God-Level All-rounder Expert
Chapter 490 - 526, Beggar at the Door

Chapter 490: Chapter 526, Beggar at the Door

Huo Xiaoxuan didn’t blush or skip a beat, but instead intentionally puffed out her chest and proudly said, "What’s the matter, are you jealous? These are all natural; no matter how hard you try, they will never grow as big as these in your lifetime."

"Ha ha ha!"

Her words immediately caused everyone to burst out laughing, not with any intention of mockery or ridicule, but simply because they found it amusing.

With Huo Xiaoxuan, the cheerful nut, the atmosphere at the barbecue stall intensified, which in turn attracted even more customers—not to mention Fang Yi, who was selling meat shirtless.

In the Red Light Night Market, there were far too many vendors selling their wares, offering almost everything imaginable. However, barbecue stalls were by far the most common. Someone had once done a survey on which street food stalls made the most profit, with barbecue coming in first.

Not because of a small profit from high sales, but because of exorbitant profits.

For example, a skewer of leeks cost one yuan, a palm-sized squid skewer cost six, and beer, originally five yuan a bottle, was sold here for seven or eight yuan—nearly a 100% markup. How could it not be wildly profitable?

Typically, a group of seven or eight people would sit down for barbecue, and sometimes the unscrupulous owner would overcharge a bit. Making hundreds of yuan off a single table was already immensely profitable, and then to potentially add a few dozen yuan more? It would be disgraceful not to make money.

Therefore, a lot of people set up barbecue stalls because it was fast cash. As long as the food wasn’t too terrible, you could basically make a profit. However, starting from these past few days, their businesses began to suffer.

It was simple—the business at Fang Yi’s barbecue stall was too good. The other nearby barbecue stalls were left deserted, to the point where you could roll a ball through without hitting anyone. Even some nearby stalls were severely impacted.

As a result, people began to eye Fang Yi’s Qingtian Barbecue with envy, with jealousy burning in many.

At the moment, a group of people gathered together, all staring at the booming Qingtian Barbecue stall with almost gritted teeth.

About five or six people huddled together, looking at their own stalls and then back at Qingtian Barbecue. A burly man in a tank top suddenly punched the side of a tricycle and cursed through his teeth, "Damn it, with business so good, how are we supposed to live!"

"Zhao Gang, calm down. If someone else’s business is good, it’s because of their skills. In business, we talk about fair competition," another man said.

"How the hell is employing four beauties to draw in customers fair competition?" Zhao Gang shot the man a sideways glance.

"You could also hire some beauties to attract customers," someone teased.

"I damn well wish I could, but where am I supposed to find such good-looking girls!" Zhao Gang cursed. "And you all better not just stand there making snide remarks. If things keep going like this, you’ll have to close up shop too, so don’t say I didn’t warn you."

The others fell silent because they knew Zhao Gang was telling the truth.

But that was precisely the issue. The competition hadn’t resorted to any underhanded tricks—if they had, they would certainly have confronted them by now. However, having observed for several days, they noticed that the other stall had simply hired four uniquely charming beauties to bring in customers. There was no rule against using beauties to draw people in; they could do it too.

Yet, they all knew even if they managed to find attractive women, they simply couldn’t compare to those four beauties—that was the disparity in capital.

"It’s a bit tricky. Although the guy is new here, he doesn’t seem to be average. If we start trouble and things get out of hand, it won’t be good for anyone," someone said.

The group was silent, frowning and deep in thought, trying to figure out how to drive the competition away. After all, their business was being taken, making life difficult for them!

"I’ve got an idea." At that moment, a man who resembled a skinny monkey spoke up, and the others all turned towards him.

This man was known by a nickname—the Skinny Monkey Man—renowned for his dark heart and his abundant cunning schemes. He was also exceedingly crafty.

"There are many crooked beggars around here, aren’t there? Send them a message that there’s free food being handed out here, and I guarantee a big crowd will come. Anyway, let’s first mess up that guy’s business," the slim monkey man said.

Several people clearly hesitated, but after looking again at the bustling BBQ stall, they all eventually agreed.

At the BBQ stall, Fang Yi glanced at the dense crowd behind him and felt immense pressure.

Just the day before yesterday, Fang Yi had come up with a marinade called ’Mouth Bewitching Fragrance.’ This ’Mouth Bewitching Fragrance’ didn’t contain any drugs or chemicals, just a blend of ordinary seasonings made into a paste, and it also had a hint of herbal medicine in it. He knew that once he brought out the ’Mouth Bewitching Fragrance,’ business would surely be good, but he still underestimated its power.

The scent carried for dozens of meters around and with existing customers included, the business was simply too good. Even Fang Yi couldn’t keep up with the pace, and he now realized that his BBQ stall was too small.

Yao Bo joined in as a helper, while Lin Shang was in charge of delivering skewers to each table. Han Xiuzhen didn’t join the other three women but assisted on the side with packaging.

Still, their efficiency did not improve, because the skewers Fang Yi made were just tastier than those from other BBQ stalls, otherwise he wouldn’t have such good business.

"Brother Yi, this won’t do; the business is too good. We must find more hands!" Yao Bo said while bustling around.

"Mm, let’s just get through tonight first," Fang Yi said.

After nearly four hours of constant work, even Zhou Peilan came to help with the money during the peak because Fang Yi and the others simply had no downtime.

It wasn’t until business slowed down and there were only a few sporadic customers that Fang Yi finally took a break. He lit up a cigarette and took a rest, planning to switch out with Yao Bo in a bit. Just as Fang Yi was smoking, a bottle of mineral water was handed to him.

"Peilan, thanks," Fang Yi said.

"Should we even say thanks to each other?" Zhou Peilan said, then took out a tissue to wipe Fang Yi’s sweat.

"Mm, then I won’t say thanks. I’ll make it up to you when I have time," Fang Yi said.

Hearing the word "make up," Zhou Peilan’s cheeks immediately turned red, and she couldn’t help but remember the incident in the office. She playfully slapped Fang Yi on the shoulder. At first, he was puzzled, but then he realized the ambiguity in his words and couldn’t help but grin.

Lin Shang, no longer in a maid’s outfit but in a tailcoat, happened to pass by and stopped. He said, "Peilan, I’m tired too. Look at the sweat on my face. Wipe it for me, will you?"

Zhou Peilan said, "You’re not as tired as Fang Yi. Wipe it yourself."

Lin Shang said, "Peilan, you can’t play favorites like this."

Zhou Peilan said, "I can wipe your sweat too, but tomorrow you man the grill, and Fang Yi will serve the tables."

Lin Shang touched his own face, and as if he had thought of something terrifying, shuddered and said, "...Never mind, my skin is not suited for such rough work."

After Lin Shang left, the two shared a smile, and Fang Yi felt that Lin Shang was getting more and more effeminate. Could it be an aftereffect of wearing a maid’s outfit the other day?

Fang Yi was halfway through his cigarette, enjoying Zhou Peilan’s care when suddenly there was a commotion at the BBQ stall. Then he saw customers in front of the stall start to run away alarmed, drawing Fang Yi’s attention.

Fang Yi stood up and saw about a dozen beggars circling in front of the stall, reaching for the cooked skewers, practically drooling with longing.

"What’s going on?" Zhou Peilan was puzzled.

"Don’t worry, I’ll check it out," Fang Yi said, then walked toward the BBQ stall.