Siheyuan: At the beginning, I can integrate everything!

Sha Zhu's large, thick hand patted Ma Hua's thin shoulder, making him sway.

"MCA, you're a good lad, you didn't embarrass your mentor just now!"

Sha Zhu laughed loudly, his voice so loud it could circle the backyard three times.

Ma Hua scratched his head, smiled憨厚ly, his cheeks were red from the cold, but his eyes were full of excitement.

"Master, that's because you and Consultant Zhang taught us well. You have to be ruthless when dealing with ingrates like Fatty."

The fat man's screams seemed to still echo in the wind and snow, but in the hearts of the master and apprentice, everything was bright.

The malignant tumor that was Deputy Factory Director Li was completely eradicated, and the smoky atmosphere in the canteen was also swept away.

Early the next morning.

The radio at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was broadcasting on a loop the crimes and punishment decisions of Deputy Factory Director Li and others.

The workers were full of energy, and the entire factory area was filled with a festive atmosphere like that of the Chinese New Year.

The kitchen of Canteen No. 1 is steaming hot.

The sizzling sound of cabbage and pork hitting the pot blends together to create a beautiful symphony.

"Pillar!"

With a strong and clear voice, Director Yang walked into the kitchen with his hands behind his back and a broad smile.

Behind him followed several cadres from the factory committee.

"Director Yang, why are you cooking yourself? There's a lot of fumes; be careful not to get your clothes dirty."

Sha Zhu quickly put down the large spoon, wiped his hands on his apron, and went to greet him.

"What's so dirty about it? This is just the everyday life of us working class!"

Factory Director Yang was in a great mood, and the more he looked at Sha Zhu, the more pleasing he became.

"Zhu Zi, back when Deputy Factory Director Li was in charge, he formed cliques in the canteen to place his own people there. I'm sorry you had to suffer like that."

Factory Director Yang patted Sha Zhu's arm, his tone filled with emotion and reassurance.

"Now that the cancer has been cleared, the cafeteria can't be without an owner for even a day."

He turned around and took an official document from the clerk.

"After deliberation by the factory committee, it has been decided that, effective today, Comrade He Yuzhu will be appointed as the deputy director of the No. 1 canteen!"

"Take complete control of all aspects of the kitchen!"

boom!

Upon hearing this, all the kitchen helpers who were busy in the back kitchen stopped what they were doing and stared wide-eyed.

Deputy Director of the Canteen!

This is a real cadre position!

Sha Zhu was also stunned. Although he was confident in his cooking skills, he had never dared to think about becoming an official before.

After all, he was illiterate and had a terrible temper.

"Factory manager, is this...is this going to work? I'm not good with words, I'm afraid I won't do a good job."

Sha Zhu rubbed his hands together nervously.

"What's wrong with that! Our factory values ​​real skills and expertise these days!"

Factory Director Yang laughed heartily.

"You humbly accepted Consultant Zhang's guidance and made the canteen food taste like a state banquet. All the workers in the factory said it was good."

"If you don't take this deputy director's position, who will?"

Factory Director Yang shoved the appointment letter into Sha Zhu's arms, leaving no room for refusal.

Sha Zhu held the seemingly light yet incredibly heavy document, his eyes welling up with tears.

He knew that all of this was because of Zhang Huaimin.

If it weren't for that five-and-a-half-year-old child who enlightened him, if it weren't for those amazing culinary skills he taught him...

He's probably still working like a slave for Qin Huairu right now, how could he possibly be enjoying his current success?

"Factory manager, since you trust me, I'll shamelessly accept!"

Sha Zhu straightened his back, radiating an unprecedented confidence.

"However, factory manager, now that I've been promoted to deputy director, I have to take charge of all aspects of the work, and this job of flipping the wok..."

Sha Zhu changed the subject, his gaze falling on Ma Hua, who was quietly slicing potatoes in the corner.

Ma Hua is an honest man who doesn't talk much.

He was the most diligent worker, never took credit for others, and never joined Fatty and the others in bullying Sha Zhu.

"My eldest apprentice, Ma Hua, has been working for me for three years."

Sha Zhu walked up to Ma Hua and pulled him in front of Director Yang.

"He is not only honest, but he has also learned my skills, especially recently, he has made great progress."

"I recommended to the factory that MCA replace me as the head chef of the No. 1 canteen!"

Clang!

Ma Hua dropped the cleaver from his hand onto the cutting board.

He was completely dumbfounded, staring at Sha Zhu in disbelief.

"Master...I...I can't do it..."

