Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Xu Meng didn’t pay much attention and casually replied, “It's okay. Recently, my English teacher told me that during English morning study sessions, I can review other subjects as long as my English doesn’t fall behind. That gives me a lot more time to memorize Chinese and politics.”

This way, subjects like Chinese, which previously didn’t have enough time for memorization, suddenly gained plenty of review time.

Teacher Zhang also cut her a lot of slack.

Zhang Mingqing said wistfully, “Youth is truly wonderful.”

She glanced at Xu Meng and saw her eyes sparkling as she watched the yard.

In the yard, a few children were roughhousing. Xu Meng was always so full of life.

As she prepared to leave, Zhang Mingqing felt a bit reluctant. She stood up and smiled at Xu Meng, saying, “I’m heading back. I’ll come visit you again next time and bring Tuan Tuan for hot pot. Thanks for hosting me.”

“And thank you for bringing me so many seasonings.” Those would’ve been tough to find in Beijing.

Zhang Mingqing smiled at her, then turned and walked out of the yard.

Outside, a black Volkswagen was parked. Even though cars were expensive these days, it wasn’t uncommon to see them in the capital. Zhang Mingqing got in and drove to her restaurant.

She owned a Chinese restaurant near the university district, which had just opened not long ago.

At first, business was booming—especially on weekends, when the place would be packed even before peak dining hours. Thrilled, Zhang Mingqing even gave the head chef a 200 kuai raise.

But the honeymoon didn’t last. Soon after, another stir-fry restaurant opened right across the street. One day, the head chef suddenly quit, and the very next day, her signature dishes showed up on the rival restaurant’s menu.

Zhang Mingqing wasn’t stupid—it was clear as day the owner of the other restaurant had poached her chef.

Later, she made a quick trip to Sichuan and hired a renowned local chef, only for him to be poached not long after.

No matter what salary she offered, the competitor always managed to top her offer and steal her chefs.

It was maddening—like a fly you can't swat.

They were on the same street—why not just compete fairly? The university district was big enough that no single restaurant could monopolize all the business. But with chefs constantly quitting without notice, her restaurant had to frequently close, losing hundreds a day. Customers also noticed the inconsistent flavors, and business grew increasingly sluggish.

Parking was scarce near the university district, so Zhang Mingqing parked farther away and walked.

It was just past 6 p.m., and most restaurants were busy—especially the Xiang Xiang Stir-Fry across the street, where customers were lined up outside and tables spilled onto the sidewalk. The plump male owner waddled around with his gut hanging out, and when he spotted Zhang Mingqing, he gave her a provocative smirk, eyeing her up and down.

Disgusted, Zhang Mingqing hocked a loogie his way and scowled.

Meanwhile, her place was nearly empty.

Her location was prime—arguably the best in the university district. She owned the two-story building free and clear, with each floor spanning over 100 square meters. The kitchen alone took up more than 10 square meters, and she'd sunk a fortune into the decor. No other restaurant in the area came close in size—most were cramped, ranging from 20 to barely 100 square meters combined. Back in her prime, she'd pull in over a grand a day.

The markup on food was huge—at least 50%.

But with business so slow lately, even the staff wore long faces. Jobs weren’t easy to come by these days.

Zhang Mingqing was a decent boss, offering good pay, so everyone hoped the restaurant could pull through.

“How’s business?”

“We had one or two tables at lunch. Dinner's better—three tables so far.”

Zhang Mingqing sighed as she scanned the dead restaurant. The new chef she’d hired wasn’t skilled, yet he had the nerve to ask for more money his first week. Who did that? Just as she was thinking this, a pimply young man with a towel draped over his neck emerged from the kitchen.

"This is our new hire, Chef Xiao He."

"Hey boss, you’re here." Xiao He casually plopped down opposite Zhang Mingqing and immediately started complaining, "This place is a dump. Xiangxiang across the street is headhunting hard. I heard their boss just took over a few more shops and is offering much better wages. If you don’t give me a raise, I’ll just bail."

His eyes lit up with dollar signs.

Zhang Mingqing’s gaze remained icy as she stared at him. "How much are they offering you?"

Xiao He hesitated. "That’s confidential—can’t spill it."

Trade secrets!

Zhang Mingqing thought for a moment. "Forget it."

Xiao He: "Huh?"

Zhang Mingqing: "Grass is always greener. If you’ve got a better opportunity, go ahead. I won’t hold you back. By the way, when do you plan to leave?"

Xiao He froze, his bluster gone.

