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

"This young comrade is...?"

Just as Chen Wei was about to explain, Chen Jianguo, who was standing next to him, opened his mouth with a smile, looking at Lin Xiaoyan with a very gentle gaze, as if he were looking at his future nephew's wife.

Lin Xiaoyan didn't stand on ceremony at all and immediately replied.

"Hello! My name is Lin Xiaoyan, and I work at the radio station."

She used to work at a radio station; she's definitely a nice girl.

She has a generous and outgoing personality, is warm and friendly, and has a respectable job.

Chen Jianguo couldn't help but secretly observe her, feeling that Lin Xiaoyan and Chen Wei were a perfect match.

No need to think about it!

The two young people were about the same age and had made an appointment for today.

What day is today? It's the day Chen Wei and Wang Defa are competing! Lin Xiaoyan, as his girlfriend, must be here to cheer on her silly nephew.

The more Chen Jianguo imagined it, the more excited he became. Although he didn't know how the usually quiet Chen Wei had met such a beautiful girl, he felt that his life's most important matter was finally in sight. Chen Jianguo instantly felt that he could live up to the expectations of his deceased brother and sister-in-law.

"Since the lunch date didn't work out, why don't you two continue now! I'll go check out the grocery counter over there!" Chen Jianguo said with a smile, nodded gently to Lin Xiaoyan, and turned to leave.

Before leaving, he gave Chen Wei a meaningful look that said, "Do your best."

This look left Chen Wei even more confused.

No! What does this have to do with anything?!

Uncle! Let me explain! I really have nothing to do with her!

Unfortunately, Chen Jianguo had already gone far away and had no intention of listening to Chen Wei's explanation.

Lin Xiaoyan, on the other hand, seemed completely unaware of what was happening, and excitedly tugged at Chen Wei's sleeve.

"Chef Chen! I heard you made a new dish for lunch today? What a pity! I didn't get to try any! If my boss hadn't suddenly assigned me a new task, I definitely would have gone!"

This girl really didn't take Chen Jianguo's "date" comment to heart!

Chen Wei couldn't help but rub his forehead and smile bitterly.

"Comrade Lin, why did you say something so ambiguous just now?"

Chen Wei couldn't help but ask.

"Huh? Ambiguous?" Lin Xiaoyan scratched her head, her big eyes full of confusion. "What's ambiguous about it?"

"I was just about to tell you that our radio station suddenly received a notice about organizing a city-wide cooking competition, and the whole station is busy with it! That's why I didn't have time to take my colleagues to your workplace for lunch! After all, we had made plans with you, and my not going disappointed you!"

Lin Xiaoyan spoke frankly and openly.

Chen Wei has now come to his senses; this girl is clearly just too oblivious.

If I'm not mistaken, she probably didn't even realize that Chen Jianguo's words just now had a hidden meaning.

Chen Wei was speechless for a moment, but there was nothing he could do. He had already been misunderstood, so he could only explain it slowly later.

Lin Xiaoyan, on the other hand, remained enthusiastic and took out a small envelope from her handbag and handed it over.

"By the way, Chef Chen, your cooking skills are so good, why don't you join our cooking competition?"

A cooking competition?

Chen Wei frowned, took the envelope and saw that it contained a printed newspaper clipping.

The date on the newspaper header is tomorrow. This should be one of the sample copies, so I'll take it and read it myself first.

The sign reads "Jinshi Employees' Cooking Skills Competition," and the smaller print below contains the specific competition time and details.

The event will be held in the middle of next month at the high school cafeteria opposite the radio station where Lin Xiaoyan works.

"this……"

Chen Wei hesitated for a moment. After all, competitions weren't like a free lunch where you could quickly max out your proficiency. As for the prize money and honor, he didn't care.

He's already resigned to his fate; all he wants now is to coast along at the steel mill.

After thinking for a moment, just as Chen Wei was about to refuse, he saw Chen Jianguo's head suddenly pop out from the opposite counter and shout loudly.

"He'll participate! Comrade Xiao Lin, could you register him? He's willing to join!"

?

Chen Wei was completely bewildered. When did he say he wanted to participate?

And why is Chen Jianguo acting like a thief? When did he overhear their conversation?

Didn't he go to the grocery store to buy food?

Turning his head to look at the grocery store on the other side of the mall, which was a million miles away from the three of them, Chen Wei felt that he was about to be ripped off by this cheap uncle again.

Sure enough, Chen Jianguo soon came running over, his smile practically reaching his ears.

He snatched the newspaper from Chen Wei's hand, glanced at it quickly, and immediately slapped his thigh in frustration.

"We'll participate! We have to sign up! Comrade Xiaolin, your broadcasting station is the organizer this time, so could you please help us, Xiaowei, sign up?"

"No problem!" Lin Xiaoyan readily agreed.

Neither of them noticed that Chen Wei's face darkened as he stood beside them.

After finalizing the registration time and competition location, Lin Xiaoyan had to go buy clothes, so she said goodbye first, leaving only Chen Wei and Chen Jianguo at the men's clothing counter in Quanyechang.

Chen Wei looked speechless: "Uncle, I don't want to participate in any competitions..."

What kind of ridiculous competition is this? It's one thing if he can't even improve his proficiency, but it also requires him to make the trip.

"Why not participate? You must participate!" Chen Jianguo glared at him, immediately suppressing Chen Wei's little thoughts.

"Let me tell you, your promotion was never really going to happen. Even though the leaders seem to value you, you've only been here for two weeks. Have you ever seen a head chef in a factory cafeteria who's only been an apprentice for two weeks? If you want to shut up those gossips, you need to build a reputation! This culinary competition is your chance!"

"I don't care about a promotion..." Chen Wei scratched his head and revealed his true thoughts.

He genuinely doesn't care about promotions or raises. In his past life, he spent his entire life nagging about these things and was already fed up with it. Now, he just wants to relax, hold onto his secure job, and wait until retirement to enjoy his super-high pension.

But Chen Jianguo didn't think so. He looked at his unambitious nephew with a helpless expression.

This brat has such great skills, why doesn't he want to win more honors!

Chen Jianguo rolled his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the appliance counter, when suddenly an idea struck him.

He leaned close to Chen Wei's ear mysteriously and said in a seductive tone.

"If you can get a good ranking in the cooking competition, I'll buy you a refrigerator!"

Ok?

refrigerator?!

Chen Wei's eyes lit up!

In this sweltering heat, if there were a refrigerator in the dorm, I could chill a drink or freeze an ice pop whenever I wanted, life would be heavenly!

"Uncle! I'll participate! I have to get a ranking!" Chen Wei grinned and nodded.