Chapter 228: Nan Yi Enters the Courtyard

"Alright, you two take it slow on the way back."

"Got it."

Zhang Ping'an went directly to find Zhu Jianshe and obtained six sleeper tickets.

"Thanks, Section Chief Zhu. Take these cigarettes for yourself," Zhang Ping'an said, handing Zhu Jianshe a pack of Zhongnanhai cigarettes; after all, he had helped him out.

As for Zhang Ping'an arranging for his family members to work at the office, it could be considered a small indulgence of his power, but Zhang Ping'an believed that no one would be willing to offend a Deputy Division Level Cadre who was currently on the rise.

Even Zhu Jianshe wouldn't; after all, Zhang Ping'an had turned a blind eye to him smuggling private goods this time, and he wouldn't be stupid enough to report Zhang Ping'an and cut off his own source of wealth, not to mention that he might be working under Zhang Ping'an for the next few years, or even over a decade.

"Ahem, Director Zhang, you're too kind."

Although Zhu Jianshe could occasionally smoke Zhongnanhai cigarettes, it was usually by mooching off his father. Seeing the pack Zhang Ping'an handed over, his hand reached out uncontrollably.

"The goods have all been shipped back, right?"

"Just finished shipping them today. The train ticket is for ten o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Mm, good. Go get some rest."

The next day at nine-thirty, Zhang Ping'an and his group of eleven were dropped off at the Tibet station. At this moment, he was once again in his Public Security Uniform, which made the corner of Zhu Jianshe's mouth twitch as he watched from the side.

Of course, Zhu Jianshe didn't think Zhang Ping'an's identity as a Public Security officer was fake; he just couldn't figure out how he managed to balance both sides, and the thoughts he had against Zhang Ping'an in his heart faded quite a bit.

Using his status, Zhang Ping'an took his people onto the train ahead of time. The bunk assignments were the same as when they arrived. After four days and four nights, Zhang Ping'an finally returned to Sijiucheng.

"Ping'an, over here."

"Uncle."

"San Jie Fu, Dongxu, how did you know we were coming back today?"

With San Jie Fu Lao Jia and Jia Dongxu there to pick them up, it saved them from having to find a tricycle again.

"Hehe, I knew that a trip for you would take at least a week. Anyway, I had nothing to do after work, so Dongxu and I pedaled the tricycle out for a spin, just to help digest our dinner."

"Youcai, Dongxu, you two are very thoughtful."

"Dad, saying that makes us sound like outsiders. Let's hurry back; I see Weijun and the others are about to fall asleep."

"Got it."

Back home, they couldn't even bother to eat. One by one, they were so sleepy they couldn't keep their eyes open. Zhang Ping'an sent the children back to their rooms to sleep, and after a simple wash, he went to sleep as well.

At one in the morning, Zhang Ping'an woke up on time. He visited four Black Markets in a row; the prices were not much different from before he went to Beijiang. Afterward, Zhang Ping'an found a ticket scalper, bought a Radio Ticket, and went to the Scar Black Market.

Scanning the woods and finding no one around, Zhang Ping'an released one hundred thousand catties of sweet potatoes, one hundred thousand catties of corn cobs, ten Wild Boars, and one thousand wild rabbits.

"Go notify your Brother Daoba that a large shipment has arrived again."

"Alright." Now the henchmen guarding the gate recognized Zhang Ping'an's voice.

Upon receiving the news, Daoba sent his men out to gather people, while he himself notified the old Squad Leader.

"Come quickly, there's a large shipment."

After hanging up the phone, Daoba hurried out to haul the goods; he had to secure a wave of benefits for the Black Market first.

"Little brother, you've finally come. The brothers will weigh the meat first and take half of it away."

"Alright."

"The old rules: one hundred thousand catties each for the sweet potatoes and corn."

"Got it."

The transaction completed, Zhang Ping'an changed his attire, found Tong Siye, agreed on the goods and time for tomorrow's trade, and went home to sleep.

Early the next morning, Zhang Ping'an went to work with the others and was surprised to find Nan Yi in the group.

"Nan Yi? Why are you here?"

