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

"Accountant Lao Liu said that Zhang Tieniu's tickets were already claimed. Do you know who claimed them?"

Even at this point, Chen Wei still didn't directly expose Wu Xiaochun's misdeeds. He hoped that Wu Xiaochun would take the initiative to admit them, because that way he could still give him a chance.

Wu Xiaochun's face visibly turned pale, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

He opened his mouth, intending to argue, but looking at Chen Wei's familiar face, he couldn't say anything.

After a long while, Wu Xiaochun lowered his head.

He gave a wry smile before saying, "Brother Chen, I admit it, I was the one who did the food ticket thing. I didn't do it for any other reason than to teach that brat Zhang Tieniu a lesson! This is our Jin Yi Steel Plant, not their mess hall. Even if he was a dragon, he has to coil up here; even if he was a tiger, he has to lie low here! Even as a kitchen helper, there's still a proper order to things!"

In fact, Wu Xiaochun's words represent the consensus of most of the seasoned veterans who have worked in factories in this era.

State-owned enterprises value seniority and seniority; it's not about who has the most ability who gets promoted.

Otherwise, Chen Wei wouldn't have had such a difficult time getting promoted to head chef.

Chen Wei closed his eyes, not blaming Wu Xiaochun.

Wu Xiaochun is a person of this era, so it's perfectly normal for him to have such thoughts.

But Chen Wei couldn't just stand by and watch him get in his way. If he continued to bully others like this, something bad would happen sooner or later.

"Xiaochun..." Chen Wei took a deep breath and slowly spoke, "I'll give you a few days off. Go home and visit your aunt, spend some time with her, and also think carefully about whether seniority or skill is more important for a chef!"

After saying this, Chen Wei didn't linger and turned to leave.

Wu Xiaochun was left standing there in a daze, and it took him a long time to react.

"Brother Chen! Are you trying to kick me out?"

He never expected Chen Wei to be so ruthless as to kick him out. In Wu Xiaochun's mind, even if he tripped up Zhang Tieniu, the newcomer, so what? At most, Chen Wei would just give him a verbal scolding.

But now, Chen Wei is showing no mercy and is directly trying to drive him away!

"Brother Chen! You've disregarded our brotherhood for that newcomer!"

Wu Xiaochun was furious and chased after Chen Wei, trying to stop him, but Chen Wei shook him off.

Chen Wei looked at him with a hint of sympathy, feeling that Wu Xiaochun's usual cleverness had vanished at this moment.

He thought that Wu Xiaochun should have understood by now.

But it seems he still misunderstood.

Out of consideration for their past relationship, Chen Wei finally sighed and offered another reminder.

"I'm not kicking you out, I'm giving you a long vacation so you can go home and see your mother! And while you're at it, figure out what's most important to a chef! When you figure that out, you can come back!"

After saying this, Chen Wei didn't linger and went straight into the kitchen after lifting the curtain.

Wu Xiaochun was left standing there in astonishment, staring blankly at Chen Wei's back.

-

As darkness fell, the streetlights in the factory area began to illuminate one by one.

Zhang Tieniu and Chen Wei walked side by side on the road in the factory area, each holding an ice pop and eating it as they walked.

"Chef Chen, thank you so much today! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know where to get my food tickets!"

The popsicle in Chen Wei's hand was paid for by Zhang Tieniu.

This kid is actually quite polite, but he may have developed a wrong mindset in his previous unit and failed to adapt to the mindset of a cook. He may still think of himself as a soldier, which is why he was so arrogant when he first arrived.

Chen Wei still quite likes this guy who has some talent but is just mistaken in his understanding.

After all, they are really capable of doing the work.

"It's nothing. That's just how Wu Xiaochun is. He didn't mean to bully you. Don't take it to heart."

Chen Wei said casually.

But then he heard Zhang Tieniu chuckle sheepishly and say, "What's there to hold a grudge about! I just arrived and didn't know anything yet, and I was already telling Brother Wu that I wanted to take his cooking job. No wonder he messed with me! In the end, it's all my fault for being a frog in a well, never having seen the world!"

He sighed as he said this, seemingly regretting his past short-sightedness.

"Chef Chen, to be honest! If I hadn't seen you cook today, I would have thought I was making some kind of delicacy! Haha, thinking about it now, it's quite embarrassing. Back in the army, those guys were so hungry after training they were practically starving, and even if we gave them pig feed, they'd still praise how delicious it was. Ugh! So embarrassing!"

Zhang Tieniu's words came from the bottom of his heart and were absolutely genuine.

Chen Wei could tell that after the competition at noon, Zhang Tieniu was truly convinced.

He nodded and patted Zhang Tieniu on the shoulder.

"It's good that you don't blame him. Xiaochun isn't a bad person. I'm letting him go home and reflect on his actions, and he can come back in a few days! This will also give you two some time to adjust!"

After saying that, Chen Wei walked away, leaving Zhang Tieniu standing there dumbfounded.

He never expected that Chef Chen would drive Wu Xiaochun away for his sake. Anyone could see that Wu Xiaochun was Chef Chen's confidant.

The admiration in Zhang Tieniu's eyes as he looked at Chen Wei was even deeper.

In the other dormitory, Wu Xiaochun was complaining to the two brothers, Wu Danian and Wu Ernian.

The boy was lying on the bed, his face covered in tears. This tall man was sobbing like a woman.

"Brother Chen wants to kick me out! Just because of that new guy Zhang Tieniu, why should he?! I was just teaching him a lesson for Brother Chen, don't you think that kid deserves a beating?!"

The two Wu brothers were usually very close to Wu Xiaochun, always speaking with one mind, so naturally they went along with him now.

Upon hearing Wu Xiaochun say this, the two Wu brothers nodded hurriedly.

"That's right, Brother Chun! How could Brother Chen be so confused? You're his trusted subordinate, how can he side with an outsider! Who is that Zhang Tieniu? He's only been here for a day, how can he compare to you!"

But the more the Wu brothers said this, the more uncomfortable Wu Xiaochun felt.

Brother Chen is certainly not wrong; if there is any fault, it is entirely Zhang Tieniu's fault.

The strange thing is that the kid was trying so hard to show off in front of Brother Chen, stealing his thunder.

That kid hasn't left the cutting board all day; he's been chopping vegetables the whole time. What is he pretending for?

Just then, there was a knock on Wu Xiaochun's dormitory door.

A deep, resonant voice came from outside: "Comrade Wu? It's me, Zhang Tieniu! May I come in? I have a few words I'd like to say to you in person."

Zhang Tieniu?

What is he doing here?!

Wu Xiaochun was stunned. His already aggrieved mood suddenly turned into anger. As if he had found a trigger, he stood up, rushed to the door, and opened the dormitory door.

"Speak your mind, or shut up! Don't think that just because Brother Chen is on your side, your grandpa's afraid of you!"