Head chef! That's a position that countless kitchen helpers dream of!

Not only will my salary increase significantly, but I will also be the person with the most authority in the kitchen besides the head chef.

How could MCA, a quiet and unassuming guy who only knows how to bury himself in his work, dare to hope for such a good thing?

"What's wrong with that! If I say you can do it, you can!"

Sha Zhu glared at him, displaying the authority of a master.

"Those petty thieves like Fatty have all been fired. What our kitchen needs now is someone like you who works hard and reliably!"

Factory Director Yang glanced at the honest and unassuming Ma Hua, then at the confident Sha Zhu, and nodded approvingly.

"Good! Trust those you employ! Since you recommended him, Zhu Zi, the factory approves it!"

"Process the promotion paperwork immediately, and pay him the head chef's salary next month!"

Factory Director Yang readily agreed.

Ten minutes later, a brand-new official appointment letter, stamped with the bright red seal of the Personnel Department, was handed to MCA.

Ma Hua held the thin piece of paper.

Her hands trembled violently, and large tears fell in a "plop plop" down her face, splashing onto the paper and creating a wet stain.

He came from a poor background, with elderly parents and young children to support, all relying on his meager wages as a kitchen helper to make ends meet.

Now, he's a head chef, his salary has doubled, and his family's life is finally looking up!

Just then.

The small door to the kitchen was pushed open.

Zhang Huaimin, wearing that little blue cotton-padded jacket, walked in with his hands behind his back, like a little old man patrolling his territory.

He looked at Ma Hua, whose eyes were red-rimmed, and at the smug-looking Sha Zhu, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

now it's right.

By replacing key positions with his own people, this canteen will become Zhang Huaimin's private playground.

Ma Hua saw Zhang Huaimin.

He suddenly remembered something, wiped away his tears, and quickly walked up to Zhang Huaimin.

With a "thump".

Under everyone's watchful eyes.

This burly man in his twenties was actually facing a five-and-a-half-year-old baby.

He bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle with utmost solemnity!

"Advisor Huai-min!"

Ma Hua's voice was hoarse with excitement, but it was filled with the most sincere gratitude.

"My master told me about it, about catching that fat guy the other day, and about how I became the head chef today..."

"It's all thanks to your guidance and support!"

"If it weren't for you, I, a member of MCA, might have spent my entire life washing vegetables and chopping potatoes in this kitchen!"

Ma Hua straightened up, and tears welled up in his eyes again.

He thumped his chest and swore with unwavering conviction:

"Advisor Huai Min! MCA will remember your kindness for a lifetime!"

"From now on, as long as I'm in this cafeteria for one day!"

"You, and your bodyguard."

"Whatever you want to eat, however you want to eat it, MCA will take care of it all!"

"I'll give it my all and guarantee you'll be completely satisfied!"

The gratitude of honest people is often the purest and most fervent.

Looking at Ma Hua's face, flushed with excitement, Zhang Huaimin sensed the profound emotion in his words.

He did not flinch and accepted this generous gift with equanimity.

"Brother MCA, this is something you earned through your own abilities and honesty."

Zhang Huaimin's youthful voice carried an undeniable maturity and certainty.

"Honest people deserve the blessings of honest people."

"Work hard, and things will get better and better in the future."

A few words brought tears to the eyes of the MCA members, who nodded repeatedly.

"Alright, stop crying!"

Sha Zhu burst into laughter, breaking the somewhat somber atmosphere.

"MCA, since you've made such a boast, then show us what you've got!"

"Go! Pick out the best piece of pork belly and make a pot of authentic braised pork for Brother Huaimin!"

"Let our consultant Zhang try the newly appointed head chef's cooking!"

"Alright! Master, just you wait and see!"

Ma Hua wiped away his tears, instantly filled with energy, turned around, picked up a cleaver, and strode confidently toward the meat counter.

The kitchen of the first canteen was once again filled with the cheerful sounds of chopping vegetables and laughter.

At this moment, Zhang Huaimin's territory quietly expanded by another solid corner.

And just outside this warm, lively, and bustling steel mill canteen.

The backyard of a courtyard house a few kilometers away from here.

In that dilapidated woodshed that was drafty, cold, and damp.

Xu Damao was wearing that tattered military overcoat that was already starting to smell.

He was clutching a toilet brush tightly in his hand, which had just been used to clean the dry toilet and still had a slight odor.

He huddled on the icy, mangy kang (a heated brick bed) like a frozen mangy dog.

His whole body was trembling uncontrollably, and his teeth were chattering, making a "clucking" sound.