Chapter 81 : There is one thing I would like to trouble you with

Wang Zhenzhu was completely disheartened.  

Meanwhile, Song Shiwei became the guest of honor at the leaders’ table. In addition to discussing her heroic deeds, the conversation quickly shifted to how she had prepared such an incredible meal.  

Song Shiwei openly shared everything she knew.  

As she spoke, everyone at the table seemed to have stepped into a new world of culinary wonders. It was as if they could see delicious food floating before their eyes.  

The more they listened, the brighter their eyes became, and several people discreetly swallowed their saliva.  

After finishing the meal, everyone prepared to return to the factory to continue their inspection work.  

However, Gu Changrong, along with a few other leaders and Sun Zeyan, had their own thoughts.  

As they reached the door, Gu Changrong suddenly suggested, “Since Comrade Song is also heading to the garment factory, why don’t you ride in my car?”  

The leaders had all arrived in their own cars, each with a driver.  

Song Shiwei glanced around and saw that even Sun Zeyan was traveling with the leaders. Seeing no reason to refuse, she nodded.  

“Thank you.”  

Just as she was about to lead the children into the car, a sudden voice called out from behind  

“Wait a minute!”  

It was Manager Zhou.  

Manager Zhou, whose full name was Zhou Lianhai, was a veteran of the state-owned restaurant. He had been promoted to manager a few years ago. Under his leadership, the restaurant had performed decently, neither particularly well nor terribly.  

In the past couple of years, he had been eager to climb the ranks. To do that, he needed to improve the restaurant’s performance and achieve notable results.  

For years, the kitchen had been managed by Sun Quan. Just moments ago, Sun Quan had approached him with an idea—  

He wanted Manager Zhou to ask if Song Shiwei would be interested in joining their kitchen. Sun Quan believed she had a remarkable talent for cooking. Though he hadn’t taken on an apprentice in years, he was willing to make an exception for her. He didn’t want her culinary gift to go to waste!  

When Zhou Lianhai heard this, he was immediately excited.  

Yes! If they could recruit this young woman, would they ever have to worry about the restaurant’s business again?  

He had noticed earlier that even the high-ranking city officials had praised her cooking. During the meal, these leaders who were usually composed and reserved had eagerly fought for the food, fearing they wouldn’t get enough!  

If they could keep her in the restaurant, especially to handle high-profile receptions, their state-owned restaurant could easily become the best in the region!  

“Then I’ll give it a try?”  

Sun Quan eagerly rubbed his hands together and said, “Try it?”  

And that was how the current scene unfolded.  

Just as Song Shiwei was about to step into the car, she froze upon hearing Manager Zhou’s voice. She turned around, slightly surprised to see him.  

“Manager Zhou? What’s the matter?”  

Gu Changrong also looked at him with a serious expression.  

Feeling somewhat intimidated by the presence of such a high-ranking official, Zhou Lianhai approached with an ingratiating smile.  

“Well, Comrade Song, I just wanted to ask if you’d be interested in working in our restaurant’s kitchen? If you agree, I can have Master Sun take you in as an apprentice. That way, you’ll have a smooth and stable career path in the future…”  

Upon hearing this, Gu Changrong smirked slightly and glanced at Song Shiwei.  

Song Shiwei also smiled.  

“Manager Zhou, I appreciate your kindness, but I won’t be joining the restaurant kitchen. After all… your establishment is beyond my reach!”  

Zhou Lianhai had not expected her to refuse. After all, securing a job in a state-owned restaurant was an opportunity that many people dreamed of.

What’s more, it’s a lucrative job in the kitchen of a state-owned restaurant.  

Don’t think he doesn’t know how much Sun Quan and his kitchen helpers secretly take home every day, especially since Sun Quan’s family hardly ever cooks.  

Every time he cooks, he makes a little extra and sneaks it into his lunchbox. By the time he gets off work in the evening, he has filled seven or eight lunchboxes.  

Even the other kitchen helpers are no exception.  

But Zhou Lianhai couldn’t do anything about it. It had practically become an unwritten rule. If the leftovers in the kitchen couldn’t be finished, he couldn’t just throw them away, right?  

That would be a waste of food! And wasting food is shameful in this era.  

But even as an experienced chef, it’s impossible for him to cook the exact amount needed, with no excess or shortage, right?  

So, everyone turns a blind eye. Only when things get truly excessive does someone say anything about it.  

But no one would quit their job just to gain a small advantage. After all, steady and long-term success is the best way to go.  

Zhou Lianhai thought, ‘Song Shiwei should understand this, right?’  

After all, she has several children to support. Wouldn’t it be nice for her to bring some food back home every day?  

Thinking that she was still worried about Wang Zhenzhu, he quickly said, “I have already fired Wang Zhenzhu. There will never be someone like her here again. Don’t worry. As long as you’re willing to come, I promise what happened today will never happen again!”  

Wang Zhenzhu, who had just finished packing her things, happened to hear this. She was so furious she nearly exploded!  

But she didn’t dare to offend someone as powerful as Gu Changrong, and she was afraid that if she angered Zhou Lianhai, he wouldn’t even help her get a job as a boiler stoker. If he really made her shovel manure, that would be the end of her life.  

Carrying her bag, she looked at Song Shiwei with envy and jealousy, then walked away dejectedly.  

Song Shiwei also saw Wang Zhenzhu leave and shook her head.  

“I’m sorry, Manager Zhou. I truly appreciate your kindness! But I really won’t take the job!”  

Sun Quan, who had been listening to the conversation, panicked!  

He had assumed that as soon as she heard he wanted to take her in as his apprentice, she would be overjoyed and immediately kowtow to him in gratitude.  

After all, people were lining up to be his apprentice! Why did she seem so unwilling?  

How could he stand this?  

“If you’re willing to work in the kitchen, I can take you in as my apprentice. You can study under me for two years, and I believe you’ll become famous in Qing City in the future!”  

Before Song Shiwei could respond, Gu Changrong, standing next to them, smiled and said, “Even if she doesn’t become an apprentice, with her cooking skills, she can still become famous in Qing City!”  

When they tasted her cooking today, they were amazed. He believed many others shared his opinion.  

With their support, how could her cooking skills go unnoticed?  

In the future, people might have to line up every day just to have her cook for them!  

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lianhai and Sun Quan’s expressions immediately changed.  

They hadn’t expected the boss to speak so highly of her cooking.  

Before they could react, Gu Changrong smiled, patted Zhou Cheng’s head, and then said to Song Shiwei, “Let’s go, take the kids to the car!”  

Song Shiwei smiled and nodded at him before leading the children upstairs.  

Inside the car, Xiao Zhang sat in the passenger seat, while Song Shiwei sat on the far right of the back seat. Zhou Cheng and Zhou Lin sat in the middle, and Gu Changrong sat on the far left.  

Originally, the backseat was meant for three people, but now there were four of them squeezed in, pushing the big boss aside. She felt a little embarrassed.  

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m causing you trouble!”  

Gu Changrong adjusted his black-framed glasses and smiled. “It’s no problem, but I do have something I’d like to ask you for help with.”