Chapter 164: Chapter 157: Because of This Man, Colleagues’ Friendship Vanished

It’s around 11:40 AM, the sunlight slanting onto the kitchen tiles, reflecting little specks of light.

Having just helped Wang Wenxia deliver the steaming hot lunch to Class 4 and taken a chance to peek at his two darling daughters, Huang Jun returned to the kitchen, only to be warmly greeted by Aunt Li and Aunt Lin, who were engrossed in eating three-flavored stir-fried rice cakes, “Chef Huang, you’re back!”

Huang Jun nodded with a smile, responding, “Yep, I’m back. You guys are eating…”

Aunt Lin couldn’t help but exclaim, “Chef Huang, why is everything you cook so delicious, and it smells especially fragrant too? This three-flavored stir-fried rice cake, I often make it at home too, but the taste and aroma just can’t compare to yours.”

This stir-fried rice cake is a traditional festive delicacy from the Jiangnan region.

In the past, it was mainly enjoyed during the Spring Festival, symbolizing the hopeful prospect of rising step by step for every household.

Nowadays, with improved living conditions, this delicacy has become common on everyday tables, a frequent visitor to household dining.

Typically, you’d have it every now and then.

The reason is simple, it’s convenient and effortless!

When you’re too lazy to cook, a serving of stir-fried rice cake satisfies your hunger, packed with both vegetables and meat, delicious and filling.

There are many ways to prepare it, with different methods using different ingredients, each delicious and nutritious.

Whether it’s the classic shredded pork stir-fried rice cake or the innovative seafood stir-fried rice cake, both let you savor the fresh taste and flavor of the Jiangnan water towns.

Aunt Lin also often makes various stir-fried rice cakes at home, especially the three-flavored kind, but the taste and aroma of hers simply can’t match Huang Jun’s.

Huang Jun, hearing this, simply smiled without saying a word.

The main reason he could make such delicious dishes was because he had a magical system.

But how could he easily reveal such a situation to others?

Even if he did, who would believe in such a magical existence as a system?

Aunt Li chimed in with a chuckle, “Because Chef Huang is naturally blessed with the gift of cooking, we ordinary folks just can’t compare.”

“I think, saying he’s blessed by the heavens is a bit conservative, Chef Huang’s skills, it should be said that it’s as if he’s being fed by the heavens themselves.”

Qian Guoxiang laughed and chimed in, waving at Chef Huang, “Chef Huang, you’re back at the right time, I’ve just prepared some stir-fried rice cake and seaweed egg drop soup for you, come over and eat with us…”

“Ah, great, thanks, Assistant Chef Qian!”

Huang Jun thanked him with a smile, stepped forward to take the tray from Qian Guoxiang’s hands, and walked together to their usual dining table. Just as he was about to start…

he heard familiar footsteps approaching from the doorway.

Looking up, Huang Jun saw Liang Yinqiu and Liu Suyu coming in, nodding at them as a way to say hello.

“Director Liang, Manager Liu, you’re here…”

Aunt Li and Aunt Lin greeted them and got up to serve them food.

Liang Yinqiu had informed them earlier, so the kitchen had reserved lunch for them, ensuring no lack of food.

“Thank you!”

They expressed their thanks, bringing their trays to sit at Huang Jun’s table.

Liang Yinqiu smiled at Huang Jun, “Chef Huang, I heard during the Goddess Festival, you’re going to cook something special for the teachers?”

“Director Liang, your information is quite well-informed…” Huang Jun laughed.

Liang Yinqiu, realizing, said, “So it’s true then!”

“Yes!”

Huang Jun nodded.

Imagining those teachers turning into ’yinyin monsters’ made goosebumps fall all over the place…

It’s overwhelming!

Upon hearing Huang Jun’s confirmation, Liang Yinqiu couldn’t help but show a trace of envy.

Thinking about the Goddess Festival day, when those teachers could enjoy the exquisite treats made by Huang Jun himself, while she couldn’t, how could one not be envious?

Especially Liu Suyu, who just learned about this news, felt quite upset.

It turns out those colleagues who had a good relationship were secretly getting tasty treats for themselves and didn’t tell her.

The camaraderie between colleagues has faded!

Because of this man, the camaraderie among colleagues has evaporated!

Even the bond between sisters is no longer!

Remembering how yesterday Yang Yuxi had a box of peony pastries but was stingy enough not to let her have even a bite…

Thinking of how yesterday Huang Jun clearly understood the look in her eyes but pretended not to, silently walking past her…

It made her feel hurt indeed!

Since he likes people to ask him directly, then she will satisfy him!

She lightly pursed her red lips, mustered up her courage and said, “Chef Huang, um… I want some too!”

Huang Jun was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: “Ah? You want some too?”

For the first time in her life asking a man for something, Liu Suyu displayed a hint of shy embarrassment and instinctively nodded.

She reached out to gently brush her hair away from her forehead, trying hard to stay calm, then turned to Liang Yinqiu, smiling and said, “Director Liang, I think Chef Huang’s approach of preparing Goddess Day delicacies for the teachers is very considerate. But I believe he shouldn’t favor one over another by doing it just for the teachers while neglecting the other female leaders of the kindergarten and the female staff in the kitchen. They are also part of the kindergarten family and look forward to tasting Chef Huang’s delicious food, so they too should enjoy a taste… Director Liang, what do you think?”

