Chapter 42
At 7 PM, Jian Yunlan’s tricycle arrived punctually at the entrance of Lotus Pond Community.
Lotus Pond Community is located in the old district, and though the buildings are somewhat aged, the location is prime, close to the city center, and with affordable rent, making it a popular area. This is the time when many young people have just finished work, and several food stalls have already popped up in front of the community entrance, selling grilled skewers, hand-pulled pancakes, and takoyaki.
Directly opposite the community entrance is a square where elderly women are already lined up for their square dance. Many people are strolling, walking their dogs, or chatting nearby.
With such a bustling atmosphere, it’s clear there won’t be a lack of customers.
After picking a spot, Jian Yunlan parked his tricycle and began setting up his stall right there.
Since there are many ingredients for the spicy hotpot, to give customers the freedom to choose, Jian Yunlan brought an extended tabletop. Various ingredients were neatly organized on the table—fresh beef slices, different types of meatballs, beef tripe, potatoes, lotus root, tofu, enoki mushrooms, etc. Under the warm yellow lights, they appeared bright and inviting, emitting a mouth-watering glow.
There were also various colorful condiments, including chili powder, spicy oil, sesame oil, and garlic, neatly arranged in delicate porcelain dishes.
While Jian Yunlan was busy preparing, the transformed dog-like Taotie wasn’t idle either.
It seemed that the arrival of Hu Dangui made him feel a sense of crisis. Typically avoiding work, Taotie was unusually active today. He even went around the street food stalls for a survey and returned with numbered wristbands, from No. 1 to No. 100. Customers could pick a number, making it clear who was next and preventing disputes.
At this moment, the large dog Taotie was wearing a small basket around its neck, head lowered, proudly organizing the numbered wristbands.
As for Hu Dangui, since it was her first day working, Jian Yunlan asked her to stay inside the True Heart Ruyi Lantern and observe.
… During the time Jian Yunlan was busy, some customers began to notice the new food stall.
Feng Danqing had just finished work. Weary, she was heading home, just wanting to grab something quick to eat before lying down to rest. Even though it was only Monday, she was already so tired she didn’t care about anything.
“This job is really draining!”
“Spicy hotpot? Looks good.” Spotting the new food stall at the entrance of the community, Feng Danqing’s interest was piqued.
The stall looked clean and inviting, with warm lights and a clear display of ingredients that seemed fresh and appetizing.
Most importantly, the owner of the stall was incredibly handsome! He wore a transparent mask and a simple floral apron, standing there effortlessly, almost like a painting.
Why would such a young, handsome Alpha be selling spicy hotpot at the entrance of a community? Feng Danqing was curious.
“Boss, how much is the hotpot?” Feng Danqing couldn’t help but ask.
“It’s not ready yet, you’ll need to wait a bit,” Jian Yunlan smiled and said, “One hundred per serving, choose your own ingredients.”
“???”
A hundred?!
Feng Danqing widened her eyes. Did she hear that right? One hundred per serving for hotpot?
Her gaze shifted as she looked at the stall owner again.
The owner was handsome, but beauty couldn’t make the food affordable. A hundred for a serving? As an ordinary office worker, she couldn’t afford that.
“Uh,” Feng Danqing awkwardly turned her gaze, laughing lightly. “I’ll think about it.”
“Mm,” Jian Yunlan nodded.
He understood the concerns his customers might have.
The pricing from the culinary system couldn’t be changed, and according to its true evaluation, a single serving of spicy hotpot could easily be worth over a thousand yuan. Since the price couldn’t be modified, Jian Yunlan came up with the idea of “choose your ingredients.” He gave each customer a bamboo basket, and they could fill it with as many ingredients as they wanted.
Though many street food stalls seem cheaper on the menu, the total cost often exceeds three digits when adding up the individual prices. In comparison, Jian Yunlan’s approach was actually more economical.
However, Feng Danqing hadn’t thought of this.
A hundred yuan for a serving of spicy hotpot at a street stall? It was way too expensive!
While she muttered about “thinking it over,” she was already turning away, heading in the other direction.
