Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Li Mingtao’s Return, a New Client
「Delicious, 10:00 AM.」
Once all the employees were in position, they fell back into their orderly routine: chatting while occasionally prepping some ingredients.
"We’re running low on pickled cabbage in the storeroom. I bet we’ll use it all up today." Liu Shengnan was soaking the pickled cabbage, her mind completely occupied with inventory and how much money they could make from their 76 lunch customers.
"We’re low on fish fillets, too. Looks like we can take the pickled cabbage fish off the menu soon." Bai Xiaobo was getting more and more in his element as he tenderized the fish fillets.
"We still have plenty of flour, though—over fifty bags. We don’t have many scallions, but they’re cheap this year, so we can buy some more." To prepare for the seventy-plus lunch guests, Aunt Fang had restarted the long-dormant dough mixer.
This was Delicious’s first step toward industrialization!
For the occasion, He Shuting had even organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with Su Chen doing the honors.
"We’re low on pork knuckles too. I counted when I went to get them today, and I think there were only a dozen or so left." Xiaobin was adding water to a large pot, preparing to start stewing the knuckles.
"Let’s not worry about that for now." Su Chen himself had nothing to do, so he sat nearby watching everyone work, offering a bit of guidance from time to time. "No one has booked for tonight yet. I’ve made a tentative decision, and I wanted to let you all know in advance."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over.
This wasn’t a random decision on Su Chen’s part; he had given it some thought.
’The main quest in my system... if I just stick to the routine and rely on staff meals to pay off the debt, it’ll take forever.’
’It’s one thing for the current employees; Liu Shengnan has been keeping a record for them.’
’The real problem is the four employees who quit. That’s the tricky part.’
’I can’t just call them every day and ask them to come over for a meal, can I?’
Besides, the [Revival] mission was urgent. Su Chen was eager to complete the main quest quickly and see if the new quest offered any special rewards that could help him.
Plus, the previous day’s revenue was enough to pay back a few people’s subsidies, so Su Chen decided to start repaying some of the subsidies via clocking in.
Just as Su Chen was about to announce this news, a familiar yet strange voice came from the doorway.
"Well now, everyone’s busy, huh? Where are the others? How come I don’t see them at work?"
Everyone turned to look at the same time. It was Li Mingtao, who had been missing for several days.
"Director Li!!!" Bai Xiaobo dropped his fish fillets and jumped up. "You’re finally back! Haha!"
"Oh, Director Li, you’re back at last! We’ve been swamped these past few days. It’s so good to have you back."
"We have you to thank, Director Li. Do you have more good news for us this time?"
Before coming to the company, Li Mingtao had imagined many different opening lines for when he met everyone again.
He had prepared for awkwardness, for being scolded, even for arguments. Li Mingtao had already decided that no matter what his former colleagues said to him, he wouldn’t fight back. After all, he was bringing a major client today; he had done all he could.
But he had never expected this kind of opening!
Su Chen stood up as well. "You’ve worked hard these past few days, Director Li."
Li Mingtao feigned composure, but inwardly, he was completely thrown for a loop.
’What the hell is going on?’
’Are you guys all ganging up on me? Are you trying to make me look like a fool?’
Bai Xiaobo’s sticky hands reached out and then pulled back. His tone was extremely sincere. "Director Li, we misunderstood you before! We thought you were just bringing your friends to eat here to get a free meal, but we had no idea you were out there hustling for clients to save the company! The company has so many customers now, and you’re the biggest reason why! I must apologize to you!"
The others also lowered their heads, looking a bit embarrassed.
Director Li, for the sake of the company, wasn’t even staying for his shifts but was running around outside, constantly bringing friends over to eat.
It was precisely because of Director Li’s efforts that the Delicious cafeteria had gained recognition from the people in the building across the street.
And before, they had actually put up a price list for [Employee Card Holders] just to target Director Li?
At this thought, He Shuting and Liu Shengnan also felt a pang of guilt.
Su Chen watched this scene with great interest. He really wanted to read something in Li Mingtao’s eyes, but unfortunately, the guy was putting on a great act; he couldn’t see a thing.
