Chapter 68: Chapter 68 First Day at Work
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu, carrying things with teary eyes at the corners, knew that her mother was protecting her, afraid that she had been mistreated by her in-laws, so she brought things to save face for her.
Upon hearing this, Mother Zhao felt a pang in her heart, “What’s there to thank, being formal with your own mom.
Come on, head back quickly, it’s getting late and you won’t be able to see the road clearly.”
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu nodded, said goodbye to her mother, and rode her bicycle back home.
Xu Ying reported for her first day of work, waking up early, “Mom, I’m not having breakfast, I’m heading to work.”
After saying this, she pushed her bicycle and pedaled away.
Mrs. Xu came out of the house and, seeing her daughter’s departing figure, grumbled, “I told her to finish early and get to bed so she could wake up early in the morning. I don’t even know what she was up to last night!
Now she’s skipping breakfast; she’ll be starving!”
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu walked out of the kitchen with a smile, “Mom, little sister is going to work at a restaurant, how could she possibly miss a meal? Even if she doesn’t eat at home, there will be food there.”
Mrs. Xu’s worry subsided a bit with this thought, that made sense; after all, one who cooks couldn’t shortchange her own stomach.
Xu Ying arrived at the entrance of the restaurant, where several waitresses were already stretching their necks to look outside early in the morning.
They had heard that Xu Ying was starting today and that she got the job through connections, so they were prepared to give her a hard time right from the start.
“Here comes the sister-in-law,” said a woman who was originally wiping the table, her eyes swiftly moved as she spotted someone and shouted to an older woman next to her.
Gao Guihua, like everyone else, wore a white hat and squeezed into a white apron. Her cheekbones were high, and her eyes were narrow, giving off an unwelcoming look.
Now her face expressionless, which could intimidate the faint-hearted.
But Xu Ying was not faint-hearted; she beamed a smile and greeted everyone, “Hello everyone, my name is Xu Ying. It’s my first day here, and we’re all colleagues now. I hope we can get along well.”
Xianghong looked towards her sister-in-law as she went about her business.
“Hello, my name is Chen Chunfeng,” said the most sincere-looking among them, her skin darkened by the sun.
Another lady, who was pretty with fair skin, lifted her chin looking at Chen Chunfeng with full disdain, “No backbone.”
Still, she reluctantly said, “I’m Sun Lifang.”
Gao Guihua quickly put on a smile, “Hey, Comrade Xiao Xu, hello, I’m Gao Guihua, just call me Sister Gao like they do.”
Seeing this, Xianghong followed along, “My name’s Gao Xianghong.”
Then they heard Director Hong’s voice, he saw Xu Ying’s excitement, “Xiao Xu, it’s your first day at work, if anything feels off, just let me know.”
After all, he owed Doctor Gu a favor, he had to do what was required, otherwise, he’d feel uneasy.
With this statement, Sun Lifang curled the corner of her lips; it seemed Zhang Youquan was right, another one who got in through connections.
Her face was scornful, a young girl who was going to work in the kitchen, could she even lift a pot or handle a spatula?
Just don’t end up being more trouble than help.
Director Hong led Xu Ying towards the kitchen, Chef Ge was not there yet, but Zhang Youquan had already arrived and started the kitchen preparations.
Seeing Director Hong followed by a girl, he blinked and smiled, “Hello Director Hong, this must be the new Comrade Xiao Xu.
Hello, hello, we’re colleagues now, let’s get along well.”
Director Hong had come and thrown his weight around a bit before exchanging a few words with Xu Ying and then turning to leave.
Zhang Youquan looked at Xu Ying curiously, “Why would a girl like you think about working in the kitchen? It’s a man’s job, can you handle it?”
“Mr. Zhang, things have changed, the country is now advocating gender equality, women can also achieve great things. Speaking like that is like questioning the state’s policy,” Xu Ying said with a smile.
Ever since he came in, Mr. Zhang’s expressions had changed several times—his little schemes were quite numerous.
Having such a big accusation thrown at him, Zhang Youquan started to sweat profusely and quickly responded, “Mr. Xiao Xu, you misunderstood me.”
He sighed, “Well, if Xiao Xu likes working in the kitchen, that’s good too.”
Xu Ying immediately said, “As long as it contributes to the country, I like anything.”
Zhang Youquan nodded, his view of Xu Ying changed instantly—he had thought the newbie was easy to bully but turned out she was tough.
Xu Ying looked at him and asked, “What do I need to do for now?”
Zhang Youquan sneered inwardly, tough or not, she still had to follow his work arrangements. He pointed to some cabbage and potatoes nearby, “Start by washing these, clean them well and peel the potatoes. Then cut them into strips, can you do it? If not, you’ll learn in a bit!”
Zhang Youquan was quite proud of his chopping skills, having worked at the restaurant for four years. Although his culinary skills hadn’t improved much, his knife skills had definitely gotten better.
Improving knife skills is not an easy task, and he doubted whether this girl would last!
Xu Ying nodded; how could she not know how to chop vegetables?
She obediently started washing a bunch of vegetables on her first day at work.
Xu Ying was efficient in her work. By the time Chef Ge arrived, the cabbage was already washed, and the potatoes were peeled.
Chef Ge entered the kitchen and paused when he saw the young girl, then remembering what Director Hong had mentioned about a new girl coming, he figured it was her.
When Xu Ying saw Chef Ge, knowing he was the head chef, she stood up smiling and greeted, “Good morning, Chef Ge.”
Chef Ge, embarrassed by her enthusiasm, quickly nodded and responded, “Good morning.”
Zhang Youquan, seeing Chef Ge smile at her, felt displeased as he remembered his own stern reception when he had first arrived.
Seeing that Xu Ying was done washing, he said grumpily, “Now that you’ve washed them, chop the cabbage and potatoes!”
Xu Ying nodded, took up the knife, and on the cutting board, she chopped neatly; the cabbage was cut uniformly, and she was exceptionally fast.
Zhang Youquan watched, his jaw dropping, and exclaimed, “Have you learned cooking before?”
Xu Ying nodded, “I learned some basics at home.”
Zhang Youquan’s face turned as sour as if he had eaten something foul. He had thought she was a complete novice, someone who knew nothing and was prepared to let her suffer all the hardships he had endured.
But it turned out she could also cook, his face growing redder than a liver.
Chef Ge watched her, somewhat surprised; she was young yet quite good, much better than Zhang Youquan that was for certain.
Xu Ying neatly placed the chopped vegetables into the bowl.
She used the knife to guide them in.
Unlike Zhang Youquan who simply grabbed and dragged everything regardless of cleanliness, just dumping into the bowl.
“Do you know how to cut potato strips?” Zhang Youquan asked reluctantly.
Xu Ying picked up a piece of potato and swiftly, the potato strips came out uniformly sliced.
Sun Lifang, who came in to take some things, saw this scene and asked in surprise, “Xu Ying, you can cook?”