The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

As the saying goes, ’an old fox is a crafty one.’

Many people working in the back kitchen, after standing by the stove for a long time, will develop a sense of numbness towards cooking operations.

In fact, it’s not about being numb to cooking itself, but rather a sense of helplessness towards the routine and repetitive nature of the job.

However, regardless of the reason, when you stop being dedicated to your work and become overly concerned with personal gains and losses, it means you’re becoming lax in your duties.

It is an irresponsible neglect of duty.

Gu Yunwu followed behind Dong Jun Tian, walking all the way to a deserted corner.

They stood facing each other.

Dong Jun Tian didn’t say a word; his face was stern, clearly upset.

Gu Yunwu observed Dong Jun Tian’s expression carefully, realizing he was an undeserving target of the anger.

Dong Jun Tian came to the back kitchen looking for Yao Shi, but couldn’t find him, so he bottled up his anger and, not daring to direct it at Yao Shi, decided to take it out on Gu Yunwu.

Realizing this, Gu Yunwu felt a mix of emotions.

While feeling somewhat aggrieved, he also felt a bit guilty.

After eating, he had gone to chat with the new, pretty waitress.

The young lady was beautiful, with a good personality, talkative and particularly likable.

Gu Yunwu had a wife and kids and had no plans for divorce; he was just looking for a bit of fun with no consequence.

A little flirtation to spice up the monotonous work life didn’t hurt, he thought.

There’s no harm in finding some interesting things to do to pass time and slightly refine one’s taste in the heavy and boring work life.

However, by now, the little joy he felt had completely disappeared.

Gu Yunwu braced himself, getting ready to face Dong Jun Tian’s questioning and reprimands.

Yet, Dong Jun Tian didn’t rush to speak, just gazed at Gu Yunwu instead.

The two were close, frequently in contact, but it seemed Dong Jun Tian had never really looked at Gu Yunwu closely before.

The person before him appeared to be in his early forties, and although slightly overweight, maintaining such a figure at his age was quite good, especially considering Gu Yunwu had long been flipping ladles. His broad shoulders and strong arms made him look sturdy and robust.

Men at this age often share a mutual sense of restlessness and a rebellious refusal to admit the onset of old age.

So although Dong Jun Tian was dissatisfied with Gu Yunwu’s lazy work attitude, once his anger had subsided, he unexpectedly remained calm, rationally thinking about how to calculate the commissions for kitchen orders if old dishes were revamped and sold massively again during the festive season.

After all, cooking a seafood casserole isn’t particularly troublesome; it’s culinary work that speaks for an entire banquet.

Gu Yunwu noticed Dong Jun Tian was absent-minded and decided to remain silent.

The two fell into an awkward silence, surrounded by stillness, with indistinct chatter drifting from afar.

Dong Jun Tian thought he should discuss this matter with Yao Shi before making any decisions.

After all, Yao Shi often had unique insights on such matters and could provide very fair advice.

Thinking of innovating and bringing new ideas to the table, Dong Jun Tian’s initial anger unknowingly dissipated a bit more.

Eager to contact Yao Shi, Dong Jun Tian decided to overlook Gu Yunwu’s negligence this time somewhat lightly.

”Lao Gu, where did you go just now?”

Gu Yunwu hurriedly explained, ”Nowhere, just finished eating, nothing much to do, so I passed some tasks down before taking a stroll in the foyer.”

Dong Jun Tian wasn’t interested in his excuses and issued a stern warning: ”Now the back kitchen looks well-staffed, but once we expand, you’ll need to think of a way to advance at least two more head chefs, especially for the barbecue section, right? Someone capable should be there.”

”Lao Gu, you need to pay more attention to the kitchen. Don’t be so lax every day. Everyone is watching you, modeling after you. I left these people under your guidance; you need to lead them properly...”

”Like today’s situation, if not for Xiaofu’s solid culinary skills, and Old Zhao’s remote guidance over the phone, how would today’s banquet have been managed?”

”Currently, we’re relying on you and Old Zhao in the back kitchen. With Old Zhao on leave, shouldn’t you pay more attention...”

Originally, Dong Jun Tian hadn’t planned to say so much, but once he started talking, he couldn’t stop.

Just as Gu Yunwu knew his character inside out, he knew Gu Yunwu just as well.

He knew this man was lazy by nature, getting slicker with time.

A few years ago, with a young child at home, and his wife watching him closely, he behaved himself in matters involving women.

But since this year, with the child now in high school, Gu Yunwu has become quite carefree.

His wife busied herself with the child’s education, and without anyone to hold him accountable, he started his antics.

Dong Jun Tian had caught Gu Yunwu flirting with the young waitresses in the store more than once.

He was very dissatisfied with this behavior.

So, in his words, he subtly called Gu Yunwu out.

Even a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its nest!

If Gu Yunwu wanted to play around, he could do it elsewhere, and definitely shouldn’t target the staff in the store.

Dong Jun Tian had urgent matters to handle and no time to bicker with Gu Yunwu.

Having said what needed to be said, Dong Jun Tian hurriedly left.

Gu Yunwu didn’t immediately depart.

He fished out a cigarette pack from his pocket and lit one for himself.

As he smoked, he stared into space, lost in thought.

It was not that Dong Jun Tian’s scolding had awakened him for a great reform.

But seeing Dong Jun Tian’s obvious wrinkles, and increasingly low tone of voice, he suddenly realized, only now perceiving that this generation was starting to age unknowingly.

With this thought, he began recalling memories of over twenty years.

Once, he was a young and spirited newcomer in the back kitchen like Fu Yu, radiating vitality, eagerly passionate about cooking and work.

But gradually, he found his abilities diminishing.

His culinary skills seemed to stagnate.

Was he being negative?

Was he becoming lax?

Was he numb?

Upon careful reflection, this was not the case.

He thought he had just become realistic.

The amount of money earned corresponds to the amount of work done.

Rewards should match the contributions, right?

Moreover, a good manager who does everything personally will literally work oneself to death.

Like him, by delegating all tasks, no work was reduced, and all orders still got taken.

Isn’t this good?

Yet, there was one point that Dong Jun Tian did remind him.

He had indeed been negligent in cultivating the people under him.

Previously, he carefully trained Yao Yihang, only to be outdone by Fu Yu.

This made him somewhat disheartened.

But now looking at it, times have changed.

Dong Jun Tian was right, with store expansion, the kitchen will need more staff.

On his side, he must train at least two more chefs capable of taking charge independently.