Silly Zhu's Moving: The Old Neighbor's Nightmare

Chapter 159 Start of Construction

The steel rolling mill, the kitchen. Today is the first day back to work after the Spring Festival holiday.

When Sha Zhu walked into the kitchen, most of the kitchen staff had already arrived.

People sat in small groups chatting, while some colleagues seemed distracted.

He hasn't quite recovered from his vacation yet; he doesn't look too good.

When Sha Zhu's disciple saw his master walk in, he quickly stood up and came over to greet him.

When everyone saw Sha Zhu come in, they immediately became interested.

"Hey, He Yuzhu, Happy New Year! I heard you're pretty tough these days, not only did you beat up three thugs..."

He got away scot-free and even helped the neighborhood committee open a small restaurant. He's really got some skills!

Sha Zhu had just said to his little apprentice, "Happy New Year to you too!"

Then I heard Liu Lan's loud voice, her sarcastic tone mixed with envy.

There is nothing new under the sun.

"Zhu Zi, I heard that a lot of spies were arrested in Nanluoguxiang during the Spring Festival. Tell us what happened,"

Aunt Liu stood up and pulled Sha Zhu into a small circle of women and started asking him questions.

When the other kitchen staff heard this topic, they all gathered around, eager to hear the gossip about Nanluoguxiang.

Sha Zhu shook his head and said, "I really don't know much about this."

All I know is that a lot of gamblers were arrested in a small gambling den, and later, for some reason, the government began searching the entire Nanluoguxiang area.

I don't know what happened after that. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, I went to Qianmen Street to wish my master a Happy New Year.

He hasn't been back for two days. If you don't believe me, ask Zhang Long; he didn't see me when he came to my house for the Chinese New Year.

After Sha Zhu finished speaking, he noticed that Liu Lan, who was next to Aunt Liu, immediately lowered her head.

He seemed very down, which was strange. Before Sha Zhu could think about it further, Aunt Liu continued to ask,

"Zhu Zi, what's the deal with that little yellow ox that appeared in Nanluoguxiang?"

I heard they arrested a lot of spies, but that little yellow ox wasn't caught.

Two neighbors from our alley went to visit you in Nanluoguxiang for the New Year, and they haven't come back yet.

Later, their homes were sealed off. I heard they were secret agents, and they were even colleagues from our steel mill.

I never imagined that two such honest people could become spies.

Luckily, I hadn't spoken to them much before, but even so, I was called over for questioning. I was so scared my heart was pounding and my legs were weak.

"I don't know what happened to the little yellow ox either. All I know is that on the day it snowed before the New Year, it hit Yi Zhonghai, who works in our factory workshop."

I heard from Yi Zhonghai's wife that he was supposed to come back to work after the New Year, but now he's back in the hospital.

I even went to the hospital to see a doctor, who said I'd have to stay in bed for a year or two and wouldn't be able to get up.

"That's really bad luck..."

"Come and assemble!" Before Aunt Liu could continue speaking, Foreman Zhao from the kitchen shouted to everyone.

Everyone turned around and saw that Director Zhang from the kitchen and canteen, with a big belly, had arrived at the door. They all hurriedly went over to line up and gather.

Director Zhang first greeted everyone and then began to explain the details of the commencement of the project.

"The Spring Festival holiday is over, everyone needs to adjust their work routine."

While you were celebrating the Spring Festival at home, many people were still working at the factory, not even taking a break during the holiday.

Starting today, the factory will be rushing to produce some products. The supplies were already delivered to the factory while you were on vacation.

So everyone needs to stay focused and not let me down.

Make sure the workers in the workshop have access to meals. If there are any problems, I will hold you responsible.

The logistics supervisor just specifically instructed me that there can be no problems with the cafeteria.

Anyone who causes trouble on their first day of work is fired. Okay, everyone, disperse. Um, He Yuzhu, you stay.

Sha Zhu was about to leave with everyone when he heard Director Zhang tell him to stay, which made him a little depressed.

Thinking to myself, it must be a problem with the cooking skills again. After all, I am a cook, and the only place that's involved is the small restaurant run by the Nanluoguxiang Subdistrict Office.

"He Yuzhu, I heard that your Nanluoguxiang Subdistrict Office opened a small restaurant, and you contributed a lot of effort to it. Is that true?"

Sure enough, just as Sha Zhu finished guessing Director Zhang's intention in keeping him, Director Zhang asked the question.

"No, I just wanted to sell some mutton soup and steamed buns before the New Year to earn some pocket money, but my stall went out of business before I could even finish a day."

"Isn't it because Director Wang of the neighborhood office wouldn't let me continue? He was afraid I'd cause more trouble, so I went to help out at the neighborhood office."

I only took on a few nominal disciples, teaching them how to make mutton soup and braised dishes. They rewarded me with a large red envelope for the Lunar New Year.

Anyway, these are obvious facts; many workers at the steel rolling mill are from Nanluoguxiang.

There was no way to hide it, so Sha Zhu just told the truth openly.

"Zhu Zi, I heard that your dad used to be the head of the cafeteria, and he's an excellent cook."

"Since you were able to help the neighborhood office open a small restaurant and pass on your skills, you must be quite good at cooking yourself," Director Zhang said kindly.

Sha Zhu's mind was on high alert. Just now he was being called He Yuzhu, and now he was being called Zhuzi. It was like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—he had no good intentions.

I can't fall for that. Sigh, a higher-ranking official can have a crushing effect, let alone several ranks higher.

"Director Zhang, you want me to cook, that's definitely not an option. But making some braised dishes or cold dishes is no problem."

I started doing these things when I was learning my trade at Fengzeyuan. Before I even mastered cooking, my father arranged for me to work at our steel rolling mill.

Anyway, I have a probationary apprentice in my own steel rolling mill. If he doesn't do well, I can just assign him to the job and keep an eye on things.

Director Zhang was somewhat disappointed after hearing what Sha Zhu said. The higher-ups had asked him to find a good cook, but where was he supposed to find one?

Two restaurants on Qianmen Street went out of business recently. I went to visit the chefs there, but none of them were willing to come back.

He'd rather work independently than go to work in a factory. The canteen manager, Zhao, only makes boiled fish and pickled fish, which is a bit too monotonous.

Although most customers like this dish, and some even come specifically to try it, this is not a long-term solution.

Director Zhang thought for a moment and then asked, "Zhu Zi, is making braised dishes particularly time-consuming?"

"Yes, that's right. The first time you make it, it takes more than three hours, as long as the brine isn't wasted."

If you do it every day from now on, it will only take a little over an hour each day.

The smell is quite strong. If we make it every day, the factory workers will definitely complain. They can smell it all the time, but they can't taste it.

Director Zhang, do you think those workers might get too greedy?

If someone voices their opinion, will it affect you, or the higher-ups, or the factory manager?

"Like in the countryside, we'll fight the landlords and distribute the land." Sha Zhu said, glancing at Director Zhang.

Director Zhang shuddered when he heard what Sha Zhu said, especially about fighting landlords and dividing up land.

Director Zhang's gaze towards Sha Zhu changed; he was still a little scared and muttered to himself, "We can't do this."