After saying that, he put on his coat, greeted the waiters outside, and left the kitchen first.
Watching Master Li's figure disappear through the door, Xiao Sun felt a surge of joy and nervousness!
The opportunity has arrived!
He suppressed his excitement and quickly packed up, already planning how to proceed.
......
As night deepened, only the sound of rushing water and the soft clatter of dishes remained in the kitchen.
The waiters asked Xiao Sun if he needed any help, but he said no, so they left.
The lights in the front hall were off, leaving only a dim yellow bulb in the back kitchen, illuminating Xiao Sun as he finished up his last tasks.
He was absentmindedly mopping the floor, but his ears were perked up like antennas, listening intently to the sounds outside.
Once he realized he was the only one left in the restaurant, his heart started pounding.
The opportunity has finally arrived!
He walked quickly to the special condiment cabinet that was usually locked and only the boss had the key.
During the day, when Guan Wenru came to replenish the seasonings, he pretended to tidy up the shelves next to him and secretly noted the position of the lock cylinder after she unlocked it.
At that moment, his hands trembled as he pulled a thin wire from his pocket…
He took this off an old broom; Boss Zhao gave it to him last night!
He took a deep breath, mimicking the angle he had peeked from memory, and carefully inserted the wire into the keyhole, holding his breath as he gently moved it.
A soft click sounded particularly clear in the quiet kitchen.
The lock... is open!
Xiao Sun's heart was pounding in his chest. He turned around sharply to look at the doorway, but it was pitch black and completely silent.
Only then did he open the cabinet door with trembling hands.
The mysterious glass bottles and jars gleamed alluringly in the dim light.
He quickly pulled out several small oil paper packets he had prepared beforehand from his pocket, opened one of them, and picked up the bottle containing the thick, brown sauce.
His hands were shaking violently. The bottle opening was facing the paper package, but because of his nervousness, he almost dropped the whole bottle on the ground.
He quickly steadied the bottle with his other hand, carefully tilting it to pour out about a tablespoon.
The intense, fresh aroma instantly filled his nostrils, making him even more certain that this thing was unusual.
Next was the small jar containing fine white powder, which he also poured out some of.
There were also pale yellow crystalline particles in another bottle…
With each drop he poured out, it felt like torture; cold sweat soaked his back of his work clothes.
He dared not pour too much, for fear that the wrong amount would be discovered.
After doing all this with trembling fear, he quickly folded the oil paper package, stuffed it into his inner pocket, and pressed it tightly, as if it were a hot potato.
Then, he hurriedly restored the spice bottles to their original positions, gently closed the cabinet door, and used the wire to put the lock back in place.
After doing all this, he was almost exhausted and leaned against the cold stove, panting heavily.
After several seconds, he mustered his strength, hastily tidied up the last bit of cleaning, picked up his cloth bag, and prepared to leave.
He blew out the kitchen light and groped his way to the back door in the dark…
This is the passageway that their kitchen staff often use when leaving get off work.
He took a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to calm his wildly beating heart, and told himself…
It was a success!
He got things done without anyone noticing!
If he succeeds, he will not only receive more money, but his master will also teach him how to cook.
Once he's mastered the craft, he won't have to worry about finding a job, and the salary will be much higher than what he earns as a kitchen helper!
Thinking about these things made him even more excited.
Then he reached out and pushed open the half-closed wooden door.
However, his movements froze as soon as the door was halfway open, and his blood seemed to freeze instantly.
Under the moonlight and the dim glow of the distant streetlights, two figures stood quietly at the entrance, one on the left and one on the right, like door gods.
It was none other than the boss, Guan Wenru, and her husband, Commander He Yanzhi, who wore a crisp military uniform and exuded an imposing aura even without speaking!
Both of them stood with their arms crossed, expressionless, their cold gazes fixed on him, as if they had been waiting for a long time.
Guan Wenru's eyes were as sharp as knives, as if they could see through his clothes and into the few packets of stolen seasonings in his arms.
He Yanzhi's gaze deepened, carrying a scrutinizing and unquestionable authority that made his legs go weak.
Coming to his senses, Xiao Sun's face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.
He instinctively covered the inner pocket containing the oil paper package with his hand, a gesture that only made things more obvious.
In the quiet night, only his heavy, terrified breathing could be heard.
Guan Wenru spoke first, her voice calm and undisturbed, yet more chilling than any scolding, "Xiao Sun, it's so late, and you've only just finished cleaning up? You've worked hard."
He Yanzhi didn't speak, but he took half a step forward, his tall figure almost completely blocking Xiao Sun's way, his gaze fixed on Xiao Sun's hand that was clutching his pocket.
The air seemed to freeze completely at that moment.
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