There were other hotpot chains a couple of hundred meters away, Zhang’s and Yang’s Spicy Hotpot. Their taste was decent, and with coupons, you could fill up for just thirty or forty yuan.
This was why there weren’t any independent spicy hotpot stalls around here. The area was dominated by the two big hotpot chains, making it tough for smaller vendors to compete.
Jian Yunlan had anticipated this reaction, so it didn’t affect his mood much.
He continued preparing to open his stall.
When making street spicy hotpot, the key was the large pot of soup. Jian Yunlan had the butler purchase a big iron pot. Now, he placed it on the stove and started heating it up, filling it with rich beef bone broth that had been simmered for hours. He added his homemade chili oil, resulting in a rich, smooth texture, with a bright red color and peppercorns and dried chilies floating in it.
When the lid was lifted, a burst of steam rose, and the fragrant aroma of the beef bone chili soup spread.
The entrance to the community was right at a crossroad, and the wind carried the delicious scent far and wide.
Just as Feng Danqing had turned her back, she immediately found herself rooted to the spot.
— Wow, it smells so good!
But it’s one hundred a serving… Feng Danqing gritted her teeth, using every ounce of willpower to force herself to walk toward Yang’s Spicy Hotpot…
Ugh, she felt a sense of helpless melancholy.
Not only Feng Danqing, but also the residents passing by the community, pedestrians, and even the ladies dancing in the square all smelled the fragrance.
The rich, savory scent was the classic taste of Sichuan-style spicy hotpot, with the rich beef bone broth and the spicy, fragrant chili oil. The aroma drifted in the autumn breeze, making everyone feel like they were already tasting the steaming, spicy goodness just by inhaling it.
Many people couldn’t help but glance around, searching for the source of the smell.
Just as Xu Lijun and Song Lanzhen were walking out of the community, wearing sportswear, they too were drawn in by the fragrance.
“Smells so good, is that spicy hotpot?” Aunt Song’s eyes began to wander, showing signs of wavering.
Though they had just eaten dinner, the smell of that spicy hotpot made them feel a bit hungry again.
Both Xu Lijun and Song Lanzhen were 60 this year, and they lived nearby, so they naturally became partners in their square dance sessions. They had eaten at home before coming down to join the exercise, swearing to lose ten pounds in three months to set an example for their younger relatives.
“Spicy hotpot isn’t very sanitary,” Xu Lijun was momentarily tempted by the smell, but quickly snapped back to reality, resolute. “It smells good, but you never know how many additives are in it, and it’s all made with gutter oil…”
Song Lanzhen: “Yes, yes.”
Encouraged by Xu Lijun, Song Lanzhen snapped out of her temptation, wiped her mouth, and both of them rejoined their square dance routine.
Just then, Song Lanzhen found herself distracted, the lingering smell still in her mind.
So this was how the emperor in that old story felt when he was seduced by a seductive concubine, neglecting his duties? QAQ
Song Lanzhen thought with a tearful expression.
Xu Lijun didn’t notice Song Lanzhen’s distraction.
“Sigh, Sister Song,” Xu Lijun said as they danced, worry in her voice, “My kid is such a headache. He’s almost thirty and still hasn’t found a partner. He has to rely on strong medication every month…”
Xu Lijun’s daughter is an Omega. In this society, Omegas are rare and precious, and she shouldn’t be worried about finding a partner.
However, her daughter is a web novel writer, spending all her time at home writing, sometimes not leaving the house for weeks. How could she possibly find a partner like that? Should she wait for a love that bursts in like a home invasion?
Her peer, Song Lanzhen, already has a granddaughter, while Xu Lijun’s daughter is still single, nearly thirty. Every time Xu Lijun thinks about it, she gets anxious and frustrated.
In this society, finding a partner is the most important thing for both Alphas and Omegas. If they don’t find a life partner before thirty, no matter how successful they are professionally, they will be considered failures by society.
This societal norm has been in place for so long, even leading to symptoms like “inhibitor shame,” where any older A or O still using inhibitors will feel embarrassed because they cannot rely on a partner’s pheromones to get through their heat period.
