With a heart full of unease, I slowly knocked on Sister Hong's office door. "Sister Hong, I... I have something I want to tell you." I tried my best to control my tone, attempting to make my voice sound steady and firm.
Sister Hong looked up at the sound, her face wearing her usual gentle smile. She said softly, "Come in, what is it?"
I took a deep breath, as if making a great decision, and summoned my courage. "Sister Hong, I want to resign. As per our previous agreement, I'm giving you a week's notice."
Sister Hong's smile froze for a moment. In that instant, I clearly caught a flicker of surprise and reluctance in her eyes. "Why do you suddenly want to leave? Are you unhappy working here?" she asked with concern.
I quickly waved my hands and explained, "No, Sister Hong. You've always been very caring towards me, and every day working here has been fulfilling. It's just that my parents feel I should find a platform more conducive to long-term development, and I also desire to venture out, to see if I can broaden my horizons in other fields and learn more knowledge and skills."
Sister Hong sighed softly, her tone full of understanding. "I understand your thoughts. It's good for young people to have aspirations. Then, during this week, you must meticulously hand over all your work. Especially the daily affairs of the F&B department, and the purchasing lists and other documents you were responsible for. Nothing can be missed; ensure the handover is thorough."
I nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Sister Hong, please don't worry. I will definitely hand over the work perfectly. These few days, I'll start writing a detailed handover list, outlining the procedures and details of each task, along with any points to note. I will also personally train the colleagues who will take over to ensure there are no errors and that the work transitions smoothly."
Sister Hong nodded slightly, her eyes full of trust in me. "Good, then I'll trouble you for these few days. By the way, do you have any plans afterwards?"
I hesitated for a moment and replied, "I want to rest for a while, adjust my state, and then look for suitable job opportunities. I might continue to develop in the F&B or hotel management direction, as it's a field I'm familiar with and passionate about."
Sister Hong smiled and encouraged me. "Well, it's good to have a direction. You've accumulated a lot of experience here, so you must work hard after you leave. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, or if there's anything I can help you with, don't hesitate to come back and find me."
At that moment, a warmth flowed through my heart. I said gratefully, "Sister Hong, thank you. During this time, it's truly thanks to your care and guidance that I've grown so much."
After leaving Sister Hong's office, I let out a long sigh. Although I was about to bid farewell to this place that felt like home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy and reluctance. Yet, the hope for the future, like new sprouts in spring, quietly grew in my heart. For the next week, I will focus all my attention on completing the handover, bringing my professional career here to a perfect conclusion.
Today, my parents came from home, bringing a duck and a chicken they raised themselves, along with some local specialties. I knew clearly that it was thanks to their thoughtfulness that I could find a way to express my gratitude to Sister Hong and Master Big Cannon. The chicken and duck had already been preliminarily cleaned. I pondered that I must use these two ingredients to meticulously prepare delicious dishes for Sister Hong and Master Big Cannon to share.
To be honest, I was a bundle of nerves about cooking these two dishes, wanting desperately to make them perfect. Unfortunately, my culinary skills were lacking, so I hurried to ask Master Big Cannon for advice. Master Big Cannon carefully examined the ingredients, his eyes lighting up. "These are excellent free-range poultry; the meat quality is definitely no joke. I suggest you stew both the chicken and the duck. This way, you can preserve their original flavors to the maximum extent. If you have some bamboo shoots or mushrooms as side ingredients, adding them to the stew will make the taste even more exquisite. Take these broad beans, for instance; they are superb for stewing with duck. Not only do they add a unique flavor to the duck, but they also enhance the dish's nutritional value. First, soak the broad beans, then put them in the pot with the cleaned duck, add some ginger slices and scallion segments to remove any gaminess, and then simmer over low heat until the duck is tender and the beans are soft. The taste, once experienced, is unforgettable. As for stewing the chicken, it's not difficult either. Get a clay pot, add some goji berries and red dates, and simmer over low heat. The resulting chicken soup will be golden and oily, with an aroma that makes your mouth water."
