Zhi watched quietly, as Zhao began to process the other crates of vegetables. Only speaking a handful of times, just to give advice on how to save time or improve his technique. While watching Zhao he would also look around at the other kitchen staff going about their routine. Most were doing the same thing as Zhao, prepping ingredients and setting them into bins. Others were trimming meat and seasoning things. One person was in the process of making dough, while another was removing items from what seemed to be a storage room.

As time passed more people came in, some started helping in the kitchen. While some of the others who were dressed as servers started to go out into the dining area to prep tables. Xiulan walked in at one point and saw Zhi looking around. She waved at him before walking into the dinning room area. As Zhao was getting closer to being done with his workload, some of the cooks started making food.

Afterwards Zhi watched as most of the kitchen staff moved the cooked items into the dinning area and started to clear out of the kitchen. Zhao was able to finish all the crates of vegetables before noon. The rest of the kitchen was now currently empty, besides Zhi and Zhao. Zhao looked a little confused not seeing anyone else in the kitchen, when he turned around to move a bin to a different table. He looked at Zhi, but Zhi didn’t say anything. He just walked over, picking up the knife to check the edge. Zhao decided not to say anything and just continued to work, moving everything he had cut to a different table and cleaning up his work area.

Man this is a nice knife, the edge doesn’t even seem to be dulled at all.

While staring at the knife intently for a few moments a window popped up in front of him.

-----------------------------------------------------------

System created knife

Based off a Japanese style knife called Nakiri bocho

Made with damascus steel with a raindrop pattern

Handle is made with Teak wood with ebony stain

Best used for chopping vegetables

System made knife, edge never dulls

System Comment,

“You will never need another knife again!”

-----------------------------------------------------------

Maybe I should have looked at the knives before I bought the waterstone set. This is supposed to be the mundane stuff right, Buddha? How come the edge never dulls?

[System items are never mundane, they might be based off items from mundane worlds. But they are created by the system, making them more than mundane.]

Putting the knife down, Zhi pulls out one of the waterstones he bought and inspect it.

-----------------------------------------------------------

System created waterstone

Based off a 1,000 grit waterstone

Made with 100% real stone and set to the proper grit

Wood bottom is made of afrormosia and treated to resist water

Best used for sharpening any type of blade

System made waterstone, sharpens blades, will remove rust and repair chips.

System Comment,

“Just add water and you can restore a chipped or rusted blade to new!”

-----------------------------------------------------------

… How the fuck is this mundane? If this works like it says, then this shit is magic.

[The systems are not magic. The best way to describe the system is, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”]

Did you just quote Arthur C. Clarke’s third law to me?

[Yes and no. He was one of many people to say close to the same thing, through every realm of existence.]

Alright, so when I say that your mundane system items are pretty much bullshit magic items. Your counterpoint is, “It’s just super advanced technology that I don't understand?”

[That is correct.]

How is a water stone that even says it is made of 100% stone super advanced technology that removes rust and restores chips in blades?!?! How is that not magic?

[Your primitive mind would not understand even the most basic aspect of it. If I took the time to explain the absolute basics on how it worked, it would take 69 days, 4 hours, 20 minutes and 13 seconds. All it would accomplish is you still not understanding how it works and a waste of both of our time.]

Alright fine I won’t question it, bullshit system magic it is.

[It is not magic.]

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

[I do not sleep.]

… Okay.

Storing the waterstone away he notices that Zhao is almost done cleaning up and moving the bins around. Picking up the knife it walks over and begins to wash it in the sink. After he cleans and drys it, he pulls out his knife set and stores it away. Before walking over to grab the last bin and moving it to the middle table with the others. Setting it down he looks to Zhao and says, “Alright you completed the prep for the vegetables. Let's talk to Yongzheng and get you set up with your next task.”

Walking over to the office where Yongzheng disappeared earlier, Zhi walks in followed by Zhao. Yongzheng is behind the desk working on a ledger. Yongzheng looks up, then looks out the window at the shadows of the building across the street. He turns to Zhi and says, “I assume that the job is finished?”

