Chapter 125: Cai Quanwu Enters the Factory

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Who is it?"

Zhang Ping'an was lying leisurely under the grape trellis drinking tea, while Wang Xiaoling was still sleeping in.

"Ping'an, it's me."

"Brother He, you've come just in time to taste some tea."

"Ping'an, your life is still as comfortable as ever. Slurp, this tea is good."

"Hahaha, I only got this vacation in exchange for a business trip. Brother He, have you been to see Cai Quanwu?"

"Yes, I just got back. It's a long story, but in short, he is my half-brother."

"I knew it! You two look so much alike; I didn't expect you to actually be brothers."

"Yes, I came to see you this time because of him."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"Before my father passed away, he wrote a letter entrusting him to me and asked me to teach him our family's cooking. I was thinking of getting him into the factory so it would be easier to teach him."

"Hmm, that's a sound plan."

"But I don't have any openings on my end."

"Hmm, that is a problem, but I don't have any either."

"Ahem, I wanted to come over and ask you about our General Manager Li's preferences."

"Hmm~"

The people in the courtyard all knew about the Secretary of Li Huaide coming over to deliver the gift money, so it was no wonder He Daqing had come over.

"General Manager Li has two main hobbies. One is eating and drinking, and that just happens to be what you are best at, Brother He."

"How about this: buy some ingredients at the factory, say you've researched some new dishes, and invite General Manager Li over to taste them. That way, you'll have an excuse to interact, and who knows, maybe General Manager Li will approve it."

"Yes, yes, yes, good idea! Then what is General Manager Li's other hobby?"

"Ahem, that's not the point; you'll know in the future."

"Alright then, I'll go back and sort out my thoughts. By the way, Quanwu is coming over tonight, so you and your wife shouldn't cook. Come eat at my place; our reunion as brothers is all thanks to you."

"Deal."

Zhang Ping'an naturally wouldn't refuse an invitation to a meal, especially since the host was a master chef; he couldn't refuse even more.

After seeing He Daqing off, Zhang Ping'an checked his watch; it was almost ten o'clock. He carried a cup of warm tea and walked into the bedroom.

"Xiao Ling, get up and eat."

"Mmm, hmm?"

Zhang Ping'an used a method of channeling Qi to send the tea directly into Wang Xiaoling's mouth, and Wang Xiaoling instantly woke up.

"So fragrant."

"Fragrant, right? Have another sip."

"Oh my, you go out first, I need to get dressed."

"Alright." Seeing that Wang Xiaoling was completely awake, Zhang Ping'an stopped teasing her.

By the time Wang Xiaoling finished washing up and the two of them finished eating, it was already nearly eleven o'clock.

"Are we still eating at noon?"

"No, we won't," Wang Xiaoling said, looking at the time, feeling embarrassed.

"Not eating is fine too. Brother He is hosting a dinner tonight, and that Cai Quanwu will be there too."

"They've reunited? What kind of relatives are they?"

"Half-brothers."

"So they are brothers; no wonder you said they looked alike."

He Daqing felt that Zhang Ping'an's suggestion was good, so he made four hearty dishes in the cafeteria at noon and invited Li Huaide to taste them.

"General Manager, I've researched some new dishes and would like to invite you to help me taste them. If they are suitable, they can be promoted for factory banquets in the future."

"Oh?"

Li Huaide knew He Daqing's skills. Usually, he didn't need to cook for the factory's banquets, but today he had taken the initiative to ask him to taste dishes, so there was likely something he wanted to say.

It was rare for a master chef to take the initiative to build a connection, and he, Li Huaide, happened to love this kind of food, so there was really no reason to refuse.

"Alright, let's taste Chef He's skills today."

"General Manager, you can just call me Old He."

"That works too."

"General Manager, please sit for a moment, the dishes will be ready soon."

"Hahaha, good."

The first hearty dish He Yuzhu served was Nine-Turn Intestines. There is a specific technique to making these Nine-Turn Intestines.

The slightly stuffed intestines go through nine processes, including boiling, frying, and braising, resulting in a dish with balanced flavors and a soft, tender texture.

"Good, it has flavor! Chef He's skills are truly beyond reproach."

Li Huaide was very satisfied. This first dish had conquered his taste buds, and he was looking forward to the following dishes.

