Chapter 199 - 176: Impulse is the Devil (Part 1)

Chapter 199: Chapter 176: Impulse is the Devil (Part 1)

It was 2:30 PM by the time Xu An and Wang Datou finished packing up the stall. They once again borrowed a small pushcart from the preparatory committee, used it to haul the boxes of packed meals back to the van, and then drove off in the direction of Xu’s Fast Food Restaurant.

Xu An was quiet on the drive back, his mind completely preoccupied. He was busy figuring out how to poach Wang Fulong, what responsibilities to give him after he joined, and where to set up his workstation.

’Right now, the staff at Xu’s Fast Food Restaurant are all operational personnel; they’re the type who can work without needing a desk. But if Wang Fulong comes, he’ll definitely need a workstation with a computer to do his job properly. So the question is, where would be a good place to put his desk?’

’Xu’s Fast Food currently has four locations: Xu’s Fast Food Restaurant No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, plus the yet-to-open Xu’s Braised Shop. At No. 1 and No. 3, both the first and second floors are public dining areas, so there’s no room for a workstation. I can’t just have customers eating in the front while Wang Fulong’s desk is in the back. That would be pretty disrespectful.’

’I could squeeze in a workstation on the first floor of No. 2, but when everyone’s busy, they can’t help but shout back and forth. Plus, those three machines make a lot of noise when they’re running. The sounds from the kitchen are pretty loud too, and with people coming and going, it’d be easy for a spy to get ahold of key data from Xu’s Fast Food. So the first floor isn’t suitable either.’

’That only leaves the second floor, which is used for storage. I’ll contact a handyman later to install steel shelving fixed to the walls on the second floor and organize all the supplies by category. If I squeeze things together, I should be able to fit two or three workstations, which would be enough for now.’

’Looks like I’ll have to find time to check out that spot on Zijing Road and Qianjin Street. While not many people have their eyes on it yet, both the purchase price and the later renovation labor costs should be lower. I need to snatch it up quickly. When the time comes, I’ll set aside a whole floor just for offices, get air conditioning and everything installed, and give everyone a good working environment. For now, though, I’ll just have to dangle a carrot and have everyone make do.’

Having made up his mind, Xu An called Uncle Dongliang and asked him to find two handymen and have them bring their materials. He hoped they could get the job done today, but if not, then within the next two days.

During the call, Xu An heard his Second Grand-uncle’s voice on the other end. It seemed Uncle Dongliang had been discussing something with him but was interrupted by the call. Once he was done explaining his situation, Xu An didn’t waste time with pleasantries, said a quick goodbye, and hung up.

A short while later, a message came from Uncle Dongliang: two handymen were on their way with materials, the price was to be negotiated in person, and they were reliable.

’Alrighty then. If Uncle Dongliang says they’re reliable, then they must be reliable. Nothing to worry about.’

Just as he had sorted that out, Wang Datou drove the insulated food truck back to the front of Restaurant No. 2. Getting out of the truck, Xu An stood in place and gave a huge stretch. ’Today was way more tiring than yesterday. Yesterday was mostly just talking; there wasn’t much I had to do with my own hands. But today, I had to talk *and* work. We sold five hundred packed meals in two hours. That’s two hundred and fifty per person, meaning we completed a transaction every 43.2 seconds on average.’

’Man, I’m exhausted!’

He was only halfway through his stretch when Xu Heping pulled him into a nearby alley. Xu Heping furtively looked left and right, and only after making sure no one was around did he lower his voice and ask, "Anzi, be straight with me. Now that you’ve made some money, did you go and find a mistress on the side? Because she’s here now, looking for you!"

’A mistress? Here looking for me?’

"Don’t you dare ruin my reputation! Do I look like that kind of irresponsible person?" Xu An couldn’t help but roll his eyes hard at Xu Heping. He smacked him on the back of the head and said fiercely, "Where did you hear that? Who’s out there making up stories about my love life? I’ll go stuff his chimney with mud tonight!"

"But she’s already here..."

Xu Heping was clearly unconvinced by Xu An’s words and proceeded to tell him everything he knew. After listening, Xu An felt even more confused. ’When did I hire a new employee? How come I, the boss, don’t even know I hired someone new? I couldn’t have hired her in my sleep, could I?’

The two words "Con Artist" flashed through Xu An’s mind. ’She has to be a fraud! She saw I was making money and came here to extort me!’

"Where is she? I’ll go see for myself who this mystery woman is." Xu An had no desire to continue this guessing game with Xu Heping. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he told Xu Heping to lead the way.

Seeing this, Xu Heping didn’t say anything more and led Xu An toward Restaurant No. 1.

Xu’s Fast Food Restaurant No. 1.

The young woman had arrived at the restaurant at two o’clock. Back then, two or three customers were still seated inside, and quite a few employees were bustling about. But now, a full hour later, the customers were long gone, the staff had clocked out one after another, and only an elderly person and two small children remained in the restaurant.

’The employees here actually get off work at 2:30 PM? I wonder if my work schedule will be the same as theirs, or if I’ll follow normal business hours. Starting at 6 AM and getting off at 2:30 PM sounds pretty good. I might even have time for a side hustle or something.’