Chapter 360: The Insurmountable Chasm in Xu Bo's Love Life

"What kind of look is that..."

The kitchen girl glanced at Wen Zifan in surprise. If it was a look of affection for a boy she liked, it seemed a bit too caring. But if it was a look for a son, it also carried a hint of admiration. It was confusing.

Shaking her head, the kitchen girl whispered, "Xiao Fan Jie, when are we going back to the hotel?"

Wen Zifan asked, "It's rare to come here, don't you want to stay a few more days?"

The kitchen girl shook her head quickly. "Qiao Ni Ge would scold me. I need to get back to work."

Wen Zifan looked at her in exasperation. "Why are you so timid?! He tells you to do something, and you just do it? You need to stand up for yourself!"

The kitchen girl was taken aback. The next moment, she seemed to recall Xu Bo's stern face, and quickly shook her head again.

"Hopeless!" Wen Zifan almost choked on her frustration. "He's only tough on you because you're too easygoing! You need to learn how to manage him and turn him into a good boyfriend."

"Who said he's my boyfriend..." The kitchen girl's face turned red, and she quietly added, "He's really good to me, just a bit strict."

Wen Zifan was speechless.

"So, when do you want to go back?"

The kitchen girl looked at Xu Bo, "I need to ask him."

Great! She's beyond help.

...

In the hotel's first-floor lounge area, Chen Jianhai, Xiao Lang, and Xu Bo were each holding a cup of ginger tea, lounging on the sofa and chatting.

Sunlight bathed them, making it seem like they were decades older, enjoying the sun in a retirement home.

When Wen Zifan and the kitchen girl stood in front of them and stated their intention to leave, Chen Jianhai was not pleased.

"Leave? Why leave?"

"You're already here! Stay a few more days."

Wen Zifan said, "But the Lang Ai Hotel..."

Chen Jianhai cut her off, "Didn't you leave Lang Ai in Rui Keya's hands? Let's see how capable he is."

Recruiting talent from outside is a good approach, but internal cultivation and encouragement are also necessary. 

Firstly, employees who grow within the hotel understand its culture and atmosphere better and have a deeper sense of belonging and affection for it. 

Secondly, visible opportunities for promotion can better motivate employees. As long as they have the ability and are willing to work hard, the hotel will not treat anyone unfairly. Even if the current positions are full, as the number of branches increases in the future, the hotel will always need more staff.

Thirdly, it saves money...

Of course, the third point can be ignored.

Rui Keya has been performing well recently, especially in the hotel's public relations, showing excellent responsiveness and crisis management skills. He's someone worth cultivating.

But Cui Meng is also quite amusing. If there's an opportunity to recruit him, hotel life could be quite interesting!

Xiao Lang looked at Chen Jianhai with disdain, clicking his tongue.

Xiao Lang: This morning, you said she was capricious and irresponsible, but now you want her to stay at the hotel.

Chen Jianhai: Get lost!

The two exchanged glances silently.

Chen Jianhai couldn't explain it clearly, but he just didn't want Wen Zifan to leave. He wanted to see her enchanting eyes a bit more. So what!!

An assistant should be by the boss's side! It's only natural!

"...Can I stay?" The kitchen girl looked at Xu Bo nervously. Although the boss had spoken, she obviously listened to Xu Bo more. If he disagreed, she would still catch the earliest boat back to Lang Ai to work.

Xu Bo stroked his freshly grown stubble and said, "You've been busy for half a year. Take a few days off here; I'll give you leave for the kitchen."

In the next moment, Chen Jianhai visibly saw the kitchen girl's lips curl up in a happy smile. 

She may not look particularly attractive, perhaps even quite ordinary, but her smile was very pleasant and comforting.

Chen Jianhai's face darkened instantly.

Watching Wen Zifan and the kitchen girl happily go upstairs, Chen Jianhai asked directly, "What do you mean by this?"

Xu Bo was puzzled for a moment before saying, "Just colleagues."

"Colleagues?!" Chen Jianhai's eyes turned serious, "Da Bo, I don't care how you play around outside, but you can't mess with the hotel staff."

Only a fool wouldn't see that the girl had a significant interest in Xu Bo. Over the years, Xu Bo had been with many women, and he and Xiao Lang had never interfered. But since she was a hotel employee, Chen Jianhai had to take primary responsibility. Whether in work or life, any potential danger must be addressed.

Seeing his friend's displeased face, Chen Jianhai suppressed his anger and advised earnestly, "Even if you step back, you've just been named the top chef in Nanjing's hotels and are set to participate in food festivals to make a name for yourself. Your reputation, like your culinary skills, needs careful protection. You can't afford to leave any loose ends..."

"You're crazy!" Xu Bo's face darkened, almost smashing the ginger tea cup on the table. Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth, "I know what I'm doing." Then he took the elevator back to his room.

...Hey!

You flirt with my employee and then scold me?!

Chen Jianhai was furious, shaking as he pointed at Xu Bo's retreating back.

Xiao Lang quickly pressed down Chen Jianhai's raised hand, "Bro! Calm down!"

"I feel Da Bo genuinely likes that girl; it doesn't seem like he's playing around."

Chen Jianhai glared at Xiao Lang, "How can you tell?"

Xiao Lang analyzed seriously, "In the past, Da Bo always coaxed his girlfriends, never with such a tough attitude."

"Is that a reason?" Chen Jianhai was stunned.

Coddling means not taking it seriously, but being tough means he's serious?

What kind of logic is that?

"Of course! Come on, bro, have some ginger tea to sweat it out." Xiao Lang said, "In the past, Da Bo would coax them, but it was always just a few days before he moved on. They both just wanted to have fun and part ways amicably."

"But Da Bo genuinely cares about this girl. He teaches and reminds her, clearly treating her as his own."

Chen Jianhai retorted, "She's his subordinate; of course, he has to teach and manage her."

Which head chef doesn't manage their chefs?

Xiao Lang frowned, "I don't know, but I feel Da Bo is serious."

Serious...

What good is being serious!

Chen Jianhai sighed, sipping his ginger tea. Even if Xu Bo is serious, Xu Ba Die is an insurmountable barrier! Would the king of swimming rings let his son marry an ordinary kitchen worker? No way...