Chapter 11

As the Repair Team's project ended, Li Qiang also came to Yagangchang to start work officially. Factory Director Yang warmly introduced the several leaders of Yagangchang to Li Qiang.

"Section Chief Li, I originally wanted to host a welcome dinner for you in the cafeteria, but the cafeteria staff's cooking really doesn't have any standout dishes. Let's go to Donglaishun tonight; I'll treat you to mutton hot pot," Factory Director Yang said with a smile.

"Factory Director Yang, you're being too polite; tonight I'll treat everyone," Li Qiang is not the type to get arrogant. Although Factory Director Yang said that, if Li Qiang really just agreed like that, he'd really be a bit clueless.

"Hey, why be polite with me? It's the same either way who treats," Factory Director Yang saw Li Qiang being so agreeable and was naturally pleased.

"Factory Director Yang, I know a cook whose skills are not bad, especially Sichuan cuisine, which is quite authentic; his master is the renowned chef Ma Hongtao of Fengzeyuan." Li Qiang decided to get He Yushui a job at Yagangchang's cafeteria; otherwise, him just doing odd jobs outside wouldn't work—today there's work, tomorrow none, not to mention supporting He Yushui; if he could at least support himself, that would be good.

"Oh, Section Chief Li, you even know such a skilled cook?" Factory Director Yang certainly knew the great name of Ma Hongtao of Fengzeyuan.

"Actually, he has some connections with our Yagangchang; his father used to be the cafeteria chief of our factory, He Daqing, and later he didn't go out of town?" Li Qiang said with a smile.

"I've heard of He Daqing; his Tan family cuisine has conquered many old Beijing foodies," Factory Director Yang didn't expect Li Qiang to know He Daqing's son, and given those two identities, he believed the cooking skills wouldn't be lacking.

"How about this: tonight I'll have him come to our cafeteria to show off a bit, so we don't have to go out to eat," Li Qiang saw Factory Director Yang taking the bait and immediately continued.

"That's great; who would want to go out to eat when we can eat at the factory? Besides, our factory is a state-owned enterprise; frequently eating out looks bad, and without a good cook, it's sometimes inconvenient to entertain guests," Factory Director Yang spoke his mind.

"Then tonight everyone try his cooking; if everyone is satisfied, I'll try to arrange his job and let him work at our factory," Li Qiang didn't say that He Yuzhu currently has no job.

"Alright, trouble you, Section Chief Li," Factory Director Yang said with a smile.

「Section Chief Li, I am Logistics Director Li Huaide. Five hundred years ago we were still one family. In the evening, if you need any dishes, just tell me directly and I'll prepare them. 」 Li Huaide is also a food lover; hearing Li Qiang say this, he naturally steps up to curry favor. Besides, Li Qiang is the section chief of a real-power department; getting on good terms with him will be greatly helpful for my future at the Yagangchang.

「Director Li, then it's troublesome for you. I don't even know specifically what we need; after all, we're amateurs, we have to wait for the cook to come, and then it's up to him, right? 」 Li Qiang also wanted to get on good terms with Li Huaide. In the original story, during the big movement period, Li Huaide at the Yagangchang ousted Factory Director Yang, after which he became the local tyrant. Although he ousted Factory Director Yang, he didn't go to extremes; he just had him do cleaning, and Factory Director Yang didn't suffer any persecution. From this point, Li Huaide is still decent; even though later others were purged, Li Huaide managed to land safely, showing he's not an ordinary person. Some say he has a powerful father-in-law, but regardless, he came out unscathed—that's his ability.

「Alright, then let's wait for the cook to come before we talk. Section Chief Li, I'm a few years older than you; let's drop the formal titles—you don't call me Section Chief Li, and I won't call you Director Li. From now on, you call me Brother Li, and I'll call you Little Brother. How does that sound? 」 Li Huaide was obviously trying to curry favor.

「Alright, then from now on I'll trouble Brother Li to look after me more. 」 Li Qiang was also the type to seize the opportunity.

「Mutual care, mutual care. 」 Li Huaide said softly.

「Alright, then I'll go back and invite the cook, striving to let everyone taste his cooking at noon; if anyone isn't satisfied, I'll treat everyone to hot pot mutton in the evening. 」 Li Qiang said.

「Alright, then it's trouble for Section Chief Li. 」 The other several leaders naturally hoped their factory would have a cook they could show off; at least then they'd have someone to entertain guests conveniently.

Li Qiang rode his bicycle back to the Siheyuan and went straight to He Yuzhu's home.

