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

An apprentice is someone who does the most work in the kitchen but gets the least pay.

However, this position allows one to openly receive guidance from the head chef, or mentor, and in the future, there is an opportunity to inherit the position of head chef in this factory or to directly transfer from this factory to another factory and become the head chef in that factory.

Chen Wei and Lin Jun's previous positions were all about career advancement.

The last type is the actual kitchen helper, who receives a second-level salary of 35 yuan, which is higher than the salaries of the first two positions.

However, they also help the head chef prepare ingredients, and when the head chef is too busy, they will personally help with tasks such as watching the fire or seasoning.

It's equivalent to being the second chef in the kitchen.

Wu Xiaochun was asking Chen Wei for this position right now. Although he said it in a half-joking tone, Chen Wei knew that the kid was serious.

Wang Defa had never been involved in the position of sous chef during his years in the kitchen because he felt that the sous chef position took away some of his power. Moreover, he looked down on the people in the kitchen, so of course he wouldn't promote someone to sous chef so easily.

However, Chen Wei now makes most of the decisions in the kitchen. When Chen Wei's rank is not high enough, Chen Jianguo, the head of the administrative department, takes over.

They said they wanted to ask Chen Jianguo for his opinion, but in reality, he's Chen Wei's uncle. In the end, it's still Chen Wei who has the final say!

During this period, Wu Xiaochun has helped Chen Wei a lot, so it's no wonder that he's now considering a promotion after hearing that Chen Wei is about to be promoted.

Chen Wei smiled and lowered his head, but didn't really draw a conclusion about Wu Xiaochun.

He only vaguely replied, "The promotion is still far from certain. The factory manager means I need to at least win a prize in the city's chef competition. Chefs from all over the city will be participating, and I'm really not confident..."

"Brother Chen, if you ask me, you're just too modest! Of all the dishes I've ever eaten in my life, yours is the best. I don't believe there's anyone in the world who can cook better than you!" Wu Xiaochun was bragging without batting an eye, and the more he talked, the more outrageous it became.

Chen Wei quickly reached out to stop him, hastily offering him a pie in the sky.

"Stop, stop, stop! If you keep going, you're going to blow my mind out of proportion! If I really have the luck to be promoted to head chef, I'll help you apply to the administration department and give it a try!"

"Hey! Thanks, Brother Chen. From now on, I'm Brother Chen's dog! Anyone who messes with you is messing with me!" Wu Xiaochun said excitedly, hands on his hips, laughing loudly.

Chen Wei thought about these words more and more and felt increasingly uncomfortable. What did he mean by "is he a dog or my brother"?

Chen Wei felt that this kid was going to change his own views on the sect, so he quickly steered the conversation back on track.

"We need to buy a lot of Sichuan peppercorns for the cold dish we're making this afternoon. I asked you to submit an application to the purchasing department; did you submit it?"

"Oops!" Wu Xiaochun slapped his forehead and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh no, I forgot! I'll go right now! God, please don't let those women in the purchasing department be in such a hurry to leave today! Otherwise, I'm in for a good scolding!"

Wu Xiaochun screamed and rushed out, and even Wang Xiuli packed her things and went to find a shady place to rest.

Suddenly, only Lin Jun and Chen Wei remained in the kitchen.

The atmosphere in the air suddenly became quiet.

Only the embers in the coal stove were still burning, crackling and popping, making the air slightly hot.

Chen Wei buried his head in sweeping all the scraps of meat on the cutting board into an enamel basin, preparing to mix it with some sorghum flour and cook it into pig feed later.

He then washed the cutting board and all the tools, and when he was cleaning the stainless steel kitchen knife in his hand, Lin Jun, who had been hiding silently in the corner, suddenly came over.

Looking at the young man's gloomy face, his work clothes were tightly buttoned up with the last button fastened. Because of the morning's busy work, he was already soaked in sweat. Although he was more than half a head shorter than Chen Wei, he suddenly came up from behind Chen Wei, which startled Chen Wei.

"What's up?"

Chen Wei stopped what he was doing, frowned, and asked.

But then she saw Lin Jun across from her straighten her back, her expression showing a struggle as if she were making some kind of decision.

"Brother Chen... Brother Chen..." Lin Jun opened his mouth, his voice a little hoarse.

The way he called him "Brother Chen" sounded a bit awkward, and you could tell he was clearly reluctant.

Chen Wei raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat surprised.

This was the first time Lin Jun had called him that. Before, he would either call him "Wei" or "Chen Wei" by his full name, with a tone that was somewhat sarcastic and hostile, typical of young people.

His unusual behavior made Chen Wei stop what he was doing and turn to look at him.

"What exactly happened?"

Perhaps because Chen Wei's question was too urgent, Lin Jun lowered his head and gripped the rag in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.

She didn't look at Chen Wei, but kept staring at the tips of her shoes.

He hesitated for a long time before suddenly speaking.

"I...I want to learn to cook from you!"

The way Lin Jun said those words seemed to have taken all of his strength, and the unusual tone of his voice stunned Chen Wei.

He never expected Lin Jun to say such a thing, after all, this kid had been full of hostility towards him before.

I wish I didn't have to say a single unnecessary word to him.

What's wrong with me today?

Just as he was thinking this, Lin Jun on the other side spoke up.

"Please...please! Teach me! I really need to learn to cook from you! I..."

Lin Jun looked up, his small eyes misty, carrying a clear sense of pleading and flattery.

He didn't look like the arrogant Lin Jun he usually was.

Then Lin Jun was heard saying in a low voice, "Last time during the holiday, I took my mom to the hospital, and they said she needed a better medication. The cost of medicine will definitely keep increasing... I... I want to earn more money. You... don't worry, I know what you're worried about. 'Teach a disciple and you'll starve,' right? As long as you let me learn a skill or two, I'll quit my job right now and find a position in a factory or restaurant. I definitely won't stay in the factory and steal your thunder!"

He spoke urgently, but his voice grew softer and softer.

He seemed to realize that his words wouldn't really gain anyone's benefit.

Perhaps because he had little hope, Lin Jun's voice gradually lowered halfway through his sentence, his thin shoulders trembled slightly, and he could no longer continue.

Sunlight streamed in through the greasy kitchen window, casting a long, thin shadow on Lin Jun, like a reed that could be bent by the wind at any moment.

Chen Wei stared at him for a long time, then suddenly remembered something.

On the first day he transmigrated here, he was completely bewildered. He was holding a basket of prepared ingredients, but due to dizziness, he suddenly let go and all the ingredients fell to the ground.

He was about to be spotted by Wang Defa inside the house and given a severe scolding.

At that moment, Lin Jun came up and shoved him aside while cursing, and picked up the food on the ground one by one and washed it clean again.

Although he knew that Lin Jun was competing with him for a chance to perform in front of Wang Defa, Chen Wei was still slightly moved by the young man's humble and pleading manner.

He swallowed hard and handed over the two jin of garlic-flavored pork belly that he had been keeping in a small enamel basin, intending for Chen Jianguo to take it home.

"Take what's left on the stove home and eat it slowly. If you want to learn from me, you can watch and help me when I'm cooking tomorrow!"