My Roommate Lover - Chapter 5 - Street Vending

How good could a man’s cooking be? Shen Jun’ao, Tang Ziyu, and Zhang Xixi didn’t have high expectations. They were saying it out loud, but deep down, they were kind-hearted. After all, Jia Simiao was the landlord, and that was an undeniable fact. While Jia Simiao was busy cooking, the three of them tidied up the side wing a bit. There wasn’t much to do, really, since Xiao Ya had been staying there before she left.

They changed the bedding and laid a clean mat on the bed, and that was it.

When they came out, the aroma from the kitchen hit them like a fishing hook, reeling in their appetites. Was this really Jia Simiao’s cooking? They wondered if they were mistaken, but the scent drew them in.

In the kitchen, Jia Simiao was chopping cooked pork with a rhythmic “ka-ka” sound. The oil in the pan sizzled as he tossed in ginger and garlic, stirring them around before adding the diced pork. Once the meat changed color slightly, he added dark soy sauce and continued to stir-fry.

He added sugar, vinegar, salt, and fried quail eggs…

The three of them were dumbfounded. Zhang Xixi swallowed and asked, “Ziyu, didn’t you say Jia Simiao was a doctor? Why does he look like a chef to me?”

Tang Ziyu replied, “How would I know? But his medical skills are amazing. He even managed to save an old man whose heart had stopped.”

Suddenly, Jia Simiao turned and asked, “Do you three eat spicy food?”

Zhang Xixi shouted, “No worries, we’re not picky.”

“Got it.”

Jia Simiao tossed chili peppers into the oil and continued to stir-fry. Once they changed color, he finally poured the soy-braised pork onto a plate. Then he quickly washed the pan and cooked mu shu tomato and Baby Bok Choy. On the other burner, the lotus root and rib soup was ready, garnished with scallions, and brought to the table.

It was too hot to eat inside, so they set everything up on the stone table under the grapevine trellis.

Jia Simiao smiled and said, “I’m not great at cooking, just threw together a few simple dishes. Not sure what you like, so give them a try.”

Not great at cooking? What would it be like if he were?

The three of them gave him a look and sat down on the stone stools, eagerly picking up pieces of meat. The pork was tender yet chewy, a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy. They devoured it, then moved on to the mu shu tomato and Baby Bok Choy, completely forgetting to talk to Jia Simiao.

It was Shen Jun’ao who finally knocked some sense into them, laughing, “Alright, look at you two. Jia Simiao is our… new tenant. Weren’t we supposed to welcome him? Xixi, go grab some chilled beers, let’s have a drink.”

“Got it.” Zhang Xixi dashed back to the room and soon returned with several bottles of beer.

At first, they were a bit reserved, with Tang Ziyu being the one who knew Jia Simiao the longest. But after a few drinks, their cheeks turned rosy, glowing even more beautifully than the flowers blooming in the pond under the sunset. They started to warm up to each other, and the conversation flowed more freely.

Jia Simiao learned that Shen Jun’ao worked at the North District Public Security Sub-Bureau as a criminal police officer. Zhang Xixi had just graduated with a degree in marketing and was eager to start her own business. Tang Ziyu was studying traditional Chinese medical science at Nanjiang Medical University, but since there were few students in her field, she had privately obtained a Nurse Qualification Certificate. With a few months left until graduation, she planned to become a nurse, like Florence Nightingale, saving lives.

Shen Jun’ao asked, “Jia Simiao, we heard from Xiao Ya that you were living in Lingnan City before. Why did you suddenly decide to go to the US? And now you’re back, broke?”

In the past, Jia Simiao might have been upset, but now, after experiencing so much, he was more at peace. He smiled and said, “Doesn’t every man have a little secret? If I asked if you had a boyfriend, would you tell me?”

Tang Ziyu and Zhang Xixi exchanged glances with Jia Simiao, and seeing Shen Jun’ao’s somber expression, he regretted his words. It seemed there was a story there. He quickly raised his glass and said, “Let’s toast to keeping the ancestral house of Jia Family from being demolished.”

That called for a toast.

They all raised their glasses and drank.

Jia Simiao quickly changed the subject, sharing amusing anecdotes from his medical practice and stories from abroad. With Tang Ziyu and Zhang Xixi chiming in with jokes, the atmosphere soon became lively. After dinner, they rested for a while before Zhang Xixi urged Jia Simiao to help her with her street vending.

With two large bags, Jia Simiao asked, “What’s in these?”

Zhang Xixi replied mysteriously, “You’ll see when we get there.”

