Hong Kong variety show: From being bitten by a cockroach to becoming a legend

Chapter 37: Explosive Reputation

Ah May rushed to Aunt Xia's side like a cannonball, so excited that she almost shoved the microphone into Aunt Xia's mouth: "Aunt Xia, what's your secret to winning against the Hong Kong Youth Team?"

Aunt Xia wiped her sweat with a simple and honest expression, pointed to the "sacrificed" beef ball on the ground, and said loudly, "What's the secret? The meatball is just bouncy, chewy, and resilient." She picked up a new beef ball, smiled at the camera, and said with a wide grin, "It smells so good! I'm hungry after playing basketball, so this is a perfect snack to replenish my energy!" After saying that, she actually took a bite of half a beef ball. "Sizzle!" Golden broth gushed out, and she squinted her eyes in satisfaction, her face full of happiness.

Below the stage, Ye Rongtian whispered to Song Zhaowen, "Boss, who is this Sister Xia? Is she really a farmer?"

Song Zhaowen grinned: "How could that be? This is the coach of the women's national table tennis team from the northern province."

Sister Xia was invited by Song Zhaowen through a favor at the company that imports the machinery. In order to create a gimmick, he deliberately didn't reveal Sister Xia's identity and made her as rustic as possible. That way, there would be a contrast effect.

The show looks incredibly entertaining right now.

Everyone has curiosity.

Song Zhaowen organized two highly sensational programs in a row, successfully arousing the curiosity of countless people through the "City Observation" program.

There will always be people who buy a box just to try it out.

Tin Shui Wai, Market Entrance.

The stage had not been completely dismantled and the crowd had just dispersed, but the real battlefield had already shifted to the temporary "Wenji Beef Ball" sales point.

Several lanes, formed by neighbors and citizens who had rushed over upon hearing the news, snaked and twisted like greedy pythons, almost blocking the entire street entrance. The noise was deafening, ten times louder than when they were watching the game.

"I want three packs, no, ten packs."

"Give me five packs, hurry up."

"Hey, don't cut in line, or I'll call the police."

"Are you still in stock? I've been waiting in line for half an hour."

The workers were so busy they barely had time to breathe, their clothes soaked with sweat, but their faces were beaming with unprecedented excitement.

The plane's voice was hoarse from shouting. While collecting money and giving change, he yelled into the walkie-talkie, "Back cabin, back cabin, please respond if you receive this! The front is sold out! We can't keep up! What am I going to use to keep up?"

Having been mentally prepared, Song Zhaowen couldn't hide his excitement: "I've become an internet sensation... I've succeeded! This 'cannonball' of mine has truly exploded throughout Hong Kong!"

Tsim Sha Tsui, a tenement building apartment.

"Ding~" The microwave oven emitted a crisp notification sound.

Ah Wen eagerly opened the stove door, and an overwhelming aroma—a blend of top-quality beef and secret spices—instantly filled the small kitchen, even overpowering the dishes Li Tai was cooking.

"Wow, it smells so good, Mom!" Ah-Wen's eyes lit up as he picked up a large beef ball, about the size of a table tennis ball, with his chopsticks. The ball's skin was smooth and taut, revealing a hint of its rich, golden interior.

He carefully blew on it, then gently took a bite.

"Tch~"

The scalding hot, golden, and thick beef bone broth, like a long-suppressed volcano, suddenly burst through the confines of the beef skin and gushed out. Some of it splashed onto Awen's chin, making him yelp in pain, but most of the broth, with its unparalleled and exquisite flavor, instantly filled his mouth.

"Mmm~" Ah Wen's eyes widened instantly. The ultimate aroma of meat, the complex layers of spices, and the concentrated essence of the broth were like countless taste bombs exploding on his tongue. The amazing bouncy and chewy texture of the beef balls brought an unprecedented taste experience.

"So...so...so delicious it's explosive!!!" Ah Wen's eyes were watering from the heat, but his mouth was like it had a motor, chewing frantically, and he shouted indistinctly towards the kitchen entrance, "Mom, it's incredibly good, you have to try it, you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't!"

Li Tai turned off the stove fire and walked over with a mixture of belief and doubt.

"Is she really that hot?"

I picked one up and carefully took a bite.

"laugh."

The next second, the housewife let out a groan of satisfaction, almost like Ah Wen's, "Mmm... damn, I wasn't lying! This is better than a bowl of beef brisket noodles that costs hundreds of dollars at a restaurant." She finished the noodles in a few bites, then looked at the two remaining pieces in the bowl with lingering relish, and then at her son's longing eyes. She gritted her teeth and said, "Ah Wen, go downstairs! Go to 'Xiang Ji' and buy ten packs, um, twenty packs, quick."

This thrifty housewife had a premonition that it would be very difficult to buy these beef balls again after today, just like the later Pop Mart's Labubu.

Sham Shui Po, "Wing Kee" tea restaurant.

The small shop was now packed with people, as if it had been swept by a hurricane. All the seats were occupied, and even more people were crowding in front of the counter and in the aisles, waving banknotes in their hands, all with one goal: Hao Nan's Pissing Beef Balls!

"Uncle Rong, a bowl of clean beef balls, quick."

"I want beef ball rice noodles."

"Excuse me, three servings of beef balls to go."

"Hey, I'll go first in line."

Uncle Rong, the boss, was nowhere near as relaxed as before. He was covered in sweat, his face was oily, and his white vest was soaked through. He was spinning wildly like a top between the small kitchen and the counter.

Ah Qiang, the waiter, was extremely busy. The pot of beef balls was constantly on fire, and the air was filled with an enticing aroma and the sizzling sound of juice.

Everything changed half an hour after the "City Chase" program aired, along with word-of-mouth from long-time viewers.

"Hey, Ah Qiang, hurry up and cook, the guests are urging you."

"Uncle Rong, phone call. 50 copies in Standard Chartered Building, Central!" Another clerk shouted hoarsely, holding up a constantly ringing phone.

Not only street customers, but even white-collar workers in Central are calling to try it out.

Despite the booming business, Uncle Rong was quite annoyed, simply because he hadn't been optimistic about the pissing beef balls before, and only kept one in the shop. Now the stock was running out quickly.

Not to mention customers, even competitors are urging us to hurry up.

"Uncle Rong, the big boss of Fa Kee Restaurant is looking for you."

Uncle Rong rushed to the counter, grabbed the phone, and before he could even speak, a deafening roar came from the receiver: "Rong Kee, I'm from 'Fa Kee' in Mong Kok. I'm saying you have some stock. Reserve about twenty boxes for me, cash, transfer immediately."

"Damn it, Brother Fa, I don't even have any to sell myself right now!" Uncle Rong yelled back into the phone, but his eyes caught sight of the empty "Wen Ji Pissing Beef Balls" box under the counter—a box he'd shoved into a corner that morning, now looking like a gold brick. He was filled with regret. "Wait, wait, I'll call the supplier right away!"

He frantically rummaged through the business card Ye Rongtian had left behind. The rough piece of paper only had a name and a mobile phone number printed on it: Ye Rongtian, Marketing Manager of the Beef Ball Factory. He practically poked at the buttons and dialed the number that he had previously completely disregarded.

Unfortunately, all he got in response was a busy signal.