After listening to Zhou Qi recount Liu Daxi's work experience—which included working in large hotels and high-end private clubs—Xu An's feelings became very complicated.

With his illustrious past work experience, if Liu Daxi wanted to, most hotel managers in Shanghai would definitely try their best to invite him to join them.

Why would such a talented person apply for a job at Xu's Fast Food Restaurant?

It can't be said that Xu An possessed immense charm in every gesture, and that Liu Daxi, having only seen him once on television, was captivated by his domineering aura and came to him specifically to become the head chef of Xu's Fast Food Restaurant.

Isn't that nonsense?

This is even more unreliable than Xu An's idea of ​​increasing production capacity without increasing manpower.

When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it. The opponent hasn't revealed their hand yet, so let's just deal with whatever comes our way!

The three dishes that Xu An specifically requested were very easy to cook, especially the oyster sauce lettuce, which was ready in no time with the help of a high-heat stove.

It is precisely because of the existence of the high-heat stove that the chef's control over the heat is very important. If the heat is too high, the lettuce will lose its crisp texture and become soft and mushy.

Soft and limp oyster sauce lettuce might taste alright, but its soul lies in its crisp and refreshing texture! Soft and limp oyster sauce lettuce has no soul at all!

The three dishes took a total of eighteen minutes from cleaning to plating, averaging six minutes per dish.

The brown, translucent sauce flowed slowly down the veins of the lettuce leaves, making the bright green leaves slightly translucent and glossy. A gentle touch with chopsticks produced a soft 'crunch,' and the lettuce was crisp, tender, sweet, and delicious.

The bitter melon flavor was perfectly controlled; any more would be too bitter, and any less would be bland. It complemented the crispy and delicious scrambled eggs perfectly.

The shredded potatoes are crisp and fresh, with just the right amount of sour and spicy flavors, making them incredibly appetizing. You'll want to have another bite after just one.

After tasting the three dishes, Xu An couldn't help but sigh inwardly that the chefs at high-end hotels were indeed extraordinary; the dishes they casually cooked could easily surpass those of him and Zhou Qi, who were both mediocre chefs.

Even considering that Xu's Fast Food Restaurant cooks a large quantity of food in each pot, the final taste might be slightly inferior to today's, but it would still be of higher quality than the dishes produced by myself and Zhou Qi.

Why would such a talented person condescend to work at a fast food restaurant that relies on volume?

Xu An didn't want to guess and asked the question directly: "I just talked to Zhou Qi about your work experience, Chef Liu. I'd like to know why you didn't go to those hotels and restaurants, but came to apply for a chef position at my small fast food restaurant?"

"What do you think of my cooking skills?" Liu Daxi asked.

"Very good." Xu An gave him a thumbs up, then said with a wry smile, "With your cooking skills, not to mention big hotels, I'm sure the owners of some well-known restaurants would be very happy to welcome you."

“That’s true.” Liu Daxi nodded. “After returning to Haishi, more than a dozen people in charge contacted me, including some well-known hotels in Haishi.”

Liu Daxi looked at Xu An, his eyes hardening: "But I have one condition: if you want me to join, you have to accept my entire team."

The whole team?

Xu An was startled by these words, but couldn't help asking out of curiosity, "How many people are in your team?"

"Including me, that makes seven people! Two each for the water station, the kitchen helper, and the chopping board." Liu Daxi glanced at Xu An as he spoke, "But in your fast food restaurant, each of them could handle all the work single-handedly."

Xu An had no objection to Liu Daxi's last statement. After all, if someone like him, who was only half-baked, could run a fast food restaurant, it was not surprising that people like them, who came from big hotels, could do the same.

Xu An's attention is now entirely focused on the 'seven people'.

Xu An originally planned to hire two or three chefs, but now seven have arrived at once, which is a bit overwhelming.

However, Xu An was unwilling to let go of this rare opportunity. After struggling for a while, he couldn't help but ask, "Could you tell me what your salary expectations are?"

"How much is his salary?" Liu Daxi asked Zhou Qi, who was standing obediently to the side.

"Three thousand six," Xu An blurted out.

Zhou Qi's initial salary was three thousand yuan, but as his workload increased and he became busier, Xu An increased his salary by six hundred yuan.

“If you’re willing to take over the whole team, I’ll pay you 4,200 yuan a month, and the remaining six people will each receive 3,200 yuan a month,” Liu Daxi said decisively, leaving no room for argument.

Apart from Liu Daxi's salary, the salary demands of the other six people were as expected, even 400 yuan lower than Zhou Qi's.

Or, let's see how well these six cook before making a decision?

"There's no problem with the compensation, but I'd like to see their cooking skills first," Xu An said.

Liu Daxi nodded upon hearing this, and walked straight out of the store, heading towards the No. 1 store.

Xu An and Zhou Qi stood at the entrance of Store No. 2, watching Liu Daxi's departing figure, exchanging bewildered glances.

Has the negotiation fallen through?

However, Liu Daxi did not go far. He stopped at the intersection and waved in the direction of Yihaodian.

Before long, six figures appeared in Xu An's line of sight.

At first glance, these six people seemed no different from ordinary people, but as they got closer, Xu An realized that they communicated entirely using sign language.

At this moment, Liu Daxi stopped in front of Xu An and introduced them to him: "These are my kitchen helpers. They are a bit special; they are all deaf and mute."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!