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

Chen Jianguo stared at his nephew's handsome face for a long time before shaking his head with a smirk.

That brat, don't let his quiet demeanor fool you, he's actually already planned everything out in his mind.

They're just as thoughtful as I am, a seasoned veteran at the steel mill.

Chen Jianguo was naturally pleased that his own son understood the intricacies of the factory.

However, just to be on the safe side, he paused, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, saying, "I've got your concerns in mind, and I can consider it. But I have to warn you, Wu Xiaochun needs to change this habit. Are you sure changing his position will actually change him?"

Chen Wei was silent for a moment. He knew in his heart that Wu Xiaochun's problem was something he was born with. He was just that kind of person. He liked to play a little trick and show off a bit, but he wasn't a bad person at heart.

But this little bit of cleverness could very well lead to disaster in the future.

If someone is to truly repent and change their ways, simply changing their job is probably not enough.

"Uncle, I understand. I'll give him some pointers when we get back."

Chen Wei closed his eyes, but ultimately couldn't bear it, so he simply said those words and turned to leave.

As Chen Jianguo watched his nephew's retreating figure, his fingers unconsciously traced curves on the table, and he couldn't help but think to himself:

Wu Xiaochun's nephew is too soft-hearted; this time, it's not just Wu Xiaochun who will learn his lesson.

But young people need to suffer some losses to grow.

Chen Jianguo shook his head and smiled, stood up, and hummed a newly learned Peking Opera tune as he went out.

"The New Fourth Army has long been stationed in Shajiabang; this big tree provides shade and coolness."

--

As the sun began to set, the lively atmosphere in the cafeteria gradually subsided.

The workers who came to get their meals had all finished eating and left. Those who bought groceries from the canteen to take home had already ridden away on their bicycles.

Only Chen Wei and a few apprentices were still busy in the canteen. After cleaning up the pots and pans and finishing their own dinner, it was time to prepare the late-night snack.

After looking at the food that had been prepared in advance, Chen Wei immediately called over several apprentices to come and eat.

"Alright everyone, stop what you're doing! Let's eat! After we finish, we need to quickly prepare a late-night snack. We heard from the production department that about 200 people are working overtime tonight!"

The production department has been doing something big lately, with people working overtime all the time, which means the cafeteria staff are also having to work harder.

Upon hearing Chen Wei's words, several new apprentices quickly gathered around him, each holding their own lunchbox.

Since everyone was a kitchen worker, Chen Wei naturally handed over the large ladles to them so they could serve themselves.

As long as everyone puts their food tickets into the money box according to the rules, everything will be fine.

Liu Dahu and Wang Xiaoming had finished their fight and squatted in the corner to eat, while Zhang Tieniu was still standing behind the stove, intently chopping white radishes.

"Zhang Tieniu, stop working and eat first!" Chen Wei walked over and patted the other man on the shoulder, gesturing for him to go eat.

To everyone's surprise, Zhang Tieniu paused for a moment, then touched his pocket somewhat embarrassedly.

"Well... I was supposed to pick up the food tickets this afternoon, but I forgot! I can't return the food tickets I owe Chef Chen for lunch."

"Hmm?" Chen Wei frowned, immediately sensing that something was amiss.

Logically speaking, Liu Dahu, Wang Xiaoming, and Zhang Tieniu are all newcomers. Liu Dahu and Wang Xiaoming have already received their food tickets, so why is it that only Zhang Tieniu doesn't have one yet?

The task of collecting grain coupons and vegetable coupons from the accounting department should have been the administrative department's job. If I remember correctly, Wu Xiaochun said at noon that he had collected them for them all.

Wu Xiaochun? Could it be that kid who's up to no good?

Chen Wei frowned and immediately turned to look at Wu Xiaochun.

He immediately noticed that the other person was covering their mouth and chuckling, and only straightened their expression when they saw his gaze.

Chen Wei's face immediately darkened; it was indeed this kid who was causing trouble.

He turned to look at Liu Dahu and Wang Xiaoming again, and saw that the two of them were deliberately avoiding his gaze, not daring to meet his eyes, and hurriedly lowering their heads to eat the food in their lunchboxes. Chen Wei became even more certain.

"Wu Xiaochun! Come out here for a second!"

"Huh? Oh!"

Hearing Chen Wei's sudden shout, Wu Xiaochun was startled and hurriedly stood up and followed him out.

Under the big willow tree outside the back door of the cafeteria, Chen Wei stood there with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Wu Xiaochun felt uneasy.

He knew that Brother Chen didn't like seeing him doing these little tricks, but he just couldn't stand Zhang Tieniu's attitude.

"Chen... Brother Chen..." Wu Xiaochun walked over with his head down, not daring to look up at Chen Wei, but he was making quite a few small gestures with his hands.

Chen Wei glanced at him, said nothing, but simply reached out and beckoned him over.

Wu Xiaochun felt a surge of tension. Could it be that Brother Chen already knew about his secret withholding of Zhang Tieniu's vegetable tickets?

Immediately afterwards, Chen Wei said in a deep voice.

"Xiaochun, I believe I've treated you well in the past. Do you admit it?"

"Of course!" Wu Xiaochun nodded repeatedly.

Putting everything else aside, since Chen Wei became the head chef, he first raised the salaries of Wu Xiaochun and Lin Jun. Yang Zhengbao is a newcomer and doesn't meet the criteria for a salary increase, so that's fine.

The benefits in the kitchen have also improved. The electric fans used in the kitchen now were brought over by Chen Wei himself.

Even when it was very hot in the kitchen before, we never received this treatment.

Besides, those who know Chen Wei well can use the refrigerator in his dorm whenever they want!

Even if you just fill two bottles with water and put them in the refrigerator, they will still taste refreshing and can help you cool off and relieve fatigue.

If Chen Wei hadn't been living in the dormitory, those clueless guys in the dormitory area wouldn't have gotten this kind of treatment.

"Since you admit I've treated you well, why are you still causing me trouble?"

"I didn't!" Wu Xiaochun was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened and he immediately retorted.

"Brother Chen, in my heart, you're a true master chef! I respect you, I'm more than worthy of you, why would I cause you trouble! Yes! I don't think much of Zhang Tieniu! That's because that kid has his eye on my position since he arrived, and I just can't accept it!"

Chen Wei glanced at Wu Xiaochun, noticing his anxious and aggrieved expression, and waved his hand with a faint smile, interrupting him.

"You don't like Zhang Tieniu, and I've already taught him a lesson for you. No matter how resentful he was when he first came, he's now obediently chopping ingredients in the kitchen. Besides, when I take on apprentices, I look at their actual skills, not who has worked there the longest."

As Chen Wei spoke, his gaze sharpened slightly.

Wu Xiaochun's heart sank, realizing that Chen Wei was referring to him.

Although Zhang Tieniu was new, he had solid skills, at least in the cutting and chopping area, he was much better than me, a middleman.

He'd only been there a day, and the other guy's radish shreds were already cut perfectly, unlike him who practiced for a long time but still couldn't cut them properly.

Wu Xiaochun gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and stopped talking.

But the resentment in his heart hadn't lessened at all; Brother Chen still wanted to help Zhang Tieniu rise to power!