He had been introduced by a friend. He was half-decent at best—he’d only trained under a master for two years before coming here, barely qualified. Zhang paid top dollar for cooks. As the head chef, he currently earned 600 a month, with a raise to 800 after probation. But now, Zhang wasn’t buying it anymore.

Seeing him silent, his earlier bravado instantly deflated.

Zhang Mingqing fished out her wallet from her bag, counted out a few bills, and placed them one by one on the table. "Here’s your cut for the week. In principle, during probation, you can leave, and I can fire you. It goes both ways. Right now, it’s not that you don’t want to work here—it’s that I don’t want you anymore. Since the boss across the street is still there, you might as well go now."

Her expression was serious—no joking.

"Boss Zhang."

"I’m not joking."

Xiao He stared into her eyes for a few seconds, swiped the cash with a grunt.

Zhang Mingqing called after him, "Wait."

Xiao He paused, eyes suddenly hopeful. He definitely didn’t want to stay—just giving the boss face. After all, a guy shouldn’t mess with a lady.

Zhang Mingqing turned to another staff member. "Song Xia, bring me a piece of paper."

Song Xia scrambled to yank open a drawer, rummaged for paper and pen, and handed them to Zhang Mingqing.

Zhang Mingqing nodded in satisfaction and pushed the paper and pen toward Xiao He. "You know how to write? Sign this."

So she’d stopped him just for a receipt. Xiao He’s face fell, the hope gone. But even so, he scribbled out the receipt, then snatched the money and shoved the door open on his way out.

The other staff members watched the scene unfold, buzzing with nerves. If she’s axing the chef, is she folding the business?

No one knew what the boss was thinking. Everyone said she was a trust-fund wife who could’ve just lounged around collecting rent. Yet she insisted on opening a shop. After months of business, she was bleeding cash and even blew off rent collection. Maybe she really didn’t want to continue.

Zhang Mingqing knew that no matter how much money her family had, it couldn’t be her safety net.

So what was her foundation? This stable job?

Back then, she’d married early because her husband valued her stable job and good looks. At the Railway Bureau, she had been one of the most beautiful women.

But as her husband grew richer, the way his family looked at her changed.

Zhang Mingqing sat by the window, quietly watching outside. Xiao He bolted straight for the rival manager.

Well, that fat guy probably isn't the real boss behind the scenes, just the manager.

The manager's smile instantly faded, and soon the two were arguing. Xiao He stood in front of their shop for a long time before finally deciding to return to Zhang Mingqing's store.

Tch, getting poached is one thing, but getting fired? That’s a whole different story.

This chef isn’t as skilled as the previous ones, yet he still wants to demand a raise? Totally nuts.

"Boss, forget the raise—I’ll come back even for 600."

He’s begging, but she’s done with him.

————

Night came, but the courtyard was still buzzing.

Feng Yanwen was sorting through the things her brother had brought—some were non-perishable, like potatoes and pumpkins, which she asked Xu Meng to store in the kitchen cabinets. As for the perishable vegetables, she simply divided them into a few baskets and went out to find Liu Jin.

"Liu Jin, lend me a hand."

Liu Jin: "Auntie."

Feng Yanwen pointed at the vegetable baskets. "Auntie’s swamped right now, still organizing things. Could you deliver these to each household?"

Liu Jin was a very capable kid—anything assigned to him was done reliably. He nodded immediately, brought in a small cart from outside, and arranged the baskets as Feng Yanwen instructed. Some households received more, with a full basket of vegetables, while others got less—maybe just a handful. The close-knit families and neighbors got a little extra.

"These are for you. Take some pumpkins and potatoes."

Liu Jin gave a cheerful ‘Got it!’ and hurried off.

Just then, Zhang Mingqing walked in and smiled at the eldest boy, who was happily working.

Liu Jin smiled back at her, wondering why Auntie Zhang was back so soon.

Feng Yanwen also looked at Zhang Mingqing curiously. "What’s going on?"

Zhang Mingqing: "Where’s Xu Meng? I need to talk to her."

Feng Yanwen glanced outside—this kid—she was here a second ago, and now she’s gone. "What do you need her for?"

Zhang Mingqing simply sat under the eaves. "I’ll just wait here."

Feng Yanwen didn’t meddle in the kids’ business and let her be.

Soon, footsteps announced Xu Meng’s return, accompanied by a little girl named Emma. Xu Meng was whispering something, but the girl seemed upset, sniffling quietly. Only when they entered the courtyard did they see Xu Meng holding the little girl, whose face was buried in her chest.

Zhang Mingqing chuckled. "What’s wrong? Crying?"