"Hehe, Zhang Shu, Nan Yi is my good buddy now. He's the new head chef at our factory and the future head of the Third Canteen."

"Yo, you two have become brothers? Nan Yi, then you should call me Zhang Shu from now on too."

"Cough, cough, Brother Zhang, don't tease me. Let's keep our own forms of address." Afterward, Nan Yi pulled Zhang Ping'an out of the group.

"Brother Zhang, this matter is all thanks to your kind words in front of Factory Director Li; otherwise, I wouldn't have been transferred to the main factory."

"Hm?"

Zhang Ping'an seemed to remember mentioning to Li Huaide that there was a great chef at the steel mill, similar to Shazhu. He hadn't expected Li Huaide to transfer the man over directly.

Now the Rolling Mill had more guests coming and going, and it seemed they were planning to expand in the middle of the year, which was why they were preparing to build the Third Canteen in advance.

"Since you've come over, what about your wife and children? And where are you living in our courtyard?"

"It's the two main rooms in the Back Courtyard. They're being renovated right now. Once the renovation is done, Laidi and the kids will come over too."

Zhang Ping'an hadn't expected that the house many people in the courtyard were eyeing had now fallen into Nan Yi's hands.

"I didn't expect Factory Director Li to value a cook like me so much. After letting me cook a meal, he made the decision. Laidi was also transferred over as a matter of course. Although the house is rented to us, but... hehe."

Good heavens, Li Huaide wasn't lustful now; he had started focusing on food, drink, and promotion.

"Not bad. Don't thank me; it was your culinary skills that conquered Factory Director Li. Since you've come over, who's in charge of the canteen at your steel mill?"

It was mainly because Liang Ladi was a Level 5 Welder and could be considered an Intermediate Worker; if she were only Level 2 or 3, Li Huaide probably wouldn't have considered transferring her over.

"Seems like it's a newcomer, a rural chef, named Cui something. I forgot."

Surname Cui? That was likely Cui Dake. Then Ding Qiunan was in danger. Without Nan Yi there now, that guy Cui Dake would probably be even more unscrupulous.

Zhang Ping'an thought for a moment and decided to save her if the opportunity arose. Cui Dake was a total villain. Although Ding Qiunan's appearance wasn't within his aesthetic range, she was a pure doctor, and it would be a pity for her to be ruined by Cui Dake.

Ding Qiunan's father, Ding Rushan, was a Medical Doctor who had returned from studying abroad in his early years. He was a top student; logically, he shouldn't be targeted now. It was unclear why he didn't have a job.

Under his influence, Ding Qiunan developed a strong interest in medicine and became the current doctor at the steel mill. While healing the sick and saving lives, she also wanted to pursue higher studies.

"Oh, oh, not bad."

"Ping'an, I've heard that Nan Yi coming over is thanks to you. Not bad, you've found a good chef for our factory."

He Daqing joined the conversation group at this moment. He was full of favor for this young man who shared similar hobbies with him, especially since he was a descendant of an Imperial Chef and had his own insights into the culinary arts.

"It's all fate. Brother He, you two can exchange ideas more often in the future."

"I wouldn't dare, I still have a lot to learn from Uncle He."

"Hahaha, 'learn' is too strong a word; just as Ping'an said, let's just exchange ideas more."

"Exactly, Nan Yi, let's learn from each other through friendly competition."

"Zhuzi, don't think just because your rank is high now that you can slack off; you should really learn from Nan Yi's talent and his drive to study, don't go around being complacent all day."

"Dad, how could I? I've already had a friendly exchange with Nan Yi, right, Nan Yi?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Uncle He."

"Hehe." If Zhang Ping'an didn't know the two of them, he really would have believed it; these two had likely already competed.

The reality was just as Zhang Ping'an had guessed: when Nan Yi first arrived, Shazhu had initially wanted to teach him a lesson, but after a culinary contest between the two, they ended up evenly matched, and both recognized each other's cooking skills.

Coupled with the understanding gained from half a month of getting along, the two could be said to cherish each other and regret not meeting sooner, wishing they could have become sworn brothers on the spot.

Zhang Ping'an found it interesting; if Cai Quanwu were also in the kitchen right now, that would be truly lively.