Chapter 30: Hot Commodity

Early morning

Sihe Academy

Cao Cao Weiguo had just finished washing up when the Third Uncle walked over with a smile.

"Cao Weiguo, I didn’t see you all day yesterday. What were you up to?"

Yesterday, Cao Cao Weiguo had gone to the commune to grind flour and went to the pigeon market to sell things after dark.

Cao Cao Weiguo casually told a lie: "I went to a friend’s house to drink. Does the Third Uncle have something else?"

"Yes, a great piece of good news!"

"What good news?"

The Third Uncle said with a joyful face, "After my painstaking persuasion, Yu Yu Haitang has agreed to go on a blind date with you. See if you have time next weekend; I’ll arrange for you two to meet."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed and said, "Sorry, Third Uncle, I’ve already promised Shen Gong from the Steel Rolling Mill that I’ll go on a blind date with his niece next weekend."

The Third Uncle was stunned. "What? You have a blind date partner?"

Cao Cao Weiguo said proudly, "Ah, when luck in love comes, you can’t stop it."

The Third Uncle said unwillingly, "Cao Weiguo, I put in a lot of effort. Take some time to meet Yu Yu Haitang; what if you hit it off? Don’t miss out on a good marriage."

Cao Cao Weiguo shook his head and declined. "Thank you for your kindness, Third Uncle. I know Yu Yu Haitang, and I have self-awareness—we aren’t a good match."

The Third Uncle looked dejected. "Hey, look at this mess. Haven’t I wasted all my effort? The in-laws will complain that I’m unreliable."

Cao Cao Weiguo took a handful of orange hard candies from his pocket and stuffed them into the Third Uncle’s hand. "I know you mean well, Third Uncle, but people rely on fate."

The Third Uncle held the candies, still unwilling to give up. "Cao Weiguo, won’t you reconsider? Yu Yu Haitang’s conditions are really good—good background, city household registration, educated, and pretty."

Cao Cao Weiguo said sternly, "I’ve already promised to go on a blind date with Shen Gong’s niece, so I can’t be fickle. This is a matter of character and morality."

With things said to this point, the Third Uncle, as a teacher, couldn’t very well urge Cao Cao Weiguo to have one foot in two boats.

He could only hope that Cao Cao Weiguo’s blind date would fail, and then he would come back to act as the go-between.

At this moment, Seeing Shazhu approached. "Third Uncle, introduce Yu Yu Haitang to me."

Looking at the drooling Seeing Shazhu, the Third Uncle curled his lip. "Seeing Shazhu, forget it. Yu Yu Haitang doesn’t think much of you."

Seeing Shazhu suppressed his unhappiness and said, "Third Uncle, we haven’t even interacted yet, and you already know she doesn’t think much of me? If you put in the effort to bridge the gap, and it works out, I definitely won’t treat you poorly."

The Third Uncle hesitated and didn’t speak, wondering what he was thinking.

Seeing Shazhu pleaded, "Third Uncle, please help me out. Whether it works out or not, I’ll remember your kindness."

The Third Uncle put the fruit candies into his pocket and said perfunctorily, "For the sake of being in the same courtyard, I’ll help you talk about it, but I can’t guarantee it will work." ===== CHAPTER 54 =====

Seeing Shazhu said happily, "Thank you, Third Uncle. If this works out, I’ll cook myself, and I’ll definitely make sure you eat until your mouth is dripping with oil."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed and returned to his room, tidied up his appearance, and pushed his bicycle out.

Just as he reached the main gate, Qin Qin Huairu chased after him. "Cao Cao Weiguo, wait a moment."

Cao Cao Weiguo looked at the panting Qin Qin Huairu. "Sister Qin, is something the matter?"

Qin Qin Huairu smiled brightly. "Good news."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed and said, "Don’t tell me you’re introducing me to a partner?"

Qin Qin Huairu blurted out, "How did you know!"

"It really is introducing a partner!"

Cao Cao Weiguo said straightforwardly, "I appreciate your kindness, Sister Qin, but let’s forget about the partner thing."

Qin Qin Huairu said anxiously, "How can you forget about it without even seeing the person? The partner I’m introducing is one of the top beauties in the ten miles and eight villages."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed. "But I have a blind date this weekend, so what do you suggest I do?"

"What!"

Qin Qin Huairu said annoyedly, "So I was late despite rushing here."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed and said, "Alright, thank you for your kindness, Sister Qin. I’ll treat you to dinner when I have time."

Qin Qin Huairu wanted to say something else, but Cao Cao Weiguo had already ridden away.

Fast as a gust of wind!

One is Yu Yu Haitang!

The other is nine-to-one likely Qin Qin Jingru!

Both are pretty, but neither is a pushover!

Making friends and playing around is fine, but as a wife, forget it.

"Ding! Daily check-in successful!"

"Obtained 1 magnifying glass, 10 catties of watermelon seeds!"

Listening to the pleasant sound, Cao Cao Weiguo arrived at the Steel Rolling Mill on his bike.

"Good morning, Director Cao!"

"Director Cao, you’ve arrived really early."

Two security guards greeted him politely.

Cao Cao Weiguo took a pack of Daqian Sect from his pocket and gave two to each:

"There’s a lot to do in the kitchen; coming early allows for preparation, and we can’t delay the coworkers’ meals, can we?"

"Thank you, Director Cao!"

"It’s our blessing to have Director Cao managing the canteen."

"That’s right, ever since you became a leader, the portions have been generous and delicious, much better than before."

"Ever since you took charge of the kitchen, my physique has been getting stronger by the day."

After receiving the cigarettes, the two guards’ mouths were as if smeared with honey.

