Free Web NovelChapter 521: Chapter 433: Mutual Benefit—Let’s Hope Everyone Buys a Little Less
"Do you need help from us?"
Dreya squinted her eyes, instantly seeing through Meng Qi’s thoughts.
Even though she didn’t say anything openly, she actually agreed with what Anna just said; having acquaintances makes things easier.
She didn’t really care about the views of outsiders, but it’s not great to be constantly watched whenever she goes out to eat.
If things can be sorted out through some insider channels ahead of time, she’d definitely be happy to do so.
Even though she had Lin Chen and Lucas’s contact info, she was too embarrassed to directly ask them to reserve food, as it would make her seem like she’s using her status for shady dealings.
She utterly despised those kinds of people in her work, naturally, she didn’t want to become one of them.
"Haha, yes, it’s not really a troublesome thing, it’s just... we’re not allowed to line up during work time."
"Oh~~"
The two women exchanged a knowing look, instantly understanding.
Everyone’s a foodie; everything’s understood without needing much to be said.
"Do you know what today’s breakfast menu is?"
Meng Qi nodded, just about to speak, suddenly noticed several diners nearby eavesdropping.
It’s not that he couldn’t say, but opening a mystery box is also a kind of fun.
If someone isn’t interested in bread or anything, what if he spills the beans and some customers lose interest?
Not knowing Lin Chen’s opinion yet, just to be safe, he decided to keep quiet for now.
He quickly typed on his phone a few times.
"Ding"
Anna instinctively glanced at the lit-up phone screen and then handed it to Dreya for her to see those words.
"Chinese bread?"
Of course, Dreya wouldn’t be foolish enough to say it out loud, but instead used her eyes to express her question.
Meng Qi nodded, gestured to the phone, and then turned away.
There were too many people around, and their identities were somewhat sensitive, so it wasn’t suitable to discuss these secretive matters in broad daylight.
"Do you need me to get you something?"
Anna directly created a group chat.
"I saw the table seemed to have a lot of different kinds of bread and desserts, but I don’t know the exact flavors. Can you take some pictures when it’s your turn so I can choose later?"
"Sure, no problem."
"If there are many types of bread, will there be restrictions? There have been limited purchases a few times before."
"There shouldn’t be. Recently, it’s rare for a customer to buy many portions at once, unless Marian’s family shows up. If they do, it’ll basically have to be limited, haha."
"Marian?!"
"You’ve made me forget; do they still come every week now?"
"Yeah, as soon as the weekend comes, they arrive more punctually than clocking in at work."
With no purchase limits, their last bit of worry was put to rest.
Just at this time, Leo had parked the car and came to line up, about ten spots behind them.
Dreya glanced at his position, feeling increasingly at ease.
Even if there are restrictions, there’s no need to worry. Anyway, Leo doesn’t seem very interested in Great Xia’s food. If worst comes to worst, they can just ask him for help.
Oh right, there’s Anthony too, almost forgot about him.
When Leo is around, Anthony typically doesn’t act with them but drives ahead alone to the destination.
She shifted her gaze away, looked at the front of the line a few times, and sure enough, didn’t see Anthony’s figure.
If he could be so easily found, he would...
"?!"
The next second, Dreya stared in disbelief in a certain direction, her right hand frantically tapping Anna’s arm.
"Huh? What’s wrong, what happened...????"
Following Dreya’s line of sight, Anna was also dumbfounded on the spot.
They saw a burly figure walking out of the restaurant, holding a tray, which seemed to have some food and drinks on it. He comfortably sat on a beach chair, crossed his legs, and started to enjoy his breakfast blissfully.
"That guy! Sure knows how to enjoy life, huh!"
Dreya covered her forehead, obviously not expecting Anthony to have queued up so early; he looked like the first customer.
And not only that, as they looked over, Anthony seemed to notice their gaze. With bread stuffed in his mouth, he turned his head and waved at them from afar.
Anna said sourly, "Why didn’t we see this guy be so eager to eat before, and now look at him, he’s eating before us!"
"Maybe he particularly likes baked goods? Think about it, he often eats burgers and sandwiches, which are convenient and filling, very suitable for his kind of job."
"Quick, text him to send a picture, let’s see what good stuff he bought!"
A few seconds later.
The two stared at the enlarged photos, carefully identifying each seemingly familiar yet unfamiliar bread in the pictures.
