Chapter 339: Xu Damao's Cafeteria Provocation

The promise Xu Damao scraped together by emptying his family fortune—"Work hard, and the factory will not bury any enlightened, capable comrades"—was like a shot of potent chicken blood, making his stride buoyant and vigorous.

He knew that merely sending money and gifts to show loyalty wasn't enough; he had to accomplish some "real deeds" to prove that his newly appointed "running dog" could not only wag its tail but also bare its teeth and bite, and bite someone Li dislikes.

Bite whom? Xu Damao's Sanjiao Yan twitched swiftly, and the target was instantly locked—Sha Zhu!

It was a target sent from heaven. First, Sha Zhu is a cook, in charge of the cafeteria's small kitchen and leading the reception meals. For Yang Weiguo's side, Sha Zhu always puts his whole effort into the dishes, making them exquisite and attentive; but when Li Huaide's side needs it, Sha Zhu, though not daring to sabotage overtly, always makes the cooking time and flavor just "right" yet lacking a certain meaning, exuding a hint of perfunctory.

Li Huaide might not personally mind the matter, but the subordinates have already been gossiping, and Xu Damao has also heard about it. Second, Sha Zhu belongs to Yang Weiguo, an almost public secret; disciplining Sha Zhu is tantamount to slapping Yang Weiguo's face, which best aligns with Li Huaide's thoughts.

Third, and the most crucial point—Xu Damao and Sha Zhu have been mortal enemies for years; avenging personal grudges is logical and also makes him appear "strongly combative"!

With the idea set, Xu Damao began to contemplate a pretext. Going straight to the back kitchen to pick a fight would be too blatant; he needed a lofty, respectable reason.

Soon, the opportunity arrived. In two days the factory would host a visiting group from out‑of‑town brother units; the Logistics Department arranged a reception lunch, with the menu, as usual, handled by the cafeteria.

Now feeling like a "red man" in Li Huaide's circle, Xu Damao proactively went to the Logistics Department to "inquire" about the reception preparations and smoothly obtained a glance at the menu drafted by Sha Zhu.

"Hmph, look at this lavish arrangement of dishes..." Xu Damao sneered inwardly, and a malicious plan instantly took shape.

That morning, the cafeteria's back kitchen was bustling, preparing the workers' noon meal. Sha Zhu, wearing the oil‑stained twisted‑bread apron, was directing Ma Hua in chopping vegetables, his loud voice standing out amid the clatter of pots, bowls, and pans.

Xu Damao, a file folder tucked under his arm, walked into the back kitchen with his head held high. He deliberately cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention.

"Comrade He Yuzhu!" Xu Damao's voice was not loud, but carried a pretentious official tone.

Sha Zhu turned, saw Xu Damao, immediately knit his brows, and replied irritably, "State your business; aren't you seeing we're busy here? Stop showing off!"

"Busy? Even when busy, rules must be observed!" Xu Damao, neither angry nor annoyed, calmly opened the folder, pulled out a sheet, "I am commissioned by the factory Supervision Team office to conduct routine inspections of the factory's reception and logistics support processes, to promote standardized management. Now, regarding the menu your cafeteria drafted for the brother unit's visiting group, I have several questions to verify with you."

He enunciated the words "Supervision Team" with extra emphasis, as if it were a royal decree sword.

Sha Zhu's blood boiled at the mention of "Supervision Team", and hearing that Xu Damao, a mere errand boy, wielded a feather as a command flag made him fume even more: "The menu? What's wrong with the menu? The menu I drafted has been used countless times without a hitch! How dare you, a movie‑showing clerk, start pointing fingers?"

"He Yuzhu! Watch your attitude!" Xu Damao set his face stern, speaking with righteous authority, "Supervision work concerns the factory's image and discipline; every department, every individual must cooperate! I am now acting as the liaison of the Supervision Team, fulfilling inspection duties!"

At his words, the other assistant cooks and apprentices in the back kitchen halted their tasks, turning toward the scene; the atmosphere instantly grew tense. Ma Hua looked anxiously at his master.

Sha Zhu's chest rose and fell as he suppressed his anger, gruffly saying, "Fine! Speak! What's wrong with the menu?"

Xu Damao lifted the menu, pointing to the dish "Braised Lion's Head", and began to criticize: "First issue, the state now promotes thrift and opposes extravagance. Does your menu have an excessively high meat‑to‑vegetable ratio? Especially this 'Braised Lion's Head', whose ingredients are lavish—does it align with the current ethos?"

Sha Zhu was almost delighted by the anger: "Xu Damao, are you full of yourself? When entertaining brother units, what's wrong with serving a few hearty dishes? It shows our factory's importance! Every reception follows this standard—why haven't you ever complained before?"

