Chapter 20

Neighbors should be as close as one family, helping each other.

Cao Cao Weiguo's family conditions are good, and he has the happy event of buying a car; according to the rules, he should treat guests to celebrate.

Everyone sitting together for a meal would be both happy and enhance the feelings between neighbors.

After Jia Jia Zhangshi's instigation, the First Master was persuaded.

Cao Cao Weiguo said in a dilemma, "First Master, you should know my family's situation. In order to buy the bicycle, my savings were almost emptied. The remaining money is all being saved to marry a wife; I really don't have the strength to treat people to a meal."

Cao Cao Weiguo scoffed at the First Master's request for a treat.

If he had money, he would rather give it to Deputy Factory Director Li in exchange for benefits than throw it into the courtyard to be wasted.

Especially since there was a group of ungrateful wolves in the courtyard!

He would rather feed his food to pigs than give it to ungrateful wolves to eat.

The First Master said, "Cao Weiguo, a meal doesn't cost much. You don't need to make anything fancy; just whip up some dishes, and everyone can be happy together."

Cao Cao Weiguo said bitterly, "First Master, please let me off; I really don't have the money to treat guests."

The First Master wanted to speak again, but Cao Cao Weiguo spoke first: "First Master, you are an eighth-grade machinist; I know you have money. How about you lend me twenty Brother Yuan? Once I get the money, I'll go buy groceries and treat everyone."

The First Master quickly said, "Hey, well, if there's no money, then forget it. You go ahead and cook."

After saying this, the First Master walked away quickly, fearing that Cao Cao Weiguo would take the opportunity to borrow money.

In this day and age, who doesn't value money more than their life?

Even if the First Master had money, he wouldn't be willing to lend it out.

"Pah, what kind of person!"

Cao Cao Weiguo spat in annoyance, sneered, and turned back into the house.

Want to take advantage of him?

Dream on!

The First Master left the Cao house and told Jia Jia Zhangshi that the treat was off.

Hearing that Cao Cao Weiguo wouldn't treat them, Jia Jia Zhangshi, unable to take advantage, cursed:

"This black-hearted, stingy beast only cares about his own good food and drink, and doesn't know how to take care of the neighbors in the courtyard."

The First Master sighed and said, "Cao Cao Weiguo lives alone, and life isn't easy for him; let it be."

Jia Jia Zhangshi said, "If it wasn't easy for him, how could he have the money to buy a car? He just doesn't give you face and doesn't want to take care of neighbors in difficulty."

The First Master's face also turned ugly, and he walked home with his hands behind his back, feeling unhappy.

The stifled First Master told the First Mistress about this, and his words showed some dissatisfaction with Cao Cao Weiguo.

He thought Cao Cao Weiguo was selfish and cold, and didn't respect him, the First Master.

The First Mistress was a kind-hearted and honest person. Hearing her husband's words, she instead persuaded him: "Old Yi, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you know the relationship between Cao Cao Weiguo and the people in the courtyard. After his parents passed away, no one in the courtyard helped Cao Cao Weiguo, and he doesn't associate with the people in the courtyard himself. You ask him to spend money to treat guests; how could he be willing? Forget it, don't make things difficult for him."

After the First Mistress said this, the First Master kept a straight face and didn't speak.

The logic was sound!

But he just felt unhappy in his heart, as if something was stuck in his chest. ===== CHAPTER 36 =====

Steel Rolling Factory

Cao Cao Weiguo rode his brand-new bicycle to work, and as soon as he arrived at the unit, he attracted the attention of his fellow workers.

"Cao Weiguo, you bought a bicycle!"

"Whoa, a brand-new Forever 28-inch!"

"Cao Weiguo, you're really amazing, riding a bicycle at such a young age."

"This car is so handsome, and the person is handsome too!"

"Cao Weiguo, how much did you buy it for? It's really beautiful."

"Cao Weiguo, do me a favor, let me try it."

The fellow workers surrounded Cao Cao Weiguo with envy. They were all workers; not to mention the bicycle coupon, just the money to buy the car was enough to make people shrink back.

