Chen Feng was startled; he hadn't expected Wu Shiren to want to keep him here.
In the past, he would have agreed without hesitation.
But not now; he's planning to open his own restaurant.
He didn't dare take the glass, because he knew the rules: once you drank it, you were bound to share joys and sorrows, and be loyal to each other through thick and thin!
Seeing him standing there in a daze, Wang Decai patted him on the shoulder and reminded him with a smile, "Brother, don't just stand there like an idiot, hurry up and take the wine, the shopkeeper is still holding it up!"
The others also spoke up.
"Chen Feng, quickly take the wine. Don't let the manager down."
"That's right, the shopkeeper is really flattering you by making you the head chef. Don't offend the shopkeeper."
"Yes, back then I worked as a handyman for more than five years, rubbed iron ladles for three years, and studied cooking skills for three years. It took me more than ten years to become a head chef. But you went directly from a handyman to the head chef of Qingshui Restaurant. This is simply a meteoric rise!"
"Who says otherwise? It's all thanks to our Manager Wu. If it weren't for him, you, Chen Feng, would probably still be a menial worker even after three more years."
"That's right, there's nothing wrong with what you said. Chen Feng, you really have to repay Manager Wu properly!"
Chen Feng's expression changed slightly, a sense of satisfaction from being recognized welling up inside him. For so many years, he had endured their beatings and scoldings, doing the dirtiest and most tiring work, all to learn his craft.
All the hardships I've endured have been respected in this moment; it was all worth it.
However, he was determined to leave and would never stay to be a head chef. He wanted to open his own restaurant and be the manager, just like his sister, so that he could not only bring honor to their parents but also protect his sister and brother.
Thinking it over, he shook his head and smiled as he declined, "Thank you for your kind offer, Manager Wu, but I know my own limitations and am not up to the task. I hope you can understand."
Having been humiliated, Wu Shih-ren's face immediately darkened. He slammed his wine glass on the table with a 'bang' and roared,
"Chen Feng, don't push your luck. You learned a skill from me and now you're thinking of going out on your own? Let me tell you, there's no such thing as a free lunch."
Zhao Tian, Wang Qi, and the others also spoke up.
"Chen Feng, what you're doing isn't fair. You were just stealing their skills, and the shopkeeper gave you face by letting you stay. Don't be so stubborn."
"That's right. If you know what's good for you, apologize to the shopkeeper right away, drink this cup of wine, and the matter will be over."
Chen Feng finally understood that this banquet was a trap, and Wu Shiren was wary.
In fact, he had already made up his mind. Although Wu Shiren didn't treat him well, he had learned his skills here and the master chefs had been kind to him. He would never take away their jobs. He planned to go to Anyang County or even further to try his luck.
"Don't worry, shopkeeper. Although I've only learned a little bit and I'd like to open a restaurant, I can guarantee that I won't open a shop in Qingshui Town and I will never compete with you for business."
"You guarantee it? What guarantee do you have? If you really opened a restaurant, would I smash it up for you?" Wu Shiren glared at Chen Feng with wide eyes.
Chen Feng smiled faintly, "If you don't believe me, I can write a guarantee."
"Alright, alright, why write a guarantee?" Wang Decai quickly stood up to smooth things over. "Boss, you've had too much to drink. Chen Feng has already said so, so it's definitely something that can be done. As the saying goes, everyone has their own ambitions, and you can't force someone to do something. Young people have drive, so we should support them."
As he spoke, he gave Wu Shiren a meaningful look.
Wu Shiren understood immediately and quickly explained, "Oh dear, look at me, I can't keep my mouth shut after a few drinks. Chen Feng, don't take it to heart. I'm just a little reluctant to part with you. Since you don't want to stay, that's fine too. Just remember to come and visit often in the future."
He said that, but in his heart he gritted his teeth and thought, "Shameless! You won't listen to reason, so don't blame me for being ruthless."
Chen Feng was already used to Wu Shiren's attitude. Not wanting to stay any longer, he got up to say goodbye.
"Thank you for your understanding, Manager Wu. Please continue drinking. I need to get back to work."
"No, no, no, don't rush off. What work are you still doing?" Wang Decai quickly stopped him. "It's a rare gathering today, and you're leaving tomorrow. Consider this a farewell feast for you. We must drink until we drop."
"No, I'm already drunk, I can't drink anymore."
The others already knew what Wu Shih-jen was planning to do, and they joined in trying to persuade him.
"We've been together for over three years, and I'm really going to miss you. We have to drink to our hearts' content today."
"That's right, you're leaving tomorrow, and we might not see each other again for a while. Consider this a farewell dinner."
"Yes, yes, you absolutely can't refuse. If you don't drink this wine today, then you're disrespecting us."
Chen Feng couldn't refuse, and he didn't want to refuse everyone's enthusiasm, so he had no choice but to sit down again.
Everyone toasted him, and after going around the room, he had drunk quite a bit and was almost in a state of high spirits.
Seeing this, Wang Decai's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile, and he put his arm around Chen Feng's shoulder in a feignedly intimate manner.
"Xiao Feng, I know you have big ambitions. If you ever become successful, don't forget to lend me a hand!"
"Don't worry, brother. If I really succeed in making this business, I'll ask you to be my accountant. With you, Wang Cai, I don't believe we can't make a fortune." Chen Feng was so drunk that he forgot himself and started talking big without thinking.
Wang Decai gently patted him, "Look at you, we haven't even parted ways yet and you've already forgotten my name. My name is Wang Decai, not Wang Cai."
“I haven’t forgotten. You don’t know, but everyone actually calls you Wang Cai behind your back.”
Why?
"You don't even know this? You're such a fool. Don't forget, you old bastard, you've done a lot of despicable things. You're either beating up blind people or cursing mute people, or you're seducing other people's young wives. So you're missing the word 'morality,' and you can only be called Wang Cai. Let me tell you, if you ever want to work for me, you can't be despicable anymore, or I won't dare to use you."
These words almost made Wang Decai vomit blood. He really wanted to strangle Chen Feng. He cursed in his heart, "This ignorant bastard, he's really arrogant after drinking some cat piss. I'll teach you to be so arrogant. You'll be sorry. I'll make sure you end up in jail."
He poured another full cup of wine and handed it to Chen Feng, saying, "Brother, go ahead and do whatever you want. If you need money, just ask me. I can't give you much, but I can still give you a hundred or two hundred taels of silver."
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng burst into laughter, "Don't try to pull a string off a chicken's butt and spout nonsense. Everyone knows that you, Wang Cai, are afraid of your wife and have to hand over all your monthly earnings. How could you possibly come up with a hundred or eighty taels of silver? This is just bragging!"
Those present couldn't help but burst out laughing upon hearing this...
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