Cheng Su’s appointment of people like Old Song naturally also reached the ears of everyone in the restaurant; besides their admiration, they were resolved to climb up the ladder with effort.
As for Old Song and the others, they weighed their options. Observing how Cheng Su single-handedly started the current restaurant and even a company, they recognized her as a person of great determination. Knowing they couldn’t run a successful business in such a short span, and since they were all working for someone anyway, they appreciated being trusted and having a say in matters—so why not be happy about it?
Old Song found Song Xiaojang and the father and son had a thorough discussion through the night. Once he learned his son truly did not wish to learn cooking, Old Song put his mind at rest, thinking to find a good apprentice to personally mentor and pass down the ancestral culinary skills.
There and then, the father and son made their decision—to be committed to Joy Soon Loy.
Meanwhile, Qiulan returned home and told her eldest sister that she had been promoted and received a raise, humming songs happily.
Upon returning home, Platoon Leader Lu heard his sister-in-law’s cheerful chirping like a little magpie and even singing, he couldn’t help asking his wife, "Is there something to celebrate?"
Li Qiumei smiled and said, "Our sister is remarkable, she got promoted to supervisor today, that’s why she’s so happy!"
"Oh, that is indeed something to rejoice over!" Platoon Leader Lu laughed too.
"Isn’t it." Holding her son, Li Qiumei hesitated for a moment and said, "It’s just that the girl’s ambitions have grown. She told me she wants to learn like Cheng Su, to study something like hotel management. Husband, what’s all this about?"
After thinking briefly, Platoon Leader Lu said, "I vaguely remember hearing that those top-class grand hotels have excellent and professional services. There are lots of them in Beijing. Even the foreign devils who visit have to give a thumbs up; it must be related to those services and management?"
Li Qiumei frowned, "Won’t that cost a lot of money?"
Platoon Leader Lu looked at his wife and said, "Don’t just think about the money, times have changed. If your sister has the desire to improve, you should support her. Plus, it’s her own hard-earned money she’s using to learn, why would you control that?"
"I’m not trying to control her; I know it’s a good thing. But you also know, given my family’s situation, I got married to you, have my own small family, and can’t help out much. We were all depending on Qiulan’s job at home!" Li Qiumei sighed deeply.
Platoon Leader Lu pressed his lips together tightly and said, "Then talk to your father about it, try to explain the situation. To tell you the truth, with Qiulan working under Cheng Su like this, I can say she will surely excel in the future; following her lead will be right."
Li Qiumei was surprised, "What do you mean by that?"
"Didn’t Cheng Su start another company? You know about that, right?"
Li Qiumei nodded.
"Look around the whole compound, who has her capabilities? When she says business, she means business, and she does it brilliantly, with clear rules in how she deals with people. Our sister following her, even if not learning everything perfectly but mastering thirty to fifty percent, will be more than enough." Platoon Leader Lu continued, "And didn’t our troops have a Chief coming for inspection recently? That Chief’s brother, Ning Ge, it’s his very own brother. I’ve heard, it seems that old Chief knows Cheng Su too!"
"There’s such a thing?" Li Qiumei was shocked.
Platoon Leader Lu slowly nodded and took his son into his arms, saying, "Don’t say I’m boasting. Looking at it, Cheng Su and Commander Qi, their futures will definitely be more successful than now. You say, what’s wrong with your sister working with her? If she wants to learn, let her learn. And you, you should also visit Cheng Su more frequently."
Lost in thought, Li Qiumei slowly nodded her head.