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

Wang Defa didn't even glance at Wang Xiuli, who was being so sharp and confrontational.

He simply slammed his hand on the table with an air of authority: "We didn't have time before, but we do now! Clean it right now!"

Wang Xiuli was speechless for a moment, wanting to say something but unable to find a rebuttal—there was nothing she could do, as the cleaning and tidying work was originally her responsibility.

Enraged, Wang Xiuli had no choice but to lower her head and forcefully fling the rag in her hand, leaving a blur.

Wang Defa, leaning on his cane, slowly walked towards the kitchen.

The cane thumped against the cement floor, accompanied by Wang Defa's sinister voice.

"Making excuses for not finishing even the smallest tasks—if this were when I was an apprentice, I'd be punished by my master! The most important thing for an apprentice is to be obedient! How can your master teach you if you don't? Learning a skill isn't that easy!"

As he said this, Wang Defa had already moved from outside the canteen to the back kitchen. Looking down, he originally wanted to check the hygiene of the stoves.

Looking down, I saw that the stove was sparkling clean, and the large iron woks with double handles that I usually use for cooking were also cleaned and neatly hung in front of the stove.

Wang Defa lowered his eyes, finally skipping over that point, and continued speaking.

"If you want to make a living working for someone else, you can't just be a lazy bum. Young people need to know how to be humble, to be proactive, and not to run away because of laziness. Xiao Chen, don't you agree?"

The conversation finally turned to Chen Wei.

"Thump thump thump thump—"

Chen Wei did not give a direct answer to Wang Defa's question, but instead slammed the cleaver in his hand onto the cutting board.

"Master Wang, is your leg feeling better?"

He glanced at Wang Defa's legs.

Chen Wei didn't particularly like Wang Defa. He was the kind of old-fashioned chef with obvious 70s traits, whose top priority was teaching his apprentices to starve themselves.

Although this person had never made things difficult for Chen Wei, he wasn't exactly easy to get along with either.

Wang Defa was taken aback by Chen Wei's bland answer. His long-winded speech was cut short, leaving him momentarily speechless and feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

He looked Chen Wei up and down and felt that Chen Wei seemed to have changed completely after not seeing him for a few days.

Wang Defa's impression of Chenwei was still based on the first two days after Chenwei arrived.

In his memory, the young man was taciturn and only knew how to chop meat once he entered the kitchen, without caring about or getting involved in anything else.

In fact, Wang Defa was quite satisfied with Chen Wei's attitude.

after all……

His gaze shifted downwards and landed on the pile of cucumbers that Chen Wei was using to level up his skill points.

The knife skills used to cut the cucumber into a straw raincoat shape have visibly improved, even more impressive than when he left.

If Chen Wei's knife skills were comparable to those of Wang Defa, who had been a chef for decades, then Chen Wei's knife skills have now far surpassed his own.

Wang Defa was slightly startled. Although he couldn't help but admire Chen Wei's skill in his heart, he didn't show it on his face.

He'd heard all this while he was at the hospital; this kid had really made a name for himself at the factory while he was away.

I heard that everyone in the factory is now clamoring to eat the dishes this kid makes.

So when Wang Defa walked in today, he was in a bad mood. He first took it out on Wang Xiuli, and when he came to find Chen Wei to cause trouble, he found that there was no one to find.

"Yes, I have a cast on, so it doesn't interfere with my work anymore." After holding it in for a long time, Wang Defa finally managed to squeeze out these words.

Chen Wei just snorted and ignored Wang Defa, continuing to practice his cleaver skills.

These past few days, his knife skills haven't improved as quickly as when he was constantly chopping and cutting, so he naturally wants to work on them again.

As for Wang Defa...

Chen Wei didn't think he could have any conflict with Wang Defa.

Just as Chen Jianguo said, he was just working in the kitchen. If Wang Defa could nitpick even that, then Chen Wei would be doomed.

Just then, the kitchen door was flung open and someone rushed in.

As soon as Chen Jianguo entered, he went straight to Wang Defa. Although he had his usual smile on his face, everyone knew that Chen Jianguo was there to protect his own.

"Oh dear, Chef Wang is back! Why didn't you tell us beforehand? Our administration department could have recorded your attendance."

As soon as Chen Jianguo went up, he quickly shook hands with Wang Defa to express his welcome.

Wang Defa was naturally very pleased with Chen Jianguo's attitude, after all, Chen Jianguo had begged Wang Defa in the same way when he forcibly stuffed Chen Wei into the kitchen.

He gave a knowing smile and said, "Hey! I can't count as having perfect attendance today, I just missed everyone. I just got out of the hospital and came straight to the factory. I wanted to see everyone! I can't take advantage of the company, so let's start counting from tomorrow!"

"Going back to work tomorrow?" Chen Jianguo's eyes darted around, and he immediately said, "Why the rush? Normally, it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. Old Wang, you're a key technical worker in our factory; it's true the factory can't do without you, but you need to take care of your own health!"

"Haha, Section Chief Chen, you're exaggerating." Wang Defa smiled insincerely. "I'm just an old man, nothing special. I'll just squeeze out the last drop of blood and sweat to contribute a little more to the factory! I'm starting work tomorrow; I can't let everyone go hungry because of my problem!"

That old fox, he's already broken his leg, why isn't he resting at home!

They just had to come to the factory and cause trouble!

Chen Jianguo cursed inwardly. He had just submitted Chen Wei's salary increase application, thinking that he could urge him and get it approved by tomorrow. But who knew that the pay slip would arrive even faster than that old fox Wang Defa.

"How could we be hungry..." Chen Jianguo pouted, somewhat unhappy, but didn't show it too obviously. He just pointed to Chen Wei in the distance, "To be honest, I've had Chen Wei fill in for me these past two days. That brat does have some talent, and he's doing a pretty good job."

"Oh?" Wang Defa raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chen Wei, who was standing there cutting meat, and laughed, "Young people are still not skilled enough. If you ask me, no matter how talented they are, they need to gain more experience."

These words immediately darkened Chen Jianguo's expression.

I couldn't help but curse Wang Defa in my heart for occupying the toilet without doing anything!

Wang Defa worked as a head chef in the factory for over ten years, but none of the apprentices who followed him were able to take the job.

"If you ask me, Xiao Chen's cooking is really good. Everyone in the factory says that Xiao Chen's dishes are much better than the food in the canteen before!"

As Chen Jianguo was thinking, a loud bang suddenly rang in his ears.

He was startled. Who was this person who spoke up so righteously and showed no respect for Wang Defa? But deep down, Chen Jianguo felt a sense of satisfaction.

Turning her head, she saw Wang Xiuli standing at the door with her hands on her hips, her eyes practically rolling to the sky. Clearly, she had been annoyed by Wang Defa's pretentious manner for a long time.