The other side.
The pedestrians and shopkeepers on West City Old Street were baffled by an unusual sight.
A group of elderly men and women in their sixties were briskly walking down West City Old Street.
What's going on???
Are there supermarket discounts today?
Haven't heard of any!
As they wondered, they overheard a conversation among the elderly group.
"Old Jiang, where's that place you mentioned that sells pan-fried buns?"
"Just ahead... look, the one at the corner called 'So Delicious'..."
The pedestrians and shopkeepers were a bit surprised.
It's just pan-fried buns!
Is it really necessary?
They acted as if they were rushing to a supermarket sale.
Elder Jiang and five other elderly folks hurried to Huang Tao's shop.
As soon as Jiang stepped inside, he eagerly said, "Boss, give me ten pan-fried buns... hmm, make that fifteen... wait, better make it twenty to go..."
Huang Tao glanced up at him, recognizing the man.
It was the same elderly man who bought from him earlier.
Seeing his enthusiastic demeanor and the group of elderly folks behind him, Huang Tao instantly understood the situation.
As everyone knows, at the top of the food chain—it's the elderly group.
At this moment, a cold, emotionless voice from the system echoed in his mind.
[Detected that the host's shop has attracted a returning customer, triggering a side quest: The host must gain the favor of 300 returning customers in 3 days, completing the task will reward a random culinary skill.]
[Current number of returning customers: 1.]
Here we go again...
But now Huang Tao had no time for tasks because he was surrounded by continuous orders.
"Boss, I'd like 15 pork-filled pan-fried buns."
"I'll have 10 pork ones."
"Boss, I'll take 15 too!"
"Boss, no beef ones, only pork? Alright, get me 6 pork pan-fried buns then."
Elder Jiang became anxious: "Hey hey hey, line up, don't push, boss, I ordered first, make mine first, my family is waiting to eat, please hurry up..."
"Elder, don't worry, I'll pack them for you right away."
Huang Tao grabbed a food bag and started picking up the pan-fried buns with tongs.
As he packed the buns, Elder Jiang chatted, "Boss, how do you make these pan-fried buns? They're so delicious, definitely the best I've ever had. The taste... smack... exquisite, with a fluffy outer casing, crispy bottom, fresh filling, and juicy inside..."
Several passing pedestrians, observing the elderly group's buying power and hearing Elder Jiang's praise, instinctively glanced up at the shop sign.
Then, one by one, they smirked.
They all felt the Oscars owed these elders a golden statue.
Being West City Old Street residents, they frequented this area several times a week.
They knew exactly where to find dessert shops, supermarkets, breakfast places, and noodle houses.
And this shop was obviously newly opened.
To them, this elderly group was either misled by discounts or hired by the store owner.
This kind of trick...
They had seen it all before.
Like that news on Weibo about "lining up for 8 hours at a new milk tea shop."
Many found it hard to believe: Is the milk tea so good that people skip work or school to wait 8 hours for it?
Later, media exposure revealed it was all staged by the owner.
Of those queuing, 80% were hired by the shop owner.
It's said that standing for 8 hours could earn you 120 yuan.
Jeez!
All just a routine trick!
And honestly, who would rush to snatch pan-fried buns!
"Elder, here are your twenty pan-fried buns."
Here, after handing Jiang the packed buns, Huang Tao began preparing for the next customer.
"Received 60 yuan via WeChat."
"Your fifteen pan-fried buns are ready."
"Received 45 yuan via Alipay."
"You wanted ten, right?"
"That's right."
"Received 30 yuan via WeChat."
Seeing the initial batch of 80 pan-fried buns nearing empty, Huang Tao apologized, "Sorry, this batch sold out. Can you wait about ten minutes?"
"Sure."
The elderly who got their pan-fried buns began sharing with those like Old Li who hadn't.
"Old Li, here, have one, wait patiently..."
"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony..."
Old Li chuckled, took one, then handed it to his wife: "Dear, you try first, these pan-fried buns look so golden, the taste should be good as well."
"Okay, I'll try a bite first."
Granny Li briefly hesitated over the pan-fried bun, then decided to try it.
The bun was plump, the upper part topped with black sesame seeds and green scallions, with a slightly transparent, juicy, oily inside, truly thin-skinned, with a golden base.
It seemed generously filled, the skin not overly greasy, and smelled fragrant.
One bite, and rich juice flooded her mouth.
Savory and rich.
The meat nearly filled the entire bun, its outer skin soft but not sticky, with a sesame and scallion aroma in the mouth...
A single pan-fried bun with three layers of flavor!
Each layer was just right, a delightful surprise.
She started with skepticism.
But now.
She was completely won over by the pan-fried bun.
"How's the taste, dear?"
After watching her take the first bite, Old Li asked.
Granny Li, seeing the eager and somewhat hungry look on her husband's face, reluctantly handed him the rest of the bun, "It's good, you try it too, much better than the usual ones on the market."
"Ah! As long as it's good, I'll try it now."
Old Li had been craving since he got it but habitually let his dear eat first.
Now he savored the remaining bun, chewing it slowly.
The other elderly folks tried some, all enthralled by the delicious pan-fried buns.
"Wow! This pan-fried bun is absolutely amazing! So tender, so juicy, the freshness almost knocked my teeth out!"
"Goodness! One bite, and the oil bursts everywhere, filling your mouth with the lingering scent of fresh meat and sesame scallions."
"Yeah, this pan-fried bun is incredibly delicious. I've been alive for over 60 years and never had such a tasty pan-fried bun! Even if it means I'd drop dead right now after eating, I'd have no regrets."
"It's even better than the expensive ones I had at Xinlong Hotel! This is truly a delicacy of the human world! One bite beats being a living god."
"It would be great to have more flavors and sauces... Of course, even without sauce, it's already aromatic enough."
They chattered indistinctly, but their hands never stopped, eagerly stuffing the remaining pan-fried buns into their mouths.
Eating with oil all over their mouths!
The passing pedestrians who saw them ordering earlier now walked by again.
Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, they saw the elderly gathered, heads down, devouring bun after bun with expressions of bliss.
Those expressions... didn't seem fake!
Those pedestrians passing by again felt a sudden curiosity arise: Are the pan-fried buns from this shop truly that delicious?