[Congratulations to the host for unlocking a new recipe: Fried Tofu and Vermicelli Soup, Braised Fish, Braised Short Ribs, Chopped Green Onion Tofu, Haggis Soup, five packs of Random Ice Blades, two pieces of cloth, and half a piece of pork.]
Xu Ying’s eyes sparkled with joy as she took in the system notification. So many new recipes and ingredients unlocked at once—it seemed the system was growing stronger alongside her. The rewards this time were abundant, and she couldn’t help but feel a bubbling excitement rise within her.
“Oh heavens, I’m exhausted…” Gao Guihua muttered as she finally put down the ladle and spoon. She had been busy nonstop, darting back and forth since the morning rush began—serving food, clearing tables, and helping out wherever needed.
By the time the clock ticked past 1:30 in the afternoon, the flow of customers had slowed to a trickle. Soon, by 2 o’clock, the tables were finally cleared, and silence settled over the restaurant.
“I’m starving! Absolutely starving!” Sun Lifang burst into the back kitchen, clutching her stomach dramatically.
Her eyes instantly landed on the steaming Mapo Tofu sitting near Xu Ying. Its rich aroma tickled her nose, and her eyes lit up. Ever since she was a child, tofu had been her weakness. Now, faced with the intoxicating scent of Xu Ying’s dish, her stomach grumbled in betrayal.
But then, an awkward hesitation crept in. Not long ago, she had looked down on Xu Ying, assuming she was just another girl relying on connections with no real skills. Remembering her own arrogance made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Timidly, she stepped forward and muttered, “I’m sorry…”
“Huh?” Xu Ying turned, slightly stunned.
“I’m hungry. Can I… can I have some of this Mapo Tofu?” Sun Lifang asked, her pride clashing with her appetite.
Xu Ying hesitated and glanced over at Chef Ge, unsure of the rules.
Chef Ge, still seated with a satisfied belly, waved his hand with a smile. “Go ahead. Everyone can eat the leftovers.”
Relieved, Xu Ying nodded. This truly was a state-owned restaurant—generous and fair. The food wasn’t just good, the treatment of workers wasn’t bad either.
Still, Sun Lifang didn’t reach out immediately. She stood there, fidgeting slightly, clearly waiting for Xu Ying to offer it personally.
Xu Ying pushed the plate towards her without a word. Sun Lifang’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly scooped a large helping onto her plate, her smile brimming with gratitude.
She understood that this act—letting her take food first—meant Xu Ying had forgiven her, despite the earlier coldness.
Taking a big bite, Sun Lifang’s eyes widened in surprise. “It’s so good! This tofu is amazing! Xu Ying, your cooking is incredible!”
Xu Ying looked at the girl in front of her, who once strutted in arrogance but now sat there beaming like a child bribed with a tasty dish. She chuckled softly. “If you like it, I’ll make it for you again sometime.”
Sun Lifang nodded rapidly, her head bobbing like a little chick pecking at rice. Her cheeks puffed, eyes gleaming with adoration as she said, “Xu Ying, you’re so weird.”
[Ding—The host has received a ‘Good Guy Card’.] The system’s voice chimed teasingly in her mind.
Xu Ying rolled her eyes at the system’s sarcasm.
Truth be told, she was hungry too. She had been on her feet since early morning, rushing to the restaurant without a bite of breakfast. She had assumed there’d be food at the restaurant, but of course—there hadn’t been.
She fixed herself a few vegetarian dishes and helped herself to small spoonfuls of the leftover meat. She didn’t want to waste, but she was also being modest—just a bit of each, and then focused mostly on the vegetables she liked.
Zhang Quanquan, however, sat in the corner, still seething with stubbornness. He refused to touch the food Xu Ying had cooked. His pride wouldn’t let him.
Meanwhile, Gao Guihua and Gao Xianghong praised her openly, clapping their hands with delight.
“Xu Ying, you’re something else! Hiding such talent at your age!”
“Right? Her cooking’s just as good as Chef Ge’s!”
Zhang Quanquan’s jaw tightened. He stormed over, scooping half a spoon of each dish onto his plate with a dark expression. He didn’t believe it—how could a girl with no formal training be this good?
