Barbecue Shop Niu Zhan

As dusk settled and darkness began to fall, Zhang Yang and Lin Jingmin left the hotel together, intending to go out for barbecue.

Outside the Star City World Commercial Street, the Cayenne slowly came to a stop.

"Did you come here often before?" Zhang Yang asked casually from inside the car.

"I come here often. There's a dance training center on the second floor. I've studied here before. Can you tell?" Lin Jingmin smiled and lightly twirled in place, demonstrating her posture and demeanor to Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang sized up Lin Jingmin's figure. To be fair, with her slender waist and long legs, she did indeed have a graceful and elegant appearance.

The two strolled through the Star City World Commercial Street, browsing around.

Walking through his own small business, Zhang Yang had a strange feeling, as if he were in his own territory, and felt an inexplicable sense of ease and reliance.

He didn't reveal that this place was his property, and just strolled around with Lin Jingmin.

"By the way, what industry do you work in?" Lin Jingmin suddenly asked Zhang Yang with great curiosity while they were strolling around.

"Just collecting rent, living a leisurely life every day," Zhang Yang said casually with a smile.

"Landlord, oh, I really envy you." Lin Jingmin's eyes immediately filled with envy. "You're not one of those people who owns multiple properties, are you?"

Zhang Yang smiled but remained silent, keeping everyone in suspense.

For example, he would never tell Lin Jingmin that the commercial street they were walking on, with its three floors and two hundred shops, was all his property.

"We've arrived over there," Lin Jingmin suddenly said, pointing to the crowded store not far away.

Zhang Yang looked over.

There was already a queue in front of Wind and Cloud Barbecue.

Some customers stood in front of the door, queuing up while placing their orders in advance.

"Is it really that delicious?" Zhang Yang chuckled.

"Anyway, I think it's pretty delicious. After all, it's purely charcoal-grilled and the flavor is authentic. It's just that the price is a bit expensive, and the owner's attitude isn't very good either," Lin Jingmin said truthfully.

"Why would you still go? Are you just looking for trouble?" Zhang Yang shook his head.

"The power of black and red, let's go try it." Lin Jingmin pulled Zhang Yang over to get in line.

At the shop entrance, the owner, with his arms bare, was taking orders.

This is a middle-aged man over fifty years old with a stocky build.

"Boss, we just want to try your roasted chicken feet. We won't be able to finish ordering too many," a customer who had come specifically to try them said in a consultative tone.

"You two only ordered about a hundred yuan worth of food, and you expect me to grill it? I won't even break even!" the owner cursed, showing no politeness. "No way!"

The guests were all good-natured and seemed to have done their research beforehand. Faced with such an attitude, they simply smiled and tried to reason with them.

Those around witnessed all of this, seemingly accustomed to it, and remained somewhat indifferent.

"Let me tell you, all the small skewers here start at ten, while chicken feet and kidneys start at two. We don't serve customers who spend less than one hundred per person!" The shop owner waved his hand, his face full of arrogance.

He spotted a mother with a young child who had just walked up to them.

"By the way, we don't accept anyone with children. They're too noisy and disruptive; I can't stand it." He waved his hand and turned the person away directly.

The mother was stunned, standing there, her face full of embarrassment and helplessness.

Although Zhang Yang had heard about it beforehand, he was still quite shocked to see this scene.

No, what's the situation with these consumers now?

Addicted to being roasted?

And yet people keep coming to eat?

He felt that the boss had probably discovered the secret to wealth: becoming famous by criticizing people, so he might as well go all the way with his criticism.

"Do you two want to eat? It's 200 yuan for the two of you. If you want to eat, bring your own notebooks and write your own orders." The shop owner noticed Zhang Yang and his companion.

"Two hundred is too much, let's go for less," Zhang Yang said casually.

"Order it or not, it's up to you. You brought a girl here for barbecue and you're being stingy. If everyone acted like you, would I even be able to keep this shop open?" The shop owner was just about to grab the menu when he heard this and slammed it on the table, retorting.

Zhang Yang was stunned.

Damn it, even when he was just an ordinary person, let alone now that he's made a fortune, he's never been treated like this before.

Now the entire commercial street belongs to him, and he still has to put up with the tenants' rudeness? Can't he tell the difference between king and queen?

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow and immediately wanted to get rid of him.

"Never mind, that's just how the boss is," Lin Jingmin quickly said, quietly tugging at Zhang Yang's sleeve.