“My kid is already twenty-nine,” Xu Lijun said, her face full of worry. She couldn’t focus on her square dancing anymore and sulked to the side. “Is she really going to be left on the shelf?”
Song Lanzhen didn’t know how to comfort her, so she just accompanied her and said, “You can’t rush these things. Young people think differently than us. Look at Xiao Xu—she’s so successful as a novelist, and she lives comfortably. Isn’t that good?”
“What good is it?” Xu Lijun replied. “All her high school classmates already have kids, and she’s never even held an Alpha’s hand. I really don’t know where I can find an Alpha for her…”
Just then, Xu Lijun saw the owner of the new Spicy Hot Pot stall—
Tall, handsome, an Alpha!
Xu Lijun’s eyes lit up immediately.
The two women were chatting, and before they knew it, they had wandered over to the Spicy Hot Pot stall. But what caught Xu Lijun’s attention wasn’t the array of delicious dishes or the enticing spicy soup bubbling in the large pot; it was the young man behind the stall.
In this society, for safety reasons, all Alphas and Omegas are required to reveal their gender in public. When they first differentiate into an A or O, a small fluorescent mark is implanted on the side of their necks—blue for Alphas, orange for Omegas.
The stall owner had a tall, slender frame, a handsome face, and a blue light flashing from his neck.
Xu Lijun immediately had an idea.
Recently, she had been obsessing over the fact that her daughter, an almost thirty-year-old Omega, was still single, unable to sleep at night and stressing over it. Now, seeing such a handsome, suitable Alpha, Xu Lijun couldn’t care less that he was running a food stall. She just wanted to ask for his contact information for her daughter.
“Wow, he’s so handsome. I wonder if he has a partner?” Xu Lijun murmured, her eyes glowing.
“Yeah, it smells so good. I wonder how much a serving costs?” Song Lanzhen added, staring at the bubbling mala tang soup, also eagerly gazing at the stall owner.
Their conversation wasn’t on the same wavelength, but they just kept chatting.
“Should we ask?”
“Yeah!”
The two women nodded in agreement and hurried over to the stall.
“Boss, how much is a serving of Spicy Hot Pot?”
Song Lanzhen asked first, admiring the dishes under the warm yellow light. The beef looked top-quality with marbled fat, fresh and tender, while the tripe was skewered and chilled, plump and elastic, larger than her palm.
The giant pot of soup was filled with rich beef bone broth and red oil, with fragrant peppercorns and dried chili floating in the steaming mist.
She could hardly imagine how delicious it must be!
“100 yuan per serving, choose any ingredients you want,” the stall owner said, holding up a bamboo basket. “As long as it fits in this basket, it’s all 100 yuan.”
Hearing the price, Song Lanzhen thought it was a bit expensive at first, but acceptable—she knew good ingredients when she saw them. The beef and tripe were of excellent quality, the kind you would find only in high-end hot pot restaurants. A serving of Spicy Hot Pot would give her enough beef to make it worth it.
But when the owner said “choose any ingredients,” her eyes widened even more!
This bamboo basket was so large, almost like a small basin. You could fill it up as much as you wanted, all for 100 yuan?
Wasn’t he worried about going bankrupt selling like this?!
“I’ll have one!” Song Lanzhen couldn’t wait any longer. She immediately scanned the QR code and paid, saying, “Make it extra spicy, please.”
“Okay~”
It had only been twenty minutes since setting up, and there was already a customer. The stall owner, smiling happily, handed the basket to Song Lanzhen.
Song Lanzhen’s stomach was already growling. She eagerly began picking ingredients, adding three skewers of beef, five skewers of tripe, fresh lotus root, and plenty of enoki mushrooms…
The feeling of making your own Spicy Hot Pot was so satisfying!
Her basket soon piled up into a small mountain.
“Sister Song, are you really going to eat this?” Xu Lijun was shocked by her actions. She thought Song Lanzhen was just accompanying her to ask for the owner’s contact information, but now she was paying and picking ingredients so quickly.
Who knew what kind of ingredients this street food stall was using? Maybe it was all synthetic meat and gutter oil.
