Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

In the Cantonese cuisine section: poached chicken with crisp skin and tender meat, steamed spare ribs with black bean sauce with an enticing aroma, eggplant casserole with fish-fragrant sauce with a glossy and tempting appearance, taro with braised pork belly that is fatty but not greasy, smoked cabbage with a refreshing and sweet taste, and sweet and sour pork with a crispy exterior and tender interior, and a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors;

Shanghai cuisine is even more elaborate: Eight-treasure duck has a hidden surprise inside, sweet and sour spare ribs are bright red and tender, local-style braised pork is rich and flavorful and melts in your mouth, jade beef tendon is soft and chewy, steamed sea bass is so fresh you can almost squeeze water out of it, and finally a steaming hot pan-fried platter is served, with a crispy bottom and splattered soup.

Others compete on time when cooking, but He Yuzhu competes on efficiency.

His knife skills are almost divine – in his hands, the cutting board seems to become a stage, the cleaver flies like a dance, and with a few quick snips, radishes are shredded, pork is diced, and fish slices are as thin as cicada wings, all with fluid movements so fast that only afterimages remain.

The chefs in the kitchen were stunned, holding their breath as if they were watching a live performance of a legendary martial arts technique.

It wasn't until Chef Zhang coughed and said, "What are you all standing there for? The big pot of food is waiting!" that everyone snapped out of their daze and hurriedly got to work.

Cold dishes and stir-fries were prepared in one go, and even the most time-consuming stews were put into the pot early on.

The timing was perfect, just waiting for the final touches.

As noon approached, the dishes were being cooked one after another, and their aroma filled the entire building through the ventilation vents.

Just as they were busy plating the food, the cafeteria manager rushed into the kitchen, his voice low but tense: "Chef He, the guests have arrived! Are all the dishes ready?"

"The last one or two dishes just came out of the pot and can be served now." Before the words were even finished, another plate of steaming hot sweet and sour pork was brought out, sizzling with oil, its golden color making one's throat tighten with enticement.

The manager immediately called out to a helper, "Come on, give me a hand, hurry up and serve the dishes!"

Inside the private room, Director Yang, Deputy Director Zhou, Wang Shushu, and Li Huaide had already taken their seats with the six guests who had come from afar.

As soon as the door was pushed open, seven or eight dishes were neatly laid out, steam rising and a fragrant aroma wafting out.

The guests from Guangdong and Shanghai twitched their noses and were immediately stunned. One of them blurted out, "Director Yang, you people in Beijing... have such authentic Cantonese chefs? This tastes even better than the restaurants back home!"

As the twelve dishes were served one after another, the table instantly turned into a battlefield.

No one discussed orders or partnerships. Chopsticks flew, cups clinked, and everyone ate until their faces were flushed and their foreheads were sweating.

Twelve dishes for ten people were almost not enough.

When Li Huaide saw that the plates were almost empty, he quickly called out, "Add two more dishes! Don't let them do business on an empty stomach!"

Two more dishes were added, which barely made up the quantity.

After the meal, the guest patted his round belly and exclaimed with satisfaction, "Director Yang, Wang Shushu, today was truly an appetizer and a heartwarming meal! In all these years, this is the first time I've tasted such authentic hometown flavor. One bite and I almost felt like I was having morning tea under the arcades of Guangzhou."

Factory Director Yang grinned from ear to ear: "We always treat our friends with our whole heart, whether it's food or business cooperation."

The guest nodded, then changed the subject: "We also looked at your factory's technical processes this morning. Although production is currently a bit tight, if you really want to expand production, you are much more reliable than the Second Steel Rolling Mill."

Upon hearing this, the three of them felt a sudden jolt in their hearts. They exchanged glances and could all see the joy in each other's eyes.

Deputy Factory Director Zhou seized the opportunity to reply, "We already have an expansion plan, it was approved at the meeting, it's very stable! In addition, we have already contacted the engineers from the big brother factory and are preparing to invite them over for guidance."

"Okay!" The other party slammed their hand on the table. "Then it's settled! We'll discuss the contract terms later!"

That's how most of the business in the private room was settled.

When Director Yang walked out of the room, his steps were still a little unsteady, not from the alcohol, but from excitement.

He had just returned to his office in the afternoon when he called the cafeteria manager over.

"Old Zhang," he leaned back in his chair, his tone meaningful, "that chef who was in charge today...where did we find him? When did our factory discover such a genius cook?"

The canteen manager grinned: "You guessed right—they're not from our factory, they're hired from outside."

However, it has some connection with our factory.

There used to be a famous chef named He Daqing, who was an expert in cooking for his clients and brought in a lot of orders for Chairman Lou.

Today, He Yuzhu is his son, who works at Fengzeyuan.

"Fengzeyuan?" Factory Director Yang raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly somber. "That's a prestigious brand... It'll be difficult to poach him from our steel rolling mill."

What rank is he?

"I don't know the specific level," the director scratched his head, "but it certainly won't be low."

Oh, by the way, he lives nearby, not far from our factory.

Moreover, this time it was Director Li who asked someone to make the contact—coincidentally, several of our factory's employees live in the same compound as him.

Factory Director Yang's eyes suddenly lit up: "Who?"

"It seems to be Yi Zhonghai, a level 7 fitter; Liu Haizhong, a level 6 blacksmith; Xu Fugui, a projectionist; and the rest are ordinary workers of level 1 or 2."

