Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 51 Apprenticeship
Guo Youzhong had actually started paying attention to Li Hongbing not long after he joined the kitchen.

The job of scraping spoons is hard work and you're likely to get scolded, so many apprentices are unwilling to do it.

Li Hongbing was assigned this job as soon as he joined the company.

At first, people were not optimistic because they knew that Li Hongbing was a bookworm and not very strong. They thought he couldn't endure hardship and might not last long.

The result was quite unexpected.

In the first few days, Li Hongbing got a lot of scolding because he couldn't keep up with the speed.

No matter how much he was scolded, how hard and tiring it was, Li Hongbing gritted his teeth and persevered, never complaining or slacking off.

Gradually, Li Hongbing adapted to the intensity and kept up with the pace.

Seeing Li Hongbing's performance, coupled with his keen observation skills and better manners than other apprentices, the master chefs, including Guo Youzhong, began to take a liking to this young apprentice.

Recently, Li Hongbing's "enlightenment" has attracted Guo Youzhong's attention. He has prepared a small spoon for himself and has learned to secretly taste the food before each time he uses the spoon.

When he's not so busy, Guo Youzhong would take the opportunity to chat with Li Hongbing for a few minutes, indirectly testing him.

From this point on, Guo Youzhong began to consider taking on apprentices.

Simultaneously.

Knowing why Li Hongbing gave up his studies and chose to become an apprentice at Fengzeyuan, coupled with the rescue he had done a few days ago, everything Li Hongbing had done was very much to Guo Youzhong's liking.

Although the time spent together was not long, Li Hongbing had already gained Guo Youzhong's basic approval in terms of character.

It was no coincidence that Guo Youzhong intervened when he witnessed Sun Hai causing trouble a few days ago.

Besides his intolerant nature, Guo Youzhong also didn't want to see the promising talents he had selected ruined.

only……

Guo Youzhong had also heard about Li Hongbing accepting money yesterday, which made him feel that Li was too greedy and made him waver.

It wasn't until he overheard the conversation between Li Hongbing and Wu Jun that Guo Youzhong officially made the decision to accept Li Hongbing as his apprentice.

From Li Hongbing's words, Guo Youzhong could clearly sense that Li Hongbing was not someone who valued money over righteousness, and he also sensed the arrogance hidden in his words.

Accepting Lou Zhenhua's rewards does not necessarily mean that Li Hongbing was greedy.

in contrast.

Li Hongbing accepted it calmly, precisely because he was open-minded and did not try to curry favor or befriend the other party in order to gain more benefits, but instead settled the matter once and for all.

For a sixteen-year-old boy to achieve such a feat was truly impressive, making Guo Youzhong realize that he had made the right choice in selecting him.

"Shouldn't you go back and discuss this apprenticeship with your sister?"

These days, becoming an apprentice is no small matter.

Thinking that Li Hongbing had an older sister, Guo Youzhong couldn't help but ask again.

“Master Guo, I can make this decision myself, and if my sister knew, she would definitely support me.”

Li Hongbing immediately expressed his opinion.

Although Guo Youzhong had decided to take him as his apprentice, they had not yet formally become disciples, so Li Hongbing did not change his mind on his own.

"That's fine."

Upon hearing this, Guo Youzhong nodded and looked at Li Hongbing, saying, "Now that we live in a new society, let's skip the formalities and keep things simple."

"When the other masters arrive later, I'll ask them to be witnesses. We'll just go through the motions, what do you think?"

That's what they say, but the ceremony still needs to be held, with some colleagues as witnesses. This is both a sign of Guo Youzhong's respect for himself and a sign of his high regard for Li Hongbing.

Only in this way can the master-disciple relationship be officially established.

"Okay, I'll do as you say, Master Guo."

Li Hongbing nodded, offering no objection.

Watching Guo Youzhong and Li Hongbing settle such a major matter as accepting apprentices and becoming masters in just a few words, Wu Jun couldn't help but feel envious.

Unfortunately.

