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

Lin Xiaoyan couldn't hold back any longer. She quickly found an empty table, sat down, picked up her spoon, and scooped a spoonful into her lunchbox.

I put a piece of tofu coated in chili oil into my mouth. After some time, the tofu wasn't so hot anymore.

With a gentle flick of the tongue, the tender white tofu and the rosy red chili oil slid down the tongue and into the throat.

The warmth instantly soothed my stomach, and the lingering spiciness came back later.

Like a gentle, large hand, it grips the stomach and intestines, making them go from a slow, gentle sensation to a burning sensation. When it reaches its peak, the sharp taste of Sichuan peppercorns has already soothed the tongue, leaving only the aroma of chili peppers.

Lin Xiaoyan looked up in surprise and doubt, her big eyes shining brightly.

"It's so delicious..."

She sighed softly, then immediately scooped out another large spoonful and hurriedly put it into her mouth.

She was eating intently, and by the time Ma Chunmei came over with two steamed buns made from two kinds of dough, the large box of Mapo Tofu was already more than half gone.

Ma Chunmei was stunned.

Lin Xiaoyan was clearly enjoying herself, not eating!

He scraped the bottom of the lunchbox with a spoon, scooped up a large spoonful of tender tofu coated in red oil, and put it in his mouth. Finally, he didn't forget to lick the corners of his mouth with his rosy tongue, and stingily sipped the last bit of soup.

The satisfied look on that face made Ma Chunmei's heart itch with envy.

"Is it... really that delicious?" Ma Chunmei swallowed, her voice softening unconsciously.

Lin Xiaoyan paused in her enjoyment of the food, almost subconsciously pulling the lunchbox back in her hand.

Ma Chunmei across from her immediately raised her eyebrows: "What? You think I'll steal it from you?"

"That...that's not it either..." Lin Xiaoyan's voice lowered.

He secretly groaned inwardly, truly unwilling to give it to her.

Her manner seemed to give Ma Chunmei a reason, as she snatched Lin Xiaoyan's spoon with a displeased expression.

"Let me have a bite!"

"Then...just one bite!"

Lin Xiaoyan couldn't refuse her, and reluctantly handed over her lunchbox.

Ma Chunmei looked at the layer of Mapo Tofu at the bottom of the lunchbox. The tofu had been stirred into some pieces, but the red oil wafting from it and the aroma were indeed quite tempting.

She couldn't help but swallow again, carefully scooping up half a spoonful and bringing it to her mouth.

Hesitantly, he opened his mouth, his tongue barely touching the smooth tofu—

"hiss--"

This taste!

This flavor... is numbing! Spicy! Fresh! Fragrant!

The four flavors blended wonderfully, like an explosion in the mouth. The tofu was incredibly tender, melting on the tip of the tongue and sliding straight down the throat.

Ma Chunmei's eyes widened immediately.

Oh no! I swallowed it before I could even taste it properly!

She instinctively reached into Lin Xiaoyan's lunchbox again, but Lin Xiaoyan quickly dodged her.

"We agreed on one bite at a time!" Lin Xiaoyan made a protective face like a hen guarding its food, holding the lunchbox close to her chest.

Before Ma Chunmei could react, someone immediately snatched the spoon from her hand.

She deliberately pursed her lips, hiding a hint of a smile, and teased, "Who was it that just said 'I don't want to'?"

"Ouch, you little brat!" Ma Chunmei cried out and pounced on her.

Jing Chao scratched Lin Xiaoyan's soft flesh.

"Oh no, no! I was wrong! I'll give you one more bite, just one more bite, okay?" Lin Xiaoyan quickly begged for mercy.

The sounds of the two girls playfully fighting echoed throughout the cafeteria.

Chen Wei glanced at it from afar.

I caught a glimpse of Lin Xiaoyan's round, rosy profile.

Moving your gaze downwards, you see two large lunchboxes in front of Lin Xiaoyan, with two fist-sized steamed buns on top.

Wow! These two girls really eat a lot.

He muttered to himself, then ignored it and turned to tidy up.

Only Lin Xiaoyan and Ma Chunmei were left, scrambling to take bites of the food from the lunchbox.

-

"Splash splash splash—"

Cool water sprays out of the tap.

The large sink for washing dishes is located at the base of the back wall of the cafeteria. The midday sun still shines on this side, and the air is hot, but it is still much cooler than the area around the stoves in the back kitchen.

Chen Wei squatted by the sink, burying his arms and head under the tap, letting the cool water wash over his face until he finally felt a little refreshed.

"System, bring up the settlement panel," Chen Wei silently instructed himself.

A semi-transparent system panel immediately appeared before my eyes.

[System Notification: Reputation Points (Slightly Famous) Stage Quest Completed!]

Current Reputation Points: 26/1000

I only didn't pay attention for a day, and my reputation points have increased so much again!

Previously, it was still in the "newbie" stage, but now it has not only been upgraded, but also has an overflow of 26 points.

Chen Wei felt a surge of joy. Did that mean there would be a new reward?

I wonder what the reward will be this time.

Could it be another chance to win a prize in the system's online store?

Thinking this, Chen Wei continued to look down.

[Reward: 1 chance to win a prize in the in-game store]

[Reward Description: This reward can be used to redeem one chance to win a prize in the in-game lottery. Multiple grand prizes await you!]

It was indeed a chance to win a prize from the online store.

Chen Wei shook his head with a wry smile. He had gotten excited for nothing; he thought he would be rewarded with the opening of the next equipment slot!

Now he has figured it out: the only way to increase the number of equipment slots in this system is by leveling up proficiency through main quests.

In other words, you can only get the next equipment slot as a reward after the proficiency of the previous equipment slot has been upgraded.

Just like the first knife skills equipment slot, the first upgrade rewarded Chenwei with a second equipment slot.

However, Chen Wei felt that even if the proficiency of the second equipment slot was maxed out to the next level of "proficiency", it was very likely that the next equipment slot would not be rewarded so quickly - the conditions for upgrading would definitely become more and more demanding.

However, his equipment proficiency is still far from being maxed out. Since the system has rewarded him with a new lottery chance, he might as well take a look at the lottery.

I opened the system shop again, and it still had a simple lottery wheel, without any extra decorations.

There is only one eye-catching big "抽" (draw) character in the middle.

"This system is so poorly made..." Chen Wei couldn't help but complain.

Only then did I focus my attention on the big "抽" (draw) character. As the turntable spun at high speed, it finally stopped on the largest triangular square.

[Ding—Congratulations on obtaining a random recipe*1]

As expected, it's another recipe.

Chen Wei figured it out; this recipe was the most common reward, and the largest slot was the recipe, just like the "thank you for your patronage" message.

My luck has always been terrible.

Upon opening the recipe, a notification sound emanated from the semi-transparent panel in front of me.

Congratulations on winning the reward: Recipe for Shredded Pork with Green Peppers

[Dish Introduction: A classic Sichuan home-style dish, featuring a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, savory, slightly spicy, and flavorful. Mastering this dish will make you famous!]

Chen Wei stared at the string of words on it and could only manage a bitter smile.

Mapo tofu is one thing, at least he can get the ingredients, but where is he supposed to get the ingredients for this shredded pork with green peppers?

Even if the factory can approve a few kilograms of meat for him outside of holidays, once the dishes are cooked, there's no guarantee they'll sell!