Chapter 160: The Path of Progress for the Two Big Fools

"He's craftsmanship has improved again."

"Indeed, and Zhuzi's too. The spicy chili stir-fried meat and the fish are both excellent; I've already eaten two Steamed Buns."

"Hahaha, it really goes well with rice."

Zhang Ping'an sat with Wang Xiaoling, the children, and several second-generation members of the Siheyuan. For him and Jia Dongxu, these dishes were not exactly a daily occurrence, but they could eat them two or three times a week, so they were quite calm.

The others didn't care about that; they started devouring the food one by one without stopping. Currently, only Lao Liu in the Liu Family earned money, and with all three brothers still in school, meat was rarely seen at home, so their eating manners were quite exaggerated.

The three Yan brothers were much the same. For some reason, Yan Bugui had suddenly become much more low-key over the past two years and had also started to be very calculating about the food at home.

Because Yan Jiecheng had failed to get into a technical secondary school, he had repeated a year at Yan Bugui's insistence; if he couldn't pass the exam this year, he would have to go out to work.

Yan Bugui remained puzzled by the gap in grades between his eldest son and the "crown prince" of the Liu Haizhong household. Even if Yan Jiecheng hadn't inherited his intelligence, he shouldn't have performed so poorly under his own after-school guidance.

Every time he asked, Yan Jiecheng would just say he was nervous, then look at Yan Bugui with a face full of guilt, making it so he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.

Xu Damao, on the other hand, was unusually calm. He never lacked meat; whenever he went to the countryside to show films, the villagers would treat him with good wine and food. Now, he put down his chopsticks after taking just two bites of each dish, feeling quite disdainful of those scrambling for food.

As for Yi Zhonghai, seeing the Deaf Old Lady eating with satisfaction, his furrowed brows relaxed; the money spent this time had not been wasted.

The Deaf Old Lady was indeed happy. It had been a long time since she had tasted He Daqing's cooking. Usually, Tan Cuicui would prepare lunch in the morning, and she would just heat it up simply to get by. It was nothing like now, where there was no shortage of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, and the key was that the craftsmanship was so good.

However, the Deaf Old Lady still cared about her image; besides, the grown men at this table wouldn't fight her for food.

Before long, the table was a mess of cups and plates. Zhang Ping'an frowned as he watched, and Wang Xiaoling lost her appetite as well.

"Brother Ping'an, I'll take the children back first."

"Alright, take your time."

"Mm, okay."

After Wang Xiaoling left, Xu Damao leaned over.

"Zhang Shu, did Auntie lose her appetite looking at this?" Xu Damao chuckled, pointing at the bowls and plates on the table.

"Your aunt is full and went home to rest."

Xu Damao still looked unconvinced. He, a grown man, had no appetite looking at the messy tabletop, let alone a woman.

"You brat, you came over because you have something to ask, right?"

"Hehe, nothing gets past you, Zhang Shu. I want to buy two bottles of Tiger Bone Wine."

"Fine, one hundred yuan."

"I've had it ready for a long time. Zhang Shu, do you have any that are stronger? I always feel the alcohol content isn't high enough when I drink it." Xu Damao deftly took out the money.

"You little fool, you wouldn't be able to handle the strong stuff."

Zhang Ping'an and Xu Damao were talking in low voices, but who would have thought Shazhu would suddenly stretch his head over.

"Well, you Shazhu, I haven't settled the score with you for splashing a basin of foot-washing water on me last time, and now you're running over to eavesdrop."

"Hehe, don't be a fool, Damao. You're still a virgin; buy it after you get married."

"..." Xu Damao's face turned beet red, and he couldn't find words to retort.

"Ahem, Damao, what Zhuzi said has some truth to it. Buy the stronger stuff after you get married."

"Zhang Shu, I'm giving it to someone else."

"Oh? Looking to advance again?"

"Well, with this round of expansion, our Propaganda Department has new people coming in. I've started training apprentices again, and there are five of them now. I was thinking I'd like to be a team leader."

