The two emerged from the restaurant, their laughter echoing through the air, their faces alight with newfound camaraderie. Gu Fuying was ecstatic. “My eldest aunt is truly a schemer,” she fumed, “afraid I’ll marry better than my cousin, so she tries to pawn me off on someone worse!” But Gu Fuying was no fool. With a beautiful and intelligent friend like Xu Ying, she wouldn’t be easily outmaneuvered!
“Your uncle is truly despicable,” Xu Qiuye added, disgusted by the sheer audacity of it all.
Xu Ying, however, remained unfazed. “People’s hearts are like this,” she mused. “Jealousy and comparison are powerful forces. They fear anyone who might be better off than them.”
“Wait a minute, you two,” Xu Ying called out, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I made something delicious last night, and I brought some for you to try.” Gu Fuying and Xu Qiuye’s eyes immediately lit up. They knew Xu Ying’s cooking was nothing short of divine.
Xu Ying hurried to the kitchen, where Sun Lifang playfully chided her. “You finally decided to come back! As soon as your friend arrived, you forgot all about me!”
Xu Ying chuckled. “Oh, you’re so sour! It’s making me sour!”
Sun Lifang’s playful anger flared. “You’re still laughing at me!”
Xu Ying produced a generous portion of braised duck. “Here, I’ll make it up to you.” Sun Lifang’s face instantly brightened. She had sampled Xu Ying’s duck that morning—it was tender, fragrant, and spicy, so addictive it left you craving more. Without hesitation, she took several pieces.
Gao Guihua, witnessing the exchange, shamelessly demanded some for herself. But Xu Ying firmly refused. This food was for her friends, and the rest held a greater purpose. Enraged, Gao Guihua cursed, “Stingy bitch!”
“I’m stingy? Then don’t eat it!” Xu Ying retorted, her voice sharp. “I wonder who ate the most this morning? Truly heartless!” Gao Guihua’s face cycled through shades of green and white.
Liu Guohua watched with amusement. He was finally discovering Xu Ying’s sharp wit.
“Try it and see if it tastes good,” Xu Ying said, presenting her culinary masterpiece to her eager friends.
Gu Fuying, her ears perked, had overheard Xu Ying’s earlier spat. “Then I absolutely have to try it,” she declared. “If it made that woman so greedy, it must be delicious!” She found it utterly shameless for Gao Guihua to demand food. Sharing was a gesture of friendship, but begging for what wasn’t offered was truly pathetic. Gu Fuying took a duck wing, and with the first bite, a symphony of sweet and spicy flavors exploded on her tongue. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “It’s so delicious! Sweet, yet spicy, so flavorful!” She knew Xu Ying would never disappoint.
Xu Qiuye, after a single bite, was equally smitten. Though the spice brought tears to her eyes, she couldn’t stop eating. Xu Ying beamed at their reactions. It seemed her braised duck would be a hit.
Director Hong typically visited the restaurant once a week. Calculating the time, he was due that afternoon. Xu Ying eagerly anticipated his arrival, practically vibrating with excitement. As the workday neared its end, Director Hong finally appeared. Xu Ying, unable to contain her joy, practically leaped up and rushed out with a basket of the braised duck.
Gao Guihua sneered. “Hmph, she’s just showing off, flattering the leader.”
Gao Xianghong, too, wore a look of disdain. “This little girl seems ordinary on weekdays, but I didn’t expect her to be so good at currying favor with the boss.” She then added, a hint of malice in her voice, “Sister-in-law, do you think that after Chef Ge retires, this girl will take his place?” The salary of a head chef was quite substantial.
Gao Guihua curled her lips. “How old is she to be a great chef? They’ll probably transfer someone from another store.” Even if the leader offered Xu Ying the position, Gao Guihua would be the first to object.
Sun Lifang, overhearing their whispers, bristled with indignation. “Why isn’t Yingying worthy? I think she’s the only one in our county, besides Master Ge, who cooks delicious food! If it weren’t for Yingying, our store’s business wouldn’t be so good this year. Would we even get extra bonuses every month?”
Gao Guihua remained unconvinced. “What does my bonus have to do with her? It was rewarded by my leader for my serious work attitude.”
Sun Lifang was too weary to argue. “Xu Ying deserves to be in Chef Ge’s class.” Just then, Chef Ge happened to pass by. Sun Lifang seized the opportunity. “Chef Ge, are we paying bonuses these past two months because the business in the store is good?” Chef Ge nodded. Gao Guihua’s face turned green, and she stomped off in a huff with a rag. Sun Lifang shouted after her, “Don’t leave if you can’t handle the truth!”
Meanwhile, Xu Ying presented the braised duck to Director Hong. He wasn’t accustomed to spicy food, and the first bite made his eyes bulge. Initially, he thought it wasn’t to his liking, but the aftertaste grew increasingly delicious. After a few more bites, Director Hong found himself falling in love with the duck. It was undeniably good, though for someone like him who disliked spice, it brought tears to his eyes.
Xu Ying was a little embarrassed. “Director Hong, I didn’t realize you couldn’t eat spicy food. I’m sorry. This is my new duck recipe. It can be made spiced, not spicy, mildly spicy, or very spicy. What I made is very spicy, which most people can’t tolerate, but the mildly spicy one is definitely just right for people who can’t eat spicy food.”
“It’s okay, it’s quite delicious,” Director Hong said, helping himself to more. “Are these all for me?” His wife loved spicy food; she would be thrilled.
Xu Ying’s lips twitched as she watched the duck disappear into Director Hong’s hands. “If Director Hong likes it, I’ll give it to you!” she said. “What do you think if this duck product is served in restaurants?”
Director Hong nodded. This dish would definitely be popular. It was perfect for an appetizer or a satisfying snack. And with some liquor, it would be even better. “It can work,” he affirmed.
Xu Ying’s heart soared. She nodded, ready to bait her hook and catch a big fish. “Okay, I’ll make these duck products next week.”
Director Hong, observing Xu Ying’s eager gaze, understood her unspoken request. Their restaurant served the people, but it also generated revenue for the country. If their staff worked diligently to contribute to the restaurant’s success, as leaders, they mustn’t discourage them. To make a horse run fast, you must feed it good grass.
Director Hong looked at Xu Ying and spoke directly. “If the duck products can generate new sales for the store, I will give you a bonus. If you earn ten yuan, I will reward you with a dime. If you earn 100 yuan, I will reward you with a yuan…”
Xu Ying’s joy was boundless. She saluted Director Hong, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “I promise to complete the task and not let the leader down!” Director Hong smiled helplessly. He knew this girl had a keen eye for money.
With her goal firmly in sight, Xu Ying’s spirits soared. The thought of money seemed to beckon her forward. Ducks, however, were not easily acquired. They had to be purchased from a specialized breeding farm, and none existed in their county. They would have to travel to the next one.
When Xiao Zhang heard that Xu Ying had found him such a significant task, his face crumpled into a grimace. “My dear sister, you really do find me work!”