The cook was terrified, having unjustly taken the blame for the secretary's anger. He touched the bump on his forehead, on the verge of tears.

He didn't come up with the idea; at best, he's an accomplice?

Back at the factory, Ruan Xianxian's anger had largely subsided, and she stared at Gu Chengxuan in his wheelchair with hostility.

“You better behave yourself. If you want to start your own business, just say so. If you make them follow you and hurt yourselves more than your enemies, I’ll twist your head off and use it as a football.”

Gu Chengxuan was surprised by her sharp insight. Was it a case of injuring the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of his own? He touched his numb leg, his eyes filled with gloom. How could he win if he didn't fight desperately?

With a smile, she raised her lips and said, "If I don't let the factory director see it for himself, will he agree to build a canteen? Won't he think I'm making a fuss?"

Looking into her seemingly smiling eyes, Ruan Xianxian said, word by word, "Yes, no!"

Gu Chengxuan was taken aback. Did it mean that even if she hadn't witnessed the commune's mistreatment, she would still build a canteen for them? No, it meant that she wouldn't complain about being a busybody.

After two encounters, she had a pretty good grasp of the factory manager's temperament and preferences. Because she was too cunning, she hated it when others tried to play tricks on her.

It was only after being abandoned by his family in that accident that he truly experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

I experienced resentment and despair, but I rekindled my hope for life, started a paper mill, and failed...

The people who were once protected by them claim to admire and love them, but their instinctive avoidance and disgust when they see their mutilated bodies cannot be faked.

Reactions are often more real than slogans.

The enemy's artillery fire did not extinguish the will of the remaining soldiers; what truly destroyed them were the strange looks from those around them.

Before being sent to Heilongjiang Province, my grandfather said that this place was where his light shone.

Looking up at the threatening and intimidating factory manager, could she be the ray of light shining on people with disabilities...?

Ruan Xianxian originally wanted to ask Weiguo to go to the village and have Hu Heshuo select two aunties to cook, but when she glanced at Wu Xueliang walking hurriedly, she thought, "You're the one."

“Two people are enough. One is Aunt Zhong, who lives next door to our educated youth settlement, and the other is Hu Heshuo, who can choose someone with good skills and an honest and upright character.”

The salary and benefits are better than those of the cooks in the neighboring commune.

Only after he finished speaking did he notice that Wu Xueliang had not only lost a lot of weight, but also had stubble growing out of his chin and hadn't shaved. He was startled and asked, "What happened to you? Have you been smoking opium?"

Wu Xueliang opened his mouth several times, but gave up because there were many people around her. He said, "I'll go and finish your task first, and then I'll come back and talk to you."

One or two strange ones.

In the evening, Hu Heshuo drove his tractor and took two aunties carrying large iron pots to the commune.

One of them was Aunt Zhong from next door, and the other looked familiar, but I couldn't recall her name.

Along with the two, Xiang Hongjun and Chu Li, who had been pulled back halfway, also got off the bus.

Putting aside the pleasantries, Aunt Zhong, her face full of excitement, stepped forward carrying her own large pot. "Child, I heard that our factory is selecting a cook."

I'm not a great cook, but I cook well. I made one of my signature dishes at home; you should all come and try it!

Another nervous aunt followed closely behind.

Hu Heshuo introduced the two, "You know Aunt Zhong, and this lady next to her is Zhou Yuru. She fled famine years ago and settled in our brigade. She lives at the end of the village and doesn't like to get involved in other people's business."

During the years I lived in the mountains, I was very fortunate to have Aunt Zhou's family take care of me. She knew how to cook dishes from different regions, and for this opportunity, she killed a chicken and asked the workers to try it out.

Ruan Xianxian's eyes were already glued to Aunt Zhou's big plate of chicken, and she swallowed hard.

To be fair, Hu Heshuo is a sophisticated and self-serving man, but he is reliable in his work.

