Chapter 52: Somewhat Useful

Although Yi Daye's prestige had fallen, he never feared San Daye, giving him a cold face and scolding him with two bewitched remarks, driving San Daye away.

He Yuzhu knew important guests were coming, so early in the morning he went to the canteen and, based on the warehouse's reserves, picked out some good things to prepare.

The Factory Director's Secretary also came specially to check, telling him not to be stingy with oil and meat, and to make sure these guests were well taken care of.

This remark sounds a bit amateur; chefs rarely scrimp on these things, usually only the boss wants to save, and besides, at this time cooking is all about oil and water—if there's enough, there's no problem.

The first two dishes are fried eight pieces and twice-cooked meat.

Today's table of dishes is indeed important; not only is the Factory Director here keeping company, but even the usually at-odds Deputy Factory Director Li is present, frequently raising his glass, hoping the guests eat and drink well.

"These dishes are really good." said an older guest, "Your Steel Rolling Mill hides tigers and dragons—I find it no worse than those old-time brands."

The few subordinates who followed him also nodded in agreement.

"If you find it tasty, that's fine," Deputy Factory Director Li laughed, "we make our dishes heavy on sauce, but we were worried you might not be used to it. Our chefs can handle simple dishes just fine."

Not mentioning that He Yuzhu originally didn't get along with him, even now the canteen is vaguely out of control; he doesn't want He Yuzhu to gain more fame, otherwise he'd have to give him a promotion.

The guests, however, didn't grasp Deputy Factory Director Li's meaning, telling him the chef's skill was already quite good; after eating at so many places, this should rank in the top three.

"It's our honor."

"No, this is strength."

The subordinates explained, knowing these steel mills indeed value them, but in some places they indeed used too much force; the ingredients were excellent, but the taste was hard to describe.

For example, a steel mill in the south took out fish glue said to have been stored for many years; the chef didn't know how to prepare it, ended up ruining the ingredient, causing the fish glue to grow "bones".

Another served them steamed meat, but didn't put anything underneath, making the greasy meat nearly inedible.

The Factory Director smiled reservedly, letting them eat at ease here; this master would absolutely not make such a low-level mistake.

After finishing a table of good dishes, tea and snacks were brought out; when several guests were truly too full to eat more, the Factory Director had the items cleared away.

"Gentlemen, rest a bit; tomorrow we'll start formal work."

After the guests left, Deputy Factory Director Li smoked and slowly said: "Today He Yuzhu's dishes probably went over the limit; the canteen isn't run like this."

What a fellow, this fault of his is truly inventive; whenever he himself hosted guests before, when was it not over the limit? It was always He Yuzhu figuring out how to balance it.

Now saying "over the limit" is also a bit odd; more accurately, it should be "excessive quantity".

"These are small matters; Zhuzi is the Canteen Director—this won't stump him." The Factory Director waved his hand, "He's just doing this job, what do you say?"

Deputy Factory Director Li remained noncommittal.

At this moment, the Factory Director's Secretary knocked and entered, saying the guests had enjoyed a kind of snack, asking if it was also made here in the canteen, and they were willing to pay money and coupons to buy some to take home.

The Factory Director also ate the pastry, thought the taste was not bad, but he knew He Yuzhu wasn't good at this, guessed it was bought outside; however, since the guests asked, he naturally had to figure something out.

"What? Have me make it." He Yuzhu heard the Factory Director's request and was somewhat surprised, "You're sure you're not joking."

In the office, Deputy Factory Director Li suddenly stood up and shouted: "You're the Canteen Director and also a head chef; if you can't make it, what good are you?"

"I'm a head chef who makes big dishes, not a pastry chef." He Yuzhu replied, "If you insist I do it, it's not impossible, but the key is we don't have the ingredients here."

"No flour, or no sugar?"

"You think I'm eating sugar biscuits." He Yuzhu replied with a slight mock, "Do we have milk? Do we have an oven?"

Hearing that so many things were needed, the Factory Director was somewhat dumbfounded; he instinctively felt this would definitely be expensive, not knowing whether his wages could buy several catties.

"Zhuzi, the guests liked it quite a bit and want to buy some more." The Factory Director sighed, "If it's expensive, just buy a little less."

As He Yuzhu expected, these guests indeed took a liking to the banana cake's texture; at this time it was indeed a rare thing—ordinary workers eating a peach pastry counted as having a snack.

But this snack is really common nowadays; He Yuzhu truly didn't intend to sell it at a high price.

"Factory Director, making this ourselves is indeed difficult, but selling it isn't actually expensive." He Yuzhu explained, "Supplying a little each day to the guests is no problem."

Deputy Factory Director Li paced in the office and said: "Since it's not expensive, can't we buy more to give the workers as a benefit, so no one says we're hoarding?"

Now thinking about it, not hoarding food—back when eating meat, he certainly didn't think that way; He Yuzhu is sure Deputy Factory Director Li lacks this conscience, definitely wanting to make things difficult for him.

Although this certainly wouldn't stump me, He Yuzhu doesn't want to provide that much; he still needs to keep a low profile.

"The unit price isn't high, but the Steel Rolling Mill has so many people; even a pastry factory might not be able to supply it—otherwise we could open our own."

"Then go prepare it, try to get good quality." The Factory Director ordered He Yuzhu, "Hurry up and get busy; the workers' meals also need some attention."

Deputy Factory Director Li's face looked a bit gloomy.

"What use is He Yuzhu anyway? He can't even handle this small thing. Our Steel Rolling Mill is big and prosperous, yet we still care about this expense."

The Factory Director sensed something off in those words; if this got out, He Yuzhu would offend the workers to death—providing good snacks only to leaders would be out of touch with the masses.

Now he is his subordinate; he must make Deputy Factory Director Li drop this idea.

"He Yuzhu is still not bad; look, the canteen is well managed, the food quality is also good, and whatever the guests need can be arranged." The Factory Director laughed, "Old Qi back then had nothing when he wanted something; I hear he's not doing well in sanitation these days, I plan to transfer him to the northern branch factory."

Deputy Factory Director Li snorted and left the office.

When it was time to leave work in the afternoon, He Yuzhu directly brought over a box of cakes; the Factory Director looked very pleased, this would surely be enough.

Even his own portion was included.

The packaging just said "South District Pastry Factory", leaving him a bit puzzled as to which city's South District it was.