"Suqin, this is your apron, and when you’re serving food, it’s best to tie your hair up."
Huang Tao took out a brand new apron and handed it to Ding Suqin.
He put a lot of thought into getting Ding Suqin ready to work quickly.
Ding Suqin took the apron from his hand and nodded, "Okay, Boss, I’ll be careful."
Huang Tao was very satisfied with her response.
"Boss, should these vegetables be washed?"
"Yes!" Huang Tao nodded.
Upon hearing this, Ding Suqin imdiately rolled up her sleeves and began washing the ingredients skillfully and diligently.
Hmm!
Not bad!
Indeed, a good worker!
Having such a capable assistant certainly made things a lot easier.
"Besides washing vegetables, your main tasks are selling food and cleaning up dishes afterward. You don’t need to wash the dishes by hand; just put them in the dishwasher. Do you know how to use the dishwasher? It’s okay if you don’t; I’ll teach you later. And keep the floor as tidy as possible. We open at 7 AM and usually close around 8 AM..."
Huang Tao continued with his tasks while explaining the job responsibilities to Ding Suqin.
While working, Ding Suqin kept his instructions firmly in mind.
She also gained a clear understanding of her work duties and schedule.
The food-selling tis are quite fixed, not exceeding two hours in the morning, noon, and evening.
Most people take buns away, while a few dine in, making cleaning the utensils easy.
In total, her work hours, including washing vegetables and cleaning, were from 7 AM to 8:30 AM, 11 AM to 12:30 PM, and 5 PM to 7 PM, leaving her with plenty of free ti.
This job is great!
Gratefully, she said, "Okay, Boss, I understand, and thank you for this opportunity. I’ll definitely do my best."
"Alright! If there’s anything unclear about the work, feel free to ask anyti."
After saying this, Huang Tao glanced at Xuanxuan, who was playing happily with Mimi on the floor.
Relieved, he continued with his tasks.
Outside, the rain had eased a bit but was still falling.
...
Fulin District.
Building 3, Apartnt 303 on the third floor.
Li, wearing glasses, sat in the living room reading the newspaper, listening to the autumn rain tapping on the glass.
Granny Li walked out from the bathroom, gently tapped his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Old man! When the rain eases up, go to Boss Huang’s and buy so buns with different fillings, and so porridge with preserved egg and lean pork. If there’s more, buy so of everything, buy a lot! And be careful on the road."
Huh?
Buy so of everything?
And buy a lot?
Li was montarily confused, thinking he misheard.
But after thinking about today’s date, he understood imdiately.
Oh... she’s coming!
His face flashed a serious look.
No longer asking why, he nodded blankly, "Okay, I’ll go queue in a bit."
He added, "Old lady, after breakfast, I’m going out for a walk. Call if you need anything."
Granny Li glanced toward the window; outside, the rain was still drizzling, raindrops tapping on the window like little stars.
Going for a walk in this weather!
Even without thinking hard, she knew what this ant!
Sigh!
She sighed softly in her heart.
But didn’t reveal it, just responded as usual, "Alright, be careful when you walk, the roads can be slippery in the rain."
"Mm, I know..."
After sitting for a while, Li checked the ti; it was almost 6:30. He put down the newspaper.
Walking to the main door, he put on his raincoat and boots, grabbed an umbrella, and before leaving, he called into the house, "Old lady, I’m leaving."
"Okay! Rember to wear your raincoat and boots, and take an umbrella, don’t get wet, and walk slowly on the way..."
"I’m wearing them, and I have it..."
He smiled, shook his head, and muttered softly, "Old trees have deep roots, and old people talk a lot!"
Yet, in his heart, he enjoyed and felt happy with her nagging.
He knew beneath her incessant chatter was a deep, warm family love.
Missing it one day would make him feel restless and uneasy.
He left cheerfully, went downstairs.
At the community gate, he ran into several old neighbors.
"Oh, Old Li, where are you heading to?" Jiang warmly greeted him.
Li responded with a smile, "My wife insisted I go to Boss Huang’s to buy so breakfast. How about you guys? Are you heading to Boss Huang’s for breakfast too?"
"Do you even have to ask? Of course..."
"Let’s walk together then..."
"Sure, together, together..."
Li and Jiang, along with a few others, headed toward the West City Old Street.
...
Around 6:30 AM.
So people dressed in raincoats and boots, holding umbrellas, gathered at the Delicious Restaurant entrance, lining up neatly under the eaves.
At a glance, they looked like mushrooms popping up after the rain, in all colors.
Lump after lump.
At this ti, Huang Tao was still making buns, the porridge was almost ready, the eggs were well-flavored, and the trotters needed more ti. He looked up to see a crowd outside the store.
Wow!
Even on a rainy day, so many custors were queuing early.
This is true love, isn’t it?!
Unexpectedly, Huang Tao was moved to tears, almost crying tears of joy.
Ding Suqin, watching the crowd braving the rain outside, was amazed.
The business is really good~
No wonder they needed to hire people!
Ding Suqin walked over curiously and asked, "Hello, you ca so early to queue on a rainy day? Our store opens at 7 AM."
The people in line, familiar custors, noticed the new face and checked the hiring notice on the wall; the ordinary employee position was crossed out. They understood imdiately.
The person in front, an office worker, laughed and said, "It’s fine, don’t worry about us; we ca early on purpose to queue."
He added his catchphrase, "Crush them!"
He couldn’t get the seafood and vegetable buns yesterday at lunch or dinner, so he must have them this morning!
The people queuing behind him nodded in agreent, their eyes determined.
His words left Ding Suqin with a look of "I don’t understand, but I’m amazed."
The custors were so enthusiastic!
Seeing the custors getting rained on outside, Huang Tao, busy inside, couldn’t let them suffer.
Smiling, he invited, "Everyone, it’s raining outside, why not co inside and wait~"
Huang Tao’s words ward the custors’ hearts.
But seeing the shining floor inside like a mirror, they hesitated.
Afraid to muddy the white porcelain tiles.
Wouldn’t it be better for Boss Huang to use the ti for more bun-making rather than cleaning?
"No, no, going in would dirty your floor, cleaning up would be troubleso."
"Yes, we’re fine waiting here; you can put the food on the table at the entrance, and we’ll buy and go."
Huang Tao chuckled, "Floors are ant to be stepped on, and if they get dirty, I’ll mop them! Just co in, no need to feel awkward."
"Co on in, I’ll mop the floor if it gets dirty," Ding Suqin invited.
"Uncles and grandpas, co inside, if you catch a cold in the rain, there’ll be no chance to eat my daddy’s buns; you’d only get plain porridge..." Xuanxuan coaxed, waving Mimi’s paw at them.
"Alright, alright, we’ll think of sothing to co in."
Eventually, they found an unused red carpet at Jiang Guowei’s convenience store next door. With it, Ding Suqin laid out a path from the entrance to the counter, letting them step inside.
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