"Since everyone thinks that using the second floor to create a few private dining rooms is more suitable for the canteen, let's happily decide on that."

Seeing that no one raised any objections, Jiang Yu naturally had nothing more to add.

Actually, he was also inclined towards this decision in his heart. After all, as a chef, not many people would be uninterested in high-end cuisine.

And to make high-end dishes, doing it in the canteen seemed somewhat inappropriate. However, if a small kitchen was separately set up on the second floor for private dining dishes, that would seem much more reasonable.

Even if it's not for sale, tasting the flavors for oneself is quite an enjoyable thing.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yu couldn't help but smile,

"There's just one thing I need to say in advance. If the private dining rooms open on the second floor, I might be too busy to handle everything, so the first-floor canteen will need everyone to work a bit harder."

"That's no problem; wasn't that always how we got by before?"

Lu Shuwu waved it off nonchalantly, then added with a grin,

"Leave the canteen to us. Just one thing—if the boss makes some incredible delicacies, don't forget about us. At least save a little for us to taste!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

Ma Guoqiang, who had grown quite particular about his meals over the past six months, nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, hurriedly saying,

"Working isn't an issue at all. Although Chun Xiao and I aren't great at cooking, when it comes to buns and noodles, we have no objections. Our requests aren't high, just occasionally give us something delicious to fill our stomachs, and it's perfect!"

"You all are so lacking in ambition."

Jia Dequan couldn't stand the sight of these people's lack of backbone. He curled his lips and said,

"Selling your soul just for a bite to eat, sigh, how pathetic and lamentable!"

As he spoke, he suddenly turned his head to give Jiang Yu a glance, reminding him,

"By the way, if someone orders Buddha Jumps Over the Wall or something, remember to save me a small bowl.

I'm not greedy, it's just that at my age, I need to eat some sea cucumbers to supplement myself. Otherwise, my body feels too weak..."

...

After the decision to renovate the second floor of the canteen was confirmed, Jiang Yu didn't delay any further and called the head of logistics, Niu Wenlin, about it that day.

Since it was still some time before the school closed for winter break, the renovation crew couldn't start immediately.

Moreover, the task of renovation is not just about picking up a hammer and starting—it requires someone to plan the renovation style and scheme, deciding what to keep and what to demolish, everything needs careful planning.

While Jiang Yu was busy and enthusiastic, Hu Zhihai, who had been missing for two days, reappeared.

"Hey, the questions for this graduate exam were way too hard, the hardest in the past decade, with many questions way beyond the syllabus!"

Not seen for two days, Hu Zhihai looked quite haggard, even having dark circles under his eyes. He sat slouched in his chair, saying weakly,

"I might not have any fate with our school's graduate program this year.

Oh, poor me, after studying hard for half a year, if I knew this would happen, I might as well have stayed here and enjoyed some good food. How much weight I could have gained in all this time!"

"Hmm, that does seem like a loss."

Jiang Yu glanced at him, seriously looked him over, nodded, and said,

"With the new year approaching, pork has gone up to eighteen yuan per jin, you've missed out on putting on so much weight, how much did you lose?"

"Xiaohu, I think you don't need to worry at all—the difficulty of the exam increased, but not just for you; other candidates find it just as hard!"

Being kind-hearted, Ma Guoqiang couldn't bear to see Hu Zhihai looking so dejected and tried to console him,

"The scores aren't out yet; there's no use sighing. You might have done better than others and could get in this year!"

"That's right, chubby, have some confidence in yourself!"

Lu Shuwu also patted his shoulder and comforted him with a playful smile,

"Even if you don't get in, it's nothing to worry about. Just the other day I was telling others, if you don't make it to graduate school, you can just go back and inherit a billion-dollar fortune!"

Hu Zhihai: "…"

You should go back to inherit a billion-dollar fortune, your whole family should go back to inherit a billion-dollar fortune!

Even though the graduate exam seemed to have gone poorly, Hu Zhihai was only down for less than half an hour, and then he cheered up.

Because he just received news that someone donated two million yuan, specifically for renovating the second floor of the canteen, intending to turn it into high-end private dining rooms for external guests!

This news made Hu Zhihai extremely happy!

If he had passed the graduate exam, he might not have been as happy as hearing this news!

"Lao Jiang, I'm familiar with renovation work. During the school's winter break, aren't you going home for New Year's? So leave the overseeing of the renovation to me!"

