Chapter 82 (1/2)

Translated by Jouissance of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

After New Year’s Eve, the two hurried back to S City because they had to go back to open the restaurant. Due to this, Old Master Shen didn’t make them stay. However, once they left, it did feel a little empty at home. Luckily the house was done by then, so they could go and stay whenever. At that thought, Old Master Shen wasn’t as reluctant to let them go.

Lin ShuYi had closed the restaurant down for two days. When they got back, everyone else was already there, cleaning the place up. Amongst the three new hires, one was a middle-aged woman in charge of cleaning. The other two were young ladies, though they weren’t really that young, they were quite a bit older than Lin ShuYi, being twenty-two, twenty-three years old.

At first, people didn’t believe he was the boss here. They all thought he was the boss’ son or something.

Now though, anything Lin ShuYi said, went.

They also had some idea of Lin ShuYi and Shen Fu’s relationship. Apart from the older lady who was shocked and unable to really accept it, the other two accepted it pretty quickly. After all, they were doing this to put bread on the table. Their salary was higher than in other places and the restaurant was close to home. Where else were they going to find a job like this? So, though the older lady wasn’t able to accept it at first, she didn’t say anything. They didn’t act any differently in front of her, so she waved away all her doubts and uncertainties, focusing on doing her best at work.

Seeing the two return, they were all happy to see them. They had finished cleaning, just waiting for Lin ShuYi to come back so they could open.

This was when Lin ShuYi truly experienced the benefits of having more people. He put down the things he was holding and asked, “Where’s Tang Shuang?”

“He’s in the back doing inventory.”

Lin ShuYi nodded in acknowledgement and headed to the back.

Shen Fu dug out a couple of gift boxes from the pile of items in the truck and placed them on the counter, smiling as he announced, “These are local specialties from H City. They’re for you guys, happy New Year’s Eve.”

The three exchanged looks and the two young ladies could help their excitement. “Thank you, Shen-ge!”

The older lady was happy too. After all, the places around here were all small shops, and she had yet to see a restaurant that would give their employees gifts for New Year’s Eve.

Actually, the two young ladies were a little afraid of getting close to Shen Fu at first. When he wasn’t smiling, he had an air of untouchable aristocracy, which had them a little apprehensive. However, it didn’t take them long to realize that Shen Fu loved to smile, especially in front of Lin ShuYi. His smile was gentle and joyful, almost reawakening the young naivety of the two young ladies’ hearts.

Unfortunately, he was already taken, so the two of them banished such ideas. As the saying goes, it was best to know and respect one’s position. They were in no position to taint a high class man like him. In their hearts, the only one who was worthy of Shen Fu was Lin ShuYi. He was handsome, well-postured, an outstanding and handsome man like Xiao BaiYang, with god-like culinary skills. He was more than worthy of Shen Fu.

Though they didn’t have much experience with love, they could tell from the way Shen Fu looked at Lin ShuYi that Shen-ge wouldn’t even look at anyone who tried to flirt with him. It didn’t matter how many fish were in the sea, this was the only scale that could catch his eye. Their inner romantics bloomed with life.

Now, seeing Shen Fu smiling as he gave him New Year’s Eve gifts, they liked him all the more. With these two absolutely wonderful bosses, they were willing to sell themselves to the establishment for ten years, never mind just work here for a measly year.

Thus, they became even more diligent.

After helping Lin ShuYi gain the undying loyalty of his workers, Shen Fu headed to the back. Hands in pockets. Lin ShuYi was putting away the new ingredients they had purchased. Those that were to be frozen to the freezer, those needing to be refrigerated into the fridge. Shen Fu rolled up his sleeves and went to help.

After a moment, Tang Shuang moved the fish tofu from the freezer to the fridge, wanting to cry, before turning to look at Lin ShuYi with despair on his face.

Lin ShuYi couldn’t help but laugh and grabbed Shen Fu’s arm. “Never mind helping, the more you help the more we have to do.” Someone who couldn’t tell the difference between fish tofu and frozen tofu really wouldn’t be able to help at all.

Shen Fu’s face didn’t hold a trace of the guilt someone who couldn’t tell apart frozen tofu and fish tofu should have, instead grabbing onto the hand Lin ShuYi had used to grab him and leaning forward, whispering into his ear, “Then how about I boil some dumplings for you? You haven’t eaten yet this morning.”

Lin ShuYi glanced at Tang Shuang, who wasn’t paying attention to what was going on over here before whispering back. “Alright. Make some more for the others, too. They probably haven’t eaten yet either.”

Originally, Old Master Shen was going to have them stay for breakfast, but the restaurant was opening in the morning. They left early, not having the time to eat, only able to drink some milk to tide themselves over.

Though Shen Fu couldn’t tell apart frozen and fish tofu, he was fine with making dumplings and cutting things. He even made a dip with chili oil and vinegar. Then, he set the pork and radish dumplings they had wrapped before to boil. After boiling, he drained them and placed them on a plate, putting a small dish of the vinegar dip in the center and bringing it out excitedly with a triumphant feeling of being able to cook for himself.