Chapter 29 – Implementation of the New System
The news that Boss Lin was back was posted on Weibo that night. People were eager to go and grab a seat early the next day. They must go into the restaurant to try and see what kind of divine food it is.
As a result, the first group of people who arrived at the Demon Fish Shop were dumbfounded when they saw the sign hanging on the door.
“We can only accommodate five tables at noon, and each table can only seat four people. In other words, only 20 people can come in to eat at noon…”
“Don’t think too much. Boss Lin wrote five tables. Four people are one table, and one person is also one table.”
Everyone: “…”
If you meet someone who is easy to talk to, you can share a table with him. If you meet someone who is difficult to talk to, you have to sit at your own table. What can you do about it?
The first group of people who arrived looked at each other and silently counted the number of people…
Damn it, there are already more than a dozen of them. If more people come later, won’t it become a battlefield? !
Those who react quickly will immediately run to the front of the line. No matter how many people come behind them, they have to queue. There is food to be eaten in the front, but there is no food to be eaten in the back.
When Lin Jiu dragged a thermal insulated box to the store, he was shocked by the crowd at the door. The scene was comparable to a concert of the God of Music – or perhaps it really was.
Lin Jiu saw many young men and women in the crowd, all of them looking around excitedly, as if looking for someone.
The fact that Si Xu liked Jiang Ge’s Weibo post became a hot topic on the same day. It was impossible for Lin Jiu not to see it. A month later, these fans finally came to the store. They said they wanted to come to the Demon Fish Shop to meet their idol by chance, and they really took action.
What happened to the others? Didn’t he write five tables? How come so many people gathered here?
When everyone saw the outfit, black mask, long hair, and slender figure, wasn’t he exactly Boss Lin in the video?
“Boss Lin, your rules are so unreasonable. I came all the way here, but you only serve ten tables a day, and the store doesn’t accept reservations. Do I have any hope of ever being able to eat the delicious food at the Demon Fish Store in my lifetime?”
“Yes, yes. We took the high-speed bullet train here early in the morning, but there are so many people gathered here. What should we outsiders do?”
“I didn’t even dare to go to the toilet because I had to wait in line, now it’s a bit unbearable…”
“There’s not even a hotel in this place. Even if we want to stay here overnight, we’re fine with getting in line early the next day…”
“Yes, there is a hotel, the Old Street Hotel, which is only 50 meters away from the Demon Fish Shop. It was just renovated this month and is guaranteed to be clean and tidy.” A thin man was trying his best to promote his own hotel.
Lin Jiu was surprised to recognize the thin man. It was Mr. Sun, the owner of the 2 yuan boutique. He didn’t know when he converted the boutique into a hotel. His intention to make money from the Demon Fish Shop was too obvious.
Boss Sun is very smart. Seeing the popularity of the Demon Fish Shop, he did not become jealous like others. Instead, he seized the business opportunity. As long as the Demon Fish Shop did not go bankrupt, his hotel business would surely flourish.
Noticing Lin Jiu’s gaze, Boss Sun smiled at Lin Jiu, his smile full of goodwill, and Lin Jiu nodded at him.
After a while, Boss Sun was surrounded by people. Many people wanted to stay overnight and were preparing to grab tomorrow’s spots.
Boss Sun was so happy that he collected the deposit on the spot. Many people on the old street were watching. Seeing that it was so easy for Boss Sun to make money, they also became interested.
Lin Jiu was dragging the thermal insulated box to enter the store when a group of men in suits of varying heights and weights blocked his way. They introduced themselves one after another and handed Lin Jiu their business cards. They were all jewelers. Some wanted to be middlemen to make a profit, some were in the jewelry raw materials business, and some just opened jewelry stores. They all wanted to buy the Black Star Pearls from Lin Jiu.
Lin Jiu answered in unison, “I’m sorry, my main business is not selling black star pearls. My shop sells black star clams, and occasionally I run into black star pearls and sell them as a by-product. So it’s no use for you to come to me. I don’t have any black star pearls.”
