"Alright, let’s begin now!"

Mu Shuangshuang finished speaking and moved to the cutting board where the vegetables were.

She took half of the remaining chicken by Wei Dacong, cut it into pieces, scooped a spoonful of salt, then added soy sauce, five-spice powder, cooking wine, sugar, and rapeseed oil.

Among these ingredients, only rapeseed oil and cooking wine were not used by Wei Dacong previously; the rest were what he had used before.

While the chicken was marinating, Mu Shuangshuang began preparing ingredients like garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chilies.

The dried chilies were bought from nearby villagers; they were especially spicy.

When Mu Shuangshuang cut open the dried chilies with scissors, she was very cautious, fearing that her hand might get spicy while preparing the dish.

After two cups of tea, Mu Shuangshuang instructed Gouwazi to boil water.

Although Gouwazi seemed silly, he understood instructions clearly when asked to work.

Soon, a large pot of water was boiling, and Mu Shuangshuang put the marinated chicken into it, adding a bit of white wine.

When the pot boiled again, Mu Shuangshuang scooped out the chicken.

She scooped out all the water from the pot, and when the pot heated up, Mu Shuangshuang leaned close to the pot’s edge and poured a bit of oil into the large iron pot.

When the oil temperature reached eighty percent hot, she poured the chicken into the oil pot for frying.

The chicken itself was fragrant, and after frying, the aroma became even more intense.

As the chicken in the pot turned slightly yellow, Mu Shuangshuang used a spatula to take the chicken out and then poured more oil into the pot for another round of frying.

Wei Dacong kept watching from the side, and Mu Shuangshuang was not showing her skills for the first time, so Wei Dacong did not express excessive surprise.

On the contrary, Gouyazi stared intently at the chicken as Mu Shuangshuang began adding various seasonings.

The air was densely filled with the aroma of chicken and seasonings.

As Mu Shuangshuang served the dish, several eyes focused simultaneously.

Mu Shuangshuang smiled, "Why are you just watching? Hurry and taste it!"

As she spoke, Mu Shuangshuang picked up chopsticks and handed them to the few people in the kitchen.

Everyone had been unable to resist the fragrance long before, and as soon as Mu Shuangshuang spoke, who still cared about being reserved?

Wei Dacong took a piece of chicken and chewed it in his mouth.

"This... this taste is indeed quite different..."

After speaking, Wei Dacong picked up a few more pieces, finding them increasingly delicious as he ate.

He even said, "Owner, if you become our chef, the business at Chengfeng Restaurant might reach new heights!"

"Haha, Uncle Wei, with your words, it’s okay for me to do it occasionally, but if cooking becomes my job, I probably can’t handle it!"

Mu Shuangshuang was not someone who particularly enjoyed cooking.

In her past life, surrounded by male colleagues who knew she could cook, each dragged her to cook.

With so many people eating, she felt embarrassed to cook the same dishes every day, so she researched various recipes during her free time after work.

In this life, she initially wanted to make money through cooking to provide a better life for her family.

To be honest, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t want to spend all her time dealing with the kitchen!

"It’s a pity, a pity!" Wei Dacong shook his head continuously.

"Actually, it’s not a pity! Uncle Wei, I’ve been free recently and made a few new menus. I think you can follow them, and maybe they’ll attract a batch of new customers!" Mu Shuangshuang replied.

This time, the menu includes lobsters and crabs, as well as eels and mudfish.

Mu Shuangshuang plans to buy lobsters, mudfish, eels, and snails from the village at several coins per pound.

Once collected, these items will be transported as ingredients to the restaurant.

She estimates that many in the village will gain extra income from this.

Of course, she would also save considerable effort!

Mu Shuangshuang’s words excited Wei Dacong, but amidst the excitement, there was some concern.

"Owner, weren’t those specialty dishes entrusted to Huang Er before? If given to me, I’m afraid..."

Wei Dacong was a chef Yu Dahai recruited, having never worked in a major restaurant before.

Compared to other chefs, his experience was relatively limited.

Fortunately, he had keen insights, repeating a dish several times, achieving a sweet and delightful flavor!

"Uncle Wei, there’s no need to worry; I believe you can do it excellently!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

Wei Dacong quickly shook his head, "That’s not what I meant; it’s... it’s about Mu Tou, I feel I have some responsibility!

He is now cooking at the opposite restaurant, and some dishes are stolen from here to learn!"

The issue with Mu Tou is a considerable blow to the entire Chengfeng Restaurant’s runners and staff.

Especially for Wei Dacong, as the head chef, Mu Tou was his assistant, and Mu Tou was also a senior.

Adding all these aspects together only deepens the wound.

"Uncle Wei, people can be good or bad, good people or bad people! The matter with Mu Tou doesn’t need to be dwelled upon.

It’s his choice, what he chose doesn’t mean we’re obligated to suffer or be responsible for his actions!

It’s not worth it, and there’s no need; the most crucial thing in life is to be happy and have no regrets toward one’s conscience!

Money is easy to earn, but if one loses their peace of mind, that’s a lifelong loss!"

Mu Shuangshuang’s words were for everyone present, and also a message to herself.

In one’s lifetime, who doesn’t encounter a few betrayals?

If you only meet people who treat you well, who regard you as a treasure, life might have no true meaning!

With bitterness, joy, sourness, and sweetness, that’s what life should be, isn’t it?

"Owner, thank you for trusting me, I, Wei Dacong, swear, as long as Chengfeng Restaurant exists, as long as you need me, I’ll be with Chengfeng Restaurant forever!" Wei Dacong declared.

In the kitchen, the others echoed: "Us too!"

Gouyazi grinned, although he didn’t speak, he likely shared the same sentiment as everyone else.

"And us brothers!" Huang Da and Huang Er appeared in the kitchen without anyone noticing.

Mu Shuangshuang was somewhat emotional; she always believed in the restaurant she opened with her own hands.

And she trusted each person that Yu Dahai helped her select!

"Since everyone is here, let’s set a rule today: anyone working at Chengfeng Restaurant for more than five years, without slacking, and with a clear conscience.

After five years, they’ll receive dividend rights based on their contributions at Chengfeng Restaurant.

Dividend rights mean that after five years, you can share in Chengfeng Restaurant’s earnings! As long as you’re willing to work hard!"

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t use the term "shares" to explain dividends, since it’s a term from several thousand years later, and not apt to reveal it too much.

The crowd first remained puzzled, but upon hearing Mu Shuangshuang’s explanation, each was extremely pleased.

Regardless of whether this succeeds or not, at least they now have another hope!

"Owner, from here on, we’ll work together to earn money!"