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On the day of the hot pot restaurant’s opening, just as the sky began to brighten, Zhao Gang was already bustling outside the store.
He directed several workers to hang up large red lanterns and personally climbed a ladder to securely nail the brand-new sign reading “Linglong Hot Pot” above the entrance.
At that moment, Wang Meng arrived with a group of people carrying firecrackers. He smiled at Zhao Gang, saying, “Zhao Gang, these firecrackers were specially procured by me. When we set them off, they’ll definitely spread the festive spirit throughout the whole town!”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhao Gang replied with a grin, “That’s great! Today’s opening needs to be lively, so everyone knows about our hot pot restaurant!” As the sun rose higher, the number of people on the street increased.
Many people were drawn to the excitement at the entrance, stopping to watch. A middle-aged man dressed in coarse linen clothing curiously asked one of the workers nearby, “Young man, what kind of food does this new hot pot restaurant serve?”
The worker enthusiastically replied, “Sir, hot pot means dipping various ingredients into the pot and then pairing them with our special sauce. The flavor is simply amazing! Moreover, our restaurant offers spicy, clear broth, and sweet and sour tomato broth. No matter what flavor you love, you’ll be satisfied!”
The middle-aged man’s eyes lit up. “Oh, there’s such a way to eat? Sounds interesting! I must try it later!”
Just then, a little girl with braided pigtails piped up, asking, “Uncle, what’s going on here?”
Zhao Gang squatted down and smiled at the little girl. “Little friend, today is the opening of master Bai Linglong hot pot restaurant. Would you like to eat some delicious food later?”
The little girl clapped her hands and cheered, “Yes, yes!”
Before long, a crowd gathered around the entrance. Wang Meng lit the firecrackers, and the loud popping sounds erupted, sparks flying and smoke filling the air, causing cheers from the surrounding crowd.
Inside the restaurant, the staffs were busily preparing. They arranged the tables and chairs neatly and set bowls, chopsticks, and sauces on each table. The chefs in the kitchen were working hard, carefully preparing various ingredients.
Fresh beef was sliced into thin pieces, each one as thin as a cicada’s wing; Plump lamb rolls were piled high; Crisp vegetables were washed clean and neatly arranged; And the handmade shrimp balls were round and plump, seemingly waiting for the diners to savor them.
As the hot pot restaurant officially opened, the atmosphere was lively and inviting. As soon as the doors opened, the crowd surged in like a tide.
“Everyone, don’t rush! There are plenty of seats!” Zhao Gang stood at the entrance, welcoming customers while directing the staffs to guide everyone to their seats.
A young master dressed in a satin robe entered the restaurant with several attendants, looking around with a slight frown. “This place looks lively, but I wonder how the food tastes.”
Zhao Gang quickly approached him, smiling, “Young Master, rest assured, our hot pot is made with top-quality ingredients and secret base sauces. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied! If it’s not good, this meal is on me!”
Hearing this, the young master’s lips curled into a smile. “Alright, then I’ll see just how delicious your hot pot really is. Bring me your signature broth and ingredients.” Before long, the hot pot and ingredients were served at the table. The bubbling pot on the stove emitted an enticing aroma. The young master picked up a slice of beef, dipped it into the spicy broth, and after a few swishes, he tasted it with sauce.
His eyes widened, and an expression of surprise crossed his face. “This flavor is incredible! It’s both numbing and spicy, and the beef is so fresh and tender! I’ve never had anything this delicious before!” His attendants also began to dig in, praising the food as they ate.
One attendant bit into a shrimp ball, and the juice splattered out. He didn’t bother to wipe his mouth and gave a thumbs-up, exclaiming, “This is amazing!”
Meanwhile, a group of young men sat at another table, ordering a clear broth and a table full of ingredients.
One of them impatiently dropped a lamb roll into the pot, watching as the meat slowly changed color. He fished it out and stuffed it into his mouth. “Wow, this clear broth is really fresh! The flavor of the lamb is completely brought out!”
“Yeah, I’ve never eaten such unique food before. This hot pot restaurant opened at just the right time!” another young man chimed in.
Outside, the line kept growing longer, extending around the corner of the street.
An elderly man with graying hair leaned on a cane, anxiously asking, “Young man, how long will we have to wait until it’s our turn?”
The attendant quickly reassured him, “Sir, please wait a moment longer; it will be your turn soon. In the meantime, feel free to look over our menu and think about what you’d like to order.”
The old man took the menu, gazing at the array of dishes, smiling as he said, “Alright, I’ll take my time to consider. I must try this novel hot pot today.”
Amidst the laughter and lively atmosphere, the hot pot restaurant’s business was booming.
The staffs darted between tables, continuously serving customers bustled about, serving dishes and refilling water; The chefs in the kitchen were working tirelessly, not daring to rest for a moment; Zhao Gang and Wang Meng ran back and forth inside and outside the restaurant, ensuring everything was orderly.
Bai Linglong, supported by Grandma, also arrived at the restaurant. She looked at the lively scene with great satisfaction in her heart.
An old customer spotted her and quickly stood up to greet her. “Miraculous Doctor, your restaurant is booming! The flavor of the hot pot is unforgettable after just one taste. I’ll definitely be a regular!”
Bai Linglong smiled in response, “Thank you for your support! Making everyone happy with their meals is my greatest wish. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know.”
The old customer thought for a moment and said, “I think it would be even better if you could add some snacks. Pairing them with hot pot would make it even more enjoyable.”
Bai Linglong nodded, “That’s a good suggestion. We will consider it. We’ll need your input to help us improve the restaurant as we go along.”
As time passed, the sky gradually darkened, but the hot pot restaurant remained brightly lit and bustling.
The laughter and joy of the diners, the aroma of the hot pot, and the lively atmosphere intertwined to create a vibrant scene full of life.
Zhao Gang walked over to Bai Linglong, excitedly saying, “Master, today’s business is incredibly bustling! I believe we can open more branches one after another! However, we can’t be satisfied with just this; we need to continue improving our dishes and service, allowing Linglong Hot Pot’s reputation to spread far and wide.”
Wang Meng also approached, thumping his chest and saying, “Rest assured, Master! Zhao Gang and I will make sure to open branches across the country so everyone can enjoy our hot pot!”
Bai Linglong smiled and nodded. She understood that this was just the beginning, and many more challenges and opportunities awaited them in the future.
But as long as they worked together with determination, they would surely achieve their goal of expanding the restaurant nationwide and create their own business legend.