Chapter 205: An Invitation to Watch Fireworks

Although most of the barbecues in Nanjing focus on seafood, with many stalls specializing in grilled oysters, the people on the island eat fish and shrimp daily. To break into the market, you need to offer something different.

So, Xiao Lang's specialty is grilled beef and lamb, featuring ingredients like lamb hooves, tendon, kidneys, penis, and testicles.

As soon as the meat skewers hit the grill, the aroma of the barbecue wafted far and wide.

Not only were the passersby drawn in, but even the owners and employees of nearby shops peeked out to see where the delicious smell was coming from.

"Boss, how much for a lamb skewer?" 

A middle-aged man walked over, drawn by the smell, and asked.

"All meat skewers are 1.5 yuan each, chicken wings are 2 yuan each, and grilled vegetables are 1 yuan each," replied Xiao Lang as he skillfully grilled the lamb skewers.

The meat on the bamboo skewers, after being grilled over charcoal, had a slightly charred exterior. The outer layer of the meat gave off a dizzying aroma, combined with Xiao Lang's family recipe seasoning, making it salty, fragrant, and crispy. The inside remained tender and juicy, bursting with flavor with each bite.

Since the island had no barbecue stalls, the sudden appearance of one with such a tempting aroma attracted many people. Soon, the small barbecue stall was surrounded by more than twenty people.

Because it was Xiao Lang and Chen Jianhai's first night, they hadn't brought any tables or chairs, so customers had to stand around to eat. Some men even held skewers in one hand, leaning forward to avoid spilling the juices on themselves.

People, curious about the growing crowd, joined in, forming an impenetrable throng around the stall.

Xiao Lang and Chen Jianhai were sweating from head to toe by the heat of the grill.

"Boss, do you have any garlic?" someone shouted.

"Here you go, buddy!" Chen Jianhai handed over two garlic cloves from the garlic tub.

The cloves were unpeeled, so customers could peel them themselves without compromising hygiene.

Meanwhile, Feng Di had already placed a secret order for several boxes of beer, soft drinks, and mineral water, along with plastic stools and small tables, ready to join forces with Xiao Lang and Chen Jianhai for a bigger operation the next day.

"Boss, give me a penis skewer!"

Amid the bustling barbecue, a familiar elderly voice called out.

"Sure, grandpa, one penis skewer for 7 yuan," Xiao Lang responded while grilling the skewers.

Chen Jianhai, recognizing the voice, looked up quickly.

Before he could say anything, the old man spoke first.

"Huluhua! Is that you!"

The elderly man, waving a fan, beamed at Chen Jianhai.

"Oh! Grandpa!" Chen Jianhai exclaimed with delight.

The mutual affection between Chen Jianhai and the elderly man was etched in their bones from the first time they boasted to each other at the dock. They were kindred spirits.

"Grandpa, what else would you like? Tonight, it's on me!"

"That's too kind of you!" the old man said shyly.

"Come on! No need to be polite with me, tonight's my treat!"

...

Fifteen minutes later.

"That old man is amazing. Isn't he afraid of a nosebleed?"

Xiao Lang glanced at the old man, who had just finished eating and was now buying ice cream across the street, and whispered.

Chen Jianhai replied, "I'm worried too... Let's keep an eye on him. If he shows any signs of trouble, we'll take him to the hospital right away."

"Alright..." Xiao Lang nodded.

Seeing the old man with two large cups of iced lemonade, Chen Jianhai couldn't help but feel astonished. At his age, eating 2 penis skewers, 4 kidneys, and 3 testicles... what plans does he have for tonight?

It's not just about whether he can handle it; doesn't such heavy food taste overly strong?

But the old man seemed perfectly fine, which reassured Chen Jianhai and Xiao Lang.

The two of them continued working until after 10 PM.

Given the island's small population, and with many men out fishing at night, making it until 10 PM on the first night was a significant success for Chen Jianhai and Xiao Lang.

"Gulp, gulp, gulp..."

"Ahh..."

Chen Jianhai and Xiao Lang, exhausted, slumped at the entrance of the coffee shop, each downing a bottle of mineral water, too tired to straighten their backs.

By now, most of the shops on the street had closed, with only a few still lit.

"Let's clean up and head out!" 

Chen Jianhai patted Xiao Lang's shoulder. "Don't lie down; the longer you wait, the harder it will be to get up."

Xiao Lang wiped his sweaty face with his T-shirt, propped himself up with one hand, and began picking up the bamboo skewers customers had dropped.

Meanwhile, Feng Di brought out a broom, and the three of them cleaned up the street together.

Chen Jianhai said, "Lao Feng, we'll leave the grill here. We'll be back tomorrow night at the same time."

"No problem!" Feng Di replied, helping Xiao Lang move the grill inside.

As Chen Jianhai stacked the thermal boxes back onto the cart, a familiar voice called out again.

"Done for the night?"

"Grandpa, why are you still here?" Chen Jianhai looked up, surprised.

"I'm waiting for you!"

The old man smiled, fanning himself, his face slightly flushed.

Waiting for me?

Chen Jianhai's hand trembled, and he instinctively took a couple of steps back.

Goodness, I hope this old man doesn't have any pent-up energy to release on me.

"I wanted to ask you earlier, but you were busy. Why are you running a barbecue stall on the island?" the old man asked.

Chen Jianhai tightened his grip on the box and replied, "My friend heard the island is nice and wanted to start a small barbecue business here, so I came to help."

"Oh, I see." The old man nodded, muttering to himself, "I'm getting old and forgetful. Why haven't I seen you disembark at the dock?"

"Where are you staying on the island?"

Chen Jianhai's eyelid twitched at this question. He quickly replied, "We're staying at Feng Di's place."

The old man nodded, "Good. As long as you have a place to stay."

"I just wanted to ask if you'd like to join us for the fireworks and water movie this Friday afternoon after the island's Love the Island Day?"

"Fireworks and a water movie?" Chen Jianhai repeated, puzzled.

"Yes! It's a tradition on the island. Every Friday afternoon, after we clean up, we celebrate with fireworks on the beach. You missed it last time because you left in a hurry, so I'm inviting you this time."