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

Seeing that he couldn't make the sweet and sour carp, Chen Wei had no choice but to put the dish out of his mind, thinking that he would buy two carp and try to make the dish again when he returned to Chen Jian's home.

I've already got the recipes, and I'm itching to try them out.

Days passed by, and the new apprentices each had their own distinct temperaments, but they were all fairly obedient.

Especially after what happened last time, Zhang Tieniu now does whatever he's told, and he's completely obedient to Chen Wei.

Without Wu Xiaochun in the cafeteria's kitchen, it was definitely less lively.

Everyone spent the whole morning silently chopping vegetables. Only Yang Zhengbao and Lin Jun occasionally said a word or two, while the rest didn't utter a sound. This made Chen Wei miss Wu Xiaochun's talkative nature.

Wu Xiaochun didn't return until a week later. Chen Wei figured he must have thought things through, so he sent someone to tell him to come back to work.

Just then, Chen Jianguo had already secured a position for Wu Xiaochun, and they were just waiting for Wu Xiaochun to return so they could assess his performance before transferring him to another position.

However, in order to teach this kid a lesson, Chen Wei made it clear when he called him back that Wu Xiaochun would still be a handyman when he returned. If he continued to do his job poorly and always stirred up trouble, he could forget about being a handyman.

The morning sunlight slanted in through the window and shone on the stove.

Chen Wei was focused on chopping potatoes at the cutting board, his knife moving swiftly and precisely, producing evenly shredded potatoes, as if they had been measured with a ruler.

Zhang Tieniu was peeling potatoes beside him, while Yang Zhengbao and Lin Jun were washing pots and flipping woks at the stove, and the other two new apprentices were busy with various chores. The whole kitchen was in good order.

Wu Xiaochun returned at this time.

He still had that faded canvas bag slung over his shoulder, with a hole somehow torn in it. He stood dejectedly at the entrance of the cafeteria kitchen, clutching the hem of his shirt, too afraid to go inside.

Chen Wei glanced up at him and saw the awkwardness on his face, feeling a pang of pity.

This kid has always been a loud and boisterous person; when has he ever been so hesitant?

"What are you still standing at the door for? Waiting for Brother Chen to come and invite you?"

Lin Jun quickly went over and pulled the person inside.

Wu Xiaochun stood there stammering, hesitating for a long time before finally calling out, "Brother Chen... Brother Chen..."

"Hmm." Chen Wei didn't look up but still responded. "Now that you're back, get back to work. The person who sent you the message already told you, right? About your reassignment?"

"I told you!" Wu Xiaochun was startled and immediately lowered his head, feeling his face burning.

He was a senior figure in the kitchen, swaggering around before he left, but now that he's back, he's back to being a kitchen handyman.

He was naturally not happy about it.

But he could also tell that Chen Wei was deliberately giving him a chance this time, and if he didn't work hard, he might really be fired.

But at this moment, Wu Xiaochun looked at the kitchen in front of him, which was so well organized that there was no place for him. He stood there for a moment, not knowing where to go.

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhang Tieniu went up to greet Wu Xiaochun.

"Comrade Wu is back. I can't finish peeling these potatoes by myself. Come and help me." Wu Xiaochun was taken aback, seemingly not expecting that the first person to call him would be Zhang Tieniu. He was somewhat surprised.

After a moment of surprise, she quickly and gratefully replied, "Yes! Coming right away!"

He was an old hand who was used to working in the kitchen, so he didn't need anyone to tell him what to do. He immediately grabbed his old work clothes and apron, tied them around his waist, and ran over to peel potatoes with Zhang Tieniu.

Chen Wei was quite satisfied with his behavior. It seemed that after staying at home for a few days, the kid had finally thought things through.

That's right. Working in the cafeteria and not doing his job properly while stirring up trouble all day long is Wu Xiaochun's problem, Chen Wei thought to himself. He figured that after this incident, Wu Xiaochun would probably be more honest with his work in the future.

Just as he expected, Wu Xiaochun seemed like a completely different person since he came back.

He used to avoid his job whenever possible, and he would slack off whenever he could. He was always absent-minded when chopping, and his knife skills were mediocre. Only when he was gossiping would he be 200% focused, and he would want to dig up someone's ancestors for three generations.

Since returning this time, he's been like a wound-up machine, constantly looking for work to do.

While Chen Wei was preparing the ingredients, he was washing vegetables and peeling potatoes next to him.

After peeling all the potatoes, he went to find a basket of white radishes and washed them all clean.

Today at noon, the cafeteria served shredded radish in a shredded sauce and hot and sour shredded vegetables, along with a small amount of shredded pork with green peppers, which was prepared for the leaders.

With more people chopping and preparing the ingredients, the dishes were quickly ready. Chen Wei then looked up and saw Wu Xiaochun, who usually slacked off at this time, frantically scrubbing the stove, which was so smooth it was almost reflective.

Chen Wei was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself, "When did this kid become so enthusiastic about work?"

However, being proactive in work is a good thing, so Chen Wei didn't think much of it and turned to cook.

With an extra person working, things got faster; by the time all the dishes were cooked, it was only 11:10.

There were still 20 minutes before the workers had their lunch break.

Chen Wei looked at Wu Xiaochun, who was still constantly looking for work to do in the kitchen, and shook his head with a slight smile.

This kid must be really scared because I chased him away last time, that's why he's being so attentive.

Feeling a little reluctant to see him wandering around the stove like that, Chen Wei smiled and waved.

"Xiaochun, come here, let me teach you how to toss a wok!"

"what?"

Wu Xiaochun, who was originally circling around the pot of stir-fried vegetables by the stove, suddenly shuddered as if he had been frightened. He quickly withdrew his outstretched hand into his pocket, took a step back, and then hurriedly turned his head and laughed.

"Brother Chen, why did you suddenly decide to teach me how to toss a wok? Actually, I'm not really cut out for it..."

"What's there to be afraid of? I didn't know how to cook at first either! It was Brother Chen who patiently taught me, and now look, I can even cook!"

It was Lin Jun who spoke. He smiled, patted Wu Xiaochun on the shoulder, and pushed him to the stove, next to Chen Wei.

An awkward smile appeared on Wu Xiaochun's face, mixed with a hint of barely perceptible panic.

Seeing that Chen Wei and Lin Jun both insisted, he had no choice but to patiently learn how to flip the wok from Chen Wei.

Chen Wei couldn't help but feel something was off about the kid today.

Even if that time when they kicked him out really scared him, why is he so nervous now?

Wasn't what I said clearly meant to promote him and give him a chance to work in the kitchen? Why...?

"Oh dear, Chef Chen, I'm starving! Is there any food? Hurry and give me some!"

As Chen Wei was thinking, Liu Dayou's voice suddenly came from outside the cafeteria.