Chapter 90

After He Yuzhu went back, he only then found out that Director Yu of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative also helped get some quota, not much, about five hundred catties; He Yuzhu roughly estimated it was about enough.

Nowadays apples aren't the big, round Red Fujis of later years; each is about one catty, the fertilizer used is ordinary, and demand is also high, so the apple size is really mediocre.

Moreover, the big, good ones are basically exported for foreign exchange; second‑grade goods are the mainstay of supply, and among those left by Master Yu there is also a portion of third‑grade.

He was calculating when he could get the apples back when a burly middle‑aged man suddenly knocked and came in, opening with, 'I hope He Yuzhu will give up the apples.'

"Who are you? Just asking me to give up the apples—are you kidding?" He Yuzhu glanced at the man, "I finally got hold of them; how could I possibly give them up?"

This man is actually just like He Yuzhu—he also came to get apples—but unlike him, he does this year‑round, traveling all over the country to procure supplies and bring them back.

He hadn't been here for the first year; when he asked others at the Fruit Company, he heard the news that He Yuzhu had obtained a slip, so he came over to discuss whether they could split it fifty‑fifty.

That way both sides could finish their business.

"What I have isn't enough." He Yuzhu shook his head, "Don't even think about it; go look for another channel."

Hearing He Yuzhu say that, this man directly said that as long as the leaders have enough, it's fine; if you count the workers too, the demand is huge.

The two were still talking when Character came in from outside, glanced at the big man, and told him to leave quickly.

"A relative of an older sister we studied with also has connections; I've told her we'll meet tomorrow to see if we can get it."

The morning wind woke the sleeping He Yuzhu; he got up and looked at the sky outside—it was not bad, at least there was no raging blizzard.

When He Yuzhu and Character arrived, they noticed the man who had been looking for him also loitering at the doorway.

"You've already got the apples, why are you coming over?" the big man said angrily, "This time I definitely won't let you succeed—I've hired a truly formidable master."

Speak of the devil.

This great master was also burly and bald‑headed; looking at He Yuzhu with contempt, he said, "I've heard of you—relying on some lousy secret recipe, you got Manager Lin to issue a slip."

The secrecy of such matters is still low, especially within the circle.

"Who's your master, which school are you from?" the cook snorted, "My name is Dong Leizi; I still have some reputation in Gangcheng."

"Never heard of him." He Yuzhu doesn't know much about this side either, and he's confident in his own skills; there are certainly people better than him, but definitely not this Dong Leizi.

Dong Leizi had a fiery temper; he reached out to grab He Yuzhu's clothes, but Character seized his arm from behind, twisted it, and threw him out.

"Why do you want to fight?" Character glared, "If you're not satisfied, let's go outside and practice—I'll give you one hand."

"Yo, here comes another blocker; I've practiced Hong Quan since I was young—I'm not afraid of you."

Someone came out of the office, stopped their argument, saying the leader inside was unhappy, how could they fight here, and there isn't even an apple.

The big man laughed, sent the person who came out packing, and whispered to He Yuzhu, "Let's do it the civilized way today—at noon each of us prepares four dishes; whoever eats more gets the slip."

Having to compare cooking skills, He Yuzhu really isn't afraid of that.

"Kid, you're definitely going to lose badly today." Dong Leizi laughed loudly, "Don't say I'm bullying you."

The two groups separated; the big man asked Dong Leizi whether he was sure to win, and if so, he would go find Director Wang right now, grab the slip, and run.

"A real man, a true gentleman—you should keep your word; what's this, not a man's job?" Dong Leizi's face flushed with anger, "You look down on my cooking, right?"

In Dong Leizi's view, this contest would be an easy win for him; He Yuzhu and the other outsider probably don't even know where the market is, let alone be able to buy good stuff.

After being scolded by Dong Leizi, the big man also said he'd leave today's matter to him.

Character also thought about buying vegetables, but she wasn't too flustered; although she didn't know the place, contacting Director Yu was just a phone call.

She randomly picked a Supply and Marketing Cooperative and told Director Yu the matter over the phone.

"Director Wang's side is still a bit different from Manager Lin's—he can't handle spice well and prefers sweet foods." Director Yu pondered, "Tell me what ingredients you need, and I'll have them prepared."

He likes sweet things.

He Yuzhu directly said he'd get a fresh yellow croaker, some pork, and a can of hawthorn.

He Yuzhu may indeed be inferior to Dong Leizi at the vegetable market, but he has a system behind him—a grocery store—so he can whip up any kind of sweet.

"Is that enough? What are you planning to make?"

Sweet and sour pork tenderloin?

In Character's view, this dish is also a bit simple.

"I've decided on the dishes; I'll go to the market myself later." He Yuzhu made up an excuse so Character wouldn't feel odd.

The meat is for dry‑fried pork tenderloin.

Although the dish looks ordinary, it's popular with all ages, and He Yuzhu knows the people here really like it, whether they prefer sweet or spicy.

The fish will be a simple lychee fish.

The two key dishes are still to come; He Yuzhu plans to make a warm‑syrup water chestnut and an egg tart that doesn't belong to this season. With these two dishes, he'll definitely get the slip.

By noon, both sides had finished preparing the dishes in the cafeteria and carried them together to the table in the small private room of the cafeteria.

Dong Leizi's dishes weren't what He Yuzhu expected—sweet and sour pork tenderloin, pulled‑sugar apple, three‑non‑stick, it was like honey.

You've got some skill—this braised water chestnut dish isn't something most chefs would make, but you didn't use your own braise, you used canned hawthorn; that's cutting corners.

He Yuzhu snorted and replied, "That's adapting to local conditions."

"What is this? I've never seen this pastry before." The big guy pointed at the egg tart, "Master Dong, do you know what this is?"

"Never mind what it is, nothing beats my Three Non-Stick, this was personally taught by my master—back then only nobles and officials could eat it."

They were still talking when Director Wang slowly came in from outside, glanced at the dishes on the table, and nodded in satisfaction.