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

Wu Xiaochun, carrying a faded canvas bag, walked dejectedly toward the factory gate.

On an early summer evening, the cicadas chirped incessantly, and the poplar leaves in the factory area rustled in the wind.

He looked down and kicked at the pebbles by the roadside, still feeling a lingering sense of frustration.

"Sigh, I wonder when Brother Chen will let me come back! By the time I return, that Zhang Tieniu guy will definitely have become Brother Chen's favorite!"

"Is this Xiao Wu from the cafeteria? Where is he going so late at night?"

As he was muttering to himself, he suddenly heard someone call his name from behind.

As soon as Wu Xiaochun turned around, he saw Ma Qianjin walking towards him with a smile, and he immediately became alert.

What's Ma Qianjin doing here? Shouldn't he have been off work long ago at this hour?

"Section Chief Ma, it's so late, and you're still at the factory! You're really dedicated!" Wu Xiaochun immediately put on a smile, but while exchanging pleasantries, he couldn't help but look Ma Qianjin up and down.

He didn't reveal a single word about his relationship with Chen Wei.

The fact that Section Chief Ma and Brother Chen have been at odds for a long time is quite a story. He himself has even tripped up Brother Chen's nephew. Wu Xiaochun was only kicked out this time, not lost his memory, so naturally he won't be so quick to act rashly.

Although he loves gossip, he's careful with his words, knowing what to say and what not to say.

Ma Qianjin narrowed his eyes, walked to his side, and then chuckled softly:

"There's been a minor issue online, so I'm staying at the factory to oversee how they resolve it."

"Oh, thank you for your hard work! Director Ma, you're very busy, so I won't bother you any longer. I'm just carrying some things for my mother; if I stay any longer, she might miss the bus, so I'll be going now!"

With a forced smile on his face, Wu Xiaochun bowed to Ma Qianjin and turned to leave.

But Ma Qianjin's next words sent a chill down Wu Xiaochun's spine.

"But I heard that you, Xiao Wu, were kicked out by Chen Wei?"

Ma Qianjin's voice carried a mocking laugh and a sinister, probing tone.

I don't know where this old guy got the news from, but it's only been two hours since Brother Chen told him to go home. I wonder which scoundrel leaked it to Ma Qianjin's ears.

He couldn't help but mutter a few complaints to himself, but his face still held that same smile.

He replied in unison, "Hey, who's the scoundrel spreading rumors about our canteen? To tell you the truth, Section Chief Ma, your production department has been working overtime a lot lately, which has made our canteen work overtime too! Jun'er and I are exhausted. We just got three new people today, and it's so hard to find someone to cover our shifts. That's why I asked Brother Chen for leave to go home and see my mother."

Wu Xiaochun was determined not to admit it, but Ma Qianjin across from him revealed a shrewd and calculating smile.

Ma Qianjin skipped over the argument with Wu Xiaochun about whether Chen Wei had driven them away, and leaned over to whisper.

"Oh? Going home to see your mother? Then you'd better hurry, or you'll miss the bus back. After all, who knows if you'll even get your salary next month! Don't you think so?"

That old bastard will step on people's wounds!

Wu Xiaochun clenched his fists suddenly, his face froze, and he could barely maintain his smile.

"Then I'll be going now."

Not wanting to waste any more time arguing with this old fox with bared fangs, Wu Xiaochun turned and left.

Unexpectedly, Ma Qianjin spoke up again from behind.

"Xiaochun, do you think if your brother Chen wasn't the chef anymore, and you were the chef instead, would he still hurt you like this?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Xiaochun paused in his tracks.

"Section Chief Ma, what do you mean by that?"

"It doesn't mean anything, just giving you a different perspective." Ma Qianjin smiled, casually tossing a bunch of things out of his sleeve, and said to himself, "You know, with Chef Chen making so many dishes every day, what if something unclean suddenly gets into the food... Oh dear, if that happens, he won't be able to keep his position as head chef. Chef Chen will become a kitchen helper, and then in terms of seniority in the kitchen, it'll still be you, Comrade Wu, who will be in charge, hahaha."

He was halfway through his sentence when Ma Qianjin suddenly burst into laughter a few times, then turned and left.

Wu Xiaochun was not given any chance to react.

Wu Xiaochun was left standing there, dumbfounded, repeatedly pondering the words Ma Qianjin had spoken.

Of the few people currently working in the cafeteria, apart from him, the rest have all been there for less than six months. If it weren't for Brother Chen's exceptional abilities, the head chef position wouldn't have fallen to him.

If Brother Chen stopped being a head chef... then would he stop scolding me like I'm his third grandson...?

Wu Xiaochun turned around thoughtfully and suddenly saw a white paper package where Ma Qianjin was standing.

Startled, he quickly walked over, hurriedly picked up the white paper packet, and clutched it in his hand.

-

The factory area was unusually quiet at night in the summer. The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, and occasionally a few workers who had finished their night shift would ride by on their bicycles, the jingling of their bells crisply cutting through the night sky.

Chen Wei lay on the bed with his hands behind his head, and the system panel was displayed in front of him.

He was carefully studying the new recipe that had popped up on the system panel.

This is the first recipe Chen Wei has received as a system reward since the recipe analysis function was unlocked.

The semi-transparent system panel displays detailed recipe information.

Dish Name: Sweet and Sour Carp

[Rank: Rank 3]

[Compatible Equipment: Ebony cutting board, stainless steel kitchen knife, large ladle, coal-fired stove]

[Ingredients: One fresh carp, weighing about two pounds. Seasonings: scallions, ginger, garlic, cooking wine, starch, and various condiments]

[Note: This dish showcases superb knife skills, has an excellent presentation, a delicious sweet and sour taste, and a bright, festive red color. It is perfect for entertaining officials or attending celebratory banquets, and will truly demonstrate the chef's expertise.]

[Additional effect of this dish: Anyone who eats this dish will automatically gain 25% reputation points for you.]

Thanks to Lin Jun's contribution, the skill level of the large ladle was maxed out, and this recipe was awarded as a reward after the upgrade.

This was the first whole fish dish that Chen Wei had ever received, so it was quite a substantial dish.

The steamed pork with preserved mustard greens and braised pig's trotters soup that he analyzed last time were considered main dishes, but the flavors of those dishes were specially prepared for Yang Limin and were more in line with the tastes of the Cantonese. In fact, they were not very popular with the people in Jinshi.

In Jinshi, the most popular dishes are still sweet and sour dishes like sweet and sour carp.

Chen Wei was staring blankly at the recipe. Given the current standard of living in their factory, let alone sweet and sour carp, even making some crucian carp soup to treat themselves was a luxury.

I have the recipe, but when will I be able to make this dish?