Chapter 211: Chapter 197: No Food Until the Work Is Done

In the conference room of the office building.

Wan Zhenhong and Xin Jinghui sat quietly.

They had previously eaten a few pieces of mung bean cake to slightly satiate their hunger, then stopped their actions without continuing to indulge, nor did they reach for the colorful fruit platter.

The reason was simple.

Both of them were filled with great anticipation for the upcoming lunch.

The carefully selected fruits were certainly sweet and delicious, but in their hearts, how could they compare to the delicious lunch meticulously prepared by Chef Huang?

Thus…

They decided to save their appetites for lunchtime, so they could wholeheartedly enjoy the much-anticipated feast.

As for the remaining mung bean cakes on the plate, they hadn’t given up on those either.

The two of them cooperated seamlessly, swiftly picking up the mung bean cakes from the plate one by one and skillfully putting them into the plastic bag Wan Zhenhong had prepared in advance, while everyone was momentarily distracted.

They repeated this process.

Until all the mung bean cakes on the plate were gone, they finally stopped, satisfied.

Their pockets became bulging as a result.

If anyone else saw it, they would undoubtedly take a few extra glances, wondering if they had hidden any treasures!

At that moment.

Their thoughts had long drifted away, completely ignoring the assessment materials before them.

Each absentmindedly scanned the experts and judges flipping through the materials, with a sense of daze and distraction in their eyes.

As for the voices of the experts and judges discussing, they were half-listening, never truly engaged.

Suddenly.

An enticing aroma of sweet and sour pork ribs stealthily wafted through the gap in the window, like a delicate ribbon dancing lightly in the breeze, brushing gently past their noses.

Huh?

Such a fragrant smell!

This is…

The aroma instantly awakened their senses, causing them to involuntarily shiver.

Xin Jinghui softly murmured to himself, “I smell a sweet and sour scent, seems like sweet and sour…”

Upon hearing this, Wan Zhenhong’s eyes flashed with curiosity. He leaned slightly closer to the window, took a deep breath, turned his head, and whispered to Xin Jinghui, “It really is a sweet and sour scent. Old Xin, can you identify which sweet and sour dish Chef Huang made today?”

Xin Jinghui frowned and closed his eyes, trying to recall which dish this aroma corresponded to from his memory.

He carefully savored the intertwining sweet and sour aroma, along with the faint meat scent.

Moments later, he opened his eyes, shook his head, and said, “I can smell the scent of meat, but it’s hard to say precisely which dish it is. It might be sweet and sour pork ribs, or it could be sweet and sour tenderloin. My ability is limited; it’s really hard to distinguish.”

However, he paused, a look of anticipation on his face, and continued, “As long as it’s made by Chef Huang, whichever sweet and sour dish it is, it’s bound to be incredibly delicious. Let’s just wait for lunchtime to have a good feast!”

Wan Zhenhong nodded in agreement and then smiled, saying, “Old Xin, why don’t we add a bit of fun and make a bet for fifty cents? Let’s guess whether Chef Huang prepared sweet and sour pork ribs or sweet and sour tenderloin for everyone today?”

Xin Jinghui looked at Wan Zhenhong with a face saying, “Are you serious about a fifty-cent bet?” and disdainfully said, “Fifty cents? Old Wan, that’s just too stingy! At least let’s bet on something interesting!”

Hearing this, Wan Zhenhong instantly got interested, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “Oh? Then tell me, what would make a bet interesting?”

Xin Jinghui thought for a moment, a playful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and slowly said, “Well, at least let’s bet on that bottle of Moutai you’ve treasured for years! Then it would have a challenge and make our bet more interesting.”

Hey!

The audacity of this old fellow.

Daring to have designs on Wan Zhenhong’s treasured bottle of Moutai!

Wan Zhenhong gave him a look of exasperation, like “why are there always people eyeing my Moutai,” and after a while, sighed, shaking his head, “Old Xin, you’re really regressing as you age, how can you be so greedy and still not satisfied? That bottle of Moutai has been my cherished collection for years, how come you’re just like Old Jiao, that glutton, eyeing up my belongings!”

Xin Jinghui chuckled, unapologetically saying, “Old Wan, no matter how good your Moutai is, it needs someone who can appreciate it! Keeping it hidden and not drinking it is true waste! Why not bring it out, and let’s both enjoy and appreciate it together; wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?”

Wan Zhenhong: “…”

If I had known this would happen.

I shouldn’t have brought up the bet.

Now look!

I’ve just shot myself in the foot!

Noticing Wan Zhenhong’s silence, Xin Jinghui already knew—this old guy must be feeling pained about his cherished Moutai and unwilling to use it as a bet.

His lips curled up into a teasing smile, leisurely asking, “Old Wan, just give me a straight answer, are we continuing this bet or calling it off?”

Wan Zhenhong glared at him, “Call it off, call it off! That bottle of Moutai is my cherished treasure for many years, I can’t easily use it as a wager.”

Alright then!

Seeing this, Xin Jinghui didn’t press on the bet any further, but instead turned his attention to the aroma drifting in from the window.

He gently closed his eyes, carefully smelling the scent mixed with sweet and sour and vegetables…

“Huh? There’s a faint vegetable aroma among this sweet and sour scent, seems like Chef Huang is already working on some vegetarian dishes…” Xin Jinghui opened his eyes and murmured.

Hearing this, Wan Zhenhong also grew interested. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Xin Jinghui, asking, “Old Xin, then can you guess which vegetarian dish Chef Huang is making now?”

