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

The moment you hold that ebony cutting board in your hand, you realize it's completely different from ordinary pine or poplar cutting boards; it has a heavy, cool feel to it.

Chen Wei didn't know if it was because the electric fan above his head was blowing continuously, but the cutting board in his hand felt like a dark black jade, with a dark purple sheen in its color, and the texture was very fine. It felt cool and refreshing to the touch.

This looks like a really good thing!

As expected of the system's selection process, it's truly extraordinary!

I wonder what level of item this is.

Chen Wei quickly activated the system panel in his mind to check it.

However, on the system panel, several large characters were marked in brackets after "Ebony Chopping Board".

[Tier 2 Item]

Such a good item is only a Tier 2 item?

Chen Wei pursed his lips and looked at the cutting board again.

Upon closer inspection, the ebony grain reveals a subtle, matte sheen, and the light reflecting off it creates a rich and dignified effect, highlighting the natural wood grain in varying shades.

That's amazing, only at level two!

Although it may seem unbelievable, the system's ratings are never lying.

Helpless, Chen Wei could only sigh, but when he turned his head, he met Wang Defa's smiling eyes.

"How about it? This is a good product! Look at the quality, it feels heavy to the touch, much better than the poplar cutting boards in our kitchen!"

Wang Defa spoke from the heart, his eyes filled with the appreciation of an expert.

"A genuine old ebony cutting board takes a hundred years to mature. The wood is as hard as metal and stone. It will not produce wood chips when cutting vegetables, and it will not damage the blade! The last time I gave you a stainless steel kitchen knife, it had to be paired with something like this! I was even afraid that the poplar cutting board you usually use would damage my stainless steel kitchen knife."

As he said this, he turned to look at Chen Wei, only to see that the other man still had a regretful expression on his face.

"What's wrong?"

Wang Defa was momentarily puzzled.

Could it be that this kid thinks the food isn't good enough?

It's incredibly rare to find such a good item in a state-run store!

Back in his youth, he would have had to personally search for such fine items in the mountains. He even had to find good steel for his old steel kitchen knife himself and make a special trip to the old blacksmith's shop to have it forged by the old blacksmith. Over the years, he has taken great care of it, always wrapping it in soft cloth and reluctant to take it out.

Sigh! These young people nowadays!

He didn't have these conditions when he was young!

As Wang Defa thought this, his tone revealed a hint of dissatisfaction.

The sales clerk behind the counter was naturally a shrewd person; she could tell at a glance who was the senior and who was the junior between the two.

He continued speaking in the same manner as Wang Defa.

"Young comrade! Don't underestimate this cutting board, it's a good piece of work! Although it's not from any big brand manufacturer, we recently acquired it from a lower-level supply and marketing cooperative. They said a young man from some village found this piece of wood while hunting in the mountains and had it specially cut. I rarely see this kind of quality!"

The salesperson naturally raved about their products, making Chen Wei secretly scoff inwardly.

It wasn't that he wasn't tempted; he was determined to get his hands on something that could be used as equipment, since it was a rare opportunity.

Even a second-tier item is much better than the ordinary first-tier items he has, especially with the cooking competition just around the corner, he needs a few kitchen utensils of his own.

But...

Chen Wei glanced down at the price tags on the counter and rolled his eyes inwardly.

38.6 yuan, isn't that going to kill him?!

He only earns 30 yuan a month, but this cutting board costs more than a month's salary. Who said that non-branded goods don't cost much these days?

"Um..." Chen Wei shook his head awkwardly, clutching his pocket.

I thought to myself, there probably isn't any sucker who would buy something this expensive right away!

How about we go back and borrow some money from Chen Jianguo?

Anyway, my uncle has plenty of money!

As luck would have it, just as I was thinking about it, a middle-aged man's head suddenly appeared from behind me.

The man had a neat middle parting, his hair was greasy, and he was wearing a large lapel suit, which was uncommon in this era, and even a brightly colored tie.

He immediately pointed at the cutting board and asked, "Hey pretty lady, how much is this? I'll take it!"

no????

I'll fight you rich people to the death!

Chen Wei screamed inwardly and immediately turned to look at the person who spoke in a sleazy manner.

Whether it was the man's frivolous tone that offended the saleswoman, the young girl behind the counter still pointed at Chen Wei and said with an unhappy expression.

"Comrade, this is the item that this person is looking at, why did you just grab it! Wait until this person doesn't want it anymore before you come up and ask, go to the back of the line!"

This little girl has a sharp tongue!

But no matter how eloquent she was, it was useless; Chen Wei had no money in his pocket!

"Uh...this..." Chen Wei was covered in sweat and hesitated, about to refuse, when a hand reached out from beside him and handed him four large ten-yuan bills.

Chen Wei was taken aback and immediately turned to look over.

But then he saw Wang Defa glance at him sideways, wave his hand, and speak with a carefree air that belonged only to an elder.

"Alright, consider it a loss I made to you last time! Comrade, we'll take this cutting board!"

"This... Chef Wang, this isn't appropriate..."

Chen Wei scratched his head, wanting to refuse, but the other party's attitude was very firm.

"As I get older, I won't have the strength to climb the stove anymore. Consider this cutting board my gift to you! After all, you were once my apprentice, and as your nominal master, I should give you something as a graduation gift. When I was young, I apprenticed for nine years, and my master gave me a fine steel kitchen knife as a graduation gift. Now, I'm giving you one too."

Now that things have come to this point, it would seem pretentious for Chen Wei to refuse again.

He straightened his expression and solemnly accepted the ebony cutting board.

"Thank you, sir!"

"Hey! You brat!"

Wang Defa smiled and waved his hand, all traces of his past harshness and stubbornness vanishing from his face.

In his gaze toward Chen Wei, there was only appreciation and expectation for the younger generation.

After the two left Quanyechang, Chen Wei slowly pushed the old man in the wheelchair forward.

"The cooking competition is in a week. I know you're talented and ambitious; you're definitely aiming for a good ranking this time!"

"Um."

When Wang Defa asked this question, Chen Wei no longer intended to hide his abilities and revealed his ambition for the first time.

"Yes, ambition is a good thing! That's what young people rely on—drive and energy. If they didn't have that, they wouldn't be young!"

The old man seemed to agree with Chen Wei's idea, nodding and offering a reminder.

"The judges for the cooking competition are my former senior classmates. With your abilities, you might actually be able to win a prize."