“How many black star clams do you have? I want to buy black star clams!” A jeweler responded quickly.
Others also reacted and said they wanted to buy black star clams.
Lin Jiu looked at these merchants one by one, “It’s the store’s rule not to ask about the ingredients. Do you think I will sell the ingredients to you?”
Jewelry owners: “…”
“Perhaps we can talk in private.” The young man chuckled. “I’m Xue Zilin from Kerry. I can talk to you on behalf of Kerry. Kerry will satisfy any request you have. You can get resources, sing, or act in a movie.”
The surroundings suddenly became quiet. They were worried that Lin Jiu would really not open the store and go back to being a celebrity. They, as food lovers, disagreed!
Xue Zilin is a very conceited person, even if he wants to win over Lin Jiu now, he has to stand in a superior position. The status of the Xue family in City A makes him qualified to be proud. He has played with countless celebrities, Lin Jiu is just a 38th-tier celebrity, and Xue Zilin doesn’t even look down on him.
Lin Jiu heard the contempt in his words, “‘Kerry’ was the first one to reject the Black Star Bead, didn’t you know?”
The smile on Xue Zilin’s face disappeared and he had a bad feeling.
“If ‘Kerry’ wants the Black Star Pearls, you can go to ‘Blue Duke’ to buy them. I don’t have the Black Star Pearls you want.” Lin Jiu didn’t give him any face. Kerry had come to him again and again, and Lin Jiu was tired of dealing with them.
Lin Jiu dragged the thermal insulated box to open the door and said to the crowd, “Those who didn’t get lunch, please come earlier next time. Thank you.”
Xue Zilin stared at the store door gloomily for a long time before he looked at Ji Anchen in the crowd, not hiding his malice at all.
Ji Anchen curled his lips at him, and Xue Zilin was so angry that he almost exploded on the spot without caring about his image.
Everyone is a smart person. Lin Jiu’s meaning is very clear. If one wants to buy the Black Star Pearls go to Blue Duke, it means that the Black Star Pearls can only appear at Blue Duke in the future, and no one else will have the chance.
Lin Jiu has already made his position public, and if Ji Anchen continues to cling to the exclusive sales rights, it would make him seem petty.
Lin Jiu had no intention of selling the Black Star Pearls to a secondary merchant. Ji Anchen was honest in doing business and he was also Si Xu’s cousin, so Lin Jiu would not sell it to anyone else.
A public statement can also dispel some people’s thoughts and bring peace of mind.
Lin Jiu brought out a small blackboard with today’s menu on. It’s a shrimp feast, those who don’t like shrimp can leave.
Steam rice (bowl)/98 yuan
Fresh shrimp porridge (single person)/1998 yuan
Fresh shrimp porridge (two people) / 3998 yuan
Grilled shrimp legs/1098 yuan
Shrimp tail sashimi/3998 yuan
Steamed shrimp claws (for 2-4 people) / 29,998 yuan
Everyone who has been here knows that Demon Fish Shop has never had more than three dishes a day, but today it actually launched four new dishes at once.
There are fewer tables for reception, but more dishes.
But the price really discouraged a lot of people.
Someone took a photo of today’s menu and uploaded it to the Internet. In just a few minutes, “Demon Fish Menu of the Day” became a hot topic.
The comments are flying.
“I’ve heard that the Demon Fish is very expensive, but it’s actually this expensive. I’m too naive!”
“My god, the shrimp claws cost 30,000 yuan. How big of a shrimp claw can it be so expensive! Is there anyone who can order shrimp claws? Take a picture and show it. Tears are flowing from the corners of my mouth.jpg”
“A bowl of rice costs 98 yuan… I regret it. If I had eaten one less bowl of rice every day, I would have become a rich person now…”
“Wake up, your rice is not the same as Boss Lin’s rice!”
