"Aside from steak, I can make other Western dishes. The menu can be adjusted according to the nationality of the foreign guests."
Lin Xiang was like a salesperson, trying hard to sell herself.
She wanted to earn money, as much as possible.
Chef Shen naturally caught the underlying meaning in Lin Xiang's words, "Our state-run restaurant has a hosting task at the beginning of next month. The guests are foreigners, but I don't know the specific country. Making Western dishes is an order from above, they said we should make the foreigners feel the warmth of being at home in Hua Country."
"But we've never heard of Western cuisine before, let alone how to make it. That's why we're looking for someone to help. Young comrade, your arrival is really timely!"
If they fail to do a good job with this hosting task, everyone in their state-run restaurant will be in trouble.
"So about this job..."
"It's yours!" Chef Shen said with a hearty laugh, "The remuneration is clearly stated on the notice outside—paid daily, one dollar a day, with a minimum of three dishes. If you make more, we'll give you some subsidies based on the situation. How about that?"
The state-run restaurant is a good place with plenty of perks. The staffing is already complete, so they can't just hire anyone randomly. Earning a dollar a day is already the best job available right now.
Today is already the twenty-ninth, and the beginning of the month is just a couple of days away.
"Alright. But my home is in the countryside, the village doesn't have phones, so I won't get any notifications and won't know which day to come."
"Come on the second, a little early, so we can prepare the ingredients in advance."
Lin Xiang agreed and saw with the corner of her eye the remaining few pieces of steak on the plate.
She wasn't particularly craving; after all, what delicious food hadn't she tasted in her past life?
But Lin Yun is still sick, and if he can eat some high-protein food, maybe he'll recover faster.
She pledged to gain favorable points so she could return to her 200-square-meter luxury home as soon as possible!
Chef Shen naturally couldn't give the steak to Lin Xiang; he needed to let the leaders taste it, but he didn't want Lin Yun to work for nothing. So, he gave her four large meat buns along with half a pound of pork.
"I can't let you work for nothing today, consider this as compensation for your hard work."
The state-run restaurant's large meat buns cost fifteen cents each, while pork costs eighty cents a pound; Chef Shen's offer was worth a dollar, and Lin Xiang had no room to complain.
She carried the meat and buns out of the state-run restaurant.
Having spent her dime on a bull cart to get here, she had no choice but to walk back.
Fortunately, the weather was kind, and just as she got home, it started raining cats and dogs outside.
Mrs. Lin went somewhere to visit, and Lin Xiang didn't pay much attention; she dove right into the kitchen to start cooking.
Lin Yun was still sick and couldn't eat greasy food, so Lin Xiang picked a loofah from the field and made a loofah meat slice soup, which could reduce internal heat and irritation.
She had just placed the large meat buns on the stove to heat them when Mrs. Lin came back.
"I smelled something delicious the moment I stepped in; what are you cooking?"
Mrs. Lin opened the pot lid directly, seeing four large meat buns sticking to the side and the meat soup boiling inside, her eyes lit up, "Where did these buns and meat come from? Was it Smartie Liu?"
Lin Xiang felt quite helpless, "Mom, could you stop trying to match my brother with Smartie Liu?"
The male lead has an official pairing, but it's not Liu Pei.
Liu Pei is, indeed, a deeply affectionate supporting female character, but she's also a good girl and shouldn't waste her time and money on Lin Yun—it wouldn't be fair to her.
Mrs. Lin pursed her lips, "So what? I've raised him for over twenty years, he should repay me!"
Lin Xiang knew Mrs. Lin was stubborn and gave up on persuading her, "Mom, could you keep an eye on the pot for me? When it boils, take a bowl to my brother. He's a man; his appetite is big, so give him two meat buns. I'll go and take care of something."
When Lin Xiang returned, there was only a small bowl left of the meat slice soup, and only one meat bun was left.
She thought Mrs. Lin had already given Lin Yun some food and, coincidentally, she was also starving, so she took a bowl and chopsticks to eat at the door.
The Lin Family was poor, without electricity lines at home; the candlelight was weak and flickering. Sitting outside was actually brighter.
As Lin Xiang just sat at the entrance of the hall with her stool, she saw Lin Yun coming out, supporting himself against the wall and moving unsteadily.
Lin Xiang hurriedly put down her bowl and chopsticks, trying to earn favorable points, "Brother, where are you going? Let me help you."
"No need." Lin Yun sidestepped slightly, avoiding Lin Xiang's hand reaching to help and took himself to the outhouse.
So, it was just to relieve himself.
Knowing Lin Yun was proud, Lin Xiang didn't insist, so she continued to eat her dinner.
When Lin Yun came out, seeing Lin Xiang eating heartily, he swallowed his saliva with difficulty, quickly averted his gaze, and sped up returning to the firewood room.
That night, Lin Xiang was wrapped up in her blanket after washing up all day; just as she was drifting off to sleep, she heard the familiar male voice roaring in her ear.
"Didn't they tell you to gain the male lead's favor? If you keep it up like this, you won't go back!"
Won't go back?
Then what about her 200-square-meter luxury home?
Lin Xiang, who had just started dreaming, was startled awake.
"Really? I bought him anti-inflammatory medicine and made him meat slice soup, and there's not a hint of goodwill?"
Is the male lead that difficult to win over?
She remembered in the original text, just because Liu Pei bought him anti-inflammatory medicine, Lin Yun remembered Liu Pei's kindness for many years. Even when Liu Pei encountered trouble after marriage, Lin Yun helped her out.
Why is there not a trace of goodwill when it comes to her?
Lin Xiang attributed this to the original character's misdeeds, causing Lin Yun to be extremely disgusted with her. Transitioning from hating someone to feeling favor is indeed a long and arduous path.
"What are you muttering about instead of sleeping?" Mrs. Lin heard Lin Xiang talking but didn't understand what she was muttering about, couldn't help asking.
"Nothing, I was probably sleep-talking."
Mrs. Lin glared, "Do you think your mother is stupid or blind? Your eyes were wide open while sleep-talking?"
Lin Xiang dared not speak in anger.
Mrs. Lin, however, opened the conversation, "Tomorrow, let your brother show up at Smartie Liu's place again. Seeing him in such a sick appearance, she'll definitely bring meat back again. Girl, if there's meat tomorrow, make that meat slice soup for Mom again; I couldn't resist eating a lot today, I only left a small bowl for you, so don't be angry with me!"
Mrs. Lin was essentially selfish, loving her daughter no doubt, but she always put herself first.
Lin Xiang sat upright all of a sudden, glaring at Mrs. Lin and loudly questioned, "You didn't give any of the meat slice soup I made to my brother?"
"Why would he, a grown man, eat something so good?"
"Did you not give him the meat buns either? You ate three by yourself?"
"I wanted to leave you two, but I was hungry!"
Both hungry and greedy.
Lin Xiang couldn't help but shout, "That was for Lin Yun! Knowing he's sick and can't eat greasy food, I specially made that meat slice soup for him!"
No wonder the male lead's feelings towards her hadn't changed. The problem was right here!