Siheyuan: Being a fisherman in 1962

However, reality did not give Shazhu much time to indulge in his own fantasy.

The workshop director's order heralded the start of a new day's work.

Sha Zhu put away his thoughts, changed into work clothes, and began his apprenticeship as a fitter.

His masters are Qin Huairu, a well-known technical expert in the factory, and Yi Zhonghai, a highly respected old fitter.

Qin Huairu, a woman with a weak appearance but a strong heart, seemed overwhelmed by the complicated operations of locksmithing, but she never gave up, and every failure made her more determined.

Yi Zhonghai saw it all and felt pain in his heart, and he always provided silent guidance. The warmth between the master and the apprentice made Sha Zhu respect him.

"Shazhu, you are a great cook, but locksmithing is not that easy." Yi Zhonghai said to Shazhu earnestly, "However, I believe in your learning ability. As long as you work hard, you will achieve something."

Sha Zhu nodded, but was secretly competing in his heart.

He has never admitted defeat in front of anyone, and even when facing this completely new field, he vowed to prove himself.

So he began his "competition" with the fitter, striving for perfection in every step, from the use of the most basic tools to the assembly of complex parts.

In the workshop, the sounds of sweat and metal colliding intertwined into a passionate melody, in which Sha Zhu's figure appeared particularly focused and tenacious.

Lunch time finally arrived. Sha Zhu did not rush to the cafeteria as usual, but chose to stay in the workshop.

He knew that the cafeteria at this moment was the best place to verify his prediction.

He closed his eyes, as if he could hear the complaints from those who were not to their taste for the food, and an inexplicable pleasure surged in his heart.

But then he shook his head and reminded himself to stay calm. After all, the real counterattack had just begun.

As the afternoon sun gradually sets, the atmosphere in the workshop becomes increasingly tense and heated.

Sha Zhu's locksmith skills improved significantly without him noticing, and his plans for the future also took shape quietly in his mind.

One day, he will stand in front of the stove in the kitchen again in his own way, and use the familiar spatula to conquer everyone's taste buds again.

In every corner of the workshop, there are traces of his hard work and infinite longing for the future.

All of this will become his most valuable asset on his road to counterattack in the future.

In the dull and noisy workshop of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, the roar of the machines is like a never-ending war drum, striking the heartstrings of every worker.

However, on this day, there was an unusual atmosphere in the workshop - the arrival of newcomers seemed to indicate that there were hidden waves beneath the calm.

Chen Fei, as a veteran in the factory, is well aware of the subtleties involved.

He stood beside the lathe, his eyes occasionally swept across those unfamiliar faces, thinking to himself: Can these newcomers adapt to this high-intensity, fast-paced work? If something goes wrong, the efficiency of the entire production line will be greatly reduced.

In the midst of this chaos, there were two figures who stood firmly there like a stabilizing force: Yi Zhonghai, the workshop director, who maintained the order of the workshop with his vigorous and resolute style and unquestionable authority;

Qin Huairu's presence can always resolve many unnecessary conflicts inadvertently.

At this moment, Qin Huairu was talking in a low voice with Yi Zhonghai. The topic revolved around the newcomers in the workshop and the maverick chef - Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu, a man with an almost obsessive passion for cooking, always seems to focus on the steaming pots of food rather than the cold machines in the workshop.

"You said that since Shazhu has been on leave for such a long time this time, can the cafeteria hold up?" Qin Huairu's tone was filled with some worry.

Yi Zhonghai smiled slightly, his eyes revealing his trust in Sha Zhu: "Don't worry, Qin Huairu, although Sha Zhu is usually careless, his cooking skills are really impeccable. Besides, with me here, who dares to make trouble in the cafeteria?"

Having said that, both of them knew in their hearts that Sha Zhu's absence did add a sense of uneasiness to the workshop.

Especially at mealtime, this emotion reaches its peak.

The workers put down their tools one after another, and the fatigue on their faces was replaced by anticipation for lunch.

Where's Shazhu? He was impatiently tidying up his clothes, with a sly smile on his face.

Today was his first day back, and he had already made a plan in his mind - he was going to go to the cafeteria himself to see what a "joke" the kitchen would become without him.

"Qin Huairu, Director Yi, let's go to the cafeteria together. I also want to see how everyone eats when I'm not around." There was a hint of joking in Sha Zhu's words, but they also revealed his seriousness and love for his work.

Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai smiled at each other. They knew that Sha Zhu could always make things interesting in his own unique way.

So, the three of them walked side by side, through the noisy workshop, and headed towards the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was bustling with people and hot.

The workers were either sitting or standing, holding bowls and chopsticks in their hands, with expressions of satisfaction or anticipation on their faces.

However, when Sha Zhu and his group stepped into the cafeteria, they did not see the expected dissatisfaction and complaints.

On the contrary, everyone's face was filled with an inexplicable calmness and satisfaction.

Sha Zhu frowned slightly, and couldn't help but mutter in his heart:

How is this going?

Could it be that the food in the cafeteria has gotten better while I'm away?

He looked around, his eyes finally falling on several chefs busy at the stoves, secretly thinking about his next move.

The kitchen was filled with steam and bustling with activity.

The workers sat around the table, satisfied smiles on their faces, as if every bite of food was the ultimate indulgence for their taste buds.

In this harmonious and warm picture, Sha Zhu, a chef famous for his cooking skills, frowned, and a hint of imperceptible panic flashed in his eyes.

"Hey, Shazhu, your cooking skills are really getting better and better. This braised pork melts in your mouth. It's fatty but not greasy. It's absolutely amazing!" A worker covered in grease praised while eating, his face full of happiness and satisfaction.

These words were like a spring breeze, which should have made Sha Zhu happy, but his heart suddenly sank.

Because he clearly remembered that the dish today was not prepared by him, but by the new kitchen assistant Ma Hua.

Sha Zhu's pupils shrank slightly, and the shock and disappointment in his heart surged like a tide.

He knew very well that the reason he was able to gain a foothold in the kitchen was that he won everyone's recognition and respect with his excellent cooking skills.

But now, this honor seems to be being taken away silently. How can he not panic?

"Did I remember it wrongly, Brother Shazhu? Isn't this the secret recipe you have been teaching us?" the young apprentice next to him asked doubtfully, with an innocent look on his face.

Sha Zhu forced a smile, realizing that if he couldn't find out the truth as soon as possible, his chance of returning to the core position in the kitchen would become out of reach.

In order to confirm his guess, Sha Zhu decided to go there himself, moving among the diners, using his eyes and nose that are good at capturing smells to explore the secrets behind each dish.

He asked one by one, and got the same answer - everyone praised today's dishes, and without exception, all attributed the praise to Sha Zhu.