But one bite in, his face stiffened. His taste buds betrayed him. It was good—damn good.
His heart soured. He had studied diligently for four years and still couldn’t match a girl’s casual cooking. Was there no justice in the world?
After the quick lunch, the second round of daily work began.
Chef Ge took the liberty of retreating to the office for a post-lunch nap, leaving the grunt work to Zhang Quanquan. As expected of a head chef, his life was a lot more comfortable.
Xu Ying watched him disappear with envy in her heart. If only… if only she could one day reach that level too.
She touched the few pitiful RMB in her pocket and sighed. Never mind, time to work harder.
The afternoon shift mirrored the morning one—mostly the same dishes, the same hustle. But this time, Xu Ying was allowed a little breather. She sat on a chair, listening with satisfaction as the system’s favorability scores surged wildly.
A soft smile tugged at her lips.
Unbeknownst to her, Chef Ge passed by and saw her sitting there with a mysterious smile on her face.
“Xu Ying, what are you doing?” he asked, suspicious.
Startled, she quickly stood up, composing herself. Then, with a proud and sincere tone, she answered, “I was just watching everyone eat. Seeing them enjoy my cooking makes me feel happy. My biggest wish is for people to eat what I cook and then comment on it—good or bad. Of course, I’ll keep working hard to make it better.”
Chef Ge was stunned.
A fellow chef himself, he deeply understood that yearning—for people to love your food, to taste the emotions you poured into it. His heart stirred.
“No wonder your food is so delicious,” he said, eyes gleaming. “It’s because you cook with your heart. Your love for them is in every bite. How could it not taste good?”
A thought struck him then—a deep longing that had always nestled quietly in the corners of his heart. The greatest regret in his career was never finding a worthy apprentice. But now… perhaps this girl, Xu Ying…
Talented, humble, passionate, and diligent—wasn’t she everything he had hoped for?
His gaze turned intense as he looked at her, eyes shimmering with a mysterious light.
Xu Ying shivered slightly under his stare, forced out a dry laugh. “Chef Ge…?”
The day finally wrapped up at 7 p.m., when the kitchen was cleaned and the last dish served. Everyone divided up the leftovers for dinner, then clocked out one by one.
Xu Ying packed her things and readied her bicycle.
Now that she was favored by Chef Ge, she was treated a little differently. The chef even locked the door himself and gave her a warm goodbye, a smile lighting up his face.
From a distance, Zhang Quanquan’s expression twisted with barely contained rage.
Gao Guihua looked on and sighed dramatically. “Chef Ge’s found a good successor.”
Gao Xianghong chimed in teasingly, “Why are some people just born talented? I’ve been cooking with my mother since I was young, but I still can’t compare.”
Zhang Quanquan’s face turned purple. He heard their jabs clearly and snapped, “Sister Gao, weren’t you the one who said your brother wanted to cook at the restaurant too? What a pity. But wow, the new girl’s amazing. Won Chef Ge’s heart on her first day. Isn’t she going to be the restaurant’s darling from now on?”
Gao Guihua ’s smile faded, and her brows knit together. Xu Ying’s rising popularity was clearly making some people uncomfortable.
Chen Chunfeng, meanwhile, remained aloof as always. Without saying a word, she hopped onto his 28-bar bicycle and sped off.
As Xu Ying pedaled her way back to the village, the sky had already turned dusky. At the village entrance, Mother Xu stood anxiously, craning her neck in the fading light.
The moment she spotted a familiar figure riding toward her, her face lit up.
“Oh! My daughter! You’re finally home from work.” She rushed forward, a mix of relief and scolding in her voice. “I was so worried! It’s already dark! Have you eaten? Your sister-in-law just made dinner. Come in and have some.”
Xu Ying got off the bike and walked beside her mother, shaking her iron lunch box playfully. “Mom, prepare a few more containers for me tomorrow. My colleague gave me this one.
Otherwise, all those dishes would just go to waste. The food’s still warm—I’ll just heat it up later and add another dish.”
And with that, under the falling dusk, mother and daughter walked side by side into the quiet village, the laughter of home awaiting them.