Wasteland Border Inspector - Chapter 967
Chapter 967: Chapter 307: S-Class Chef, Pioneering a New Era! (Part 3)
With the current industrial structure of Happiness City, there really aren’t any scarce goods to sell.
Everyday groceries and necessities can be bought at the small convenience store; there’s no need to specifically go to Ancient Street in A1 District.
The residents’ living needs are also minimal—having a radio is considered luxurious.
But the core issue remains that the existing economy hasn’t been able to cycle properly. Most people don’t have spare money, with funds concentrated in the hands of department personnel and inspectors.
Happiness City recovers funds through Inner City admission fees but hasn’t found a reasonable redistribution channel.
Fortunately, the labor-for-relief infrastructure project has made a good start; this winter many people should be able to save some surplus, laying the foundation for next year’s consumption cycle.
Moreover, autumn’s caravans are few and far between this year.
During the crucial decision window for caravans, Stone Province was shrouded by Void Mist for a long time, and most caravans directly abandoned their plans to go to Stone Province. Even after the mist dispersed, they didn’t adjust their plans.
Scarce goods from outside were originally an important means to stimulate consumption, but with caravans at a standstill this year, the consumer market is even quieter.
“As long as everyone thinks about living well, everything will turn out well!”
Cheng Ye comforted them with a few words, and Long took the opportunity to call over a dozen talented newcomers to the community to meet Cheng Ye.
Seeing the legendary Inspector Cheng, everyone felt both surprised and delighted, unable to hide their excitement—their state mirrored that of the citizens of Dapo Town.
With a backbone, all things suddenly had clear direction!
As everyone gathered, Cheng Ye simply began talking about the prospects of the fish processing plant, including product pricing, sales strategies, and such.
How much to sell a fish for, what pricing for a can, whether to run promotions, if early publicity is needed…
As soon as the topic was opened, everyone immediately voiced their opinions fervently, with the discussion becoming lively and animated.
Cheng Ye listened with a smile, and before he knew it, more than an hour had passed.
Just then, mouth-watering scents wafted in from the back door of the mall, as Er Long’s wife, Jiang Lalan, came in with a large tray, on which were more than a dozen plates.
Zhou Kuan was intent on making an impression, opting for a different approach in choosing dishes.
The offerings were all cold dishes, rather than starting with heavily flavored stir-fries; instead, they maximized the original freshness of the ingredients.
And this flavor was just right for people accustomed to bland nutrient paste.
“Come on, everyone have a taste.” Cheng Ye picked up chopsticks, sending a piece of cold cucumber into his mouth, “This is also his evaluation; maybe in the future, we’d mark out a storefront for him on the pedestrian street.”
Sweet and sour flavors spread on the tongue, with the mild spice enhancing the pure aroma of the cucumber.
Long also picked up the chopsticks earnestly, awkwardly retrieving a few strands of potato, and the rush of fresh sweetness to his nose widened his eyes. “Delicious! It’s better than what we had during the big development!”
Others all dug in, including the three Elders, and all gave exceedingly high praise.
Cheng Ye couldn’t help but chuckle—is this a stroke of luck, stumbling upon a chef with S-level talent?
As people nearly finished the cold dishes, another aroma wafted from the back; this time, it wasn’t cold dishes but the scent of noodles.
Two people carried in a large pot of stir-fried noodles, with Zhou Kuan following behind, seeing the nearly empty plates on the table, completely assured.
“Inspector Cheng, the soup for ramen needs to simmer for over five hours to be flavorful; today was rushed, so I made stir-fried ramen. Please taste the flavor?”
The stir-fried noodles gleamed with a golden hue, coated with sauce, dotted with the verdant green of leafy vegetables, drawing the eye and appetite.
Cheng Ye served himself a bowl, carefully chewing a bite, feeling instantly impulsive enough to slap his thigh.
Damn, is it really this delicious?
Even in modern times, he hadn’t tasted stir-fried ramen with such flavor.
A hint of spice mingled in the noodles, turning into sheer freshness with each chew, making one keep eating, unable to stop.
“How did you make this flavor?” Cheng Ye stopped after eating half a bowl to ask.
“The basement spices are particularly comprehensive—I’ve used star anise, cinnamon, and other strong spices.” Zhou Kuan said humbly, “The heat control of stir-frying the ingredients is precise, allowing the soup to fully infuse the noodles. But I assure you, my ramen tastes even better than this!”
“Good! Good! Good!”
Cheng Ye nodded with satisfaction, taking another bite, uttering ‘good’ three times, indicating to the others, “Try it, give your feedback.”
Long, not to be outdone, filled a bowl to the brim, wolfing it down in one go.
With a familiar straightforward review, he looked straight at Zhou Kuan, nodding heavily: “Delicious!”
Realizing the person in front of him was famed as the formidable Poison Hand Dragon, Zhou Kuan paused, then quickly smiled sheepishly:
“As long as Brother Long likes it!”
Brother Long?
Oh no.
Cheng Ye almost spit out the noodles he hadn’t swallowed.
Long also scratched his head with slight embarrassment, saying, “You can just call me Brother Long, don’t omit the ‘Long’ in front.”
Compared to Zhou Changhai’s name, calling him Brother Long doesn’t quite infringe on Cheng Long’s taboo.
After all, in the wasteland, names like Dragon and Tiger, symbolizing courage and might, are commonplace.
A lively meal also served as a farewell for Cheng Ye.
During the meal, Cheng Ye made an on-the-spot decision to have Long dismantle the big meat shop at the entrance of the electronics factory complex, to instead give him a good location like B8 or B9, and also make a deal for the adjacent purchase point, then renovate it for Zhou Kuan to open a restaurant.
After the meal, Cheng Ye repeatedly declined a send-off, but the three Elders and the community’s core members insisted on accompanying him to the North Inspection Station.
“Inspector Cheng, safe travels!”
The three Elders extended their wrinkled hands, shaking Cheng Ye’s in turn, their voices full of genuine concern.
Never having been solemnly seen off like this by elders before, Cheng Ye felt warmth in his heart, paused and took a deep breath to suppress the emotional swell.
Long and Er Long also gathered around, solemnly stating, “Sir, the wilderness outside is full of dangers, you must take care!”
“No worries.” Cheng Ye nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the more than forty people in front of North Station, his tone calm yet firm, “My kindness and compassion are reserved for those who deserve it.”
With that, he turned and stepped inside the inspection station.
The group from the community quickly ran to the side of the defense line, gazing from afar beyond the caution line.
Until the off-road vehicle drove out of the inspection station, rushing into the vast wilderness, the rearview mirror still reflected dozens of hands waving in the wind.
“Inspector Cheng, although I’ve never met your grandfather, I feel now I have seen him.” Mu Shuang glanced at the shrinking figure in the rear-view mirror, her heart stirred, sincerely remarking.
“Really?”
“Yes, only someone like you could possibly pave the way for a new era!”
…