「Yushui, where's your brother? 」 Li Qiang saw He Yushui brushing her shoes beside the water tank.

「I'm tidying up the room inside. 」 He Yushui said.

「Brother Qiang, are you looking for me? 」 He Yuzhu came out upon hearing the movement.

「Zhuzi, tell me the truth, brother—have you not lost your cooking skills? 」

「I wouldn't dare forget my skill for making a living. 」 He Yuzhu said with a laugh. During this period, whenever the Repair Team worked for Li Qiang, He Yuzhu helped with cooking. Li Qiang had tasted He Yuzhu's dishes; otherwise he wouldn't dare recommend her to Factory Director Yang and the others.

「I've found you a job; the Yagangchang cafeteria needs a good cook. You also know my older brother can handle big-pot dishes alright, but if he does stir-fry he's only so-so. In a bit, you come with me to the factory; at noon, show off your specialty, and whether it works out will be up to you. 」 Li Qiang said quietly.

「Don't worry, Brother Qiang, I won't embarrass you. I dare not say anything else, but as for cooking, you can totally rely on me. 」 When talking about cooking, He Yuzhu's confidence immediately rose.

「Alright, you wash your hands with Yushui, change clothes, and I'll take you both now. 」 Li Qiang didn't want to leave He Yushui alone at home; bringing her along meant she could at least have a meal at the cafeteria at noon, and letting her play with Li Huan and the others would be fine, not interfering with He Yuzhu's work, so He Yuzhu could cook more peacefully.

「Alright. 」

He Yushui sat on the front crossbar of the bicycle, He Yuzhu sat in the rear seat, and Li Qiang took the siblings together to the Yagangchang.

「Brother, I've brought Zhuzi. 」 Upon arriving at the cafeteria, Li Qiang directly sought out Li Bin.

「Logistics Director Li has already told me; he also had the dishes sent over. Zhuzi, check what's still lacking; if it's not enough, tell me and I'll have them prepare more. 」 Li Bin said to He Yuzhu.

「How many people are eating? 」 He Yuzhu asked.

「Maybe seven or eight people. 」 Li Qiang thought a moment and said.

「That's enough. 」 He Yuzhu looked at the ingredients and said.

「Alright, then the rest is up to you. Brother, help me as an assistant. 」 Li Qiang said.

「All right, we'll take it from here; you go attend to your own business. 」 Li Bin said with a smile.

Li Qiang took He Yushui to outside the cafeteria to let her play with Li Huan, while he himself wandered around the Yagangchang; from now on he would be the section chief of the Yagangchang Security Section, and he certainly needed to first familiarize himself with the Yagangchang's layout.

At a little past eleven in the morning, Li Qiang arrived at the cafeteria.

「How's it going? 」 Li Qiang asked He Yuzhu with a smile.

「In another ten minutes we can start the meal. 」 He Yuzhu, wearing an apron, was stewing something.

「Alright, then I'll go notify them to come over. 」

「Factory Director Yang, the cook has finished and is waiting for all the leaders to come over to start the meal. 」 Li Qiang came to Factory Director Yang's office.

「Alright, then let's go taste this master's craft. 」 Factory Director Yang said happily.

As the leaders arrived one after another, Li Qiang also notified He Yuzhu to serve the dishes.

「Just by looking at the dishes you can tell this master's skills are not bad. 」 Li Huaide said first.

「Not bad; looking at the Dongpo pork, the color is fresh and bright, the aroma is ample, it definitely won't be off. 」 Factory Director Yang said with a smile.

「Whether it's good or not, we'll know once we taste it. 」 Li Qiang said with a smile.

「Right, let's taste; everyone, pick up your chopsticks. 」 Factory Director Yang immediately called on everyone to start eating.

Li Qiang picked up a chopstickful of fish-flavored shredded pork, and needless to say, He Yuzhu's skill is truly not bad—much tastier than what she makes at home. Actually, he doesn't even think about how his home's heat could compare to the cafeteria's, and besides, his home's seasonings aren't as complete as the cafeteria's.

The meal left everyone very satisfied.

「Qiangzi, go tell this master, see if we can get him to work at our factory; if he has any demands, he can bring them up, as long as they're not excessive, we can settle them. 」 After the meal, Li Qiang and everyone at the factory got along quite well; Factory Director Yang even changed his mode of address.

「Alright, I'll take care of this; I'll go talk to him later. 」 Li Qiang knew He Yuzhu's job was secure.

「Alright, then thanks for the trouble. 」