As for the new benefits, Boss Lu said directly, "The workshop has decided to give each employee two sets of uniforms every season. Everyone, please go and register your size in a bit."

The crowd erupted in excitement. Two new outfits every season, that's eight outfits a year! Good heavens!

They were overjoyed when they received a feather coat before the Lunar New Year. They thought it was only because the workshop had just opened that such a good thing happened, but they didn't expect to receive new clothes again on the first day of the new year!

In the past, my family could only afford to make one new set of clothes a year, and that was only when the old clothes were so worn out that they could no longer be worn. This Lu family workshop is truly a great benefactor!

"These clothes are for everyone to wear while working, so we can't just give them away! It's more pleasant to see everyone dressed the same, and the styles are different every season, so everyone can have new clothes to wear all year round!"

After the initial nervousness subsided, Boss Lu gradually adapted, and his legs stopped trembling when he spoke, which was a sign of confidence.

The crowd dispersed amidst cheers; it was getting late, time to get back to work.

Zhou snorted coldly. She was willing to make new clothes for these unrelated people but not for her. She had been wearing the same clothes since New Year's Eve and didn't even have a change of clothes!

The more I think about it, the angrier I get!

Seeing that Madam Yu and the others had turned to leave, she hurriedly followed and asked, "Sister, now that we've started work, I'm working in the workshop too. Just tell me what you need me to do, and I'll make sure it's done perfectly!"

Zhou was determined to go to the food workshop and never considered going to the clothing workshop. She felt that the clothing workshop was just a place to make clothes and didn't have anything useful. Nothing was more important than the recipes from the food workshop. With the recipes, she could do that business too!

Yu responded and said, "We happen to need someone to tend the fire. You can go and tend the fire. Once you've done a good job, you'll have your rent for the month."

As she spoke, worried that Zhou might not be willing to go, she said, "The job of tending the fire is easy. My third sister-in-law specially arranged it for you because you are my sister-in-law. Do a good job, and the family will not treat you badly."

At first, Zhou was indeed a little dissatisfied, but then she thought that since the person tending the fire was close to the stove, she would be able to see how Lu Heiya cooked it and she would definitely be able to learn it.

Thinking about it that way, he instantly cheered up: "Okay! I promise I'll make sure the fire burns brightly for you!"

However--

When Yu Shi led her to the stove, she was completely stunned.

Why is the stove opening outside the house? Or even behind the house?

There was a wall in front of her, and three fireboxes were exposed. All she had to do was put firewood into the three fireboxes.

This job is indeed easy, but it's not what she wants!

How can she learn something if she's completely isolated from the outside world?

She suddenly became a little anxious and said to Madam Yu, "Sister, am I all alone here?"

"Yes, this job isn't heavy work at all. One person is enough. There's a woodshed right next door. If you run out of firewood, just go get some. You can do your job now. I'm leaving now."

After saying that, Ms. Yu left; she had her own things to do.

"Sister!" Zhou grabbed her arm. "I like being around people, so let me find somewhere else to work! I'm all alone here, with no one to talk to, I'm going to suffocate!"

“If you don’t want to do such a good job, then you can only work in the fields. It just so happens that the wasteland on the mountain also needs someone to take care of it.”

Yu replied immediately that this was an idea she had gotten from He Jiuniang, so she wasn't worried that He Jiuniang wouldn't compromise.

Zhou was restless; otherwise, she wouldn't have fought with her like this.

Sure enough, upon hearing that she was to work in the wasteland, Zhou immediately became obedient.

Watching Yu leave, Zhou spat without hesitation and said, "Just you wait and see, I'll definitely learn it!"

These people treated her like a thief, even though the stove opening was outside the house. Did they think that would stump her?

Hmph, you're overthinking it!

There's nothing she can't do if she sets her mind to it!

Anyway, she doesn't need to keep an eye on the fire in the stove. She can just go around to the front and take a look later. She can learn a little bit every day and eventually she'll understand it!

There are three rooms in the food workshop: one for storing seasonings, one for storing fresh chicken and duck, and the remaining room is a large kitchen with three stoves.

Lu Hei Ya sells very well, selling several batches a day. You can't make that many without so many stoves.

Various dried ingredients are pre-packaged in small cloth bags according to the specified amount. When you need to use them, just throw the small cloth bag into the pot. They will bring out the flavor and the meat will not get the seasoning on it.

After learning the steps, the six girls could actually make it themselves. Madam Yu didn't need to interfere at all; she could even let them do it on their own. But there was Madam Zhou outside, so she had to be wary of her.

"Auntie, we're fine here, you go ahead and do your work."

They were able to do these things smoothly before the new year, and now they have enough manpower, so there's no reason for the Yu family to have to work so hard.

"It's alright, I feel more at ease having you here."

As she spoke, she glanced outside and lowered her voice, saying, "The one tending the fire outside is my sister-in-law, as you all probably know. Keep an eye on her and don't let her in. Don't talk to her about the workshop either. If you notice anything unusual about her, remember to tell me immediately."

Yu was truly worried sick about her sister-in-law.

"Okay, Auntie, don't worry, we'll be careful."

The girls answered crisply, and Mr. Yu nodded in satisfaction.

These children are pitiful, without fathers or mothers. Now that they are working for the Lu family, they can be considered to have a home.

"By the way, Auntie, Aunt Zhou asked us for the workshop key before. I thought she would ask us for it again. Why don't you keep the key for a few days?"

Yuetong had already spoken to the Lu family a few days before about Zhou asking them for the keys on New Year's Eve.

"It's alright, she wouldn't dare to make things too difficult for you. Just continue with your work as usual, and feel free to contact us if you need anything."

After giving a few instructions, Mr. Yu turned and left.

She had already made up her mind to learn cooking skills at a restaurant in the county town. In the meantime, she needed to find a suitable embroidery workshop for her second daughter and also find a chef at a restaurant to ask if they would be willing to take on apprentices.

These things need to be handled gradually.

As for Boss Lu becoming a goldsmith, there's no rush. Let's take care of those things in the wasteland first; after all, we'll get paid anyway.

Upon returning to the Lu family, Madam Yu immediately went to find He Jiuniang and reported the situation at the food workshop.

“It’s obvious that my sister-in-law is indeed problematic. Third sister-in-law, you’re right. She took so long to come here, and the first thing she did was head straight for the food workshop. She’s definitely after our Lu Black Duck recipe. I must keep a close eye on her these next few days and not let her take advantage of any loopholes!”