The system offered a comprehensive selection, basically suitable for all occasions and uses. After browsing through them, Mai Ge chose a long black and white maid outfit and a blue and white maid outfit, both with similar styles.
The system directly borrowed Rem's image: a white tube top and apron, a black top and skirt that revealed her delicate collarbone, a black bow around her neck, and a white headband. The other outfit came with a black headband, and included five pairs each of black and white stockings.
As for shoes, Mai Ge chose two pairs, one black and one white, of flat leather shoes. The style was simple, but they should be comfortable, considering how busy the restaurant job was; eight hours of work would probably ruin her feet in high heels.
"Total 11 gold coins. Customization can begin after payment. Estimated completion time: five minutes." the system's voice announced.
"That's settled then, pay now." Mai Ge was quite satisfied with his taste. These two maid outfits were actually quite conservative, a bit of his quirky humor, and guests wouldn't see them outside his restaurant.
"Payment complete, data collection complete, processing in progress, delivery in five minutes." the system replied.
"Sister Mia, you're really not dreaming, it really is Aden Square outside!" Amy said, looking at Yabemia who was still standing there in a daze. Hearing Mai Ge's words, she was quite happy too.
"I think… I think the salary is too high. I can't accept that much. My previous job only paid eight hundred a month. You only need to give me eight hundred, that's enough. I'll work very hard." Yabemia said, shaking her head as she looked at Mai Ge.
"No, you deserve this price. Our restaurant targets middle to high income earners, so we need you to demonstrate the same level of enthusiasm and skill as your salary." Mai Ge smiled and shook his head, flipping open the menu on the table. "Your lunch will be a serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice. Of course, you can choose to exchange it for two La Zhi Rou Jia Mo. Once the restaurant introduces new dishes, you can also choose any combination of dishes up to 600 copper coins."
"600 copper coins!" Yabemia's eyes widened as she looked at the price on the menu. A serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice cost 600 copper coins! If she wasn't mistaken, that must have been the delicious food she had just eaten.
If that delicious food had to be measured in monetary terms, then she felt 600 copper coins wasn't expensive at all; it was just that she didn't have the money.
And now Mai Ge was saying he would provide her with a free serving everyday at noon, or exchange it for other food of equivalent value in the restaurant. This employee benefit was many times higher than her salary.
"Alright, let's not talk about salary anymore. This is just the probationary salary. If your work efficiency is good this month, I'll consider increasing your regular salary. Have a seat, I'll get you some water, and then I'll go upstairs to get your clothes." Mai Ge gestured for Yabemia to sit down, took the glass from the table, and headed towards the kitchen.
4500 is the starting salary for a second class waitress, with an average salary of around 5000. With Yabemia's looks, she could easily be a first class waitress.
Right now, Mai Ge is using a first class waitress to do the work of a third class waitress, and then paying her a second class waitress's salary. No matter how he look at it, he's not losing out.
However, because of her half-dragon identity, even if she was paid a third class waitress's salary, no restaurant would hire Yabemia. Otherwise, she wouldn't have starved to death at the restaurant entrance. So, he's not exactly an exploitative capitalist.
As for the fact that the benefits only include one meal at noon, it's because the cost of ingredients is too high. The cost of ingredients for a serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice is nearly 300 copper coins, which is higher than her salary. Providing two more meals would be less efficient than having Mai Ge give her a raise.
There is indeed an empty room on the second floor, but Mai Ge doesn't like people living in his house. Since she's an employee, a certain distance should be maintained. She can simply receive her salary in advance and rent her own place outside.
When Yabemia took the water glass from Mai Ge, her mind was still blank. She had fainted from hunger for a moment. After waking up, she, who had always been unlucky, was overwhelmed by happiness. She ate delicious food, gained recognition, and now she even had a job, which was the job she had always longed for, one that allowed her to have direct contact with customers.
Most importantly, her monthly salary was a whopping 4500 copper coins! And she could even have delicious food for lunch! Happiness had come so suddenly that she was still a little overwhelmed.
Mai Ge didn't rush to guide her. Changes in lifestyle always take time to adjust. Hearing the system notification that her clothes had arrived, he went upstairs to get the clothes and shoes that the system had already packed in three bags. He also had the system print out two pictures of maid outfits; after all, this world didn't have that style of clothing, and it would be embarrassing if she didn't know how to wear it. He wasn't really suited to teaching her by example.
"This is your work uniform. Change into it before work tomorrow. Here are twenty five gold coins. Find a safe and comfortable place to stay. The rest should be enough for your normal expenses this month. Your remaining salary will be paid on the first of next month." Mai Ge placed the bags on the table and handed a handful of gold coins to Yabemia.
"Thank you, Boss. I will work hard." Yabemia accepted the gold coins with both hands, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. In so many years, this was the first time she had felt recognized and cared for like this.
It wasn't pity, nor was it lust for her body; it was recognition of her abilities, a belief that she could handle the job. This sense of trust gave her a sense of meaning in life for the first time. She wasn't so bad after all; at least she still had a job she could do.
"Then I'll call you Mia. I hope to see more of your smiling face tomorrow and in the work ahead. You look really beautiful when you smile." Mai Ge smiled and nodded. "Go ahead, it'll be hard to find a place to stay after dark."
"Good luck, Sister Mia! See you tomorrow!" Amy waved her little hand.
"Goodbye." Yabemia nodded, picked up the three bags from the table, glanced gratefully at Mai Ge and Amy, and turned to walk towards the door, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation in her eyes about what kind of clothes were inside. The clothes she was wearing were left to her by her mother years ago.
"Daddy, does this mean Sister Mia won't have to keep selling matches anymore?" Amy asked.
"Yes, she'll be a member of our restaurant from now on." Mai Ge smiled and nodded. It seemed she and Amy would get along well.
With the waitress issue resolved, Mai Ge felt much more relaxed. A notification popped into his mind to install the retractable blinds. He confirmed the installation, took Amy upstairs for a shower, and came back downstairs to find the blinds already installed. It was almost meal time again. He lowered the blinds, turned on the crystal chandelier, and blocked all prying eyes. The system's products were indeed amazing.
There were several knocks on the door during dinner, but Mai Ge ignored them. Soon the noise stopped, and the blinds worked well to deter people.
The next morning, Mai Ge got up at around 5 a.m. to prepare ingredients. He went over and turned on the shutter button. A girl dressed as a maid stood outside the window, pouting and staring at him with a stiff posture.