“You’re asking for an exorbitant price, you black-hearted shopkeeper. I’ll report you. No need to thanks!”
“I want to know, how do you grill shrimp legs? They’re so thin…”
“Hahahaha, the shrimp legs that the you was thinking of may not be the same as the shrimp legs at Boss Lin’s restaurant. I’m also very curious. Is there any boss who can post a photo so we can open our eyes. Slurp slurp.jpg”
“Ahhhhh!! Jiang Jiang Ge posted it on his social media. Quick let’s go see.”
People who know Jiang Ge have already seen the picture, and people who don’t know Jiang Ge have also found it.
Foodie Jiang Jiang Ge: “I’ve already eaten it, it’s so delicious, grilled shrimp legs and steamed shrimp claws as requested [picture] [picture] [picture].”
The comments section has gone crazy.
“Is it because Jiang Jiang Ge’s photography skills are so good, or is it because the food itself is so tempting? Isn’t this too good to be true?!”
“Not only does it look good, it might taste good too!”
“Oh my god, are there shrimp claws this thick? A comparison picture instantly appeared in my mind: shrimp legs…”
“Sh*t! That’s not a normal shrimp claws!”
“Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! How can there be such big shrimp claw! They are so big, so big, I want to eat them!!!!!!!”
“Oh my god, a shrimp claw occupies the center position. The meat is so full, so white, and so delicious. Slurp, slurp, slurp–“
Foodie Jiang Jiang Ge: “I recommend the red plum wine brewed by Boss Lin himself. It is suitable for girls to drink. After drinking a glass, the fragrance lingers in your mouth and your breath is fragrant [picture] [picture] [picture].”
The picture shows a wooden wine barrel, a white wine jug, and a glass of light red plum wine.
“Ahhhhhhh!!!!! So delicate, so beautiful, the treasure boss knows everything, I’m following him!”
“I love wine, and I really want to try the fragrant plum wine.”
“Don’t even think about it, look at the people queuing up [picture]. If you know, you know they are waiting to eat. If you don’t know, you might think it’s a waiting hall!”
“F**k! There are too many people. If it’s like this every day, won’t it affect traffic?”
“Is this a traffic problem? This is a customer flow problem! It won’t be long before the Demon Fish Shop alone can boost the economy of the entire old street!”
“I saw an opportunity to make a fortune.”
“Me too”
“Bye, I’m on my way to the old street, business opportunity is here–“
“…”
*
When lunch time came, Lin Jiu opened the door for business.
Most of the people outside the door have already left, and some have not left yet. They hope the boss won’t be too heartless.
Boss Lin was heartless. “First table, please come in.”
The first table was occupied by two mature men. They refused to allow others to join them and sat at the table alone.
Those who didn’t line up were dissatisfied, “It’s clearly a table for four, but there are only two people sitting there, boss, can’t you make some arrangements?”
Lin Jiu said: “No need to arrange, I just look at the number of tables.”
One person is a table, and four people are also a table.
“Boss, are you a Buddhist? If you are only maximizing profits, it doesn’t matter if the store is small, as long as the seats are full.”
“No need.” Lin Jiu said in a light tone, “In the Demon Fish Restaurant, customers have the right to occupy a table alone.”
The purpose of entering a restaurant is to enjoy delicious food, not to accommodate or feel uncomfortable. Some people are not used to sharing a table with strangers. They pay for their meals, so why can’t they have their own table? Why do they have to share their dining space with others?
In order to allow guests to enjoy their dining space more comfortably, Lin Jiu went through a lot of trouble last night. He asked the system to slightly adjust the seats on the first floor to make people feel more comfortable.
As soon as Lin Jiu spoke, some thought he was foolish, while others cheered loudly.
Most people have had the experience where, despite not liking it, they reluctantly agree to share a table with strangers just to enjoy their favorite food.
