The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

Upon entering the house in courtyard number 94, Li Kaixin couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.

In those few short steps, almost every elderly woman I encountered was kindly asked if I needed a helping hand.

Although he was grateful for the neighborly kindness, he was unwilling to trouble others to help with things he could do himself.

After making the bed and putting away daily necessities such as a washbasin, I went out to the steel rolling mill.

This time was a little different from the first time.

As soon as Li Kaixin arrived at the factory gate, Zhou Dahong, who had given him directions last time, immediately came up to him: "Comrade Li, you've arrived! Factory Director Li is waiting for you over at the canteen. I'll take you there now."

After saying that, he led the way.

"Thank you, Brother Zhou, for troubling you again." Li Kaixin followed with a smile.

Zhou Dahong, who was leading the way, turned around and chuckled, "Comrade Li, you're too kind. This is what I should do."

As soon as I entered the steel rolling mill, workers who were leaving work poured out.

As Li Kaixin passed by the production workshop, he happened to run into his father, Li Mingde, and several coworkers walking out, chatting and laughing.

"Brother Zhou, please wait a moment," Li Kaixin said, walking towards his father.

Seeing this, Zhou Dahong stopped and waited in place.

The father, Li Mingde, also saw his eldest son and quickened his pace, saying, "Kaixin, you've come for dinner?"

"We agreed on this time." Li Kaixin nodded with a smile, then added, "Dad, I've moved all my things over, I'll be staying there tonight."

"Okay! You go ahead, don't keep them waiting." Father Li Mingde replied, adding, "Also, drink less alcohol, don't get drunk."

"Okay, Dad," Li Kaixin replied, returning to Zhou Dahong's side, and the two continued walking towards the cafeteria.

As soon as Li Kaixin left, several of Li Mingde's coworkers surrounded him. One of them was Sun Dali from the front yard.

Sun Dali leaned closer and asked, "Mingde, is Kaixin here for lunch at the factory?"

The others also cast curious glances at them.

Seeing that they all had a good relationship, Li Mingde didn't hide anything: "I was happy to help Director Li with something, so I was invited to dinner today."

Upon hearing this, the people gathered around all showed expressions of surprise.

......

In the canteen of the steel rolling mill, Li Huaide chatted idly around a table with Wang Enlong, the canteen manager, and Zhang Bohai, the head of the purchasing department.

Zhang Bohai asked with a smile, "Factory manager, who did you invite today? Why did you call both of us here?"

"Yes, factory manager, I saw that the kitchen has prepared several main dishes," Wang Enlong chimed in with a smile.

Li Huaide picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "It's not that formal. I'm just inviting two old friends and a little kid to have a meal together."

Wang Enlong and Zhang Bohai immediately became interested in the child. Zhang Bohai leaned forward: "Factory Manager, who is this child you're talking about...?"

"You recognize them too," Li Huaide said, glancing up at the doorway. "Look, here they come."

Upon hearing this, the two immediately followed Li Huaide's gaze.

Zhou Dahong led Li Kaixin in one after the other.

When Wang Enlong and Zhang Bohai saw the newcomer, they were both incredulous and exchanged a glance.

In their minds, Li Kaixin was just a young man who knew how to hunt. Although he called him affectionately during the transaction, he was not worthy of Director Li personally hosting a banquet for him.

However, both of them were shrewd people. After a brief moment of surprise, they immediately put on smiles and stood up together.

Li Huaide then stood up, smiling and waving to Li Kaixin: "Kaixin, come and sit down!"

"Coming, Uncle Li," Li Kaixin replied, quickening his pace.

As he approached, Zhou Dahong tactfully stopped: "Director Li, I've brought you Comrade Li. I'll be going now."

"Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Zhou." Li Huaide nodded.

"It's no trouble at all, it's only right to serve the factory director." Zhou Dahong quickly waved his hand, his face showing a look of being flattered.

After saying that, he smiled politely at Wang Enlong and Zhang Bohai before turning and walking out of the cafeteria.

Li Huaide's smile deepened, clearly pleased with what he had just heard.

He then turned to Wang Enlong and Zhang Bohai: "Old Wang, Old Zhang, I'm glad you both know each other, so I won't introduce you further."

"I know him, I know him!" Wang Enlong nodded repeatedly, his tone warm. "Comrade Li is a young talent, a skilled hunter, who has really solved a lot of meat-eating problems for our factory."

"Yes, Comrade Li is so capable at such a young age, his future is sure to be bright," Zhang Bohai added with a smile.

Li Kaixin had just stepped forward and hadn't even had a chance to greet them when she heard their conversation, and her face flushed slightly.

I couldn't help but sigh inwardly: These two are truly leadership material; they can come up with compliments so easily.

Li Kaixin steadied himself and gave a humble smile: "Director Wang, Uncle Zhang, you two are too kind. It was just a few small tricks."

He then looked at Li Huaide and asked, "Uncle Li, am I not late today?"

"I'm not late. Your Uncle Xie and Station Chief Zhao haven't arrived yet." Li Huaide smiled and gestured, "Come, come, let's sit down and talk."

After everyone sat down again, Li Kaixin smelled the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen and couldn't help but exclaim, "It smells so good, Uncle Li. Your cafeteria chef's skills are really excellent; the dishes look so tempting even before they're on the table!"

"Kaixin, you're absolutely right." Li Huaide said with a hint of pride. "The chef in my cafeteria is a genuine successor of the Tan family cuisine. You're in for a treat later."

"Really, Uncle Li? Then I'll have to give it a good try!" Li Kaixin replied with a smile.

Li Huaide laughed heartily: "Good! You'd better eat more then."

Seeing this, Zhang Bohai and Wang Enlong also smiled and joined in, instantly warming up the atmosphere at the table.

Just then, a mature-looking, sturdy man came out of the kitchen, his voice booming: "Deputy Factory Director Li, is everyone here? I'll be done here soon."

The shout drew everyone's attention.

Li Huaide frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed and introduced with a smile: "Kaixin, this is our cafeteria chef, He Yuzhu."

He Yuzhu looked at Li Kaixin and felt that she looked more and more familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen her before.

Li Kaixin quickly stood up and greeted him with a smile, "Brother Zhu, I just heard that our cafeteria chef is a descendant of the Tan family cuisine, and I was wondering about it. I didn't expect it to be you!"

He Yuzhu slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, "You're from the Li family across the street, right? Your name is... Li Kaixin, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's me, Brother Zhu." Li Kaixin nodded, then immediately praised, "Brother Zhu, your cooking is amazing! Just the smell is making my mouth water."

He Yuzhu felt even more pleased to see Li Kaixin calling him "Brother Zhu" so affectionately, and put his arm around his shoulder, saying, "Brother Kaixin, just you wait and see! When the dishes are served, they'll taste even better than they smell!"

"Brother Zhu, then I'm really looking forward to a feast."