redvbooks Chapter 32 Recruitment Notice
Chapter 32 Recruitment Notice
In the kitchen sink lay a vast array of porcelain plates and steamers, resembling a white mountain range that gleamed with a viscous, oily sheen under the lights. Chen Feng and his companion turned the faucet to its maximum, the rushing water echoing through the kitchen and creating tiny splashes.
"Fengzi, let me tell you, I've never seen so many bowls in my entire life." Zhang Qiang said with a wry smile, his sleeves rolled up and his hands flying through the foam as he turned to Chen Feng.
"I didn't realize it when there were so many people, but now that it's quiet, the sheer number of plates is giving me the creeps."
Chen Feng was currently bending over, meticulously scrubbing the crevices of a steamer in his hand. Even in this tedious work, he showed no sign of being perfunctory, as if he had returned to his apprenticeship days.
"Qiangzi, this is just the beginning." Chen Feng didn't look up, his voice steady but revealing a hint of exhaustion. "Selling these 100 portions today has almost worn us two grown men out of our skin."
"Serving food, carrying dishes, clearing tables, and greeting guests—when there are many people, this workload is too much for just the two of us to handle."
Chen Feng didn't mention telling Zhang Qiang not to come help tomorrow. He knew his brother's temper; if he actually said it, Zhang Qiang would curse him to death.
Besides, Zhang Qiang really needs to lend a hand right now, so I'll make it up to him later.
Zhang Qiang sighed with deep feeling, placed a clean plate on the drainer with a crisp "ding", and said, "Indeed. Fengzi, we need to hire someone. If we don't, I'm afraid I, as Mengmeng's godfather, will 'pass away' in the shop before I even take Mengmeng to the amusement park."
As they washed, the two began to seriously discuss the manpower issue. Chen Feng had high standards; he needed more than just a capable helper. He also needed someone who could understand the warmth of everyday life, work efficiently and effectively, and be attentive to tasks.
"He doesn't need to be a good cook, but he must have a good character and a genuine smile," Chen Feng concluded.
An hour later, the last batch of bowls and chopsticks were finally neatly arranged. The two men straightened up and simultaneously let out a groan of relief.
"Damn, this is exhausting!"
Zhang Qiang rubbed his stiff lower back, while Chen Feng wiped his fingers, which had turned white from being soaked in water.
Next, we have a big task for today: creating a job posting.
Chen Feng pulled out a large red sheet of paper and a box of markers from behind the counter. Zhang Qiang originally wanted to just write "Waitress Wanted, Salary Negotiable" and be done with it, but Chen Feng stopped him.
"We need to pay more attention to job postings. We can't let people think we're just looking for some lowly people. We need to be more humane." Chen Feng pondered for a moment and then began to write on the paper.
Mengmeng, who had been squatting on the round stool playing with the keyboard Lu Ming had given her, immediately came over excitedly when she saw her father writing. She placed her two chubby little hands on the table, her big eyes full of curiosity: "Daddy, what are you writing? Are you drawing a rabbit for Mengmeng?"
"Daddy is looking for a helper for our store, an uncle or aunt who can play with Mengmeng and help Daddy with chores." Chen Feng smiled and patted his daughter's head.
"Then Mengmeng wants to draw too!" the little one volunteered.
Thus, below Chen Feng's boldly written words "Recruitment," a remarkably vivid and interesting scene appeared. Chen Feng wrote down the requirements: cleanliness, love of life, observant, and tolerant of a little mischief.
Mengmeng, holding a pink marker, drew a large heart in the blank space, inside which she drew a crooked little person wearing rabbit ears.
Looking at the job posting, which was both formal and had a touch of "cuteness," Zhang Qiang couldn't help but give it a thumbs up: "Fengzi, I have to say, if this guy posted this, I bet a lot of girls who like kids would be scrambling to come for an interview."
Having arranged all that, Chen Feng posted the job advertisement outside the door. He then took out his phone and pulled out several numbers from his contacts.
The shop's current appearance is not only due to his savings and skills, but also inseparable from the old friends who worked day and night in the sweltering heat during the final stage of renovation.
He was the first to dial Dazhuang's number.
"Hey, Dazhuang, it's me, Chen Feng."
A loud, noisy cutting sound came from the other end of the phone, followed by Dazhuang's honest, simple voice:
"Hey, Feng! How's your store opening today? Are you managing to keep up? How's sales going? I was thinking of taking Lao Zhou and the others over to support you after I finish my work, but I just can't put down my work."
"We're all done. All 100 portions sold out long ago," Chen Feng said with a smile. "I called you guys today to invite you all over for a get-together tonight. It's the first victory celebration for 'Human Fireworks.' Anyone can miss it, but you guys who shed so much sweat can't be absent."
