Personally cooking a meal to express gratitude

Zhou Xiaobai had a detailed plan for her future career. Originally, she intended to spend a few months working at the small restaurant to gain hands-on experience and better understand its daily operations before considering a job change. However, after meeting this young and wealthy owner, her plans shifted. Jumping to a successful restaurant chain could never compare to the sense of accomplishment that would come from building one from the ground up. Her young boss seemed anything but ordinary—he clearly had solid financial resources and was unlikely to micromanage the restaurant. She sensed this was a rare opportunity worth trying.

After listening to Zhou Xiaobai’s report on recent work, Xiao Yao was highly satisfied with her performance. Zhou Xiaobai managed the restaurant with remarkable ease, but what truly set her apart was her flair for marketing and promotion. The recent boom in business at Savory Pavilion owed much to Sang Qingye and Qin Dahai, yet without Zhou Xiaobai’s strategic planning, the restaurant could never have achieved such success.

Xiao Yao was glad to have trusted his judgment about Zhou Xiaobai—she was indeed a management talent with enormous potential.

“From now on, you’ll have full authority over the restaurant’s management and promotional strategies. If you need financial support, just let me know. I’m not much of an expert in management or marketing, but I am a good chef. I can coach Qin Dahai to develop a range of distinctive new dishes. Once the new dishes are ready, all the publicity and planning will be in your hands,” Xiao Yao stated plainly.

Zhou Xiaobai didn’t think much of Xiao Yao’s supposed culinary skills, so she wasn’t especially concerned about his involvement in menu development.

“Since you trust me, I’ll make sure to deliver results,” she replied. Her boss seemed to come and go like a phantom, seldom seen around the restaurant. Since their conversation was going well, Zhou Xiaobai seized the chance to put forward her own suggestion. “Our business at Savory Pavilion is booming, but the limited floor space is really holding us back. If you’re not short of funds, could we consider moving to a larger location?”

“That’s worth considering, but you’ll need to present me with a comprehensive plan. Once you have a mature proposal and can convince me, I’ll grant you full authority to handle it,” Xiao Yao agreed readily.

He didn’t know Zhou Xiaobai well, but he trusted his own judgment. If he were just an ordinary person, he’d never dare hand over such responsibility to a recent graduate. But he was no ordinary man. Ever since inheriting all of Pan Wu’s skills, he could practically see right through Zhou Xiaobai, even glimpsing her future.

He was genuinely curious to see how this fresh graduate would transform a humble eatery into a major restaurant enterprise. Xiao Yao himself had the ability, but he would have to rely on Pan Wu’s inherited knowledge—methods that were anything but conventional. If restricted to normal means, even he would have to work hard to achieve such a feat. Since he knew Zhou Xiaobai had the potential, why not let her try?

“Wait and see—I’ll have a proposal ready as soon as possible!” Zhou Xiaobai was surprised at how much her wealthy boss trusted her. She felt, for the first time, a surge of responsibility for someone who truly recognized her worth. “What’s the budget ceiling? You’ll need to tell me that in advance.”

“There’s no upper limit. As long as you can convince me, I’ll provide whatever funding is necessary.”

Zhou Xiaobai instinctively swallowed; she had to admit it now—her boss was the real deal. She felt truly lucky to have stumbled upon such a wealthy employer. Perhaps her dream of a dazzling career would really begin from this little restaurant.

She said earnestly, “Suddenly I’m feeling the pressure. Please give me a little more time to prepare—I promise to do a good job.”

“I’m in no hurry. Even though I’m providing the funds, this is your venture. My role is just to support you financially,” Xiao Yao added. “Oh, and I almost forgot—besides the money, I can also help Qin Dahai launch more new dishes. That’s important too, and you’ll see results soon enough.”

Although Xiao Yao emphasized his point again, Zhou Xiaobai just smiled. She didn’t believe her wealthy boss could contribute much on the culinary front.

After Zhou Xiaobai left, Xiao Yao took out the menu and studied it closely.

No wonder business had been booming lately—the menu itself was enticing. Richly illustrated and featuring mostly unusual dishes, all beautifully presented. With the right promotion, it was only natural that young people would flock to the place.

While Xiao Yao was absorbed in the menu, Sang Qingye walked in. Every few days, she came to Savory Pavilion to livestream, but she’d never once run into Xiao Yao in person. The moment she entered, her eyes lit up at the sight of the young master poring over the menu, and a radiant smile blossomed on her face. From across the room, she called out, “Young Master Xiao, what brings you to the restaurant today with so much free time?”

“I just got back yesterday. I’ve been gone half a month and was worried about the business, so I came by for a look,” Xiao Yao replied, delighted to see her. “I heard from Manager Zhou that you’ve been livestreaming here a lot lately. As the owner, I really must thank you.”

“Oh, it’s just a small favor, not worth mentioning. Besides, it’s mutually beneficial—I’ve lost nothing,” Sang Qingye said with a smile.

Xiao Yao wasn’t convinced. “This humble little restaurant of mine—what’s there to livestream? Your viewers must have had a few complaints, haven’t they?”

Sang Qingye took a seat across from him. “You seriously underestimate your own appeal as a local tycoon. Ever since I posted photos of the courtyard, your popularity has skyrocketed in my livestream room. People know Savory Pavilion is your restaurant—they’re all curious and keep clamoring for more streams here.”

She gestured to the menu in his hand. “And with so many enticing new dishes these days—each one looks and tastes fantastic—a lot of my audience have come to try them for themselves. Now, every time I visit to sample a new dish on stream, the chat goes wild.”

Xiao Yao said, “Since you’re here to dine at Savory Pavilion, I’ll cook two dishes for you myself at lunch as a token of my gratitude. How does that sound?”

“You’ll cook personally? Having the young master prepare a meal for me—what an honor! I’m truly looking forward to it,” Sang Qingye replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.