It's already mid-November, and it's getting cold. But because it's the weekend, there are still quite a few people on the streets. As the provincial capital, even though it's quite poor now and doesn't have much of a market economy, it's still a bustling city.

The elderly and children who don't have to work are all strolling around the streets, and women from better-off families are also going to the city in groups of three or five to buy things.

Su Yu didn't go shopping either. She didn't have any particular fondness for shopping. In the past, her clothes were always delivered to her door, and she had someone specifically to buy her whatever she needed.

Besides, there's not much to see here these days.

She took the bus to the Oriental Hotel and checked the time; it was a little past ten. It didn't matter; early was early, but it wouldn't stop her from gathering some information.

The restaurant staff were all idle at the moment; business was slow, especially in the early morning. The waiters were eating sunflower seeds and chatting with the head chef.

Seeing Su Yu enter, the waiter said, "Comrade, it's not serving time yet."

Su Yu smiled and said, "I know, I know. I came in advance to ask what delicious food is served today. I'm having dinner with some friends. They're all old friends of Secretary Zhu from your restaurant."

Upon hearing that it was an old friend of Secretary Zhu, the waiter's expression changed, and he smiled and said, "You know our Secretary Zhu?"

Su Yu opened her eyes and said, "Yes, I know them. We often run into each other during meetings. Today I'm having dinner with Secretary Zhou from the steel mill and Secretary Gao from the transportation company. They come here often, which is why I booked your place."

Upon hearing that it was Secretary Gao and Secretary Zhou, the waitress believed her. Secretary Zhou and Secretary Gao were frequent diners here, and Secretary Zhu always dined with them personally; they had a good relationship.

Since we're on the same side, the treatment will definitely be different. "Comrade, we still have flour and rice here today, and we just received a few fresh fish, as well as a few pounds of pork."

"..." Upon hearing this, Su Yu felt a pang of heartache. Why is the supply so plentiful these days? Why is there nothing available except plain steamed buns?

Thinking about it again, I can't be too lenient. In the past, we could have abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw served to us at any meal. There's no reason for me to feel bad about eating a little fish and meat.

"Okay, comrade, save me half a pound of meat and a fish later. By the way, what do they usually eat when they come over?"

"Secretary Zhu and his colleagues always insist on eating fish, especially braised fish, which they always order whenever they come. They also want dumplings made with high-gluten flour. They won't eat anything made with other flours."

Su Yu smiled and said, "It must be because Secretary Song likes to eat it."

"You even know Secretary Song?" The waiter looked surprised, now completely convinced that Su Yu was someone in this circle.

Su Yu smiled. "Of course I know them." When hosting a dinner party, the preferences are naturally based on the person with the highest status. Do the other secretaries have such an appetite for fish and sweet potato noodles every meal?

Having noted down the useful information, Su Yu was secretly pleased.

For her, everything she likes and dislikes is very important. She may not need it now, but it will be invaluable when she does need it later.

At 11 o'clock, Su Yu urged the kitchen staff to start cooking. They couldn't just let her sit and wait. Knowing she was an 'acquaintance,' the head chef was quite helpful, turning on the stove and starting to stir-fry the dishes.

The waitress also told Su Yu, "It's best if you come on Fridays, because they get more stock on Fridays. You can get all kinds of food then."

The food had just been served when Secretary Zhou and Secretary Gao arrived.

Both of them knew about the meal, so they decided to come together. The main reason was that Su Yu was a woman, and they were worried it would be awkward if she came alone.

"Oh, Secretary Zhou, Secretary Gao, you've finally arrived."

Seeing Su Yu's enthusiasm, the two smiled as well. Secretary Zhou said with a smile, "Why would we need you to spend money?"

Secretary Gao said, "That's right, this meal is on me."

"No way, how can that be? If any of you try to take it from me, I'll fight you!" Su Yu said firmly. "Cheng and Gao treated me to dinner before, and I agreed, so I had to reciprocate. But they're new here, and it wouldn't look good if I treated them. It's the same if I treat you. If you keep doing this, then I'll never eat with them again."

Hearing Su Yu say this, the two remembered that they had family members working under this Secretary Su. With this connection established, they should indeed keep in touch more often; they should at least consider their family's well-being.

Secretary Gao smiled and said, "Then we won't stand on ceremony."

Secretary Zhou said, "Next time I'll treat everyone to a meal."

Su Yu was waiting for this response: "Okay, let's eat here then. But I won't have time for a while, we've been making a fuss over a meal."

Secretary Zhou said, "Your factory has fewer people now, so the food problem should be easier to solve. Unlike our steel plant, which has several thousand people, the amount of food we need to eat is huge. That's what gives me a headache."

Su Yu shook her head and sighed, "The factory has enough food, but I'm still hungry. You don't understand, there are many people in my family, and we eat a lot. How can we possibly have enough to eat in the canteen?"

She looked at Secretary Gao and said in a voice, "Secretary Gao, I heard that your driver often travels all over the country and can exchange grain in other provinces. Could you bring some back for us?"

Secretary Gao raised an eyebrow. This Secretary Su even knows this?

However, I couldn't just agree to this so easily, or I'd look too low-class. "We're all on official business, so there might be difficulties."

Still pretending!

Su Yu said, "Oh, I thought I could bring them along. It's not like I'm helping for nothing. I'll definitely pay for the gas. It's hard for the drivers to go there, so it's not a problem for them to bring back some things. They can even earn some money for tea. It's a great thing."

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