After finishing the four dishes, Qin Huai’s impression of Tong De Yan greatly improved, and he also gained a whole new understanding of Han Guishan’s appetite.
Qin Huai hadn’t heard anything positive about Tong De Yan before meeting him. The news from Dong Shi was basically that Tong De Yan had a bad temper, didn’t take on apprentices, seemed to have some conflicts with his own teacher’s sect, and had a trigger-happy temperament, often having heated arguments with the Boss at Babaozhai.
However, his professional ability was quite good, and his culinary skills were up to par; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to argue with the Boss every day and still firmly hold his position as the head chef.
The salary of a head chef at Babaozhai is very high, it’s top in the industry.
Before coming, Qin Huai’s strategy was to avoid contact with Tong De Yan as much as possible.
No contact, no conflict.
Tong De Yan was responsible for meat cooking, and Qin Huai was responsible for pastry. They originally had no interaction, so it was fine to complete the job without communication, and in peace.
This was Qin Huai’s thought before tasting the dishes.
Tong Master having a bad temper is his personal character, and having conflicts with his sect is just hearsay with no solid proof, and daily arguments with the Boss can’t be blamed on the Boss being problematic?
Tong Master must have his reasons for doing this!
Tong Master crafts delicious dishes and is easy to get along with, straightforward in nature, asking directly if he wants Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, he does things knowing who to ask about what.
The most crucial is the delicious cooking.
The Sweet and Sour Carp is sweet and crisp, the Oil-fired Double Crispy is perfectly executed, the Braised Sea Cucumber is not as good as Cao Guixiang’s but surpasses 99% of city restaurants, and the Oil-braised Prawns go without mentioning, specially pressing the shrimp head, professionally undeniable.
Qin Huai decided to add Tong De Yan on WeChat, stay in contact, and ideally foster a relationship so he can enjoy Tong De Yan’s special meals when he goes to Babaozhai in the future.
These high-end restaurant head chefs each have their own unique skills and signature dishes, and for various reasons, these dishes might not be on the menu; to taste them depends on the skills of the diners.
After discussing Tong De Yan, let’s talk about President Han’s appetite.
Qin Huai was already stunned.
No wonder Cheng Gong isn’t worried about Han Guishan overstuffing himself and ending up hospitalized; Han Guishan’s appetite is indeed astonishing.
Qin Huai handed Han Guishan the Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns that came with the side dish, and Han Guishan finished it off.
Later, Han Guishan was unsatisfied; luckily, there were leftover staff meals in the kitchen, and with a bowl of leftovers, he ate some more dishes.
Cheng Gong, being a top assistant, couldn’t let President Han suffer eating leftovers, and immediately ordered a fresh, hot meal from the nearest fast food joint.
Now Han Guishan is polishing off this fresh meal, his appetite is astonishing.
To this point, Qin Huai couldn’t even suggest that President Han eat a little less.
Qin Huai and Cheng Gong stood side by side, arms crossed in front of his chest, eyes full of baffled shock, watching Han Guishan use the last bit of Oil-fired Double Crispy sauce with side dishes to mix with rice, asking: "President Han, do you usually eat so much?"
"President Han usually pays attention to health, basically eating multiple smaller meals, only eating more when encountering something delicious." Cheng Gong confidently defended the boss, "Moreover, President Han started from scratch and came from tough days, has no airs, and is very good to subordinates."
"It’s an honor to serve President Han."
Qin Huai: ...Alright, I know you’re a die-hard fan of Han Guishan.
Qin Huai upheld a principle of, since he’s idle anyway, if he’s not embarrassed, then nobody’s embarrassed, and opted for straightforwardness over beating around the bush, believing sincerity is the secret weapon to coaxing spirits into talking, asked after pondering cautiously for three seconds:
"Assistant Chen, you started off with President Han during his entrepreneurship, you can be considered a company veteran. I’m curious, really just purely curious, according to drama developments you’d at least be upper management now, why did you choose to be an assistant?"
After asking the question, Qin Huai felt he himself was being a bit presumptuous.
He shouldn’t be called Qin Huai; he should be named Chen Huai. At this moment, Chen Huihong was with him.
From afar, Tong De Yan nearly choked to death on a Three Meat Bun, frantically looking for water.
Cheng Gong smiled, unfazed, replying serenely: "Because President Han needs me as his assistant."
"I started off with President Han doing assistant work. Frankly, although my education was alright back then, I was a university graduate, it was in art, so being an assistant was fine, but really transferring me to another department, I wouldn’t be capable."
"Most importantly, assistant salary is high."
Qin Huai immediately became interested, lowering his voice asking: "Roughly, how much?"
From afar, Tong De Yan choked again, coughing uncontrollably.
Cheng Gong didn’t hide, holding up a seven: "Seven figures daily. Around this number."
Is there a need for assistants? Specifically those responsible for snacks, personal snacks assistants!
Perhaps Cheng Gong is really quite free, or Qin Huai’s direct conversation style made Cheng Gong feel Qin Huai’s mind seemed questionable, wanting to chat more to find out the issue, before Zang Mu’s dish was served, Qin Huai kept chatting with Cheng Gong.
Cheng Gong actually has little personal life; being a lifestyle assistant with a salary as high as 7 million annually, even when there are no tasks assigned from Han Guishan, he’s on call 24 hours.
The high-intensity work leads to an extremely monotonous personal life; over thirty years old and still single, besides working it’s all work, seldom traveling on his own, mostly accompanying Han Guishan’s family on business trips.
Compared to him, Zheng Siyuan is unjustly single.
Zheng Siyuan is simply because he thinks the woman’s cooking skills were lacking, leading to matchmaking failure; at least he’s willing to go on matchmaking without much resistance.
Cheng Gong has never been on a matchmaking, lacking time, feels it interferes with work, affecting his wholehearted dedication as well as ultimate sacrifice for President Han. A few years ago, Han Guishan specially organized an in-house matchmaking at Good Taste for Cheng Gong’s marital matters, that matchmaking was a big success with more than ten pairs formed within the company, half of which walked into the hall of marriage, yet Cheng Gong himself didn’t go.
He was home writing work reports.
Afterwards, Cheng Gong learned that the matchmaking was specially planned by President Han for him, he was very moved but also expressed having no interest in this aspect, Han Guishan understood, just believing Cheng Gong hadn’t met the right one yet, turning to his wife Wang Jing for help in finding someone.
Proven wrong, Wang Jing wasn’t good at matchmaking, otherwise, Cheng Gong wouldn’t still be single now.
However, the tradition of Good Taste matchmaking was preserved and each year there’s an in-house matchmaking event, over the years several couples formed, and some newly graduated single youngsters applied for jobs reputedly for this.
Rumors on the street say Good Taste helps employees find partners.
Cheng Gong said this rumor was spread by him for recruiting young employees with more advantage.
Towards the end of the chat, Qin Huai feels like he’s a bit enlightened.
He understood what kind of obsession Cheng Gong has, and roughly guessed the trigger for his awakening.
Qin Huai pulled out his phone sending a message in the "One Big Happy Family" group.
Qin Huai: I seem to know what Cheng Gong’s obsession is.
Qin Huai: Though I have a question.
Qin Huai: Are there spirits obsessed with loving to work?
Qin Huai: I think his obsession is largely about finding a good Boss, then devoting his life unto death.
Luo Jun: Are there such spirits? Spirits liking to work???
Chen Huihong: I quite love to work.
Qu Jing: I also quite like working.
Qin Huai holding the phone: ...
No wonder none of you are human, you really aren’t human!
Chen Huihong: @Qin Huai, Xiao Qin, what about you?
Qin Huai: I think it’s alright.