The senior students from the Central Academy of Drama formed a circle, staring intently at Zhou Yang.
Their eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation, just like a group of piglets watching their owner prepare to feed them.
Seeing that Lin Chuan hadn't even turned on his camera, Zhou Yang couldn't help but twitch his lips a few more times, feeling increasingly like he'd been tricked into cooking for free.
But he suppressed the urge to complain and poured oil into the pan.
Once the oil is hot, pour in all the chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic at once.
With a "hiss," the aroma instantly filled the air, prompting the students to gasp in amazement.
Zhou Yang skillfully added vegetables and meat slices to the pot one by one, his spatula flying up and down with fluid movements as smooth as flowing water.
As Zhou Yang stir-fried the vegetables, they gradually became more appealing in color and aroma, whetting everyone's appetite.
Zhao Si and Lin Yue swallowed hard, their eyes fixed on the large pot.
Lin Chuan was also attracted by the fragrance and couldn't help but lean closer to smell it, praising it highly.
"Mr. Zhou, I never knew you were such a great cook! This tastes amazing!"
Zhou Yang rolled his eyes at him, annoyed: "Director Lin, isn't this an audition? You're not even turning on the camera, what am I supposed to do?"
Lin Chuan then realized what was happening, smiled awkwardly, and quickly told his assistant to turn on the camera.
"Film it now! Boss Zhou, your performance has completely exceeded our expectations. This scene will definitely amaze everyone!"
Zhou Yang shook his head speechlessly and continued to stir-fry the vegetables in the large pot.
He'll definitely ask for money later!
I want to eat his cooking, but it costs 5,000 yuan per meal!
Half an hour later, four large pots of food were ready.
Zhou Yang ladled the vegetables into several large basins, and the steaming aroma filled the entire kitchen.
Lin Chuan couldn't wait to pick up the spoon and take a bite, a satisfied expression on his face.
"This is so delicious, Boss Zhou!"
"Mmm...it smells so good, it's delicious!"
Seeing Lin Chuan sticking out his tongue from the heat, he couldn't bear to spit out the meat and quickly swallowed it.
Lin Yue's clear eyes widened instantly, her nose sniffed hard, and she almost drooled.
Zhao Si also looked as if his soul had been pierced by the aroma, his Adam's apple bobbing as he stared intently at the dishes Zhou Yang had just served.
Lin Chuan gave a thumbs up: "It smells so good, Boss Zhou! Your cooking skills are amazing! You're wasting your talents being a royal chef!"
He wasn't quite done eating, so he scooped up another spoonful of food and put it in his mouth.
A group of young people went even further, crowding around with burning eyes, practically wanting to put their noses to the plate.
Zhou Yang's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
These people...aren't they going a bit too far?
However, the next second, something even more astonishing happened to Zhou Yang and Xu Yao.
"Oh right, the food! Where's the food? Hurry, bring the food over!"
Lin Chuan gave a shout.
A group of college students immediately sprang into action, deftly carrying out three huge stainless steel barrels from the corner!
As soon as the lid was lifted, the aroma of steaming hot white rice wafted out.
"Holy crap?"
Zhou Yang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Is this one of those large insulated food containers used in the cafeteria?
Three whole buckets!
Judging by this, it's enough to feed at least fifty or sixty people!
Their small, newly established film crew only has about twenty or thirty people in total.
Why steam so much rice? Are you opening a restaurant?
Xu Yao's mouth was slightly agape as she looked at the three large buckets of rice, then at Lin Chuan, who was now directing the serving of rice, and the group of excited students. She felt that her understanding of the world had been greatly impacted.
"Come on, come on, don't be shy! Boss Zhou's cooking skills are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Lin Chuan was the first to pick up a large bowl, scoop out a full bowl of rice, and then eagerly put a large chopstick of shredded pork with garlic sauce on top of the rice.
Zhao Si and Lin Yue followed closely behind, and the others also picked up their bowls and chopsticks, making the scene quite, well, lively.
"Mmm...delicious! So delicious!"
"Wow, this pork kidney has absolutely no fishy smell, it's so crisp and tender!"
"Director Lin, with Boss Zhou's skills, it's a waste that he's not a head chef at state banquets!"
Hearing the constant praise and slurping sounds of rice being shoveled down his throat, Zhou Yang silently rolled his eyes.
Okay, that's confirmed.
This isn't an invitation for him to audition; it's clearly an excuse to lure him over as a free cook to improve the crew's meals!
He felt that he had not only been completely fooled, but also taken advantage of.
Xu Yao, standing next to him, also looked both amused and exasperated. She quietly tugged at Zhou Yang's sleeve and asked with her eyes: "Is it too late for us to run away now?"
Just as Zhou Yang was figuring out how to get away, Lin Chuan, who had already finished a bowl of rice, wiped his mouth, picked up the bowl, and walked up to the two of them.
"Cough cough," Lin Chuan cleared his throat, his face glistening with satisfaction.
"Mr. Zhou, Ms. Xu, look, the food is all ready. It would be a waste not to eat it."
"Let's fill our stomachs first, and we can discuss the contract details this afternoon. Consider today a half-day trial; you've worked hard. How about we give each of you five thousand upfront?"
"Five...five thousand?!"
Xu Yao was so shocked she almost bit her tongue. "I get five thousand too? But Zhou Yang cooked the meal..."
She felt like she had freeloaded a meal and even received a big red envelope; this happiness came too suddenly and felt a bit unreal.
"Prosper! Of course, prosper!"
Lin Chuan waved his hand, revealing his wealthy and arrogant nature, "I told you the Lin family is rich, this little bit of trouble is nothing! Miss Xu, you've put in time to stand here!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yang felt slightly better.
Although I felt like I was tricked into cooking, at least... I was paid, and quite a lot of money at that.
He glanced at Zhao Si, Lin Yue, and the others who were engrossed in their food, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and ask, "Director Lin, what about them? Are they also making ten thousand a day?"
To everyone's surprise, Lin Chuan immediately dropped his earlier magnanimity, his face hardened, and his tone became cold and ruthless.
"Them? I paid out of my own pocket to give them the opportunity to act and gain experience, and they still want a salary? Dream on! They should be grateful they get a hot meal!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Silin and the others paused for a moment while eating, but then continued eating as if nothing had happened.
She even had a grateful smile on her face, as if she felt that what Lin Chuan said made perfect sense.
Zhou Yang: "..."
Well, the unreliability of this makeshift team has once again reached a new low in his mind.
The director is a relative, the lead actor is unpaid labor, and they don't even get paid...
This film crew's future looks bleak!
However, for the sake of this five thousand yuan today...
"Alright."
Zhou Yang sighed, feeling that his integrity was gradually slipping away for the sake of money. "Then... let's eat too."
Since we're already here, and the food has been prepared and the money has been agreed upon, we can't just leave hungry.
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