The next day, Ning Ge didn’t come to the small restaurant either. After breakfast, he just packed his backpack and left on his own, not even wanting Cheng Su and the others to see him off.
Li Qiulan and the others found it strange. Why didn’t Ning Ge come today? Upon asking, they found out that Ning Ge had left. Li Qiulan was stunned on the spot, her eyes quickly reddening. Fearing that Cheng Su and the others would notice, she hurriedly turned away to find work to do, trying to hide her feelings.
Time wouldn’t stop for anyone’s departure. With Ning Ge gone and one less person to help collect money, only Cheng Su and the other two were left to hustle in the small restaurant. They became as busy as tops, without the luxury to ponder who was absent.
The operation of the small restaurant continued as normal. The business was as good as ever, and gradually, customers began to ask if the restaurant would open in the evening. Cheng Su did contemplate it; after all, opening for dinner service would mean more income. However, with the current number of staff, she feared they couldn’t cope.
Therefore, Cheng Su had no choice but to post a job advertisement to recruit more staff.
This time, she targeted male candidates, who could also handle delivery, and she looked to hire an additional cook’s assistant as well.
Recruitment couldn’t be rushed, but the jam ordered from the Huaiji Supply and Marketing Cooperative needed to be made quickly. Cheng Su had already made a deal with Sister Wang and the others, so she called to arrange delivery.
After the lunch rush, Cheng Su asked Li Qiulan and her coworkers to clean up, while she went to the glass factory to order jars. This time, she intentionally ordered several dozen extra jars, planning to not only supply the Cooperative but also to sell some at their own restaurant.
Cheng Su also specifically ordered a few large airtight glass jars because grapes were in season and rather cheap. She thought of making some grape wine, which would be good for either personal consumption or sale, and it would be an additional income either way.
When the glass factory delivered, Cheng Su and Qiulan busied themselves with sterilizing and drying the jars, and at that time, Ying Xiaoya also arrived with a black bag in tow.
Ying Xiaoya pulled Cheng Su aside sneakily and took out a black plastic bag from her own bag, handing it over to Cheng Su directly.
"You really got me into trouble, my mom thought I was getting involved in an improper relationship and almost interrogated me about it," Ying Xiaoya said with a flushed face.
Cheng Su opened the bag to find exactly what she had asked for, although it wasn’t a brand commonly seen in the twenty-first century, it did have a strong vintage vibe.
"You actually found it. Thank you," she said with a smile and gratitude.
Ying Xiaoya touched her nose and added, "Oh, and I talked to my dad about that re-enrollment thing. The principal of Feng City High School is a classmate of his, and with a word from my dad, you can enroll."
Cheng Su’s eyes lit up, "You’ve got news so fast?"
"My dad knows quite a few people," Ying Xiaoya replied.
"Good sister, you’ve really helped me out a lot. When should I visit your dad and that principal of Feng City High School?" Cheng Su asked excitedly.
"How about I have my dad arrange a dinner?" Ying Xiaoya suggested.
Cheng Su thought for a moment and said, "Okay. I’ll make some delicious food in the next couple of days, shall we go together then?"
"Sure," Ying Xiaoya agreed promptly. She looked around and asked, "Where’s Ning Ge?"
"He left, this morning," Cheng Su informed her.
With an "Oh," Ying Xiaoya exchanged a few more pleasantries with Cheng Su before she finally took her leave.