Having experienced the loss of his wife, daughter, and mother in succession, and having lived in a grave for so many years, it's impossible to expect him to be like a normal person.

Among the short ones, Ruan Xianxian doesn't have high expectations of him. As long as he doesn't cause her trouble, he just needs to guard the educated youth settlement and be efficient in handling matters on the united front.

"Wash your hands and let's eat first."

The group finally arrived and sat around the round table. Aunt Zhong brought out a pot of authentic Northeastern pork stew, for which she had sent her husband to the city to buy meat early in the morning.

Unable to buy meat, Uncle Zhong almost knelt before the butcher, but the butcher considered it bad luck and only stopped after sharing some of the pork he had reserved for his relatives.

As the time came, Aunt Zhong couldn't help but feel nervous. "I was short on time, so I skipped a lot of steps, but the taste is still pretty good. Try it quickly."

A dozen or so chopsticks were set on the pork stew, while Ruan Xianxian secretly moved the iron pot containing the big plate chicken closer to herself.

After taking a bite of wide noodles with a slightly spicy flavor, accompanied by green peppers and potatoes, she sighed softly, "I miss this taste so much."

The broth is rich and perfectly balanced between salty and sweet, the soft and tender potatoes melt in your mouth, and most importantly... how come the noodles are so chewy?

Once she tasted the delicious food, she couldn't stop eating. The satisfaction on her face was undeniable and was soon noticed by the "enemy" fighting over the pork stew.

The "weapon" strikes straight at the heart of the enemy.

Ruan Xianxian got anxious, "You guys can eat some chicken, don't give me noodles."

Everyone: ? ? ?

I suspect you're swearing, and I have evidence.

They say food tastes better when it's being fought over, so besides noodles, Noodle Head ate two extra steamed buns.

While eating, she noticed that Gu Chengxuan himself didn't eat much, as he was busy taking care of Wei Guo and Dong Dali, who had difficulty using their hands.

As for Wei Guo, who ate with his toes and a bent body, his eating movements were strange and unseemly. He began to eat cautiously until Mu Xia said something.

After saying, "What are you afraid of? Feet are much cleaner than hands that touch everything," Wei Guo completely let go.

After the meal, everyone slumped in their chairs, unwilling to move. The meal was so delicious and satisfying, a stark contrast to chefs who constantly flaunt their culinary skills and don't tolerate any criticism.

Home-style dishes are more in line with the tastes of most people.

Aunt Zhou was too nervous to speak, so Aunt Zhong asked for them, "Have we... have we passed?"

Looking around and seeing the satisfaction on everyone's faces, Ruan Xianxian smiled and nodded.

"The kitchen is responsible for the workers' two meals a day. You don't need to worry about them in the morning. For lunch and dinner, it doesn't matter what they eat, but the portions should be large."

They were all young men who had fought in the Vietnam War, and because they were not able to walk well, they had to work even harder, so they ate more.

"Factory Director!" Du Hongfu raised his hand. "We don't need two meals a day. One large meal is enough. We can just heat it up ourselves after get off work in the evening."

He came from the countryside and knew best that women of this age had elderly parents and young children to care for. Although they seemed to be out working to earn money, they still had to take care of their elderly parents and young children when they got home.

It's so tiring at the end of the day. Spending the whole day in the kitchen doesn't help them earn a living; it's just exploiting their lives.

Ruan Xianxian was silent. At this moment, she finally understood why soldiers were called the most lovable and respectable people by the people.

Everything he thought and considered stemmed from the people and from reality.

"Alright, then we'll have one meal a day. The pay will be better than the cooks in the neighboring commune. Do you two ladies have any objections?"

Don't underestimate this meal. You have to prepare the ingredients in the morning, cook it at noon, and clean up the mess afterwards. It's not easy at all.

The two looked gratefully at Du Hongfu, then at Ruan Xianxian, their eyes instantly reddening.

"No, we have no objection. We'll make sure the workers are well-fed and well-nourished, and that they're plump and healthy..."