This prompted Lu Jingming to praise, "This squab is delicious. It's not dry at all and is very flavorful."
Manager Cui, who was standing beside him, quickly introduced, "This is one of the most popular dishes in the restaurant since our trial operation began, and it is also one of the classic dishes that Director Xu guided us in improving."
Lu Jingming hummed in agreement, "Being able to hire Director Xu proves I really have a good eye for talent."
Manager Cui and the others immediately nodded in agreement, "Yes, our Director Xu is absolutely a one-in-a-million industry expert."
"Director Xu is our backbone!!!"
"..."
This flattery was getting a bit too much for Xu Yanxia to listen to, so she quickly spoke up, "President Lu's important business should be concluded by now, and it's getting late. Why don't you all go and prepare first? Later, we'll have a brief meeting to review how today's lunch service went."
"Understood."
Manager Cui then led the other managers away.
Lu Jingming made an inviting gesture and said to Xu Yanxia, "Come sit down and keep me company while I eat for a bit."
Xu Yanxia pulled out the chair opposite him and took a seat.
Then she heard him ask, "This squab is incredible. Is there any more?"
Xu Yanxia, "...That was the last one from the lunch service. If you had come a little later, you wouldn't have even gotten this one."
"Alright then."
He nodded, still wanting more, and added, "My mom and Jingxi both love this. Let's prepare a bit more another day so I can bring them over to try it."
"No problem."
Xu Yanxia readily agreed, "As soon as Madam and Jingxi return, I'll have the kitchen prepare it."
Saying this, she asked him, "By the way, are Madam and the Chairman coming back today?"
If they were coming back, she would head home early today.
"They probably won't be back until after the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Lu Jingming told her, "The time right before the Mid-Autumn Festival is always their busiest time of the year. They have to visit relatives and friends on both sides, and there are some business relationships to maintain. Plus, we are going back to my maternal grandfather's hometown for the festival this year."
Xu Yanxia nodded, and then heard him say, "When are you going home?"
She told him, "I discussed it with Aunt Zhang last night. I have the fourth off, the Mid-Autumn Festival is on the fifth, my brother and sister-in-law are getting engaged on the sixth, and I'll help my grandparents move on the seventh. Then I'll be right back to work."
"That's a very good schedule."
After Lu Jingming finished speaking, he told her, "Aunt Zhang, Uncle Zhao, and the others also have the day off today. My parents aren't here, Jingxi had to rush to Jingbei to record the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival galas, and Jingyao is still at training camp... It's just the two of us left at home."
Xu Yanxia, "..."
The way he phrased that made it sound like they were a family...
Seeing the servers on duty not far away casting glances in their direction, Xu Yanxia reminded him, "Are you done eating? Don't you still have to go to work? Do you want Uncle Li to come pick you up?"
To her surprise, he said, "The company also gave us the afternoon off today."
Even Wen Jiajun and the others who had accompanied him to Hangcheng went straight back to their hometowns today.
Xu Yanxia, "...The group is quite accommodating. Then how about you go home and rest first? If it's not convenient for Uncle Li to pick you up, I can drive you back."
To her surprise, he asked, "Then when are you going back?"
Xu Yanxia, "...If you don't need me to cook dinner tonight, I'd like to stay and observe the dinner service. After all, we officially open tomorrow."
"Then I'll stay with you."
He smiled and said, "It's a good opportunity to check on the restaurant's operations as well."
Xu Yanxia, "..."
Well, since he was the big boss, she didn't seem to have any reason to refuse the big boss's participation in a work meeting.
She simply nodded and said, "There's still some time before the meeting. Do you want to come rest in my office for a bit?"
"Sure."
He agreed readily, immediately standing up and pulling his suitcase toward the elevator.
"..."
Xu Yanxia had no choice but to follow him.
Behind them, several female servers couldn't help but exchange excited glances—
Ahhh, the big boss and Director Xu really are a perfect match!!!
Seeing the ship in person is definitely so much sweeter!!!
...
It was Lu Jingming's first time in her office.
Upon entering, he first looked around and said, "The environment is okay, but the decor is a bit sparse. Should we get you some more things?"
Xu Yanxia smiled and said, "It has everything I need. Besides, I only come here occasionally to rest. Most of the time, I still need to keep an eye on the kitchen and the dining area."
As she spoke, she remembered something and quickly walked over to the window, pointing into the distance as she told him, "We've also found a location for our teppanyaki restaurant, right over there."
"Is that so?"
Lu Jingming then walked over to look down as well, nodding as he said, "It's not far. This is quite nice. In the future, when you come over, you can conveniently check on both restaurants."
"Exactly!"
Xu Yanxia smiled, looking out at the city beyond the window, and said with a touch of emotion, "I never expected that one day, we would actually open a restaurant here!"
Lu Jingming paused and tentatively asked her, "Once both restaurants are up and running, do you have any plans for your next step?"
"I do!"
She turned to look at him, smiling as she said, "I want to buy my own house."
Huh?
That's easy enough.
Lu Jingming was about to speak, but Xu Yanxia added, "A house that I buy completely on my own, without relying on anyone."
"..."
He paused and had to change his tune, "That will be very easy to achieve."
"Not to mention anything else, as long as Nine Meals can maintain its current customer flow, a year from now, just the bonuses from our contract should be enough for you to pay half the cost. Not to mention you also have shares in the teppanyaki place."
"I know."
Xu Yanxia nodded and said, "It's precisely because there is hope that I am full of motivation."
As she spoke, she started planning again, "When the time comes, I'm going to decorate it exactly how I like it, stuff the fridge with all my favorite foods, and on my days off, I can lock the door and listen to music all day, space out all day, and no one can bother me."
"Um,"
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the man beside her looking at her intently as he said, "When the time comes, could you give me a key?"
Xu Yanxia, "???"
"If not, just give me the address. If you stay inside all day without coming out, I can come bring you some food or something."
Xu Yanxia, "..."
He then added, "Don't worry, it's your private property. I don't mean anything else by it..."
Xu Yanxia, "???"
Just as she was about to ask him what else he could possibly mean, the phone in Lu Jingming's pocket suddenly vibrated.
She watched as he took it out, glanced at it, and immediately answered the call, saying, "Grandpa?"
An elderly man's voice came through the receiver, "Jingming, where are you right now? I heard from your mother that you've returned to Rong City, is that right?"
Lu Jingming hummed in confirmation, "Yes, Grandpa, I just got back."
"That's good,"
The grandfather on the other end of the line immediately continued, "Last time I had those lion's head meatballs and the stir-fried eel that your girlfriend made, it really left me craving more. That young lady's cooking skills are truly excellent!!! Could you ask her when she might be free to make a few more dishes?"
Xu Yanxia, "..."
