139 New Rules (1/2)

Ye Jiayao was cursing herself. Why did she trust Shopkeeper Li so much and did not ask him for a contract? Forget the money, all the stipulations about duties and responsibilities in the contract would drive her to an early grave!

”So how is it? Head Chef Li?” Manager Zhao asked with a smile.

Ye Jiayao said melancholically, ”I want to quit.”

Now that Shopkeeper Li has left, she wouldn't be able to enjoy herself. Leaving would be a better choice. Based on her popularity right now, it wouldn't be hard for her to get a new job.

Manager Zhao's smile never changed. ”Sure.”

Ye Jiayao was flabbergasted. Was he actually just going to let her go that easy?

”Let's go according to the rules. If a head chef wants to terminate a contract prematurely, he needs to compensate the restaurant for its losses. Now that the restaurant's profit is around 6000 taels every day, a normal chef would have to compensate six taels per day. As for Head Chef Li, it has to be at least 600 taels of compensation. Your contract bounds you to the restaurant for three years, and it has only been barely two months. You do the math, Head Chef Li. If you can fork out the money, I'll let you go,” Manager Zhao said slowly.

What the f*ck? Ye Jiayao could almost feel the blood draining from her face. 600,000 taels? She wouldn't be able to get that money unless she robs the Da Tong Bank and that heartless man damn well knew it.

Ye Jiayao tried hard to mask her fury. ”Manager Zhao, if you do this, aren't you afraid that I will leave immediately after my contract expires?”

Manager Zhao just laughed. ”Head Chef Li, if you stay in Heavenly Residence for three years, I would earn enough. The restaurant might even shut down after that three years!”

”Then aren't you afraid that I will slack off?”

”That is actually the new rule that I am going to announce. We will use this month's profit as the basic amount. If we cannot meet our target, the wages will be docked. As the head chef, the overall in charge of the kitchen, we would have to dock more of your pay. If we exceed our target, there will similarly be rewards.”

Ye Jiayao was completely defeated. For the past days, she had thought that she was actually climbing the ranks, becoming quite a respectable figure. Now, she was suddenly reminded of her true status. She was ultimately just a small cook, open to oppression and exploitation.

She doesn't have any choice. She would just have to take this as a learning curve. She would definitely be more cutthroat the next time.

Ye Jiayao picked the pen up resentfully, signing her name on the contract. She pressed down hard on it to leave her thumbprint, imagining that the paper was Manager Zhao's head. Gaaah! I wish I could just bash your head in!

Manager Zhao took the contract laughingly. ”There will be more changes after a while. I'll put it up by the entrance of the kitchen. Now, Head Chef Li, gather the staff and tell them everything.”

Ye Jiayao walked out wordlessly.

She started flipping out as soon as she entered the kitchen.

”What's wrong Brother Yao?”

Everyone gathered around, concerned. They were surprised by the change of owner. Shopkeeper Li didn't tell them anything and when the new manager came in today, he also kept mum.

”We are going to face hard times from now on,” she began.

Everyone tensed. ”Why? Are we getting a pay cut?”

Ye Jiayao told them about everything that the new manager said.

Deng Haichuan was the first to speak up. ”What rights does he have to use this month's profit as the baseline? If not for the mooncakes, we wouldn't have made so much this month.”

”That's right! It is not like we can sell mooncakes all year round,” Wang Mingde raged.

”F*ck, Brother Yao! Let's all just quit. We will follow you,” Cui Dongpeng said indignantly, throwing his apron to the ground.

Ye Jiayao snarled. ”Manager Zhao said that the second class helpers like you would have to pay 60 taels per day for compensation if you quit. Go do the maths. How long do you have until your contract is up?”

Up until then, everyone thought that they could still find a way out. When Li Yao had told them the new condition, they felt their hopes die completely.

”Then who would be able to leave? I knew that I have to compensate for quitting but I have never heard of such large amount,” Zhong Xiang said, depressed.

”Who is this new inhuman owner?”

”We will find out sooner or later.” Ye Jiayao was determined to get to the bottom of this.

The only person she knew who would be this diabolical was Liu Li. She knew that that spoiled brat wouldn't let her off so easily!

”Go back to work. I will look for Li Erniang to find out what's going on,” she told them. This matter was weighing too much on her mind. If she doesn't shed some light on this, she wouldn't be able to eat and sleep in peace.

Just as she stepped out, Little Lu came over to put up the new rules.

”1. Everyone has to start work on time at 8 AM every day. Every night, no one is to knock off until all the customers are gone. Late coming and early leaving would amount to a deduction of 50 coppers each time.