Hu Zhihai, switching from his previous despondency, was full of energy and excitement as he rubbed his hands together and said,

"Don't worry, I promise to handle this matter efficiently, so when you come back at the start of the new school year, the second floor will be ready for use right away!"

"There's no rush for this now; we'll wait for the canteen to close for the holiday before the crew goes in."

Jiang Yu seemed quite calm. He waved his hand and said to him,

"If you're really free right now, you might as well go and check how the planning and design of the second floor is going.

The second floor is quite large. It can't be all private rooms. I also plan to leave some space to make a few single dorms. Brother Xiao Wu and I are busy till late every day, so we must leave a place to rest."

"This isn't difficult at all. Don't worry, I'll get it all sorted out for you."

Hu Zhihai nodded, turned around, and walked out, "Alright, then I'll go check it out first. We'll talk about other things when I get back!"

"This kid, apart from not being able to focus on studying, is really good at getting things done."

Watching Hu Zhihai's hurried back as he left, Jia Dequan couldn't help but chuckle,

"If one day he goes home to take over his dad's company, with the way he works now, he might actually accomplish something."

"Isn't there an old saying? 'The dragon begets dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and mice's sons know how to burrow.'

Ma Guoqiang glanced at Jia Dequan and said jokingly,

"Some people's skills are innate. Just like a gecko, born knowing how to shed its tail for survival. If you ask any other animal to try, it would probably hurt them to death!"

After chatting for a while, Jiang Yu turned to look at the clock on the kitchen wall. Seeing that it was still early for dinner, he said to Ma Guoqiang:

"Uncle Ma, the school's about to go on winter break, and that kid from Qiantang with anorexia will go home for the New Year, but he can't eat anyone else's food, only mine.

The break is over a month long. Shouldn't we make some preservable food for him to take back and eat slowly?

Otherwise, he'd have to go hungry for the whole month and more."

"To last over a month? That's indeed a bit tricky."

Hearing this, Ma Guoqiang couldn't help but scratch his head. After thinking for a moment, he said,

"Why not make some cookies or something? Cookies don't have much moisture, so they last longer.

Foods like pancakes or fried egg cakes, which have a higher moisture content, can't be preserved for a whole month!"

"Xiaojiang, you really don't have to make it so complicated."

At this moment, Jia Dequan, who was sitting on the side, waved his hand and said to Jiang Yu,

"Just buy some pork belly, make some sausages, and some cured meat. If you're not afraid of the trouble, also make some cured duck and fish for the mother and daughter to take back.

When they want to eat, it's simple. If they feel like having sausage, they can cut a bit and steam it on top of rice.

If it's too greasy, they can put some green vegetable leaves under it. It's much more nutritious than just eating cookies.

Moreover, as long as the sausages and cured meats are stored properly, they'll last for several months."

"Hey! Lao Jia's method is good!"

Hearing this, Ma Guoqiang's eyes lit up immediately. He slapped his thigh and said happily,

"Cured meats, sausages, cured fish, they hardly need much preparation. Just steaming is enough to make a meal, and the longer they're stored, the better they taste. This is great!"

As he spoke, he seemed to think of something and couldn't help but add,

"Boss, remember to make a bit extra. I'll take some back too, for my wife and the others to try!"

He Chunxiao quickly added, "Boss, we want some too!"

Jiang Yu turned around and saw, oh boy, the entire kitchen staff was looking at him eagerly!

Those eyes seemed to glow green, as if they would pounce on him if he didn't agree.

Scary!

"Alright, alright, stop staring at me!"

Jiang Yu quickly waved his hand, agreeing in a resigned manner,

"I'll make more by then, and everyone can have some before going home for the holiday."

Saying this, he turned to Ma Guoqiang and the others and said,

"The sausages and cured meats are one thing, but let's also make some cookies, as it's for a kid. We can't have him eating cured meats every day."

Ma Guoqiang agreed with a smile and said,

"Alright, Boss, we'll do whatever you say. But most of the work still needs you to do it personally, or else, even if it's made, the kid won't eat it."

Who asked him to only eat your food?

No choice, we can only lend a hand. The main work still has to be done by you!

Jiang Yu felt quite helpless. Sometimes knowing too much is also a hassle.

He sighed and said,

"Alright then, let's get moving. There's not much time left before the break, let's finish early and go home for the New Year!"

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