Li Mingtao was heard clearing his throat twice. "Oh, it’s nothing. Isn’t the company’s future our future? It’s what I should do, what I should do!"
After figuring out the whole story, Li Mingtao breathed a sigh of relief internally.
’As long as I haven’t been exposed, it’s fine...’
’I’m working for two companies at the same time. If word gets out, I’ll lose both my jobs!’
Seeing that no one seemed suspicious, Li Mingtao finally continued, "I actually did have a reason for coming back today."
"I have a friend, and in a few days, she needs to host a very important client. She ate our food and thought it was delicious, so she was wondering if it’s possible..."
At this moment, Su Chen spoke up at the opportune time. "Having a customer is a good thing, but since it’s an important client, wouldn’t it be better to go to a big hotel downtown?"
Although his cooking was something special, when it came to hosting important clients, Su Chen acknowledged that his company’s ambiance and service couldn’t compare to proper restaurants.
Li Mingtao sighed, casually picking up a head of garlic to help He Shuting peel it. "The situation is a bit special. Actually, my friend works in the building across the street, and this client..."
Five minutes later, Li Mingtao had finished explaining Ling Shuyu’s situation, with a few slight modifications.
"So, you’re saying..." Su Chen pinched his chin. "We need to prepare at least two meals for a party of 15, but the real key players are just 5 of them, and the decision-maker is just 1 of those 5. To put it bluntly, if we can satisfy that one person, the job is done?"
Li Mingtao nodded. "That’s the gist of it. Whether their partnership works out is their business. As long as there are no problems with the food, we’re in the clear!"
Distancing himself from any responsibility was something Li Mingtao had always been good at.
Su Chen didn’t overthink it. "No problem, we’ll take it. Have your friend send over the specific requirements and the budget."
Li Mingtao hadn’t expected Su Chen to agree so quickly. He nodded, a little surprised. "Okay, I’ll go find her now. I’ll have her contact Xiaobai later."
After Li Mingtao left, the kitchen immediately erupted in chatter.
"Director Li is still the man! He landed us another huge order!"
"Yeah, 15 people and it’s a reception meal. The budget has to be at least three thousand, right? Haha, we’re going to make a killing this time!"
"I need to go over the inventory again. We’ll have to make at least fifteen dishes. The boss is going to have his work cut out for him again~~"
Su Chen took a deep breath.
His confidence in agreeing so easily came from the Gourmet Practice Room and the system’s recipe synthesis function.
Su Chen clapped his hands. "They chose us for a reason, didn’t they? Because we offer great value—delicious and affordable! Liu Shengnan, go pull our most expensive ingredients from the inventory. Bai Xiaobo, go help her. I’ll make sure the client enjoys an infinite amount of flavor on a finite budget. Leave it to me!"
"Yes!" the others nodded in unison.
The new client had everyone fired up with energy again!
Just then, Bai Xiaobo took out his phone. "Boss, the client just added me."
Su Chen grunted in acknowledgment. "Tell me the requirements and the budget."
"Ah, boss, Shengnan wasn’t wrong. The budget is just three thousand."
Su Chen continued to nod.
For a reception meal for fifteen people, not including drinks, three thousand yuan would barely be a passing grade at a hotel.
’They came to me for a reason. Isn’t it because they want to spend the same amount of money but eat something even better?’
"Alright, let’s get lunch ready first. Xiaobai, you go draft up a proposal. And remember, this client is from E Province, so you’d better do some research."
Bai Xiaobo was about to agree, but then he looked at his phone again and felt something was off. "Shuting, help me look at this. Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is there another 0 here?"
"It’s a 0. What’s wrong?"
Bai Xiaobo swallowed hard. On the second line of the message, the first character wasn’t a word, but a digit!
If you mentally moved that digit, 0, to the end of the line above it, the complete message would read: Budget, 30,000.
"It’s... it’s not three thousand. I think it’s... thirty thousand!!!"
Not everyone heard him clearly.
Su Chen was a little confused too.
"How much?"
