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

"Dinner's ready!"

Wang Xiuli stood at the entrance of the canteen and gave a loud shout, and the workers immediately swarmed over.

One by one, they swarmed towards Wang Xiuli like starving wolves.

"Aunt Wang, what did you cook today?! I can smell it from so far away, it smells amazing!"

The speaker was the same young man with the fair complexion from last time; Wang Xiuli had always been very fond of this guy.

"With your greedy look, hurry up and get in line! Chef Chen made 'Three Treasures of the Earth' today, and I even tried a piece—it was so delicious it almost made my tongue fall off! No one gets any if they don't line up!"

Wang Xiuli said this on purpose, of course.

Everyone knew she harbored resentment towards Wang Defa, so naturally, she wouldn't side with him when making public statements.

So he deliberately only mentioned the new dish made by Chen Wei.

The young man was quick-witted and immediately replied.

"No wonder it smells so good! It's Chef Chen's amazing cooking again! Everyone, line up! I'm first in line, no one's allowed to take it from me!"

"You brat, you beat me to it again! It's all because Sister Wang is on your side!"

His colleagues behind him immediately shoved him, trying to take his place.

Everyone laughed and joked, but they still made sure to be at the front of the line, afraid that if they fell behind when it was time to get food, they wouldn't get any.

Upon entering the cafeteria, one immediately notices that all two or three of the cafeteria's windows are open.

One of the windows is the one that normally sells dry food such as steamed buns and porridge.

The other window was the one Chen Wei was in charge of, and in that last window, a figure we hadn't seen in a long time stood there with a tense face, which made the few young people who rushed in first pause in surprise.

Isn't that Wang Defa? ...Why is he back?!

I heard you broke your leg, and it's only been a few days? Why aren't you resting at home?!

The young men paused, and Wang Defa, who was inside the window, spoke.

He forced a smile and, surprisingly, waved to everyone.

"Those of you who have lined up, hurry up and get your food. Today I'm making braised shredded dried tofu and Pingqiao tofu. These are delicious dishes that you can't usually get, so there's plenty to go around today."

This is the first time in history that such a thing has ever happened.

Wang Defa has been a chef for decades; when has he ever been humble or subservient to diners?

But today, smelling the strong aroma coming from the window next door, and seeing the stimulating aroma and color of the soy sauce and chili oil, he really had no idea what to do.

The young people looked at each other, then pushed each other and took two steps forward.

Wang Defa originally thought that the line was definitely coming for him, but who knew that the line would suddenly turn a corner in front of the window, like a river that had been cut off horizontally, and all of them would rush to the left.

On the left, the window where Chen Wei was located was open, and several young people with awkward smiles on their faces were still filing towards that window.

"Chef Chen! I'll have one of each of your new dishes and Mapo Tofu! I know you have limited quantities, but I won't fight with the people behind me, I just want one!"

The fair-skinned young man had initially been somewhat intimidated by the stern gaze that Wang Defa had cast his way.

But once he reached the window of Chenwei and smelled that rich aroma, he forgot everything else.

This dish smells delicious!

As long as he can get a bite to eat, he's not afraid of anything, not even the Jade Emperor himself!

"Alright!" Chen Wei nodded with a smile, and his large ladle was perfectly used, scooping out a large spoonful of Mapo Tofu and a full spoonful of Three Treasures of the Earth.

They also made sure to state the prices of their dishes.

"That's two cents worth of food coupons. Just throw them in the cash register."

He was getting his food; his hands weren't really suited to handling things like food coupons and vegetable coupons that everyone touches.

Although people aren't so particular about these days, Chen Wei still can't get past his own mental hurdle and is usually very careful about it.

The fair-skinned young man's eyes lit up with joy when he saw the extra reddish-brown, glistening food in his lunchbox. He quickly pulled out his food ticket and threw it into the cash box next to him.

Completely oblivious to the window next door, Wang Defa's eyes were already blazing with fury.

A long queue formed at Chen Wei's window, while only a few people were at Wang Defa's window.

They are all die-hard fans of Wang Defa.

The dark-faced old man smiled shyly and, as soon as he entered, led several of his coworkers toward Wang Defa's window.

He spoke politely: "Chef Wang, what dishes did you make today? Please give us one serving each."

Wang Defa was already angry when he suddenly heard the sound of people ordering food, so he was naturally annoyed.

He simply said coldly, "Three cents a serving, pay with your food coupon first!"

"what?"

The dark-faced old man was taken aback, and immediately withdrew the lunchbox he had handed over.

Why is it so expensive!

The food sold at the window next door by Chenwei is only one cent a serving...

Although they had been looking forward to Wang Defa's cooking for a long time and were indeed craving it, the price was just too expensive.

Old Yang scratched his head somewhat awkwardly and asked in a low voice, "I noticed that today's dishes are vegetarian, so why charge three cents?"

Regular meat dishes only cost two cents, while only main meat dishes cost five cents.

But today's dish is so bland, it's just tofu and shredded tofu.

"This soup base is made with chicken broth and pork bones, how could it not be expensive!"

Wang Defa said irritably.

Old Yang's expression changed, his fingers tightened and loosened their grip on the meal ticket, and in the end he just smiled awkwardly and put his lunchbox away.

"Um... um, let me take another look..."

He really couldn't bear to eat a lunch that cost only three cents.

Old Yang is a heavy worker in the steel rolling workshop. Although he is over fifty years old, he is still only a low-level worker with a low salary of only thirty yuan a month. He has five or six people in his family to support, so he lives a very frugal life and really can't bear to spend so much money on lunch.

Upon hearing that the other party no longer wanted it, Wang Defa's face immediately darkened.

Her tone worsened: "You're so ignorant! This soup is incredibly nutritious! It's very good for you!"

No matter how nutritious it is, it can't save Old Yang from an empty wallet.

Feeling somewhat guilty towards Wang Defa, Old Yang apologized repeatedly. With a flushed face, he silently joined Chen Wei's queue.

Now Wang Defa's team looked even more pitiful, with only a few people left.

Meanwhile, Chenwei's side was bustling with activity, and two large bowls of food were emptied in no time.

Chenwei only made enough food for 200 people today, no more, no less, and it sold out in less than half an hour.

He had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Excuse me, sir, we're sold out here. How about...?"

He did want to point the remaining workers toward Wang Defa's window.

After all, the outcome is already decided, and there's no need to argue anymore.

However, the workers all complained that Wang Defa's window charges were too high, and they all shook their heads and turned to leave.

This made Wang Defa's face look even worse.

His old face turned red and white in turns, his expression was quite a sight to behold.

Unable to retain customers, Chen Wei had no choice but to laugh awkwardly and pack up his stall.

After most of the diners had left, Chenwei had finished cleaning up and was preparing to go back to his dormitory to rest for a while.

But Wang Defa stopped him.

"Hey kid, stop right there! I have something to ask you!"