Fortunately, I had all these items. I carefully followed Master Big Cannon's instructions and began preparing these two dishes with reverence. First, I carefully poured the broad beans out of the bag, picking through them one by one, discarding any that were not plump or had flaws. Then, I gently placed them in water to soak. I squatted quietly nearby, gazing intently at the beans, as if witnessing a magical transformation as they slowly absorbed water, becoming fuller and rounder. I took the duck back to the faucet and rinsed it thoroughly several times, ensuring no impurities remained. Then, I placed the duck in a large pot, added enough water, and tossed in a few slices of ginger and segments of scallion. As the water temperature gradually rose, a layer of white foam appeared on the surface. I quickly grabbed a spoon and carefully skimmed off the foam, then turned down the heat, letting it simmer gently under the tender embrace of the low flame. Meanwhile, I placed the chicken in a clay pot, added the pre-prepared red dates and goji berries, covered it with the lid, and then sat aside, patiently waiting for them to undergo a wonderful and delicious transformation under the gentle caress of the flame.
Unknowingly, the kitchen gradually filled with a tempting aroma. The rich, deep fragrance of the stewed duck intertwined with the fresh, fragrant scent of the stewed chicken, as if performing a symphony of gourmet delights. I stood up and gently lifted the lid, and instantly, a wave of heat carrying the aroma rushed towards me, making me inhale deeply. I picked up a spoon and carefully scooped out the delicacies from the pot, every movement filled with reverence and focus, as if this were not just a meal, but a condensation of my sincere feelings for Sister Hong and Master Big Cannon. Every scoop was imbued with my heartfelt intentions.
I first picked out a single portion for Xiao Min. Xiao Min had always been very caring towards me. Today's meal, no matter what, could not be without her share. I specially found her favorite pink lunchbox, gently packed the food into it, and carefully wrapped it with several layers of plastic wrap, ensuring that not a single drop of soup would leak out.
Next, I divided the remaining food into two portions, filling each one to the brim, as overflowing as my gratitude. For Master Big Cannon's portion, I specifically selected the largest and plumpest duck leg, carefully placed it in the lunchbox, and then spooned several extra ladles of thick, amber-like gravy over the rice. I also piled the stewed broad beans, soft, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth, into a small mountain. I knew Master Big Cannon loved spicy food, so in a small compartment next to the lunchbox, I added chili sauce I made myself. This chili sauce was specially prepared for him, containing my understanding and gratitude. After completing all this, I happily closed the lid. I could already envision Master Big Cannon's hearty laughter and surprised expression upon receiving this unexpected surprise. I knew that he had generously shared his cooking skills with me without reservation, and I only hoped that he could truly feel my intentions.
As for Sister Hong's portion, I carefully selected the most tender and juicy pieces of chicken, gently placing them on top of the lunchbox. The golden chicken skin shone with a lustrous sheen, as if narrating the deliciousness and thoughtfulness of the dish. Beside it, I added a few perfectly cooked, tender, and delicious mushrooms, making the entire meal look even more exquisite and enticing, like a meticulously carved work of art. I specially found a light blue ribbon, Sister Hong's favorite color, and tied it gently around the lunchbox. I thought about how Sister Hong had always provided me with much care and support at work, guiding me when I was lost, and showing me tolerance and encouragement when I made mistakes. This meal, though seemingly insignificant, was a vessel for my deep gratitude to her.
When I handed the meals to them separately with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, Master Big Cannon was stunned for a moment, as if unable to believe his eyes. Immediately, his face broke into a smile as radiant as the sun. He thumped my shoulder forcefully, the strength seeming to carry his acknowledgment and blessings. He exclaimed loudly, "Good lad, I didn't expect you had this skill! With this craftsmanship, you'll definitely go places!" Sister Hong, as she took the lunchbox, had eyes full of emotion and reluctance. Her gaze was as gentle as water, and she softly said, "How can this make me bear to let you go? You, child, are too thoughtful."
At that moment, I deeply understood that these were not just two simple meals, but vivid testaments to the warm friendships I had formed here. They carried my gratitude for the past times and also my hopes for the future. I believe that no matter where I go, this friendship will forever be engraved in my heart, becoming the warmest strength on my journey forward.