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

Thirty-two yuan was not a small amount in those days; it was equivalent to the salary of an ordinary second-level worker, and it was definitely not the salary that an apprentice who had only been there for a few days should receive.

Wang Defa is generally considered by others to be a rigid person who is very harsh on his apprentices.

He just broke his leg; it's not like he's never coming back.

Once that guy comes back and sees me, an apprentice, earning about the same salary as him, I'm afraid my life will be tough.

Chen Wei scratched his head: "Uncle, a raise is a raise, but isn't it a bit too much...?"

The price jumped directly from 20 yuan to 32 yuan, which is definitely a bit much.

But Chen Jianguo didn't think so.

The relationship between Ma Qianjin, the head of the production department, and Wang Defa has been strained for quite some time. It's likely that Ma Qianjin is the one in the factory who most wants Wang Defa to get out.

My nephew is capable and has accumulated a lot of prestige. What's wrong with giving him a raise?

Just like Ma Qianjin said, he still wants to help Chen Wei become the head chef in the future!

Once you become the head chef, let alone a salary of thirty-two yuan, even if you earn the same as me, sixty or seventy yuan wouldn't be difficult.

"You don't dare? Are you afraid your master will scold you when he gets back?" Chen Jianguo asked, staring at Chen Wei.

"That's not entirely true..." Chen Wei hesitated for a moment, but finally said it.

"I feel that I've only been working in the kitchen for two days, and I'm sure there will be a lot of people in the factory who will be unhappy about raising my wages at this critical juncture."

What he said makes sense; there's no such thing as someone getting a raise after just two days in the kitchen!

Chen Jianguo glanced at him before saying, "Actually, this salary increase is just a heads-up. It will only happen when your mentor returns."

That's more like it...

If Wang Defa makes things difficult for him, he can have his uncle argue with him.

Even if something happens, it's impossible for me to be involved.

Since we have powerful backers, we should make good use of them.

Just as Chen Wei was thinking this, he heard Chen Jianguo continue speaking.

"But Wang Defa will be back next Monday!"

Next Monday?

That means... the day after tomorrow?

Chen Wei frowned: "Didn't he only break his leg a little over a week ago?"

"Exactly! Who knows what kind of whispers were in his ear? This old guy's afraid someone will take his place at the factory!"

Chen Jianguo said this with a displeased expression, but he had already leaned in halfway and said solemnly.

"You need to get the cafeteria thriving before Wang Defa comes back, then the wage increase thing can go through!"

That makes Chen Wei understand.

This means using one's own abilities to shut Wang Defa up and prevent others from saying anything.

"As long as you can make the cafeteria successful, we have real skills. So what if Wang Defa comes back? Does he think he can just refuse to give you a raise? Just keep a low profile, chop vegetables and cook your meals as usual, don't argue with him. I don't believe he'll actually dare to defy me!"

Chen Jianguo also put a lot of thought into it.

Chen Wei's promotion was too fast. There are always people talking behind his back about things that are not conventional. Chen Jianguo was under pressure but still wanted to help Chen Wei.

"I understand, Uncle." Chen Wei nodded seriously.

Inside the kitchen, Liu Rufang had already come out with a frown on her face.

"Don't talk about work when you're home! I've worked for you for a week, it's like I've sold myself to you! Xiao Wei, ignore him, eat!"

Liu Rufang slammed a plate of edamame onto the table and glared at Chen Jianguo.

Chen Jianguo pursed his lips and finally shut his mouth.

As soon as he sat down, Liu Rufang served Chen Wei food and soup.

There was already a plate of braised pork on the table, with more than a dozen pieces of meat that Liu Rufang and Chen Jianguo didn't touch, and almost all of them were put in Chen Wei's bowl.

Looking at the little girl Chen Liling across the table, he pouted.

"Mom! Why are you only putting food on my brother's plate? I haven't gotten a single piece!"

Liu Rufang's eyebrows shot up: "How can you compare to your brother! I've been serving you food and drink every day at home for a whole week, haven't you had a shortage of good things to eat? Your brother has been stuck at the factory for a week, he must have been miserable!"

These words were too much for Chen Wei to bear.

His uncle Chen Jianguo at the factory would feed him food or popsicles every few days. Since he worked in a lucrative position in the kitchen, he was never short of food.

"Auntie, actually I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Rufang picked up another piece of braised pork and stuffed it directly into Chen Wei's mouth.

"Xiaowei, eat up! Your little sister is just a child and doesn't understand, don't mind her!"

Chen Wei is a grown man, not a child, and this made things even more awkward.

But all he could say was, "Ah, Auntie's cooking is so delicious."

As he spoke, he quickly and discreetly transferred the pile of braised pork from his bowl to Chen Liling's bowl.

The little girl's eyes crinkled with a smile as she watched the bright red braised pork being transferred to her bowl.

The brother and sister smiled at each other.

Seeing this scene, Liu Rufang could only shake her head helplessly.

The brother and sister have had a good relationship since childhood. Although she felt sorry for Chen Wei, who lost his parents at a young age, and always doted on him more, the child was sensible from a young age and always loved his daughter very much.

Now that Chen Wei has become capable, Liu Rufang is even happier than if she were seeing her own daughter become capable.

Unable to resist asking, "Xiao Wei, I heard from your uncle that you're the head chef in the factory canteen?"

"Well... I wouldn't say I'm in charge of cooking, it's just that our factory's head chef broke his leg, so I'm filling in for a couple of days," Chen Wei said honestly.

But then a proud look immediately appeared on Liu Rufang's face.

"You're just being modest! I heard from your uncle that the employees at your factory really love your cooking; they can't even get a table in line."

Chen Wei glanced at Chen Jianguo at the dinner table, and seeing the other man eating with a stern face, he couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

While at the factory, he subtly criticized himself, but once he got home, he started boasting about himself.

My uncle is really something...

"It's not that exaggerated, it's just covering two days' shifts."

"Brother!" Chen Liling asked excitedly as soon as Chen Wei finished speaking.

"Don't be modest! My dad says your cooking is amazing! When can you show us your skills? I want to try your cooking too!"

"Lingling!" Liu Rufang glared at her immediately and scolded, "Your brother has been working hard at the factory for days. Do you think the work in the kitchen is so easy? He finally came home, so let him rest. Can't even my cooking shut you up!"

Knowing that his aunt was worried about him, Chen Wei smiled slightly.

"Auntie, my job isn't that tiring. I only cook one meal a day now. There are helpers for the rest! How about this, I'll take charge of the cooking tonight and make two of my signature dishes for everyone."

The system just happened to have a dish of shredded pork with green peppers on the new menu, so it wouldn't hurt to try it at my uncle's house.

I just don't know if I'll still have the same skills after leaving those two pieces of equipment in the cafeteria kitchen.

"Yay! I don't have to eat my mom's cooking tonight!" Chen Liling cheered immediately.