Society is like that, a mixture of all kinds of people from all walks of life. China has thousands of years of culinary culture, with various regional cuisines forming their own factions, so it’s not surprising that different schools have developed into factions. However, for these culinary factions to evolve into mafia-like organizations was something Shui Miao had never heard of before. The mafia represents the dark side of society; normal people fear it instinctively, and Shui Miao didn’t want any unnecessary trouble, so he naturally felt some fear.
On the surface, the position of restaurant manager seemed glamorous and respectable—definitely white-collar.
But in reality, this position was the most difficult in the entire hotel. If you didn’t have connections in the legitimate world, you wouldn’t attract government-funded banquets, and your income would drop significantly. If you didn’t have connections in the underworld, gangsters might come to cause trouble, making the hotel chaotic and ultimately affecting business. The hotel hired you to boost business—if you couldn’t bring in customers, what use would they have for you? Did they have too much money?
Shui Miao, being young and inexperienced, didn’t know these intricacies at all.
Today, after hearing what Lao Bi had said, Shui Miao finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
“So what should I do? Is there another way to keep everyone here?” Shui Miao felt there must be another way.
Lao Bi sighed and said, “Well, there is a way, but it’s just not worth it. The association has a rule: you can register a school license by paying three million yuan. Only after obtaining the license can you recruit chefs to take over a restaurant. That’s also why hiring a group of chefs costs so much. Of course, having the license does have its benefits—for instance, if any independent chefs come to compete for your business, you can report them to the association, and they’ll help you deal with them, even crippling the competition.”
Registering a license for three million yuan was essentially just paying three million as protection money.
“That’s so shady!!”
Shui Miao suddenly understood, never expecting such a dark secret. “Oh, by the way, Uncle Bi, didn’t you also take over a kitchen? Don’t you have a license in your possession?”
“I can lead people because there’s a big brother in the association backing me. But he also said he can only protect me for life. If I quit, the people under me will have to be integrated into other factions. This big brother means what he says—you’d better not even think about messing with him.” Lao Bi waved his hand dismissively. If he could have handled it, would he have waited until today?
With that said, there was no choice but to rehire a master.
“Uncle Bi, may I ask, how much do you pay each month for managing the kitchen here?” Shui Miao thought, spending three million on a license was unrealistic; hiring a master would be more cost-effective.
“Aren’t you going to ask Miss Lin about that?” Lao Bi was taken aback, surprised that Shui Miao didn’t even know this.
“Not yet, I haven’t had time.”
Shui Miao felt awkward; he had been forced into this position without even thinking about becoming a restaurant manager.
“Oh, then let me tell you. We have twenty-nine chefs and eight kitchen assistants here, and the monthly salary is three hundred thousand yuan. This is actually the lowest price in the industry. If you hire new chefs, I can introduce you to some contacts, but the minimum would be no less than four hundred thousand yuan.”
“That much…”
Shui Miao was stunned. Calculating this way, wouldn’t Lao Bi, as the head chef, earn over one hundred thousand yuan every month?
“What do you mean ‘that much’!?” Lao Bi shook his head, his face full of bitterness. “You think paying for the license is the end of it? You also have to pay a fifty-thousand annual membership fee. Don’t you think that’s money? By the time you earn back the three million, more than ten years will have passed!”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao was momentarily at a loss for words. This was a major problem right from the start of his new role! Once Huang Fei left, his group of customers would definitely scatter. Now, as a poor, inexperienced manager with no connections in either the legitimate or the criminal worlds, hiring a group of chefs costing four hundred thousand yuan monthly without enough business would only result in losses.
“Ah! You should talk to Miss Lin; maybe she has a solution.” Lao Bi stood up, patted Shui Miao’s shoulder, and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to work now.”
※※※
After leaving the break room and opening the kitchen door, Shui Miao immediately encountered a beautiful woman.
This beauty stood at 1.7 meters tall, her skin was as white as flour, translucent like jade. Her eyes were enchanting, and her smile could steal your soul. She was none other than the hotel’s head waitress, Xiao Tang. A native of Jiangxi province, Xiao Tang had excellent demeanor, standard Mandarin, and a sharp mind, making her the hotel’s most famous beauty.
