Chapter 155: Nan Zhi, Boss Nan

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Nan Zhi, Boss Nan

As Nan Zhi spoke, her gaze couldn’t help but drift toward Nan Yi—

As one of the restaurant’s "employees," Nan Yi and the other three little ones were naturally part of the group being lectured.

And because they were so short, they stood in the front row, making them incredibly conspicuous.

What would kids who had just started kindergarten know about organizational discipline?

The fact that they weren’t giggling and fooling around on the spot was already a great show of respect for Nan Zhi, Boss Nan.

They hadn’t been standing for long before the more boisterous ones, Qing Xi and Qi Zhang, had started silently messing around, tugging on each other’s clothes and sleeves, grinning with glee.

In stark contrast to them were Nan Yi and Xie An’an. Both were sensible and well-behaved. Regardless of what Nan Zhi said or whether they understood, they would just nod unconditionally, looking like Nan Zhi’s most loyal supporters.

Nan Yi would even secretly turn his head when Nan Zhi wasn’t looking and glare fiercely at Qing Xi and Qi Zhang, trying to get them to be quiet.

Unfortunately, he was no longer the fierce little wolf he once was, but rather a docile little lamb by his mother’s side.

Even his glare lacked any intimidating force. It was less fierce and more adorably fierce.

It had no effect on Qing Xi and Qi Zhang whatsoever. They just thought their little brother wanted to join in on the fun.

Qing Xi and Qi Zhang: ’Come on, come on!’

Nan Yi: ’Get lost!’

...They were just not on the same wavelength.

Nan Zhi nearly burst out laughing.

Thanks to her profound self-control, she managed to stop herself at the last second, maintaining Boss Nan’s dignity.

"Alright, that’s about it. It’s going to be another busy evening for everyone."

Nan Zhi declared the meeting adjourned.

Even though her tone hadn’t been particularly strict or scary, everyone inexplicably found her very convincing.

Now, hearing her thanks, they all waved their hands dismissively.

"It’s no trouble, no trouble at all! It’s what we’re supposed to do!"

"We’ve gotta work hard just for the staff meals!"

"Will we get to try a new dish tonight?"

"You’re so greedy, shut up!"

"..."

Nan Zhi heard the question and nodded with a smile.

"Of course."

Another cheer erupted.

It even gave Xu Lin, who was in the crowd, a strange impression—

It was as if he wasn’t the variety show’s director, and Nan Zhi wasn’t the celebrity guest being filmed.

Instead, she was his boss, and all the production crew members around him were her employees...

’Bah!’

’What is this nonsense!’

’Have I really been brainwashed by Nan Zhi?’

Nan Zhi: "Xiao Xu, could you come over here for a moment?"

Xu Lin: "Yes!"

Xu Lin: "..."

Calling him Director Xu in the small restaurant felt a bit strange, so Xu Lin himself had suggested everyone call him Xiao Xu.

After hearing it so often, Xu Lin had practically developed a conditioned reflex.

So much so that the moment Nan Zhi called him, his first reaction was to answer.

’Can’t you have a little more backbone!’

After cursing himself out in his head, Xu Lin remembered to switch from a walk to a light jog...

After finishing her conversation with Xu Lin, Nan Zhi rolled up her sleeves and prepared to enter the kitchen.

She took two steps, then stopped as if she had remembered something, and called out:

"Yiyi."

These past few days, Nan Yi had been wandering between various posts, as diligent as a brick, moved wherever he was needed.

Just now, having developed a keen interest in being the cashier, he was negotiating with Fu Chao to secure that position permanently.

When his mom suddenly called his name, he looked up, a little bewildered:

"Huh?"

"Come here. You’re going to stay with me in the kitchen for a while."

Nan Yi didn’t understand why.

But that didn’t stop him from being happy that his mom had summoned him.

Without another word, he scurried over to Nan Zhi on his little legs and stuck close to her.

Fu Chao, who had just been pestered relentlessly one second and abandoned the next: ???

"Yiyi, you’re not going to be my little cashier anymore?"

Fu Chao hinted desperately.

Without looking back, Nan Yi waved his hand.

"You can just play by yourself."

Fu Chao couldn’t help but clutch his chest.

[Hahaha, I’m dying! Uncle Fu Chao, you can go play by yourself!]

[Our Yiyi really knows what he likes. He chose between his mom and Fu Chao so decisively!]

[I’m so jealous I’m drooling. Where can I get a well-behaved, mom-loving kid like Yiyi?!]

[But why did Nan Zhi call Nan Yi into the kitchen? Just to watch?]

[She’s his mom, she’s probably worried about him. What other reason does she need?]

...

The truth was—

Nan Zhi remembered how Nan Yi had a nightmare during his nap, and she couldn’t feel at ease unless she kept him under her watchful eye.

Nan Yi, who had worked in the kitchen before, expertly found a spot and quickly began peeling garlic.

A certain colleague who had been about to teach him a thing or two: ???

Nan Zhi said helplessly, "Yiyi, you can just relax."

Without looking up, Nan Yi replied, "It’s okay, Mom. This way, I can watch you too!"

It was as if his very presence was meant to put Nan Zhi at ease.

Nan Zhi was helpless against him.

But she had to admit, having Nan Yi behind her where she could turn and see him from time to time was truly calming.

Even that subtle sense of impending crisis had faded considerably.

Soon, Nan Zhi was able to relax and immerse herself in her work at the stove.

Nan Family’s Small Restaurant wasn’t just busy during business hours; it was equally hectic during prep time.

Since it wasn’t convenient to bring in outside help, everyone on the production crew who knew how to cook was sent to the kitchen to assist.

Nan Zhi was still the boss and head chef.

Xie Yu was officially promoted to sous chef, with several people working under him.

Of course, these staff members couldn’t compare to the seamless coordination between Xie Yu and Nan Zhi, and it would be a stretch to place them in professional chef positions.

Fortunately, they were handling miscellaneous tasks that didn’t require much skill, like peeling and washing vegetables.

Plus, with Nan Zhi’s transcendent culinary skills to make up for it, their shortcomings in ability didn’t matter much.

Compared to the kitchen, the front-of-house was much easier to handle.

Fu Chao and Qi Pei’er each managed one of the storefronts, making their positions more or less equivalent to managers.

They also each had several people working under them.

All in all, the total number of staff at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant had reached over 10 people!

[Laughing so hard I’m crowing! What variety show has more on-screen staff than celebrity guests?!]

[It’s feeling more and more like a professional little restaurant! No wonder even reporters are coming to interview them!]

[I’m actually feeling relieved that they don’t have to pay these staff members, hahaha!]

[Tsk tsk tsk, this really shows the difference between a real internet-famous restaurant and a fake one! I’m never believing the hype from certain places again!]

[Isn’t that the truth! Those places that go viral online, with lines that are hours long, their employees move slow as molasses, just dragging things out for scarcity marketing! But at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant, everyone’s so busy they’re practically flying, no fake stuff!]

[I’ve eaten at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant, and I’m not looking at it through a filter—it’s seriously explosively good! It’s just that the meal felt too rushed, and I tried to get in line today but couldn’t even get a spot!]

...

As evening opening hours approached, a noisy crowd had already gathered outside the restaurant.

When Fu Yunfeng stepped discreetly out of his car, he almost thought he had come to the wrong place.

He hesitated for a moment before asking his assistant:

"...Are you sure Fu Chao is here?"

The assistant was also a bit baffled.

"He... should be, right?"