Chapter 59

Rolling Mill

In the smoky kitchen, Shazhu was like a victorious general returning in triumph.

Ma Hua and Fatty continued to serve Shazhu, even more filial than they were to their own fathers.

Liu Lan teased: "Shazhu, you're something; you're back so soon."

Shazhu raised his head: "That's right, look at who this guy is!"

Cao Weiguo walked into the kitchen holding a thermos cup: "Ahem! Since Master He has returned to the kitchen, he must work seriously in the future and not let down the leadership's tolerance and trust in you."

Shazhu, who had just been triumphant, instantly wore a stinking face:

"Thank you for the instruction, Director Cao; I will definitely work seriously in the future and serve the coworkers wholeheartedly."

This situation was very unexpected, and people looked at Cao Weiguo in surprise.

It had only been a short time, and the arrogant and domineering Shazhu had been tamed by Cao Weiguo.

Cao Weiguo wasn't old, but his wrist was truly hard.

With Shazhu back in the kitchen, Cao Weiguo could be considered to have a helper.

At the very least, he didn't have to worry about the big pot of food every day.

Shazhu had a stinking mouth, but his culinary skills were beyond reproach.

Cao Weiguo sat leisurely in the corner drinking tea, which made Shazhu feel sour and resentful.

Because of years of helping the Jia family, Shazhu's savings had long been hollowed out.

He searched his whole house and only found 23 yuan and 50 cents.

Shazhu, short of money, could only blush and ask the First Uncle to borrow money.

Fortunately, after throwing down real gold and silver, he successfully escaped the toilet and returned to the beautiful kitchen.

"Traitorous villain! Corrupt element! Sooner or later, I'll overthrow you pests!"

Shazhu chopped vegetables resentfully, as if the radish on the cutting board was Cao Weiguo.

Three hundred yuan!

That was almost a year's salary for him!

"Ding! Daily check-in successful!"

"Obtained 10 catties of bean root candy, 50 catties of chestnut seeds!"

Cao Weiguo, who was drinking tea, raised the corners of his mouth and hummed a little tune happily.

"Son of a bitch! Enjoying yourself, huh! I'll make you cry sooner or later!"

Shazhu, who was peeking at Cao Weiguo, gritted his teeth in anger and chopped the radish into two pieces with one hateful knife.

"Director Cao, someone is looking for you outside!"

A kitchen helper who was cleaning the canteen called out with a strange smile on his face.

"Got it."

Cao Weiguo put the thermos cup away and walked out of the kitchen humming a little tune.

"Who's looking for me?"

The helper said with envy: "The factory flower of our rolling mill, Yu Haitang."

Cao Weiguo warned: "Don't tell anyone about this."

The helper promised hurriedly: "I guarantee I'll keep my mouth shut!"

Cao Weiguo patted the helper's shoulder with satisfaction: "Not bad, I think highly of you."

The helper grinned happily, and Cao Weiguo walked out of the canteen with big strides.

"Director Cao!"

Outside the canteen, Yu Haitang, with her two small braids, waved with a sweet smile.

Cao Weiguo walked over coldly: "Comrade Yu Haitang, is there something you need from me?"

Yu Haitang said with a smile: "Can't I look for you if there's nothing?"

Cao Weiguo said with a straight face: "Nonsense, it's work time now."

Yu Haitang said hurriedly: "Why are you like this? I have something to talk to you about."

Cao Weiguo said: "Speak quickly if you have something to say; I have a lot to do in the kitchen."

Cao Weiguo remembered that Yu Haitang didn't look down on him.

He was a man with a small heart!

Yu Haitang said sternly: "The factory is holding an essay contest with the theme of 'Praising Labor'; I'm here on behalf of the propaganda department to notify you to participate actively; the submitted works must have true content, distinct themes, sincere emotions, and be positive..."

Cao Weiguo said: "I know; is there anything else?"

Yu Haitang said unhappily: "No."

"Then I'm going back to work; goodbye, Comrade Yu Haitang."

Cao Weiguo said coldly and turned back to the canteen, making Yu Haitang stomp her feet in anger.

What kind of person is this!

What is he pretending for!

Yu Haitang came here this time with fantasies, intending to hook up with Cao Weiguo.

Who would have thought this guy would be so unromantic!

He didn't even have a smile for such a great beauty.

"Hmph! Just wait! Sooner or later, I'll make you fall under this lady's pomegranate skirt!"

Cao Weiguo's indifference instead aroused Yu Haitang's competitive spirit.

Back in the kitchen, Cao Weiguo walked to the stove to start teaching his apprentices culinary skills.

Cao Weiguo taught Liu Limin hand-in-hand, which made Ma Hua and Fatty envious.

But even though Shazhu returned to the kitchen, he had no intention of teaching them real skills.

He just kept ordering them around, as if driving cattle, horses, or servants.

At lunchtime, Shazhu rushed to the window to serve food.

Standing at the window holding the big spoon, Shazhu regained his confidence.

I, Shazhu, am back!

"Yo, Shazhu is back in the kitchen!"

"Shazhu, you're something; you can handle both eating and shitting!"

"This is a place to eat; aren't you disgusting!"

"I'm going to another window; I can't eat food made by a night-soil collector."

"Same here, same here!"

Seeing the triumphant Shazhu, the coworkers greeted him with a round of cold mockery, then turned and went to other windows.

This "discrimination" made Shazhu feel humiliated, his old face blushing, his heart filled with anger and grievance.

"Master He, take a break; I'll have Ma Hua replace you."

"Ma Hua, hurry up and replace your master; we can't delay the coworkers' meal."

Cao Weiguo smiled and had Ma Hua replace Shazhu, while Liu Lan and others kept their heads down, holding back laughter.

Although he felt very uncomfortable, Shazhu knew that when you are under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head. ===== CHAPTER 61 =====