"Oh, Brother Feng, you're too kind." Da Zhuang on the other end of the phone was clearly a little embarrassed, chuckling, "It's our duty to work after we've been paid, and we didn't really help with the opening today, so going to the celebration banquet is a little... a little embarrassing."
"Dazhuang, look at what you're saying." Chen Feng's voice deepened, revealing sincerity. "Without your tireless efforts over the past two weeks, would my rabbit wall be so beautiful? Would my stove be so easy to use? Half of the shop's success is thanks to the foundation you laid. Enough talk, Lao Zhou and Xiao Deng are here, right? Six o'clock tonight, not one of them can be missing!"
Since things had come to this point, Dazhuang didn't refuse any longer and readily agreed.
Then, Chen Feng gestured for Zhang Qiang to make a phone call home.
"Qiangzi, tell your parents not to cook tonight. They should all come over. It'll be more lively with more people. Your aunt and uncle like a lively atmosphere too," Chen Feng instructed.
As Zhang Qiang dialed the number, he muttered to himself, "Fengzi, if my mom knew you had such a great success on the first day, she'd probably cry on the phone. She's been so worried these past two days that she hasn't been sleeping well, fearing your business didn't go well on the first day! But she doesn't want to tell you directly, afraid it will affect your mindset."
The number of people was finalized—including Dazhuang and his two companions, Zhang Qiang's family, and myself and my daughter, making a total of eight people.
Chen Feng sat in the empty shop, took out a piece of white paper, and prepared to draft the menu for the evening.
He knew very well that Dazhuang and the others did manual labor, and after a long day's work, their bodies were extremely exhausted, and they were prone to anxiety. Therefore, tonight's dishes would not pursue the exquisite plating of Beijing cuisine, but must be the kind of "hard dishes" that could replenish energy in time and relax their tense nerves.
He scribbled and drew on the paper, and soon, the outlines of seven or eight dishes appeared on the paper:
Braised Lion's Head Meatballs: This dish uses pork belly with more fat than lean meat, hand-cut into small, coarse pieces, resulting in a soft and tender texture that doesn't fall apart, making it perfect for soothing a hungry stomach.
The clay pot braised fish head uses the high temperature of the clay pot to lock in the freshness of the fish head, and the rich soy sauce aroma can instantly refresh you.
Stir-fried pork liver with soy sauce is cooked over high heat to retain its crispness and tenderness, and can quickly replenish the iron needed by the human body.
Dry-fried hand-shredded cabbage, with a hint of spiciness, is appetizing and aids digestion.
A pot of rich mutton soup is perfect for the cool mornings and evenings these days. The soup is warming and nourishing, and can soothe muscle aches.
"Qiangzi, let's go buy groceries!" Chen Feng stood up, and he and Zhang Qiang took off their aprons and hung them up, their eyes regaining their sparkle.
The three locked the door. Since they didn't need to bring in too many ingredients at this point, they set off lightly, ready to walk to the market in the old street.
Just as they reached the crooked willow tree at the corner of the old street, they bumped into a young man carrying a briefcase, looking hurried. The man looked up, saw Chen Feng and Zhang Qiang, paused for a moment, then exclaimed with delight:
"Hey! Boss! It's you!"
Chen Feng looked closely and recalled that this was one of the first office workers who rushed in this morning, finished eating, and then spent a long time lamenting over his empty plate.
"Boss, what... why are you out at this hour? I just finished my fieldwork and was thinking of wandering around to see if there was anything to eat. Are you taking a break? Did you sell out a hundred servings so quickly?"
The young man looked at his watch in disbelief. "It's not even four in the afternoon yet?"
Zhang Qiang, with his hands behind his back, boasted, "Brothers, it's not that we wanted to rest early, it's just that our resources wouldn't allow it. Our hundred portions of rabbit-shaped steamed buns were completely sold out before 2 PM."
"Heh, I don't take apprentices!"
After hearing this, the young man was shocked and opened his mouth wide. Then he slapped his thigh and showed an expression of "I knew it".
"Alright, I knew it!" The young man smiled helplessly, his tone full of admiration. "With your skills, boss, it would be strange if you couldn't sell them all."
My colleagues kept clamoring to come after I finished speaking, but they are still on fieldwork and can't come at the moment. So I came to check on their behalf first.
Looks like I'll have to get them to come with me to line up tomorrow. I need to be even earlier tomorrow!
Chen Feng smiled modestly and replied, "Thank you for your support, and welcome everyone."
I never expected to run into something like this as soon as I stepped out; it was quite amusing. The atmosphere was very cheerful.
The three bid farewell to the enthusiastic customer and continued towards the market. The afternoon sun cast long shadows of them, with Mengmeng hopping and skipping between them, stepping on the shadows of the two adults, humming the song "Rice Fragrance" that Lu Ming had played.