Liang Yinqiu was slightly startled and immediately understood Liu Suyu’s intention.

Already somewhat tempted, Liang Yinqiu nodded without hesitation and agreed, “Manager Liu is right, we are all part of the kindergarten family, and indeed should be treated equally. Chef Huang, could you see if on Goddess Day, you could make portions for all the female staff in the kindergarten? You don’t need to worry about the ingredients; the kindergarten will prepare everything, and Assistant Chef Qian will help you out.”

With things said up to this point!

Huang Jun couldn’t really refuse!

After all, since he already made for all the teachers, adding a few more portions for other female staff wouldn’t make much difference!

Moreover, with all the ingredients provided and help in the kitchen, it saves him a lot on procurement costs and effort, why not go for it?

He even thought about including Uncle Li and Assistant Chef Qian in the deal!

To avoid them missing out and feeling envious!

He nodded in agreement, “Director Liang, since that’s the case, let the entire staff of the kindergarten enjoy this benefit!”

Qian Guoxiang, Aunt Lin, and Aunt Li, upon hearing this, felt warmth in their hearts and praised Huang Jun internally as a great colleague of Huaxia!

Liang Yinqiu, hearing this, had a glimmer of admiration in her eyes.

“Chef Huang, if you’re willing, I wholeheartedly support it.” She nodded in agreement and suggested, “To avoid favoritism, I think we can include the delicacies Chef Huang makes as a new staff benefit. All kindergarten staff, during Goddess Day and Teachers’ Day, can enjoy this employee benefit. Chef Huang, how about that?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Yusu answered without hesitation, “Great, Director Liang’s suggestion is excellent! This way, we can not only enhance employees’ sense of belonging and satisfaction but also further strengthen the team’s cohesion and centripetal force. I fully support this plan!”

After speaking, she looked at Chef Huang with anticipation.

Liang Yinqiu also looked at him expectantly.

Even other colleagues cast expectant glances.

“Great, Director Liang’s suggestion is excellent, I completely agree!” Huang Jun nodded.

“Okay, let’s happily decide on this.”

Liang Yinqiu nodded with a smile, then happily began enjoying the meal.

The softness and elasticity of the rice cake intertwined in the mouth, bringing a rich and savory taste that makes one slowly savor it.

The tender shrimp and delicate clam meat fully absorb the sweet and fragrant rice cake and the fresh flavor of the seasonings during the cooking process, perfectly blending with the soft rice cake.

The crisp and refreshing vegetables add a touch of freshness to the dish, releasing a subtle sweetness in the mouth, complementing the seafood and rice cake, making the flavor of the Three-Fresh Fried Rice Cake richer.

Overall, the savory seafood, sweet rice cake, and fresh vegetable aroma intertwine, forming an intoxicating flavor that makes you want to savor it bite after bite…

“There’s still a bit of Three-Fresh Fried Rice Cake left, who wants some?” Aunt Lin asked with a smile.

“I want some! Give me a bit more.”

A chorus of responses followed.

Soon, everyone had finished the remaining Three-Fresh Fried Rice Cake, continuing to eat while sighing emotionally.

“With how we’re eating, won’t we gain a few pounds by the end of the semester…”

“No need to wait until the end of the semester, look at me; since the start of the semester, I’ve already gained two pounds!”

Facing Liu Suyu’s slightly resentful gaze, Huang Jun responded, “Don’t look at me like that, I didn’t force you to eat.”

Liu Suyu: “…”

Hmph!

You didn’t force me to eat, but who made your food so tasty that I can’t help myself?

After giving Huang Jun a big eye-roll, Liu Suyu turned and asked Liang Yinqiu, “Director Liang, when will our employee activity room be put on the agenda?”

“Soon, it’s already being planned.” Liang Yinqiu replied with a hint of anticipation. “We are discussing the final details with the designer, and once confirmed, we’ll start construction immediately. Hopefully, next quarter, we’ll provide everyone a comfortable leisure space.”

Liu Suyu nodded, then curiously asked, “Director Liang, I heard Director Wan personally called you a few days ago. Was there something important?”

Liang Yinqiu smiled lightly, “Yes, indeed. Our kindergarten’s application for kindergarten level status expired after three years! So, Director Wan hopes we can resubmit the documents for kindergarten level status, although I am still reorganizing them, and it will take a couple of days to submit!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Suyu’s eyes flashed with anticipation and she asked, “Is there hope for us to be rated as a first-level kindergarten this time?”

Liang Yinqiu pondered for a moment, “This… is hard to say, but I think the hope is greater than in previous years. Indeed, our kindergarten has seen significant improvement in terms of education quality and food quality over the past year. Moreover, Director Wan personally intervened in this matter, raising higher demands and expectations for us. As long as our application materials are well prepared and when experts come to inspect, we can cover all the bases, there should be a positive outcome.”

Even if the result is not satisfactory, as long as they give it their all, there’s no reason for regrets.

Besides, even if it doesn’t happen this time, they have the chance to try again in three years!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep