Pursued by the Heavenly Dao, first level up in the courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai strolled leisurely toward the steel rolling mill, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips, his steps unhurried.

"Shazhu's cooking skills are truly exceptional, far surpassing those of many small restaurant chefs."

After He Daqing left, he helped Sha Zhu openly and secretly. When Sha Zhu was bullied, he stepped in to help him out. When Sha Zhu had no food, he would give him a few steamed buns and occasionally give him some money.

Over time, through a combination of kindness and strictness, Sha Zhu became increasingly grateful to him and developed a greater dependence on him.

Upon entering the steel rolling mill, Yi Zhonghai headed straight for the canteen office.

"Let the cafeteria manager keep an eye on Sha Zhu and let him work as an apprentice in the cafeteria first."

Tang Ze, the canteen manager, was checking the accounts when he heard a knock on the door. Without thinking, he called out, "Come in."

Yi Zhonghai walked in from outside, offered him a cigarette, and said with a smile, "Director Tang, busy?"

Tang Ze smiled and said, "Old Yi, what brings you here today?"

Before Yi Zhonghai could answer, Tang Ze picked up the thermos from the corner of the table and poured Yi Zhonghai a glass of hot water.

Yi Zhonghai took the water glass and got straight to the point: "Director Tang, I'd like to ask you for a favor. There's a young man in our compound whose father ran away, and he has a younger sister with him. Could we let him work in the cafeteria?"

Tang Ze said, "With our relationship, why are you talking about begging or not? That's too formal. Tell me, how old is this kid? Is he quick and efficient? How's his cooking?"

He had known Yi Zhonghai for many years and knew that Yi Zhonghai was a steady and meticulous person who never recommended people casually. Anyone who could get Yi Zhonghai to ask for help must be a reliable person.

"It's He Yuzhu from our institute. His father is He Daqing, and three generations of his family have been cooks. He has a good foundation," Yi Zhonghai said. "Let him come to the cafeteria as an apprentice and learn properly from the masters."

Tang Ze was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "He Daqing's son? An apprentice? That's easy. Our canteen is short-staffed. Since you recommended him, he can't be bad."

Yi Zhonghai was secretly pleased and quickly said, "Director Tang, then I'll have to trouble you. This kid is a bit impatient and hot-blooded, and sometimes he's prone to impulsiveness. Please be more tolerant of him, and discipline him when necessary, don't spoil him."

"Don't worry, Lao Yi, I know what I'm doing," Tang Ze said with a smile. "I'll have him come to the cafeteria tomorrow, and I'll arrange for him to learn from Chef Zhang. Chef Zhang is a veteran in our cafeteria; he's a good cook and a very good person."

Yi Zhonghai thanked him again: "Director Tang, I'm leaving He Yuzhu's matter to you."

After chatting for a few minutes, Yi Zhonghai smiled and said goodbye, heading straight for the fitter's workshop.

Yi Zhonghai knew better than anyone that Sha Zhu's cooking skills were more than enough to be a chef in a factory, let alone an apprentice. But he felt that Sha Zhu needed to endure more hardship so that he would have more opportunities to do favors for him.

"Only by suppressing Sha Zhu for a while can my true worth be revealed."

Yi Zhonghai walked along the seaside, lost in thought, and gradually quickened his pace.

"When Sha Zhu is working as an apprentice in the canteen, doing menial tasks like picking vegetables and washing dishes every day, watching others cook but not being able to use his own skills, feeling that his talents are not being recognized and starting to complain, then I will step in to help him."

What Yi Zhonghai wanted was not Sha Zhu's gratitude, but Sha Zhu's unwavering filial piety.

When he gets old, if Jia Dongxu doesn't support him in his old age, he'll still have Sha Zhu as a backup.

As soon as it was time to leave work, Yi Zhonghai, Jia Dongxu, and Liu Haizhong returned to the courtyard house, chatting and laughing.

Upon seeing Yi Zhonghai return, He Yuzhu greeted him respectfully, "Uncle Yi, you're back."

"Okay." Yi Zhonghai nodded, called He Yuzhu to his house, and said, "Zhuzi, I've found you a job. You can be an apprentice at the steel mill's canteen. You can report for duty tomorrow. I've already spoken to Director Tang of the canteen."

