Chapter 26

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lu Feng

Wang Zhiqiang's puzzled gaze swept across the office area, trying to find the source of the fragrance.

When his gaze swept over Ma Wenliang, Ma Wenliang lowered his head guiltily.

He silently prayed that Manager Wang hadn't discovered that he had returned late.

"Wenliang, come here!"

Just as feared, when he heard Manager Wang call his name, Ma Wenliang's heart went "thump."

After leaving his workstation and taking two steps, he thought better of it, turned back, and tucked the steamed buns hidden under his desk into his arms to hide them.

Once he went in, he estimated he wouldn't come out for ten or twenty minutes.

The wolf-like gazes of those colleagues just now were still fresh in his mind; once he left, when he returned, not a single steamed bun would be left.

It was safer to carry them with him.

Arriving at the door of Manager Wang's office and knocking, Ma Wenliang pushed the door open and entered.

Wang Zhiqiang had an expressionless face, pointed to the chair opposite the desk, and gestured for Ma Wenliang to sit down.

"Don't be nervous, there's nothing else I want you for; it's still about the project we're working on."

Wang Zhiqiang's expression softened a bit, and he began giving encouragement as a leader to an employee.

"You also know, we've been working overtime on this project for a month already. I know you've all been working hard, but once we get through this period and the project goes live, everyone's efforts will receive their due reward..."

Ma Wenliang had heard this kind of empty talk who knows how many times, but right now he wasn't as nervous, nodding from time to time along with Wang Zhiqiang's rhythm.

"The effort each of you has put into this project, I've seen it all. Once the project is completed, as your leader, the benefits I can fight for you... what smell is this?"

Wang Zhiqiang was speaking fluently, but he kept feeling that the fragrance he had smelled in the office area just now was getting stronger. He couldn't help but ask.

"Sorry, Manager Wang, I bought steamed buns last night and haven't eaten them yet. I'll go eat them in the corridor outside in a bit; it won't delay work." Ma Wenliang apologized repeatedly and quickly pulled the steamed buns out from his arms.

Wang Zhiqiang nodded, originally planning to continue speaking, but he couldn't remember what to say next.

Because his attention at this moment had been attracted by the steamed buns before his eyes.

"Gurgle..."

Wang Zhiqiang's stomach, at an inopportune moment, growled once, and the air in the small office instantly fell silent.

The scene was a bit awkward.

Although Wang Zhiqiang's wife complained that he came home late at night, when his wife was at home, he could still eat the meals she specially saved for him, so he had always been used to eating dinner after getting off work at home.

These past few days his wife had gone back to her maiden home, and when he returned at night he cooked instant noodles.

Originally his body had already gotten used to only feeling hungry after getting home at night, but now smelling this fragrance made his body instantly send out a signal.

"Um... Manager Wang, haven't you eaten dinner?"

Ma Wenliang mustered the courage to break the awkwardness, and in his heart he had already begun regretting taking out the steamed buns.

From Manager Wang's eyes, he saw the same longing as those colleagues just now.

Wang Zhiqiang swallowed his saliva. His reason told him that as a project manager, a qualified eldest brother, he absolutely couldn't snatch his subordinate's steamed buns, right?

No, I have to control myself!

"It's fine, I'm not hungry." Wang Zhiqiang tried to make his tone sound very calm, but his eyes remained fixed on the steamed buns in Ma Wenliang's arms without leaving.

"How about... you eat these steamed buns?"

Ma Wenliang asked tentatively, feeling extremely reluctant in his heart.

But seeing that Eldest Brother had been made so hungry, if he himself remained indifferent, would he still be able to do his job?

Wang Zhiqiang's throat moved, wanting to say words of refusal, but when the words reached his lips they became: "What filling is it?"

The tempting fragrance of the steamed buns was like a big hammer, smashing his reason to pieces with "eighty, eighty."

Snatching a subordinate's bun to eat—what kind of propriety is this!

But...

I want to eat so much...

"Fresh meat filling, definitely delicious."

Ma Wenliang licked his lips, swallowed his saliva, and replied with difficulty.

"No, I can't let you spend money." Wang Zhiqiang held fast to his last principle: "How much did you buy them for? I'll transfer it to you."

"Eldest Brother, you're too polite. It's just fifty yuan, no need to transfer."

Ma Wenliang felt a bit of heartache, but then thought that this could be considered getting closer to the leader through the steamed buns, and he felt somewhat relieved in his heart.

"Fifty?" Wang Zhiqiang was stunned. Wasn't this price the same as that target place he went to last night?

Back then he hadn't seen the steamed buns, only saw the price and thought it was a bit expensive.

Were these steamed buns bought from that shop?

If it really was the same shop, judging just by this tempting fragrance, fifty was still quite reasonable.

"I've transferred it to you. I've already eaten your bun, which is embarrassing enough; how could I let you pay?"

Wang Zhiqiang still insisted on transferring the money to Ma Wenliang.

"Thank you, Manager Wang. Then... if there's nothing else, I'll go back to work overtime first."

Ma Wenliang knew when to leave; he couldn't just sit there watching Wang Zhiqiang eat steamed buns, could he?

Wang Zhiqiang nodded, and just as Ma Wenliang was about to stand up, he suddenly called him back again: "Wenliang, you can rest at home tomorrow. When you come to work the day after tomorrow, write a leave note. No salary deduction. I'll just say hello to HR."

"Thank you, Eldest Brother!"

Ma Wenliang was overjoyed—one portion of steamed buns had earned him a day of paid leave, something he never expected.

"Don't go blabbing to anyone when you head out later. Get back to work."

Wang Zhiqiang reminded him with a smile, feeling some of the guilt in his heart ease.

After Ma Wenliang left, he impatiently opened the lid of the takeout box.

A rich aroma instantly filled the office; Wang Zhiqiang took a deep breath, an expression of enjoyment on his face.

Impatiently picking one up and putting it in his mouth, he bit down hard.

The steamed buns had been sitting for a while, the skin a bit hard, but they had more chew; most importantly, the filling was still fresh and fragrant.

The tender filling was richly fragrant, and with one bite, soup burst forth.

The taste was simply irresistible.

Eating the steamed bun in his mouth, Wang Zhiqiang instantly felt that all the meals he'd eaten over the past decades had been wasted!

Even the so-called high-end restaurant where he proposed to his wife couldn't compare to these steamed buns.

No wonder Boss Lu sold fifty-one portions—he truly has culinary skill.

Fifty-one portions?

That's too cheap!

…………

Lu Feng sold the last portion of steamed buns, and business hours were just about to end.

There were still quite a few diners who hadn't gotten steamed buns today; after complaining and expressing regret, they had to accept reality.

Seeing off the last customer who finished his steamed bun, Lu Feng's business for the day officially ended.

Compared to yesterday, although today was busy, after limiting sales, his body wasn't so tired.

After the customers in the hall left, Lu Feng called Li Jiang.

They were all wandering nearby, and as soon as they got the call, they hurried back.

Li Jiang and the others ate to their heart's content, patting their round bellies as they left, and Lu Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Stretching his slightly sore arms, after cleaning up the hall and kitchen, Lu Feng walked out of the shop and locked the gate.

Just as he was about to leave, several people with pleased expressions rushed up and surrounded him.

"Boss Lu! Thank you so much!"