When MCA returned to the canteen after talking with Nan Yi.
They saw Cui Dake frantically scrubbing the stove. Upon seeing Ma Hua enter, he immediately ran over and said obsequiously, "Master Ma, you're back!"
"Look at how well I cleaned it! Is it up to standard?"
"Cui Dake, I'm not from the machine repair shop, why are you asking me? Go ask them."
Ma Hua was amused by Cui Dake's antics; this guy was quite interesting, always trying to curry favor with everyone.
But why are you trying to curry favor with me? You've got the wrong person to be fawning over.
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Cui Dake's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
He continued obsequiously, "I just heard that Master Ma came from the main factory! I wanted to hear your opinion so I could make corrections."
“Do you know why they’re ignoring me?” Ma Hua pointed to the crowd who were still observing.
"To tell you the truth, it's true I was sent by the head office, but I've offended the head office manager."
That's why I was demoted here, and I also offended Liu Feng from the machine repair shop a few days ago.
So they all avoid me. Brother Da Ke is the best, though.” Ma Hua said, reaching out to pat Cui Da Ke on the shoulder.
"Liu Feng! Liu Feng! Ah, Director Liu, how dare you!" Cui Dake suddenly remembered that Liu Feng was the director of the machine repair shop! He subconsciously took two steps back.
Then his face darkened, and he turned and left MCA. Damn it, I thought MCA was a leader, but it turns out he's like this. Ugh.
"Dake, Dake, don't rush off, let's chat a bit more," Ma Hua called out enthusiastically to Cui Dake's retreating figure.
"Excuse me, Comrade Ma Hua, we're not acquainted. Please don't disturb my work!" Cui Dake said righteously.
Ma Hua was secretly delighted. A petty person is a petty person; it's a pity he's so cunning. He just came from the countryside. His perspective isn't very broad yet.
Seeing Ma Hua's expression, Nan Yi chuckled and said, "Ma Hua, aren't you worried? What if someone takes your place? Then..."
"Well, I have a labor certificate, so whether I work or not, the factory still has to pay me my wages."
"Look how good I am now, I'm carefree and have nothing to do," Ma Hua shrugged.
Actually, Ma Hua isn't in a real hurry. In his past life, he was a corporate slave working 996 and used to being manipulated by his boss.
I truly feel that if I'm not busy working at the workplace, I'd be letting down my boss who's nurtured me.
I feel bad for the salary they paid me.
But after spending so long at the machine repair shop, Ma Hua realized, "What a load of rubbish! Working overtime and doing a good job?"
It's already good enough if they can get to work during working hours; no wonder these factories later declined.
These workers need to go to the toilet for at least an hour, several times a day. What factory could withstand that?
There are still so many people slacking off at work; all the MCA can say is that a secure job is really good in this era.
Although I didn't produce any output and just loafed around, I was still on duty. Tsk tsk tsk, getting paid for nothing is really nice.
{Ahem, back then, many people were incredibly dedicated to their jobs. Don't use your brain in the world of novels. Go easy on me.}
Seeing MCA's reaction, Nan Yi sighed, realizing he had been worrying unnecessarily.
Renma Hua is just getting paid for nothing, so what's the point of him saying anything? He should really think about what to bring to Qiu Nan's house tonight.
"Oh right, I have to go now. The head office pays wages today, I need to go back and collect them,"
MCA said goodbye to Nan Yi and then left.
When MCA rode his bike past the barbecue restaurant,
The aroma of roasted meat wafting from the restaurant made Ma Hua's mouth water.
MCA originally intended to leave directly, but MCA's belly was indeed a bit uncooperative.
It started gurgling. Well, since we're already here, let's eat something.
After MCA parked and locked his bicycle, he headed straight for the barbecue restaurant.
Ma Hua has been wanting to try this old-fashioned Jiucheng-style grilled meat for a long time.
It is said that the griddle used for grilling meat is also very particular.
Sure enough, as soon as Ma Hua entered the house, his eyes were drawn to the large hot pot inside.
The grill used for grilling meat is made of 3x3 steel bars, with many gaps between them.
The crevices retain the aroma of the burning fruitwood charcoal underneath.
Even the chopsticks for grilling meat are made of traditional six-lobed wood, a shrub that grows on rocky mountain slopes.
Its trunk has no core but has knots, each knot forming its own pattern, and the wood surface is smooth, delicate, and not easily broken.
"Two portions of beef and mutton, and four sesame seed cakes, please."
After paying and getting his ticket, Ma found a spot and waited for his chef to bring over the grilled food he had ordered.
This long-established restaurant has excellent service; they even have dedicated staff, unlike other state-run restaurants.
Forget about bringing it to you; you'd be lucky if they didn't yell at you.
If you dare to talk back, you're finished. They'll definitely come after you and beat you up.
MCA didn't want to watch from the hot pot, but there were too many people gathered around it, and the smoke and fumes were just too pungent.
This grilled meat is quite different from others; it's divided into "refined" and "vigorous" ways of eating.
"Wen Chi" means you order your food, the chef grills it for you and brings it to you, so you just eat it straight from the table.
But eating in a casual way is different. It means doing it yourself, using the two-foot-long chopsticks provided by the restaurant to grill the food on a large griddle.
Standing for long periods can be tiring, so there's a special posture for grilling: one foot is propped up on the long bench.
With one foot on the ground, he flipped and seasoned the meat himself, chatting as he did so, his face beaming with the aroma of grilled meat.
I feel so comfortable drinking and chatting with my friends next to me.
However, the MCA members came on their own and didn't want to join the others, so they opted for a more informal dining experience.
Soon after, the grilled meat that Ma Hua had ordered was brought to the table.
Tsk tsk, not bad. Ma Hua took a bite. It's cooked to perfection – tender, slightly burnt, sweet, salty, and spicy. The tenderness and burntness refer to the cooking time, while the sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness refer to the flavor.
Excellent, excellent, it's truly authentic. And it's really delicious.
No wonder it was a favorite food of the last emperor of the Whip Dynasty.
Eating only meat got a bit greasy, so Ma Hua picked up a sesame seed cake. And I have to say...
These sesame seed cakes are so flaky and crumbly, and they're incredibly fragrant when you bite into them.
Originally, MCA (Ma Hua) would eat a few bites of meat and then a piece of flatbread, but it felt too troublesome.
Ma Hua simply tore a small opening in the sesame flatbread and made a unique kind of roujiamo (Chinese hamburger).
You know what, it really smells good.
After Ma Hua wolfed down the last sesame seed cake in his hand, he finally left the restaurant satisfied.
When I have the chance, I'll get a big grill and make my own barbecue.
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