After Zhou Chen finished speaking,
Mr. Sun, dressed in a suit and tie, did not respond, but merely gave him a meaningful look.
Then he slowly stood up, turned around, and left.
There was no stance taken.
But before leaving, he called Xu Laoqi out.
As soon as the leadership team left the construction site canteen, people who cared about Zhou Chen gathered around.
"Brother Zhou, don't be sad. Although the leaders don't want to give you the canteen, the dishes you made today were quite delicious. We all liked them, and we won't let you lose money."
"Yes, the dishes that Manager Li's relatives used to cook were just a sloppy affair. It's not like you, Brother Zhou, are so generous with the oil. We eat very well and have the energy to work tomorrow."
Everyone chimed in, offering their own words of comfort to Zhou Chen.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault for not cooking the dishes perfectly."
Seeing everyone say this, Li Juan felt somewhat sorry for Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen shrugged and first told his fellow workers that he was not sad and accepted the outcome.
Then, looking at the guilty Li Juan, he smiled and said, "Sister Juan, you have done very well. There is no need to blame yourself. As the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes. Just do your best."
Although it wasn't successful, I'm still very grateful to Sister Juan for coming to help. You see, at least the workers really appreciate your cooking skills.
Upon hearing this, the other workers all laughed and agreed.
This lessened Li Juan's sense of guilt.
"Hey? Foreman Xu is back."
"Foreman Xu."
At this moment, Xu Laoqi returned from outside and came to Zhou Chen with a serious expression.
"Disciple, about the cafeteria..."
Xu Laoqi sighed as he finished speaking and patted Zhou Chen on the shoulder with one hand.
Zhou Chen pursed his lips. He could accept failure. After all, the construction site manager could easily find someone with the ability to cooperate. There was no need to waste time with him. The settlement could be made on the same day.
"It's alright, Master, I can handle it. It's just that I've let you down..."
"Ha ha……"
Before Zhou Chen could utter the word "shameful," Xu Laoqi suddenly burst into laughter.
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
Zhou Chen was taken aback at first, but in an instant, two beams of surprise shot out from his eyes.
Master's reaction, could it be that...?
"You little rascal, you did it! The boss said he can give you the cafeteria."
Xu Laoqi patted Zhou Chen on the shoulder again, but this time, there was a clear hint of pride on his face as he spoke.
He was just joking with Zhou Chen.
"Foreman Xu, you're so mean! You don't just say good things directly."
"That's right."
"Congratulations, Brother Zhou! From now on, we'll be in your care for our meals."
Congratulations!
The situation took an unexpected turn, a huge twist of fate, that made everyone who had been comforting Zhou Chen just a moment ago happy for him.
Zhou Chen couldn't help but clench his fist.
It really worked!
"Disciple, come out with me for a moment."
Xu Laoqi called Zhou Chen out.
Once outside, Xu Laoqi repeated what the leader had said:
"Although the boss agreed to give it to you, since you can't come up with the contract fee all at once, you need to pay an extra 500 yuan for the contract. I've agreed to it on your behalf. You don't have any objections, do you?"
"No objection."
It's just an extra 500 yuan, which isn't much compared to taking over the construction site canteen. You have to understand, he essentially took over the canteen at zero cost, so theoretically he wasn't even qualified.
But the leader still nodded.
"Master, thank you. Without your intervention, I wouldn't have been able to..." Zhou Chen bowed to Xu Laoqi. Without Xu Laoqi, he wouldn't have been able to take over the construction site canteen.
This is a great job.
Xu Laoqi could have easily given the opportunity to someone else and profited from it, but he didn't. Instead, he gave the opportunity to him.
Xu Laoqi helped Zhou Chen up, looking ashamed, and said, "Little Chen, you don't need to thank me. Your master didn't help much."
The reason your boss nods is because he appreciates you. Do you know what he keeps muttering to himself as he leaves?
He kept saying things like, "The opportunities you mentioned are for those who are prepared," and "Just do your best, and leave the rest to fate."
Xu Laoqi knew his own limitations. He didn't have much influence or status in the leader's eyes. It was Zhou Chen's answer that won the leader's favor, or rather, his appreciation.
"Master, how much do you know about this Leader Sun?"
Zhou Chen realized that it seemed this leader wanted to give him this opportunity, and could be considered his benefactor. The extra 500 yuan in contract fees was just a symbolic amount.
Otherwise, let alone five hundred, even a thousand would be enough for outsiders to fight tooth and nail to get their hands on it if they found out.
Zhou Chen was aware of this, so he wanted to learn more about his benefactor.
"I've only heard people talking about it in private. It seems that Boss Sun is also the eldest son in his family. Before he became a boss, he supported his siblings all by himself."
Old Xu stroked his chin and recalled.
I see,
Zhou Chen roughly knew the reason.
Manager Sun probably gave him the cafeteria business because he thought the two of them had similar experiences.
"Xiao Chen, the cafeteria will take up a lot of your time. How will you go to school?"
Xu Laoqi suddenly realized that Zhou Chen was planning to go back to school, but the construction site canteen served three meals a day, so Zhou Chen had to run back and forth between the two places.
“Master, I’ll leave the cafeteria to Sister Juan. I’ll be in charge of getting the ingredients, so it won’t interfere with my classes.”
Zhou Chen explained that he had already made the time arrangements.
Hearing this, Xu Laoqi was relieved. The two returned to the canteen, where Zhou Chen chatted with his fellow workers for a while before helping Li Juan tidy up.
It was already past six o'clock when I finished.
"Sister Juan, this is today's pay. From now on, it will be paid daily. I hope you won't mind."
After returning to the residential area, Zhou Chen took out forty yuan and stuffed it directly into Li Juan's hand.
Seeing so much money, Li Juan hurriedly tried to push it back, but Zhou Chen raised his hand to stop her, saying, "Sister Juan, forty a day is not much. You are responsible for three meals a day, as well as washing dishes and other work."
I'll be going to school soon and won't be able to help much. You'll have to do most of the work. If you don't accept the payment, I'll really get angry.
"Okay, thank you, Little Chen."
Seeing this, Li Juan had no choice but to agree, then waved her hand and went upstairs.
Early in the morning, at four o'clock, before dawn,
Zhou Chen would ride his bicycle to the market to buy vegetables and then deliver them to the construction site before six o'clock.
Li Juan is busy preparing breakfast.
Zhou Chen ate a quick bite, said goodbye to his master Xu Laoqi, his coworker, and others, and headed straight for the school.
Today marks his first official day back on campus.
However, just as he rode his bike to the school gate...
The sight of the two figures made Zhou Chen frown.
...
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