Chapter 135: Deliberate or Just Convenient?

The words sounded like praise, but Xie Yunshu still sensed something was off.

However, Li Fenlan felt especially warm towards Shen Subo, smiling as she explained, “Yunshu deliberately went to the market yesterday to buy these, saying she wanted to properly thank our project team leaders.”

Deliberately bought, but gave it to Tian Hao?

Shen Subo remained calm and smiled, nodding: “Aunt Li, the project staff will be off work soon. You guys keep busy first.”

Then his gaze swept over Xie Yunshu, smiling but with a faint chill beneath it.

Xie Yunshu was quick-witted and immediately pulled out another pack of beef jerky to follow up, lowering her voice: “Captain Shen, this pack is for you.”

Shen Subo glanced at her nonchalantly: “Did you buy it deliberately, or just conveniently?”

Finally, Xie Yunshu caught on. Her pretty face paired with a slightly flattering expression was a bit cute: “The one for you was deliberate. Manager Tian’s was just convenient!”

Shen Subo chuckled lowly, his eyes curving into a smile, seemingly truly pleased by her words: “Xie Yunshu, gratitude doesn’t need to be so wide-ranging. Convenience still costs money.”

Xie Yunshu thought this made sense: “Then I won’t give Manager Tian any more.”

By then, more people had gradually come in for lunch. Shen Subo lowered his eyes and looked at her, his tone softening: “Keep busy, don’t mess around.”

“All right, don’t worry!” Xie Yunshu quickly ran back behind the counter, efficiently pulling out change. “Mom, Aunt Zhao, people are coming to eat, put your masks on!”

The idea to wear masks came from Xie Yunshu when she bought masks for herself yesterday. Unlike selling food on the street, most project team members were intellectuals. Since they earned money from them, they had to think about what the people wanted.

Wearing masks made it hygienic, and they would feel more comfortable eating, right?

Aunt Zhao and Li Fenlan were cooking for the first time. Before this, neither had ever had a proper job. The way they earned money was by helping with laundry or knitting sweaters, and initially, they were a bit flustered.

There weren’t many people eating at the project, about forty newcomers from the south, and some leaders didn’t come to eat here, like the big boss Ji Si’an…

Xie Yunshu whispered instructions to them: “Don’t rush. Serve whatever they want. Don’t worry about anything else. I’ll watch the money here.”

Today, they deliberately made two more dishes—two meat and two vegetable—paid for by lunch subsidies given in cash. This helped the women with smaller appetites feel more balanced. Seeing the three cooks wearing clean clothes and matching masks made everyone feel more comfortable.

The men with big appetites were initially a bit unhappy, but when they saw that there were two more dish options, they realized they could save money by choosing two vegetable dishes, or if in a good mood, two meat dishes. More choices meant fewer complaints.

Tian Hao stood next to Shen Subo, satisfied, and praised, “Yunshu’s pretty smart, masks and more dish options. After a month like this, if the higher-ups want to outsource the canteen to someone else, we project staff would be the first to oppose.”

Outsourcing the canteen might seem trivial, but eating well was a big deal! Good food meant good moods, and good moods meant hard work.

Shen Subo put the two packs of beef jerky in his jacket pocket and turned to head upstairs to the office: “You eat first. I’ll come down later.”

Tian Hao responded “Oh,” then suddenly remembered something and ran after him: “Shen Ge, why did you take my beef jerky too? Yunshu specially gave that to me as thanks…”

Shen Subo stopped on the stairs and looked down at him with concern: “You said your tooth hurt last time? Beef jerky’s hard to eat, just eat some rice. It’s softer.”

Tian Hao instinctively touched his big molars: “When did I say my tooth hurt?”

Shen Subo’s expression didn’t change: “Then I must have been mistaken. Caring makes you confused. Just eat first.”

Tian Hao was stunned and filled with gratitude. Shen Ge said caring makes you confused—that was to say he cared for him. He knew Shen Ge was cold on the outside but warm inside. He definitely cared about him as a brother!

Only after lunch did Tian Hao realize he still hadn’t gotten his beef jerky back…

Just after twelve, the crowd gradually thinned, and Aunt Zhao and Li Fenlan both breathed sighs of relief.

“Yunshu, I just counted. There were at least a few dozen people eating, about one yuan per person!” Li Fenlan knew her daughter was making decent money selling food, but following along today really made her understand the busy feeling of handling money.

Aunt Zhao was also excited: “Yunshu, I’m steady and fast at serving now!”

Neither had ever had a proper job in their lives. Selling a little food like this barely earned anything. Aunt Zhao had helped Xie Yunshu cook before but only at home, so she hadn’t felt much—just a little more work.

But coming to the project and really participating gave them a sense that their lives had value. Not just because they earned money, but because after working hard, they felt a huge sense of achievement.

They worked, earned money, and were no different from those office workers.

Xie Yunshu’s bright voice woke Li Fenlan: “Mom, I’m counting on you to watch over things! When the canteen officially opens, I’ll be busy in the kitchen, and you take care of the front!”

Li Fenlan tightened her grip on the ladle, wearing her mask properly: “Okay, you just take care of the kitchen.”