The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Looking at the Storefront

From a distance, Bai Lei saw the long line snaking from Shen Lu’s stall. He glanced at the time in astonishment.

’Today isn’t a weekend, and it’s already two in the afternoon. Why are there still so many people?’

’How long will I have to wait in a line this long?’

Bai Lei had no choice but to use his money to solve the problem. He paid his way to the front, buying a spot for 50 Star Coins.

"Shen Lu, can I buy an extra portion? It’s for my sister."

"No," Shen Lu refused without even looking up, the spatula in her hand moving so fast it was a blur. "But you can share your portion with your sister."

Bai Lei knew Shen Lu wouldn’t agree. He had started recording beforehand and sent the clear video of her rejection to Bai Wanwan.

Bai Wanwan: How can she be so heartless!

Bai Lei: (gloating) Who told you not to come? Even I came, and I’m a germaphobe.

Bai Wanwan: But she’s right. Give me half of yours.

Bai Lei: That’s not fair, Sis. Seriously, that’s not fair.

Bai Lei: Every bite of this food is precious to me!

Bai Wanwan: Cut the crap. Just you try not giving it to me.

Bai Lei pouted and reluctantly headed back with his takeout.

His sister meant what she said. She had plenty of dirt on him. ’Sigh, it’s just food. I guess I can give her half.’

Shen Lu buried herself in her work, stir-frying nonstop, single-mindedly focused on completing the system’s task before time ran out. She refused to rest even when her arm grew sore from cooking.

Finally, a DING sounded in her ear, and the system notified her that the task was complete.

[DING-DONG. Detected sales: Mint Water 60/60, Egg Waffles 50/50, Malatang 50/50, Fried Rice 30/30, Fried Noodles 30/30, Braised Snacks 20/20. Task complete. Reward: one Lottery Ticket.]

[DING-DONG. Detected that the Host has completed the bonus task within the specified time. Additional reward granted—one Business Operation Permit.]

’A Business Operation Permit?’

Shen Lu wiped the sweat from her forehead. After finishing the order she was working on, she told Cai Su she was going to the back to take a short break.

She turned around and took out the Business Operation Permit to examine it.

There was nothing particularly special about it. It was the size of an A4 sheet of paper, and the large, gilded words "Business Operation Permit" were written on it. The fields for the owner’s name, address, and so on were all blank.

Shen Lu asked the system, "What’s this for? If I want to open a shop, don’t I have to go to the local commerce bureau to get the license?"

Opening a shop also meant paying taxes, and the taxes here were quite steep.

[Ahem, ahem. As a product of an Advanced civilization, we naturally want to provide the Host with some real benefits. With this permit, you can skip all the bureaucratic hassle, and you’ll even be exempt from taxes!]

[Besides, upgrading from a small stall to a small shop requires a Business Operation Permit and 1,000 popularity value.]

’So that’s how it is.’

Having figured out the purpose of the permit, Shen Lu returned to the teppanyaki grill and put away the small megaphone, which had now served its purpose.

’I’m not going to throw it away. It’s small and cute, so it can be a little decoration.’

Shen Lu was preoccupied with finding a storefront. Now that the task was complete, she no longer wanted to stay tethered to the stall.

"Sister Cai, I need to run some errands. Could you watch the stall for a bit?"

Having an employee was great. She didn’t have to be at the stall all day and could leave for a short while without disrupting business.

"Of course, Boss Shen. Be careful."

Shen Lu first went to find Ma Laosan and asked him if there were any vacant storefronts on Gold Street.

"There are two empty ones, and another one where the owner wants to transfer the lease. What size are you looking for, Boss Shen?"

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