Infinite Cosmic Cafeteria Chapter 19: Squid Bro

Translator: Stellar Novels Editor: Stellar Novels

Shen Yue and the others noticed the tricycle behind Ma Lu.

The current president of the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club nudged Ma Lu, “Is that yours?”

“Yeah.”

“Is the job market really this tough now?” Shen Yue exclaimed.

“It’s not too bad. It’s not as good as a few years ago, but it should be better in the years to come,” Ma Lu said, trying to comfort her.

“Damn, then I’m screwed by the time I graduate,” Shen Yue looked despairing, “My GPA is even lower than yours.”

“Don’t worry. By the time you graduate, my shop should be open. If you really can’t find a job, you can come wash dishes for me.”

“Haha, you’re pretty confident, Senior. Only one day in, and you’re already planning to open a shop. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You even named it ‘Universe’s Best Snack Stall.’ By the way, who’s this uncle?” Shen Yue turned her gaze to Old Wang.

“He’s my roommate and partner. A very skilled chef, but a bit of a recluse and not much of a talker.”

“I knew it! Senior, you can’t cook, so how did you suddenly start a snack stall? Turns out you’ve latched onto a big shot. Well, I’ve got to try it for sure.”

“We want some too!” The others echoed, pulling out their phones.

“18 yuan per patty.”

“Pfft~” Shen Yue nearly dropped her phone, her hand trembling. “Are you setting up a stall or robbing people? What kind of food costs this much?”

“It looks like a Fried Meat Patty.” On the side, Old Wang’s oil was already hot, and someone saw him placing a patty into the pan.

Shen Yue leaned in closer. “This portion... is a bit much, isn’t it? Senior, you’re really ripping off your friends here. Sure, we ate a lot of fancy meals on your sponsorship back then, but this doesn’t mean we owe you a payback!”

“Relax, it’s absolutely worth the price. Besides, if you don’t eat it now, who knows when you’ll get another chance.” Ma Lu pointed to the banner with the words “Limited Time Only.”

Shen Yue was skeptical. “If it really sells that well, would you ever stop?”

“Our goal is to open a shop. We need to test more dishes, and the ingredients we use are top-notch and not easy to come by.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll eat it, okay?” Shen Yue quickly scanned the code to pay, then flashed a mischievous grin. “Hehehe, looks like I’ll be taking your first time, Senior.”

Ma Lu ignored her, and as soon as the president took the lead, the others followed suit, eagerly paying up.

The Universe’s Best Snack Stall sold seven orders in just under three minutes after opening.

Once the patties were done, the members of the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club gathered around. Shen Yue weighed the patty in her hand and mumbled.

“This is just over 100 grams. If you count just the meat, it’s probably not even half. Definitely a rip-off. After this, I’m cutting ties with Senior.”

“What did you say?” Ma Lu’s voice floated over from behind.

“Nothing, I said it looks delicious, so I’m digging in.” Shen Yue took a big bite, then immediately let out an exclamation, “Damn!”

“Poisoned?” one member asked.

“No way it’s poisoned. Senior’s greedy, but he wouldn’t try to kill us.” Another member took a bite as he spoke, and the next second, he let out the same exclamation.

“Damn, this is insanely good. Quick, everyone, try it!”

Before he could even finish, the others had already started, as they all saw Shen Yue devouring hers like she hadn’t eaten in days.

Moments later, a chorus of exclamations filled the air.

“It’s really delicious! No wonder the president is eating it so eagerly!”

“This is the best meat patty I’ve ever had! Why didn’t Senior start this stall sooner?!”

“Damn it, one isn’t enough. I need another one!”

“Calm down! Didn’t you just go to the amusement park with your girlfriend this week and spend all your money? If you buy another, you’ll be stuck with instant noodles!”

Just as everyone was still hesitating over the high price, Shen Yue had already finished her patty. She quickly dashed back to the tricycle, shouting, “Senior, I want another one!”

“Oh, so you’re not planning to cut ties with me anymore?”

“Who said that? Even if I cut ties with anyone, I wouldn’t do it with you, Senior. Besides, after I graduate, I’ll still need to work at your shop washing dishes,” Shen Yue said with a fawning smile.

Ma Lu remembered why he had handed the future of the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club over to her in the first place—it was because of her ability to bend and adapt. She was a master at outreach and securing sponsorships.

He just hadn’t expected her shamelessness to reach new heights once she became president.

However, with this attitude, some things would be much easier.

With just a look from Ma Lu, Shen Yue immediately understood and whispered, “524, the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club currently has 524 members. I’ll host a poetry competition themed around the patty. This way, I can use club funds to buy one fried patty per member. I won’t ask for a share, just give me ten—no, twenty patties when it’s done.”

“............”

Ma Lu was speechless. “What are you thinking? I only asked you to help promote it in the club, not to abuse your power for personal gain. Besides, eating twenty patties might kill you.”

“I can spread it out, two a day over ten days,” Shen Yue persisted.

“Forget it then.”

“No, no, no, I’ll help you promote it, for free. Not just in the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club but also in our class. I know people in other classes too… If needed, I can even hang banners around campus. Please, for the sake of my loyalty, spare me a few more patties.” Shen Yue pleaded.

Ma Lu held up three fingers. “Thirty people. If you can bring me 30 customers in the next half hour, I’ll give you another patty.”

Hearing this, Shen Yue wasted no time and immediately started making calls. “Hey, Lulu, I’ve found an incredible snack place that’s to die for. I’ll tell you where it is for the price of a movie ticket…”

“Xiao Jiu, aren’t you into fried chicken? There’s this Fried Meat Patty that’s ten times better than KFC’s chicken. Help me mark attendance in the Water Pollution class tomorrow, and I’ll tell you where to get it... What? You say it’s outside the west gate? Damn, how did you know? Did Xu Dawei post it in the group?”

Shen Yue hung up and quickly opened the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club’s group chat, and sure enough, someone had already spilled the beans. The whole chat was buzzing with excitement about the former president’s fried patties.

Left with no choice, Shen Yue gritted her teeth and started pulling in people from outside the club.

…

Soon enough, the Universe Snack Stall was surrounded by students who had heard the news, much to the envy of Squid Bro and his fellow villagers.

Who says a college degree is useless these days? Look, even when running a stall, a diploma comes in handy. Alumni treatment is on a whole different level.

Watching Ma Lu and Old Wang sell out as soon as they set up, Squid Bro and the others could only console themselves with sour grapes, thinking this was just a one-time rush of students showing support for their old president.

The exaggerated expressions and reactions from Shen Yue and her group after eating the patties were clearly staged, as fake as could be.

These young people nowadays—never doing anything proper. They haven’t even graduated, and they’re already skilled at flattery.

But the food industry isn’t like other businesses. If it doesn’t taste good, it just doesn’t. Once the initial hype dies down, with prices this high, the patties surely won’t sell.

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