Xin Jinghui turned his head, quietly gazing at Wan Zhenhong, eyes full of playfulness and teasing, as if saying, “What are you looking at, Old Wan, thinking about betting with me again? I’m telling you, if the wager isn’t that bottle of Moutai you’ve treasured for years, I’m not interested at all.”

What are you staring at!

Betting on Moutai is simply not going to happen, not in this lifetime.

Understanding Wan Zhenhong’s feelings, Xin Jinghui did not bother him and continued to enjoy the scent through the window.

Upon seeing this, Xin Jinghui somewhat boredly touched his nose, then turned towards the window too, deeply inhaling the drifting aroma, his face displaying a blissful expression: “That said, this feeling of being able to smell but not eat is quite torturous!”

“Who wouldn’t agree! I really wish we could start lunch now…”

Wan Zhenhong nodded, expressing the strong desire in his heart.

Fortunately, as time passed by, they finally awaited the arrival of noon.

Wan Zhenhong glanced at his watch, immediately sprang up, and energetically proposed: “Director Liang, looking at the time, it’s not early anymore. I assume all the expert reviewers are a bit weary and hungry, why don’t we conclude our morning work here and head for lunch?”

Xin Jinghui quickly echoed him, repeatedly agreeing: “Yes, Director Liang, let’s head to lunch first. After being well-fed, the afternoon’s review work will surely be more efficient.”

As soon as these words were said.

All the reviewers couldn’t help showing signs of astonishment.

Speaking of.

Why are the two leaders suddenly so attentive towards them?

Earlier they not only pressed them to eat more fruits, but now are concerned about their fatigue and hunger, proactively suggesting they go eat first?

In the past, the leaders always showed a stern attitude of “don’t even think of eating until the work’s done,” piling pressure on them.

Now, the sudden change in the leaders’ attitude leaves them a bit baffled.

Is it because today’s review work is particularly important, hence the leaders care more about their physical condition? Or is it because their work performance was recognized by the leaders, leading them to be so considerate?

No matter the reason, the reviewers all find this change a bit unsettling.

They exchange glances, seeing the look of puzzlement in each other’s eyes.

Having learned of the true motive behind Wan Zhenhong and Xin Jinghui’s actions, Jiao Ziming was not too surprised, finding it quite reasonable.

Of course.

The settled sense of anticipation within him starts to stir again.

He certainly wants to see later why his two old friends are so obsessed with this meal, what particular merit does it have?

Liang Yinqiu and Liu Suyu instantly grasp Wan Zhenhong and Xin Jinghui’s real intention.

Liang Yinqiu nods with a smile and says, “Indeed, Director Wan and Director Xin are right; the expert reviewers must also be feeling a bit tired. Why don’t we go to the cafeteria for lunch first! We can continue the review in the afternoon, allowing everyone to regain energy for better engagement in the upcoming work.”

Liu Suyu echoed, “Exactly, exactly, thank you to all the experts for your hard work, let’s go eat first. The cafeteria has prepared a sumptuous lunch, and we hope everyone will enjoy it.”

“Alright then, let’s go have lunch first!”

Jiao Ziming nods.

The other review experts also express their agreement.

After all, amid tense and busy review work, having a moment to unwind and enjoy a lunch is quite a pleasant thing for them.

Thus…

Everyone gets up, following Liang Yinqiu out of the meeting room, heading towards the cafeteria.

They walk along, chatting and laughing, sharing their thoughts and impressions on the morning’s review work, discussing their professional insights and review experiences, but soon, their attention is drawn by the increasingly potent aroma drifting in the breeze.

Initially, the scent is faint, but as they get closer, it becomes more intense, prompting them to sniff compulsively.

“What a fragrant aroma… It seems to be wafting out from the kindergarten’s kitchen!” Xie Shufang’s eyes light up.

Hey hey hey!

Shufang, have a little confidence, drop those two words “seems to.”

Wan Zhenhong and Xin Jinghui secretly chuckle to themselves.

Wan Zhenhong just couldn’t help but correct, “This fragrance is from within the kindergarten!”

“Ah…”

Xie Shufang lets out a slightly surprised exclamation.

Speaking of.

Could the kindergarten’s kitchen really produce such an aroma?

In her memory, the kindergarten kitchen usually is simple and plain, generally serving homely dishes, the taste nice but never so intense and alluring.

And when she visited Dorami Kindergarten for review the last time, the kitchen’s food wasn’t this fragrant!

Has the chef’s culinary skills improved over the three years?

Yet what about the taste!

Hopefully, it’s not just fragrant but ordinary when eaten?

Many of the review experts have similar thoughts as hers.

Jiao Ziming sniffing this aroma slightly understands why Wan Zhenhong and Xin Jinghui are always thinking about Dorami Kindergarten’s meal.

Judging from the aroma alone, indicating the deliciousness level of the dishes, it must be extraordinary!

Wan Zhenhong laughs and keeps recommending, “I’m telling you, Dorami Kindergarten’s work meal is definitely a hidden gem, the chef’s skills at the kindergarten are top-notch, and compared with a state banquet chef… one could say, it’s on par!”

Though he has never tasted a state banquet chef’s cuisine, in his mind, Huang Jun’s skills definitely can compete with those of a state banquet chef!

Xie Shufang and the others politely smile, yet internally feel that Wan Zhenhong’s words are somewhat exaggerated.

The culinary skills of a state banquet chef are renowned domestically and internationally, how could a kindergarten chef easily catch up or surpass them?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep