Even if Director Hong harbored a desire to acquire the duck recipe for himself, he knew it was an impossible feat. So, he made his way directly to the deputy director of the non-staple food factory to discuss the matter. The factory director, initially hesitant, soon found his reluctance fading as the restaurant’s duck product sales soared, their popularity undeniable. After personally tasting the delectable duck, Director Hong no longer needed to seek him out; the director came to him.
The director of the non-staple food factory was a bald, middle-aged man, with a few wisps of hair clinging to the top of his head and a conspicuous bald spot at the back. No one, truly, would have believed he held such a position. At first sight, Xu Ying found herself thinking he looked particularly wretched, the kind of man who would easily succumb to corruption. For a fleeting moment, Xu Ying almost wanted to back out.
“Hello, Director Sun, this is Master Xiao Xu, our restaurant’s chef,” Director Hong introduced, then turned to Xu Ying. “Xiao Xu, this is Director Sun.”
Director Sun greeted Xu Ying with a friendly smile, but to Xu Ying, it felt… vulgar.
The system’s voice chimed in, a rare reprimand: [Host, how can you think of someone like this? You can’t judge someone based on their appearance. It doesn’t matter if someone is bald!]
This was the first time Xu Ying had been lectured by the system, and surprisingly, she found it particularly convincing, even if the situation still struck her as rather humorous. “Hello, Director Sun,” she said, managing a polite tone.
“Master Xiao Xu, let’s go to my office to talk. Is it true that you said you would give our food factory the formula?” Director Sun’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “As long as you give us the formula, just tell me what conditions you want!” At the thought of being able to bring foreign exchange to the country, Director Sun felt his chest swell with fervent, boiling blood.
Xu Ying adopted a heartbroken expression. “Director, this formula has been passed down through generations, and my parents don’t even know I intend to hand it over. I feel uneasy in my heart. But, you are the factory director, so naturally, you won’t treat me badly. You can do whatever you deem appropriate.”
Director Sun’s face turned serious for a moment, and he cast a sheepish glance at Director Hong. Director Hong, witnessing this, instantly felt a sense of dread, his scalp tingling. His fears were confirmed. Director Sun pondered for a moment, then declared, “Master Xiao Xu, you are so talented at making food, why don’t you come to work in our food factory? As long as it’s a product you innovate, our factory will give you bonuses and commissions. And when you come to work in our factory, we will directly pay you the salary of a regular worker.”
Director Hong gasped, losing his composure. “Director Sun, are you being unethical? I’m kindly seeking business for you, and you immediately try to poach our people?”
Director Sun offered a guilty smile, but quickly puffed out his chest, shamelessly retorting, “Director Hong, Xiao Xu is so capable, how can you just keep her as a chef? Isn’t this stifling her ability? It’s a perfect opportunity to work in our factory and research more food. If foreign businessmen take a fancy to it, you can sell it abroad. Your state-owned restaurants only cook meals for domestic people; how can they compare to our food factories, which sell their food all over the country?”
Director Hong’s face flushed crimson with anger. “Director Sun, you are utterly unreasonable! I am so kind to help you, yet you poach my people! If I had known, I wouldn’t have helped you!” Director Hong kept repeating the same words, but the fury in his heart was boiling. He turned to Xu Ying, his expression softening slightly. “Xiao Xu, what do you think about this? Are you willing to work in a food factory? There are so many people there; how can it be as good as our restaurant, where there are fewer people and fewer things to do?” Director Hong hinted at the potential for trouble in a larger, more complex environment. This girl, so young, venturing into such a place – he feared she would be devoured without a trace.
Xu Ying smiled. “Director Sun, thank you for your kindness, but I still prefer cooking. However, regarding the product research and development you mentioned, I won’t let it interfere with my work at the restaurant. If possible, would you like me to work part-time at Sun’s factory?”
Director Sun had tasted Xu Ying’s cooking, and he trusted her abilities. After all, her culinary skills were undeniable. Moreover, she was making such a significant contribution to their factory. How could he expect her to do everything without proper compensation? Director Sun nodded. “Okay, I will do as you say.”
Director Sun, not forgetting to paint a grand vision, continued, “Xiao Xu, as long as you research food in the factory and make contributions, I, Old Sun, will definitely treat you well. I will take this duck product recipe back to the factory now. As long as this duck product sells well, your bonus will definitely be indispensable.”
Xu Ying accepted the promise, not because of Director Sun’s words, but because she had unwavering faith in her own cooking skills.
Before leaving, Xu Ying didn’t forget to advise Director Sun, “This duck recipe cannot be easily leaked. When the time comes, have the workers making the duck products do it in separate stages, and then have them sign a non-disclosure agreement.” Director Sun nodded, admiring Xu Ying’s meticulous approach. While he trusted his factory employees, this duck product was unique to their factory, and he couldn’t take chances with those who might be jealous and resort to unscrupulous tactics.
“Okay, I understand,” Director Sun acknowledged. He suddenly remembered another matter. “What happened with the order you mentioned earlier?”
“For ordering, I have already found the source of the goods. There are not many duck meat farms now. Director Hong has found many duck meat farms in the past few days. Most of them have specialized partners who refuse to give us the goods, so Director Hong went through a lot of hard work to find a breeding farm. A long-term cooperation plan was also signed.” Xu Ying finished speaking, her gaze settling on Director Hong.
Director Hong smiled at the mention of this, acknowledging Xu Ying’s foresight. “Director Sun, this breeding factory from another county signed a contract with us, but now it’s probably a little difficult for you to source the goods. But our state-owned restaurants are not stingy people. We all strive for the country. Of course, if you want this supply, you can; we can make it available.”
Director Sun’s face lit up with joy, but ever the old fox, he said, “Since Director Hong is so generous, then I, Old Sun, will make the decision. From now on, the food made by Xiao Xu will be sold to you first.”
Director Hong’s face instantly darkened. It was shameless. He had already conceded so much, and Director Sun still wanted to profit from him.
“Besides that,” Director Sun continued, unfazed, “as long as we have new products in the factory, how about giving each employee of the state-owned restaurant a free portion? And we only charge the cost price for the food we sell to you.”
Director Hong’s face instantly brightened. This was excellent news. Since the duck products began, the restaurant’s turnover had increased significantly. However, every store had also become busier, and they simply didn’t have enough staff. He had originally thought each store would need to recruit more people. If he could get the goods from Factory Manager Sun, it would save them a considerable amount of money. Looking at Director Sun, he expressed admiration. “Hey, Director Sun is so generous!”
After Director Sun left, Gao Guihua couldn’t help but rush over, bursting with gossip. “Director Hong, why did Director Sun come to our place? And did you really give him the duck recipe?”
Director Hong looked at Gao Guihua with a hint of displeasure. Lifang had told him that Gao Guihua always targeted Master Xiao Xu, whether there was a reason or not. She had no real ability, only a knack for causing trouble. “That recipe belongs to Master Xiao Xu,” Director Hong snapped, “He can give it to anyone he wants.”