Anthony really lives up to being a bodyguard, considering things thoroughly. The photos he sent not only showed what he was eating in front of him but also the entire restaurant table spread.
Even though the three hardly communicate regularly, after spending so much time together, they understand each other’s habits well. Anthony taking these photos was clearly because he anticipated they would ask for them.
"What’s this? Green onion? Is the meat-colored thing next to it ham or luncheon meat? It’s actually meat-flavored bread!"
"Hey, look at this, the filling in the middle of that croissant is purple, doesn’t quite look like cream. Could it be cheese? What’s that fluffy stuff on top??"
The two stared at the photos for a long time, eventually recognizing only a few kinds, while the remaining dozen or so were innovative and improved creations.
To be fair, just looking at the presentation, it certainly looks better and more appetizing than most of the local bakeries.
Most bakeries here sell ones coated with syrup or sprinkled with sugar, and also basic types like donuts, bagels, muffins, egg tarts, croissants.
As for flavors, they are typically the most popular ones like cinnamon, caramel, chocolate, berries.
Quickly, Anthony sent a few more photos, each showing a different bread sliced open.
"Oh my, there’s meat even inside this bagel! Looks like it’s spicy, can this be good?"
"Although I can’t imagine what it tastes like, if it’s something Lin Fang decided to sell, it must be delicious. It might be the most trendy bread flavor in Great Xia."
Although they were looking, they didn’t stay idle and forwarded the photos to Meng Qi, letting him pick what he wanted in advance.
Besides, they had another intention.
Meng Qi is working here every day. Even if he can’t eat Lin Chen’s cooking every day, he’s sure to find a way to learn about the specific dishes and flavors.
He’s sure to know more details than both of them!
With nothing better to do while waiting in line, the two chatted away on their phones, asking Anthony and Meng Qi for their feedback.
[That purple one! Yes, that’s it, you guys believe me, this thing is absolutely delicious!]
Meng Qi spotted the taro meat floss croissant in the photo almost instantly, getting excited.
[Yesterday Lin made sandwiches for breakfast and pizza for lunch, and the night before he made a lot of similar little desserts for the head chefs to sample. I happened to catch my shift and got to enjoy it!]
[What’s the flavor of that purple one, blueberry?]
[No no, it’s a flavor you’ve definitely never had before, it’s taro!]
[Taro? What’s that?]
[A root vegetable similar to potatoes, just search for its image online yourselves. I asked Lucas; he said this method of making desserts with taro is a unique taste from Great Xia, and it has an unforgettable aroma.]
Almost as soon as the message was sent, Dreya opened the search engine, finding images of taro from Great Xia.
Not only that, the bottom of the page also showed many pictures of taro desserts, all beautifully crafted, instantly sparking immense interest in the two.
They were already famished on the way here and didn’t eat dinner last night, saving space for today.
Seeing so many tempting little pastries and buns now, the two were even hungrier, their stomachs growling as if they could eat a whole cow.
"How long do we have to wait in this line, surely not more than an hour?"
The two suddenly regretted being so anxious to know the breakfast’s contents; without that, they wouldn’t be so hungry.
If they had to maintain this hunger and wait so long, it would be no different than being imprisoned.
Just as they were peering forward, the line suddenly moved, and quickly too.
"Right!"
Anna seemed to realize something, clapping her hands: "Since it’s buying bread, how could it take that long? The kitchen must be constantly baking and stocked with lots of goods, seems like we will be eating soon!"
"Makes sense." Dreya nodded vigorously, eyes fixed on the restaurant ahead, eager to rush in and shop to her heart’s content.
Bread can last three to five days at room temperature, even though warm weather shortens storage time, it can surely last two or three days.
Besides, considering the size of these pieces, with their speed, buying a large bag is unlikely to last over a day, no worries there.
The only concern would be if there’s enough to eat.
"Wait!"
Thinking of this, Dreya’s expression changed dramatically, grabbing Anna’s arm: "Though bread can be taken and go, the fact it can be stored means many customers might want a bit of each to try, just like us."
"Which means the average purchase amount is higher, putting pressure on the kitchen, although output speed is fixed, consumption speed increases and extends the waiting time."
"Don’t jinx it like that!"
Anna panicked halfway through, quickly covering Dreya’s mouth, worriedly tiptoeing to peek inside, silently praying.
"Just take a little, just take a little, just take a little..."
