Beep beep.
The next morning came with Fang Chou's alarm at six thirty. The family went through their normal morning routine, but with an added sense of anticipation. Today would determine if Arvin's lunch idea would take off.
Over breakfast, Fang Chou explained his plan. "I'll send a message to all the workers asking them to arrive thirty minutes early. We'll all meet at 8."
"Will they be okay with that?" Arvin asked.
"They might wonder why, but they'll show up. I don't call early meetings unless it's important."
"Good luck," Jeremy said, giving Arvin a thumbs up. "Those workers have no idea how good they have it."
"I hope they like the idea," Arvin told them.
"They will," Christina said. "Your food will speaks for itself."
The family walked to Fang Square together. The morning was already warm and humid. Arvin's heart raced as they approached the store.
Ding ding.
They entered through the employee entrance and went to their respective places. Fang Chou went to his office to make the announcement, and Arvin went to the warehouse to prepare for what might be a very different day.
At exactly eight o'clock, workers began to filter into the main warehouse area. All one hundred of them, including warehouse staff and store front workers. Hendrick and Henrietta were the first to arrive, looking confused. The younger employees followed, talking among themselves about what could be so urgent.
"What do you think this is about?" one of the newer workers asked.
"The last time he called an early meeting like this was when those people showed up," Hendrick said quietly to his wife.
Henrietta nodded, concern written on her face. "Let's hope it's nothing similar like that, again."
More and more workers gathered until the entire workforce was there. Store employees stood with warehouse staff, something that only happened with company wide announcements.
Fang Chou entered with a small smile, which helped to relax the atmosphere a bit. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming early."
"Morning, boss," a few workers replied.
"I've called this meeting because I have a proposition for you all." Fang Chou gestured to Arvin, who stood in the back. "As you all know, Arvin has been working for us for a little over a week. He's been a great worker, but he also has another skill which I think you all might appreciate."
The workers turned to look at Arvin, who fidgeted under their gaze.
"Arvin is a great cook," Fang Chou continued. "He's been preparing meals for my family, and they're delicious. He's offered to prepare meals for all of you in place of the usual takeout and fast food options."
A few murmurs passed through the group. Some of the workers looked at each other, not sure what to think about this.
"Now this would be completely voluntary," Fang Chou added. "Anyone who wants to keep the current lunch allowance and buy their own food can continue to do so. But for those of you who would like to try something new, Arvin would prepare a fresh meal right here at the store."
One of the older workers in the front raised his hand. "Boss, no offense to the kid, but I've been eating the same thing for five years. Why would I change now?"
Before Fang Chou could respond, Hendrick spoke up. "I wouldn't mind trying something different. Fast food every day is starting to weigh heavy on my stomach."
Henrietta nodded. "My doctor told me I need to eat more vegetables anyway."
A younger worker laughed. "Are you serious? Home-cooked food instead of takeout? That sounds amazing."
"What kind of food would you make?" another asked Arvin.
Arvin answered the questions exactly like Cynthia proposed last night if some workers were to ask what will he cook. It's a little white lie but this is necessary for the cover story. "I can make stir fry with vegetables and chicken or beef or any other Chinese dish. Oh and also, some from Southeast Asia that I happened to learn. All fresh and all good."
The discussion became lively as workers debated the pros and cons of home-cooked food versus takeout. Some were eager to try something new, while others were apprehensive about changing their routine.
"I'm so tired of those greasy burgers putting me to sleep in the afternoons," one worker said.
"Yeah, and really, the only Chinese place around here is better than those, but it's still not great," another said.
Fang Chou let the conversation continue for a few minutes before calling for their attention. "Alright, let's make this simple. Hold your hand if you want to try. So, who here would like to try Arvin's cooking?"
Hands started going up around the warehouse. First Hendrick and Henrietta, then a few of the younger workers, and then more and more until nearly everyone had raised their hand.
"Wow," Fang Chou said. "That's… almost everyone."
"The kid seems nice, and honestly, a change would be good," one of the holdouts said, raising their hand.
Within a few minutes, the whole group had agreed to try Arvin's cooking. The unanimous decision shocked everyone, including Arvin himself.
"Are you sure about this?" Fang Chou asked the group. "It's quite the change from what you're used to."
"Boss, look at it this way," Hendrick said with a grin. "If it's terrible, we can just go back to our usual lunches. But if it's good, we get better food for a change."
"That's a fair point," Fang Chou admitted. He turned to Arvin. "Looks like you're cooking for everyone. Are you up to the task?"
Arvin nodded, his confidence building with the workers' excitement. "Yes, I am. But first, I need to know how you like taste. Sweet or not sweet, salty or not salty."
The workers looked confused. "What do you mean?" someone asked.
"I have test for you. Please wait moment."
Arvin left the warehouse and returned quickly with Christina and Cynthia, who carried several large containers and stacks of small cups.
