and fill his stomach.

Xu Qi came at the right time; the second batch of buns was ready, and he happened to come over.

After arranging Shen Hui and Ling Xing, he went back to the city gate. The minor official was a newcomer and didn’t understand anything. He was afraid of something going wrong, so he didn’t dare to leave the other party alone for too long.

After going back and explaining a few more things, he ran into two people who wanted to set up stalls to sell chickens and ducks, and he also chose the stalls near Shen Hui. Xu Qi thought about paying to support Shen Hui’s stall when he sent people over.

As a result, he realized that he didn’t need to support it at all. Among all the stalls on the street, the most people were in front of Shen Hui’s and his brother-in-law’s stalls.

After settling the commoners selling chickens and ducks, Xu Qi walked towards the steamed bun stall.

“Second Son, business is good.”

Because Xu Qi was wearing an official uniform, although it was old and worn, no one dared to disrespect him. Wearing this skin meant he was a government official, someone who could control their lives and deaths. Seeing the person cut in line, everyone pretended not to see it.

“Brother-in-law’s craftsmanship is very good. Leave two mantou and buns for Brother Xu Qi before closing the stall.”

Shen Hui, while packing the buns for the people in line, replied to Xu Qi.

He had no expression when he spoke, his mouth naturally turned down, and because his brow bones pressed down on his eyes, he looked very stern.

Xu Qi had dealt with Shen Hui many times and had drunk wine a few times. He had seen more people than ordinary people. He had even seen the bandit leader who did evil in the deep mountains, not too far away.

But no one could give him the same feeling as Shen Hui.

When the man stood there, a light glance in his eyes would make people’s hearts tremble.

Thinking that Shen Hui was a hunter, a job that involved blood on his hands, and that he was burly and imposing, it was normal for him to have a more intimidating aura.

Xu Qi suppressed the palpitations in his heart and laughed heartily to cover up the fact that he had been frightened by Shen Hui’s aura just now.

“Okay, then I’ll go back first, Brother Seven. The new kid is useless and can’t be left alone.”

Shen Hui nodded, “Brother Xu Qi, take care.”

“Okay, Second Son, you’re busy first.”

The people in line breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Xu Qi leave, and at the same time, they had a good idea of the situation of this stall in their hearts. Although the stall was small, it was not something they could easily provoke.

Not only was the stall owner strong, looking like he could kill someone with one punch, but he also knew government officials behind him!

The second batch was sold out by midday, and Ling Xing calculated the time to be about nine o’clock.

All the ingredients he had brought were used up, and he had nothing to sell if he wanted to continue.

Moreover, because there was a bit of a long gap between the first and second batches, many of the people who were originally in line to buy in the first batch did not come back during that time.

The second batch sold much slower than the first batch, and it became difficult to sell at the end.

This place was not close to the market, and there were only some small stalls selling small items. It was only lively in the morning and evening.

From midday onwards, it became much deserted, and the flow of people decreased sharply. The passersby were all busy making a living and had no intention of staying.

When he was preparing to pack up, Ling Xing wrapped two tofu buns and two mantou in oil paper. After washing the ceramic bowl clean, he returned it to the stall owner of the noodle stall together.

“The bowl is washed clean, take these buns and have a taste. Thank you for your bowl, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to drink water today.”

Ling Xing said with a smile and handed over the things in his hand.

The stall owner did not expect to get food; they were not far apart, and over this period of time, he also knew that this novel thing called steamed buns was sold for three coins each, and mantou for four coins each.

He was in the noodle business, and looking at the size of the buns and mantou, he felt that this little stall owner was very honest in doing business.

With such a size, and using good flour without any adulteration, how could he make any money!

The noodle stall owner pushed back the buns and mantou; these added up to a dozen coins, how could he accept them!

The stall owner’s dark, thin face was full of sincerity, “Little stall owner, you are really too polite. I only lent you a ceramic bowl for drinking water, how can I take your things?”

Ling Xing pushed forward again, “Actually, I also have something to ask you to help with. I lost a younger brother, he’s five years old this year, with big eyes and a small mole on his lips. Oh, there’s a small scar on the back of his hand from a burn, it looks like a crescent shape on his left hand. If you see a young man who meets these conditions, please pay more attention to him. You don’t need to do anything more, just tell me where you saw the person.”

This was the original owner’s wish, and Ling Xing always kept it in mind.

According to the original owner’s memory, he described Ling Yue’s characteristics. This child was sold by his stepmother in the towns around Xiao Liucun, not Yunxia Town, but the slightly farther Moon Bay Town.

Ling Xing also planned to tell the people at the other stalls, not just the noodle stall owner.

But he didn’t have that much money to make more buns and mantou, so he could only do it one by one.

Finally, Ling Xing also said that if anyone could provide clues, there would be a reward. The noodle stall owner glanced at Ling Xing’s clothes and took the buns and mantou.

“Adults are most anxious when their children are lost, no need for thanks or anything. I’ll accept these buns and mantou, don’t worry, I, Wang Youmai, will definitely keep an eye out for you.”

Ling Xing’s face lit up with joy, “Thank you, Brother Wang.”

After thanking him, Ling Xing reported his name. Wang Youmai took a quick glance and didn’t find that Ling Xing had covered his pregnancy mole, so he asked casually, “Are you Little Brother Ling, or Ge’er Ling?”

Ling Xing was slightly stunned, then said frankly, “I am Ge’er Ling.”