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up instantly, his face beaming with undisguised joy. He was slightly excited, his voice urgent, "Really? Uncle Yi, you really found me a job? And it's at the steel mill's canteen?"

He Yuzhu often heard people say that Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill had good benefits and stable jobs. Getting a job at the steel rolling mill was something many people would kill for, much better than doing odd jobs or collecting scraps outside.

"Zhu Zi, I know that with your cooking skills, you could easily take charge of the kitchen, but the factory has its rules. Everyone who enters the factory must first be an apprentice. You should work diligently for a while before I ask Director Tang for help."

"Uncle Yi, I'll listen to you."

Yi Zhonghai was secretly pleased with himself, knowing that he had made the right move, but he put on a stern face and said in a serious tone, "Don't be too happy yet. Let me remind you, you're going to be an apprentice, not to be the head chef."

"Your cooking skills are good, but you're new to the factory and don't know anyone in the canteen. If someone gangs up on you, even if you're innocent, you won't be able to defend yourself. You should learn from the canteen chefs first..."

Thinking of Fengzeyuan, He Yuzhu nodded in deep agreement.

He was maliciously targeted by the kitchen staff at Fengzeyuan Restaurant; he was not only beaten but also fired.

Yi Zhonghai earnestly advised, "Zhuzi, it's good that you're young and proud, but you can't be too impetuous. You're learning to cook in small batches, while the factory mainly cooks in large batches. If you don't learn from your master, how will you cook in large batches?"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu fell silent.

"I'm doing this for your own good." Yi Zhonghai softened his tone and patted his shoulder. "Start as an apprentice, take it one step at a time. Once you can cook big pot dishes, Director Tang will naturally give you a chance."

He Yuzhu nodded and promised, "Uncle Yi, don't worry, I will definitely listen to you, learn from my master, and live up to your expectations. I will repay your kindness in the future."

Yi Zhonghai felt completely relieved, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"That's right." Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction, and then instructed, "Tomorrow morning, go to the steel mill canteen to report for duty and find Director Tang Ze. He will arrange for you to learn from Master Zhang."

"Remember, when you get to the cafeteria, respect the cooks, get along well with your colleagues, work hard and talk less, don't ask questions you shouldn't ask, don't meddle in things you shouldn't meddle in, get your training steadily and don't embarrass me."

He Yuzhu smiled broadly, his voice full of anticipation: "I'll go first thing tomorrow morning, I definitely won't be late. Uncle Yi, you're truly my benefactor, I don't know what I would have done without you."

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand, feigning indifference: "Alright, stop with the formalities. I only helped you because I saw how pitiful you were, how hard you were willing to work, and how filial you were to the deaf old lady."

Back at the He family home, He Yuzhu was already imagining his days in the steel mill canteen, where he would have a stable job and a stable income, and would no longer have to go out to collect scrap metal to sell for money.

At this moment, He Yuzhu was completely unaware of Yi Zhonghai's scheme.

Before Lou Zhenhua donated his shares, the steel rolling mill was Lou Zhenhua's private factory, and there was no rule of sons inheriting their fathers' businesses or taking over their positions.

Before He Daqing went to Baocheng, he did not bring He Yuzhu to work at the steel rolling mill.

According to He Daqing's plan, He Yuzhu would learn cooking skills from his senior apprentice Tian Fusheng, and once He Yuzhu had mastered the skills, he would stay and work at Fengzeyuan.

He Yuzhu's job as an apprentice in the steel mill's canteen was actually found with Yi Zhonghai's help.

Of course, even if Yi Zhonghai doesn't introduce He Yuzhu to work at the steel rolling mill, once the street office is established, it will introduce unemployed people in the area to work in nearby factories.

If He Yuzhu had been more proactive, he probably would have joined the factory much earlier.

Many new factories have been built or expanded in the northern part of the city, resulting in a significant increase in job opportunities.

He Yuzhu, who has excellent cooking skills, took the initiative to look for work in the surrounding factories, and it was not difficult for him to get a job.

When many neighbors in the courtyard learned that He Yuzhu was going to work at the steel rolling mill, they were all very envious and kept approaching Yi Zhonghai, hoping that he could help them get a job at the steel rolling mill.