Zhang Ping'an understood; Xu Damao was just one step away. The number of people and everything else were sufficient; now he just lacked a title.

"Alright, come with me to get it."

"Got it."

"Damao, you and Zhuzi wait here for a moment."

"Okay."

Shazhu heard clearly from the side. As a Level 6 Chef, he was already at the highest grade in the factory. Even if he passed the exam for Level 5 Cook in the future, his salary would still be paid according to Level 6. If he wanted to earn more money, he would have to take the administrative route.

"Shazhu, why are your eyes darting around? What bad intentions do you have now?"

"Ahem, Damao, look at you. What bad intentions could your brother Zhuzi have? Tell me, how did you manage to become a team leader?"

"Pfft, want to learn? Shall I teach you?"

"Really?"

"Fake."

"Hey, you... Damao, I'll treat you to chicken soup. Look, my career has hit a ceiling, and your sister-in-law is pregnant again. I need money for everything inside and outside the house."

Shazhu originally wanted to curse, but then he thought about how he still needed to ask for advice, so he stopped himself abruptly.

Xu Damao's mind stirred. The last time they drank chicken soup together was three or four years ago; he really did miss it a bit.

"You're already a Canteen Monitor; do you want to take down your old man and take his position?"

Shazhu was stunned by Xu Damao's words. It was true; if he wanted to climb higher, he could only become a Deputy Cafeteria Director, but the current Deputy Director was his father.

"Forget it then." Shazhu scratched his head, preparing to leave.

"Ahem, Shazhu, you're still too young. He will probably be promoted to Director in two or three years. Who do you think the Deputy Director will be?"

"That would definitely be me."

"On what grounds? Because you joined the job late? Or because you have connections? He doesn't count; you are father and son, so there's a high probability of needing to avoid suspicion."

"On, on..."

"I'll teach you the simplest method, but you have to treat me to 'Bawang Bie Ji' (Soft-shelled Turtle with Chicken)."

"Deal, but I don't know when I'll be able to find a turtle."

"I'll handle the turtle; you just provide the chicken and the culinary skills."

Xu Damao often encountered people digging ditches and rivers while showing films in the countryside, and he could always find a few turtles. Besides, people in the countryside didn't like to eat that stuff; it was too fishy and used too much oil.

"Deal, I agree. Tell me."

"First, manage your interpersonal relationships well. Try your best not to make snide remarks with that foul mouth of yours in the future. Aren't you a Squad Leader? You can teach some of the head chefs in your Second Canteen some basic stir-frying techniques; that can also be considered training mass-production cooks for the factory."

"This way, you can make things easier for yourself, increase their favorable impression of you, and earn some extra brownie points with the factory."

"At the same time, you surely have leftovers when you cook. You can give a little more to those with family difficulties during meal times; that way, your grassroots support will be even more solid."

"The most important thing is your Cafeteria Director. You must build a good relationship with them. For example, if they ask you to prepare a banquet, not only should you not refuse, but you must also do it well."

"You can also occasionally try out new dishes and invite the Cafeteria Director to taste them. Won't the relationship get closer after a few times? When the time is ripe, you can give some gifts like I do to increase your leverage."

Good grief, Zhang Ping'an came back with the wine and heard Xu Damao speaking so logically; it seems Xu Damao hasn't wasted his years of work, having figured out all the ins and outs of this place.

Shazhu's eyes lit up as he listened, chuckling happily, as if he could already see himself as the Deputy Cafeteria Director three years from now.

"Ahem, Damao, aren't you studying film projection? Why are you now delving into the basic qualities of a Cadre?"

"Hehe, I'm just being prepared for a rainy day."

"Zhang Shu, do you also think this is feasible?"

"If you can do everything Damao just said, and do it well, then the position of Deputy Cafeteria Director certainly won't be your final destination."

With the affirmation of Zhang Ping'an, an Official Cadre, Shazhu was even more excited.

"Deal. Damao, you get the soft-shelled turtle ready, and I can cook it anytime. Zhang Shu, you come too when the time comes, and we'll have a good drink together."