Chapter 288 - 288: Request
“Gao Chen!” Just as Li Xiaoran made the arrangements, the man brought by Mao Dao suddenly said.
Li Xiaoran was stunned for a moment before she reacted.
“How do you spell it?”
“G-a-o C-h-e-n!” Gao Chen replied briefly.
Mao Dao was surprised to hear Gao Chen’s words.
“Yuan Cheng and I have known you for so long, and we’ve asked you your name countless times, but you’ve always refused to tell us! She hasn’t even asked you, but you’ve already introduced yourself?”
Gao Chen glanced at Mao Dao, but didn’t answer him. He turned around arrogantly and went to the kitchen.
When he reached the door, Gao Chen stopped.
“Burn the fire!”
When Mao Dao heard Gao Chen’s words, he was immediately amused.
“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll start the fire now! Let me tell you, I’m not doing this for your sake. I’m doing this for Xiaoran’s sake. Otherwise, don’t even think about asking me to start a fire for you!”
It was surprisingly harmonious when one person made a fuss while the other person remained quiet.
“Husband, what do you think of this person?” Li Xiaoran suddenly asked.
Luo Cheng thought for a moment and recalled Gao Chen’s previous performance. Then, he said, “He’s probably quite capable!”
“I’m not talking about his culinary skills. I’m talking about how you feel about him as a person.” Li Xiaoran shook her head and explained.
“It’s hard to tell in such a short time! But with his personality, he should stay here as a cook!” Luo Cheng said, “He doesn’t say much and just does his own thing. He’s a good candidate!”
Li Xiaoran nodded and said, “Gao Chen is a nice guy, but he must have some sort of emotional trauma, so he’s always so aloof and guarded.” “You can even sense this?” Luo Cheng asked in surprise.
“Emotions are actually very complicated, yet simple at the same time!” Li Xiaoran said, “Actually, as long as you analyze the emotions according to the situation at that time, it’s very easy to understand!”
“This is your unique talent. Others can’t learn it! If you ask me, the human heart is the hardest thing to understand. Emotions are so volatile sometimes,” Luo Cheng said.
“My talent is indeed quite unique!” Li Xiaoran smiled and said.
Actually, in the beginning, when Li Xiaoran realized that she could sense other people’s emotions and had empathy, she wasn’t as proficient as she was now.
In the beginning, she sensed other people’s emotions, but she didn’t understand how they came about. She didn’t even understand what other people’s emotions were.
Later on, Li Xiaoran self-studied psychology and understood what those emotions were. That was why she could resonate with others now. Therefore, the efforts of those with special abilities couldn’t be underestimated.
Nothing was given for free. When some good opportunities or things were offered, it was important to seize them.
Li Xiaoran was someone who had grasped the ability to empathize, so she could easily sense what other people’s emotions were.
As the two of them spoke, Gao Chen looked at the ingredients in the kitchen and picked some ingredients to cook.
Gao Chen knew about this shop’s business model, so he took the meat and sliced it before preparing the dishes.
Because it was a new stove and there was no firewood inside, Mao Dao had to go outside to bring some firewood in.
By the time Mao Dao lit the fire in the stove, Gao Chen was also ready.
He scooped water from a gourd into the pot and washed it carefully with a bamboo brush several times. Then, he touched it with his finger to make sure that it was clean before starting to put oil in.
“Make the fire bigger now!” Gao Chen said.
“Got it!” Mao Dao replied and quickly added two more firewood.
Before long, cabbage stir-fried shredded meat, stir-fried cabbage moss, and egg and chives soup were ready.
Three dishes were served. Li Xiaoran and Luo Cheng each took a pair of chopsticks.
Li Xiaoran scooped some chives and egg soup into a bowl, then tasted it.
After that, Li Xiaoran tasted another piece of vegetable moss and finally ate a mouthful of stir-fried shredded pork with cabbage.
After eating the three dishes, Li Xiaoran put down her chopsticks and took a
sip of water.
On the other side, Luo Cheng had also finished tasting the three dishes and put down his chopsticks.
“What do you think?” Li Xiaoran looked at Luo Cheng and asked.
Luo Cheng looked up at Gao Chen.
“It’s a waste of your talent to let you be a chef here!”
Gao Chen only pursed his lips without speaking. He didn’t look happy. Seeing this, Luo Cheng only raised his eyebrows. He didn’t say anything else or get angry.
Li Xiaoran looked at Gao Chen and thought for a moment before saying, “Your culinary skills are indeed very good. You can even be a chef in a restaurant! However, my shop wants to make fast food, so I have higher requirements! Are you physically strong? Also, can you cook delicious dishes in large volumes?”
Gao Chen frowned when he heard Li Xiaoran’s words.
“Large volumes?” Mao Dao asked curiously.
Li Xiaoran thought for a moment and explained, “Do you know those chefs who travel from village to village to cook dishes? The kind who make more than ten tables of dishes at once?!”
When Gao Chen heard Li Xiaoran’s words, he understood something.
“No problem!” Gao Chen replied.
“Are you sure there’s no problem? This isn’t just one dish, but two dishes! You might have to cook ten dishes a day, then you have to continue cooking after each dish is sold out, so this job isn’t easy. Are you sure you can handle it?” Li Xiaoran confirmed again.
“No problem, I can do it! You can pay me as you see fit, but can you let me live here too?!” Gao Chen suddenly said.
Li Xiaoran didn’t expect Gao Chen to want to live in the shop, so she subconsciously glanced at Luo Cheng.
“No problem. There’s an empty room beside Yuan Cheng’s. You can stay in it! However, you have to follow the rules here and guard this shop!” Luo Cheng said.
“No problem! I’ll do my best!” Gao Chen nodded and promised Luo Cheng.
“Aren’t you going to ask how much your salary will be? Aren’t you afraid that we’ll scam you and refuse to pay you?” Li Xiaoran couldn’t help but ask.
“You guys are not that kind of people!” Gao Chen said, “Besides, it’s fine if you don’t pay me. Just let me have enough to eat, have warm clothes to wear, and have a place to live!”
Li Xiaoran didn’t expect Gao Chen to trust them so much, so she smiled. “How about this? Your salary will be at least 80 copper coins. If you help us make a lot of profit every month, I’ll give you 20 copper coins as a reward.. Of course, these 20 copper coins will depend on your performance and your culinary skills!”