I'm the Culinary God

"Our company says business is bad, so the year-end bonus is only one third."

"One third is still something; my company canceled it entirely. Worked hard all year, just waiting for the year-end bonus for the New Year..."

"Seeing those people flaunting their year-end bonuses on social media really makes me envious and resentful."

"Come on, let’s have a drink, as if we’re attending the boss’s funeral."

"I wasn’t planning on drinking, but since you mentioned the boss’s funeral... waiter, another bottle of ’Two Oxen’!"

Brother Qiang and his wife sat at a window seat, also discussing year-end bonuses.

Qi Panpan angrily said while grabbing a slice of pig’s head meat:

"Last month, a few R&D folks from the tech department earned the company millions, yet the damned boss says business is bad and canceled the year-end bonus. I’ve decided, if they dare cancel it, I’ll lead the team to report it to the labor bureau."

Panpan has always been somewhat like a proletarian fighter.

She always wants to give the boss a piece of her mind when she’s free. Now that the company announced the cancellation of the year-end bonus, her fiery temper was instantly ignited.

Brother Qiang said:

"Take it easy, let’s do this steadily. After all, you have a decent job here."

The former employer hired Qi Panpan, thinking she was very obedient, just to suppress Brother Qiang, but unexpectedly hired someone quite the troublemaker.

The company only hinted at canceling the year-end bonus, but Qi Panpan was ready to report it to the labor bureau. If the tech department’s bonuses aren’t distributed as per the rules, she’ll definitely report it.

Everyone is not worried about finding work; they can always look later. But if the company loses the tech department, it could collapse in no time.

Qi Panpan said:

"He needs to learn a lesson, or else he’ll think young people are easy to bully. If I lose my job, will you support me, Baldy Qiang?"

"Support you? Sure, I can even give you my salary card."

"Oh please, no one asked you to support me. I’ve already decided, if I’m not satisfied this time, I’ll take the whole tech department and start our own company, focusing on outsourcing projects."

Unlike Brother Qiang, who goes with the flow, Qi Panpan is quite ambitious.

Just as she was speaking, Chen Yan and Ren Jie came downstairs, and upon seeing them, specifically came to greet. They overheard Qi Panpan’s words and asked with a smile:

"Panpan is going to start a business?"

Qi Panpan smiled a bit shyly:

"It’s just all talk. I don’t have the funds or connections; starting a business isn’t easy."

"Well, I have resources; not only me, but my cousin, my brother-in-law, and even my uncle, along with President Yan, are all interested in investing in new projects. If you find it suitable, we can definitely talk more about it later."

Rich people never turn down opportunities to make money, especially in emerging industries. Even if the investment fails, they can still gain some experience.

Qi Panpan widened her eyes, hardly daring to believe as she asked:

"President Chen, would you really ... really be willing to invest?"

"That depends on if the project is profitable. If you’re proposing to build an elevator for Mount Everest or plaster the Great Wall with tiles, I’m definitely not investing."

Qi Panpan laughed:

"Absolutely not. With President Chen’s words, I can criticize our boss with more confidence."

Chen Yan didn’t disturb them much longer and said to Brother Qiang:

"Remember to come to the Fishing Association tomorrow for our first fishing enthusiasts meet-up. Once the Fishing Association is established, let’s see who dares to steal Grandpa Sun’s fishing spot in the future."

"Don’t worry, President Chen. I’ll definitely be there tomorrow. Just in time, I plan to share some insights on choosing fishing rods."

After Chen Yan left, Qi Panpan commented:

"I never thought a simpleton like you would have such good fortune, meeting good people like Lin and his group."

Brother Qiang looked at her and smiled:

"Meeting them isn’t that ’simpleton’s luck’, meeting you is. I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d end up with a girlfriend who’s also my boss..."

Qi Panpan’s face turned red, and then she widened her eyes slightly:

"Sweet-talker, sound like you’re an expert in the art of love, so how many have you dated before?"

Brother Qiang: "!!!!!!!!!!"

Online, they say a straight guy suddenly saying something romantic could warm a girlfriend’s heart, but when I say it, why does it feel like a political interrogation instead?

Where did it all go wrong?

Near eight o’clock in the evening, Lin Xu finished his work, told Wei Qian, changed clothes, and went downstairs. He took the sturgeon out of the aquarium, carrying it with him as he drove home.

As soon as he left the store, a system notification sounded in his mind again:

"Congratulations to the host for completing the time-limited task [Employee Training]. During this task, the host earned 523 points. These points can be exchanged for one S-level gift package or five A-level gift packages. They can also be used for a Perfect Level dish lottery at the cost of 50 points each time."

Oh wow, a lottery again.

Lin Xu started the car, planning to go home and study with Dundun.

For those not blessed with luck, it’s best to avoid lottery-type activities to prevent getting screwed by the system.

After all, this system has been mimicking the tricks of lousy domestic games, for instance, calling it a gift package without telling what’s inside.

If you’re not careful, the points earned this month could be wasted.

In such cases, one needs to be cautious.

Upon arriving home, Lin Xu carried the fish upstairs. Shen Jiayue was editing a video in the study upstairs, while Dundun was lying on the sofa, intently watching Tom and Jerry on a tablet.

Next to the little guy was the Gray Wolf doll that Chen Yan gave it today.

Well, for it, this isn’t a doll but a little playmate.

Since it’s a little playmate, naturally, they have to watch cartoons together.

Lin Xu put the fish in the kitchen tank, then came to Dundun’s side and softly asked:

"Son, should we choose one S-level gift pack or five A-level gift packs?"

As soon as Dundun heard this, it tapped on the tablet, pausing the animation. There was an "S" letter on the screen right then.

Is this... the power of Dundun?

Lin Xu was somewhat surprised and silently thought to himself:

"Choose the S-level gift pack!"

Immediately, the system’s notification sounded in his mind:

"S-level gift pack is being prepared, please wait..."

On the sofa, Dundun patted Gray Wolf’s head and used its paw to tap on the screen, continuing the cartoon.

It thought being with mom and dad meant being a carefree little darling, but unexpectedly became the head of the family, worrying about everything at home.

Is this the destiny of cats?

The little guy wagged its tail, eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Really want to be a carefree and cheerful silly cat, but unfortunately, its capabilities don’t allow it to be low-key...

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Finally managed to finish the first Chapter, and later I still have to administer an infusion to my Xiong Bao. Feels like I’m becoming a vet... This Chapter is 5,200 words, asking for monthly ticket votes, brothers!