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

Chen Wei was naturally confident, after all, he was a cheat code.

Which novel protagonist do you know who is afraid of someone like Wang Defa, whose name is practically written as villain?

"Uncle, don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Chen Wei said with a smile, trying to reassure him.

Chen Jianguo, sitting opposite him, frowned and looked at his nephew, who wasn't worried at all. For some reason, the tension in his heart gradually eased.

After calming down, Chen Jianguo thought about it again and realized that Chen Wei's approach didn't seem to have any problems.

Wang Defa was clearly after Chen Wei, and by constantly giving in, he only took advantage of the situation.

It seems he might really get involved in the salary increase issue when it comes time.

Since that's the case, I might as well accept the challenge.

What if we win?

"What are you really thinking?" Chen Jianguo asked, frowning.

Chen Wei spoke the truth: "Look at Chef Wang's attitude today. If I didn't accept, he definitely wouldn't let me off the hook. He's already practically begging me, so we definitely have to accept. I'm confident about this competition. Everyone tasted my cooking a few days ago, and I don't think there's any problem."

There was one more thing Chen Wei didn't say.

He certainly didn't rely solely on the system for support.

Before he came, Wang Defa had been cooking in this factory for more than ten years. To be honest, even if you eat dragon meat from heaven every day, you'll get tired of it eventually.

Moreover, Wang Defa is a very old-fashioned person who always thinks that the food in the canteen should be cooked in one pot.

It should be light in flavor, with less oil and salt, and it should be cooked according to the style of Huaiyang cuisine he learned when he was young. What should it be called?

It brings out the original flavor of the ingredients.

But he forgot that this was a steel mill!

Everyone's doing physically demanding jobs that require a lot of energy and make them sweat.

Without a high intake of oil and salt, it's impossible to withstand.

So when Chen Weiyi took over the kitchen, this was the first thing he considered.

Having worked as a head chef at the factory for so many years, Wang Defa was bound to underestimate his opponent. Chen Wei didn't think Wang Defa would figure this out in just a few days.

Therefore, Chen Wei is full of confidence for tomorrow's competition.

Chen Jianguo nodded in agreement.

"It's good that you know what you're doing. Since we're going to compete, let's compete seriously! Tell me what ingredients you need, and I'll have the purchasing department buy them right now."

Chen Jianguo's stance suggests that he is putting all his effort into supporting Chen Wei.

Chen Wei naturally understood as well.

However, right now he only has recipes for three dishes, and even if he were to submit an ingredient list, it would still be the same old few dishes.

However, thanks to Chen Wei's tireless efforts over the past few days, he has become quite proficient at cleaning the coal-fired stove.

Judging by the looks of it, if I make one more dinner and one more late-night snack today, I'll be able to max out my proficiency.

Chen Wei just hoped that the system would be kind to him when he leveled up and reward him with something nice.

So he simply shook his head and said confidently, "No rush, I'll tell you what ingredients you need tomorrow."

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard someone call Chen Wei's name from behind.

Chen Wei turned around and saw Wu Xiaochun running towards him, panting.

Before the person even arrived, Wu Xiaochun hurriedly called out.

"Chen Wei! Chen Wei! Wait for me! I have something to tell you!"

When the person got closer, Wu Xiaochun, panting heavily, lowered his voice and spoke.

"Wang Defa just asked me to tell you that he has already submitted the ingredients needed for the dishes everyone is going to make for lunch tomorrow, so you don't need to worry about it."

"He submitted it? He knows what dish Chen Wei is going to make?" Chen Jianguo frowned, then realized what he meant.

He couldn't help but curse Wang Defa in his heart, for he was full of evil intentions!

This wasn't about relieving Chen Wei of the burden of finding ingredients; it was clearly about making Chen Wei cook the same dishes as him in various ways.

The dish he specifically asked for must be one of his specialties; whether Chen Wei can make it or not is another matter.

Isn't this just being a scoundrel?!

"I'm going to find him!" Chen Jianguo's eyebrows shot up, and he turned to leave.

But Chen Wei grabbed him.

He maintained his usual indifferent expression, simply nodding at Wu Xiaochun.

"Go back and tell Chef Wang that I understand and thank him for his trouble."

Wu Xiaochun panicked: "Do you even know what this means? That old guy is clearly setting you up! He's been a chef his whole life, and he even worked in a big restaurant when he was younger. The dish he specifically asked for must be his specialty! What chance do you have then?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wei simply raised an eyebrow and smiled.

He wasn't worried at all; the title currently displayed in his equipment inventory would come in handy.

This title can increase popularity by 20%, which means that even if Chen Wei and Wang Defa cook the same dishes, Chen Wei's popularity will be 20% higher than Wang Defa's for no reason.

The more popular the stall, the more vegetables it sells; it's hard to lose this competition!

"Chef Wang has difficulty walking, so the menu he orders is naturally set out to be dishes that are easy for him to cook. It's no problem for me to let him have his way."

Chen Wei naturally didn't tell Wu Xiaochun and Chen Jianguo about his system; he simply explained it in a low voice.

Chen Jianguo, however, refused to comply.

With a look of exasperation, she pointed at him and said, "You're so eager to do good, why don't you go to a temple and become a bodhisattva! Wang Defa is clearly setting a trap for you. I'm going to confront him!"

"Uncle!" Chen Wei quickly called out to Chen Jianguo and patiently explained.

"Uncle, just trust me, I'm sure I have my own way. Besides, I also want to have a fair competition with him. Only when we both cook the same dish can we see who has the better skill, right?"

"You..." Chen Jianguo was speechless for a moment.

But Chen Wei had already made up his mind, so he couldn't say anything more and could only sigh heavily.

He patted Chen Wei on the shoulder and said, "It's good that you have this intention. If you have any difficulties, come to me."

"Why!"

Chen Wei agreed, and Chen Jianguo, knowing there was no point in staying, sighed and turned to leave.

Wu Xiaochun, however, looked at Chen Wei with a shifting gaze, and finally couldn't help but speak.

"Chen Wei, I initially thought you were just lucky, dragged up by your uncle. But now I see you're something else entirely!"

Honestly, Wu Xiaochun admires Chen Wei from the bottom of his heart.

When Chen Wei worked under Wang Defa, everyone was cursing Wang Defa, but he would just quietly chop the food by himself and never join in the conversation.

Wang Defa is clearly taking advantage of Chen Wei, but Chen Wei is acting like he's invincible and that Chen Wei can do whatever he wants. What does that mean?

This shows that Chen Wei knew what he was doing!

This made people think that Wang Defa was a cunning and wicked old man who had no dignity as a teacher at all!

All the words he wanted to say were ultimately reduced to a single exclamation of praise from Wu Xiaochun.

"Brother Chen, from today onwards, I'm sticking with you! Even if you fail and can't make it in this factory, I'll go with you to find another way! I've figured it out, you can succeed anywhere! Following you is definitely the right choice!"

These heartfelt words left Chen Wei speechless.

Chen Wei was at a loss for words, not knowing where Wu Xiaochun got this declaration of loyalty from, and could only nod with a wry smile.

"Okay, okay, thank you in advance! If I ever go solo, I'll call you first."

"Okay, bro!"