The young people acted as soon as they said they would. The day after the director of the Women's Federation gave the notice, Liu Yanran began organizing interviews for the staff.
Basically, those who come to sign up are newly married sisters-in-law who have joined the army and do not have children yet, as well as aunts whose grandchildren are already in school. Generally speaking, these military families are very motivated, of course, because Liu Yanran offers a high salary.
Liu Yanran named the wonton and noodle shop Piaoxiangguan. She mainly recruited people to make dough, wrap wontons and cut noodles. The requirements were that they had good skills and loved cleanliness. Liu Yanran hired four people for this shop and told them that they needed to be on trial and would be replaced if they were not suitable.
One was responsible for collecting money and keeping accounts at the front desk. Liu Yanran chose her newly married sister-in-law Zhou Tingting, who had attended junior high school and was good at arithmetic. She was equivalent to a store manager, and she offered her 25 yuan a month.
One person is in charge of kneading the dough. She hired Aunt Guixiang from her hometown in the north. The dough she kneads is chewy and firm. Liu Yanran charges 20 yuan a month because it is a physically demanding job.
There is also Aunt Xiuhe who is responsible for making wontons, dumplings and cutting noodles. She is also from the north. Liu Yanran runs her shop and she also earns 20 yuan a month.
The last one in charge of cleaning was Grandma Liu. She was the oldest among the few people, but she was careful and had a keen eye for work. Liu Yanran paid her 15 yuan a month.
Food and accommodation are provided to everyone, and those who do not stay overnight will receive an additional subsidy of 3 yuan. In this way, the staff of Piaoxiang Pavilion is complete and it is just waiting for the decoration to be completed and open for business.
Liu Yanran named the dim sum shop Zhenpinzhai. There are many kinds of pastries here, each with a unique name and attractive appearance.
The main varieties include traditional cakes such as mung bean cake, osmanthus cake, jujube cake, and pea yellow cake. There are also local specialties such as twisted dough sticks, egg cakes, pineapple cakes, and donkey rolls. Each cake has a unique flavor and craftsmanship, leaving you with an unforgettable aftertaste.
Liu Yanran hired three young women to run the shop. They were all beautiful and distinctive. They had all come with their brothers to join the army. Their families hoped they would find a soldier to marry, but now that they had jobs and salaries, they felt confident in taking control of their own lives, so Liu Yanran wanted to help them. She offered them 20 yuan a month and a 5% commission on the dim sum they sold.
The first girl was named Qi Xiaoyan. She had long, lustrous black hair that cascaded down her shoulders. Her eyes were large and bright, like twinkling stars, revealing intelligence and agility. She was cheerful and lively, always smiling brightly, giving people a warm and friendly feeling.
The second girl was Lin Xiaoyu. She was tall and graceful. Her skin was as white as snow, her face was beautiful, and her features were as delicate as a porcelain doll. She was gentle and quiet, and spoke softly, giving people a sense of peace and comfort.
The third girl, Gao Shengnan, had short, neatly styled hair. Her eyes were deep and sharp, as if they could see through everything. She was independent and confident, decisive and resolute, giving off an air of competence and reliability.
These three little girls have their own charm in appearance and personality, and their joining has added a touch of bright color to Zhenpinzhai.
There are five aunts in the kitchen. They come from different places and each has unique cooking skills and specialties.
Among them, Aunt Wang Guifang, who hails from the Jiangnan water town, specializes in making exquisite sweet-scented osmanthus cakes and mung bean cakes. Her cakes are golden in color, exuding a rich sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance. They are soft and glutinous, yet sweet yet not greasy, leaving a lasting aftertaste. The mung bean cakes are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth, and have a subtle mung bean fragrance. They are sweet yet not greasy, making them a perfect summer treat.
Li Xiaolan comes from the far north, where there are endless plains and vast lands. She specializes in making her hometown's traditional delicacy - jujube cake.
Li Xiaolan's date cakes are truly exceptional, each one exuding an alluring aroma. Their surface is a deep, vibrant red, reminiscent of a setting sun. The sweet aroma of the red dates blends with the wheat-based fragrance of the pastry, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma. A bite of the date cake reveals a delicate, soft texture that melts in your mouth. The rich date flavor permeates your mouth, leaving you with a sweet, satisfying feeling.
At the same time, Aunt Lin Erya from Fujian is good at making pineapple cakes. This dessert is loved by everyone for its unique taste and exquisite appearance.
Her pineapple cakes are golden and crispy on the outside, with a light, crunchy crunch. The filling is made from fresh pineapple pulp, preserving the pineapple's natural flavor. The filling is sweet and sour, with a rich texture that contrasts beautifully with the crispy exterior. Each pineapple cake is meticulously crafted, each one adorably delicate and captivating, making it a tempting choice.
Aunt He Hua from Tianjin makes fried dough twists (ma hua), which are crispy, sweet, and delicious. Every bite is accompanied by a delightful crunch, the sound of the crispy outer layer breaking in your mouth. The inside is soft and tender, with a subtle sweetness that leaves a lasting impression.
Her donkey rolls are soft and glutinous, yet sweet but not greasy. The outer skin is made from glutinous rice flour, and after steaming, it becomes soft, chewy, and melts in your mouth. The filling, made from red bean paste, is delicate and sweet, complementing the soft outer skin perfectly.
There is another one who is even more amazing. This aunt is called Bai Xiu Xiu. She is one of the earliest educated youth. She is from the capital. Her ancestors once worked in the imperial kitchen and have inherited extraordinary culinary skills.
She has been influenced by her family since she was young and has a deep understanding of making various pastries. What she is best at is the mouth-watering pea yellow pastry.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