The second dish was Sweet and Sour Carp, the third was Stir-fried Pork Kidney, and the fourth was Scallion Braised Sea Cucumber; all were classics of Lu Cuisine.

"General Manager, are you satisfied with the meal?"

"Old He, your skills are beyond reproach. Only today did I realize that ordinary offal could be made to taste so good. The flavor is authentic and genuine."

"Hehe, as long as you like it. When I have more innovations, I'll invite you to taste them again."

"Alright, but Old He, tell me what's on your mind first, otherwise I won't be able to eat in peace in the future."

"I knew I couldn't hide it from General Manager Li. It's like this: I have a younger brother who wants to come to the back kitchen as an apprentice, and I don't have any openings on my end..."

"Is that all? I'll have Secretary Liu give you an employment form later."

"Very good, thank you, Director Li. If you want to eat anything in the future, just say the word."

"Hahaha, deal, I'll hold you to that!" Li Huaide laughed and left the private room.

He Daqing was very happy. He had originally thought he would have to come a few more times, but he hadn't expected it to be settled in one go. It seemed this Director Li was indeed a lover of food; from now on, he would have to come up with fresh ideas from time to time to invite Director Li to taste his dishes.

He Daqing returned home after five o'clock to prepare tonight's dinner. Not long after he arrived home, Lao Yan's wife walked in with Cai Quanwu, who was carrying some pastries.

"Old He, you have a relative visiting."

"Alright, many thanks to Lao Yan's wife. Come in, Quanwu."

At this moment, Yang Ruihua realized belatedly that the two of them seemed to look a bit alike...

Zhang Ping'an heard the commotion in the courtyard at home and knew that Cai Quanwu had arrived. He picked up a bucket containing a soft-shelled turtle he had prepared well in advance and went to He Daqing's house.

"Whoa, Ping'an, where did you get such a big guy?"

"I got lucky this afternoon and bought it when I ran into it. I don't know how to prepare this thing; last time, it was Zhuzi who made the Overlord Stepping on the Chicken."

"Tsk, this thing is highly nourishing. By the way, Quanwu, this is my neighbor Zhang Ping'an. He's four years younger than you; you should call him Ping'an too."

"Ping'an, I must thank you for letting us brothers recognize each other."

"Brother Cai, you're too polite. I was just guessing blindly; who would have thought it would actually be true."

"Hahaha, it's all fate. Ping'an, you sit down first. Quanwu, come with me; I'll teach you how to process the ingredients."

"Brother He, then I'll go back first and come over later."

It was not yet six o'clock, and since He Daqing was going to teach his craft, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to act as a third wheel, so he simply went home.

"Alright, I'll have Zhuzi come call you in a bit."

"Okay."

At six-thirty, Shazhu returned home. Seeing He Daqing and Cai Quanwu busy working, he felt a sour bitterness in his heart and thought to himself, "So I am the redundant one after all."

"What are you standing there blankly for? This is your second uncle, Cai Quanwu. Why haven't you greeted him yet?"

"Ah? Oh, oh, I thought... Second Uncle." Shazhu's mood at this moment was like a roller coaster, fluctuating up and down.

"Quanwu, this is your eldest nephew, He Yuzhu. The boy is a bit slow-witted."

"..."

"Hello, Zhuzi. I am Cai Quanwu, your father's brother from the same father but a different mother." Cai Quanwu was also afraid of Shazhu misunderstanding, so he explained the ins and outs of the matter in advance.

"It's good that he's not a son, it's good that he's not a son."

"..."

"Get lost, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? Go call your Uncle Zhang over for dinner." He Daqing's affectionate slap landed on him.

"Oh." Shazhu went out feeling aggrieved.

As soon as Shazhu stepped out of the house, he ran into the family of three who had just returned from buying wine.

"Zhuzi, where are you going?"

"Mom, Dad told me to go call Uncle Zhang for dinner. The one inside..."

"I know. I'm the same as you; at first, I also thought he was a child your father had outside."

"I knew it, they look too much alike, even more than I, his own son, do."

"..."

"Alright, go call Ping'an and the others over for dinner first."

"I'm going too."

Thus, Shazhu carried little He Yuliang and went to call Zhang Ping'an.

"Uncle Zhang, Auntie, my dad has finished cooking, and he's just waiting for you."

"Alright, we're coming right over."