Siheyuan: At the beginning, I can integrate everything!

In the kitchen of the first canteen, steam rose and the chopping board made a loud "thump-thump" sound.

Sha Zhu was clutching a large kitchen knife, its blade flashing.

In the blink of an eye, large heads of cabbage were transformed into evenly shredded cabbage under his hands.

He was in high spirits today, standing ramrod straight, and even his greasy white coat looked a few shades whiter than usual.

Without Qin Huairu's perpetually mournful face looming in front of them, and without the Jia family's bottomless pit of insatiable greed, things were much better.

Shazhu felt that even the air he was breathing was sweet.

He no longer had to scheme against his sister to save that one bowl of meat soup; nor did he have to fawn over the people in the compound to please that ingrate.

"Master, your knife skills today were absolutely amazing!"

Ma Hua was cutting potato chunks on the side, and watching Sha Zhu's smooth and skillful operation, he couldn't help but give him a thumbs up.

Sha Zhu raised his eyebrows smugly, banging the large ladle against the side of the iron pot with a "clang, clang".

"That's right! Your master is a true successor of the Tan family cuisine!"

He lowered his voice and winked at Ma Hua.

"Besides, with Brother Huaimin here to oversee things, wouldn't it be embarrassing if my skills weren't up to par?"

at this time.

Zhang Huaimin was sitting on a high stool in the far corner of the kitchen.

Holding an enamel mug, he slowly sipped hot water, looking just like a little old man supervising a construction project.

Although he was only five and a half years old, no one in the kitchen dared to treat him like a little kid.

Everyone knows that this is a prodigy consultant whom even Director Yang and Soviet experts have to treat with deference!

"Uncle Zhu, the key to good stir-fried cabbage with pork slices is controlling the heat."

Zhang Huaimin put down his teacup, the crisp sound piercing through the noise of the kitchen.

"Put the sliced ​​meat into the pan, stir-fry quickly over high heat, and remove it as soon as it changes color. This is called 'stir-frying in oil,' which helps to lock in the meat's juices."

"When you put the cabbage into the pot, you need to 'sizzle' it. Add some aged vinegar and use the 'wok hei' (the smoky aroma from the wok) to bring out the sweetness of the cabbage. Finally, add the sliced ​​meat and stir-fry evenly."

"Don't always cook everything together like pig swill, otherwise the vegetables will become tough and the meat will become dry."

Zhang Huaimin's words were clear, logical, and to the point.

This is his most fundamental understanding of ingredients after incorporating "god-level beginner culinary skills".

Sha Zhu nodded repeatedly, like a humble apprentice seeking knowledge.

"Brother Huaimin, I've learned a lot! I'll try it as you said!"

Sha Zhu immediately started the fire and heated the oil.

Following Zhang Huaimin's instructions, he quickly stir-fried the sliced ​​meat in oil, then added the cabbage and stir-fried it.

Instantly, a rich aroma of caramel and the tangy sourness of aged vinegar filled the kitchen.

"It smells so good..."

Ma Hua and the other kitchen helpers couldn't help but swallow hard when they smelled the aroma.

The stir-fried cabbage and pork in the cafeteria used to be served in a big, watery pot, which didn't look appetizing at all.

Today's dish is golden in color, with tender slices of meat and crisp cabbage. Just looking at it makes your mouth water.

The lunch break bell rang throughout the entire steel rolling mill.

The workers, like a tide, carrying their lunchboxes, surged towards the various canteens.

A long queue quickly formed in front of the food serving window in the cafeteria.

"Wow, the food in the cafeteria smells so good today!"

An older worker at the front of the line sniffed hard, his eyes lighting up.

"Yeah, the cabbage used to be stewed like a mushy mess, but today it looks quite presentable!"

It was the older workers' turn to get their meals.

Sha Zhu personally took charge of the cooking, and with one spoonful, he filled the old worker's lunchbox with a generous amount of stir-fried cabbage and pork slices.

Moreover, there were significantly more slices of meat than usual!

