Extraordinary Genius

An American man came for the interview for the cook’s position. Feng Yu casually asked two questions. How do you cook sweet and sour fish, and how do you cook Kung pao Chicken? The other party had a blank look on his face.

Feng Yu turned to look at Ralph. This is the Chinese Chef you got? He does not even know a single Chinese word. Kao Pao chicken had to be deep-fried? Sweet and sour fish had to use sea fishes?!

Also, this gardener with a full beard. He looks professional, but he only knows how to mow the lawn? What about my flowerbed? What about those lemon trees in the backyard?

This electrician does not know anything except for connecting wires.

That man came here to ask for the job of a swimming coach cum lifeguard? Why the hell do I need a lifeguard for my own swimming pool? I can just fill the pool with lesser water.

Also, that part-time cleaner. She can only work one day per week and still dare to ask for 300 USD per week? She might as well go and rob a bank!

Just when Feng Yu was about to blow up, he smelled food. He stood up and walked over to the dining hall.

“Mr. Feng, please wait a while. Give me 5 more minutes.”

Sweet and sour fish and Kung Pao Chicken? She had heard what I said earlier? Hmmm…… She is smart. The smell and looks of these two dishes make me hungry. But does it taste as good as it looks?

“Mr. Feng, there is no rice, so I made some Chinese pies. I had only learned how to make these, and I am not sure about the taste.”

Feng Yu had been in the US for some time and had been to Chinese restaurants. The Chinese restaurants in the US had been westernized and taste weird. He does not like the food there.

It was weird that this Chinese couple were from the southern province and could cook the food Feng Yu like. The meal cooked today was not cheap.

The fish used in Sweet and Sour fish was carp. In the US, Americans seldom eat freshwater fishes. There were too many bones. Feng Yu had asked his men to get a carp, and this carp was especially fished from a lake for him.

Only people with fishing permits could fish in the US, and the license cost tens of USD annually. There were also many restrictions on fishing. If the fish is too small, the fisherman had to release it. If a fish with marker is fished, the fisherman got to report to the authorities. There are seasons every year when fishing is prohibited. During the time when they could catch, the fisherman can only bring back 2 fishes.

That’s why the price of this carp, is worth more dozens of carps back in China, and those carps are way bigger than this carp.

The beef and chicken used were also the best. Even the vegetables were the freshest vegetables from Walmart. Many of the seasonings used in Chinese cuisines could not be found in the supermarkets. It was Ralph who got these seasonings from a Chinese supermarket, and it was costly!

Of course. All these were considered expensive compared to regular products. Feng Yu could easily afford it.

After Feng Yu finished the meal, he noticed that the woman had disappeared. He turned and look at Ralph. Ralph pointed to the living room, and Feng Yu saw the woman was doing housekeeping in the living room.

Wow…… She’s very hardworking. Feng Yu felt he could hire her as his cook. Her cooking cannot be compared to those restaurant’s chefs in China, but she can be considered skilled when compared to those housewives. She was not lying when she said she had opened a restaurant before. Feng Yu decided to ask how much salary she wants.

Feng Yu walked out to the garden to have a look. When Feng Yu and Ralph stepped out, Ralph was shocked. How can someone work so fast?

The garden which was filled with dried grass and leaves were cleared, and the grass was mowed. The whole place was clean. Most importantly, the flowerbed by the fence was tidied. Although the flowers were not looking healthy, the soil was tossed. This man was fast. How can he be so fast?

“Mr. Feng, the lemon tree has fruits now, and it’s hard to trim. This is the best I can do now. If it is 2 months before, I can make it look nicer and bear more fruits. I will go and clean the pool now. I promise I can clean it within an hour.”

“No need.” Feng Yu waved his hand.

That man panicked: “Mr. Feng, is it because I am too slow? I will be faster next time. This garden had not been maintained for some time, and the trees had fruits. The salary I am asking is very low. Really.”

“You don’t need to panic. What I am saying is I am satisfied with your performance. Come in first. Let’s talk about your salary. Oh, I forgot to ask. How do I address both of you?”

That man was overjoyed: “Mr. Feng. My name is Tian Dajun. You can call me Old Tian. My wife is called Zhao Aiying. You can call her Old Zhao.”

Feng Yu turned and looked at Ralph. Ralph whispered to Feng Yu: “They were getting 600 USD monthly in their previous job. Food and lodging are provided.”

600 USD was about 5,000 RMB. In China, the salary of a gardener will never be more than 500 RMB, and the salary of a housekeeper is about 300 RMB. Of course, if it is a house as big as this, they will also not get such high salary back in China. This couple, they are really here to make big bucks!

“How much is the salary of a fulltime housekeeper and gardener?”

“Based on the size of this property and the average salary of Seattle, their salaries should be above 1,200 USD.”

Damn! Such high salaries! But these two really worked hard. Furthermore, that person who wanted to work once a week also asked for a monthly salary of 1,200 USD. 1,200 USD was like small change to Feng Yu too.

In the US, the salaries of these workers were very high. Sometimes, these workers could get more than those office workers. But their employers have to be satisfied with their performance. If not, they will not be paid.

“Old Tian, Sister Zhao, can I address you two this way?”

“Yes, yes.” Old Tian quickly replied.

“How much salary are you all expecting?”

“We are getting 600 USD previously……. We are willing to accept 500 USD a month.” Old Tian saw Feng Yu frowning. He was afraid that Feng Yu would not agree and quickly lower his asking salary.

“Ok. Ralph had told me that based on the salary scale here, you all should be getting 1,200 USD and above. Let’s set it as 1,200 USD, and I will give you additional bonus based on your performances. Are you all satisfy this amount?” Feng Yu does not mind letting this couple get more. Anyway, he also has to pay the same amount if he hires other people. He might as well give his fellow countrymen this salary.

“Mr. Feng, it is too high. You don’t need to give us so high salaries.” Old Tian replied.

“I will treat it as you two are satisfied with this salary. Tomorrow, Ralph will bring you two to settle your work permits. I will let you all know if I am not coming back. If I am not around, you two can rest or visit your son. If your son wants to come over and visit you two, let me know in advance. He can stay in the guest room. Oh, you two can start work tomorrow. Now, you two can go and prepare lunch for yourselves. That will be your room. Other than my bedroom and study, you two can go any way you all like.”

“Thank you, Mr. Feng.”

Feng Yu waved his hand and went up to his study to read some novels. It was also time to write a letter to her…….

Translator’s notes: Sweet and sour fish and Kung Pao Chicken are everyday dishes in China.

Sweet and sour fish