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

Thinking of this, Chen Wei's already small amount of worry vanished instantly.

He felt much lighter, and seeing that it was still early, Chen Wei prepared to leave the factory and go to the library in Jinshi.

Although Chen Wei wasn't interested in Wang Defa's exam questions and didn't intend to actually cook Huaiyang cuisine, he still planned to borrow a Huaiyang recipe book from the library to take a look—knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory.

The library in Jinshi is not far from Jinyi Steel Plant. Chen Wei rode Chen Jianguo's bicycle and arrived in no time.

After spending two cents to store his bicycle in the parking shed at the library entrance, Chen Wei quickly walked into the library.

The Jinshi Library of today is not a skyscraper with more than ten floors like it will be in later years. It is just a small two-story building with more than a dozen rooms, each about 20 square meters, with many bookshelves neatly arranged inside.

The books were arranged in various categories.

The words "Knowledge is power" are painted in large red letters on the wall.

Chen Wei got a library card at the counter by the door and then went into the innermost room of the library.

Based on the alphabet on the bookshelf, there should be cookbooks or similar books stored here.

Walking to the innermost bookshelf, the books here were clearly rarely visited, covered with a thin layer of dust. Fortunately, the library was shaded and cool, and because there weren't many people, the temperature was several degrees lower than outside, allowing Chen Wei to breathe a few more breaths comfortably.

He casually scrolled through the rows of books and finally found a few of the books he needed at the very bottom of the shelf.

"Chinese Famous Dishes Recipe: Jiangsu Flavor", "Selected Huaiyang Dishes and Snacks"...

Chen Wei casually pulled out the two books. The pages of the books were covered with a thin layer of oil stains, and it was unclear where the books came from. The title page was also stamped with the official seal of the General Labor Union Library.

However, Chen Wei didn't pay attention to these details. He simply flipped directly to the two pages of the recipe, which were about braised dried bean curd and Pingqiao tofu, and began to read them carefully.

Books from this era were not like books from later generations, which would start with definitions, introductions, and other such nonsense.

This book, "Selected Huaiyang Dishes," begins with a proper recipe on the very first page, explaining everything from knife skills and ingredients to cooking time and temperature. All the sentences are in plain, everyday language, which Chen Wei thoroughly enjoyed reading.

As Chen Wei was diligently studying the recipe for "Da Zhu Gan Si" (braised dried bean curd strips) in a book, a faint scent of face cream suddenly wafted over her.

"Master Chen?"

A gentle, soft female voice sounded from above.

Chen Wei was taken aback. When he looked up, he saw Lin Xiaoyan standing between the two rows of bookshelves.

He remembered this girl; she had quite an appetite!

Lin Xiaoyan wasn't wearing her factory uniform today. Instead, she wore a light pink floral polyester shirt and blue work pants. Whether she had washed her hair or not, her jet-black hair was casually curled and tied back, giving her a slightly lazy look.

She was carrying two books, clearly there to borrow them as well.

"Hello!" Chen Wei smiled and nodded at the other person as a greeting.

Lin Xiaoyan, on the other hand, was exceptionally enthusiastic: "Master Chen, you're at the library to read too? What are you reading?"

As he said this, the girl opposite him reached out and started to rummage through the book in Chen Wei's hands.

Chen Wei felt a little awkward. This girl was a bit too familiar with him, but since she was a woman, he couldn't very well push her away. So he awkwardly turned his body to the side and dodged her.

He casually waved the book in his hand: "Just a recipe..."

Unexpectedly, the moment Lin Xiaoyan saw the recipe in Chen Wei's hand, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed with some surprise.

"You're going to cook a new dish?! That's great!"

"Um?"

Chen Weiren was completely bewildered. When did he say he was going to make a new dish?

Besides, this girl isn't an employee of the steel mill, so even if he makes a new dish, it has nothing to do with her!

"No, I just wanted to learn how to cook other cuisines," Chen Wei said with a smile.

"Ah...I see..." Lin Xiaoyan was clearly disappointed, but she didn't leave. Instead, she walked to the small table next to the bookshelf opposite Chen Wei and sat down.

He rested his chin on his hand and stared at Chen Wei.

He stared at it for a long time, which made Chen Wei feel a little uneasy.

Finally, Chen Wei couldn't hold back any longer and had to ask.

"Comrade, is there something you want to tell me?"

"Master Chen, you're so clever!" Lin Xiaoyan exclaimed excitedly, her eyes practically disappearing with laughter.

"I remember you only cook in the cafeteria at lunchtime, right? What are you planning to cook for lunch tomorrow? Can you tell me in advance? I... I've tried to get several days off, but I can't get it approved! My company is very strict about this. I finally managed to talk to my supervisor and get it done so I can come in early tomorrow morning and leave half an hour early to eat at your company's cafeteria!"

This girl asked her boss for several days off just to come to the steel mill for a free meal.

Chen Wei didn't quite understand.

But since they asked, he answered as usual.

"I'm making Mapo Tofu tomorrow at noon. If you'd like, you can come and try it!"

"I love it! I love it so much! I've been craving your Mapo Tofu ever since I had it last time, and I always want to have it again..." As she said this, Lin Xiaoyan finally realized her excessive enthusiasm, and her face turned bright red.

This girl is incredibly oblivious; she's definitely a big glutton.

Chen Wei smiled slightly: "Then come early tomorrow at noon. I might be making a new dish tomorrow, so please give me your feedback!"

"No, no..." Lin Xiaoyan's voice softened, her fingers unconsciously twirling the end of her braid as she said somewhat shyly, "Your cooking must be delicious, everything you make is delicious! I... I've been telling my colleagues about it for ages since I got back to work, and they all want to try your cooking too!"

[Ding—, the "Somewhat Famous" title effect has been triggered.]

[Popularity increase: 15%]

[Ding—, Word-of-mouth marketing skill triggered.]

[Area of ​​dissemination: Jinshi Broadcasting Station.]

Just as Lin Xiaoyan finished speaking, a system notification sounded in Chen Wei's mind.

Chen Wei paused for a moment, then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

So this is the effect of the title and passive skill I got. It's quite useful!

The girl in front of me used to work at a radio station.

If this girl brings all the pretty girls from the broadcasting station to buy the dishes I make when I compete with Wang Defa tomorrow at noon, wouldn't Chen Wei have a much better chance of winning?

"Thank you for your appreciation." Chen Wei smiled slightly, then said, "Since your colleague likes my cooking so much, why don't we have lunch together at our cafeteria tomorrow? We're starting to introduce new dishes tomorrow!"

"Really!" Upon hearing the words "new dish," Lin Xiaoyan instantly recalled the Mapo Tofu and Spicy and Sour Shredded Vegetables she had eaten before, and her mouth watered.

She no longer cared about maintaining a proper ladylike demeanor, nodding her head like a chicken pecking at rice.

"no problem!"