Siheyuan: The happy life of a little chef

By Monday, Yang Weimin's case was almost over and the result was expected to come out soon. The reason why it was so fast was inseparable from Li Huaide's promotion.

What was surprising was that when the higher-ups called Director Yang, he righteously distanced himself from Yang Weimin and said that even if his parents, wife and children committed a crime, they would still be severely punished. I don't know if he really hated crime or just wanted Yang Weimin to shut up as soon as possible.

Li Jianjun did not go to work early in the morning, but came to the restaurant where the chefs were assessed. The chef assessment is different from the worker assessment. The chef assessment is done in the restaurant, while the worker assessment is done in the factory. The highest level for workers is eight, while the highest level for chefs is one. Of course, there is also an alternative, the special chef.

Since the factory offered chefs a maximum salary of Grade 6, Li Jianjun's goal was to get Grade 6. He could get the special grade, but he didn't want to. What if he was requisitioned to another place? He needed to stay in the steel mill for at least a dozen years, which was the safest place.

While Li Jianjun was waiting, a young man next to him greeted him: "Friend, you are so young, what level do you want to take the exam?"

Li Jianjun said casually: "Level six."

The man was a little surprised. Li Jianjun looked to be in his twenties, so why did he come to take the Level 6 exam? He was older than Li Jianjun and only took the Level 7 exam.

"Great, I wonder which master you learned from?" In his opinion, such a great man must have followed a great master. This is the way of thinking of a normal person, but Li Jianjun is not a normal person. He has a master, called a system, and it is the kind that can give you initiation.

Li Jianjun smiled and didn't say anything. The young man just thought that he didn't want to reveal the master's name, which was understandable, but he wanted to make friends with him. He was so talented, and if the two of them could communicate more in the future, it would definitely be of great help to his cooking skills.

"Brother, my name is Nan Yi. My family used to run a restaurant. Let's talk more when we have time." Nan Yi said to himself with a smile.

Li Jianjun was a little surprised. Nan Yi from the machine repair factory? No, he hadn't been to the machine repair factory yet. Li Jianjun had an idea. Why not take Nan Yi to the steel rolling mill to help him get rid of Cui Dake's harm?

"Brother Nan Yi, your family no longer runs a restaurant? Where do you work now?" Li Jianjun asked.

"Now food is unavailable, and most of the businesses are closed. Although I can't operate now, I may be able to in the future. I will improve my cooking skills first to prepare for the future. There is not much work to do now, and my ingredients are not very good, so some places don't want them. I occasionally go out to take some private jobs, but there are no private jobs at all now. I can't get one even once a month." Nan Yi's eyes were a little sad.

"Brother, why don't you come to our Red Star Steel Rolling Mill? I'm the chef of the third canteen. How about you come to my third canteen?" Li Jianjun asked.

Nan Yi was a little excited: "Is it okay, brother? Will a factory as big as the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill want someone with a questionable background like me?"

Li Jianjun said he didn't care: "Don't worry, your family is not a capitalist, we just opened a small restaurant, it's not a big problem, I still have a say in the cafeteria, as long as you work hard under me, I guarantee you will be fine."

The deputy factory director is my uncle, so it’s not a problem to hire a chef. His background is insignificant.

"Okay, okay, may I ask your name?"

"Li Jianjun, the chef of the third canteen of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, I have to take a leave tomorrow due to something. Please come to see me the day after tomorrow. I will go to the factory in the afternoon to help you talk to him. By the way, what level did you take the exam?" Li Jianjun promised, patting his chest.

"That's great. My brothers are like my second parents. To be honest, my family is barely making ends meet. I'm here today to take the Level 7 exam." Nan Yi answered honestly.

Li Jianjun thought for a moment and said, "Okay, go back and discuss it with your family, and come find me the day after tomorrow."

"I'm the only one at home, so how can I find anyone to discuss this with? I can make the decision on my own."

Li Jianjun could only pat him on the shoulder and said, "No matter what, staying alive is the most important thing. Come and see."

Soon it was time for Li Jianjun’s assessment. Since he had never taken the assessment before, he needed to start from level eight and cook three dishes all the way up to level six.

Soon the three examiners ate the food and nodded to indicate that they had passed. Of course, this was not Li Jianjun's highest skill, he just did it perfunctorily. It was enough for him to pass the level 6 test.

But one of the old men asked: "Your cooking skills are above level six, right? Why don't you take level five?"

Li Jianjun was embarrassed. He couldn't grasp it at the moment, so he cooked a little better: "Some of the dishes are not up to the level of level five, but some are, so I want to practice more."

The old man nodded and said, "It's okay. If one dish is reached, it will count. We can give you a level five. Good luck, young man. I hope you can reach a higher level next year. I am optimistic about you."

Li Jianjun thought that he probably wouldn't come again, at least not within a decade or so: "Thank you, masters."

"Okay, just wait. The chef certificate will be handed to you soon. I wonder who your master is?" Just as Li Jianjun was about to go out, the person next to him asked.

"I learned it when I was a child, and later I studied it on my own and figured it out." Li Jianjun lied.

The old man rolled his eyes and said, "If you don't want to tell me, then don't tell me. Why are you still guessing? This lie is too low-level." He waved his hand in annoyance.

While waiting, Nan Yi also came: "Brother, I passed level 7, how about you?"

"Level 5, the certificate will be here soon."

"Congratulations. I didn't expect that you have reached level five while I am only level seven. You must give me more guidance in the future." Nan Yi said thankfully.

"Okay, okay. It's not really guidance. Let's study together and make progress together!" Li Jianjun said modestly.

After a while, the two of them got their certificates and went back. Li Jianjun went straight back to the factory and went straight to Li Huaide's office.

"How is it, Jianjun? Did you pass?" Li Huaide asked when he saw Li Jianjun coming.

"Uncle, I passed, level five, hehe." Li Jianjun smiled innocently.

Li Huaide asked in confusion: "Jianjun, your cooking skills are more than level five, right? Why didn't you take the higher exams?"

Li Jianjun explained: "Uncle, the steel mill can only pay chefs a level 6 salary at most. It's useless even if my salary is higher. I don't want to be too high-profile and get requisitioned."

Li Huaide thought about it and it was true. He had his own protection at the steel mill, but that might not be the case in other places. It was still safer at the steel mill, so he didn't say anything else.

Li Jianjun continued, "Uncle, Master Liu is about to retire, and none of the people below him can cook big pot dishes. I have watched for so long and still can't find anyone who can cook. Today I met someone who just got his seventh-level chef certificate and has no job. I invited him to the steel mill. Do you think it's okay? This way he can share my work."

Li Huaide asked: "Level 7 chefs don't have jobs? What's the reason?"

Even Shazhu, an eighth-level chef, can become a head chef, so how is it possible for a seventh-level chef to not find a job, unless there is some reason.

Li Jianjun did not hide it and told Li Huaide about Nan Yi's situation, looking at the expression on Li Huaide's face.

Li Huaide waved his hand: "I thought that was the reason. Those people are too cautious. Are they afraid of such a small thing? No problem. These are just small things."

When Li Jianjun heard that Li Huaide didn't take it seriously, he knew the problem was not serious and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Jianjun, I've approved one day off for you today. You'll get the marriage certificate tomorrow. The house and furniture are all ready. Go buy some candy and cigarettes later. You'll need to relax tomorrow." After saying that, Li Huaide handed Li Jianjun some tickets and money.

Li Jianjun didn't hesitate to take it and put it directly in his pocket. After chatting for a while, he went out.