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

Chen Wei was taken aback by his question, and paused slightly in the act of putting on his clothes. He then realized what he meant, but just pursed his lips and didn't say anything.

What can Ma Dayong think about this?

To put it bluntly, the two leaders are locked in a power struggle, and what can a mere apprentice like him (who hasn't even been promoted to head chef yet!) do?

Seeing that the kid was pretending to be stupid again, Chen Jianguo got angry.

She couldn't help but offer a suggestion: "Are you really just going to let him go? I heard that Ma Dayong also signed up for that cooking competition you participated in."

"Hmm?" Chen Wei finally stopped what he was doing and turned his head.

Ma Dayong actually signed up for the cooking competition?

However, he quickly realized what was going on and understood it when he thought about Ma Dayong's background.

People come to Tianjin No. 1 Steel Plant to become head chefs in the kitchen, not to actually work hard in the steel rolling workshop.

Since he was able to win the chef's position in the culinary competition, Ma Dayong could naturally do the same.

"I heard that Ma Dayong used to work as a kitchen helper in a state-run restaurant, and he had two years of experience. How did he end up being fired?"

Chen Wei shook out his work jacket, casually draped it over his shoulders, and asked casually.

Seeing that his nephew was finally concerned about the background of their opponent, Chen Jianguo felt a little better.

He took a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it slowly, took a deep drag, and then spoke.

"I only heard it secondhand. It's said that this kid had a conflict with the head chef and resigned in a fit of anger. But as for the specifics of the conflict... I have no idea."

As he said this, Chen Jianguo waved his hand, casually flicked the ash from his cigarette onto the ground, and continued speaking.

"Why he resigned isn't that important. What's important is that he's now eyeing your position and wants to take it. What I mean is..."

At this point, Chen Jianguo lowered his voice and made a gesture of raising his hand.

But Chen Wei, standing on the other side, ignored him and straightened his posture, fastening his work clothes to the last button.

"Since you've got your eye on my position, let's have a cooking competition."

"..."

Chen Jianguo's unfinished sentence was cut off by Chen Wei, leaving him speechless and feeling extremely uncomfortable.

But what Chen Wei said wasn't wrong. If everyone competed fairly, Chen Wei's cooking skills might not necessarily lose to Ma Dayong's.

Chen Jianguo remained silent for a while, then finally sighed, stood up, and patted Chen Wei on the shoulder.

"Fine, since you've already made up your mind, I won't get involved. Getting Lao Ma and me involved in this would only do us harm, not good."

Of course! With you two big leaders above, how can the little grasshoppers below possibly make a ripple?

Chen Weixin thought to himself.

On the surface, however, he simply agreed without showing any emotion.

-

The propaganda department's self-criticism meeting ended in an eerie atmosphere.

Chen Wei read the speech with great emotion, even shedding tears. The speech described him as a "negative example of impulsiveness, recklessness, and lack of organizational discipline." At the end, he also deeply reflected on his political problems and expressed that he would strictly demand of himself and obey the arrangements of his superiors in the future.

Chen Wei finally managed to finish reading that long, tedious, and official platitudes, and felt a sense of relief wash over him.

Wu Xiaochun and Lin Jun, who were at the back, read the text haltingly, but in the end they managed to get by.

As they were leaving the propaganda department, the three of them bumped into Ma Dayong and Sun Ergou. The two sides were still on the verge of a fight, neither willing to give in.

In the end, Ma Dayong and his group walked ahead, scoffing as they left the propaganda department.

"Pah! What a load of rubbish! I should have pissed in this bastard's food last night. A single spit is too good for him!"

Wu Xiaochun cursed under his breath indignantly.

Lin Jun, however, followed behind Chen Wei and asked in a low voice.

"Section Chief Chen...didn't give you any trouble?"

"How could that be! That's my own uncle!" Chen Wei laughed, dispelling Lin Jun's doubts.

Lin Jun behind him had his head down, and you could tell he felt guilty.

"This whole thing started because of me, and I still feel a bit..."

"Hey? This has nothing to do with you! My uncle already said they were obviously after me! Don't overthink it, hurry up and go, or we won't have time to make lunch!"

Chen Wei urged him on and walked forward.

Lin Jun, watching his retreating figure, felt a pang of unease.

Two days ago, he never imagined that Chen Wei would so easily be willing to teach him all his skills.

He didn't even need to make three or six invitations or betrothals.

But what did I bring to Chen Wei? A self-criticism, and... Ma Dayong's targeting.

Even the relationship between Chen Jianguo and Ma Qianjin is not as close as it used to be. Yesterday, when Lin Jun got off work, he saw Chen Jianguo and Ma Qianjin pushing two bicycles and riding out of the factory gate one after the other without saying goodbye.

He couldn't understand why Chen Wei was being so nice to him, but Lin Jun felt that he was responsible for what happened to Ma Dayong.

Having made up his mind, Lin Jun thought of someone.

I heard that Ma Dayong is also going to sign up for the cooking competition. Maybe he has some information about the cooking competition.

Lin Jun, who was at the end of the line, clenched his fist secretly, turned around and disappeared between the factory buildings.

-

It seems that the letter of self-criticism really had an effect, because for two consecutive days, Ma Dayong and Sun Ergou did not show up in the cafeteria at all.

Let alone whether or not there's any trouble!

In any case, apart from the rapidly spreading rumors, everything in the factory has been unusually calm these past two days.

Chen Wei had no time to pay attention to any of that; all his attention was focused on leveling up his proficiency.

With his proficiency with the coal-fired stove and large ladle about to advance, Chen Wei was more eager than anyone to see the next equipment slot unlocked.

Fortunately, the factory canteen's consumption remained the same as always. In order to improve his proficiency these past two days, Chen Wei simply stopped limiting the amount of food and allowed everyone to eat as much as they wanted. He would even sell 10 servings to one person.

So in the past two days, many employees' family members have benefited from this.

It just so happens that everyone received a good salary and bonus this month, so they have money in their pockets and are naturally willing to buy some ready-made good food to take home and eat.

The various dishes prepared by Chen Wei in the cafeteria naturally became everyone's first choice.

This really exhausted Wu Xiaochun and Lin Jun.

The dishes the two of them made were not 100% up to standard, not even 50%. Most of them were sent back by Chen Wei and ended up benefiting the little cuties in the pigsty behind the toilet.

Seeing their little ones' weight skyrocketing, Wu Xiaochun and Lin Jun became anxious.

Now Chen Wei didn't need to urge them anymore. The two of them put in their best effort and were determined to make a really impressive dish for Chen Wei.

Finally, on the sixth day at noon, Chen Wei heard the familiar panel notification sound in his mind.

[Ding—Congratulations on leveling up! The fourth equipment slot has been unlocked!]