This is how society is—a mixed bag of all sorts of people. China boasts thousands of years of culinary culture, with numerous major cuisine schools branching out and standing tall. It’s no surprise that factions and power groups have emerged within these culinary traditions. However, Shuimiao was hearing for the first time that these culinary factions had evolved into organized crime syndicates. Organized crime represents the dark underbelly of society, something that terrifies ordinary people at the mere mention. Shuimiao didn’t want to stir up unnecessary trouble and naturally felt a bit fearful.
On the surface, the position of Food and Beverage Department manager seemed glamorous and respectable—a genuine white-collar job.
But in reality, it was quite the opposite. The role of Food and Beverage Department manager was the toughest in the entire hotel. If you didn’t have connections in the legitimate world, there would be no public funds spending, and your income would take a significant hit. If you lacked ties to the underworld, troublemakers and thugs would harass your hotel, disrupting operations and ultimately hurting business, potentially even leading to closure. The hotel hired you to boost business. If you couldn’t deliver, what use were you to them? Were they just throwing money away?
Shuimiao, young and inexperienced, was unaware of these high stakes.
It was only after hearing Old Bi’s words today that Shuimiao realized the severity of the situation.
“What should we do? Is there any other way to keep everyone here?” Shuimiao felt there must be another solution.
Old Bi sighed. “There is a way, but it’s not worth it! The association has a rule: you need to pay three million to register for a faction business license. Only after obtaining this license can you recruit chefs to contract for a restaurant. That’s also why hiring a group of chefs costs so much. Of course, having the license isn’t without its benefits. For example, if freelance chefs try to compete for your business, you can report it to the association, and they’ll handle it—by beating those competitors to a pulp.”
Paying three million for a business license was, in plain terms, handing over three million in protection money.
“So corrupt!!”
Shuimiao finally understood. He never imagined such dark dealings existed behind the scenes. “By the way, Uncle Bi, didn’t you also contract here? Don’t you have a license?”
“I can bring my team because a higher-up in the association has my back. But he made it clear: he’ll only cover me for life. If I quit, my team will have to merge into other factions. This boss doesn’t mince words, so don’t even think about trying to win him over.” Old Bi waved his hand. If there were a way to resolve this, why would he have waited until now?
With that, the only option was to hire new chefs.
“Uncle Bi, if I may ask, how much does it cost per month for your team to contract the kitchen here?” Shuimiao thought spending three million on a license was unrealistic. Hiring chefs seemed more cost-effective.
“Didn’t you ask Chairwoman Lin about this?” Old Bi was taken aback, surprised that Shuimiao didn’t even know this.
“Not yet. I haven’t had the chance to ask.”
Shuimiao felt somewhat embarrassed. He was thrust into this role unexpectedly and never imagined he’d become the Food and Beverage Department manager.
“Oh, well, let me tell you then. We have twenty-nine chefs and eight kitchen assistants here. The total monthly salary is three hundred thousand. This is actually the lowest rate in the industry. If you hire new chefs, I can introduce you to some contacts, but the minimum would be around four hundred thousand.”
“So much…”
Shuimiao was stunned. By that calculation, didn’t Old Bi, as the head chef, earn over a hundred thousand per month?
“Much? What are you talking about!”
Old Bi shook his head, his face full of bitterness. “Do you think it ends with getting the license? You also have to pay an annual membership fee of five hundred thousand. Isn’t that money?! By the time you earn back the three million, more than ten years would have passed!”
“Uh…”
Shuimiao was at a loss for words. This was a major problem right at the start of his tenure! With Huang Fei gone, his customer base would surely disappear. As a working-class guy doubling as a manager, with no connections in either the legitimate or underworld circles, and now having to hire a team of chefs costing four hundred thousand a month, without enough business, wouldn’t he just be losing money?
“Sigh! You should discuss this with Chairwoman Lin. Maybe she has a solution.” Old Bi stood up and patted Shuimiao on the shoulder. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go attend to my work.”
※※※
Leaving the break room and opening the kitchen door, Shuimiao ran into a stunning beauty.