Although it smelled delicious, Xu Lijun didn’t dare eat any.
Moreover, with her mind focused on her daughter’s future, she couldn’t even bring herself to enjoy the meal.
Compared to this, Xu Lijun was more concerned about the food stall owner’s personal situation:
“Boss, what’s your name? How old are you? Do you have a partner?”
Xu Lijun immediately hit him with a triple question.
Upon hearing these questions, the gluttonous creature, who had been sorting number tags on the side, casually perked up its ears.
…Hmph, as a dignified glutton, it’s perfectly normal to show concern for the life situation of its servant, right?
Hearing this, Jian Yunlan blinked and only answered the first question: “My name is Jian Yunlan. You can call me Xiao Jian or Boss Jian.”
Upon hearing that, the gluttonous creature’s ears drooped again, tired.
Boring.
“Oh,” Xu Lijun wasn’t satisfied and took a step forward. “Well, the thing is, I have a rather useless child at home. She’s an Omega, looks decent, and is gentle…”
The gluttonous creature perked up its ears again.
What? Someone wants to introduce a partner for Jian Yunlan?
The golden eyes glanced at Jian Yunlan.
It seemed that this world had distinctions like Alpha, Beta, and Omega, and Alphas and Omegas were supposed to pair up.
The gluttonous creature knew that Jian Yunlan was an Alpha in this world, but the idea of someone trying to pair him with a stranger Omega felt strange, a little hard to explain.
But Jian Yunlan, being the type to focus on his stall, probably wouldn’t agree, right?
Before Jian Yunlan could respond, the lotus-shaped glass lamp hanging above the stall suddenly flickered and emitted a beautiful array of colored light.
By some strange chance, Xu Lijun’s gaze was immediately drawn to the light.
Without thinking, she stepped closer and looked up to examine it more carefully.
“Wow, such a beautiful lamp,” Xu Lijun couldn’t help but marvel. “The little figure inside looks so lifelike. This lamp must have cost a lot.”
The lamp had an antique feel to it, each lotus petal exquisitely carved with delicate patterns, looking like something you’d only find in a museum. Inside the warm light, a small figure was seated, wearing a Daoist robe with two cute buns on top of its head. The porcelain white, round face looked incredibly adorable.
Xu Lijun stared at the little figure, unknowingly becoming mesmerized, forgetting what she was talking about just moments before.
In her mind, a soft, sweet voice began to echo faintly: “The first goal in life isn’t to fall in love, but to fulfill the meaning of your life. Aunt Xu, think about it—your daughter is healthy, happy, and living a fulfilling life. Why should you force her to fall in love?”
The voice continued, sounding babyish, yet somehow convincing, “When you brought this life into the world, wasn’t it for her to be safe and happy?” “There’s no set age for what you should do at certain times. The idea that you must get married by thirty is just a false premise…”
Xu Lijun felt as if her soul had drifted into a secluded, ethereal paradise, where there were towering mountains and flowing rivers, painted like an ink wash painting. There, a Daoist immortal in robes was sitting with her, drinking and chatting.
When her soul returned to her body, Xu Lijun felt as if her entire being had been cleansed.
She opened her eyes, and all her previous anxiety and confusion were gone, replaced by peace and contentment.
“Master, I understand now!”
Xu Lijun said, opening her phone and sending a message to her daughter: “Dear, whenever you decide to fall in love or not, I won’t interfere. What matters most is that you’re happy [smile].”
She then put her phone down, feeling a happiness and contentment she had never felt before.
Why had she been so troubled by insignificant things recently, unable to enjoy the happiness right in front of her?
Now that she was calm, Xu Lijun felt as if the world had been renewed, and even the roadside Spicy Hot Pot that she had once disliked now seemed spicy and enticing…
Wait, it wasn’t just an illusion.
It really smelled good!
Xu Lijun stared intently at the soup pot, where the red, oily soup was bubbling. She could still see the large bones inside. This wasn’t some gutter oil—it was genuine, freshly simmered beef bone broth. The color was so delicate, and the oil droplets shimmered. Tsk tsk.
