Chapter Forty-Eight: New Intel, Employee Scout

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“Sister Meng, Brother Baozi is moving in next door to you!”

As soon as Tony entered the tobacco and wine shop, he started chatting with the shop owner.

Liu Jinyan quickly asked, “Huh? Did you hand over the shop to him?”

“No way!” Tony waved his hand, “It’s the other next door, the breakfast shop.”

“Isn’t that Old Aunt’s own place? She’s quitting?”

Tony felt a bit awkward. “Forgot to ask. I’ll find out later.”

“Alright, alright, let’s eat some buns first.”

Liu Jinyan stopped him, then sighed, “Xiao Chen really has guts. Last time he asked me about renting the shop from Old Meng, and I didn’t expect he’d actually rent it.”

Tony agreed, “That’s good. Now we can have buns more conveniently and become neighbors.”

He then lowered his voice and muttered, “But there’s something I didn’t tell him face to face—the rumor is that the feng shui of Old Aunt’s shop isn’t good.”

“You’re talking nonsense,” Liu Jinyan frowned, then said, “Old Aunt’s place is so close to the neighborhood entrance, with parking spots right in front of the shop. The morning foot traffic is plenty; business can’t be bad.”

“I think so too. Old Aunt just couldn’t manage it well herself.”

Tony only spread rumors without believing them.

...

That evening, at Chen Zhou’s home.

Today, Lin Yifan had prepared a little late-night snack for Chen Zhou.

“Congratulations, Boss Chen, on renting a suitable shop!”

Life needs a touch of ceremony, but spending money and transferring funds isn’t ceremony.

Ms. Lin always had a good grasp of this.

Chen Zhou looked at his wife, recalling the ups and downs they’d weathered together over the years.

He sincerely said, “Thank you, madam, for your support.”

Ms. Lin smiled faintly.

Chen Zhou knew Chen Taotao would want to join in the fun, so he looked at his little girl, “And thanks to my daughter for her support.”

“You’re welcome, Daddy.”

Chen Taotao was polite, then pondered the proper title for herself.

“Then I am the boss’s daughter.”

“All right, boss’s daughter,” Chen Zhou lifted his daughter, “Please take your seat.”

The family of three sat down to eat.

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Ms. Lin had bought barbecue and even prepared two bottles of cold beer for Chen Zhou.

Having such a late-night snack on a summer evening was truly comfortable.

What’s the old saying again?

Big gold chains, little gold watches, three meals a day of barbecue.

The two adults talked about rent, future staff recruitment, and handling various procedures.

Chen Taotao imitated eating skewers by herself.

...

The next day.

People, cat, living room—Chen Taotao, dazed along with Chen Zhou, saw Ms. Lin looking puzzled.

Intelligence update—

[Ingredient News (Rare)]: At dawn, before the sky was fully bright, a faint fragrance already drifted from deep within the alley. It was subtle, like mist seeping into the warm morning breeze—a blend of star anise, cinnamon, and the scent of old tea... You have obtained the recipe for tea eggs.

Simple and unpretentious tea eggs.

Currently, Chen Zhou’s recipe list includes two kinds of stuffed buns, congee, pickled cucumbers, and sour plum soup. Soon, the shop will gain a new category.

If you don’t use targeted services, intelligence will randomly update content around you.

But Chen Zhou felt this tea egg recipe came from that morning’s knock on Chen Taotao.

After all, the little girl had great luck—she even won two thousand yuan in a mall lottery.

He couldn’t help but look at his daughter’s smooth forehead.

“Maybe next time we try a full Manchu-Han banquet.”

The second piece of intelligence remained—

[Diner Trends]: Ninety-five percent of customers who visited the bun stall in the past four days will continue patronizing your business after you open.

Chen Zhou only casually asked a few customers about their intentions; people really showed support.

But he hadn’t expected such high trust in the buns.

That made the remaining five percent stand out.

Chen Zhou wanted to jot them down in a little notebook.

However, he suddenly recalled those workers doing renovations in the neighborhood—they might work elsewhere next time.

Perhaps fate had run its course.

He hoped they would still have good meals in the future.

The third piece of intelligence—

[Market News]: National subsidies continue. Recommended to purchase tableware and disinfecting supplies online from the XX brand, quality assured, and better deals on sets.

To-do list +1.

This was also practical intelligence for future shop operations.

During the meal, besides safety and hygiene, tableware was indeed important.

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Common disposable wooden chopsticks need to be broken in the middle.

But such chopsticks have rough edges at the ends that can hurt your hands and have tiny splinters.

Finding this out when biting into food is even more frustrating.

Therefore, poor-quality tableware is a major detriment to the dining experience.

Chen Zhou didn’t want to hide it—Old Aunt’s shop used exactly such chopsticks.

Finally, his current targeted intelligence—

[Employee Scout (Targeted Rare)]: Potential employee found! Zhao Yilin is truly proficient in Word, Excel, Photoshop, and other office software, with two years of rich experience in human resources, administration, and finance. She is hardworking and highly resilient to pressure. This person will come to your home for dinner on Saturday.

Is that right?

“I wanted to find a waiter, but ended up with an administrative officer? Someone might think I’m opening a large catering company.”

However, the little junior sister’s skills were indeed recognized by the intelligence.

Most resumes claim proficiency in office software, but actual performance after hiring is often disappointing.

The intelligence’s evaluation of Zhao Yilin was that she really could handle it.

That was rare.

Yet, in some ways, it seemed like Chen Zhou had set her up.

Having a meal together might cost him more than expected.

The day after tomorrow, Ms. Lin would pick her up to their home and could ask if she was interested.

From previous chats, Chen Zhou remembered the junior sister wanted to set up a stall with him.

Anyway, a waiter doesn’t need very professional skills.

But when the junior sister handled her resignation, she was very professional.

For this new shop, Chen Zhou planned to have himself and future employees covered by social insurance.

If Zhao Yilin joined the small shop, her experience in this area would be a big help.

Actually, business licenses and operating permits could also be entrusted to her.

As for hardworking and pressure-resistant qualities...

Those were good traits, but Chen Zhou hoped the shop’s work environment would be happy and not overly stressful.

Plus, working hours shouldn’t be too long, with rest and holidays.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

That’s elementary school knowledge.

Chen Zhou thought, since he already had a system, why learn to be a ruthless boss who exploits employees to make money?

Of course, future matters would be explored step by step.