Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 248

Chapter 248: 248

Hearing An Wazi’s call, Nanzhi and the others hastened their pace. The door panel was removed, and the people standing outside didn’t dare enter directly.

Hu San peeked out first to see who had arrived, recognized those who came to test for jobs, and beckoned them inside.

"What are you standing outside for? Come in!" Hu San shrank back inside after speaking, turning to Nanzhi and Shen Miaomiao to say, "They’re all here, two cooks and five waiters."

"Good."

A few people entered the room, two of whom started to size up Nanzhi and Shen Miaomiao.

The two of them were the only ones in the room who were neatly dressed, although their clothes weren’t exceptionally fancy, they weren’t bad either. They must be the future bosses.

"Greetings, Bosses."

One of them greeted and started to bow, startling Shen Miaomiao somewhat.

Nanzhi glanced at the man and compared him with the record on the roster.

"Are you Liao Da?"

"Oh, I’m Liao Da, twenty-one this year. I ran errands in Zuitingxuan for two months."

Liao Da’s face was a little pale, but his smile was not at all repulsive.

Nanzhi nodded in recognition and turned her gaze to the two cooks.

The two cooks looked to be about twenty-seven or eight and about thirty-five or six respectively, both with pleasant faces. Nanzhi and Shen Miaomiao were both satisfied.

Next, the two cooks were asked to make their specialty dishes. Shen Miaomiao and Xu Chou were to watch them in the kitchen while Nanzhi and Hu San selected suitable helpers out front.

Nanzhi initially didn’t plan on opening the private rooms on the second floor, but was preparing to conduct business in the main hall as a trial run. Hence, she didn’t need that many waiters and helpers at this stage.

Among the five men, aside from Liao Da, the other four were Zhang Yun, Li Jun, Wang Sheng, and Lin Xiaoquan.

Liao Da was good at reading people’s faces and was very quick-witted.

Zhang Yun, only twenty, was more honest and had experience as a hall runner. Even though he wasn’t articulate, he was hard-working.

Li Jun, just seventeen, lived in the suburbs of Yan City. He came to the city to earn money for his wedding, and was quite honest and straightforward.

Wang Sheng was the eldest among the five, already twenty-five years old. He was a local from Yan City and had worked at Baiweizhai until a month ago when Manager Lu from Baiweizhai told him the restaurant was closing down.

Hearing that he had worked in the restaurant previously, Nanzhi just nodded and didn’t ask anything more.

The youngest was Lin Xiaoquan, an innocent-looking fifteen-year-old with big eyes and thick eyebrows, but quite smart.

After an exchange of questions, Nanzhi had an idea in mind and just waited for Shen Miaomiao to discuss with her.

Inside the kitchen, the two cooks were ready with their specialty dishes. One of them looked at Xu Chou who stood aside, examining his clothes and awkward posture, a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes, and he snorted.

Shen Miaomiao was very observant and caught this action.

An Wazi, being short, had a clear view from the side and found the cook’s attitude annoying, but as the boss didn’t speak up, he could only pout and stand next to Xu Chou.

The two dishes were served, Nanzhi simply passed chopsticks and allowed Uncle Ping, Aze, and An Wazi to taste the food as well.

The older chef always had a smile on his face, but the younger one’s expression darkened.

Only when Shen Miaomiao handed a pair of chopsticks to Xu Chou did the man completely lose his temper.

He was the apprentice of Hongfu Building’s master chef; it was understandable for the boss to taste the food and even for the other three people to eat, but why should a cripple like him taste his dish?

Before anyone could react, he threw down his apron and walked out.

His sudden departure left not only Nanzhi and Shen Miaomiao in shock but also An Wazi who was standing by the side confused.

"Boss, that guy left." An Wazi, still being young, pointed at the departing figure and said.

"If he wants to leave, let him leave." Nanzhi was indifferent, moving the dish to the side before pointing to the remaining dish and asking.

"Miaomiao, what do you think of this dish?"

"I think it’s good." Shen Miaomiao nodded.

Nanzhi then turned her gaze towards Hu San and the others.

Having tasted Xu Chou’s beef, Hu San preferred his cooking. Coupled with the good skills of the cook who had just left, he was somewhat conflicted.

In the end, it was Uncle Ping who spoke first. "The dish tastes good, fresh, tender, slippery, and fragrant. It will appeal to those who prefer light flavors."

Uncle Ping had been a steward in Kyoto, so he had tasted many fine dishes. Eating this dish reminded him of his previous master.

"An Wazi, do you like it?" Shen Miaomiao glance at Aze, then at An Wazi, finally asking with a smile.

"Tastes good." An Wazi nodded honestly. At home, he could only drink cold gruel, and it was only after going to Yahang that he had hot bread, and today, he got to eat three meat dishes. It felt like a dream.

"Master Lu, why don’t you work as a chef in our restaurant in the future? You’ll get two taels of silver a month, and once the restaurant starts making a profit, you’ll get a separate share. How does that sound?"

Nanzhi and Shen Miaomiao had discussed this beforehand. They had also inquired that a good chef in Yan City generally earned not less than two taels and three wen of silver per month. They worried that they wouldn’t be able to afford that much at the beginning, so they decided to pay him a commission instead.

They had also calculated that, if business was good, a chef could earn almost a tael of silver in commissions, and a good waiter could earn several hundred wen.

"Okay, that works." Master Lu had two sons attending school at home and they were at an age that required a lot of money. Though he didn’t quite understand what share meant, it would at least solve their immediate need.

When Nanzhi finished talking, she secretly observed Xu Chou’s reaction. Seeing him still shrinking to the side, she felt a stuffiness in her chest.

"We provide food and accommodations, with four days off per month. You need to inform us beforehand. We can officially open the restaurant on the fifteenth of each month and pay monthly salaries. Is that okay?"

"Oh, oh, I don’t need to live here, my house is nearby. I won’t delay work." Master Lu responded with a beaming smile.

After Nanzhi finished talking about various matters, Master Lu left first.

Only then did the five people waiting on the side light up their eyes, especially Liao Da. He earned a tael of silver a month at Zuitingxuan, and sometimes, with additional rewards, he could earn as much as one tael and one wen a month. He was unsure about the salary the new bosses would offer.

"If you’re interested, the conditions here are the same for everyone. Food and accommodation are included, four days off a month, and monthly salary is one tael of silver. There will be bonuses if you do well, it’s up to you if you’re willing."

Upon hearing that the salary was only one tael of silver, Liao Da looked somewhat disappointed, but he still asked with a smile, "Boss, what’s this bonus you mentioned?"

"If the restaurant business is good and reaches our target, you could earn a bit more silver."