Siheyuan: Cooking journey

After work, He Yuzhu glanced at the notice board and found that today's task was to make steamed corn bread.

In the steel rolling mill, most of the work is physical labor and everyone does strenuous work.

Those steamed breads made of pure corn flour are not filling enough to satisfy your hunger, but the steamed breads in the canteen are mixed with some white flour and taste much better.

In terms of price, two steamed buns only cost five cents of meal ticket. With this calculation, they are actually more affordable than white flour buns.

So, even steamed bread is a popular item.

Not only did the people in the factory love to eat it, but many people from outside also came specifically with food coupons to buy the steamed corn bread.

Except that the staple food was changed from white flour steamed buns to corn bread, the daily operation of the canteen was no different from usual.

At noon, I cooked a few dishes to entertain the guests, and the day passed uneventfully.

He Yuzhu sipped tea leisurely, waiting for the end of get off work.

Just as the bell for the end of get off work rang, Director Yang came to the door with something.

"Xiao He, I have something to trouble you with..."

He Yuzhu was in a dilemma. It was already time to get off work and he just wanted to go home and rest.

But Director Yang had just given him a raise not long ago, so he had to give him this favor and agreed.

Things were simple, just like yesterday, I went out to someone else's house to cook.

This time, Director Yang did not go with them, but sent a special car to pick them up.

He was a major shareholder of the steel plant and also a wealthy man involved in public-private partnership.

The steel rolling mill processes semi-finished steel products, and the raw materials are all supplied by the steel mill owned by the major shareholder.

Because of this cooperative relationship, Director Yang once invited him to have a meal in the cafeteria.

After the meal, the shareholder kept talking about the meal and wanted to invite people to his home for a family dinner.

……

The car stopped, He Yuzhu got out, looked at the detached villa in front of him, and followed the maid into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, all kinds of ingredients have been prepared.

Chicken, duck, fish and meat were not rare, and ham and fish maw were also common. What surprised He Yuzhu was that there were actually a few dried abalone.

Looking at the dazzling array of ingredients in front of him, and thinking about the simple three dishes and one soup yesterday, He Yuzhu didn't know what to feel for a moment.

"Master He, there are no special requirements. Just use these ingredients to make twelve dishes that you are best at."

Seeing him staring at the ingredients in a daze, the maid said:

"If you need anything else, just tell me and I can help you."

He Yuzhu glanced at the older servant, nodded, and said nothing more.

Cooking was not a difficult task for him. While he was selecting, he had all the ingredients for twelve dishes.

After the dishes were ready and taken away, He Yuzhu said to the maid, "If there is nothing else, I will leave first."

"Master He, please wait a moment."

The maid said politely, "I'll go ask if they need more food."

"Ok."

He Yuzhu agreed, and after the maid left the kitchen, he walked around casually, trying to find a cup to drink some water, but he couldn't find anything that suited him after walking around for a while.

Suddenly I miss the enamel cup in the cafeteria.

……

In the villa's restaurant, Lou Xiao'e's eyes were shining and she looked particularly happy.

A few days ago, my father boasted about how delicious the food in the steel mill canteen was, but she didn't take it seriously.

They are just some dishes, how can they be delicious?

From childhood to adulthood, she has eaten a lot of food cooked by famous chefs, but she feels that it is just so-so.

Can a chef in a factory canteen be better than a famous chef?

But now, she believed it. It was really delicious. It was definitely the most delicious dish she had ever tasted in her life.

"Master, Madam, Miss, Chef He is leaving. Do you want more dishes?" the maid walked into the restaurant and asked.

"No need. Please thank Master He for me and arrange a car to take him back."

Father Lou waved his hand.

On the side, Lou's mother stopped them and said, "Wu Ma, take 20 kilograms of national food coupons and give them to Master He, and give him a chicken."

"Yes, ma'am."

Aunt Wu turned around and went back to the kitchen.

Father Lou frowned and asked, "Why are you sending so many things?"

"It's so late, and you still made them wait so long. Do you have the nerve to let them go back empty-handed?" Lou's mother blamed her. "If that's the case, will they come next time you want to invite them?"

"Whether you want to come or not, just give Director Yang a call and that's it. How dare he not come if Director Yang gives the order?!" Father Lou said nonchalantly, "You shouldn't have sent so much."

"What a fool."

Mother Lou shook her head and sighed.

"Dad, my mom did the right thing. She worked so hard to cook so many dishes, and I should express my gratitude."

Lou Xiao'e's mouth was full, and she said vaguely: "With these 'sweets', they will be happy to come next time even if they don't go through Director Yang. You can't always ask Director Yang to help you hire someone to cook, right? Or do you think the food is not delicious and don't want to hire someone anymore?"

"Alright, alright. I can't win the argument with you and your daughter. I didn't stop Aunt Wu from getting the food coupons! I was just expressing my opinion." Father Lou waved his hands helplessly, admitting defeat.

At this time, Mother Wu hurried back.

"Master, Madam, Master He didn't take the food coupons or the chicken, and he didn't ask the driver to take him away. He left on his own."

“……” Father Lou was stunned.

"..." Lou Xiao'e couldn't help but blink.

“…” Mother Lou frowned and sighed.