In the 1970s, it started with contracting out communal dining.

On the semi-transparent panel in front of me, the display showing the heat output temperature is slowly rising.

When it reached 70%, Chen Wei flicked the large ladle in his hand, and the vegetable oil slid precisely into the pot.

The oil temperature panel then immediately replaced the pot temperature panel, continuing to rise from the room temperature of 30 degrees Celsius.

The oil temperature rises very quickly, which puts a great test on reaction speed.

When the oil reached 70% of its maximum temperature, Chen Wei quickly threw the peppercorns in his hand into the pot.

"Sizzle—"

The aroma burst forth quickly. After the peppercorns were fried until fragrant, Chenwei poured all the shredded potatoes from the bowl into the pot and stir-fried them rapidly.

From morning until now, Chenwei has found the perfect rhythm.

Sauté over high heat until fragrant, then stir-fry over medium heat, and finally reduce the sauce over high heat.

This dish can be prepared in less than 5 minutes on average. If it takes more than 10 seconds, the dish will become soggy and the texture will not be as crisp.

Wang Xiuli lifted the canteen curtain and walked in, immediately seeing Chen Wei busy working with sweat pouring down his face.

"Xiao Chen, take a break!"

"No need, Auntie. I'm slow at cooking, and I'm afraid I won't be able to finish making it for lunch," Chen Wei said casually, and then continued to cook.

Wang Xiuli's gaze toward Chen Wei had changed.

This young man is really good. From the day he arrived, he has been quietly chopping and cutting food. Although he doesn't talk much, he doesn't cut corners at all.

Food cooked in a large pot is never very tasty. If it were someone else's chef, they could cook all the food for hundreds of people in one pot at once.

This Xiao Chen is something else; he's so afraid of affecting the taste that he insists on ordering ten portions to be cooked in small batches.

I've heard that chefs at big hotels are so strict with themselves that they don't allow their staff to make bad dishes.

Just based on this point alone, this young Chen is much better than Wang Defa!

Wang Xiuli sighed inwardly and casually filled Chen Wei's enamel mug with a full glass of cooled boiled water.

I didn't dare disturb him, and just casually placed the cup next to the stove.

"Thank you, Auntie!"

Just as Chen Wei's last pot of dishes was coming out of the pot, he deftly poured a large pot of hot and sour shredded vegetables into an enamel basin, then poured water to wash the pot before picking up the cold boiled water in the enamel mug and drinking it all in one gulp.

He was really thirsty after working all morning.

Chen Wei hasn't rested for four whole hours since 6 a.m., and his arms are now sore they feel like they're filled with lead.

But looking at the numbers flashing on the panel, Chen Wei was still a little excited.

[Temperature control proficiency +1, +1, +1]

[Temperature Control (Beginner): 12/500]

The proficiency level on the panel kept fluctuating, finally settling at 12.

One pot serves 10 people. Chenwei has now cooked ten more pots, and his proficiency has steadily increased by ten points. Adding the two pots from this morning, he now has a total of 12 proficiency points.

Although it's still a long time before the upgrade, my proficiency has already increased considerably.

Now we'll see if all 100 portions of food can be sold at noon.

After looking at the proficiency panel, Chen Wei suddenly remembered that a new piece of information had appeared in the personal information section that morning, called reputation value.

He was so busy all morning that he didn't even notice what the reputation value meant.

Chen Wei casually opened his personal information panel and began to examine it carefully.

The dashboard clearly displayed Chen Wei's current personal information.

Name: Chen Wei

[Food Level: Apprentice]

Current equipment slots: 2

Current Reputation Points: 8/100

The reputation value column has increased by two points since Chen Wei saw it this morning. One of these two increases should be due to Liu Dayou, who just came to freeload.

Actually, when Chen Wei saw this column of data this morning, he realized that this data should be determined based on the number of diners attracted by his dishes.

In other words, the more people like your dish, the more reputation points you will gain.

Who is the other one?

Chen Wei looked at the few people busy in the cafeteria with a puzzled expression. Wang Xiuli and Wu Xiaochun were two people, and there were a total of four people who came to the cafeteria for breakfast that morning. Including Liu Dayou, there were only seven people. So what about the eighth person...?

Just then, Lin Jun, with a dark face, sneaked in from outside carrying a slop bucket. He threw the bucket into a corner with a very displeased expression.

In that instant, Chen Wei immediately understood.

It turns out that the 8th customer is our "pig-feeding brother"!

This kid can make sarcastic remarks faster than anyone else, but deep down he's probably already drooling with envy.

Unable to resist letting out a cold laugh, Chen Wei completely ignored this clown.

Instead, he continued to study the personal stats panel carefully.

What effect does reaching 100 reputation points have?

Just as he was thinking this, a series of system notification sounds suddenly rang in Chen Wei's mind.

[Reputation points +1, +1, +1, +1...]

hiss--

What's going on?!

Did a scalper steal the food he had just cooked and resell it?

Chen Wei quickly turned his head to look.

That's not right!

The two large bowls of stir-fried vegetables are still on the table, so what's the reputation value...?

-

Equipment Department Office.

On the only large table in the middle was a small bowl of vegetables, which Liu Dayou held tightly to his chest.

He tried to shoo away the crowd that had already formed a dark mass around him, like swatting flies.

"Go away! If you want to eat, buy your own! Why are you stealing from me!"

"Line leader! You're keeping this good stuff to yourself? That's not like you at all! Hurry up and share it with everyone, you won't be shortchanged on your food tickets!"

The young man who spoke was tall and thin, looking like a boiled chicken. His surname was Chen, and people called him Chen Erzhu.

This kid is closest to Liu Dayou; they are cousins, and Erzhuzi's mother is Liu Dayou's third aunt.

Therefore, it's natural that we can be more intimate when we talk to each other than with others.

Chen Erzhu's family wasn't well-off, and he had a big appetite.

Unfortunately, the factory meals were usually not very oily, and the young men in their early twenties were often hungry, which is why they were as thin as sticks.

Normally, his cousin, who is practically a half-cousin, would definitely protect him.

It's rare to see his cousin act like this today, wanting to eat alone.

"You brat, I've never let you go hungry before! How could you sell me out today!" Liu Dayou said through gritted teeth, looking pained, clutching the small enamel basin to his chest tightly, refusing to let go.

Seeing that he couldn't stop these wolf-like boys, Liu Dayou had no choice but to reveal his identity.

"Let me tell you, I'm your boss. Don't you dare mess around! Lunch will be served in a little over half an hour. Anyone who wants to eat can go to the cafeteria themselves!"

Even though he said that, the aroma from the enamel basin in his hand was already wafting out uncontrollably.

It had been more than three hours since breakfast, and Chen Erzhu and the others were starving.

The moment the aroma entered your nostrils, it made your mouth water uncontrollably.

The young men, no longer caring about their superiors, immediately rushed forward, led by Chen Erzhu, with smiles on their faces.

Some raised their hands, others hugged their legs, and one clever boy simply slipped through the crowd and snatched the enamel basin from Liu Dayou's hand.

"Hey, what good stuff is there that you'd keep hidden away? Brother, I'll test it out for you! Hahahaha—"

As he said this, the boy didn't even wash his hands, and directly picked up two strands of potato shreds with his fingers and stuffed them into his mouth.