But Lin Jiu was different. He either wouldn’t enter the restaurant or, once inside, he insisted on dining in comfort and relaxation, with no compromises or reluctance.
The two men had something to discuss and didn’t want to share a table with strangers. Initially, they worried the owner might not agree, but to their surprise, the owner was so considerate of his customers. Relieved, they entered the restaurant, ready to enjoy their meal.
“Next table, please.”
The second group was four people, seemingly willing to share a table. Lin Jiu had no objections as long as they were fine with it.
The third table was also four people.
The fourth table had three friends.
“Next table, please.”
At the fifth table were two young women: one tall and slim, the other round and curvy.
The tall woman was trying to persuade her friend, “…You won’t know if it works until you try. Didn’t people online say eating shrimp can help?”
Her friend hesitated, “I can’t just eat anything.”
“How is this ‘just anything’? Didn’t you see a post where a girl said her years of menstrual pain were cured with just a bowl of hot soup? She didn’t experience any pain for two months! You should give it a shot.”
Someone in the queue, seeing that the fifth table hadn’t gone in, got impatient and said, “Are you going to eat or not? If not, let us go.”
The tall woman glared at them. “What’s the rush? Do you think I stood in line for hours just to complain about my legs being too thick?”
Her friend tugged at her sleeve, “How about you eat, and I’ll just keep you company?”
“Why do you always hesitate? You’re always worried about this and scared of that. Instead of wasting time fretting, just ask the owner directly.”
“Hey…” The friend tried to stop her, but the tall woman had already started speaking.
“Owner, people say shrimp can help with lactation. Do your shrimp help with that? My friend’s baby is only two months old, and she often has blocked milk ducts. During her confinement, she had a fever of 40°C because of it, and her breasts got so hard they felt like stones. We’ve tried everything, but it keeps happening. I came here alone, but when I saw all the shrimp, I thought I’d call my friend to try it out. Does it work?”
Her friend blushed furiously, embarrassed that such a private matter was being discussed in public.
Some people in the crowd were waiting to watch the drama unfold, while others perked up their ears, eager for the answer. After all, who hasn’t dealt with blocked milk ducts during breastfeeding? Even if they hadn’t, they likely knew someone who had.
Lin Jiu calmly replied, “It works. I recommend the fresh shrimp porridge and grilled shrimp legs for fast results.”
Since the magical properties of the shrimp from the Demon Lobster species included lactation benefits, Lin Jiu spoke confidently.
As soon as he said this, the crowd buzzed with chatter.
Lin Jiu’s certainty made some skeptical.
Someone had been filming the whole time, and this unexpected scene was quickly shared on social media with an attention-grabbing title, sure to attract followers in no time!
Someone else cautioned, “Breastfeeding women shouldn’t eat random things. It could affect the baby.”
The tall woman snapped back, “That sounds just like something a meddling mother-in-law would say.” Then, she pulled her friend into the restaurant.
Just as Lin Jiu was about to close the door, a girl loudly asked, “Boss Lin, can you tell us when Si Xu will be coming to eat here?”
Lin Jiu paused, gave them a cold look, and replied, “No.”
The star-chasing girls on the roadside were left speechless.
“Ahhh!!! That look from the boss Lin was everything!”
“Dark, brooding male lead with a cold beauty—I’ve already imagined the whole story!”
“Stop! I’m a diehard fan of the Si Xu!”
“Didn’t you notice that like he gave? Has he ever liked anyone’s post before?”
“I refuse to analyze it! He’s ours, forever!”
The star-chasers quickly split into two factions—those shipping him and those who only liked him solo—almost coming to blows over it.
*
For lunch, no one ordered the steamed shrimp claws; the price alone ensured it wasn’t a common choice.
The first table ordered fresh shrimp porridge, grilled shrimp legs, and shrimp tail sashimi.
The shrimp porridge was made by boiling the shells of the Demon Lobster, then cooking it with jade marrow rice and shrimp roe. The result was a golden porridge without a single shrimp shell, soft and fragrant with an incredible taste.
