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

Unauthorized fishing for this kind of thing, at best, will result in a demerit; at worst, it could even lead to being fired!

After all, who can say for sure where their fish came from!

If something is found to be without a receipt or invoice, it's no small matter.

Wu Xiaochun became increasingly frightened as he thought about it. His hand, gripping the edge of the basin under the table, trembled slightly, and his face turned pale.

Unfortunately, just then, Ma Qianjin suddenly came over with a mocking smile and asked deliberately.

"Hey? Wu Xiaochun, what goodies are you hiding under this table? They smell so good! Let me see!"

"No, no!"

Wu Xiaochun frantically searched for something to cover up his actions, but Ma Qianjin grabbed his wrist.

He grabbed the edge of the basin with his right hand and gave it a sharp shake, pulling the large basin containing fried fish out from under the table.

A large basin containing six or seven fried carp was presented to Ma Qianjin.

Upon seeing these lifelike fried carp, he was first taken aback, then thought to himself, "This skill is quite good!"

Is this sweet and sour carp? It's fried really well! The fish fillets unfold like peony petals, the batter is tightly wrapped around the fish, and it's fried to a golden and crispy perfection, still emitting a wonderful aroma.

Although it hasn't been coated with the final layer of sauce yet, you can imagine how amazing this dish will be once it's finished.

However, what Ma Qianjin should be concerned about now is not whether this dish is amazing or not, but rather...

"So many carp! Where did they come from?"

Ma Qianjin narrowed his eyes slightly, and without saying a word, he carried the large basin directly to the stove and placed it in front of everyone with a clatter.

"Hey, Xiao Chen? I don't recall our purchasing department issuing any fish coupons to you! Do you have some connections to get fish? Look at these fish, they're all so fresh, each weighing two or three pounds, really great! Where did you get them?"

As he said this last sentence, a sinister smile appeared on Ma Qianjin's face.

As if he had already caught Chen Wei red-handed, he smiled like a fox that had just eaten grapes.

Oh shit!

It was that old man who found out!

Wu Xiaochun felt a surge of anxiety. Last time, that old bastard Ma Qianjin had tried to sow discord between him and Brother Chen, but he had failed. This showed just how wicked that old man was.

Now that he's found their weakness, he's going to bite Chen Ge to death!

That won't do. Everyone can leave the cafeteria, but Brother Chen can't!

Wu Xiaochun had watched Chen Wei grow step by step, and he knew that Chen Wei had real ability to get to where he was today. No matter what, he couldn't let that old man succeed today.

At worst... at worst, he can just leave!

Thinking this, Wu Xiaochun clenched his teeth, took a step forward, puffed out his chest, and braced himself to speak.

"What?! This fish is me...?"

"Koharu!"

Chen Wei's casual remark interrupted Wu Xiaochun.

He pulled him up quietly, with a small but undeniable and steady strength.

Wu Xiaochun stiffened, swallowing back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue. When he turned around, he saw Chen Wei with calm eyes and a composed expression, signaling him not to act impulsively.

Then Chen Wei's calm voice came through: "Section Chief Ma, this fish is naturally for the canteen. Even if we had the best skills, we couldn't get it. Why does it sound like you're implying that we obtained it through some dirty means?"

Ma Qianjin was so angry at his calm and composed demeanor that he felt a surge of rage.

What does "ta chen wei" mean?

Does he really think that with Chen Jianguo above him, no one dares to criticize him no matter how big a mistake he makes? Where does he put the other leaders in the factory? Where does he put Ma Qianjin?!

"Hmph!" Ma Qianjin's face instantly darkened, his previous forced smile vanished, replaced by an imposing expression. "Chen Wei! You think I don't know? I'm just asking you, where did these fish on the stove come from? You say the factory bought them? Where are the coupons? Where are the booklets? Can you produce them? Our factory only issues fish coupons twice a year, once for the Mid-Autumn Festival and once for the Lunar New Year. I ask you, which festival have you encountered that the factory has issued so many fish for you!"

"Snapped!"

As Ma Qianjin spoke, he slammed his hand on the table in a show of defiance, making a loud noise.

His gloomy gaze and stern tone clearly indicated that he intended to interrogate Chen Wei, effectively pinning the blame on him.

"Don't tell me you don't know how strict the control over supplies is right now! These are such important non-staple foods, and you didn't get them with coupons or ration books. Where did you get them? If you ask me, it might really be like you said—you got them through shady means! Tell me! Where did they come from?!"

A barrage of questions rained down on him, Ma Qianjin's expression fierce and aggressive.

As if determined to suppress Chen Wei's arrogance in front of so many people, the two women behind him were terrified, and Qian Rumei was so frightened that she kept wiping away tears.

Only Lin Xiaoyan remained relatively calm and couldn't help but interject.

"Section Chief Ma, you've really misunderstood! Chen Wei brought this fish for Ru Mei's wedding banquet..."

"Shut up! You're not factory employees, and I haven't even settled accounts with you for letting yourselves move freely in such an important place as the kitchen!"

Lin Xiaoyan was interrupted abruptly by Ma Qianjin before she could finish speaking.

Lin Xiaoyan, being a girl, was immediately startled and gripped Qian Rumei's hand so tightly it turned white.

Of the people present, only Chen Wei didn't even frown. He just stood there, coldly staring at the clock on the wall, and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

"Director Ma, why are you so angry? Anyone who didn't know better would think you're targeting our kitchen staff! We're all colleagues in the same factory. We're neither your subordinates nor under your production department's jurisdiction. If you ask me, Director Ma, you're overstepping your bounds. Do you expect us, the administrative department and the kitchen staff, to report to you every time we go out to buy fish?"

"Not my responsibility?"

Ma Qianjin seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and suddenly sneered with a face full of disdain.

"What do you mean 'not under my jurisdiction'? Let me tell you, anyone below the section chief level in this factory is under my jurisdiction! I'm responsible for maintaining order in the factory. You're disregarding discipline and knowingly violating it, and now that I've exposed you, you're still trying to fool me. You're the one I'm in charge of!"

Chen Wei chuckled softly, rubbed his fingers together, glanced at the clock on the wall, and, estimating that it was indeed about time, suddenly raised his voice and said.

"Section Chief Ma! You're really framing us! We were just doing our job hosting a wedding banquet for Deputy Factory Director Qian's family, and you're accusing us of using dubious ingredients. Are you implying that Deputy Factory Director Qian is also protecting us?"

"Don't mention Lao Qian to me! Even if Lao Qian came to my face, I would still say the same thing!" Ma Qianjin roared angrily.

Just as tensions were rising, the kitchen door was pushed open again.

An aged voice, filled with intense anger, suddenly asked.

"Ma Qianjin, I didn't expect you to be so domineering in this factory!"