“Boss Jian, I’d like an order of Spicy Hot Pot too!” Xu Lijun said.
“Alright.” Jian Yunlan smiled slightly and handed her a bamboo basket.
“…”
On the other side, Song Lanzhen had finished picking her ingredients, filling a large basket with various items.
At the same time, Song Lanzhen felt something tugging at the hem of her clothes.
“Hey!” Looking down, she saw a majestic and handsome silver long-haired dog.
The dog stood elegantly, obviously well-trained. From its golden pupils, Song Lanzhen could even sense a regal air, as if it was a king looking down on everyone.
So cute!
The dog, with poise, extended its paw, and on its paw was a numbered wristband. The number tag was pristine and beautiful, with a white jade-like texture, engraved with ‘No. 1.’
“Boss Jian, is this your dog?” Song Lanzhen looked up at Jian Yunlan. “It’s so cute and handsome, you’ve trained it so well.”
The gluttonous creature proudly lifted its head.
“Yes, it’s giving you your number tag. It will call out the number once the food is ready,” Jian Yunlan explained.
“Heh.” Song Lanzhen laughed. This Spicy Hot Pot boss was confident—he didn’t have many customers, but still went as far as to set up number tags. It looked quite professional.
It’s good for young people to be confident.
…At this moment, Song Lanzhen couldn’t foresee just how many people would later fight over that number tag, or the drama and conflict that would arise around it.
Meanwhile, Xu Lijun had finished scanning and paying, and was now picking out her ingredients. Song Lanzhen noticed that she seemed to have shaken off her previous tired and listless demeanor. She was surprised. “Lijun, are you sure you can eat this Spicy Hot Pot? I thought you didn’t have an appetite.”
“Why couldn’t I eat?” Xu Lijun showed a calm smile, and surprisingly, looked a few years younger. “I’ve got a good appetite now. Don’t worry about unnecessary things, it’s just a good time to be alive~”
Song Lanzhen: “…”
She wasn’t sure what had happened, but Xu Lijun seemed like a completely different person.
However, Song Lanzhen didn’t dwell on it for long.
Her attention was quickly drawn to the soup pot.
Jian Yunlan took the two baskets from them, placing the ingredients into a strainer, and immersed it in the bubbling red oil broth. The beef bone broth was already boiling, its red, shiny oil surface was incredibly inviting, bubbling away with a constant stream of steam.
Just watching this scene and hearing these sounds was so soothing!
The tender fatty beef quickly changed color in the pot, curling up as it soaked up the spicy red oil…
*
Meanwhile, in the “Multiverse Live” streaming room.
The “Dark River, Bright Light” special section had been open for half a day, and the faster streamers had already met with the main characters, the protagonist Fu Changfeng (the ‘top’) or the protagonist Yu Ming (the ‘bottom’).
The Lotus Pond neighborhood, where the protagonists lived, was the main area where most streamers operated, with their backgrounds all fairly similar.
Some streamers had infiltrated the summer camp attended by the protagonist Fu Changfeng, applying as internship teachers in order to get close to him;
Others waited by the entrance of the Lotus Pond neighborhood for Yu Ming to finish school, trying to start a conversation with him to become familiar;
There were even those who set up stalls at the entrance of the Lotus Pond neighborhood…
Wait, a stall?
[…]
[Where’s the twist??!!! Where’s the plot twist???!!!]
[Wait, they really set up a stall? Haven’t even seen a hair of the protagonists? What are you 100,000 viewers even watching…]
[Don’t you think Jian Boss’s Spicy Hot Pot stall stream looks so soothing? Just watching that bubbling beef bone soup is so relaxing~ (Sighs in bliss)]
[I can see it, but I can’t eat it—what’s so soothing about this? It’s just making me so hungry, ahhhhh!!]
[The elimination criteria for ‘Dark River, Bright Light’ are very strict. If the plot isn’t changed by at least 5% within 48 hours, they’ll be immediately eliminated. This streamer is literally just setting up a stall, they’re probably going to be eliminated soon.]
[Jian Boss: So what? Do I look like I care? (Setting up stall like a pro.jpg)]
