When the high-ranking leader finished getting his food and took his first bite, he was also a little stunned. How could this communal stew taste so good? He considered himself a gourmet, and his family's cook prepared different dishes for him every day, but none of them were as delicious as this communal stew.

After the senior leader finished his meal, he said to Factory Director Yang with a gentle expression, "Young Yang, your canteen is truly full of hidden talents. It's impressive that you can make such ordinary potted dishes so delicious. Not bad, not bad at all. It seems you're managing it quite well, Young Yang."

Lunchtime soon ended, and the cafeteria returned to its previous quiet state. Everyone brought out the food they had saved earlier and began to eat heartily, enjoying their meal immensely.

Only the fat man looked pitifully at everyone. His master, Sha Zhu, had said that Ma Hua's cooking was bound to be terrible, so he made him eat the twice-cooked pork he had made.

The fat man felt wronged, glancing longingly at the laughing and joking crowd as he ate.

Upon seeing this, Sha Zhu immediately scolded, "What are you looking at, Fatty? How can the food cooked in a big pot taste as good as my cooking?"

Hearing Sha Zhu say that, everyone stopped eating and looked at Sha Zhu speechlessly, thinking how shameless he was.

Liu Lan, unable to contain her anger, directly cursed at Sha Zhu: "Sha Zhu, what do you know? You're no match for Ma Hua. Ma Hua's cooking is much better than yours. Aren't you angry? Bah, do you really think you're still the same chef you used to be?"

"Sister Lan, don't be angry, let's eat. Some people just love to live in their own fantasies. Why are you getting angry with such people?" Ma Hua immediately spoke up to stop her, saying he was trying to persuade Liu Lan, but everyone could tell that Ma Hua was being sarcastic and mocking to Sha Zhu.

However, everyone agreed; it was true. Ma Hua was right. Does this silly Zhu still think he's the same domineering chef he used to be? It's hilarious!

Sha Zhu panicked immediately upon hearing this. How could this be? Was his cooking skill really that bad? He had been learning since elementary school, while Ma Hua had only been learning for a few years. He had lost a few days ago because the fat man had affected his performance.

Thinking of this, Sha Zhu laughed: "Alright, Liu Lan, everyone knows who's who. We know you're close to MCA, but you can't just spout nonsense. Tsk tsk, and you guys too, a bunch of sycophants, ugh, disgusting."

Silly Zhu felt he had seen through the people in the kitchen; they were all sycophants. Now that they saw MCA rising, they were rushing to flatter MCA. Silly Zhu disdained to associate with them.

“Try it,” Ma Hua said, not angry, but simply gave Sha Zhu a spoonful of the stew from the big pot.

While Sha Zhu was eating, Ma Hua said unhurriedly, "Sha Zhu, I know you've been a chef since elementary school. Then you learned your craft at Fengzeyuan and Hongbinlou, but sometimes talent is really more important than hard work, you know?"

And there's no end to learning. You don't actually think your mediocre skills are anything special, do you? If you were so good, why don't you go to Fengzeyuan or Hongbinlou? Why are you still stuck in this steel rolling mill?

If you're really that great, why would you spend 35.5 yuan a month?

Ma Hua said this with such righteous indignation. He didn't blush at all, and he wasn't wrong, right? Silly Zhu's talent and hard work are nowhere near as good as the technology and ruthless skills of later generations. Silly Zhu is a complete idiot.

Damn, it's only because the steel mill doesn't have mutton, otherwise I would have shown you, you silly Zhu, what it means to watch me use a spoonful of Sanhua evaporated milk.

Sha Zhu was stunned. He tasted it, and Ma Hua's stir-fry was indeed better than his own. Why was that? He had seen it himself. Same ingredients, same technique. Right, Sha Zhu remembered the bowl of seasoning that Ma Hua had poured in.

He said with a fawning smile, "Ma Hua, how did you make that seasoning? How come your food tastes so good?"

Silly Zhu thought to himself, "Yes, it's just missing the seasoning. I'm definitely a better cook than Ma Hua. This dish is so delicious because Ma Hua used a secret seasoning. If I knew that, wouldn't I be laughing all the way to the bank?"

Everyone stared speechlessly at Sha Zhu, wondering if he'd gone mad. Who asks someone what their secret seasoning is? Especially since the two of them have such a bad relationship.

Is Sha Zhu out of his mind? No wonder he's always getting entangled with the widow. I'd better stay away from him from now on.

“Silly Zhu, you want it?” Ma Hua said to Silly Zhu jokingly.

“Yes, look, we’ve known each other for so many years, so just tell me what’s inside. I’m sorry for what happened before, and I’ve already apologized to you. Ma Hua, you’re a magnanimous person. Tell me quickly.”

Sha Zhu thought that since he had been so obsequious, Ma Hua would definitely tell him. His face was flattering, but in his heart he was telling himself to be patient, to wait until he got the formula, and then find a way to mess with Ma Hua later.

"Want to know? It's simple. Show me your family's Tan family recipe, and I'll tell you, okay?" Ma Hua continued to tease Sha Zhu.

When Sha Zhu heard that Ma Hua wanted his family's recipe, he immediately shook his head: "That's my family's recipe, there's no way I'll give it to you."

"Oh, yours is a family heirloom, but mine wasn't picked up off the street either. You're not trying to get something for nothing, are you, Sha Zhu?" Ma Hua mocked Sha Zhu directly.

Sha Zhu blushed, remaining silent. He knew perfectly well that Ma Hua wanted something for nothing, especially since he had already humbled himself. How could Ma Hua be like this? He even wanted the Tan family recipe book? Pah! That was passed down to my son.

“Alright, considering you were my master before, I’ll teach you as long as you agree to a few conditions,” Ma Hua said calmly.

“Ma Hua, are you stupid? Have you forgotten how Sha Zhu treated you before? You can’t do anything foolish!” Liu Lan said anxiously from the side.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!