No matter how much Wu Jun tried to wink at him or fantasize about him, Guo Youzhong seemed oblivious and never extended an olive branch as he had with Li Hongbing.

"Don't be discouraged. Work hard in the kitchen, and you'll have your chance too."

As Guo Youzhong left, Li Hongbing looked at Wu Jun, who seemed dejected, and couldn't help but comfort him. "Really?"

Even though he knew Li Hongbing was just trying to comfort him, Wu Jun couldn't help but feel hopeful when he heard these words.

"Trust me, I won't lie to you."

Li Hongbing smiled upon hearing this.

He wasn't just making empty promises to Wu Jun.

Following the trajectory of historical development, Fengzeyuan will soon begin its public-private partnership, becoming the first pilot project in Beijing.

At that time, a "public-private joint management" system will be implemented, with personnel dispatched by the public to take the lead in operation and management, while Luan Xuetang, who is currently the manager, will also take on a deputy or advisory role and become the private manager.

As the reforms proceed, traditions will be gradually broken down, and emphasis will be placed on cultivating a new generation of young chefs.

It will be much easier to learn a trade then.

Li Hongbing is simply taking the lead now.

Not long after.

The chefs in the kitchen arrived one after another, and Luan Xuetang, who had received advance notice, also came to the scene. Guo Youzhong handed his tea mug to Li Hongbing: "Go, make me a cup of tea."

"Master, drink tea!"

In the new society, kneeling and bowing were no longer customary. Li Hongbing bowed respectfully and handed the teacup filled with tea to Guo Youzhong.

In front of everyone, Guo Youzhong took the teacup, gently blew on the tea leaves, and took a sip of tea. This simple apprenticeship ceremony was then completed.

Congratulations, Master Guo, on the arrival of your wonderful apprentice!

"Thank you, shopkeeper."

"Xiao Li, I hope you will study hard with your master in the future, not be lazy, and strive to graduate as soon as possible so that you can contribute to the development of our Fengzeyuan."

"Yes, thank you, shopkeeper!"

"..."

Amid congratulations from numerous chefs and envious glances from many apprentices, Luan Xuetang presented Guo Youzhong and Li Hongbing with pre-prepared blessings and red envelopes.

Today, Guo Youzhong accepting a disciple is not only a joyous occasion for Guo Youzhong and Li Hongbing, but also for Fengzeyuan.

As the manager of Fengzeyuan, Luan Xuetang naturally hopes that the master chefs in the kitchen can take on more apprentices, pass on their culinary skills, and cultivate a larger and stronger team of chefs for Fengzeyuan.

In the kitchen of Fengzeyuan today, the chefs are mostly established veterans, while there are almost no truly young and capable staff.

This situation is clearly not good for the long-term development of Fengzeyuan.

Taking advantage of Guo Youzhong's opportunity to accept apprentices, he also hopes that other experienced chefs in the kitchen will follow suit and stop keeping their knowledge to themselves.

After this incident, the kitchen quickly returned to its normal operation.

As for Li Hongbing...

He was still doing the job of scraping spoons.

She didn't gain Guo Youzhong as her mentor, and thus got an easier job.

Li Hongbing knew Guo Youzhong's intention; he clearly wanted to continue honing his skills and let him accumulate more experience by taking the opportunity to scramble for spoons.

Besides.

Li Hongbing clearly felt that the chefs in the kitchen were much more friendly towards him.

Today, with Guo Youzhong taking him under his wing, Li Hongbing has officially entered this circle. He is no longer just an ordinary apprentice in the kitchen, but their junior.

During the afternoon break, Sun Hai came over again with his men.

But this time.

He wasn't there to cause trouble, but to resolve the conflict and back down.

"Hongbing, I was very offensive before. I sincerely apologize to you here. I hope you will be magnanimous and not hold it against me. From now on, we will be working together in the kitchen, so please take care of me."

Now that Li Hongbing has formally become Guo Youzhong's apprentice, his status has risen to a level above those of other apprentices who have no master.

Sun Hai's behavior at this moment vividly demonstrated what it means to be arrogant at first and then obsequious!
(End of this chapter)