It wasn't long before the meat pies were served. To make them easier to eat, they were cut into three pieces and disposable gloves were provided.
"The porridge isn't sweetened; here's some sugar so you can adjust to your taste. The meat pies are hot, so be careful and enjoy your meal," the waiter said before turning to leave, but Xu Lin called him back.
"What's up, sir?" the waiter asked.
"How long have you been working here?" Xu Lin inquired.
"About six months," the waiter answered, looking a bit puzzled but still patient.
"How's the pay?"
"Uh... why are you asking? You're not trying to set me up with someone, are you?"
"No, no, I want to hire you as a waiter."
"Huh?"
The waiter was stunned, as were Ji Yun and the others. It seemed a bit too straightforward to them. However, the waiter smiled, looking quite pleased.
"It's not that... This is my dad's restaurant. I'm just helping out here."
"Oh, sorry about that."
Hearing that the waiter was actually the owner's son, Xu Lin decided not to push further.
"No worries. I've actually been wanting to get some experience elsewhere. What kind of business do you run? A restaurant?"
"To be honest, it's just a regular chain of spicy hot pot shops, and we're about to open a new one."
"I see. What's the pay like? Even though I'm the owner's son, my dad only pays me 2,500 yuan a month."
"I offer 3,000 yuan plus a 300 yuan meal allowance per month."
"Sounds good. I'll think about it."
"Great, let's exchange WeChat. You can come check out my place too; changing jobs is a big decision."
"Sure."
They exchanged contacts, and the waiter went back to his duties while Xu Lin started eating. The girls watched the young man from a distance, amazed at how Xu Lin had managed to handle that so easily without even knowing the guy's name.
"Sometimes, beating around the bush makes things seem suspicious. It's better to be straightforward," Xu Lin said.
He hadn't planned to be so direct, but since the waiter had openly displayed his orientation, Xu Lin realized the guy was brave and confident. Trying to be sneaky would have been a mistake.
"True, but he might just be being polite. He might not actually agree," Qin Yunhe commented, observing how the waiter was diligently working.
"No worries, I just wanted to give it a shot. If it doesn't work out, that's fine. Let's eat before the food gets cold."
"Yeah," they agreed.
Liu Qinnuan took a bite, and the crispy crust cracked, releasing the juicy meat inside. It was a bit hot, but the savory flavor was incredibly appealing. Her mouth was instantly filled with the rich taste, perfectly seasoned. Though she typically preferred lighter flavors, she found this unexpectedly delightful.
The crust was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the soft dough encasing the meat, balancing the saltiness and adding layers to the texture. Despite the strong seasoning, the meat itself was not crumbly and retained a good chew, with a distinct meaty aroma.
"Delicious!"
"Not bad. It's different from the ones I've had in Shuicheng, but still very good," Su Qingwan and Qin Yunhe nodded.
They had been to Shuicheng and tasted the local versions, noticing some differences but enjoying both.
"This is tasty. I think my grandmother used to make something similar," Bai Xiaoxiao said, taking a bite and seeming to recall something.
"But with a bowl of porridge, I don't think I can finish a whole one. The filling is quite substantial," Ji Yun commented after drinking a couple of sips of porridge and eating two pieces, feeling about 70-80% full.
"No problem, just pass it to me if you can't finish," Xu Lin offered.
A few minutes later, Xu Lin found himself eating the remaining two halves. Ji Yun and Su Qingwan had each left a piece, so he ended up eating two and a half pies in total.
"The skewers are here, 30 in total, with a mix of meat. Enjoy," the waiter said, placing the skewers on the table.
Xu Lin looked at the 30 skewers, thinking there would be leftovers since everyone seemed full. But then, he saw the girls eagerly grabbing the skewers, even Su Qingwan and Ji Yun, who hadn't finished their meat pies.
"Aren't you full?"
"Suddenly got hungry again," Ji Yun admitted, a bit embarrassed. She had been full but couldn't resist the skewers.
"Go ahead, I'm really full. I'll go chat with a friend."
"A friend?"
Xu Lin pointed, and Ji Yun saw a familiar back. "Ma Zhiyu?"
"Yes, and his girlfriend."
"He has a girlfriend?" As a teacher, Su Qingwan raised an eyebrow.
Qin Yunhe quickly pulled her aside and explained the recent case, making Su Qingwan's expression soften.
"But a student having a fiancée isn't right."
"It's a mutual relationship, and they've met each other's parents. Didn't you also date a student?" Qin Yunhe teased.
"Ahem!" Su Qingwan nudged her friend, glancing at Liu Qinnuan.
As Xu Lin approached, Ma Zhiyu, who had his back turned, didn't notice him, but Lu Man did and stood up with a smile.
"What's up?"
"Looking at a handsome guy."
"Handsome guy? Lu Man, are you teasing me?" Ma Zhiyu turned his head, my god, he is really a handsome guy.
"Xu Lin, we were just talking about you."
"Talking about me?" Xu Lin sat down next to Ma Zhiyu with a smile.
"Yeah, what brings you here? Out with Class Monitor Ji?"
"Not just Ji Yun, there are a few others too."
Ma Zhiyu looked over and saw five beautiful girls chatting and eating skewers.
"You lucky dog, always surrounded by pretty girls. Isn't that Teacher Su and Officer Qin?"
"Yes, I'm surprised to see you two here. It's quite out of the way."
"We were just talking yesterday, with nowhere to go, and planned to visit the night market in the neighboring city, but we have classes tomorrow..." Ma Zhiyu glanced at his girlfriend, indicating it wasn't his idea to skip class.
"We had the same thought, and ended up here. It's been years, and it feels different from when we were kids."
"Yeah, it used to be just a bare lake, but now it's beautifully renovated."
"By the way, we're planning to go to the hot springs. Want to join us?"
"We just came from there. The hot springs are great, with both outdoor and indoor options."
"There are public and private choices, but the prices vary a lot," Lu Man added, pulling out a coupon. "Here, this is a 20% off coupon. We probably won't use it again soon, so you can have it."
"Thank you, Ms. Lu Man."
"You're welcome. It gives an overall 20% discount, the more you spend, the more you save. Perfect for your group."
"How much does it cost?" Xu Lin asked.
"The public hot spring pass is 99 yuan per person for three hours. You can use any type of public hot spring, whether it's outdoor or indoor. Then there's the VIP pass for 299 yuan per person for six hours, which includes a private rest room."
"Uh... so, it's just an extra room for an additional 200 yuan? The public baths remain the same?" Xu Lin found the price difference a bit steep.
"There are group packages that are more cost-effective. We got the couple's package, which includes a private suite with an exclusive outdoor hot spring for 399 yuan. It also includes a meal of your choice and an 80% off coupon for the next visit. There are even better deals for larger groups," Lu Man explained.
Hearing this, Xu Lin thought it was quite a good deal, especially with the private hot spring.
"Wait, wait... Ms. Lu, you have a knack for selling things. I almost signed up for a long-term VIP pass."
"Haha, just make sure you enjoy it. If you don't stay overnight and leave within a few hours, you can get a partial refund. It's actually quite cheap."
"Got it, thanks a lot," Xu Lin replied.