NOVEL WEB Chapter 142
"Xiao Nuo, take mommy's phone and go line up at Yao Yao's stall to buy one order of Imperial Concubine Chicken Wings, one order of Chicken Bean Curd, and a cup of Osmanthus Oolong Milk Tea."
A parent, seeing how capable Lu Xi Yao was, decided to send their own kid to experience buying things independently.
The little girl named Xiao Nuo responded with an "Oh" and ran over. It wasn't clear if she fully understood, as she looked a bit confused. Other parents saw this and decided to do the same. If Lu Xi Yao could sell things so well, then at least their own kids should be able to buy things properly, right?
They couldn't let the gap be too big!
One by one, little kids holding their parents' phones lined up at Lu Xi Yao's stall.
"Mommy, I'm scared to go."
One child hesitated, feeling socially anxious and unsure of how to move forward without their mother holding their hand.
"What's there to be scared of? Look at Lu Xi Yao! She's chatting and laughing with complete strangers, and she just casually made someone buy an extra Ice Crystal Cake. Go and learn from her!"
"Wow! Boss Lu's daughter is incredible! She even knows how to act cute to get more sales! Who can resist that? You'd have to open your wallet willingly!"
Several little kids were pushed forward by their parents and soon joined the queue to buy food. When it was Xiao Nuo's turn, she timidly said:
"Lu… Lu Xi Yao, I want to buy…"
Lu Xi Yao interrupted her with a serious expression.
"Xiao Nuo, when we're outside, call me 'Little Boss Lady'."
"Oh, okay… Li-Little Boss Lady! I-I want Chicken Bean Curd, Chicken Wings, and Milk… Milk Tea."
From the back, Xiao Nuo's mom frowned.
"Why is my daughter stuttering?"
"Do you want Ice Crystal Cake? It's delicious! And how about some Crystal Shrimp Dumplings? Just one order, they're super tasty!"
"Okay… I'll take both."
"Got it!"
Lu Xi Yao carefully picked out each item, packed them into plastic bags, and tied them securely. Then, she used the tablet's voice assistant to calculate the total price. The parents watching were amazed.
"Wow, so smart! Is Boss Lu's daughter really this capable?"
Even other customers were impressed by this smart little boss.
"Damn! She's only in kindergarten, hasn't even learned double-digit addition yet, but she already knows how to use tools to help her! That's genius!"
"That'll be 176 yuan. Scan the QR code over there and pay."
Xiao Nuo froze, looking clueless.
"I… I don't know how to scan."
Her mom stomped her foot in frustration.
"Ugh!How can you be this clueless?! You've watched me buy things so many times! I even taught you right before coming here!"
Lu Xi Yao sighed, took the phone, and scanned the QR code for her.
"It's 176 yuan in total. Xiao Nuo, double-check it. Now enter your password."
Xiao Nuo scratched her head awkwardly.
"P-Password? I forgot it! Wait! Let me go ask my mom!"
Lu Xi Yao facepalmed, looking utterly speechless.
"What do you mean go back and ask? Just take the phone to your mom and let her pay!"
"Oh, oh, okay!"
"And don't forget your food!"
"Huh? Oh! Right!"
Xiao Nuo quickly grabbed her bag of food and ran back to her mother. Everyone watched her as she left.
Xiao Nuo's mother felt embarrassed.
"They're in the same kindergarten, but the difference is huge!"
Boss Lu's daughter was running a food stall like a pro, while her own kid couldn't even figure out how to buy food properly!
Even worse, the QR code had to be scanned for her, and she had just been taught how to do it!
The gap was just too big!
Meanwhile, a customer decided to test Lu Xiyao.
"Little Boss Lady, I'll trade you five lollipops and three White Rabbit candies for an Ice Crystal Cake, okay?"
He deliberately tempted her—because kids are usually easily swayed by candy. He spread out his hands, revealing a colorful assortment of candies, making it very enticing.
Nearby, Lu Qin was busy stir-frying Twice-Cooked Pork, but he glanced over and smiled, letting his daughter handle it herself. Some things, he had already taught her.
For example, she knew exactly how much a lollipop costs and the price of a bag of White Rabbit candy.
The customer thought,For a little kid, this should seem like a good deal.
But unexpectedly.
"Uncle, lollipops cost 50 cents each at the convenience store, and a bag of White Rabbit candy costs 10 yuan at the supermarket. There are 38 pieces in a bag—I counted! My Ice Crystal Cake costs 25 yuan per box. If I trade with you, I'll lose big time!"
"Besides, I only sell my Ice Crystal Cake for money. I don't do trades."
She blinked her big, intelligent eyes and analyzed the deal seriously.
The customer was stunned.
"Wow! This little boss is way too smart!"
He laughed heartily and handed her the candies anyway.
"Alright, alright! You win! The candy is a gift! Now, give me two boxes of Ice Crystal Cake, one order of Imperial Concubine Chicken Wings, and one Chicken Bean Curd."
Lu Xi Yao shook her head.
"I'll just take two White Rabbit candies. Thank you, Uncle! I don't need the rest. Eating too much candy causes cavities. Besides, even if you give them all to me, my dad will take them away anyway."
She spoke in a soft, sweet voice.
The customer burst out laughing and patted her head.
"This little cutie is way too clear-headed! And she's so polite! I almost want to take her home with me!"
The people around them also laughed heartily.
"Boss Lu's daughter is seriously smart!"
"She's adorable! I suddenly want a second child—I need a daughter! My firstborn son is a total mess, not obedient at all!"
Lu Qin watched his daughter's performance and smiled proudly.
"Looks like she's officially qualified to get her 'Little Boss Lady' certificate!"
A customer who had just ordered Mapo Tofu couldn't help but sigh.
"Boss Lu, your little boss lady is too smart! And way too cute!"
"If I had a daughter like this, I'd wake up laughing every day!"
Lu Qin smiled and continued cooking Mapo Tofu—adding the perfect blend of pork fat, beef tallow, and rapeseed oil to keep the dish sizzling hot and enhance the fragrance.
He stir-fried the beef quickly, adding cooking wine, Sichuan Douban sauce, fermented black beans, and chili flakes. As he tossed the wok, the rich aroma filled the air.
"That smells amazing!"
Customers were already drooling!
He then added tofu and sauce, simmering it for three minutes over medium heat. In the final steps, he sprinkled pepper powder and garlic shoots, then thickened the sauce twice before finally finishing it with a touch of Sichuan peppercorn powder.
The customers watched with anticipation.
"Boss Lu, you're seriously a pro!"
"This is real Mapo Tofu! It smells incredible!"
"I can't take it anymore!"
One customer couldn't wait, grabbed their serving, and immediately dug in.
"Ahh! So hot! But so good! It's so numbing and spicy!"
They were blown away by the taste—although it was just tofu, it was even more flavorful than meat!
"Eat slowly, don't burn your tongue," Lu Qin reminded.
"Ahh! Ouch!"
The customer did burn their tongue but kept eating anyway!
"Boss Lu! It's my turn! One Mapo Tofu and one Twice-Cooked Pork!"
"Got it, one moment."
After making two more orders, Lu Qin announced a 10-minute break. He and his daughter hadn't eaten dinner yet.