Chapter 150: Employee Benefit Meal

Chapter 150: Chapter 150: Employee Benefit Meal

A wonderful aroma wafted out from the kitchen, rich and overpowering, instantly seizing the attention of everyone in the restaurant.

The staff, who had been about to leave, couldn’t help but stop in their tracks:

"Huh? What’s that smell?"

"Am I so tired I’m starting to hallucinate?"

"I’m starving. Let’s hurry and get something to eat!"

"..."

In a flash, Fu Chao burst out of the kitchen, pumping a fist in the air as he cheered:

"Everyone, Nan Zhi personally cooked a staff meal for us! Let’s all stay and have dinner together!"

He was bursting with energy, his eyes shining brightly.

He was a complete transformation from the listless person just moments before, who had barely been able to walk!

Fu Chao’s words were like a drop of water in a sizzling pan of oil, instantly causing the group to erupt in discussion:

"Really? Did I hear that right?"

"Aww, Boss Nan is so beautiful and kind!"

"Do you think it’s too late for me to quit my job and come work at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant?"

"God knows how long it’s been since I’ve eaten Nan Zhi’s cooking! Don’t hold me back, I’m going to eat ten bowls of rice!"

"..."

About ten staff members were helping out at the busy restaurant today.

The only ones who didn’t come were crew members like the camera operators, who had to remain at their professional posts and couldn’t leave.

As for Xu Lin, he was the head director of the entire production. But filming had been running smoothly for the past few days, with the assistant director taking over most of his duties. On top of that, the audience’s demands were high...

And so, even Xu Lin couldn’t escape the assignment; he was forced into a role he was completely unprepared for.

That’s right. He was the waiter interviewed by the reporter, Xie Hua.

As it turned out, telling the truth didn’t guarantee anyone would believe you.

After a full day of chaotic work, Xu Lin felt like his soul had left his body.

Before today, he would have been thrilled that Nan Family’s Small Restaurant was going viral, knowing the whole show would benefit from it.

But now...

’Please, don’t go any more viral! Stop!’

’We really can’t keep up!’

’For god’s sake, who even remembers this is a parenting show, not a restaurant show!’

’What?’

’A staff meal cooked by Nan Zhi herself?’

’Hmm, well, I guess I can hold on a little longer.’

"Need any help?"

Limitless energy suddenly surged through every part of Xu Lin’s body. He leaped to the front lines, scrambling to be the first to help carry out the dishes!

Of course, he wouldn’t admit his true intention was to get a whiff of the food as soon as possible—and better yet, get a taste!

Just then, Xie Yu came out first, carrying an extra-large clay pot.

"Food’s here."

The lid was still on the clay pot, and it was sealed tightly. A faint, indistinct aroma wafted from the cracks around the edge.

Everyone scrambled to crowd around Xie Yu, their nostrils twitching:

"It has a sweet fragrance. Is it a sweet dish?"

"Could it be braised pork?"

"I think it smells like pumpkin."

"..."

After shouting his announcement, Fu Chao had gone back inside to help.

He also emerged carrying a large, heavy clay pot identical to Xie Yu’s.

A large portion of the people crowded around Xie Yu now shifted over to him:

"Meat! It must be meat!"

"Whoa, it smells amazing! My mouth is watering!"

"Why do I smell rice?"

"..."

Somehow, the scene had suddenly turned into a "guess the dish by smell" contest!

After exchanging glances, the staff members began a silent competition, all trying to guess the names of the dishes!

Each person had their own reasons and their own ideas.

The two mysterious clay pots seemed to have a magical, ever-changing quality, transforming into countless delicacies in their minds!

Hearing all the guesses, Xie Yu and Fu Chao exchanged a knowing look.

Then, in unison, they lifted the lids—

No one had guessed correctly.

Both large clay pots were filled with congee!

The large clay pot Xie Yu held contained pumpkin congee, and its presentation was exquisite. The soft, tender pumpkin had been simmered until it melted into the rice grains, lending the entire pot a beautiful golden hue. The sweet aroma of pumpkin and the clean fragrance of rice blended together perfectly.

Fu Chao’s pot, on the other hand, was filled with Preserved Egg and Lean Pork Congee. Finely shredded lean pork and pieces of preserved egg were mixed in with rice that had been cooked until it blossomed. Topped with a sprinkle of chopped scallions, the dish emanated a constant, savory aroma.

Both pots of congee were undoubtedly delicious; the smell alone was enough to make one’s mouth water.

The problem was, everyone had worked all day. They hadn’t even had time for a proper lunch, just quickly filling their stomachs with takeout boxed lunches.

What they needed now were big, hearty pieces of meat!

Only the satisfaction from something rich and fatty could fill their exhausted, hollow bodies!

Congee was good, yes...

But it was too light!

"Uh."

"It’s congee."

"It smells nice."

"..."

Although everyone tried to hide it, they couldn’t suppress their disappointment.

Xu Lin tried to console them:

"Maybe there’s more to come?"

The group once again began to look on with eager anticipation.

This time, it was Qi Pei’er carrying out a dish.

She wasn’t as mysterious, directly carrying out a large, open stainless steel basin, which was filled to the brim with...

"Golden Egg Fried Rice!"

Everyone’s spirits lifted instantly!

They never expected this. Not even the arrival of Zhu Jin and Zhong Yu had been enough to get Nan Zhi to make Golden Egg Fried Rice again.

But now, she had made an exception for them!

Their faint disappointment vanished completely. Just getting to taste the delicacy they had during the last shoot was a wonderful enough surprise!

Just then, Nan Zhi walked out of the kitchen, empty-handed.

The group had expected as much, so they weren’t disappointed this time.

Instead, they enthusiastically thanked Nan Zhi and invited her to sit and eat with them.

Nan Zhi tilted her head in confusion.

"I’m afraid I can’t."

"Huh?"

"There are still a lot of dishes in the kitchen that haven’t been brought out. Could you all please go get them?"

After whipping up so many dishes in such a short time, Nan Zhi was truly exhausted.

Without a second thought, Xu Lin was the first to dash off.

The moment he stepped into the kitchen, he saw that every available space on the stove and counters was filled with all sorts of dishes—every single one of them from the Nan Family’s Small Restaurant menu!

And they were all in extra-large portions, enough not only for the dozen or so people present, but also for the dozens of crew members busy behind the scenes!

The behind-the-scenes staff who had been lamenting their missed opportunity: !!!

’Thank you, Nan Zhi! I love Nan Zhi!’

[Ahhh, I can feel their joy!]

[This woman really knows how to play with everyone’s hearts!]

[I swear Nan Zhi did that on purpose! She’s just teasing them! I saw her smile! Screenshot for proof!]

[The cool, aloof beauty is actually mischievous? I’m done for, I love her even more! It’s my exact type! I’m totally under her spell!]

[I can’t take it anymore! Please, Nan Zhi, pick a fan from the stream to eat your food! I’ll pay for air freight! This corporate drone is seriously dying of food envy!]

[I really want to quit my job and become a staff member! Give me a chance, Boss Nan!]

[I’m a college student! Pick me, pick me!]

...

The quiet that had descended upon Nan Family’s Small Restaurant after the customers left was swept away, replaced once again by a lively and fulfilling atmosphere.

Everyone was smiling happily.

Delicious food was their greatest comfort!