He stubbed out his cigarette on the table with a soft hiss, "If you can't find out, then don't bother asking!"
Zhao Youcai's voice was extremely low, carrying a desperate and ruthless tone, "Xiao Sun, you figure out a way to steal some for me! Not much, just a small spoonful of each will do! Enough for Lao Liu to figure out what it is!"
"Steal...steal it?" Xiao Sun was startled, shrinking back with fear and hesitation on his face. "Boss Zhao, if we get caught...it's theft! And in a restaurant no less...Boss Guan doesn't seem like someone to mess with; her husband is a high-ranking officer in the military..."
"What are you afraid of!" Zhao Youcai interrupted him, his tone both seductive and oppressive. "It's not like I'm asking you to steal gold or silver, it's just a little seasoning powder! Nobody will notice!
After saying this, he noticed Xiao Sun's hesitation. After thinking for a moment, he took out a small wad of crumpled bills from his pocket and slapped them on the table in front of Xiao Sun.
That's about ten yuan, which is more than half a month's salary for an apprentice!
"As long as you get it, this... is your reward! And once our shop is thriving thanks to this secret recipe, you'll definitely get your share of the profits!" Zhao Youcai stared at Xiao Sun. "Think about it, with money, what kind of delicious food and fun things can't we have?"
Xiao Sun's gaze was fixed on the stack of money. His Adam's apple bobbed, and the hesitation on his face was gradually replaced by greed.
He looked up at Zhao Youcai, whose eyes were fierce, then at Fatty Liu, who was silent but clearly also tempted. Finally, he gritted his teeth, reached out and quickly grabbed the money and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Okay! Boss Zhao, I...I'll give it a try! Just a little bit!" His voice trembled slightly with nervousness and excitement.
Zhao Youcai revealed a satisfied, sinister smile: "That's more like it! Be careful not to let anyone find out! Especially that Guan Wenru, she's very shrewd!"
Xiao Sun nodded vigorously, clutching the "huge sum of money and a dangerous mission," and nervously slipped out of the Kezailai Restaurant, his figure quickly disappearing into the dim alley.
Inside the cabin, Zhao Youcai and Fatty Liu exchanged a glance, both seeing the madness of a desperate gamble in each other's eyes.
Once they get those seasonings, they won't have to worry about making food that's inferior to Guan Wenru's restaurant!
......
The next day, at the restaurant.
During the morning preparation time, the kitchen was a busy yet orderly scene.
Guan Wenru walked in carrying a small cloth bag, which, as usual, contained a replenishment of special seasonings.
"Good morning, boss!" The waiter, Chef Li, and Xiao Sun all greeted him.
"Good morning, everyone. You've all worked hard." Guan Wenru smiled and nodded, then walked straight to the special spice cabinet in the corner.
She opened the cabinet door and skillfully took out several glass bottles and small jars from the cloth bag, replacing them one by one.
The whole process was natural and smooth, as if it were just an ordinary part of daily work.
However, Xiao Sun, who was standing by the pool not far away pretending to wash vegetables seriously, had his eyes fixed on Guan Wenru's hands as if he were being attracted by a magnet.
My heart started racing, especially as I stared at the unlabeled bottles in her hand.
He tried hard to see the texture and color of the contents of the bottle, and even subconsciously stood on tiptoe.
Guan Wenru appeared focused on her task, but out of the corner of her eye, she keenly caught a gaze that was overly focused, even somewhat greedy.
Without pausing for a moment, she added the seasonings with a calm expression, locked the cabinet door, and seemed oblivious to everything.
But she didn't leave immediately. Instead, she turned around and walked to Chef Li's side, whispering instructions to him.
The main focus is on today's estimated customer flow and the stock of several signature dishes.
During a break in the conversation, she lowered her voice and quickly said something in a volume that only the two of them could hear.
Master Li's relaxed expression froze for a moment, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he became serious.
He glanced quickly and discreetly in Xiao Sun's direction, then nodded solemnly to Guan Wenru to indicate that he understood.
Guan Wenru then raised her voice, "Everyone, please continue with your work. I'll go check out the other stores."
After saying that, she left the kitchen as if nothing had happened.
After she left, the atmosphere in the kitchen seemed to relax a bit.
With the task on his mind, Xiao Sun went closer to Master Li, helping him chop the vegetables while casually bringing up the topic again:
"Master Li, those seasonings the boss brought look really special. What are they? They smell amazing, they must be expensive!"
This time, unlike last time, Master Li didn't give a perfunctory answer. Instead, he chuckled, his tone sounding quite ordinary, even tinged with a hint of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both regret and reflection).
"Yes, the boss has his own connections and gets all the good stuff! As for us, we just need to focus on making good food and not ask about anything else."
After he finished speaking, he gave Xiao Sun a meaningful look.
Feeling a little guilty under his gaze, Xiao Sun quickly lowered his head and said, "Yes, yes, I was just curious, that's all."
......
A busy day passed quickly.
As night falls and the number of customers dwindles, the kitchen begins to clean and tidy up.
Xiao Sun stared at the locked spice cabinet, his heart itching with desire.
He gritted his teeth and said to Mr. Li, who was taking off his apron, "Mr. Li, you've had a long day, go home first!"
I'll take care of the rest of the cleaning and finishing touches; I'll make sure it's spotless!
Master Li paused for a moment, looked up at Xiao Sun, and nodded without any particular expression on his face.
Surprisingly, he readily agreed, "Okay, then you'll have to work hard. Go home early when you're done, and remember to lock the door."
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