She stood at 1.7 meters tall, with skin as fair as flour and as translucent as jade. Her eyes were captivating, and a slight smile from her small mouth could easily make anyone lose focus. This was none other than Little Tang, the hotel’s head hostess. A Jiangxi native, Little Tang was known for her elegance, flawless Mandarin, and sharp wit, making her the hotel’s famous beauty.
Little Tang was warm and exuberant toward upper management and guests.
But toward the waitstaff below her, she was strict, cold, and stern.
Naturally, she treated Shuimiao the same way.
In the two years Shuimiao had worked there, he had never seen Little Tang smile at him.
But today, her expression was enough to make anyone swoon.
“Ah! Little Shui, Manager Shui…”
Seeing Shuimiao, Little Tang immediately clasped her hands in front of her chest, her breasts heaving dramatically. Her face suddenly flushed bright red!
What the hell, are you a chameleon? Shuimiao really wanted to ask.
“Heh, well, am I really that little?” Shuimiao didn’t know why, but seeing Little Tang like this made him want to tease her. He had to admit, although she was somewhat opportunistic, her competence and charm were undeniable.
“Ah! That’s not what I meant…”
Little Tang cutely bit the tip of her tongue and quickly waved her hands to explain.
Noticing no one was around, Shuimiao raised an eyebrow slightly. “Then what did you mean?”
“I…”
“You… you’re so bad…”
As she spoke, Little Tang shyly reached out to pinch Shuimiao’s arm. Shuimiao unintentionally raised his hand and accidentally brushed against her chest—it was incredibly springy!
“Ah! You’re so bad, so bad!”
Little Tang’s face flushed red all the way to her neck. She raised her delicate fists and playfully pounded Shuimiao’s chest, though her punches didn’t hurt at all.
Shuimiao didn’t raise his hand again but instead stared intently into her eyes…
Little Tang suddenly noticed Shuimiao looking at her. Their eyes met, and the already ambiguous atmosphere made her heart race uncontrollably… Her punches grew lighter and lighter until eventually, she gently pressed her fists against Shuimiao’s chest, leaning closer to him. Her eyes slowly narrowed…
She seemed somewhat intoxicated and clearly wanted Shuimiao to kiss her!
If it were any other average guy, they would’ve surely leaned in and kissed her without hesitation!
But Shuimiao placed a finger against her lips, shook his head, and said softly, “Little Tang, many people are watching.”
“Ah!”
Little Tang snapped back to reality immediately, turned around, and hurried off toward the women’s locker room.
In truth, not many people were watching. Only Chen Bing, who had just arrived from Hall B.
Watching Little Tang’s retreating figure, Shuimiao suddenly felt quite pleased.
“Bang!”
Little Tang slammed the locker room door shut, leaned against it, and muttered excitedly yet nervously, “Great, just great! Now I have a chance to become a supervisor…”
As it turned out, after learning about Shuimiao’s promotion to Food and Beverage Department manager, Little Tang had planned to cozy up to him to seize the opportunity for a promotion to supervisor. Unexpectedly running into him, she tested the waters and found that Shuimiao seemed somewhat interested in her. Overwhelmed with excitement, she also realized Shuimiao was quite charming. Why hadn’t she noticed it before?
In reality, anyone with money and status seemed charming in her eyes.
※※※
“Brother Shui, the lobsters have arrived, and they’re all big ones. Do you want to take a look?” Chen Bing had just seen Little Tang running to the locker room. Though puzzled, he remembered his lesson from last time and didn’t dare say anything unnecessary.
“No need. If you’ve seen them, that’s enough.” Shuimiao waved at Chen Bing and turned toward the manager’s office nearby. “Come, I have something I want to discuss with you.”
This was the office Huang Fei had set up next to the dining hall.
The office was messy. Huang Fei rarely used it, and it was stacked with red wine and beer, effectively serving as a temporary storage room. When business was slow, everyone often hid here to play cards. Once inside, Shuimiao immediately whispered to Chen Bing, “Sister Lin said the managers from other departments are all corrupt. They’ve embezzled hotel funds—they’re a bunch of scumbags. I want to teach them a lesson during mealtime, give them a warning, and humiliate them in front of all the staff. What do you think?”
