After finishing his paper, Yu Antong relaxed at home for two days before starting the recruitment process for chefs at his restaurant.

This marked the third hiring round since the restaurant's opening. The business had grown significantly, demanding more hands, and with new branches sprouting, the need multiplied.

This time, Yu Antong hired over twenty chefs. While it may sound like a lot, when spread across the different branches, it's still a modest number.

During the hiring process, Yu personally evaluated the candidates. He predominantly hired chefs in their thirties – those with foundational skills and an eagerness to learn. Xian Ren Yan was a young brand and needed chefs who embodied its vibrant spirit and drive for continuous growth.

In the kitchen of Xian Ren Yan, after the lunch rush, Yu announced, "I'll be participating in a culinary show called 'The Chef is Here!' soon. I need two assistants to accompany me. Anyone interested?"

The kitchen immediately buzzed with excitement.

"Boss, are you going to be on TV?"

"Boss, I'd like to join. What do you think of me?"

"Zhao Er, with your skills? You must be joking!"

"What's wrong with me? At the very least, my knife skills are better than yours."

"Looks like our restaurant is about to blow up!"

"I'm in, I'm in!"

"I'd love to go too."

"Once the show airs, do you think our restaurant will become one of those internet-famous spots?"

"Absolutely! Even without the show, our restaurant is already gaining popularity."

"Honestly, if our boss is competing, other contestants might as well just quit. No need for a competition, he'll obliterate them!"

The entire kitchen staff was abuzz with chatter, some genuinely interested in joining while others jestingly excited about the novelty of it all.

"Boss, I was hoping you'd come to the kitchen more often to help out," Chief Chef Zhao Juan, with her plump face wrinkled like a fluffy white bun, half-jokingly complained to Yu An Tong, "Instead of helping, you're taking two more of my staff. I insist that if you borrow any of my staff, you'll have to replace them. We're swamped as it is!"

xiaoshuting.la

Zhao Juan spoke the truth. Their restaurant on Phoenix Street had the best location and the highest number of customers. The current staff was already stretched thin; borrowing any more would certainly overburden them. She wasn't about to relent.

"Don't worry," Yu An Tong, well-aware of Zhao Juan's straightforward nature, reassured, "The new chefs we've hired will start this weekend. We're assigning five to this branch, two more than the others. Are you satisfied?"

The wrinkles on Zhao Juan's face relaxed, revealing a contented smile. However, she retorted, "Don't try to trick me with numbers! If you take two and give me two, it's the same as the other branches. Considering our higher customer flow, it's still not enough."

"It's just a temporary loan," Yu An Tong explained, "The show airs once a week and filming takes only a day. So, I'll only be borrowing your staff for four days a month. They'll still be at the restaurant most of the time."

"That sounds reasonable," Zhao Juan relented, addressing the others, "This is a rare opportunity. If anyone's genuinely interested, speak up."

"I'm kind of interested."

"I want to go too, but I'm afraid I might get stage fright and become nervous on TV."

Laughter erupted, "Zhao Er, if you're that timid, better not go. Imagine if your hands tremble and the camera zooms in. That'd be so embarrassing!"

The room erupted in laughter again, making everyone reflect on their own apprehensions.

In front of their boss, Zhao Er blushed from the teasing, defending himself, "Wang Yu, you're all talk. If you're so skilled, why don't you go?"

Wang Yu waved off, "I can't. My skills aren't up to par. I'm not fit for the stage."

As eager as the staff was to poke fun at Zhao Er, the idea of being on TV made everyone nervous. It's one thing to jest among peers, but public embarrassment was a different matter.

However, letting such a unique opportunity slip felt regretful.

Seeing the staff engrossed in discussions, Yu An Tong inquired, "Isn't anyone interested?" He'd thought many would eagerly seize this chance.

After a brief silence, a dark-skinned young lad hesitantly raised his hand, "Can I?"