A new car cost at least more than half a year's salary for a person.

At this time, having enough to eat was a problem, so where would they have the spare capacity to buy a car?

However, Cao Cao Weiguo was single and lived frugally, and his fellow workers knew his family situation.

It was normal for Cao Cao Weiguo to be able to save money to buy a car.

Cao Cao Weiguo lent the bicycle to the fellow workers who wanted to experience it and took fruit candies out of his pocket to distribute to them.

This made the fellow workers very happy, and they kept saying nice things.

In daily life, people couldn't bear to buy candy to eat.

"Cao Weiguo, can I borrow your bicycle when I get married?"

"This is a happy event, of course, no problem. In the future, whoever gets married and needs a car, just come find me; I'll also soak up some of the good fortune."

Cao Cao Weiguo was very generous to his fellow workers, which made them feel favorable toward him.

Amidst the envious gazes of his fellow workers, Cao Cao Weiguo parked the bicycle in the empty shed.

In the huge Steel Rolling Factory, there were only a dozen or so bicycles among tens of thousands of workers.

Yu Yu Haitang saw Cao Cao Weiguo parking the car and looked surprised: "Cao Cao Weiguo actually bought a car?"

Working in the same Steel Rolling Factory, Yu Yu Haitang also knew Cao Cao Weiguo.

Although they hadn't spoken, she had seen him many times.

But she looked down on Cao Cao Weiguo from the bottom of her heart.

She thought a cook who hovered around the stove wasn't worthy of her.

Even though Cao Cao Weiguo had bought a bicycle now, Yu Yu Haitang still thought so.

So what if he has money?

He's still just a cook who fries vegetables!

Yang Yang Weimin, who was pursuing her, was a clerk in the Propaganda Department and someone who could become a leading cadre in the future.

What kind of future does a cook covered in cooking fumes have!

Yu Yu Haitang ignored Cao Cao Weiguo and walked into the office building proudly.

Cao Cao Weiguo also saw Yu Yu Haitang, but he didn't care and went to the cafeteria after parking the car.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Enter!"

"Good morning, Director."

Cao Cao Weiguo pushed the door and walked into the director's office, placing a bag of fruit candies on the desk.

"Director, I bought a car."

The cafeteria director's eyes lit up when he saw the fruit candies.

This bag of fruit candies was at least half a catty; this Cao Cao Weiguo knew how to conduct himself.

The cafeteria director said happily, "Congratulations, Cao Weiguo. There aren't many people as young as you who can ride a bicycle. You have ability!"

Cao Cao Weiguo smiled and said, "Director, you're making me blush with your praise."

After chatting for a few sentences, Cao Cao Weiguo went to the kitchen in high spirits and generously distributed a round of fruit candies.

Those who received the candy happily thanked and congratulated him.

Only Sha Zhu, Ma Hua, and Fatty didn't get any candy, and they buried their heads in cutting vegetables with ugly expressions.

Liu Liu Limin ate the candy happily and said with longing eyes, "Master, can you let me ride your bicycle after work? I haven't ridden a new car yet."

Cao Cao Weiguo said generously, "What's the big deal? Go ride it after work."

Liu Liu Limin was so happy he couldn't close his mouth: "Thank you, Master."

The day's work began, and the morning was the busiest time in the kitchen.

Cao Cao Weiguo held an enamel tea mug with Lei Feng's portrait on it, drinking tea while guiding Liu Liu Limin in cooking.

Liu Liu Limin was simple and diligent, and Cao Cao Weiguo taught him wholeheartedly.

In just a few days, Liu Liu Limin's culinary skills had improved significantly.

This made Ma Hua and Fatty sour with envy and jealousy.

Look at Cao Cao Weiguo, who loved to teach, and then look at Sha Zhu, who guarded his skills like a treasure.

Both are masters, so why is the gap so big?

Seeing Liu Liu Limin, a newcomer, catching up from behind, Ma Hua and Fatty felt increasingly dissatisfied with Sha Zhu. ===== CHAPTER 37 =====