"This is sugar water and salt water," Arvin explained as they set up three stations on nearby tables. "Different strength. You taste from first cup to last cup, but stop when too sweet or too salty for you."
He demonstrated by taking a sip from each cup at the first station. "Like this. Then tell me which number cup you stop at."
The workers exchanged puzzled looks, but Hendrick stepped forward first. "Alright, kid. Let's see what this is about."
Henrietta joined her husband, and they each tasted the samples methodically. Henrietta stopped at the second cup of salt water and the third cup of sugar water. Hendrick had the opposite preference, stopping at the second cup of sugar water and the third cup of salt water.
"Is this right?" Henrietta asked.
"Perfect," Arvin replied. "This helps me know how to cook for your taste."
Seeing that it was harmless, the other workers began participating in the taste test. The process took nearly twenty minutes as everyone worked through the samples. With one hundred people, they needed to prepare additional batches of the solutions halfway through.
Cynthia had taken note of everyone's preferences and made a list for Arvin to follow on how to season the food. "Most people prefer medium salt and medium-high sweet," she told Arvin.
"Good. This will help me to cook the right taste for most people," Arvin said. He turned to the workers. "Thank you for trying this. I will work hard to make good food for you."
"When do we start?" someone called out.
"Today, if you want," Arvin said. "I plan to cook stir fry with bok choy, carrot, and chicken. Two different taste, one balanced and one little more sweet. You can try both and tell me which you like better."
The workers murmured their approval, and several seemed excited at the prospect of a hot meal.
"Alright then," Fang Chou called out. "Starting today, Arvin will work until eleven o'clock instead of the usual twelve-thirty to prepare lunch. After lunch, he'll return to regular warehouse duties."
"Thanks for agreeing to try my cooking," Arvin said to the group. "I hope you will like it."
The workers dispersed to begin their morning tasks, a few stopping to thank Arvin personally or express their anticipation for lunch.
At exactly eleven, the new digital watch Fang Chou had given him that morning chimed. Arvin set down the crate he was carrying and headed toward the break room kitchen.
When he arrived, he found Fang Chou and Christina already there, surrounded by piles of vegetables and containers of meat. They were in the middle of peeling the carrot, garlic, and shallot. Seeing that, Arvin ask them to stop as he only need them to take the ingredients here and thaw the chicken. But still, he thanks them.
"Oh Arvin, we're he help as we had some free time. But it had been and hour but as you can see" Christina explained, wiping sweat from her forehead. "There are so many carrots and garlic cloves for one hundred portions."
"The sheer amount of ingredients is incredible," Fang Chou said, gesturing at the mountainous pile of peeled vegetables. "We worked for an hour and barely made a dent."
They had no idea that Arvin could have prepared everything in a fraction of the time with his enhanced speed, but their help was still appreciated.
"Alright then, we should get back to work," Christina said. "Let us know if you need anything else."
After they left, Arvin was finally alone in the kitchen. He took a deep breath and centered himself, feeling his chi flow through his body. With no one watching, he could work at his true speed.
He guided energy into his hands and began peel and cut the remaining vegetables. His knife moved fast, like real fast, reducing carrots, chickens, bok choy, onions, and garlic to perfectly uniform pieces in minutes. To any observer, his hands would have appeared as streaks of blur motion.
In twenty minutes, all the ingredients for over one hundred portions were prepped and organized. Arvin washed a large basin of rice and started it in the massive rice cooker Fang Chou had special-ordered from a restaurant supply store this morning too.
The cooking phase began with a large wok that could handle about thirty-five portions at once. Arvin heated oil and added the aromatics, filling the kitchen with the rich scent of garlic and ginger.
Sizzle.
Next came the chicken, sizzling quickly in the hot oil. As he stirred the ingredients, Arvin placed his left hand on the side of the wok and channeled his chi into the handle like he always did when cooking back at the Fang's place.
The vegetables followed, each one added at just the right time to achieve the right texture. Arvin kept the chi flow through his left hand while stirring with his right, creating ideal conditions for cooking that would have been impossible through normal means.
The first wok was finished in fifteen minutes, faster than one would expected for such a large quantity. Arvin set it aside and began the second batch, this time adjusting the seasoning to make a sweeter version for those who preferred it.
Unbeknownst to him, workers passing the break room stopped to take in the incredible smells wafting from the kitchen. It was unlike anything they'd ever smelled from the usual takeout places. It was rich and complex and utterly appetizing.
"What is that?" one of them whispered.
"That's got to be the kid's cooking. Man, it smells amazing."
Word spread quietly through the warehouse that something special was happening in the kitchen. Workers found excuses to walk past the break room, hoping to catch another whiff of the enticing smells.
By twelve-fifteen, Arvin was finished. He had enough food for everyone in three large woks, plus extra for himself and the Fangs, and the rice cooker had finished up just in time.