I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

Uncle Zhang greeted the man familiarly: "Thank you for your help, Director Li."

The man smiled broadly: "Professor Zhang, you're too kind. It's all my pleasure. Come, come, let's take a seat first."

After everyone was seated, Uncle Zhang began his introduction: "Weiguo, you're the only one here who doesn't know Director Li Huaide. He's the director of the logistics department at the steel rolling mill, and he has a top-notch subordinate who cooks exceptionally well. I've heard he's worked as a chef at several high-end restaurants, including the Emei Restaurant. Most importantly, he's a descendant of the Tan family cuisine. Today, Uncle Zhang is just passing on this as a welcome dinner for you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Weiguo felt a strange, inexplicable unease. Before he could even speak, Uncle Song exclaimed impatiently, "Hey, hey, Old Zhang, have you no shame? Director Li provided the venue and the people, I provided the money and the tickets, and all you brought was your mouth. You still have the nerve to say you're just offering something for free? Since you're here today, it's on me. Next time we go to your place, you can treat us."

Seeing that Song Shuhe, a top professor at Beijing University of Technology, was so enthusiastic towards the young man in front of him, Li Huaide was filled with many thoughts.

Seeing this, Uncle Zhang smiled and introduced him to Li Huaide: "Director Li, this is a young friend of mine and Lao Song's, and we have some connection with him. Don't underestimate this kid; he's a genuine associate doctoral student from Tsinghua University. Although he hasn't graduated yet, he has a bright future ahead of him."

Zhou Weiguo understood that Uncle Zhang was trying to save face for him, so he didn't mince words and politely raised his glass, saying, "Hello, Director Li."

Seeing Zhou Weiguo offer him a toast, Li Huaide quickly stood up, raised his glass slightly lower than Zhou's, and said warmly, "Comrade Zhou is truly a young hero with limitless potential! I'm a few years older than you, but if Comrade Zhou thinks highly of me, how about we address each other as brothers from now on?"

Zhou Weiguo couldn't help but admire Li Huaide's magnanimity. Knowing that Li Huaide was close to Uncle Song and Uncle Zhang, Li Huaide was still willing to lower himself to befriend him. Zhou Weiguo quickly replied, "That's really too kind of you, Brother Li. I'm really not worthy of your kindness."

As the drinks increased, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively. Uncle Zhang and Uncle Song chatted back and forth, Ying Xiangdong was so drunk that he crawled under the table, and Li Huaide and Zhou Weiguo occasionally chimed in.

Towards the end of the meal, Uncle Zhang insisted that Li Huaide bring the chef out to meet him, saying he wanted to thank him in person. Zhou Weiguo's eyes lit up at this. He knew in his heart that it must have been Zhu Zi who had cooked. If he could get Zhu Zi over, and with the help of Uncle Zhang and Uncle Song, he might be able to get Zhu Zi some benefits, even just a raise.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door. Li Huaide said "Come in," and He Yuzhu, wearing an apron, walked in with a puzzled look on her face.

Upon seeing who was inside, He Yuzhu exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle, what are you doing here?"

In an instant, the room fell silent as everyone stared in surprise at Zhou Weiguo and He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu was somewhat bewildered by everyone's stares, thinking he had made another mistake, and quickly lowered his head.

Zhou Weiguo broke the silence with a smile: "I didn't expect it to really be you who cooked. No wonder the food tasted so familiar today."

Li Huaide asked curiously, "Brother Zhou, what's your relationship with Chef He?" As soon as he said this, not only Uncle Zhang and Uncle Song looked at him, but even Ying Xiangdong, who was under the table, crawled out and stared at Zhou Weiguo with a curious look on his face.

Zhou Weiguo explained, "Zhuzi is my nephew, my own flesh and blood. His mother is my eldest sister."

Li Huaide's smile deepened: "What a coincidence! I never expected that Brother Zhou would be Chef He's maternal uncle. What a coincidence!"

Zhou Weiguo continued, "My eldest nephew is a rough fellow and doesn't know how to speak properly. I'll have to trouble Brother Li to take good care of him in the future. If Zhuzi does anything wrong, just tell me and I'll deal with him when I get back."

Li Huaide nodded repeatedly. Although He Yuzhu was a skilled cook, he was also a troublemaker, and sometimes even Li Huaide had to put up with him. With Zhou Weiguo's connection, he would have to take good care of this nephew in the future.

Zhou Weiguo then turned to Uncle Song and said, "Uncle Song, I hope you can take good care of my nephew in the factory from now on."

Uncle Song smiled and replied, "Of course, of course."

Zhou Weiguo looked at He Yuzhu: "What are you standing there for? Why aren't you greeting anyone?"

He Yuzhu was completely dumbfounded: What should he call him? Even his uncle calls him "uncle," so what should he call him? Does he really expect him to call him "grandpa"?

Seeing this, Uncle Zhang laughed and smoothed things over: "Alright, Weiguo, stop bullying your nephew. He Yuzhu, right? Just call me Professor Zhang. As for Chief Engineer Song and Director Li, call them whatever you normally would. I don't want to have another grandson like this."

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, He Yuzhu hurriedly greeted everyone and then fled the room as if running away.

Uncle Song then said to Li Huaide, "Huaide, Weiguo and Xiangdong may be staying at the factory for a while. I'll trouble you to help coordinate their meals. I'll settle the meal tickets and expenses later."

Li Huaide smiled and said, "Chief Engineer Song, you're too kind. Don't worry about this, leave it all to me. I'll make sure Brother Zhou doesn't go hungry."

After a satisfying meal, as dusk approached and it was almost time to leave work, Li Huaide invited them to rest at the guesthouse. Zhou Weiguo declined, citing the need to care for his niece at home, and then left.

He Yuzhu was riding his bicycle with Zhou Weiguo on his back, heading out of the factory from the canteen, when Yi Zhonghai happened to see them. Yi Zhonghai rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he was seeing things.

Upon arriving at the courtyard gate, Zhou Weiguo jumped out of the car. He secretly admired Leng Feng's amazing physique; after drinking more than half a jin of liquor, he didn't feel dizzy or drunk at all.

As He Yuzhu pushed his cart into the courtyard, Yan Fugui was standing at the gate. Seeing the lunchbox in He Yuzhu's hand, he instinctively leaned forward: "Hey, Zhuzi, you're back! This lunchbox smells special today. Is it braised pork intestines? Or braised pork belly? Zhuzi, I've got a bottle of fine Fenjiu that I've been saving. How about we go to my house today and have a drink, just the two of us..."

Halfway through his sentence, Yan Fugui noticed Zhou Weiguo behind He Yuzhu and quickly stopped talking: "Oh my, Weiguo, you've drunk quite a bit today, haven't you? Judging from the smell, you've had at least half a jin (250ml). I really admire your drinking capacity."

Zhou Weiguo smiled and offered him a cigarette: "Third Uncle, you have a really good nose. How about you smell this cigarette?"

Yan Fugui looked at the unmarked cigarette in his hand and wondered to himself: Is Zhou Weiguo even stingier than me this time? Could this be some cheap cigarette from the countryside? Just then, he suddenly saw the word "Panda" printed on the cigarette butt, and his hand trembled so much that he almost threw the cigarette away. He carefully stuffed the cigarette into his pocket and excitedly ran home.

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