A young man who had already clicked to confirm his payment shouted, "What do you mean, 'this product has been taken down'? Aren't there still five left?"
"Oh dear, young master, you can't do this to me! I specifically called my old partner over for this," the elderly man lamented, disheartened that his companion hadn't even had a chance to taste the delicious Ice Crystal Snow Silk Bun before it was abruptly removed from sale.
"Apologies, but it has already been reserved," Zhao Shen explained. The last five were set aside for Xiaoshuang; he couldn't simply tell others and have them run over for nothing.
"What? Reserved by whom? I'll have their head! My Ice Crystal Snow Silk Bun—I haven't had the last one yet! If I had known, I would have bought the limit right away!" Furong Sister's old companion lamented regretfully, realizing too late that he should have purchased more.
"Indeed, boss, you can't dangle such a tantalizing treat in front of us. After indulging in your buns, how can I find room for anything else?" Furong Sister added, casting a flirtatious glance at Zhao Shen, her makeup a bit too heavy for the occasion.
...
Hearing the old man's pleas, his companion grew restless; her once curious and gentle demeanor turned to dissatisfaction. "Old man, I'm done. I can eat something else."
"That's not the same! You've never tasted this young master's culinary skills. I once shared your skepticism, but after trying it, I became addicted; it's simply the pinnacle of my gastronomic experiences," the old man insisted with a wistful expression.
"Come now, it's just a bun; how special can it be?" she retorted.
The old man wore a knowing expression as he began to describe with gusto: "This young master's skill surpasses even the famed Qingfeng Buns I had in Xidan, Beijing. The skin is thin, the filling exquisite, light yet substantial, bursting with savory juices and delightful flavors. There's even a hint of jujube and egg fragrance! I can't determine the type of meat, but it's neither greasy nor heavy—quite perfect for our age, as our digestive systems cannot handle rich foods."
Even Zhao Shen couldn't help but glance over, surprised to find someone who appreciated fine cuisine. However, he truly was spent; his right arm hung limply at his side. The effort taken to craft those 150 buns had drained most of his energy.
Watching the old man animatedly describe the dish, his face aglow with excitement, Zhao Shen noticed him swallowing in anticipation while elaborating on the broth. Even Xiaoshuang seemed intrigued.
"Pfft!" came the sound of a jeep halting beside them, unable to navigate through the throngs of people ahead.
...
"Hmph, has this kid's shady shop incited public outrage?" Dayu scoffed, observing the scene with disdain.
Xiaoshuang shot him a glance, ignoring his comment, and pressed her way into the crowd.
"Excuse me, excuse me, Boss Zhao! I'm late! Where are your new products, and what are they?" Xiaoshuang finally squeezed through the throng, her cheeks flushed, radiating beauty.
"Shh, keep your voice down; I'll put them up immediately," Zhao Shen sent her a private message.
Xiaoshuang surveyed her surroundings, winking at Zhao Shen, her cleverness allowing her to understand the situation at a glance.
The crowd, indignant in their protests against Zhao Shen, suddenly noticed that he had resumed his stall state, frantically clicking to reveal the buns, only to find that the five had vanished in an instant.
"Boss Zhao, how could you do this? You put them up without a word, and I didn't even get a chance to grab one!" the elderly man lamented, left with no words to defend himself.
Zhao Shen realized, in the haste, he had mistakenly placed a Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun on the display.
...
"You shady merchant! Are you toying with us? You made Xiaoshuang come all this way!" Dayu exclaimed, seizing the opportunity to confront Zhao Shen.
Zhao Shen frowned at the familiar troublemaker.
"What are you talking about? While this young man upholds his principles, he is certainly not a fraud. In business, there is always honor among customers. We are all regulars here; how can you speak so carelessly?" the elderly man interjected, though saddened by his own lost opportunity, he was clearly protective of Zhao Shen.
"Exactly! If you're not buying, then step aside; no one forced you to come here looking for validation," Mu Yichun responded, a loyal supporter of Zhao Shen, disapproving of Dayu's antics.
"Honestly, nobody begged you to buy; everyone is here of their own volition! Who are you to judge?" even Furong Sister chimed in.
Dayu's expression darkened further as he listened to the crowd's responses. He had hoped to sow discord, but to his surprise, Zhao Shen had garnered a loyal following.
"Indeed, Dayu, why do you persist with this? Please don't entangle yourself with me further!" Even the usually amiable Xiaoshuang had reached her limit.
In that moment, anger surged within Dayu; everything stemmed from him, and if not for Xiaoshuang, he wouldn't feel this ire directed at Zhao Shen.
...
"Xiaoshuang, did you happen to buy a blue bun? Please give it to me!" Zhao Shen exclaimed, anxious that Xiaoshuang might mistakenly consume the Ming Leng Ku Cang bun, recalling the previous incident with the Culinary Master Spring Water.
"Oh? Is this the one?" Xiaoshuang retrieved the blue Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun from her bag.
Dayu, hearing this, snatched the bun from her hand, declaring, "What makes it yours? That belongs to Xiaoshuang!"
Having already burned bridges, Dayu sought to provoke a scene. Holding the Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun aloft, he shouted, "Everyone, look closely! You've all been deceived. This young man has reserved his best items for the fair maidens while you've waited endlessly in line for a mere bun. Is this the kind of merchant you wish to support?"
Gazing at the bun in Dayu's hand, the crowd's murmurs grew more uncertain. The bun, radiating a brilliant blue light, appeared even more exquisite than the Ice Crystal Snow Silk Buns they had previously purchased. Since Xiaoshuang had managed to acquire it so easily, it seemed Zhao Shen was indeed hoarding treasures.
Dayu smirked, but he had not yet achieved the desired uproar. He continued, "The buns you bought are so translucent; it's entirely possible they contain other ingredients! Perhaps that's what gives them their invigorating effects. Don't you wonder what you're consuming every day?"
"Give me that! I must reclaim that bun; I don't know what consequences may arise from consuming it," Zhao Shen implored, desperate to retrieve the Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun.
...
"Give it to you? Look at how anxious he is! That bun surely harbors some scandalous secret!" Dayu relished Zhao Shen's growing agitation, his voice escalating as he aimed to tarnish Zhao Shen's reputation.
"Oh my, could it truly be? How could such delicious buns exist in this world? Young master, what are these made of?" the old man voiced his concern, increasingly protective of his health in his advancing years.
"Surely not? They must provide beneficial buffs," Mu Yichun defended Zhao Shen, though he too was somewhat skeptical of how such a translucent bun could be made.
"Old fellow, I tell you, this young shopkeeper is a fraud! You've fallen into his trap! After a lifetime of kindness, you find yourself deceived in your old age," the old man's wife accused, pointing a finger at him.