"Try it first, it's well worth it."

Zhang Yang glanced at Lin Jingmin's pleading eyes, hummed in agreement, and remained calm, deciding to eat first and then talk about it.

Make a note of this, we'll settle it later.

Lin Jingmin pleaded and pleaded with Zhang Yang before finally getting the menu back, and then happily pulled him to order.

"Their chicken feet are delicious, let's have a little bit, four of them, two handfuls of meat skewers, two handfuls of tender beef, hehe, and I'll order two lamb kidney skewers for you."

Lin Jingmin took a pen, skillfully selected a bunch of items, and then handed the menu to the owner with a very polite attitude.

"Given the current state of service at this establishment, you're all responsible," Zhang Yang said speechlessly.

"Oh, as long as it tastes good, that's all that matters. People who make delicious food are bound to be a little proud, right?" Lin Jingmin hugged Zhang Yang's arm and explained softly.

"I'd like to see just how delicious it is that makes you all flock to it," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

I don't know how long I waited, but the line outside kept getting longer and longer.

The boss's loud voice never stopped throughout the event.

"I sell barbecue, not services! I don't offer services here!"

"Two people order this little bit? You might as well go outside and turn left to get a bowl of noodles. Why are you making fun of me?"

"Expensive? If you think it's too expensive, then don't eat it!"

"I raised two college students and three houses through barbecue! That's what capital is!"

Those who come to eat here have all heard about the owner's service beforehand, and most of them just smile and don't argue with him. However, some people can't stand the owner's attitude and argue angrily, and the result is that they are kicked out by the owner.

After an unknown amount of time, it was finally Zhang Yang and his group's turn.

The two went into the shop and found a place to sit down.

The shop was very quiet; the customers were all savoring their food slowly and no one dared to speak loudly.

"The boss hates noise, so nobody talks loudly," Lin Jingmin said in a low voice.

"That's just asking for trouble." Zhang Yang removed the disposable tableware.

Nearby, a table of customers had just had their barbecue served.

"Come on, let me divide them up for you. You get three skewers, you get three skewers, and one over here." The owner handed out the skewers to the customers at that table.

The three people at that table all looked somewhat helpless.

Damn it, I paid for it myself, and now I have to obey.

"Alright, you can eat slowly." The owner finished distributing the skewers and strode away.

Someone at that table muttered, "They really do want to make money off you and expect you to obey them? What kind of logic is that?"

"Say less, the boss isn't having an easy time either, that's just his temper. Just eat," someone at the table whispered a reminder.

"Pah, it's dry and dark, how delicious could it be?"

The conversation at the next table reached Zhang Yang and his group. Lin Jingmin felt a little embarrassed, since it was her idea to come here.

"Well... everyone's tastes are probably different," she said shyly.

"It's okay, I won't blame you if it doesn't taste good." Zhang Yang had his own plans in mind.

If this shop really isn't doing well, it's best to let it go. Its success is its own business; for the entire Star City World Commercial Street, one more or one less won't make a difference.

Keeping it is just an eyesore.

After some time, their barbecue was served.

"Kidneys, lamb skewers, tendon..."

The boss started serving it to the table.

Zhang Yang glanced at it and was just about to pick up a string of them.

"Hey, I haven't even served them yet! What are you doing?" the owner called out. "These chicken feet are our specialty. Just have one skewer to try. Ladies first, and this is for the girl across from you."

"Tsk." Zhang Yang put down the skewers in his hand and looked up at the shop owner. "No, boss, you can just put your things down. How we eat and divide them is our business."

The boss is used to throwing tantrums whenever he wants, and this is the first time he's been so blunt with him.

"A guest like you, I..."

"What, you won't serve me? You won't let me eat? Then take the skewers away. Just so you know, I haven't touched a single thing." Zhang Yang shrugged.

The boss's expression shifted several times, but ultimately he was unwilling to suffer a loss for nothing, and left with a grim face.

Several guests at the next table turned to look at Zhang Yang.

"I've wanted to confront this shop owner for a long time."

"It's not like the food is particularly delicious, and yet the owner has such a bad temper!"

Zhang Yang smiled and looked at the things that had been presented.

"Here, try their chicken feet first." Lin Jingmin specially placed the roasted chicken feet in front of him, then eagerly awaited his opinion.

Zhang Yang picked one up and tasted it.

