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

When Chen Wei returned to the dormitory, it was during the hottest part of the afternoon, around two or three o'clock.

The 15-square-meter room was baked like a steamer, with the sun shining obliquely through the narrow window, making the walls scorching hot.

Fortunately, the electric fan on the stool was humming and oscillating, bringing a bit of coolness.

Chen Wei took off his vest and lay naked on the straw mat.

The cool mat beneath him was sticky and clinging to his back, but he didn't care.

He casually pulled the cool towel off his face and threw it into the basin of water next to him.

Chen Wei was somewhat worried about what ingredients Wang Defa had bought for this competition.

After all, he knew nothing about Huaiyang cuisine, whether in his past or present life.

He had just agreed in front of others, and if he went back on his word now, it would make him seem unreliable.

"Huaiyang cuisine..."

Chen Wei muttered to himself, silently recalling the famous Huaiyang dishes he had seen in his previous life.

Huaiyang cuisine is mostly known for its clear broth and light flavors, with less oil and salt, emphasizing the original taste of the food.

After thinking patiently for a while, Chen Wei also remembered the recipes for several Huaiyang dishes.

"Wensi Tofu, Braised Silver Carp Head, Lion's Head Meatballs, Crab Roe Soup, Soft-shelled Pomfret..."

These dishes are all famous Huaiyang dishes, but Chen Wei is not very clear about the specific knife skills and cooking time. After thinking about it for a long time, he felt that he didn't know where to start.

He couldn't help but wonder to himself, "Could it be that this cheater is going to be outmaneuvered by Wang Defa tomorrow?"

"Knock knock knock—"

A series of footsteps echoed down the corridor, seemingly heading in the direction of Chen Wei.

Then he heard a knock on the small door of his dormitory, and Lin Jun's voice outside sounded somewhat muffled.

"Chen Wei, are you there?"

Lin Jun?

Chen Wei raised an eyebrow. What was he doing here?

The other party was already outside the door, and judging from their tone, they didn't seem to be there to cause trouble.

Chen Wei thought for a moment, then got up and opened the door.

Lin Jun, standing outside the door, looked gloomy. When he saw Chen Wei come out, his voice was also stiff.

"I have something to tell you!"

"What is it?" Chen Wei asked.

Chen Wei stepped aside, intending to let Lin Jun into the house.

But the other person stood blocking the doorway, their body stiff.

He seemed to have something stuck in his throat, unable to say it, like a young man confessing his feelings to a girl for the first time.

"that……"

Lin Jun licked his lips, speaking somewhat hesitantly.

Chen Wei waited patiently for a long time before hearing the other party speak quickly, as if making a decision.

"Wang Defa is preparing to cook braised dried bean curd strips and Pingqiao tofu!"

Chen Wei was taken aback.

Why did he tell himself this?

Right now, isn't Wang Defa trying to keep the dishes he's preparing from me?

Why did Lin Jun "betray" us at this critical juncture?

"Don't overthink it. I just felt this competition was unfair, so I came to tell you. I hate people who use connections to get ahead or take advantage of others because of their status."

Lin Jun's words were tinged with a hint of gritted teeth and hatred, but Chen Wei detected a different flavor in them.

Is he... here specifically to tell me the test question Wang De issued?

Why!

Didn't Lin Jun usually hate me the most? Oh right, he just said that he hates people who use connections and back channels the most.

That's exactly the kind of person I am!

Chen Wei curled his lips. What's wrong with having connections? Decades later, even an ordinary employee position at Tianjin No. 1 Steel Company will be "sold" for hundreds of thousands of dollars. At that time, everyone will be eager to use their connections to get into Tianjin No. 1 Steel Company.

Seeing that Chen Wei's expression didn't change much, Lin Jun felt that he had been meddling.

The respect I felt when I heard Chen Wei's grand words about fair competition on the way had vanished considerably in an instant, and I even regretted coming over to remind him.

He said rudely, "Fine, I shouldn't have bothered. Take it or leave it! I'm leaving!"

As he said this, Lin Jun turned and walked away, but he had only taken two steps when he heard Chen Wei chuckle behind him.

With two sincere words, I said, "Thank you."

Lin Jun paused, and a sudden warmth welled up in his eyes.

In the past few days, he has watched Chen Wei grow rapidly and demonstrate strength that is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

It is precisely because I witnessed it with my own eyes that I am even more unwilling to see capable people being bullied by a mean guy like Wang Defa who takes advantage of his position as head chef.

But Lin Jun still harbored a grudge against Chen Wei, so he paused for a moment, then snorted coldly and left.

"This kid isn't stupid after all!" Lin Jun thought to himself.

Chen Wei stared at Lin Jun's back, somewhat puzzled. Didn't this kid usually treat him as an opponent?

What's gotten into me today, making me feel this way?

However, Chen Wei did not doubt the truthfulness of what Lin Jun said—there was no need to!

If he really wanted to see himself lose, he wouldn't have told himself in the first place.

Why go through all that trouble?

"Braised dried bean curd strips and Pingqiao tofu...?"

Chen Wei muttered to himself, a plan forming in his mind.

Wang Defa's choice of these two dishes is indeed excellent. Both dishes are representative of Huaiyang cuisine and are characterized by their meticulous preparation methods, which further demonstrate the chef's skill.

One of the dishes, Braised Dried Tofu Strips, requires a broth made with chicken and pork bone stock, with cooked chicken, ham, and dried shrimp added and simmered. The dried tofu strips must be kept intact. The finished broth should be clear and rich, and it is best to avoid a thick and oily broth. This dish is considered a display of the chef's skills.

Pingqiao tofu is even more elaborate. The tofu is cut into small diamond-shaped pieces, and chicken, shiitake mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, and egg skin are evenly diced and simmered together with chicken broth and crucian carp brains. The finished product is smooth, tender, and fragrant. The broth is thickened with cornstarch, and the crucian carp brains enhance the flavor, making it hot, fragrant, and rich.

These two dishes would require at least 20 years of culinary experience to prepare in a high-end hotel.

However...

Chen Wei suddenly gave a cold laugh upon thinking about this.

Wang Defa's biggest flaw is that he is too rigid. This is a steel mill, not a state-owned hotel.

Who eats in the steel mill? They are all workers who do heavy physical labor.

Feeding workers Pingqiao tofu is tantamount to feeding roughnecks a fine French meal.

It's one thing if the workers can't taste the flavors; they'll just think the food is white, sticky, and not appetizing at all. It's nothing compared to dishes that are rich in oil and salt.

Moreover, it's the middle of summer, and both Pingqiao tofu and braised dried bean curd are hot soup dishes. Eating these would be unbearably hot.

Chen Wei took a breath of the scorching air, and just thinking about those two dishes made his nasal cavity feel hot.

His mind raced, and suddenly a wicked idea popped into his head.

He definitely can't cook Huaiyang cuisine, but he's incredibly good at making dishes with tofu!

Anyway, Wang Defa only said that he applied to purchase ingredients, but he didn't say that Chen Wei had to make the same dish as him. He can make his Pingqiao Tofu, and Chen Wei can make his Mapo Tofu!