"Hello, everyone—I’m Xiaoqi, the host from the Beijing Travel Channel. Today, here on North Fourth Ring Road, a small restaurant that opened just a month ago is closing for renovations. This news has caused quite a stir, attracting nurous custors to co check in and commorate the occasion. What magic does this place hold? Let’s find out!"
Seeing there were already colleagues queuing up, even ahead of her, Zeng Xiaoqi made a swift decision. She decided to skip interviewing the restaurant owner and instead film the crowd lining up outside to prepare an introductory clip for her report. Not being able to beat her colleagues to the interview wasn’t an issue; it was all about releasing her story earlier than them. Fortunately, she had briefly familiarized herself with information about Lin Ji’s Food on the way there; otherwise, she really couldn’t have competed with her colleagues from CCTV Travel.
After her opening monologue, the caraman started filming the long queue at the entrance. anwhile, Zeng Xiaoqi began looking for interviewees. While reading the information in the car, she saw that custors of Lin Ji’s Food online called themselves "Lin Ji Boys" or "Lin Ji Girls," so she decided to pose as one to build rapport with them.
Once the caraman had finished filming, she found her first interviewee: a young woman in her twenties.
"Hello, I’m Zeng Xiaoqi, a Lin Ji Girl. Are you a Lin Ji Girl too?"
"Of course, I’m a Lin Ji Girl! I’ve posted dozens of tis today... Oh, Sister Xiaoqi? I didn’t expect you to be a custor here too. I’m a fan! I watch you sharing your als every day; I’m completely addicted."
Zeng Xiaoqi: "..."
So, have I been backstabbed by my own fan?
After the pleasantries, Zeng Xiaoqi officially started the interview. She had initially just wanted to ask about people’s motivations for queuing, but the fan spent the whole ti praising how delicious and fantastic Lin Ji’s Food was. It made Zeng Xiaoqi’s mouth water, even though she had just had lunch.
She then randomly interviewed a few more people in line. And they enthusiastically recomnded a bunch of the restaurant’s dishes.
"Those Tiger Skin Chicken Feet are superbly marinated. You have to try them when you go in."
"The Lotus Root is delicious too, so crisp and super tasty."
"The flavor of the stead pork ribs in black bean sauce is the best. My goodness, I can’t believe those are pork ribs!"
"You absolutely must try Boss Lin’s sweet and sour pork tenderloin; it’s simply wonderful. I can’t even describe it in words."
"The Sour Plum Soup in the restaurant is slow-cooked over a low fla—you can’t find anything like it outside. Just try it, and you’ll understand how good it is."
"If you like spicy food, don’t miss out on the restaurant’s Boiled Beef Slices; it’s phenonal!"
Zeng Xiaoqi’s mouth watered as she conducted the interviews. She hadn’t expected such an unassuming little restaurant to have so many delicious things on offer.
I’ll definitely go in later under the guise of an interview and try so of these dishes... Her plan was perfect. However, when she finally could go inside, she discovered that all the food had already sold out.
"Sorry, everyone, all the food in the restaurant has sold out," Lin Xu said apologetically to the crowd. "Please co back this afternoon. We’ll prepare more then and do our best to et everyone’s needs."
He had never imagined that a closure notice would attract so many custors. Even journalists from TV stations had shown up.
"Chezai, give these journalist friends so sour... ah, looks like the Sour Plum Soup is all gone. In that case, just get them so other drinks. I’ll call Mr. Hu to send over so more at."
He instructed his staff, then took out his phone and called Ou Hua, Mr. Hu, and Uncle Shen one by one, asking them to deliver more of the scarce ingredients, as well as other food and drinks.
With so many custors at noon, there will likely be even more in the afternoon.
He then called his senior fellow apprentice, Xie Baomin, asking him to send a few chefs over to help out. Since there were more custors, the amount of food also needed to increase. He wanted to do his best to satisfy the custors’ wishes to dine at the restaurant before it closed for renovations.
After sorting these matters out, he went to the kitchen and brewed a huge pot of Sour Plum Soup using a large jacketed kettle. Only then did he manage to free up so ti for interviews.
The interviews themselves were quite simple. Whether it was Zeng Xiaoqi from the Beijing Travel Channel or the crew from CCTV Travel, their aim was to promote Beijing’s cuisine and enhance the city’s influence. Consequently, their focus was on the restaurant itself, rather than on Lin Xu personally. So, they asked him so simple questions, such as his motivation for opening the restaurant, the reason for its temporary closure, and its signature dishes.
Upon learning that Lin Xu was closing for renovations to upgrade to a larger, more formal restaurant, everyone curiously looked at the design renderings for the new establishnt. This further heightened their anticipation for the future of Lin Ji’s Food.
After the interviews concluded, Lin Xu excused himself and hurried back to the kitchen to work. There was no other way; too many ingredients needed preparing, and the afternoon preparation ti was too short, so he had to make every second count.
The TV crews fild so B-roll footage around the restaurant before finally bidding farewell and leaving. Not having been able to film any of the restaurant’s actual dishes left them sowhat disheartened. After all, they had been eagerly anticipating it for much of the day while waiting in line.
Back in the interview van, Zeng Xiaoqi thought for a mont and then said to her team, "You all head back first. Edit what we just recorded and get it ready for broadcast. Give a small camcorder and a tripod; I’m going back to the restaurant to continue interviewing."
The others were stunned.
"More interviews?"
"Yes, more interviews! I waited all this ti and didn’t get to film a single dish. I’m not giving up that easily! Hand the camcorder. You all head back. I’ll return after I’ve finished filming."
The caraman replaced the camcorder’s storage card and battery with fresh ones and then retrieved a small tripod from the trunk.
Carrying the equipnt, Zeng Xiaoqi returned to Lin Ji’s Food.
As soone renowned at the TV station for her relentless drive and ’never-give-up’ attitude, she simply couldn’t stomach this kind of setback.
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