The unannounced visit of her brother and her cousins somewhat calmed Shen Lingqing down. With their presence, she was able to enjoy a meal with someone close to her. The dishes served today were assigned specifically to the three chefs, so she didn’t need to make a guess who made the food they were having for lunch.
The dishes came as the guests were treated like regular customers by the staff. They only needed to be extra aware of what they were doing, making sure they double-checked—triple-checked—everything before they brought the dishes out from the kitchen.
Qiao Lian remained standing next to her boss and watched everything. She was glad that she was able to relieve Shen Lingqing’s worries by inviting her young master here.
Meanwhile, while it was obvious that everyone was nervous, they were doing a pretty good job in doing their assigned tasks. There were no problems along the way, as they served the dishes the three chefs prepared in the kitchen.
Once the lunch service was done, Shen Lingtian rubbed his stomach, so full from eating everything to his heart’s content. Give it to his perfectionist sister who would make sure her restaurant was managing to only serve top-quality dishes.
Ah, he was truly fortunate to have a talented pair of mother and sister! To think that he was able to eat and try world-class dishes without spending a penny, dishes that people would die to try. Shen Lingtian considered himself lucky.
“Sis, if you are worried about your opening day tomorrow, don’t. I think your team will make it just fine tomorrow, so calm down,” he told his elder sister.
“Who told you I’m worried? You are overthinking again, Lingtian,” Shen Lingqing said, as she drank lime soda to wash away the remaining scent and flavor left on her palate.
“Would it hurt you to admit being nervous at all?” Shen Lingtian scowled.
“Now, now, Lingtian. You should know your sister better than us. Qing Jie would make sure everything is ready before the big day,” Shen Liyue said.
“You are the one who dragged us here. Don’t ruin Qing Jie’s mood,” Ye Jiewen added.
“Okay, I admit I am the worrywart here. Happy?” Shen Lingtian huffed and rested his head on his sister’s arm.
Shen Lingqing didn’t push him away, but instead, she ruffled his head like she used to do when they were younger.
It was this scene Liu Jinfei saw the moment he left the kitchen to peek at the dining area. He saw the slight smile on Shen Lingqing’s lips, her gaze softening as she patted her brother’s head.
Liu Jinfei didn’t know the feeling of having a sibling since he was the only child of his parents, but seeing Shen Lingqing and Shen Lingtian getting along so well made him feel a little envious that they had such a great relationship.
If only he could have that special connection with someone… but alas, he had long accepted that he could only rely on himself and not bother other people. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Oh, it’s Chef Liu.” Qiao Lian’s voice brought him to reality. He was forced to saunter towards their special guests and greet them.
“Hmm? Liu Jinfei? Aren’t you the one that Mom sponsored to study at Silver Leaf years ago?” Shen Lingtian said as he looked at Liu Jinfei with interest.
“En, Young Master Shen. I am that person,” Liu Jinfei responded respectfully. He couldn’t be rude to Shen Lingtian… or to any member of the Shen family. Well, scratch that. He couldn’t be rude to anyone, regardless of whether they were related to Shen Lingqing or not.
“Lian, can you please call Chef Lin and Chef Yang? I want a word with them,” Shen Lingqing told her assistant.
It didn’t take long before the three chefs of Savory Alley stood in line in front of Shen Lingqing and her VIP guests. On the spot, she gave them her assessment on point and gave them a few pointers to keep in mind while working in the kitchen.
As expected, she didn’t dare to mention Liu Jinfei’s inability to taste accurately. That was something she couldn’t discuss carelessly in front of everyone, anyway.
“Oh, wow. This is the first time I have witnessed Qing Jie like this. If I am to work with someone someday, I wish I could have a superior like Qing Jie,” Shen Liyuan said to his twin.
“Hmm, and people say she’s as cold-hearted as Uncle Yi? That’s ridiculous, right? She’s as kind as Auntie Xinxin, to be honest.” Shen Liyue chuckled in amusement as he finished the remaining desserts on his plate.
“Gege, when you succeed Dad at the company, you better make sure to be good to your employees like Qing Jie, okay? You have to lead by her example,” Ye Jiewen told her brother.
“Okay, okay, Jiewen. I hear you. No need to constantly remind me like Mom does,” the older Ye sibling said in response, but he knew that his younger sister only meant well.
If only he could be as efficient and capable as Shen Lingqing though, perhaps he would be able to put their parents at ease once he succeeded his father at the company.
“That’s all. We can stop here,” Shen Lingqing announced, “Please be early tomorrow. I wouldn’t tolerate tardiness on the first day of our operations tomorrow.”
“Yes, Director Shen.” All the staff of Savory Alley accepted her order, and they left to give her and her guests some privacy while resuming their tasks for the day.
“Mom wanted to come with us today, but she had to help Uncle Lingyu at Oriental Bliss. Don’t be upset if she isn’t with us, Sis,” Shen Lingtian said.
“It’s alright. I already know that Mom has been busy these days. If anything, Dad’s and her absence made me sigh in relief. I wouldn’t want my staff to be under great pressure if they suddenly showed up unannounced like you did today.”