"The past is the past, the present is the present!" Xu Damao, already prepared, said calmly, "The Supervision Team exists to correct any past unreasonable practices. When brother units visit, they exchange revolutionary camaraderie and production experience, not a feast! I think this dish could be replaced with something more economical and reflective of the workers' true nature, such as… Stewed Cabbage with Vermicelli!"

"Ugh!" Sha Zhu spat, nearly splashing Xu Damao's face, "Stewed Cabbage with Vermicelli? You'd serve that to guests? That's absurd! Aren't you afraid of disgracing the Steel Rolling Mill's people!"

"Embarrassing? I think some people's mindsets haven't shifted yet, still clinging to old habits of showing off and competing in extravagance!" Xu Damao, adept at pointing fingers, continued, "Second issue," his finger moved to "Steamed Sea Bass", "does purchasing such pricey fresh fish comply with the factory's financial regulations? Are the procurement channels transparent? Could this cause unnecessary capital waste or… other problems?" He was vague, but the implication of corruption was clear.

That struck Sha Zhu's lungs. He's generally blunt, but when it comes to food supplies, he's always clean and despises anyone accusing him of tampering.

"Xu Damao! I f*** your grandpa!" Sha Zhu ripped off his apron violently, lunging forward, "You damn it, explain clearly! What do you mean by 'other problems'? Every cent I spend on procurement has receipts! Stop spitting blood, you!"

Ma Hua and a few assistants quickly clutched Sha Zhu tightly, "Master! Master! Calm down! Don't act!"

Seeing Sha Zhu's fury, Xu Damao felt even more smug, yet outwardly stepped back a half‑step, assuming a defensive stance, his voice rising, "He Yuzhu! What are you trying to do? Resist the supervision inspection with violence? That's a serious disciplinary violation! I can immediately report to the Supervision Team and Li!"

Upon hearing the words "Li", Sha Zhu's charge faltered slightly, but his eyes remained blood‑red, as if ready to spew fire. He knew Xu Damao was now brandishing Li Huaide's name to swagger.

"Third," Xu Damao, seeing Sha Zhu restrained (at least outwardly), pressed on, pointing to the menu's final "Fruit Platter", "Is it necessary to provide fruit after the meal? Fruit is scarce now, many worker comrades can't afford it— is it appropriate for reception? Could we cancel it and allocate the funds to more pressing needs?"

Each of his points seemed to stand on the high ground of 'thrift' and 'rules', but in fact they were nitpicking, deliberately picking faults. The aim was to disgust Sha Zhu, undermine his authority, and more importantly, to show Li Huaide—'Look, I, Xu Damao, am seriously giving trouble to Yang Weiguo's people; I even dare to hammer the tough bone that is Sha Zhu!'

Sha Zhu trembled with rage, pointing at Xu Damao's nose and cursing, "Xu Damao, you're a complete petty person! Waving a feather as a command flag, spouting nonsense! The menu was approved by the Logistics Department and filed with the factory office! If you have the ability, go to the Logistics Department! Go to Factory Director Yang! Here, at my place, what are you flaunting!"

"The Logistics Department, the factory office, and the Supervision Team will naturally communicate," Xu Damao closed the folder, assuming an official demeanor, "But the issues I've identified must be pointed out to you, and you are required to provide a written explanation within a deadline and propose corrective measures. Comrade He Yuzhu, I hope you straighten your attitude, take the supervision work seriously, and not let personal emotions affect the factory's overall situation!"

Having finished, he didn't wait for Sha Zhu's further insults, turned, puffed out his belly, and strode away with a square step, leaving the back kitchen full of bewildered onlookers and a Sha Zhu on the verge of exploding with anger.

"I'll fix his mother!" Sha Zhu kicked over an empty basket beside him, panting heavily, "Ma Hua! Go! Tell Lao Wang of the Logistics Department that I won't serve this reception meal! Whoever wants to do it, go do it!"

Ma Hua wore a troubled expression, "Master… this… this probably won't work, it would delay the reception and the responsibility would be even greater…"

Sha Zhu also knew it was a venting remark, but the fire in his chest had nowhere to vent. He knew Xu Damao was acting deliberately, striking him on Li Huaide's behalf, disgustingly. This kind of insidious harassment felt more suffocating than a real fight with swords and guns.

The news quickly sprouted legs. The cafeteria incident where Xu Damao used the supervision pretext to harass Sha Zhu, and the near‑fight, spread within half a day throughout the factory.

Some thought Xu Damao was a dog leaning on power, some thought Sha Zhu indeed needed someone to rein him in, and many sensed an impending storm—on Li's side, actions against Yang Changzhang's people had begun, and it started with Sha Zhu as the 'hard nut'.

Xu Damao returned to the Propaganda Department, feeling elated, as if he had drunk chilled sour plum tea on a scorching midsummer day. He thought his move was brilliant, having struck his arch‑enemy while showcasing to Li Huaide his 'combative spirit' and 'work ability'. He could already picture Li's approving gaze and a bright future.