The relationship between Sha Zhu, Qin Huairu, and Xiao Dang is like a TV series.

In this episode, Qin Huairu suffered a complete defeat, but the drama is far from over. Sha Zhu and Xiao Dang really want to live happily ever after, but who knows how many twists and turns await them.

The news of Qin Huairu's crushing defeat in the cafeteria also reached the fat man's ears with a speed comparable to "cosmic velocity".

Even the chubby guy, who prided himself on having seen it all, was dumbfounded: "Holy crap, Qin Huairu and Li Huaide actually... Why didn't you tell me this sooner?!"

Liu Lan rolled her eyes haughtily, which angered the fat man, who warned her, "Are you itchy again? Do you want to be exposed again?"

Liu Lan scoffed: "Some people are not even as good as Qin Huairu. At least she's serious, unlike you, who just talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk."

All talk and no action? The fat man felt insulted and threatened Liu Lan, "You just wait, don't leave after work tonight."

What do you want?

The fat man scratched the tip of his nose: "Um, wait a minute, I'll go borrow a jeep first."

"..."

The next morning, Mr. Zheng from the small car team saw the fat man washing the car in the yard, and he was doing it quite carefully.

Master Zheng greeted the fat man from afar: "Master Chen, why are you here to wash the car so early?"

The fat man turned around guiltily and said, "It's Old Zheng. I borrowed the car last night and drove to Hongxing Commune. It got pretty dirty on the road and I got a lot of mud on it. Before you guys start work, I quickly cleaned it up so as not to delay the leader's use of the car. As the saying goes, a good loan returned is a good loan!"

Master Zheng gave him a thumbs up: "He's a man of principle!"

After washing the car, the fat man went back to his office; he was exhausted from last night.

First, I had a good bumpy ride in the jeep, then I took a bath at the public bathhouse, and when I got home I could barely walk.

As a result, Yu Li read some unhealthy books and, after coaxing Chen Mengqi to sleep, shoved her into Chen Yan's room. When she came back, she started flirting with him.

The fat man struggled desperately, but Yu Li grabbed him by the waist and threatened him: "It's time to pay the rent. Even the landlord's family has no surplus grain!"

"..."

Upon entering the office, the fat man shivered as he brewed himself a cup of goji berry tea. After taking a couple of sips, he had just settled down on the bench when someone pushed the door open and walked in.

The fat man sat up alertly, and upon seeing the man, quickly straightened his clothes and stood up: "Good morning, Factory Manager!"

The new factory manager's surname is Liu. He probably has connections within the ministry, but it's unclear which department he's on.

The top leader has returned, but he's no longer in the industrial system; instead, he's moved to the science and technology and education systems.

It might seem like he's been sidelined, but the fat guy, who knows the plot well, knows that he's actually been promoted. He's just being particularly low-key this time.

Factory Director Liu casually found a place to sit down and said, "Fatty, you're a smart man."

The fat man quickly offered a flattering remark: "How could I dare to try anything clever in front of you?"

Factory Director Liu smiled and pointed at him: "You. If you weren't from that side, I really would have liked to hire you."

The fat man quickly explained, "Factory manager, I'm innocent! What do you mean by 'people from this side' or 'people from that side'? I'm just a cook, all I know how to do is cook!"

Factory Director Liu smiled noncommittally: "What are your thoughts?"

The fat man pretended to be stupid: "What do you mean, what are you thinking?"

“I can give you a chance, but…”

The fat man jumped up high: "There's a banquet to be held? That's wonderful! To be honest, I haven't held a banquet in ages, and my skills have almost gone awry. Factory manager, just give the orders, and from now on, I'll do whatever you say!"

Although Director Liu still had some doubts, he was generally satisfied with the fat man's performance.

He hadn't had any contact with the fat man since he arrived, and the little information he had gathered was all hearsay.

But the leaders who stayed at the factory couldn't help but advise Fatty when they talked about him: "His skills are really unparalleled. You have no idea how much Fatty was loved by the leaders of other units. Whenever they knew which day he was off, they would definitely invite Fatty over to cook."

Someone else praised the fat man, saying, "The factory manager of the motorcycle factory, Mr. Zhang, tried several times to transfer the fat man to their factory. But he always brushed it off by saying that he was taking over his father's job and that he had feelings for our factory."

This is what it means to be beholden to someone who feeds you.

Which of these people hasn't eaten the fat man's cooking? He's just a cook; he doesn't get involved in those backstabbing, power struggles, or vying for fame and fortune.

If it weren't for the fact that Director Liu made it clear from the start that he wanted to get rid of the fat man, there would be plenty of people willing to speak up for him.

Factory Director Liu came to see Fatty today because Sha Zhu had caused him trouble again.

Do you remember the head of the security department? He's Yang Weimin's brother. Because of his pockmarked face, the workers secretly called him Yang the Pockmarked.

Yesterday at noon, Yang Dama went to the third canteen for lunch. Just because of a meal ticket—literally a meal ticket short—that bastard Sha Zhu showed absolutely no mercy.

In front of so many people queuing in the cafeteria, they humiliated Yang Damaizi so much that he was so angry he didn't even eat.

How could Yang Damazi swallow this insult? He threatened to kill Shazhu at the factory and also went to Director Liu to complain.

Otherwise, why would Fatty have asserted that someone like Sha Zhu, unless indispensable, would eventually be removed by whoever was in charge?

Li Huaide was transferred from Hongxing Factory in 1974. After Director Liu took office, he promoted Shazhu in order to eliminate dissidents.

It's only been a little over two years, and the honeymoon period shouldn't even be over yet, and we're already starting to have headaches over Shazhu.

Factory Director Liu is far inferior to Li Huaide. He lacks Li Huaide's shrewdness and the magnanimity to command everyone's loyalty. That's why this situation has arisen today.

Factory Director Liu invited a few close associates to a small gathering tonight, and Section Chief Li from the Discipline Inspection Department was among them.

However, he's no longer just a lowly section chief; he's now a director.

While the food was being served, this person secretly winked at the fat man.

So when it comes to popularity, even if Sha Zhu rode a dog, he couldn't catch up with Fatty.

Looking at the dishes served, Director Liu asked the fat man in confusion, "That's not right. They said you're a master of Sichuan and Huaiyang cuisine, but this fish today?"

Upon seeing the fish, the fat man quickly turned the plate so that the fish's head was facing Director Liu.

Afterwards, he said to the person serving the food, "Don't you know the rules? The fish head has to face the factory manager!"

This seemingly insignificant "small gesture" was seen by Director Liu as a sign of the fat man's respect for him.

The young man serving the dishes was so timid and hesitant that he didn't even dare to look up.

The fat man explained, "Factory manager, your information is inaccurate. I'm a descendant of the Huaiyang and Shandong cuisine schools. I only know how to cook some Sichuan home-style dishes, nothing fancy..."