The fat man looked at the meat and nodded in satisfaction: "Make another stir-fried cabbage with twice-cooked pork, and a Kung Pao chicken dish, and we'll be all set. Then we'll make a soup, and then we'll eat."
Chen Fang carried a dustpan into the courtyard, which contained a cabbage and a handful of vermicelli. She said to the fat man, "The host said that there are quite a few people coming today, so they're adding another dish of pork stew with vermicelli. They're only giving us this much, not even meat. They're so stingy!"
Third Sister has a sharp tongue and a bit of a personality.
The fat man said nonchalantly, "I'll just cut the meat into smaller pieces."
Another woman chimed in, "The owners of this house are quite generous; at least they didn't send anyone to watch over us. You've forgotten the last house where they even picked up the cauliflower that had fallen on the ground and threw it back into the pot."
"You mean that Grandet? How could I forget him, sister-in-law!"
Yu Li blushed again at Chen Fang's address of "sister-in-law," lowering her head, pursing her lips, and looking utterly docile.
Chen Yan pinched Chen Fang: "Hurry up and get to work!"
Chen Fang hid behind the fat man: "Look at her, she looks just like Huang Shiren's wife!"
The fat man used a spoon to scoop out a piece of meat for Chen Fang to eat, and only then did she put down her food and leave, satisfied.
Chen Fang left, but Chen Yan was still fuming: "You just keep spoiling her! Didn't you hear her say I'm Huang Shiren's wife?"
The fat man laughed, "No way! My second sister is beautiful, intelligent, kind and gentle all at once. In the old days, she would have been destined to be an empress!"
Yu Li suddenly said, "What a pity."
Chen Yan asked, puzzled, "What's a pity?"
"It's a pity you two are siblings; close relatives can't marry, haha!"
Yu Li ran away as soon as she finished speaking, and Chen Yan chased after her, gritting her teeth.
The fat man tried to stop him but couldn't: "Get out of my way! I'll tear her mouth off today, or I'm not going to live anymore!"
This small, temporary team started preparing feasts for people on the night before the Lunar New Year.
After a few days, Yu Li was no longer as reserved as when she first arrived. Plus, she and Chen Yan were best friends, so they joked and teased each other without restraint.
It was only then that Fatty realized that his second sister wasn't dull at all; she was just... well, how should I describe her?
Is it because I have social anxiety, so I can only relax in front of people I'm familiar with?
The fat man's cooking skills are truly exceptional.
Even that miser couldn't find fault with the master chef's skills. Today is the 29th of the twelfth lunar month. After finishing today's work, the team will temporarily disband and everyone will go home tomorrow to reunite with their families.
Zhao Lao Er's social standing isn't high enough. He only contacts families like those in another world's rural banquet halls.
There wasn't a single truly wealthy family like the Lou family.
However, these days, only wealthy families can afford to sit at a banquet like this.
Deputy Factory Director Li had already arranged with Fatty to have a high-end gathering at his father-in-law's house on the second day of the Lunar New Year. No favors for nothing, 10 yuan.
That evening, after the host settled the bill, Fatty called everyone together: "We've earned a total of forty-five yuan and ninety-seven cents these past few days. Zhao Lao Er, you take twenty yuan, and our family will each take seven yuan of the remaining twenty-six yuan. I'll make up the difference if it's not enough."
Zhao Lao Er immediately jumped three feet high: "No, no, no... How can this be? You're the head chef, and you get the least? Is that fair?"
Before the fat man could try to persuade him further, Zhao Lao Er had already put a knife to his own neck: "Don't force me!"
"Alright, alright, I won't force you. Just put the knife down quickly. This knife has been used for who knows how long. Even a small cut could lead to tetanus."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Lao Er immediately threw the knife aside, making the three women burst into laughter.
The fat man said, "You took on the job and flattered everyone with a lot of nice words, so it's only right that you take the lion's share. Here's the deal: I'll take 10 yuan, the sisters will each take 8 yuan, and the remaining 12 yuan are all yours."
Seeing that no one had any further objections, the money was divided up in this way.
Although Chen Yan and Chen Fang each received only 8 yuan, it felt to the fat man like he had won the lottery in another world.
Chen Fang asked Chen Yan, "How are we going to spend so much money?"
Chen Yan was also very excited: "Eight yuan is enough to eat a whole roast duck at Quanjude! That's Quanjude!"
"..."
The most shocking one was Lily.
This was the first time she had ever known that being a cook could earn so much money!
She felt she hadn't done much work, just helped wash vegetables, peel them, and assisted the fat man, but after a few days she actually received 8 yuan.
Last year, Yu Li delivered coal to people. She only got 50 cents for a 1,000-jin (500 kg) truckload. She also had to carry it home and stack it neatly. It took two people to deliver it, so it only cost them 10 cents for every 100 jin (50 kg).
Initially, her goal was the same as Chen Fang's: to get married. As long as the man wasn't particularly unpleasant, she was content with her fate.
After meeting the fat man, Yu Li gradually began to enjoy the feeling of being cared for and loved; when life was tough, someone would bring her ribs; and when she had to be mindful of her family's feelings, someone would help her earn money.
When you're sick, someone knows; when you're lonely, someone keeps you company; when you're sad, someone comforts you...
Then Yu Li completely surrendered.
Back home, Yu Li hesitated for a long time before taking out 7 yuan and handing it to her parents, saying, "This is what I earned these past few days."
Her younger sister, Yu Haitang, was the first to disbelieve: "Earn 7 yuan in just a few days? Did you conjure that money up out of thin air?!"
Her parents also asked, "Where did this money come from?"
Yu Li explained in a low voice, "It's Chen Kang. He took me out to do banquets for people and that's how we earned money."
Chen Kang is Chen Yan's younger brother, the fat guy?
Yu Li's family naturally knew about her blind date with him.
They were well aware of Chen Yan's family situation, but Yu Li's parents didn't care; they just wanted to marry Yu Li off as soon as possible so that they could save their family from having to make a living.
They had also heard that the fat man was a cook, and even though he was still an apprentice, that was already quite good.
But I never expected he could be cooking for banquets outside! How old is he...?
The Yu family looked at each other in bewilderment. After a while, Yu Haitang grabbed the seven yuan and said, "Sister, you have to hurry up and find such a good partner. Let's set a date on the third day of the Lunar New Year."
So, how callous.
※※※※※※
Of course, the Chinese New Year is a time for family reunion.
The fat man also moved back home. He also stopped Zhou Haiqin from "robbing" his two older sisters, which made Zhou Haiqin so angry that she poked him with several fingers: "You just spoil them! When we can't afford to eat, the whole family will starve."
The fat man gently shook her arm, saying, "Mom, with my abilities, how could we possibly starve?"
Zhou Haiqin felt both gratified and somewhat disappointed that her son was no longer under her control.
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