44 Put ones finger into anothers pie (2/2)
”Manager Du is a great man who runs this motel for so many years. He's well-liked by everyone.”
”It is not easy for them to run the business with a small capital. It would be good to just talk through the misunderstanding.”
The neighbors and tenant rounded out to call for fairness.
”Just let it go,” a voice from the crowd urged.
The four customers had nowhere to go. Their guilty conscience was already showing on their faces and if they refuse Ye Jiayao, they would appear more unreasonable. They had no choice but to go along. ”Okay, you've convinced us. We will let it go but we refuse to live here anymore.”
”Alright. Now, go pay the rental fee, and I will go to the kitchen to cook for you.” Pulling her sleeves up, she turned to the wait staff and asked, ”Where is the kitchen?”
The wait staff pointed at the back hall. ”It is behind the small yard on the left-hand side.”
After the dispute has been settled, and the four customers left, Ye Jiayao gave one silver coin to the cashier.
”It doesn't feel right to take that,” the wait staff said embarrassedly. He thought he misjudged the little brother earlier, but it turns out that he really was a gentleman.
”I insist.” Ye Jiayao set the money down on the counter and returned to her room.
One silver coin was a lot of money to her, but Ye Jiayao never lost money in business. Sometimes, suffering a loss is a blessing, and she knew that the silver coin would return to her in multiple.
On the second day, Ye Jiayao woke up very early because she was going to start looking for a job.
She was just about to leave when she heard a knock on her door. ”Little brother, are you up yet?”
Ye Jiayao opened the door to the wait staff from last night. ”Good morning! What can I do for you?”
The waiter's smile showed excitement. ”Little brother, our manager wants to see you!”
”Your manager is back?”
”Yes, he came back last night. He arrived very late and we didn't want to bother you.”
Ye Jiayao followed the waiter as he led her to the manager, a short, fat middle-aged man who looked like the Buddha when he smiles.
”Little brother Li, thank you so much for what you did yesterday.” Manager Du made an obeisance by cupping one hand in the other before his chest to thank her.
Ye Jiayao returned that with a polite gesture and a smile. ”It was nothing, manager Du. You're most welcome.”
”I've felt something wrong about those customers from Wei Zhou ages ago. I should've known that they would try to run away when I'm not here. Little Yang told me that you managed to stop them with a few words and get them to pay their rental fee. I am a man who repays his debt, little brother Li. These two silver coins are for you. I can't let you spend money on a favor you delivered.”
Ye Jiayao refused to take it, but manager Du forced to put the money in her hands.
”Take it, take it. Otherwise, I won't let you live in the motel,” manager Du jokingly threatened.
Ye Jiayao finally took the silvers.
Manager Du asked, ”What are you doing in Jin Ling, little brother?”
”I'm looking for a job here in Jin Ling. I was a chef in Shang Dong and I only arrived here yesterday,” Ye Jiayao answered honestly.
was a chef in Shang Dong and looking for a job in Jin Ling. I only arrived here yesterday, and I am looking for work right now.” Ye Jiayao said honestly.
”You are a chef?” The manager was surprised.
”Yes! I studied for a few years and I know how to make a few dishes.”
”Do you know how to cook Huaiyang dishes?”
”Yes, I am good at making Huaiyang dishes.” Ye Jiayao was dancing inside. The way that the manager was asking her made her think that he wanted to hire her as a cook.
Manager Du laughed and loudly called, ”Second lady, second lady!”
A woman lifted the bamboo curtain and asked, ”What is going on?”
Manager Du said, ”Isn't this a coincidence? Big uncle's hotel needs a chef and here we have a chef in our motel. This is little brother Li who helped us solve the problem yesterday. He is a chef and good at Huaiyang dishes.”
The woman looked at Ye Jiayao with doubtful eyes. ”You're a chef? How? You're so young.”
Ye Jiayao saw the woman's hand stick with fish scales and guessed that she might be the proprietress as well as the cook. ”Big sister, if it will appease you, you can ask me any question.”
The woman was slightly reassured with Ye Jiayao's confidence.
Manager Du said, ”Are you going to the hotel to help during lunch time? You can bring him to see your brother. If he is happy with little brother's work, he doesn't have to look around anymore.”
Manager Du was a warm-hearted person. He recognized the big help that Ye Jiayao had done for him last night and he wanted to return the favor.
The woman hesitated before saying, ”Sure, I will bring him. Heads up, though, my brother is not looking for any mediocre chef. You have to impress him little brother Li.”
Ye Jiayao nodded, grateful for the help they were giving.
It was true that a good act will always be rewarded.