Today was weird—usually, Smith would come to pick up the kids around five or six in the afternoon.

Normally, there’d even be a whole drama of the kids refusing to leave.

Around six, the kids had been happily watching cartoons. Though Emma didn’t understand much Chinese, she could follow the animation. But when it got completely dark outside and Smith still hadn’t arrived, little Emma started freaking out, crying for her father. Nothing could calm her down, so Xu Meng had to take her outside, waiting at the alley entrance for a long time before finally talking her into coming back.

Emma, too upset, refused to speak Chinese, mumbling in English instead.

Xu Meng responded in English, talking smoothly, no problem.

Zhang Mingqing was blown away. Xu Meng’s English was next-level. She didn’t have much schooling herself, but she admired cultured people. She had always thought Xu Meng was just pretty and academically bright, but she’d never witnessed her real skills. She never expected her English to be this fluent. Even her look at Feng Yanwen had changed.

But what she didn't know was that Xu Meng had also become more fluent in speaking through her time with Emma.

Feng Yanwen smiled as she watched the two of them. Xu Meng was still a child herself, yet she was already comforting a child quite capably. She said, "This little one stays with us on weekends. Her father was delayed by something today and didn’t leave word. When it got dark, she began asking for her father. Xu Meng took her outside to look for him, but they couldn’t find him, so she finally resigned herself and returned."

Zhang Mingqing seemed to think of something, her gaze softening as she looked at the little girl.

Feng Yanwen spread her arms. "Want a hug?"

Emma glanced at her, then at Xu Meng. Perhaps feeling more familiar with Feng Yanwen, she turned and threw herself into her arms, whining softly about something. Feng Yanwen listened, then carried her outside, humming a nursery rhyme from China.

The room was now left with only Xu Meng and Zhang Mingqing.

Zhang Mingqing found a seat and suddenly spoke up, "Xu Meng, want to get rich?"

Xu Meng: "Huh?"

Zhang Mingqing pulled out a women's purse from her pocket, took out a business card, and handed it to Xu Meng. "I haven’t been around much lately and haven’t explained in detail. This is my first time running a business, and I was too shy to mention it at first. I opened a restaurant near the university district."

The business card bore the name of the catering company, along with a cell phone and office phone numbers.

It looked quite professional.

Xu Meng asked, "Then why give me the card?"

Zhang Mingqing sighed. "I’m inexperienced, and the shop’s location is too conspicuous—it made it a target. Anyway, business has been tough. Every cook I hire leaves. It’s been like this for half a month. I can’t even say business is bad—there’s just no business at all. It’s about to go under."

"Ah—" Xu Meng exclaimed sympathetically. "And then?"

Zhang Mingqing’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Today I had an inspiration."

Xu Meng stayed silent, her gaze growing brighter and brighter as she watched Zhang Mingqing, who suddenly declared, "I want to turn the place into a hot pot restaurant. What do you think?"

During her trip to Sichuan, she hadn’t missed out on hot pot.

There were many hot pot restaurants in Sichuan, and she had tried a few famous ones. But chefs there were even harder to poach than regular cooks—some were even the owners themselves, serving as master chefs. The hot pot broths there were too spicy. Zhang Mingqing had wanted to bring some back, but the ready-made hot pot bases on the market at the time were just mediocre—too salty and didn't taste right when boiled.

It wasn’t until today, when she tasted the hot pot at Xu Meng’s place, that she had a sudden inspiration. Maybe the restaurant didn’t even need a master chef.

All it needed was someone to prepare the hot pot base, and the shop could just simmer a broth. No matter how skilled that portly manager from across the street was, could he possibly poach Xu Meng?

"I’ll provide the ingredients. You just need to make the hot pot base for me. I know it’s skilled work, so I won’t just pay you a chef’s wage and call it a day." Zhang Mingqing had thought it all through on her way here. "Here’s the deal: You supply it to me in batches, and I’ll give you a percentage of the restaurant’s revenue. On top of that, I’ll add another point for an exclusive supply agreement—meaning you may sell your hot pot base, but only to me. That’s the extra point I’m offering. But if you do decide to sell it elsewhere, you’ll have to wait a year."

In other words, Xu Meng could sell the hot pot base to others after a year. But if she did, she’d lose the exclusive point.

Zhang Mingqing’s offer was tempting.

Xu Meng had never considered making and selling hot pot base before. But if it was just cooperating with Zhang Mingqing, she had the time to prepare it.

She had a half-day free weekly, and the school had a day and a half of holidays every month.

"So, how would this work?"