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

Chapter 161 Side Jobs

Squad Leader Zhao, who was sitting by the stove drinking tea, saw the person who had arrived.

He hurriedly put down the large porcelain jar he was holding and stood up to greet the leader-looking man who had barged in.

"Director Chen, what brings you to our kitchen?" Squad Leader Zhao greeted the director as he entered.

Most of the people in the cafeteria glanced at the newcomer and then continued with their work, as if they recognized the director.

The newly arrived apprentices immediately began cleaning diligently and their whispering stopped.

Looking at the puzzled Sha Zhu, Aunt Liu said in a low voice,

"This is the workshop foreman, he seems to be the same person as Yi Zhonghai who fell from the office building."

That's Yi Zhonghai from the same workshop as the guy who got hit by the calf again. Let's talk about our own things, ignore him.

When Director Chen saw Zhao, the canteen supervisor, greeting him, he immediately walked over to him.

"Hello, hello. Squad Leader Zhao, I heard that Chef He Daqing's son used to work in this canteen, right? His name is He Yuzhu."

I heard he's a great cook, so he helped the neighborhood committee in Nanluoguxiang open a small restaurant and even took on a few apprentices.

During the Spring Festival, I had the opportunity to sample the delicious food at a small restaurant.

"My elderly father in the countryside is celebrating his birthday next weekend, and I'd like to invite Chef He to organize a banquet. Does anyone know who Chef He is?"

Sha Zhu was a little surprised. Uncle Ge hadn't even taken him to the countryside yet, and the workshop director of the steel rolling mill had already come looking for him.

The kitchen staff were also surprised. This He Yuzhu, Chef He, not only helped the neighborhood committee open a small restaurant, but more importantly, he also took on three apprentices.

Among the kitchen staff in our cafeteria, Chef He only has one disciple named Zhang Long, who is not even a formal apprentice.

Aunt Liu, who was next to Sha Zhu, also looked at Sha Zhu strangely.

Upon hearing that the workshop director had come looking for He Yuzhu, Squad Leader Zhao quickly waved to the simple-minded He Yuzhu.

"Zhu Zi, I'm here to see you." At the same time, she felt a pang of resentment; the cook wasn't looking for her.

He lost interest in entertaining other chefs in the kitchen, even in front of him, who was also a chef himself.

After calling out to He Yuzhu, he silently returned to his seat and continued drinking tea from his teacup.

Workshop Director Chen, looking in the direction Zhao, the foreman had called out, looked at the young man walking over and said...

"You must be Master He. I used to know your father."

On the day the small restaurant opened during the Spring Festival, I happened to pass by and tried their braised dishes and mutton soup. I then inquired about Chef He.

I just found out that Master He works in the logistics department and canteen of our steel rolling mill.

"I'm just inviting Chef He to cook a birthday banquet for my father next weekend, what do you think?"

Sha Zhu thought for a moment and said, "I'm sorry, all I know how to make is braised food for a small restaurant and stew for our steel mill."

"Your grandfather is hosting a birthday banquet, so you'll need to cook a few proper dishes. I'm not good at that, so why don't you ask our Squad Leader Zhao?"

"No need. My father just likes to eat braised and cooked food. I was originally thinking of finding a chef in the city, but..."

I tried the braised food at the small restaurant, and it just suited my grandfather's taste. That's why I came to find you.

After hearing what Sha Zhu said, Director Chen waved his hand dismissively and said... Before Sha Zhu could speak, Director Chen continued...

My father lives in the 13th district of Haidian town; he's a country bumpkin.

"Master He, could you perhaps cook a big pot of mutton soup so that the farmers in the countryside can also enjoy its delicious flavor and make my father happy?"

Haidian Town, the thirteenth district.

Upon hearing the address given by Director Chen, Sha Zhu suddenly remembered that Haidian District was still considered a rural area.

In June 1952, the 6th District was renamed Haidian District, a name that remained in use until the 21st century.

Haidian District was officially named in September 1952, and the district government was located in Haidian Town.

Most of Haidian Town is now rural, with only a small number of urban residents in areas closer to the city center.

Until 1970, there was not much urban development outside the Northwest Second Ring Road.

Even now, part of the eastern suburbs of Chaoyang is farmland.

Besides Nanyuan District in southern Beijing, Fengtai District in the southwest gateway, and Shijingshan District in the western part of the main urban area, there is a certain industrial base.

Fangshan and Liangxiang are now located in Hebei Province.

These areas, including Mentougou and Wanping, are all rural areas.

Haidian District is still primarily agricultural, and a large area remains former imperial gardens.

This includes the Summer Palace, the Old Summer Palace, and the existing Tsinghua University and Peking University, as well as Zhongguancun in the future.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences settled in Zhongguancun, which subsequently led to the formation of a region characterized by a concentration of universities and research institutes.

The establishment of institutions of higher learning such as Peking University and Tsinghua University laid the foundation for the future development of Haidian District.

It's really unacceptable that this little girl, Yushui, went to the Summer Palace in Haidian District during the Spring Festival, while she stayed in Nanluoguxiang.

It would be nice to visit the rural areas of Haidian Town now.

In a few seconds, Sha Zhu went through all the information and looked at Director Chen, saying,

"Director Chen, it's my honor to be able to go to the countryside to celebrate your grandfather's birthday."

"But I'm afraid I can't handle it all by myself. Why don't you call Squad Leader Zhao along? Just in case he needs to cook something or something," Sha Zhu said, before he could finish.

Squad Leader Zhao, who had sat down to drink tea, said, "Zhu Zi, you don't need to accommodate me. Since Director Chen has spoken..."

His father likes braised food, so I wouldn't be of much use to him. You could just find someone to help you.

Besides, my cooking skills aren't much better than yours, so don't be modest.

Well, how is Sha Zhu supposed to answer that? Since you don't want to go, Sha Zhu doesn't want to say anything more.

He then looked at Director Chen and said, "In that case, I'll take the job. But, Director Chen, what do you think of the price?"

Director Chen smiled as he saw Sha Zhu accept the banquet, and said generously,

“I guarantee you won’t have made a wasted trip if you don’t go with Xiao He,” then Director Chen whispered in Sha Zhu’s ear, “Look, how about ten yuan?”

Wow, Director Chen is really generous. Sha Zhu's ideal price is only 5 yuan.

I never expected Director Chen to be so generous. Ten yuan is more than you can earn working ten days straight at a steel rolling mill.

Anyway, Sha Zhu's purpose wasn't about the amount of money; his main goal was to visit the countryside and broaden his horizons.

Since Director Chen wasn't short of money, Sha Zhu had nothing more to say and readily agreed, "Okay, no problem."

The two then discussed the number of guests and the scale of the banquet.

Sha Zhu suggested bringing a helper, but Director Chen told Sha Zhu to make the arrangements himself.

Director Chen left the kitchen only after both sides had agreed to no further issues.

As soon as Director Chen left, the kitchen staff surrounded him.

"Master He, are you still taking on apprentices?"

"Master He, can I become your apprentice?"

"Master He, I can become your apprentice on a temporary basis." This was the call from the temporary apprentice in the kitchen.

"Master, could you take me with you when you go to prepare the banquet?" This was the call from Zhang Long, his disciple.

"Hey, He Yuzhu, could you take me along and do some of your chores?" This was Liu Lan's call when she was feeling down.