Each grilled shrimp leg was as thick as three fingers, with the shell already cut open to reveal the white, tender meat inside, seasoned with a special sauce that made it exceptionally delicious.
The shrimp tail sashimi was crystal clear and tender, with a delicate sweetness that lingered.
Tables two and three shared their tables and ordered various dishes, while the fourth table ordered the same as the first.
The last table followed Lin Jiu’s recommendation, ordering shrimp porridge and grilled shrimp legs.
Without exception, everyone fell in love with the food after just one bite. Even the first table, who had come to discuss business, couldn’t find the time to talk as they were too busy savoring the meal.
The hesitant friend nearly finished the entire double portion of shrimp porridge, along with quite a bit of the grilled shrimp legs. As she was eating, she suddenly bent over, trying to cover her chest in embarrassment, wishing she could hide under the table.
“What’s wrong?” the tall woman asked.
In a small voice, her friend replied, “I’m leaking milk. What should I do?”
The tall woman leaned over and saw that her friend’s clothes were already wet. It was an awkward situation.
The tall woman looked around, trying to find something to cover her friend, but instead, she heard the pleasant voice of the owner.
“There’s a button on the wall. If you don’t want to be disturbed, you can lower the bamboo curtains,” Lin Jiu, with his keen hearing, had overheard their conversation despite their low voices.
The tall woman smiled gratefully, found the button on the wall, and pressed it. There were three buttons corresponding to three directions. Once all three curtains were lowered, they had a private space where her friend could change her nursing pads without being disturbed.
The system-provided automatic bamboo curtains could be raised or lowered automatically, creating a refined and private space. The first table, seeing this feature, also lowered two curtains to separate themselves from the second table, creating a relaxing and comfortable space.
The fourth table followed suit, leaving only the second and third tables exposed. Since they were strangers, it only made their shared space feel more awkward.
The people who agreed to share a table were already regretting it. It was rare to get a chance to eat here, and instead of fully enjoying it, they had to share with strangers, which felt like a loss. Even though the other person offered to cover part of the bill, they still felt uncomfortable.
The second and third tables finished their meals, paid, and left.
However, the other three tables stayed. The atmosphere in the restaurant was too comfortable, and after enjoying their meal, they decided to chat for a while.
The shy friend couldn’t believe it as she pressed on her chest. “The lump in my breast is really gone.”
The tall woman laughed, “Your breast lump ended up in the nursing pad.”
With the pain gone, the friend visibly relaxed. “This worked so well! I should eat more and try to get rid of all the lumps for good.”
“Relax. Don’t stress. If the lumps come back, we can just return.”
After finishing their shrimp porridge and shrimp legs, the two tidied up, put the bamboo curtains away, and got ready to pay.
Since both had babies at home, they couldn’t stay out for too long, otherwise, they would have been reluctant to leave so soon. The restaurant was so cozy that it naturally made people want to stay and relax. In fact, you could sit there all day without even eating.
The tall woman scanned to pay. “Boss, I suspect you’re secretly running a medicinal kitchen. You said it would help with lactation, and it really did! My friend didn’t even finish the shrimp porridge, and her lump disappeared. It’s almost too magical to believe, like something out of a TV show.”
The other two tables, who hadn’t left yet: “…”
The shy friend blushed and tugged at the tall woman, urging her to tone it down and not be so outspoken.
Behind his mask, Lin Jiu’s face remained expressionless. “As long as it worked.”
The tall woman was taken aback.
She thought the young owner would be embarrassed, but instead, he was so calm and even responded nonchalantly. The tall woman was completely won over.
“You’ve been a huge help. I’ll spread the word for you. No need to thank me.” The tall woman waved casually and left with her friend.
Lin Jiu: “…”
There wasn’t really a need for more promotion; the crowd gathering outside his door every day was already large enough.