Upon hearing this, Director Yang immediately raised an eyebrow: "Two senior technicians? And a projectionist too? This compound is quite well-hidden." He paused, his tone becoming more intrigued, "Alright, I understand. You can go back now."

A level 7 fitter is extremely rare even in a steel rolling mill, and he vaguely remembered the name Yi Zhonghai.

What's even more coincidental is that this guy actually lives in the same courtyard as the chef who was in charge of cooking today! If we could get him to go and scout things out, maybe we could poach that chef.

The meal was exquisite, the flavors penetrating deep into the stomach, even softening the previously dominant aura of the Second Steel Rolling Mill.

The expansion project hasn't even been finalized yet, and the current gap was completely bridged by a hot meal.

Things are often easier to discuss at the dinner table than in the meeting room.

Factory Director Yang knew perfectly well that when it came to future cooperation and building relationships, having a skilled chef was better than having ten eloquent mouths.

Besides, isn't it more convenient to bring your own chef when going out for business dinners? You won't be afraid to dine at your boss's house.

Once he made up his mind, he immediately asked his secretary to call Yi Zhonghai over.

A moment later, the door was pushed open, and Yi Zhonghai poked his head in, his voice booming, "Factory Manager, you wanted to see me?"

"Oh, Master Yi's here! Have a seat!" Factory Director Yang greeted him with a broad smile, and only after he sat down did he slowly begin, "I heard you live in the same courtyard as He Yuzhu? Do you know how he's doing at Fengzeyuan?"

"Silly Pillar?"

Yi Zhonghai blurted out, but seeing Director Yang's brows furrow slightly, he quickly added, "Oh, that's the nickname everyone gave him. He's been using it since he was a kid, and his dad, He Daqing, calls him that too... As for how well he's doing at Fengzeyuan..." He scratched his head, "I really don't know."

He only became a full-fledged employee two years ago, so I reckon he's only been promoted one level at most now.

Level 1? That means a Level 9 cook?

Factory Director Yang's heart skipped a beat: Fengzeyuan had actually suppressed him to this extent? Either they had too many talented people and couldn't get promoted, or they simply didn't know how to use people!

His eyes narrowed, and he immediately revealed his trump card: "Master Yi, I would like to invite He Yuzhu to be the head chef at our steel rolling mill."

Go back and ask him what he thinks.

If he agrees, I'll immediately offer him the rank of a level six cook—that's the highest I can go.

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Today's meal was flawless in every way—the cooking time, the seasoning, the presentation."

Level 6 is not an exaggeration at all.

For him, this was a triple jump, a meteoric rise.

Yi Zhonghai was shocked: "Level six?!"

He almost jumped up from his chair, then nodded repeatedly, "Understood! Don't worry, Director Yang, I'll definitely persuade Sha Zhu when I get back!"

But his mind was in turmoil: what had this kid done today to get the factory director to speak up? But then he thought, the opportunity had come!

On one hand, there's completing tasks and pleasing the leaders; on the other hand... hehe, if He Yuzhu really gets into the factory, won't he have to act according to the whims of this level seven fitter? With a large group of apprentices and a wide network of connections, in terms of seniority and power, what kind of trouble can a newly arrived cook cause?

……

"Zhu Zi, this lunch really made me look good!" Li Huaide slapped his thigh, beaming. "I invited them, and once the order was secured, my status at the factory immediately changed!"

Although it may not sound honorable to win business through food and drinks, the results are undeniable—orders have increased, and production has followed suit. What can anyone say?

He became more and more excited as he thought about it, so he simply took out a ticket and stuffed it into He Yuzhu's hand: "Here, a radio ticket, ten yuan for you too."

He Yuzhu was taken aback: "Director Li, isn't this... a bit too heavy?"

"Hey, this is a big deal for you, but what is it to me?" Li Huaide grinned and lowered his voice, "Take it first, don't rush to answer."

"Being a deputy director is just the beginning. If you're really willing to come, I'll even reserve the position of cafeteria director for you!"

That's no small matter.

The current canteen director is Lou Bancheng's old subordinate, who got a stable job back then by cooperating with the public-private partnership.

But this guy is a fence-sitter; he bends whichever way the wind blows. Lately, he's been bypassing him, the logistics director, and going straight to Director Yang's office every day.

Li Huaide had long disliked him.

As long as He Yuzhu nods, this position is rightfully his!

He Yuzhu nodded emphatically, his tone resolute: "Director Li, don't worry, I'll go find my mentor and explain this to him face to face."

"Okay, then I'll wait for your good news." Li Huaide grinned, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

Before he finished speaking, He Yuzhu had already pushed his bicycle, flicked his toes and pushed off, the wheels rolled over the bluestone road, and his figure turned out of the alley in the blink of an eye.

It was just past one o'clock, the sun was still high in the sky, and there was plenty of time in the afternoon.

Without delay, he went straight to the supply and marketing cooperative—he had to get that radio.

These coupons were so valuable to ordinary people that they could be exchanged for half a bag of flour, but in the eyes of Li Huaide, a cadre from the Ministry of Industry, they were nothing more than a few scraps of paper in the corner of a drawer.

Not many, except for one or two, which can be taken out easily.

When he returned with the package, the front yard was bustling with activity.

The three women and several neighbors sat around on small stools sewing shoe soles, their needles and threads weaving through the fabric, their conversation reaching a lively point.

Suddenly, the sharp-eyed aunt looked up and nearly pricked her hand in surprise: "Hey! Zhu Zi? What's that hanging on your handlebars? A radio?!"