Chapter 67: Poaching Him

In the backyard of the orphanage.

Master Zhao was humming a tune as he watered the vegetables.

Ever since he’d tasted the delicious baby bok choy, he’d taken a sudden and keen interest in the large vegetable patch out back. He now actively participated in watering the crops.

Every day after finishing his cooking duties, if he had some free time, he’d take a stroll through the backyard. After that, he’d check in on the rabbits and take a look at the fish and shrimp in the pond.

He’d also inspect the progress of the orphanage’s renovation project.

Sometimes, when he was feeling bored, he’d wander over to the classrooms like a school supervisor, hands clasped behind his back.

Watching the dozen or so little ones learning freely, doing crafts, singing, dancing, practicing martial arts, and playing games, he felt like his own mindset had grown younger.

He walked with the lightness of a swallow, and his legs were surprisingly nimble.

He figured he could probably climb five flights of stairs in one go without breaking a sweat.

After finishing the watering, Master Zhao was just heading toward the rabbit hutch when his phone rang.

Hmm? A number he didn’t recognize.

He answered and spoke into the phone.

“Hello? Who’s this?”

“Zhao Guojiang, right? I’m the owner of Blue Zone Restaurant. My surname’s Pan.”

“Oh, what can I do for you?” Master Zhao asked.

Blue Zone was the new name of the high-end private kitchen restaurant where he used to work, now rebranded into a trendy hotspot.

He had no idea why this guy was suddenly calling him.

“I heard you’re working at an orphanage now, cooking big pot meals?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Master Zhao nodded.

“Have you considered coming back to our restaurant?”

“I can offer you a salary of thirteen thousand.”

“That’s several thousand more than what you used to make.”

“How about it? Sounds better than staying in that tiny orphanage, doesn’t it?”

On the other end of the line, the young owner’s voice carried a hint of confidence.

“Thanks, but I actually think working at the orphanage is pretty great,” Master Zhao rejected him without a second thought.

He wasn’t some fool.

Why would he go back to a place that made him miserable?

That place was full of backstabbing and office politics. None of the chefs cared about improving their skills—they were all just trying to suck up to the boss.

His pay would get docked for no reason now and then.

Was he crazy?

Even rabbits don’t eat the grass around their own burrow.

At the orphanage, the pay was good, and the quality of the vegetables and meat was excellent.

He ran the entire kitchen.

He could cook whatever he wanted.

And no matter what he made, everyone loved it.

When he had downtime, he could even plant vegetables.

Even fishing had been approved by the director.

He was already planning to buy a fishing rod during his next break.

He was doing just fine here, happy every single day.

Why would he ever want to leave?

“Alright then, get over here as soon as… wait, what did you just say?”

“You think working at the orphanage is great??”

“Are you serious? What are you thinking?”

“How about you give it some more thought?” The young boss hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“Thanks for the offer, Mr. Pan, but I really think the orphanage is a good fit for me. I won’t be coming back.”

“Master Zhao, is it because the salary isn’t high enough?”

“Alright, I’ll raise it to fifteen thousand. How about that?”

“That would make you the highest-paid chef in our entire kitchen.”

“Mr. Pan, it’s not about the money. I just want to settle down here for now. I’m not planning to change jobs. Thank you, though.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now. Things are pretty busy over here.”

“Hello? Hello?” Listening to the busy tone on the other end, the young Mr. Pan’s face darkened.

Damn it. He’s just a chef with a bit of a reputation and some cooking skills.

Why was he acting so high and mighty?

He, the boss, had personally called him.

He’d even offered such a generous raise.

And Zhao was still putting on airs?

He was just a worker. Wasn’t the whole point of working to make money?

No way Zhao Guojiang wasn’t tempted by the fifteen-thousand salary.

Hah, he was clearly playing hard to get, trying to manipulate him, the boss.

He’d seen this kind of tactic too many times before. As a businessman, he knew the game.

Fine. He’d just hire another chef.

There were tons of chefs in the world. He refused to believe he couldn’t find someone skilled for fifteen thousand a month.

Mr. Pan got up and headed out.

As he flung the door open, he saw Wang Gui walking past.

“Chef Wang, what are you doing outside my office?” Mr. Pan asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Mr. Pan, are you heading out?”

“Then I caught you at just the right time. If I’d come two minutes later, I might’ve missed you,” Wang Gui said with a flattering smile.

“What is it?” Mr. Pan sounded impatient.

“Well, Mr. Pan, since the restaurant’s been seeing fewer customers lately, I was thinking of creating some new dishes.”

“I’ve got a few ideas in my head and wanted to run them by you.”

“What’s the point of running them by me? If you’ve got time to talk, you might as well go make the dishes and bring them to my office.”

“Why waste time on empty talk?”

“I’m paying you ten thousand a month. That’s not so you can sit around and play games.”

“If you can do the job, do it. If not, get lost.”

Still fuming from being rejected by Master Zhao, Mr. Pan didn’t hold back as he lashed out.

“Yes, yes, once I’ve got the new dishes ready, I’ll bring them to you right away.”

“Chef Wang, if I remember correctly, you and Master Zhao joined the restaurant around the same time, didn’t you?”

“So why is it that when customers come in, they’re always asking about Master Zhao?”

“What is it about your cooking that doesn’t measure up to his?”

“I hope you’ll take some time to reflect on that.”

“Yes, yes,” Wang Gui nodded repeatedly, head lowered.

“Alright then, I’ve got things to do. I’m heading out.”

“Take care, Mr. Pan.”

After seeing Mr. Pan off with a submissive smile, Wang Gui turned and went straight to the restroom.

Sitting on the toilet, he pounded the wall in frustration.

Damn it, damn it!

That little punk, just because his family had some money and opened a restaurant, thought he could act all high and mighty.

What was he so smug about?

If it weren’t for the fact that he had two sons, both with mortgages to pay, would he really be stuck in this tiny restaurant, bowing and scraping to some kid two or three generations younger than him?

He would’ve ripped off his chef’s hat and slapped it right in Mr. Pan’s smug face.

Damn it, so annoying!

Capitalists really are the worst.

Back when Old Zhao left, Mr. Pan couldn’t wait to see him gone.

Said it would save on salary and cut costs.

Now that Old Zhao was really gone, he was crawling back, begging him to return.

Even offering fifteen thousand.

What a joke.

Still, that old Zhao really had some luck.

Wang Gui had worked so hard to push him out, thinking he’d finally become the top dog in the kitchen.

And now what? The boss wanted to bring him back.

Infuriating!

Good thing Old Zhao turned him down.

Hmph! He had poured so much time and effort into this restaurant.

That head chef position was his. No one was taking it away.

With that thought, Wang Gui got up and walked out of the restroom.

He stood in front of the mirror, adjusted his chef’s hat, forced a smile onto his face, and headed back to the kitchen.

— Translator’s Notes —

– Even rabbits don’t eat the grass around their own burrow.: A Chinese proverb advising against returning to or undermining a former home or workplace, as it would be self-destructive, much like a rabbit avoiding the grass near its own burrow to prevent drawing predators.