CHAPTER 74: THE GRIN FROZE.

Lee Wonho’s chest swelled like a balloon. He stood and bowed deeply. "Since you believe in me, I won’t let you down. I’ll master office software, even if it kills me!"

"Good." Suho nodded. "As for the workshop, I’ve decided to promote Jiang Cheng to take your place."

Lee Wonho blinked, then nodded again. "Brother Jiang? He’s solid. Knows machines, too. He even modified a cutter last month, making three steps into two. He’ll do fine."

Suho grinned inside. Excellent. No resistance. The old fox walked into the cage himself.

"Then it’s settled. Go brief Jiang Cheng. I’ll speak to him next."

Lee Wonho marched out like a man carrying the nation’s hopes.

Moments later, Jiang Cheng shuffled nervously into the office.

Lee Wonho’s face had been oddly smug when he told him, "Boss wants you." That alone was enough to make Jiang Cheng’s stomach twist.

Had he broken a machine? Was Mr. Kim about to scold him?

"Mr. Kim, you wanted to see me?" He asked softly, standing at attention like a soldier about to be court-martialed.

"Don’t be so reserved; sit down and talk," Kim Suho said with an easy wave of his hand.

Jiang Cheng perched nervously on the edge of the chair like he was about to be put on trial.

Suho leaned back in his chair, smiling. "Relax. It’s nothing dramatic. I just want to adjust your position."

Jiang Cheng blinked. "Adjust... my position?"

"Mm." Suho nodded. "Lee Wonho has been transferred to other departments. That leaves the workshop without a director. I thought about it, and you’re the best candidate."

"Mr. Kim, but I... I’ve never been a leader," Jiang Cheng stammered. "I’m afraid I can’t manage well."

"It doesn’t matter." Suho waved away his worry. "No one is born a leader. Just manage as you think in your heart. Slowly, you’ll get it."

He smiled slyly. "Alright, it’s settled. You’re the new workshop director. Salary upgraded to ten thousand a month."

Jiang Cheng’s jaw dropped. He opened his mouth to protest again, but Suho had already turned to Cho Rin.

"Assistant Rin, inform finance: Jiang Cheng promoted, Lee Wonho transferred, salaries adjusted."

"Yes, boss."

"Mr. Kim..." Jiang Cheng swallowed hard. "I’ll do my best. If I really can’t manage, you can remove me at any time."

Suho clapped him on the shoulder. "Don’t worry. I believe in you."

But inside, Suho chuckled darkly. Remove you? Not a chance. An honest, hardworking director who doesn’t cause trouble? You’re mine for life.

Jiang Cheng left with a flushed, touched face—excited at the promotion but nervous as hell about his ability.

After work, a group of workshop buddies surrounded Jiang Cheng like hungry wolves.

"Old Jiang, congratulations! You should treat us tonight!"

"Yes, yes, Director Jiang! Promotion dinner is mandatory!"

Jiang Cheng rubbed his head sheepishly. "Alright, what do you guys want to eat? My treat!"

"Let’s go to that home-cooked restaurant from last time, the one with big portions."

"Eh, but..." Another worker piped up, "Don’t forget the company canteen. Star chefs, unlimited portions, and free drinks. Why waste money outside?"

The grin froze.

They had all tried the canteen’s grand opening dinner yesterday. Six steaming dishes: braised pork slices, prawns, sweet-and-sour ribs, and more. Drinks chilling in six giant refrigerators: water, juice, beer, and even milk. Two big LCD TVs played movies while they ate.

And after dinner? Upstairs was a leisure room with table tennis and massage chairs.

Compared to that, a home-cooked restaurant meal felt like prison food.

Jiang Cheng raised his brows. "So... canteen, then?"

"Of course!"

"Don’t know what’s on the menu tonight, but I’m starving already!"

They burst out laughing and headed toward the cafeteria, like students running to recess.

Meanwhile, two nearby construction workers, Lu Zhenguo and a buddy, wandered past the garment factory gates.

"Old Lu, look! That restaurant’s open!"

Lu shaded his eyes. "Didn’t this place just get renovated? Looks fancy."

"Let’s check it out. If it’s good, we won’t need to waste taxi fare to eat elsewhere."

The two pushed open the doors. A cool blast of central air hit them like heaven.

"Wow... the air conditioning alone puts my house to shame."

"Look at these chairs—not cheap. And those TVs—must’ve cost a fortune!"

Lu’s eyes widened. Whoever owned this "restaurant" clearly poured money into it.

But something was strange. No waiters in sight.

They wandered further in, past a row of refrigerators humming with cold drinks. Then they saw the spread: roast chicken, braised pork elbow, and spicy shrimp tails, all arranged neatly.

The smell hit them like a punch. Both men swallowed hard.

Just then, a fat chef in a spotless white apron walked out from the back.

Lu quickly raised his hand. "Boss, how much are these dishes?"

Wu Yi wiped his greasy forehead with the back of his sleeve. He had just carried two trays of braised pork elbow out when he noticed two strangers gawking at the food like hungry wolves.

The way their eyes lit up at the roast chicken was the same way Son Choku’s daughter looked at free balloons.

But when Maonian’s gaze dropped to their chests, he frowned. No company badges.

"Sorry," he sighed, voice polite but firm. "This isn’t a restaurant. This is the employee cafeteria of Steel Cup T-Shirt Factory."

He didn’t even bother to count. This was probably the ninth wave of freeloaders today who had mistaken the place for a five-star buffet.

The outsiders blinked.

"Employee cafeteria? Are you kidding me? Which company cafeteria serves spicy shrimp tails?"

"Oh, I get it," the other colleague smirked. "This must be one of those pay-to-eat staff cafeterias. You charge your workers, right?"

Wu Yi’s eyelid twitched. "You two, it’s nearly meal rush. Don’t disturb my work. Please leave."

"Ah, sorry, we misunderstood." Lu Zhenguo tugged his buddy’s sleeve and backed away, though his eyes lingered on the spread like a man leaving his first love.

On the way out, he noticed real employees—uniforms, badges, everything—walking right past him. They didn’t pay a dime, just grabbed plates of food like emperors, and sat down happily.