The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 526 - 525 Going to the Capital

Chapter 526: Chapter 525 Going to the Capital

Julie looked at the two complaining male employees, "Though you’re idle, President Shen didn’t deduct a single day’s salary. Go out and ask those workers from factories that have closed and sent their staff home—aren’t all of them on unpaid leave? You shouldn’t be ignorant of the blessings you have!"

"What blessings? That’s all talk and no action. What can you do with that measly base salary of just a few dozen yuan?"

"My cousin works at the Golden House. He gets both food and lodging covered, and brings home 120 a month," another man grumbled.

As an outstanding and experienced manager, Julie was well aware that for employees who had grown wings and wanted to reach for the higher branches, there was no need to force them to stay.

Keeping them would only disrupt the morale and damage the unity.

Without further ado, she called the women from the dormitory to join the meeting as well.

"Currently, we can’t provide a definite time for resuming business. If you don’t want to wait and are thinking of seeking opportunities elsewhere, come to me now to get the resignation form."

Immediately, the employees started whispering among themselves.

"Lun Jiao, are you leaving? My aunt’s place is hiring, and they pay more than here for waitresses," a waitress who was on good terms with Lun Jiao whispered to her.

Lun Jiao shook her head, "No, I want to stay."

The waitress tried to persuade her, "It’s uncertain whether the shop will even continue to run. Don’t be foolish. If you miss this chance, there won’t be another."

Lun Jiao just smiled faintly without replying.

She was different from the others. Her aspirations were for the stars and the sea, beyond the horizon.

Shenji was merely a stepping stone for her.

Staying at Shenji didn’t hinder her from earning money, and she had plenty of time to study—it was an ideal situation she couldn’t ask for more.

Three or four employees took the resignation form one after another.

A chef protested, "What about the non-compete agreement we signed? If we quit, we won’t be able to work in this industry anymore. If I had known, I wouldn’t have joined Shenji. It’s so deceiving!"

This sentiment was echoed by a few other chefs.

The employees not restricted by the non-compete agreement secretly rejoiced and looked at them with sympathy.

How pitiful.

Julie looked at the complaining chefs, "You all signed the agreement willingly; no one forced you. Because of this agreement, you each receive an extra 10% of your salary monthly as a subsidy."

"Everyone was happy to take the benefits, but when it’s time to accept responsibility, you feel it’s unfair. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

Those who initially felt sympathy no longer did.

Having taken the money, they had to abide by the rules.

"So, Manager Julie, if I return the money, does that mean I don’t have to abide by the agreement?"

Julie scoffed, "Go out and ask around. Those who learn cooking from a master chef, it’s already pretty good if they can handle the stove and take charge after three years! You’ve been at Shenji for three months, and each of you has learned at least thirty dishes. Even though business is halted now, you’re still getting paid. How has President Shen wronged you?!"

A few chefs were left speechless.

Julie coldly regarded them, "No one is stopping you if you want to quit, but let me make it clear, if you resign, you can’t work in catering for three years. Once the three years are up, you can do whatever you want and Shenji won’t interfere."

"Then I won’t resign. I have food, lodging, and still get money every month for nothing. Let’s see who can outlast whom!"

"I’m also not leaving. With my half-baked skills, I might not even find work if I go out."

After weighing the pros and cons, several chefs chose to stay.

Julie quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

If waiters and handymen left, it wouldn’t matter as they could be easily replaced, but chefs were different.

Each chef at Shenji, even apprentices, were carefully selected talents who had been nurtured with effort; their loss would be a significant blow to Shenji.

Julie agreed on the spot to four employees’ resignations, instructing them to collect their pay at the store tomorrow and also disbursed the wages of previously resigned employees.

After personally witnessing these individuals pack and move out of the dormitory, she appointed a new dormitory administrator, reiterated the regulations once more, and issued a notice for a staff meeting at the Shangyang Spring Store tomorrow. She then rode her motorcycle to the Shangyang Spring Store and carried out similar reorganizations on the staff and dormitories.

The next day.

Shen Mingzhu arrived at the Shangyang Spring Store and, seeing not many employees on site, casually asked Julie, "How many people are still not here?"

"They are all here, just these. Yesterday, another nine submitted their resignations, and I’ve approved it. I’ve told them to come and get their pay this afternoon."

Shen Mingzhu nodded without a word.

Shen Xiangnan wore a worried expression but hesitated to speak.

At that moment, an employee suddenly shouted, "President Shen, will the store continue to operate, or not? When will it open? Give us a definitive answer, please!"

Their outcry stirred up waves among the crowd, and the employees became as restless as boiling water, each clamoring to know when the store would reopen.

"Quiet!"

Shen Mingzhu’s voice wasn’t loud but carried great authority, and the noisy scene gradually calmed down.

"I understand how you all feel, and I am not having an easy time either. You are just earning a little less, but I still have to lose money every day. For every day we’re closed, the loss is in the hundreds, and I want to resume business as soon as possible more than any of you do."

Hearing her words, the dissatisfaction and anger on the employees’ faces gradually subsided.

Sure thing, while they at least still got paid, Shen Mingzhu, as the owner, had to handle the rent and labor costs.

By comparison, their situation didn’t seem so tough.

"To those of you who are still standing here, I want to say thank you."

"Thank you for your trust in Shenji, in me, and also thank you for being willing to stick with Shenji through hard times."

"I believe, like me, you wish to see Shenji do better and better, because as Shenji thrives, your income will also increase. You and Shenji are interdependent, a community with aligned interests."

"For a restaurant to establish itself, it needs not only a good environment and fine dishes but also attentive service, making the customers feel that spending here is worthwhile!"

"In order to help everyone make progress and improve, Shenji will offer one training opportunity abroad every year from now on. Starting this month, any long-serving employee who has been with the company for over a year can attend training in the Capital for free."

Upon her conclusion, the place instantly became a hive of excited chatter.

"My God, to the Capital!"

"When are we going?"

"What about us newer employees who haven’t been here a year?"

Shen Mingzhu raised her hand, signaling everyone to be quiet, "The training includes field visits to five-star hotels, service industry skill courses. Moreover, there’s a day trip in the Capital, where I’ll arrange for you to watch the Tiananmen flag-raising ceremony, tour the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, and other famous attractions."

"Departure is tentatively scheduled for three days from now. Those who haven’t yet completed a year can join the training at their own expense for a fee of 150 yuan per person, covering round-trip travel, four nights and five days of accommodation, meals, and entrance fees to attractions."

With these words, the discussion among them reignited.

The longtime employees were overly excited, while the new ones were filled with envy. Amidst their envy, they also struggled with the decision.

For these ordinary people, the Capital was undoubtedly a sacred place, and who wouldn’t want to see what Tiananmen really looked like?

However, paying for the trip themselves was another matter; their families would not agree.

150 yuan was not a small sum for an average household.

But these concerns were not what Shen Mingzhu had to worry about.

After Julie’s tally, a total of seven employees were eligible for the free training, including Julie and Shen Xiangnan.

In the afternoon, when Julie presented Shen Mingzhu with the list of participants for the training, she shared a piece of news with her.