Chapter 283: The First Gathering of the Staff
The doors of the Culinary Association were surrounded by countless people early in the morning. Today marked the first day of the Food Festival, and the Culinary Association was about to announce the dishes that would participate in this year's event.
The first to appear were not only food enthusiasts but also many businesses participating in the festival.
Unlike the excited customers, these participants had tense and serious expressions on their faces.
This year's food festival was unlike any before, and the overwhelming presence of Small Shop made them band together for support.
Although this might sound as if Small Shop was becoming some kind of villain, the situation wasn't exaggerated.
The participants had already received news that Small Shop was only offering eight dishes at the festival. In fact, this was the main reason most of the businesses decided to take part in this year's food festival.
Now, they needed to see which eight dishes Small Shop had chosen to bring to the event, and then try to shift the pressure away from Small Shop.
Shifting the pressure didn't mean badmouthing or slandering the competition but was simply a normal business strategy.
For instance, if Small Shop didn't bring sweet dishes like candied hawthorns, they would focus on recommending their own desserts to the customers.
However, when the Culinary Association announced the dishes participating in the food festival, they did so by restaurant, and soon, all eyes were on Small Shop's name followed by the eight dishes.
After a brief silence, cheers erupted among the customers, while the businesses exchanged glances, only managing to offer bitter smiles.
Eight new dishes.
For any customer familiar with Small Shop, this was huge news. But for the other businesses participating in the food festival, this year's event was going to be much tougher.
...
Although the food festival had everyone on edge, it didn't affect Qi Han's routine much. After being woken up by Ru Yi, he immediately entered his training space to continue practicing his "Dinghu Shangsu."
It wasn't until noon, when business hours started, that Qi Han walked out of the training space, slowly picking up Pururu and walking downstairs while mentally conversing with Ru Yi.
"Ru Yi, the things I asked you to handle yesterday, are they done?"
"They're done, but..." Ru Yi's voice in the system space sounded somewhat strange. "Are you sure about this?"
"Don't you think the method for next time's recommendation position is absolutely brilliant?"
"Alright then, if you think it's fine, it's fine..." Ru Yi paused, then added, "Custom fee, 500 Gold Coins."
"That's fine, I'll send it to you later."
A mere 500 Gold Coins was no problem for Qi Han.
Upon reaching the first floor, Qi Han looked at Ru Yi's handiwork and nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good, just like this."
His gaze then shifted toward the door, and suddenly he froze.
"Why are Qin Yue, Qin Yao, and Keke here?"
Outside the door, the seven of them stood in a row, all dressed in work uniforms, which was quite pleasing to the eye.
But, shouldn't these three be at the hotpot restaurant in Star Luo City?
Had they come for the food festival?
After placing Pururu on the partition and preparing fresh cat food for him, Qi Han walked to the door and opened it.
In that instant, countless gazes focused on Qi Han, not only from the seven employees standing in front of him but also from the many customers lining up.
Among the customers in line, there were many unfamiliar faces, probably travelers who had come from other places to try Small Shop's delicious food.
Before the seven employees could say anything, one customer loudly shouted, "Boss Qi, is it true that there are eight new dishes today?"
A small stir broke out in the crowd, and curious expressions appeared on many faces. They were eager to confirm the question.
"Yes," Qi Han nodded, and immediately, cheers erupted among the customers.
Small Shop's new dishes were the source of joy.
And now, it was eight times the joy!
Not paying attention to the commotion from the customers, Qi Han took a long, deep look at the three people from Star Luo City.
After half a month, there hadn't been much change in Qin Yue and Qin Yao, but Keke seemed to have become more upright, looking sturdier than before. When he saw Qi Han, the slightly shy smile on his face seemed just like before.
"Come in, all of you."
Qi Han nodded and motioned for the seven of them to enter the store.
"You three, what brings you here?"
Once the door was closed, Qi Han couldn't help but ask.
Among the four employees from Shrek City, Fu Ya, who was already familiar with the Qin sisters, wasn't too surprised. However, the other three cast curious glances toward them.
So, these three are employees from the Small Shop in Star Luo City?
Earlier, Fu Ya had given a brief introduction outside, so they had a basic understanding of one another. But since it was their first meeting, the curiosity still lingered.
Qin Yao smiled slightly, "Boss, I guessed you would definitely be participating in the Shrek Food Festival, so we came to see if there was anything we could help with."
"I see."
Qi Han nodded in realization, then his face brightened with a smile, "You're right. There is something you can help with."
"Let's order first. After we have our work meal, I'll explain everything to you."
With that, Qi Han gestured for everyone to take a seat.
The three newcomers from Star Luo City didn't notice anything, but the four women who had been here already quickly noticed the changes in the small shop once they sat down.
Each table now had four well-crafted, elegant menus.
The tables in the restaurant were four-person tables, a design clearly meant to ensure every customer could have their own menu.
The price wall, which used to display a price list, had also been rearranged.
The five purple-marked dishes were now placed at the front, and other dishes were ordered according to their price, with egg fried rice being placed at the very end.
The employees, who were already familiar with the dishes at Small Shop, quickly noticed which dishes were missing.
Were those missing dishes on the menus?
Thinking this, they couldn't help but flip open the menus in their hands.
The first page of the menu contained a general directory. It categorized all the dishes under main courses, side dishes, vegetables, drinks, and snacks, and listed the prices for each.
The dishes that had disappeared from the price wall could be found here.
Next to each dish's price, a page number was marked. By following the page numbers, they could find detailed descriptions of each dish.
Each dish's detailed page was accompanied by exquisite, multi-angle photos of the food and detailed ingredient descriptions, making one long to taste them just from looking at the tempting images.
Without much hesitation, all the employees chose the new dishes.
For the four women from Shrek, even though Qi Han had made them try each new dish once, eating them just once wasn't enough. There were several dishes they had been craving for a while but were too shy to ask Qi Han for. Now, they could finally taste them as part of the work meal.
As for Qin Yue, Qin Yao, and Keke, there was no need to hesitate. They hadn't tasted the new dishes yet, so when they exchanged looks, they all ordered the new dishes.
After noting down everyone's work meal orders, Qi Han turned and headed to the kitchen to start preparing. Meanwhile, the employees from both sides began to chat amiably.
Soon, the two groups began to become more familiar with each other.
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