Yu An Tong recognized him - Lin Haoning, Zhao Juan's apprentice. Tall, lean, and efficient, he had a dashing look with strong eyebrows and piercing eyes.

Yu An Tong had always thought highly of him, "Of course."

"Any other takers?" he continued, "If none from here, I'll ask at the other branches."

Zhao Juan, despite her initial reluctance, truly cared for her juniors. In frustration, she said, "You all talk big but step back when given the chance to shine. What's so intimidating about being on TV? If you let this chance slip, you'll regret it."

"I'll go!"

After Zhao Juan's words, a crisp feminine voice rang out. It was Jiang Yuxiu, a slightly shorter girl with an oval face and delicate features that matched her gentle personality.

Yu An Tong remembered her too. She was attentive and proactive.

Pleased with the two volunteers, Yu An Tong confirmed, "Alright, it's settled then. You two will represent us."

Others were murmuring among themselves, some already regretting their hesitation. Opportunities are often fleeting like this.

With the assistant chefs decided, Yu Antong spent several hours every day at the "Fairy Feast" restaurant, cultivating a seamless partnership with Lin Haoning and Jiang Yuxiu.

"Buzz buzz!"

The phone in his pocket vibrated twice, signaling a new message.

Yu Antong guessed it was Xing Lixuan coming to pick him up after work. As he washed his hands, he said to Jiang Yuxiu and the others, "That'll be it for today."

Jiang Yuxiu inquired, "Boss, are we packing up these dishes to take home again today?"

For the past few days, Yu Antong had been creating new dishes with them and then packing some to have for dinner, saving the hassle of cooking at home. The housekeeper would just need to prepare some porridge or rice.

"Pack this, this, and the last two dishes we made. I'll take them home. Thanks."

Yu Antong dried his hands and checked his phone. As expected, the message was from Xing Lixuan.

【Xing Lixuan: Two more traffic lights, and I'll be at your place.】

Clearly, he had sent the message while waiting at a traffic light.

Yu Antong replied with a cute kissing emoticon.

【Yu Antong: KittyKiss.jpg】

Xing Lixuan arrived shortly. As he parked and checked his phone, he saw the emoticon of a little kitten, its cheeks blushing, leaning in for a kiss.

He thought to himself, it's not as cute as Yu Antong.

【Xing Lixuan: I'm here. Come out.】

Receiving the message, Yu Antong stepped out, carrying the thermos. Recognizing Xing Lixuan's car, he got in, buckled up and said, "Let's go."

Xing Lixuan didn't start the car. Instead, he turned to Yu Antong and said, "Weren't you asking for a kiss?"

"Huh?" Yu Antong blinked in surprise, pushing Xing Lixuan's handsome face away, "When did I ever say I wanted to kiss you?"

Xing Lixuan pulled out his phone, showing their chat. "If you want to kiss me, just say it. No need for hints."

Yu Antong was taken aback by the sudden tease. "You think just because you're handsome, you can say whatever you want?"

Knowing full well that Yu Antong was weak for his looks, Xing Lixuan deliberately lowered his gaze, his voice husky, "Can't I?"

Boo!

That high nose bridge, the distinct brow line, those fierce eyes that looked as though they wanted to devour him - what a damned charmer.

Author's note:

Tongtong: Ah! Here I come for some lowbrow humor!

Thanks to the lovely angels who voted for me or gifted me between 2020-01-26 21:57:16 and 2020-01-27 22:17:03~

Special thanks to the lovely angels who threw landmines: 'Mágical Girl' and 'Jade Qingdai' for 2; 'Corgi Kai' for 1.

Thanks to the nourishing angels: 'Xia Ya' for 10 bottles; '&Resembling Poison, Poisonous Sting&' for 3 bottles; 'Lu Xing Ci Ci Ci' and 'Qi Zhao You Huo' for 1 bottle each.

Thank you all so much for your support! I'll keep pushing forward!

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