Chapter 81: Carnival: Full Participation!

Perhaps influenced by the last system-designed pirate ship buffet dinner, this time, for the barbecue music carnival, Chen Jianhai focused on pairing barbecue with craft beer and special drinks for a delightful experience.

By the lake, Chen Jianhai created a simple white stage resembling a bird's nest. All the barbecue tables were arranged around the lake and the bird's nest stage, ensuring both the dining view and stage experience. This setup ensured that An Xia's singing would not disturb the diners, creating an ambiance without being overpowering.

However, these arrangements were secondary; the most crucial aspects were the beer and the food. 

After his previous dealings with Xu Yong, Chen Jianhai had established a commercial seafood partnership with Nanjing Broad Aquatic Products Company, allowing him to procure seafood at wholesale prices, which were two to three times cheaper than the market rate. With the funds accumulated from the Dolphin Bubble Carnival and the Atlantis Wedding, Chen Jianhai was no longer the financially strapped owner who needed Xu Bo to pay for the ingredients.

Abalone, lobster, crab, scallops, oysters—he bought boxes of the freshest ingredients to ensure all seafood delivered to the hotel was fresh and lively. Beef and lamb steaks, German sausages, pork ribs, and Russian sausages were all marinated and placed on the grill, ensuring the sauce permeated every inch of the meat. Fresh vegetable salads, various soups, and classic snacks provided guests with more options.

The soul of the carnival: beer. Chen Jianhai, dragging Xiaolang along, meticulously selected 12 craft beers from the local liquor market. To ensure the best taste, every hotel employee was involved in tasting the dishes. From the selection of drinks to the tenderness of the barbecue meat, the sauce's flavor, and even the variety of dishes, he fully considered the employees' opinions. He absolutely avoided the "looks good but tastes bland" primitive barbecue buffet model.

In the past few days, Chen Jianhai seemed invigorated, either selecting beers in the market or developing barbecue meats with Xu Bo in the kitchen. He was rarely seen in the lobby. Although the system-provided items were excellent, over time, he felt like a mere task execution machine. This time, Chen Jianhai was determined to rely on himself and his hotel's staff to create a carnival entirely of his own making.

Chen Jianhai's unusual behavior in recent days left the hotel staff somewhat unaccustomed. Previously, any hotel event would be set up overnight, and their tasks were merely to provide service. This experience of arranging tables, lights, and tasting dishes was a first for them. Although exhausting, this sense of involvement gave them a deeper sense of belonging and responsibility. 

One employee, after pushing the heavy charcoal cart to the warehouse for the fiftieth time and collapsing from exhaustion, didn't complain but instead grinned at Chen Jianhai, flexing his muscles and jokingly said, "Thank you for the workout."

...

It was currently the hotel's ocean-themed romantic wedding season, with at least one wedding held each day. The staff's workload was three to four times heavier than usual. Initially, Chen Jianhai worried his employees wouldn't cope and even considered buying restorative pills for them. To his surprise, despite the heavy workload, the staff was well-versed in the wedding procedures. From guest reception to serving dishes, charging fees, and cleaning, their coordination was seamless, often going above and beyond to help maintain wedding order. Their efficiency and cooperation ensured the weddings ran smoothly, earning the hotel record-high praise, with one day achieving a 100% positive rating. Money poured into the Lang Ai Hotel's bank account like snowflakes.

With such capable employees, Chen Jianhai could fully focus on preparing for the barbecue carnival.

...

Meanwhile, with the entire hotel staff busy, An Xia sat gloomily at a dining table, sighing in frustration. His story of traveling a long distance to find his girlfriend, singing sorrowful love songs on the beach, and being recognized by the boss spread like wildfire throughout the hotel. Suddenly, An Xia became a celebrity, with all employees, regardless of gender, showing interest in him, especially in the story of his girlfriend running away with someone else—though no one dared to ask outright.

In fact, An Xia's voice had recovered by the third day, and by the fourth morning, he had proactively requested to start singing. To his surprise, Chen Jianhai refused. 

"The barbecue carnival isn't ready yet," Chen Jianhai said. "The only place you could sing now is the rotating music restaurant, but your musical style doesn't match the restaurant's theme. Just rest well in the hotel for now. I'll let you know when you can start singing."

An Xia reluctantly agreed, "Alright."

"Since the boss told you to rest, just relax and don't overthink it," an employee said, handing An Xia a cup of cola. "Have some cola; there's no need to stress."

An Xia replied with a bitter face, "It's not that I'm stressed; I'm just a bit anxious... I've been eating and staying here for free without working, and I feel uneasy."

It was mealtime, and An Xia sat at a large round table filled with delicious food, feeling too worried to eat. He had been at the hotel for almost five days, but Chen Jianhai hadn't used him yet. He felt like an artist being shelved by a management company.

"You're not appreciating the good fortune you have!" said "Mingming de Fannao" while shoving a piece of braised pork into his mouth, his lips glistening with oil. "You should rest now while you can. Once you start working, you'll have a tough time!"

"Boss is tough," added another. "If he sees us slacking off, he'll kick us. Trust me, enjoy this break while you can."

"Right..."

Everyone chimed in, leaving An Xia speechless.

"Bang!" A lively female employee drinking lime soda couldn't bear it anymore. Slamming her cup on the table, she said, "You guys are scaring him! The boss kicks you because you slack off, not us girls!"

"It's just you guys not pulling your weight!" "Tian Qingning" glared at "Mingming de Fannao," showing a hint of her small tiger teeth in a threatening smile. "Last time I heard from Xiao Xun that you were secretly playing games in the restroom. I'll tell the boss next time."