Shen Jun’ao stayed home to work on her work plan report, and Tang Ziyu was free for the evening. Previously, she had always helped Zhang Xixi with her vending, then attended evening self-study at school. After class, they would return home together.

Now, the two large bags were handed to Jia Simiao. He carried one in his hand and the other on his shoulder, following behind Tang Ziyu and Zhang Xixi. Zhang Xixi was delighted; having a Hardworking Bro was quite handy. He cooked well and helped carry things. If any ruffians or hooligans tried to harass her, he could step in to fend them off.

Zhang Xixi skipped along, proudly saying, “Some people have a Stylish Bro¹, but I have a Hardworking Bro…”

Tang Ziyu couldn’t resist teasing, “Xixi, you just enjoy it. Haven’t you gone several days without selling anything?”

Zhang Xixi retorted loudly, “What do you know? They just don’t recognize quality. Once I set up today, I’ll definitely make a killing.”

Tang Ziyu shrugged, “Fine, as long as you don’t come home slamming doors and complaining to me and Jun’ao.”

Zhang Xixi replied, “When have I ever complained? When I make it big, my sister will see that I, Zhang Xixi, can live independently and fabulously.”

The weather in Nanjiang City was hot, and people were accustomed to enjoying nightlife. In the evening, families would come out to shop and stroll. On Xuefu Road, near several universities, students’ money was the easiest to earn. This was where Zhang Xixi set up her street vending.

When Jia Simiao followed her and Tang Ziyu to the entrance of Nanjiang Medical University, both sides of the street were bustling with vendors. There were carts selling various snacks and street food, like Shandong pancakes, Northeast dumplings, soup dumplings, grilled skewers, and even stinky tofu. A few girls nearby were eating with relish.

This was the vibrant nightlife of university students.

Zhang Xixi’s spot was under a streetlamp on the sidewalk, with a flowerbed behind her. A few meters beyond the flowerbed were various shops, including clothing stores, restaurants, and copy shops, all doing brisk business. Through their chat, Jia Simiao learned that owning her own shop was Zhang Xixi’s dream.

Jia Simiao smiled, “I believe you’ll have your own shop soon.”

Zhang Xixi giggled, “I like honest people. Thanks for the good wishes.”

Tang Ziyu smiled wryly. With several days of poor sales, how could she dream of owning a shop? The investment would be a loss. Well, at least she wasn’t the one suffering this time; it was poor Jia Simiao. She looked at him with sympathy, helped Zhang Xixi set up the stall, then slung her backpack over her shoulder and hurried off to school.

Jia Simiao finally saw what was inside Zhang Xixi’s two large bags: small accessories like bracelets, hair clips, phone charms, and screen protectors. There was quite a lot, enough to make two large piles.

Zhang Xixi sat on the flowerbed, proudly asking, “Jia Simiao, what do you think? Aren’t my things nice?”

Jia Simiao couldn’t help but chuckle. Whether it’s big business or small trade, to make money, you have to be innovative. Following the crowd is the worst strategy. Selling small accessories at a school gate could be profitable, but there were too many vendors selling the same things. He glanced around and saw several stalls selling similar items.

Consumers looking for street vendor goods are after bargains. So, the prices for such goods are usually not high. Zhang Xixi’s prices, with the cheapest item at ten yuan and most around twenty or thirty, made it hard to sell. Consumers might as well go to a boutique.

A boutique, after all, is the same goods with a brand and fancy packaging, which raises the price. That’s normal, considering the costs of rent, taxes, and other expenses.

Jia Simiao asked, “What’s the cost price of these accessories?”

Zhang Xixi was wary, “Why do you want to know? I’m the boss, and you’re just working for me. I can’t tell you everything.”

Jia Simiao almost burst out laughing. Just the two of them, and she’s talking about bosses and workers? He smiled and said, “We’re all on the same side. Do you think I’d steal your business? If I did, Jun’ao and Ziyu would kick me out first.”

“That’s true.”

Zhang Xixi looked around, lowered her voice, and proudly said, “Let me tell you, I got these accessories from Nanjiang Market, the hub for goods and wholesale in Nanjiang City. Hey, you’ve lived in Nanjiang City, so you should know. The most expensive piece cost me five yuan, and the cheapest only two yuan. How about that? Cheap, right? I can make ten yuan profit on each sale.”

Footnote:

1. Stylish Bro(犀利哥):Refers to “犀利哥” (Xīlì Gē), a nickname for a homeless man in China who became an internet sensation for his rugged yet fashionable appearance.