Food Stall: Customers Chase Me across the Country

Chapter 462 - 460: The Irresistible Spicy Sticks

Wang Fan took out a slotted spoon and fished out the spicy strips already soaked in red oil chili sauce from the basin.

Red oil slid along the spicy strips and dripped back into the pot through the holes in the spoon.

The oil on the spicy strips quickly stopped dripping, and now they looked exactly like the spicy strips from childhood.

The eyes of several international students who had been craving this for years were fixed on the spicy strips, eager to let their taste buds experience that familiar yet unfamiliar flavor.

Wang Fan picked up a piece with tongs and placed it in his hand, slowly putting it into his mouth under the eager gaze of the crowd.

The moment the spicy strip entered his mouth, Wang Fan felt a rich aroma explode in his head, followed by a fiery sensation spreading across his tongue.

The spicy taste was mixed with sweetness, saltiness, and numbing flavors, overwhelming his taste buds.

The non-fried gluten was rather soft, but because it was wrapped tightly, it still had a satisfying texture when bitten into.

The wheat aroma mixed with bean aroma, combined with the red oil that oozed with each chew, was a rich flavor unmatched by any artificial additives.

Chewing also broke tiny sesame seeds, making the texture more interesting and adding a new aroma, making the whole spicy strip more refreshing.

Stuffing the remaining half into his mouth, he picked up some more with the tongs and handed them to Gu Zhengchao.

Gu Zhengchao took it and passed some to Qin Lu.

"This doesn’t need to be paid for; I can afford some flour."

"But we agreed beforehand..."

Gu Zhengchao’s words were interrupted by Wang Fan: "You’ve helped me so much, what’s a few spicy strips? Besides, these are useless things, the real money-makers are over there."

He pointed to another basin after speaking.

Gu Zhengchao and Qin Lu looked where he pointed, surprisingly seeing the water from washing the gluten earlier. They both scratched their heads in confusion, "What can you do with a basin of washing water?"

Wang Fan smiled and handed the tongs to Qin Lu: "Help distribute these spicy strips. If these foreigners want to buy them, you can sell some for me, though I doubt they’d be interested in such greasy stuff."

Having said this, he really stopped paying attention, and walked away towards that basin of water.

Qin Lu and Gu Zhengchao exchanged glances, unsure whether to listen to Wang Fan.

Finally, Gu Zhengchao shrugged helplessly: "Alright, let’s listen to Brother Wang. It’s not worth getting petty over a few spicy strips."

Qin Lu thought it made sense and picked up the tongs to the others: "Come on, Brother Wang’s treating us to spicy strips."

"Huh? Isn’t that inappropriate?"

The international students felt a bit embarrassed hearing this, not used to such hospitality coming from the coldness abroad.

Gu Zhengchao said: "Don’t be formal with Brother Wang. We’ll return the favor once we’re back in the country."

"Treat him with spicy strips?"

Gu Zhengchao rolled his eyes, not wanting to engage with this zero-emotional-intelligence blockhead.

While they ate happily, Edward couldn’t help but exclaim: "Hey, guys, I’ve been waiting here forever. Why won’t you sell me this little stick?"

"Huh? Don’t you dislike eating greasy things? This is really greasy, I tell you."

Edward shook his head: "It looks like an oriental snack, and I’m interested in trying it. Can you sell me some?"

Remembering Wang Fan’s words, Gu Zhengchao nodded: "Sure, it’s not impossible. 1 Euro per strip."

"Hiss..."

Upon hearing Gu Zhengchao’s price, Qin Lu and a few other international students gasped.

Dude, that’s outrageous!

Spicy strips for 1 Euro each? That’s almost eight bucks!

Edward protested: "Mate, that’s too expensive. Can’t you make it cheaper?"

Gu Zhengchao nodded: "Of course, 1 Euro each, but 4 Euros for 5. And 7 Euros for 10. No more than that."

Edward took out his phone to calculate which was cheaper, 5 for 4 Euros or 10 for 7 Euros, and decisively said: "I’ll take 10."

"Wise choice."

Gu Zhengchao spoke as he wrapped the spicy strips in oiled paper, taking the 10 Euros Edward handed over.

Edward eagerly received the spicy strips and immediately brought them to his nose.

The aroma was intensely fragrant, yet not overpowering. However, the strong chili scent made him nervous, unsure if his mouth could handle it.

Qin Lu watched Edward curiously, wanting to see how these foreigners reacted to Huaxia snacks.

"Beautiful lady, although I’m handsome, you can’t just keep staring at me like that; I’m very shy."

"Cough, cough..."

Qin Lu didn’t expect this foreigner to be so cheeky, his words made her feel like peppers pierced her throat. She quickly popped a cherry tomato sugar hawthorn into her mouth, pressing down the rising spiciness.

The spice was suppressed, but the experience gave Qin Lu a bold idea.

These spicy strips seem to pair excellently with cherry tomato sugar hawthorn.

With this thought, she took a bite of the spicy strip, and as the spiciness emerged, she took another bite of cherry tomato, chewing them both together.

The cool sugar coating immediately toned down the fiery spiciness of the strip, and with each chew, the spicy, salty, and numb mix with the sweet and sour of the sugar hawthorn in perfect harmony. The unique taste and texture made her close her eyes in pleasure.

"You guys should try eating spicy strips with sugar-coated hawthorn. I feel like I’ve discovered a new continent, hahaha."

Hearing Qin Lu’s words, Gu Zhengchao also popped half a spicy strip into his mouth, then ate a strawberry sugar hawthorn.

"Well, I’ll be! This really seems to bring together spicy, sweet, salty, and sour all at once, only lacking bitterness to complete the five strange elements."

"No, there’s no lack of bitterness; what could be more bitter than life’s hardships? Think about your troubles over the years while eating, and you’ve got the whole package."

"But seriously, thanks to Brother Wang. I’ve been in a bad state recently, unable to adjust myself. Eating these spicy strips and sugar hawthorn made me feel much better."

During this, Edward quietly did not join the international students’ chat.

He was carefully placing a spicy strip into his mouth.

"Huh... hiss..."

As soon as the strip entered his mouth, the fiery spice made him gasp, slightly exceeding his tolerance limit.

Yet, soon enough, the flavors of sweet, salty, and a hint of sour neutralized the spiciness a bit, making it swallowable.

Braving the fiery sensation, he chewed hard.

The original greasy feeling was absent, but the soft yet chewy texture delighted him.

"Oh my God, it’s like this mysterious Eastern snack is showing me love! Why else would my lips feel a tingling shock, even more amazing than kissing a girl!"

"Huh... hiss... awesome! My mouth is all spicy hot, but eating a sugar hawthorn is like gulping down a firefighter, instantly cooling my mouth with a refreshing chill. This feeling is exhilarating!"

Edward appeared exhilarated, babbling excitedly in French.

This instantly piqued the interest of the onlookers.

What could be more electrifying than kissing?