“That is correct, I was going to see about his next task. I was hoping to get him setup on the bussing of tables and doing dishes for the rest of the day. We will have him doing vegetable prep until I am happy with his knife skills and speed. Then I plan to teach him how to prepare different types of meat.”

Yongzheng nods at that and says, “I like that, he won’t have any work for about 40 minutes at most. Have either of you eaten yet?”

“We had some rice porridge this morning, but nothing substantial.” Zhi replies.

“Well then come on and join the kitchen staff. They should be almost done with the lunch meal. It’s normally something simple but hearty. Once we finish, we open for the day. The Dinner crew will come in a little early and do the same thing. Everyone who works, gets one free meal per shift worked.”

Bowing his head slightly, Zhi says, “Thanks, me and Zhao appreciate the assistance.”

Turning, they walk out the door and wait for Youngzheng to come out. Before following him to the first floor dining room. Walking inside all of the kitchen and restaurant staff are standing around talking and waiting in line at a table. On the table is laid out a bunch of food, the main dish is a soup. There is also Rice and a few sides along with some tea pots. After walking inside Yongzheng addresses the room and says. “If I can have everyone's attention for a moment, I would like to introduce Zhi and his apprentice Zhao.” He gestures to Zhi, before giving Zhao a pat on the back.

Everyone is looking at them now, Zhi just smiles at everyone and nods. While Zhao turns a little red and gives a small hand wave. “Now I have come to an arrangement with them, while Zhao is here. He is kitchen staff and will be paid. Zhi himself is only here to train Zhao and will not be paid. Since that is the case, you can order Zhao to do things for you if he is free. But only if he is free and only if he is not being taught by Zhi here.”

Yongzheng looks over all his staff before he says, “Zhi is not expected to do anything, so I ask you to leave him alone while he is in the kitchen. You can ask him to move out of the way if he is blocking you from doing your job, but I expect you to treat him with the same respect you treat me, is that clear?”

Everyone replies immediately with a “Yes, boss.”

“Good, now let's start our lunch time meal. We have about 30 minutes till we open.”

Yongzheng walked over to the back of the line, followed by Zhi and Zhao. Everyone made a plate of food and sat down at some of the tables around the room. Most of the groups were a mix of kitchen staff and servers. Only one person sat alone, Xiulan. But Yongzheng joined her and they were soon joined by Zhi, who was followed by Zhao.

Yongzheng looked a little upset at the two people who joined their table, but said nothing as they sat down. Zhi was the first to speak as he poured himself some tea. “I plan to leave for the rest of the day, I want to walk around and explore the city some more and I shouldn't need to teach you how to wash dishes.” Looking at Yongzheng he says, “What time will he be off?”

“He will stay till the night shift takes over, so about 5pm. What is your planned schedule for training?”

Zhi takes a sip of his tea, before saying, “I was thinking five days a week, we will use today as the start and go five days. Then two days off. Does that work for you?”

“That will work, my staff keeps the same schedule.”

Zhi nods his head and says, “Great. Zhao, make sure you practice your skill while you eat. But don’t eat anything after work, just come home and we will do more training. I will feed you dinner after we finish.”

Zhao just nods in reply. But Yongzheng asks, “Oh you are training him more at home? Is it more about the preparation of vegetables?”

Zhi shakes his head while saying, “No we are doing physical training. We did some simple things in the morning, but tonight I will wear him out to the point of exhaustion. It will make him sleep better at night and make him refreshed for learning.”

Yongzheng just nods his head in reply, but says nothing. Lunch is quick and not much is said after that. With Zhao only taking a handful of quick looks towards Xiulan. Zhi smiles when he notices the boy's glances, While Yongzheng only frowns slightly, but it is mostly hidden by his giant mustache.

Once done eating, Zhi stands up and says, “Thanks for the meal. I will leave Zhi in your care while I go explore the city.” Looking down at himself he says, “Actually, is there a place I can change quickly before I leave?”

Yongzheng replies, “Just use my office and you can leave through the back gate. I will lock it in a few minutes.”

Zhi nods his head in reply, before walking away to change and leave the restaurant.