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

Wu Xiaochun suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at Chen Wei.

"Brother Chen, Ma Qianjin... really did contact me..."

Chen Wei, sitting opposite him, smiled enigmatically: "So, did you listen to what he said?"

"Of course not!"

Wu Xiaochun retorted in a firm tone, though hurriedly.

He didn't listen to a single word of the nonsense Ma Qianjin was spouting. He didn't even know what it meant that even if Brother Chen stopped being a chef, he could still make a living.

Although Wu Xiaochun has a big mouth and is used to being lazy and slacking off, he is not stupid.

Being a chef requires real skills and expertise. Chen Wei became a chef because he had those skills. Wu Xiaochun is nothing compared to him!

Even now, there's still a 50% waste rate when chopping vegetables! It'll take at least eight to ten years before he can become a master chef.

Wu Xiaochun was somewhat disapproving of Zhang Tiejun being favored by Chen Wei, but that was between him and Chen Wei and had nothing to do with Ma Qianjin.

He can't just let outsiders wreak havoc on the cafeteria!

Chen Wei looked at Wu Xiaochun's suddenly changed expression, shook his head helplessly, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright! It's all in the past, don't dwell on it! Since I brought you back today, it means I trust you! It's not really to make you do odd jobs again; I've found you a new position. From now on, you'll be in charge of our cafeteria, specifically buying ingredients from outside. I think dealing with outsiders suits you quite well!"

"Brother Chen..."

Wu Xiaochun's eyes welled up with tears, and he quickly turned his head away, wiping the corner of his eye.

He truly didn't expect that after all this, Chen Wei not only didn't fire him, but instead promoted him.

If he doesn't work hard in the future, he'll really be letting Chen Wei down.

"Brother Chen! Trust me! I promise I'll work harder from now on! If I cause you any more trouble, I'll... I'll be struck by lightning!"

Wu Xiaochun wanted to pound his chest loudly.

His actions amused Chen Wei greatly, and she quickly waved her hand.

"Don't rush to make oaths or vows. The production line will be closing soon. Come on! Let's get our food together!"

"Ugh!"

Wu Xiaochun agreed, putting everything that had happened before out of his mind.

As he passed by the trash can, he casually tossed the medicine packet wrapped in white paper into it.

The white paper package, mixed in with piles of potato and radish peels, disappeared in no time.

-

Autumn is just around the corner, and the weather is getting cooler day by day. This dish of shredded radish in the vegetable pot will probably be retired soon.

Chen Wei looked down at the vegetable bowl in front of him, slightly dazed.

All he could think about was the new recipe he'd received yesterday—sweet and sour carp.

If I could persuade my uncle to add this dish to the factory menu, that would be wonderful...

However, seeing the small bowl of shredded pork with green peppers that only served a dozen or so people, Chen Wei gave up on the idea.

There's no other way; everyone's circumstances are tough, and the only time we can afford to eat meat is during the few days right after we get paid.

For the rest of the time, let alone sweet and sour carp, even shredded pork with green peppers might not sell.

This small amount of shredded pork with green peppers was only supplied to the leaders and the few young women working in the purchasing department and the clinic.

He's all alone; he's single and has no family to worry about. He can eat whatever he wants.

Those who remained, with families to support, dared not spend money recklessly.

Chen Wei reluctantly withdrew his gaze, took all the utensils for serving food to the front, and prepared to begin his work for the day.

Unexpectedly, the cafeteria curtain was lifted at that moment, and a rare guest entered.

The man who came was an old man in his sixties, with gray hair, but he was dressed neatly.

Like Chen Jianguo and the others, he was dressed in a cadre shirt and leather sandals, his full head of white hair was combed up and shiny, and he came in with a cheerful expression.

"Deputy Factory Director Qian, what brings you here?"

Chen Wei quickly greeted the person who came.

This Deputy Factory Director Qian was a rare guest, because he was old and had been rehired. He usually just sat in his office, drinking tea and reading the newspaper.

They are definitely different from the strong laborers under them.

He usually goes straight home when he eats, since his family lives in the staff housing behind the steel plant, in a small apartment on the third floor. The apartment has a great location and good natural light.

Naturally, he wouldn't come to the canteen and squeeze in with that bunch of smelly, mud-covered folks.

"Xiao Chen, you're busy! I'm sorry to bother you!"

Qian Degui was a very easy person to get along with. Because he didn't do any real work in the factory, he was just a deputy factory director in name only, without any real power, so he really didn't put on airs.

Qian Degui walked over with a smile, approached the window as if they were old friends, and greeted Chen Wei.

"I've come today to ask Chef Chen for a favor, but I don't know if you'd be willing to help this old man!"

Chen Wei was taken aback. Normally, he had no interaction with Qian Degui and didn't know what the other party wanted from him.

But he quickly smiled politely and said, "Deputy Factory Director Qian, you're too kind! Just tell me what you need, there's no need to ask."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Qian Degui was clearly pleased with Chen Wei's attitude and quickly explained his purpose.

"My youngest daughter is getting married next weekend, so we'd like to use the factory canteen for a few tables. Xiao Chen, what do you think about the cooking?"

It turned out that Deputy Factory Director Qian's family was getting their daughter married off.

Chen Wei understood. This Deputy Factory Director Qian had three sons and one daughter. He had always heard that his youngest daughter was the most favored by the old man, who would dote on her like a precious gem.

Unexpectedly, now that this young lady is getting married, Deputy Factory Director Qian has actually held the wedding banquet in the factory's canteen.

This is quite a grand affair!

The cafeteria is usually packed when it has 500 employees to eat, but it's more than enough for a wedding banquet with a dozen or so tables.

"Don't worry, you don't need to worry about any ingredients, seasonings, or kitchen utensils. As long as you're willing to come and cook, I'll give you a big red envelope!"

Old Qian seemed afraid that Chen Wei wouldn't agree, so he quickly added a sentence.

These words made Chen Wei's eyes light up, and he suddenly had a good idea.

Wedding banquet!

He was just worried about where to experiment with sweet and sour carp, and this is perfect timing!

"That's possible, but..." Chen Wei changed the subject with a smile, "I wonder if Director Qian's daughter would like sweet and sour carp to be served at her family's banquet?"

"Sweet and sour carp?" Qian Degui was taken aback for a moment, then smiled somewhat awkwardly.

"Xiao Chen, actually, I'm contacting you this time because I heard about the two dishes you made at the last cooking competition—one was called something like steamed pork, and the other was pig's trotters. I wanted to order those two to impress people. As for the carp…"

Qian Degui was clearly hesitant at this moment.