Universe Infinite Canteen

"The ingredients for the fried meat pies have run out," Ma Lu said, "and the newly launched Deep Sea Supreme Emperor Grill tastes even better."

"Really?"

"You'll know once you've tried it."

"Ok, then change those two fried meat pies to Deep Sea Supreme Emperor Grill for me."

"You need to add 20 yuan."

"Ah, how come there's a price increase?" Shen Yue exclaimed in shock, "You're not really planning to run a black-hearted store, are you?"

"I've told you that it's Emperor Grill now, using king crab meat, selling it for 28 yuan a portion is already very conscientious."

"Who knows what kind of meat you're really using," Shen Yue muttered under her breath but eventually said, "then give me a portion to try first."

"Wait a moment. Who else wants the Deep Sea Supreme Emperor Grill that's even more delicious than fried meat pies?" Ma Lu shouted out.

Hearing that fried meat pies were no longer available, many people showed disappointed looks, just like Shen Yue.

Among them were those who had tried it once or twice and couldn't stop thinking about it, as well as people who had heard others constantly rave about how delicious the fried meat pies were and wanted to try it for themselves.

They had been eagerly waiting for Ma Lu to set up his stall again, only to find out he wasn't selling fried meat pies.

But since they'd come all this way, and given The Universe's Number One Snack Stall had built up a booming reputation over time, even though the price was a bit higher, there were still many people willing to try the new product.

Meanwhile, Old Wang had already started to get busy. He first brushed a layer of oil on the griddle, then poured the prepared batter into it.

Unlike the common octopus balls sold on the streets, he didn't dice the Giant Claw Lord Meat but sliced it into sheets thinner than paper, layering them together and stuffing them into the batter.

The ratio of meat to batter had almost reached one to one, which made Shen Yue look much more pleased.

Leaving the rest aside, at least The Universe's Number One Snack Stall was quite generous with its ingredients, and it seemed more acceptable that the prices were a bit more expensive than other places.

Old Wang sprinkled some chopped green onions, and as the batter began to take shape, he started to turn them with a bamboo skewer, and at that moment, the aroma also began to spread.

Shen Yue flared her nostrils, feeling even hungrier.

Luckily, Old Wang was quick with his hands, turning them constantly while continuing to pour more batter inside, managing 24 balls without a hint of panic.

It was as if he was a distinguished conductor in a concert hall, orchestrating a symphony orchestra of over a hundred people with impeccable order.

The octopus balls that finally came off the griddle were golden brown, plump, and round, looking tempting just by sight.

Old Wang served the balls into a lunch box, squeezed on a special sauce and finally dusted them with a sprinkling of golden, dried meat crumbs as a finishing touch.

Those meat crumbs fluttered their wings under the effect of the steam, dancing like butterflies.

Shen Yue got her wish and became the first customer of the Deep Sea Supreme Emperor Grill.

She took the lunch box, first bringing it close to her nose and took a couple of deep breaths, then broke apart a pair of disposable chopsticks, picked up a ball, and put it in her mouth.

"How is it?"

A girl who knew Shen Yue asked curiously, and then she saw the president of the Classical Literature Society's pupils shake violently.

"Absolutely… explosively delicious! The senior was right, this time the Deep Sea Supreme Emperor Grill is both fresh and springy, definitely better than the fried meat pies!"

If it were just Shen Yue alone saying this, given her integrity, there might still be a possibility she was in cahoots with the stall owner.

However, Old Wang produced four portions with his cooking, and after trying it, the other three people couldn't stop praising it. Someone even took out money on the spot to buy another portion.

At this point, those who were still hesitant were also intrigued.

The meat of the Giant Claw Lord was entirely different from that of the Two-Headed Hyena; the latter was firm, somewhat tough to eat, and had a strong gamey taste, which is typical for wild meat.

The former, however, had a much more delicate and tender texture, with an aftertaste that carried a hint of sweetness. That's why Ma Lu sold it as crab meat.

Being a 3-star ingredient, the Giant Claw Lord naturally had its unique traits. Compared to ordinary crab meat, its texture was significantly bouncier. Old Wang sliced it into thin layers, piled up together; when bitten into, this bounciness seemed to double.

However, normally, the meatballs wouldn't be as rich in flavor as they were now, and the key was in the seemingly inconspicuous batter.

The batter was made with snake bone broth, which came from two Angular Belly Black Swift Snakes that Ma Lu brought back last time.

They not only contributed their bones, but the meat on their bodies was not wasted either. Old Wang dried it and ground it into powder to replace bonito flakes.

Hence, this time's [Colossal Claw Lord Roast] actually used two different types of meat, making the ★★ Deliciousness Index fully deserving.

Even though it was past mealtime, the crowd around The Universe's Number One Snack Stall remained sizable. As time passed, far from dwindling, the number of customers seemed to only increase until a long queue eventually formed.

Seeing this, Squid Brother and others felt envious and jealous. These past couple of days without Ma Lu around, many students had come up empty-handed, asking them if they knew where The Universe's Number One Snack Stall had gone or when it would return.

Squid Brother felt that even during his time on TV, he wasn't as popular, and he heard that Ma Lu had raised his prices again since coming back, now charging 28 yuan per portion.

At this price, one could already order some set meals from largescale restaurants for delivery.

He didn't understand why these students were so eager to be duped; perhaps because they didn't work for a living, they didn't understand the struggle of making money and didn't cherish the money from their parents.

If they wanted to treat their cravings, why not come and eat squid? It was both cheap and delicious.

Seeing that he hadn't sold any squid for a good while, Squid Brother couldn't help but sigh.

A fellow street vendor sidled up to him, lowering his voice, "Brother Sun, do you think this kid might be some wealthy military elite trying to experience life here? Otherwise, why would so many people be eager to curry favor with him and give him money?"

Squid Brother slapped him on the back of his head, "You've read too much web fiction. There's no such big shot who has nothing better to do than to slum it up here."

The other man said with a wronged expression, "But Brother Sun, you were the one who said he had no real talent and was just propped up by a bunch of people fawning over him. You said he wouldn't last a few days, but look at how many days it's been, his business hasn't worsened at all. In fact, ever since he showed up, our sales have taken a hit."

"Fourth Old Guo, do you have any ideas?" Squid Brother asked with a sidelong glance.

Fourth Old Guo looked around, made sure no one was paying attention, and then stealthily motioned a throat-slitting gesture.

"You should read less web fiction," Squid Brother sighed once more.

Fourth Old Guo scratched his head and went back to grilling his gluten.

Squid Brother knew he was just talking tough; the guy was more cowardly than anyone when the city management showed up, not even daring to reclaim his confiscated car.

However, his concerns were not unfounded; Ma Lu and Old Wang's arrival indeed caused their sales to decline compared to before.

Aerospace University had over forty thousand faculty and students, logically, the presence or absence of one food stall shouldn't make much difference, but that's when everyone's level is roughly the same.

Now, with such a standout stall suddenly appearing, it put pressure on the others.

If this had happened in the past, he could have banded together with his fellow vendors to drive away the competition, but now The Universe's Number One Snack Stall was backed by the Classical Literature Society, and with Ma Lu having the status of an alumnus, no one could out-compete him.

Squid Brother shook his head, deciding to wait and see. After all, like the protagonists in web novels, he too should plan thoroughly and move later. All it might take is one decisive move to settle everything.

Being a vendor was a test of perseverance. Winning early didn't count as true victory.