“This… I’ve never really thought about it…”
Chen Bing was taken aback. The usually serious and earnest Brother Shui was suddenly planning something mischievous? Challenging department managers—was this something a low-level employee should even consider?
But she was strict and cold toward the waitstaff, rarely smiling.
Her attitude toward Shui Miao was naturally no different.
Shui Miao had worked there for two years and had never once seen Xiao Tang smile at him.
But today, Xiao Tang’s expression could charm anyone.
“Oh! Xiao Shui, Manager Xiao Shui…”
Seeing Shui Miao, Xiao Tang immediately became excited, her hands clasped between her deep cleavage; her ample bosom heaved as her face suddenly flushed red!
Are you a chameleon or something? Shui Miao almost wanted to ask.
“Hehe, well, do I really look that young?” Shui Miao didn’t know why, but seeing Xiao Tang like this made him want to tease her a little. He had to admit that although she was somewhat ambitious, her ability and charm were undeniable.
“Oh no! That’s not what I meant…”
Xiao Tang cutely bit her tongue and hurriedly waved her hands to explain.
Seeing no one around, Shui Miao slightly raised his eyebrows, “Then what did you mean?”
“I…”
“You… you’re so bad…”
Xiao Tang said, then shyly tried to pinch Shui Miao’s arm. Unintentionally, he raised his hand and touched her chest—it was soft and elastic!
“Oh! You’re so naughty, so naughty!”
Xiao Tang’s face turned red all the way to her neck. She raised her delicate fists and playfully punched Shui Miao’s chest repeatedly, though her punches were painless.
Shui Miao didn’t raise his hand again but kept his eyes fixed on hers…
Xiao Tang suddenly noticed Shui Miao staring at her, their eyes locked together. Already feeling a bit flustered, her heart raced. Her punches grew lighter and lighter, finally gently resting her hands on Shui Miao’s chest as she unconsciously leaned closer to him, her eyes slowly closing…
She looked somewhat lost in passion, clearly inviting Shui Miao to kiss her!
If it were any ordinary guy, he would definitely have kissed her passionately!
But Shui Miao gently placed a finger in front of her lips, shook his head, and softly said, “Miss Tang, many people are watching you!”
“Ah!”
Xiao Tang suddenly snapped out of it and hurriedly turned around, running toward the women’s changing room.
In fact, not many people were watching. Only Chen Bing had come over from Hall B.
Watching Xiao Tang’s back disappear, Shui Miao suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction.
Bang!
Xiao Tang slammed the changing room door shut, leaning against it with her back, and excitedly whispered repeatedly, “Great, great! Now I have a chance to become a supervisor…”
Originally, upon hearing the news of Shui Miao’s new position as restaurant manager, Xiao Tang had planned to get close to him in hopes of being promoted to supervisor. However, during their chance encounter and some playful teasing, she discovered that Shui Miao actually seemed interested in her. Excited, she also realized that Shui Miao was quite charming—why hadn’t she noticed this before?
In fact, anyone with money and status was attractive in her eyes.
※※※
“Boss Shui, the lobsters have arrived, all big ones. Do you want to check them out?” Chen Bing had just seen Xiao Tang running into the changing room. Although curious, he refrained from asking any unnecessary questions, having learned his lesson from last time.
“No need, you can check them yourself.” Shui Miao waved at Chen Bing and turned toward the manager’s office nearby, saying, “Come here, I have something to discuss with you.”
This was the office set up by Huang Fei next to the restaurant.
The office was in a mess. Huang Fei rarely came here, and it had become a temporary small warehouse filled with many bottles of red wine and beer. When business was bad in the past, people often hid here to play cards. Entering the office, Shui Miao immediately whispered to Chen Bing, “Miss Lin said that the managers of other departments aren’t clean—they’ve embezzled hotel funds. They’re all bastards. I want to play a prank on them during lunch, give them a taste of humiliation, and make them lose face in front of all the employees. What do you think?”
“This… I’ve never even thought about this…”
Chen Bing was stunned. How did Boss Shui suddenly turn mischievous? Intimidating department managers—was that something a small employee could even think about?
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