Gu Yong Cheng randomly grabbed a seat on the side before watching with fascination as Training Alchemist Yuwen worked on the Mysterious Yuan Pill.

The process was hardly complex, but a careful and precise balance of heat and time was necessary to increase the success rate. This required patience, perseverance, and experience.

Gu Yong Cheng couldn't help but be impressed by the expertise and level of skill Training Alchemist Yuwen brought to his craft. Although the Mysterious Yuan Pill was nothing special, the success rate of refinement was usually between 50% and 70%, with one out of three tries resulting in an above-average result.

The five sets of ingredients took two and a half hours to finish. Upon completion, Yuwen Ping carefully handed six Mysterious Yuan Pills to Gu Yong Cheng.

These pills were still glowing with a warm, golden light. Gu Yong Cheng could feel the energy radiating from them while inspecting their quality.

Even the Training Alchemist appeared haughty and proud of the outcome.

"Thank you, Training Alchemist Yuwen," Gu Yong Cheng expressed his gratitude.

Based on the purchasing price of fifty Contribution Tokens for each Mysterious Yuan Pill, this container is worth three hundred Golden Tokens. Even after deducting the cost of one hundred and twenty-five tokens for the ingredients, there's still a profit of one hundred and seventy-five.

"Likewise," Yuwen Ping appropriately responded to Gu Yong Cheng. Despite his pride, Yuwen Ping still had to realize their differences. He was still an invited guest of the Gu Family and not one of its influential figures.

"Now that my concern is taken care of, please do not mind me excusing myself," Gu Yong Cheng said.

"Hahaha! Not a problem at all, young master Gu, not at all!" Yuwen Ping laughed and sent Gu Yong Cheng to the door. But his expression darkened right afterward.

"Do you think I'd stay here and play alchemist with you lot if not for my use of the Gu Family?" Yuwen Ping whispered to himself after shutting the door to his refining hall.

As someone who felt he was a rising star among the Training Alchemists, Yuwen Ping couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment for relying on the Gu Family's power and prestige to support and elevate his status.

After all, who called him to be born into a commoner's family without wealth and a proper background? He would be no different from Tian Wenhao if he didn't awaken an uncommon Fire-Elemental Innate Spirit.

...

...

...

Monday Morning.

It was the beginning of the week again, and Nick reported to his work just as usual after breakfast with Shen Mi Kang, Ah-Fei, and Tian Wenhao. Everything was going as usual until a fellow employee approached Nick.

"Chengzi, stop what you're doing and head upstairs. The Vice Director wants to see you," the worker said, walking over to Nick's workstation.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Do you have any idea what this is about?" Nick asked, acknowledging the instruction and quickly finishing his work.

"Nope," the worker responded. But I think it might be a transfer opportunity. I'm not entirely sure, but there's someone else with him in the Vice Director's office." he added before leaving Nick's workstation.

That was more than enough of a clue for Nick.

(Transfer opportunity?) Nick wondered to himself.

(What kind of opportunities open up to newcomers, not veteran workers? Would the older employees strike for these shows of favoritism?)

Despite his worries, Nick tidied up his workstation before heading to the Vice Director's office.

**Knock - Knock - Knock**

Nick knocked politely on the door three times. It was neither excessive nor overly courteous.

"Come in," a familiar voice responded, allowing Nick to make his way into the room.

"I'm Chengzi. I was told by a fellow worker to come to your office." Nick introduced himself, wanting to ensure he was the one the Vice Director was looking for.

"En," the Vice Director nodded at Nick before turning to the individual beside him.

"What do you think?" he asked. The individual was a lady around Rou Mian Fen's age, in her mid-twenties, wearing a long but comfortable chef uniform with a hat carrying a hint of beige color.

Despite her plain uniform, it couldn't hide her fair and rosy appearance. Although her hair was tied into a bun and hidden inside the hat, it could not conceal her magnificent charm that had reached a spiritual level.

Nick was immediately captivated by her charm as she sat before him. He had seen many women like her back on Earth, but they all paled compared to this female chef.

"Not bad... appearance wise... But you know, I am not looking for a pretty boy for my kitchen. What I want is a reliable fellow, not a Spiritual Puppet," the female chef said. Her words were a little harsh, but they sounded warm and familiar to Nick.

(She speaks like Instructor Michelle back in Culinary School. But didn't I conquer her and her expectations after working in her faculty for a semester?) Nick chuckled to himself.

He couldn't make it obvious, as this world speaks through strength. If he angered either of them, a slap from one of these two people would immediately send Nick up to meet his maker.

"I've personally observed his performance over the last week. In my opinion, he's the most hardworking and reliable one so far. Furthermore, didn't you send back most of those workers I sent to you previously?" the Vice Director replied to her.

"Jing Tian, if you're still being as picky as you are, I'll have no one else to give you..." he sounded harsh initially but softened at the mention of her name.

(Jing Tian... That should be this female chef's name...) Nick thought.

"Can you cook?" the female chef, Jing Tian, asked.

(Even her personality is fiery!) Nick thought again. But there's no time for him to linger in his own thoughts.

"I think I can!" Nick answered. He could say that he did, but wouldn't that be akin to lifting a rock to hit his own feet if the food in this world had to be prepared differently? After all, Nick had never prepared any food in this world until today!

"Fine. I guess I'll give this employee of yours a try, uncle," said the female chef with a hint of hesitation in her voice. Jing Tian seemed displeased with the Vice Director, but there was little she could do.

"Our Lotus Delight Pavilion near the Silver Lotus Agency is short-staffed and needs someone to help out in the kitchen. My uncle said you might be up to the challenge, and I hope you can meet my expectations." Jing Tian said.

"If you performed as well as my uncle said, you'll be paid better than you're here," she added.

Nick was taken aback by the offer. He had no idea how things would go, but he was definitely up to the challenge. Furthermore, the idea of making more money was too tempting to ignore.

"How?" Jing Tian asked Nick the second time.

"I'll do it." Nick answered after a moment of deep thought. "When do I start?" he added.

Jing Tian responded to Nick after she smiled at his reply. "Great. You can start today after we return to the Lotus Delight Pavilion. I'll get one of our chefs to show you the ropes." she couldn't help but be slightly attracted to Nick and his confidence.