[Chapter 408: Some People Just Can't Read the Room]
At 9 a.m., Linton arrived at the New Oriental Culinary School accompanied by Miguel and Lin Hao. Today, the cooking and domestic skills evaluation for the 28 specially accommodated girls was scheduled here.
The Labor Service Company had rented a large kitchen at the New Oriental Culinary School, equipped with 10 separate cooking stations, where all 28 candidates would complete the test in three rounds.
Following the requirements, the school prepared over 20 common home-style dishes' ingredients for the participants to freely choose from.
What surprised Linton was that although the notice stated the 28 girls needed to attend the test themselves, each girl showed up accompanied by at least two family members.
Such families, such protection, and such limited independence gave Linton a bad feeling.
The test was quite simple: each girl was to select ingredients from those prepared by the school and independently cook a complete dish within 30 minutes, then present it directly to Linton for tasting to pass.
Linton's standards were not high at all -- as long as the dish was cooked on-site, wasn't burnt, and the seasoning wasn't off, it would pass. The purpose wasn't to examine real cooking skills but to see if they could adapt to being a server.
After all, once they went to America, they wouldn't be working as cooks. But if they couldn't even handle basic cooking, expecting them to be good servers was unrealistic.
Besides, this test had been administered to all participants more than a month ago, and just two days prior, the 28 girls were specifically told what the test would be. If they still couldn't do it, Linton wouldn't take it lightly.
Once everyone gathered, a teacher at the New Oriental School explained how to use the cooking stations.
Then, Lin Hao took out 28 pre-prepared draw lots for the girls to pick, determining the cooking order.
...
Soon, the first ten girls whose numbers were drawn entered the kitchen. They picked ingredients, washed and cut them, started the stove, poured oil, added their ingredients, salted, cooked, and plated their dishes.
For anyone who had truly done housework, cooking a dish wasn't difficult -- in fact, it should be quite easy.
But it was clear these girls rarely stepped into kitchens, or only practiced cooking for this test.
Their movements, postures, and speed were awkward and stiff.
Still, all ten managed to get their dishes done within the 30 minutes, even if clumsily.
Interestingly, among the ten, seven chose tomato scrambled eggs, two picked stir-fried greens, and one went for steamed eggs.
Everyone picked the simplest options, and fortunately, the school had enough tomatoes and eggs.
The dishes hardly looked or smelled great, but the taste was passable. Linton sampled each dish and found no strange flavors, so he announced all ten had passed.
The nervous girls and their families erupted in cheers.
...
Next, the second batch of ten girls drew their turn, but an unexpected scene unfolded at stove number seven -- a girl had a parent trailing her inside.
Lin Hao hurried over. "Our evaluation requires the girls to cook independently. Parents are not allowed to participate. Please watch from outside."
"But our Lanlan has never been in a kitchen before! She can't cook! I'm just helping her; please cut us some slack. It will be quick," the mother pleaded.
Lin Hao nearly blew his top but maintained his composure and sternly admonished her.
"Nonsense! This is a basic skills test set by the employer for potential employees. The rules clearly state the candidate must complete the task independently. What are you doing in there? Do you plan to go to America and work for her too? Step out now."
"Director Lin, but our Lanlan really can't cook. Please let me assist her. Besides, if necessary, I'm willing to accompany her to America," the mother persisted.
"You wish! Her ability or inability is her own responsibility. Staff, escort her out. Don't let her disrupt the others' evaluation."
Two staff members moved in and forcibly removed her.
Unsurprisingly, only nine out of ten girls cooked a dish successfully regardless of appearance or taste, and Linton passed them all.
Lanlan, at station seven, spent the entire time just spacing out and didn't cook anything, so Linton immediately declared her disqualified.
Her mother loudly protested, "No, you can't eliminate our Lanlan! She has to go to America!"
Lin Hao's face darkened -- what kind of clueless fool was this? She made him look bad in front of Linton. Just as he was about to harshly reprimand her, Linton stopped him and took the lead to speak.
"I'm the person in charge of the American side. Ma'am, why shouldn't your Lanlan be eliminated?"
"Because my husband is a ** gang boss."
"What does your husband being a gang boss have to do with me hiring people to work in America?"
"I don't care. my husband promised Lanlan that she would enjoy a good life in America."
"So you think going to America is about living the high life?"
"Of course, that's what my husband told me and Lanlan."
Linton raised his voice and addressed all the girls, "Do you know what kind of work you'll be doing in America?"
"Waitressing."
"No idea."
"Getting a green card."
A few replies drifted through.
"Looks like many of you don't understand. Let me emphasize again: you are going to America not to attend school, not to sit in an office, and definitely not to live the high life. You are going to work as servers in my estate, taking care of housekeeping, cleaning, gardening, and guest reception."
Upon hearing this, Lanlan yelled, "No way! Those are servant jobs! I'm going to enjoy life, there's no way I'd be doing that!"
"Stop talking. You're already disqualified. If you want to enjoy life, find somewhere else. Let me reiterate -- I pay $10,000 a year for this work. If you don't perform well, you'll be sent back. I understand many of you come from powerful families, but those powers don't influence my estate one bit because it's in America, separated by the Pacific Ocean. To me, you are no different from all other recruits. If anyone can't accept this, please withdraw voluntarily to avoid wasting your own time and opportunities."
Many people in the audience couldn't accept Linton's words, and the parents began grouping for discussions.
But Linton ignored the uproar and continued to the third round.
Fortunately, the last eight girls barely managed to cook their dishes successfully.
...
Afterward, the staff gathered the 27 successful girls into a classroom at the New Oriental Culinary School.
Only Lanlan's family, seeing Linton's firm stance, left quietly.
The domestic skills assessment was equally simple.
Each girl had a torn piece of fabric, a needle, and a spool of thread on the table and had to independently sew the fabric within 30 minutes to pass.
The requirements for stitch density or pattern were lax.
During the test, there were various comical moments -- some girls struggled to thread the needle and shouted in frustration, some pricked their fingers and cried in pain, others had trouble tying knots...
Luckily, with enough time, all of the girls stumbled through and completed the task.
Linton announced the results -- all 27 passed, prompting cheers.
However, he reiterated, "Everyone going to America will be treated equally and work as estate servers. Performance will be evaluated. Those failing to meet the standards risk dismissal. To help you adapt quickly, starting tomorrow, all will attend a two-and-a-half-month intensive training at the resort, focusing on English and service etiquette. If anyone can't accept being a server, discuss it with your family and voluntarily withdraw by tonight."
*****
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