Mmm, soft and chewy with a crispy skin, to be honest, these chicken feet are pretty good.

"Hmm, these chicken feet are grilled really well," he commented.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingmin immediately smiled, as if she had received approval.

"I told you, their chicken feet are amazing."

Zhang Yang didn't join in the praise.

Honestly, even if the chicken feet are okay, they're not so bad that people would be willing to be criticized just to try them.

After tasting the chicken feet, he tried the other meat skewers.

Immediately, his brows furrowed slightly.

It has a ginger flavor.

Hmm, and it's extremely salty.

This usually indicates that the meat is not very fresh, so the seasoning is used to mask the flavor.

Judging from the taste of these meat skewers, they are absolutely average now, just like the kind of barbecue stalls you can find anywhere on the roadside.

He took a couple of bites, but seeing Lin Jingmin's expectant look across from him, he didn't feel disappointed and ate it normally.

"How about the meat skewers? How are they?" Lin Jingmin asked, looking at Zhang Yang.

"It's alright," Zhang Yang said noncommittally. "We're just having barbecue, the tastes are all pretty much the same, it's more about the atmosphere."

"But the atmosphere here doesn't seem quite right," Lin Jingmin sighed softly. "Looks like I didn't choose the right place."

"Hey, let me ask you a question. If this store moves and changes its address, will you still come here?" Zhang Yang asked with great interest.

"Well, that depends on the situation." Lin Jingmin nodded slightly. "They might come occasionally, but not often. I don't think the owner would be foolish enough to move away; they'd definitely lose some customers."

"You never know, the rent might go up," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

"How can they just raise the rent like that?" Lin Jingmin muttered, finding it unlikely.

Zhang Yang found the barbecue meal rather ordinary.

It falls far short of his so-called hype.

Given the boss's irritability throughout, he's definitely not going to come back a second time.

"Check, please." Zhang Yang waved his hand.

At the cashier, the shop owner casually glanced at the bill.

"275, there's a QR code on the table, scan it yourself."

"I'll pay, I'll pay. It's my treat." Without thinking, Lin Jingmin took out her phone to scan the QR code and pay.

"Hey, wait a minute." Zhang Yang waved his hand to stop Lin Jingmin's actions. "How much did we eat? Just this much, 275, are you sure?"

"It should be... it should be right, right?" Lin Jingmin was a little uncertain after hearing this.

Zhang Yang nodded and waved to the boss.

"Boss, bring me the order form so I can check it."

"No, you guys are the most troublesome. What kind of orders do you want? Don't you trust me?" The boss finally lost his temper. "I've been in business for so many years, do you think I don't have this much integrity? I will never serve customers like you again. I guess I was blind this time."

"No, ever since I got here, you've been going on and on." Zhang Yang was getting annoyed. "I asked you to bring over a form to compare, don't you understand or what?"

"Yes, take it yourself!" The boss stormed over and slammed the bill on the table.

Zhang Yang glanced at the boss and started calculating on his phone.

Let's count the number of times we slap each other.

265.

Let's calculate it again.

It's still 265.

Zhang Yang looked up and saw that the boss was already standing to the side, just watching him calculate.

"265, no need to calculate anymore, right?" Zhang Yang placed his phone on the table and pointed to the number on it.

"How is that possible? How could it be wrong?" The boss refused to believe it and immediately recalculated.

Then he fell silent.

There were faint whispers all around.

"Isn't that right? If they got this wrong, doesn't that mean they've been ripped off by this boss countless times before?"

"Three houses, at least one of them must have come from this, right?"

Hearing these comments, the shop owner's expression changed several times, and a hint of panic flashed across his eyes.

"Stop talking nonsense, pay and leave." He spoke with a fierce tone but kept his composure, trying to brush the matter off.

"No, that's not how it works. So, according to you, if I hadn't come to you to reconcile the accounts, I would have unknowingly overpaid you?" Zhang Yang chuckled.

"I'm like this, but what about everyone else? Are you sure this is your only time?"

Lin Jingmin stood aside, both angry and anxious.

"Boss, how can you be like this? This is such an unethical business practice."

I finally found a place to treat Zhang Yang to a meal, but so much trouble has happened.

She didn't care, but the problem was that she made Zhang Yang unhappy.

"So what do you want? So what if you miscalculated the accounts? Do you think I'm too old to make mistakes? Get out of here." The shop owner bluffed, heading straight to the shop entrance as if nothing had happened.