"Zhu Zi, your hands aren't shaking today?" the old worker joked, looking at the overflowing vegetables in the lunchbox.

Sha Zhu laughed heartily and tapped the spoon against the rim of the iron basin.

"Uncle Li, don't worry, eat up! From today onwards, as long as I, Sha Zhu, am in charge of cooking, there will be plenty of food in the cafeteria! No more tossing the pan!"

The old worker picked up a piece of meat with some skepticism and put it in his mouth.

After just one chew, the old worker's eyes widened instantly.

"Delicious! The meat is so tender it's juicy! The cabbage is crisp and refreshing!"

The old worker gave a thumbs-up and nodded repeatedly in excitement.

"Silly Zhu, your cooking is amazing! It tastes even better than the chefs at the state-run restaurants! You've been wasting your talent before!"

Upon hearing this, the workers at the back of the line also couldn't wait to get their meals and taste them.

In a short time.

The entire cafeteria was filled with exclamations of amazement and praise.

"Holy crap! This shredded potato is so flavorful!"

"This tofu is cooked absolutely amazing! It tastes just like meat!"

"Has Sha Zhu finally unlocked his full potential? His cooking skills have improved by leaps and bounds!"

The workers shoveled food into their mouths, praising Sha Zhu's cooking skills.

Sha Zhu stood behind the food serving window, listening to his fellow workers' praise.

I felt so comfortable, even better than drinking ice-cold soda on a sweltering summer day.

In all his years as a chef, this was the first time he had received such sincere praise from so many people.

In the past, he only knew how to secretly bring good things back to the compound to please that insatiable, bloodsucking widow.

At the factory, people called him "Silly Zhu," which was a term of disdain and mockery.

Now, with his skills, he ensures that all the factory workers are satisfied and happy with their meals.

That "Silly Zhu" is an expression of admiration and respect!

"Zhu Zi, how did you develop such skills? You've been keeping it a secret!"

A workshop foreman walked over with a lunchbox in his hand and asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu immediately straightened his back.

Instead of taking credit for himself, he turned away.

Pointing to Zhang Huaimin, who was sitting quietly in the corner of the kitchen, munching on a steamed bun.

"Director, you've praised the wrong person!"

Sha Zhu patted his chest and said in a loud voice:

"My skills have improved so much thanks to the guidance of Consultant Zhang from our factory!"

He paused, his tone filled with undisguised pride and assertiveness.

"Following Brother Huaimin, I, Shazhu, have finally figured things out!"

"I'm using my skills to improve the meals for the country's workers!"

"We earn our living honestly and through our own abilities; we absolutely won't serve those ungrateful wretches!"

Sha Zhu's words were resounding and powerful.

The workers, though they didn't know who the "ungrateful wretch" he was referring to was, applauded and cheered for him.

"That's right! Good job, Sha Zhu!"

"Consultant Zhang is amazing! Not only can he repair imported machine tools, but he can even give cooking pointers!"

"From now on, we'll only eat at Cafeteria No. 1!"

The atmosphere in the entire cafeteria was extremely lively.

As Sha Zhu watched all this, his eyes welled up slightly.

He gave Zhang Huaimin a grateful look.

He knew that it was this five-and-a-half-year-old child who had pulled him out of that quagmire.

It gave him dignity and the backbone of a man.

Zhang Huaimin felt Sha Zhu's gaze, smiled and nodded, taking a bite of the steamed bun in his hand.

Helping Sha Zhu was just something I did on a whim.

Seeing an honest man who was once drained dry by vampires rediscover himself is a truly wonderful feeling.

Just as the cafeteria was bustling with activity, and everyone was enjoying their meal with grease on their lips.

A crisp electronic notification sound suddenly echoed deep within Zhang Huaimin's mind.

"Ding!"

[The reputation of the important supporting character 'He Yuzhu' has surged, and his favorability has reached MAX!]

[Congratulations, host! Hidden reward conditions have been triggered!]

[Acquired: God-tier White Flour Steamed Bun Trait (Fragrance Overwhelms the Brain)!]