The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Insignificant Buffoon

"Alright, everyone. Our shop has run into a bit of a problem. The planting and breeding bases of our original ingredient supplier were attacked by mutant beasts and suffered heavy losses. They can’t provide us with the usual quantity of ingredients, so the shop can only supplement our stock with some local ingredients."

"As for the taste, you don’t need to worry. Our shop remains true to its mission and will do its best to maintain the original flavor. However, the texture will be a little lacking. To make up for this, all our set meals will be reduced to 90 Star Coins, and there will be additional discounts on snacks like our marinated meats, spicy hot pot, and mint water. We hope for your understanding."

Shen Lu’s explanation was perfectly reasonable. It was an unavoidable disaster that the supplier’s bases were attacked by mutant beasts. With the ingredient supply cut off, it was completely normal for a business owner to purchase local ingredients to fill the gap.

Most of the customers were understanding. After all, she had lowered the price. A small sacrifice in texture was a fair trade.

However, a few sharp-tongued customers refused to accept Shen Lu’s explanation, loudly demanding that Shen Lu give them free food.

"You opened this shop in the middle of nowhere. If your food wasn’t decent, do you think I’d come all this way to eat?"

"A price drop? A price drop isn’t enough. It has to be free!"

"That’s right, give it to us for free! You can start charging again when you’re using the original ingredients!"

"Don’t think we’re being unreasonable. Look for yourselves! This bok choy, it’s all wilted. You can tell at a glance it’s low-quality. Did I pay money to eat this kind of stuff?"

"Exactly! Even a dog wouldn’t eat this stuff!"

The group went back and forth, playing off each other, their words calculated to stir up the crowd.

After all, they weren’t just fighting for their own benefit; they were demanding Shen Lu provide free food for everyone. If they succeeded, wouldn’t everyone else get a free ride?

The temptation of a free meal from Little Deer Cuisine was immense. The onlookers instinctively fell silent, their eyes fixed eagerly on the clamoring group and the besieged Shen Lu.

Although Shen Lu didn’t have a photographic memory, she recognized faces she’d seen many times before.

These troublemakers were customers who had only recently started showing up frequently.

And they always came in a group of four or five, but one of them would always order a meal and ask for it to-go without eating.

Shen Lu didn’t allow people to buy takeout for others, but if you ordered your own portion and wanted to take it to-go, that was fine.

A different person would get the takeout each time. Having seen it happen so often, Shen Lu had memorized their faces.

Seeing the troublemakers, Ye Fan sent Shen Lu a message asking if he should intervene.

Shen Lu told them to hold off for now. Even if she had to deal with these people, now wasn’t the right time.

Their arguments were complete nonsense, but they were undeniably tempting.

Most of the customers in the shop had fallen for their act. They thought the troublemakers might actually win them a free meal. They didn’t say it out loud, but their eyes were cheering them on.

If she just had Ye Fan and Lin Zhou throw them out without a word, the shop’s satisfaction rating would plummet in an instant.

"Everyone, please quiet down. May I say a few words?"

Shen Lu began to speak slowly. Her voice wasn’t loud, but she used the shop’s speaker system, easily drowning out the clamorous shouting.

The loudest man spat defiantly and glared at Shen Lu, a look on his face that said, ’You’re using technology? You don’t fight fair.’

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