Cao Cao Weiguo teased, "Then I’ll have to give you more food at noon and try to feed you into a strongman."

"Good morning, Director Cao!"

"Director Cao is getting more handsome!"

"What delicious food is Director Cao making today!"

"Director Cao, give me your bike; I’ll send it to the parking shed for you."

"Go away, if Director Cao’s bike is to be sent, I should be the one to do it."

"Director Cao, when are we going to stew some meat?"

Cao Cao Weiguo stood at the entrance chatting with the two guards, and the passing coworkers all greeted him with smiles.

Several bold female workers even went up to touch the bicycle.

At the same time, they showed concern for Cao Cao Weiguo’s health.

Their enthusiasm made Cao Cao Weiguo blush as he fled to the kitchen.

This caused a burst of laughter among the coworkers.

In the workshop, Qin Qin Huairu approached Seeing Shazhu. "Sha Zhuzi, when can you return to the canteen?"

Seeing Shazhu said dejectedly, "I want to go back too, but no one has given the word."

He wanted to go find Factory Director Yang to plead for mercy, but Factory Director Yang was on a business trip out of town, and he didn’t know when he would return.

He tried to find Deputy Factory Director Li, but the man didn’t have time to see him.

Go find the Canteen Director?

Although his nickname was Seeing Shazhu, he wasn’t truly stupid.

He had self-awareness; going to the Canteen Director would just be asking for humiliation.

Qin Qin Huairu reminded him, "Go find Cao Cao Weiguo. He’s the Deputy Canteen Director now; have him transfer you back."

Seeing Shazhu said stifledly, "Forget it. I’m not on good terms with him, and I don’t want to curry favor with that villain."

Qin Qin Huairu felt a burst of annoyance; this Seeing Shazhu was a stupid donkey.

Stupid and stubborn!

If it weren’t for the leftovers, she wouldn’t even want to bother with him.

Ever since Seeing Shazhu was transferred away from the canteen, without his leftovers, the family’s standard of living had plummeted.

Her salary wasn’t high to begin with, and every month she had to pay Jia Jia Zhangshi’s retirement money and buy her painkillers.

The family had many mouths to feed, and Jia Jia Zhangshi and Bang Geng were both gluttonous.

It had only been a few days, and Jia Jia Zhangshi and Bang Geng couldn’t take it anymore.

Every time they ate, they started making a scene!

She could ignore Jia Jia Zhangshi, but she felt heartache for Bang Geng.

Bang Geng was at the age where he was growing; if he didn’t eat well, his nutrition wouldn’t keep up.

Qin Qin Huairu gave Seeing Shazhu an idea: "Sha Zhuzi, go find the First Uncle and Cao Cao Weiguo to plead for mercy, and then humble yourself before him. Cao Cao Weiguo won’t be able to refuse, and he’ll transfer you back to the canteen."

Seeing Shazhu said stubbornly, "Me, humble myself before that villain Cao Cao Weiguo? Impossible."

Qin Qin Huairu persuaded him, "A great man knows how to bend and stretch. Han Xin crawled through someone’s legs; can’t you pretend to humble yourself? As long as you return to the kitchen, you’ll be the glorious head chef again. Otherwise, you’ll have to be a manual laborer in the workshop, sweating buckets, and be criticized and scolded by the workshop director every day. You might even get a pay cut in the future."

These words left Seeing Shazhu stunned, frozen in place.

A moment later, Seeing Shazhu gritted his teeth and said, "Sister Qin is right. A great man knows how to bend and stretch. After work, I’ll go find Cao Cao Weiguo. I’ll just pretend I was bitten by a dog."

After work, the First Uncle, Seeing Shazhu, and Qin Qin Huairu—the three powerhouses—marched together to the Cao household.

The First Uncle stood with his hands behind his back. "Is Cao Weiguo home!"

Cao Cao Weiguo walked out of the kitchen holding a steamed bun. "First Uncle, is something the matter?"

The First Uncle said kindly, "Cao Weiguo, you’re the Deputy Canteen Director now. Can you help Seeing Shazhu transfer back to the kitchen?"

Cao Cao Weiguo looked at the sour-faced Seeing Shazhu, feeling incredibly comfortable inside.

Qin Qin Huairu reached out and pushed Seeing Shazhu. They were already at the door; why act like a hero now?

Seeing Shazhu said stiffly, "Cao Weiguo, I was ignorant before. I apologize to you here. For the sake of being neighbors in the same courtyard, help me out."

The First Uncle said with a peaceful face, "As the saying goes, a distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. Cao Weiguo, Sha Zhuzi is reckless but kind-hearted and values relationships. If you help him, he will definitely remember your kindness."

Cao Cao Weiguo said readily, "Since the First Uncle has come forward, I will definitely plead for Seeing Shazhu to the leadership and try my best to help him transfer back to the canteen."

The First Uncle had come out in person; if he refused now, who knew what kind of trouble would arise later.

Besides, it was just empty words; he could say nice things to his face, but who knew if he would actually do it behind his back.

Seeing this, the First Uncle beamed with joy, feeling that he had plenty of face.

"Good, I knew you were a good one, Cao Weiguo."

"Sha Zhuzi, hurry up and thank Cao Weiguo."

The First Uncle was all smiles, and Seeing Shazhu opened his mouth reluctantly: "Thanks. If you run into trouble in the kitchen in the future, I’ll definitely help you."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed. "Alright, with those words, I’ll do whatever it takes to get you, the master chef, transferred back to the kitchen."

Having received a satisfactory answer, the First Uncle left in a happy mood.

Seeing Shazhu and Qin Qin Huairu followed the First Uncle, one on the left and one on the right, truly looking like a family. ===== CHAPTER 55 =====