Zhang Yang finally arrived at Wang Fan's stall.
In front of the stall was a swirl of mist and a strong aroma of rice that seemed to refresh the mind.
Wang Fan stared at the customer in front of him for a moment, thinking to himself that this person was excessively thin, especially after serving a group of fitness academy folks. Compared to them, this person looked like a bean sprout.
However, Wang Fan, who had read "Boss's Self-Cultivation," was naturally not one to judge people by their appearance.
"Hello, what would you like? I still have pork rice rolls, shrimp rice rolls, and squid rice rolls."
Beef rice rolls seemed to be the favorite of those fitness enthusiasts. Almost everyone had ordered at least one, and combined with other customers' purchases, they were the first to sell out.
Zhang Yang looked at the milky white rice rolls in the steamer and found it difficult to decide.
Pork? Used to like it a lot, but now just the smell makes him want to vomit.
Squid? Might be too strong, can he handle it now?
How about shrimp then?
After making up his mind, Zhang Yang hesitantly said, "Bo... Boss, I'll have a shrimp rice roll."
Wang Fan nodded and picked up a shrimp rice roll with tongs.
Zhang Yang's eyes darted around, quickly drawn to the little wooden fish on the food cart.
"Boss, can this little wooden fish be knocked on?"
The person in front of him had knocked it, but he wanted to confirm with the owner.
Wang Fan kept smiling as he worked: "You can knock it, just lightly."
Zhang Yang thanked him and prepared to try it out. This little thing had attracted him all the way here.
At this moment, the most nervous person was Zhang Yang's mother behind him. This was the closest he had ever been to food!
Zhang Yang was like a child with a beloved toy.
He gently tapped the wooden fish with the small mallet.
"Tock, tock, tock..."
With each tap, the wooden fish made a crisp sound, and with each tap, he felt more happiness welling up inside.
Then, in a daze, he took the rice roll Wang Fan handed him and stuffed a piece into his mouth.
???
Zhang Yang's mother stared at him, her face full of shock and disbelief.
Did he really eat it so naturally and calmly?
Wasn't he supposed to stare at the rice roll in confusion for a while?
Wasn't he supposed to hesitate for a moment, making a tough decision then eating a tiny bit as if facing death?
Son, is your eating disorder getting better so casually?
Zhang Yang was eating the rice rolls very normally, just like an ordinary person.
The only difference was that his facial expressions were more varied than the average person.
Zhang Yang had been vomiting up anything he ate recently, forcing himself to swallow food just to survive. That feeling was unimaginable and best left untried.
But today, he didn't feel bad at all.
The fresh rice aroma seemed to take him back to his childhood, the first time he picked up a bowl to eat rice.
His mom had probably made fish-flavored eggplant then, mixing the mushy eggplant with rice thoroughly. The aroma was unforgettable.
However, the scent of this rice roll was a bit different; the rice aroma alone made his mouth water uncontrollably.
The shrimp inside the rice roll was also fresh and juicy, making him gobble it up.
Zhang Yang's mother didn't order rice rolls but pulled her son, who was focused on eating, to the side.
Zhang Yang seemed immersed in the food world, letting his mom drag him aside.
Gang Ge approached Zhang Yang's mother casually, with a goofy smile, asking, "Hello Auntie, I see this young man is so frail. Does he have any health issues?"
Zhang Yang's mother stared unblinkingly at Zhang Yang, who was eating heartily, eyes full of tears.
Her emotions were extremely stirred, seeking an outlet for expression. Upon hearing Gang Ge's question, she poured her heart out: "Oh, this child used to be relatively chubby and wanted to lose weight. But in the process, he developed an eating disorder, not having had a decent meal for over half a year now."
Gang Ge took a pack of tissues from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Yang's mother to comfort her: "I know about eating disorders; once he can actually eat, he's halfway cured. This young man has started eating, so you don't need to worry too much."
Zhang Yang's mother spoke with excitement: "The doctor also said this earlier; I just didn't expect he'd eat normally so soon."
Gang Ge laughed heartily: "It's a fortunate coincidence. I'll tell you, this boss's rice rolls are genuinely authentic. It's a pity you didn't buy them earlier. You might miss the chance if you queue again."
Zhang Yang's mother said: "Missing it is okay, as long as the kid's alright, I'm fine with anything."
Gang Ge took a business card from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Yang's mother: "I run a fitness academy nearby. Given your child's situation, I suggest visiting the hospital alongside attending a proper fitness school. Not only will he have better nutritional plans, but his physical functions will recover quickly too. Don't feel obligated to come to mine; any reputable school will do."
...
...
Shen Qing came to the stall again.
Covered tightly, she deliberately lowered her voice and said, "Boss, I'll have one squid rice roll and one shrimp rice roll."
Wang Fan smiled and said, "I'm sorry, sister, we have a limit of two per person. You can only buy one now."
Shen Qing anxiously said, "You said it's a limit of two per person. How come I'm only allowed to buy one the first time I come?"
Wang Fan fixated on Shen Qing's conspicuous high ponytail, feeling his intelligence was being insulted.
Though her face was indeed well concealed, and her voice deliberately lowered, the last time they met was merely over ten minutes ago.
Wang Fan said nothing while Shen Qing's fellow customers behind her started protesting.
"Hey, we can't have that. I just saw you eat one over there. Don't try to cheat, lady; everyone's waiting for a taste!"
"Exactly, exactly, two per person means no cheating."
"Boss, I suggest you count the rice rolls. Otherwise, maybe we should change to one per person; you wouldn't want us in the back to have come for nothing, right?"
This suggestion instantly gained support from those in line behind.
"Yes, yes, boss you should spread it evenly, we've come a long way as well."
"I skipped clocking off work today just to grab a rice roll. Boss, be fair!"
"Help us out, brothers in front. If you end up at the back, we'll agree and only buy one next time, is that alright?"
Shen Qing increasingly felt something wrong as she listened; it sounded like she was losing even the right to buy one?
Before they could reach a consensus, Shen Qing quickly said, "I'll take one shrimp rice roll, extra chili."