svetikya Chapter 286 Banquet
Chapter 286 Banquet
When Sha Zhu, wearing an oily apron and with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, appeared at the door, Zhou Qisheng, who was gnawing on spareribs, suddenly started coughing violently - the day when he "greeted" his future brother-in-law in the courtyard with a kitchen knife in his hand, things were different now.
"Everyone, enjoy your meal!" Sha Zhu wiped his hands on his apron. "I am just a big spoon, but I can't be the director..."
"Master He is too modest!" Director Liu stood up to toast, "Last year at the Industrial Bureau's annual meeting, our director was still talking about seconding you!"
Wang Jianjun's face turned red and white. He remembered that at the dinner party last week, the director did mention that "the steel mill has a chef", and he laughed along at that time.
"Jianjun!" The head of the Finance Department, Lao Li, patted Wang Jianjun on the shoulder, "You hid it well enough! Why didn't you tell me earlier that you have such a brother-in-law?"
Yu Haitang suddenly took over the conversation: "My brother-in-law is not a show-off. If it wasn't for him supporting me today..." She glanced at Zhou Qisheng peeling shrimp for Yu Shui in the corner, and her voice suddenly choked up, "I was ignorant before, thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for their tolerance."
The sweet smell of caramel wafted from the kitchen, and Sha Zhu quickly said, "Oh no! The candied sweet potatoes are going to turn over!" He turned and ran, leaving the whole room full of laughter.
Wang Jianjun walked to the kitchen door with his wine glass in hand. Through the crack in the door, he saw Sha Zhu skillfully flipping the wok, with golden sweet potato chunks drawing perfect arcs in the air. The sugar threads were crystal clear under the light, just like his complicated mood at the moment - the cook he once looked down upon was now using a wok to smash his carefully maintained sense of superiority.
The guests left contentedly after having enough food and drink. Before leaving, Director Liu of the Industry Bureau patted Wang Jianjun on the shoulder and said meaningfully: "Jianjun, invite your brother-in-law some other day and let's have a meal together."
Wang Jianjun was stunned for a moment, then he reacted and nodded quickly: "Of course!"
After the guests left, Yu Haitang was so tired that she slumped in a chair, but she had a charming smile on her face. She looked at the empty plates on the table, and felt a sense of accomplishment in her heart - this was the first time she really participated in the preparation of a banquet. Although most of the dishes were made by Sha Zhu, she also helped out and at least cut a few cucumber shreds!
Wang Jianjun came back from seeing off the guests, still a little dazed. He sat at the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and suddenly said, "Haitang, Director Liu was much more polite to me today than usual."
Yu Haitang raised her eyebrows: "Why, now you know the importance of my brother-in-law?"
Wang Jianjun smiled awkwardly and didn't dare to answer. He remembered that he had disliked Sha Zhu for being a "cook" before, and now it was really ridiculous. How could a cook whose name was remembered by the big boss compare to a section chief like him who relied on his father?
A few days later, as soon as Wang Jianjun entered the office, he was called over by Director Liu.
"Jianjun," Director Liu handed him a document with a smile, "Next month the bureau will receive a delegation from another province. You will be responsible for the logistical arrangements."
Wang Jianjun was flattered - this was a lucrative job! In the past, it was always the director's cronies who were in charge, so how could it be his turn?
"By the way," Director Liu added casually, "I heard that your brother-in-law is very good at cooking? Can we invite him when the time comes..."
Wang Jianjun immediately understood and assured him, "No problem! I'll take care of it!"
Sha Zhu was holding a large spoon and directing his apprentices to prepare dishes when he suddenly saw Wang Jianjun standing at the door with his head poking his head out.
"Hey, what a rare guest!" Sha Zhu deliberately said loudly, "How come Chief Wang has time to come to our small canteen?"
Wang Jianjun walked in with a smile on his face, "Brother-in-law, please don't embarrass me..."
“No, no, no,” Sha Zhu waved his hands repeatedly, “I don’t deserve to be called your brother-in-law.”
Wang Jianjun quickly took out a large front door from his briefcase: “Brother-in-law, I’m here to ask you for help…”
After hearing Wang Jianjun's intention, Sha Zhu snorted, "So you want me to cook for your bureau?"
"It's not a free help!" Wang Jianjun quickly added, "The bureau will pay you according to the state banquet standard!"
Sha Zhu weighed the cigarette in his hand and suddenly grinned: "Jianjun, don't you know that you can't go out to entertain guests without permission now, let alone accept money..."
When Wang Jianjun heard what Sha Zhu said, he panicked: "Brother-in-law, this... this doesn't count as taking a job privately, right? This is a public matter..."
Sha Zhu put the cigarette to his ear and knocked the pot with a spoon. "Public? Public officials must follow the rules!" He lowered his voice. "Now the inspection is strict. If I accept the money, I will be punished tomorrow. There are so many eyes on me!"
Wang Jianjun's forehead was covered with cold sweat. He then remembered the document that the bureau had recently issued, which strictly prohibited leading cadres from using their official duties to seek personal gain. If he really implicated Sha Zhu, he would not be able to keep his current position, let alone get promoted.
"Then...what should we do?" Wang Jianjun rubbed his hands anxiously, "Director Liu has already made a big promise to the inspection team..."
Sha Zhu's eyes rolled, and he suddenly came up with a plan: "Well, you ask the bureau to send a formal letter to the steel mill, saying that you want to organize a cooking exchange activity." He raised his eyebrows proudly, "It's a public-to-public, legal and compliant!"
Wang Jianjun's eyes lit up: "Brother-in-law is really thoughtful! I will go back and report it now!"
Three days later, a banner with white characters on a red background was hung at the entrance of the canteen of the steel mill: "Warmly welcome the leaders of the Industrial Bureau to come and guide the culinary exchange activities." When Director Liu came with the inspection team, Sha Zhu was leading his apprentices to perform the unique skill of cutting tofu shreds with their eyes blindfolded.
"Great!" the head of the inspection team clapped his hands and exclaimed, "This knife skill is worthy of the state banquet standard!"
Director Liu was very happy and whispered to Wang Jianjun: "You are really good, you are on the right track!"
In the kitchen, Yu Haitang, who was specially dragged here by Sha Zhu, was wearing a white apron and standing in front of the chopping board, holding the kitchen knife tightly in both hands, clumsily cutting the side dishes. Sha Zhu stood aside, occasionally glancing at her with a playful smile on his face.
Suddenly, Sha Zhu deliberately raised his voice and said loudly: "Chief Wang, your wife needs to practice her knife skills!" His words sounded particularly loud in the quiet kitchen, causing everyone to laugh.
Wang Jianjun's face flushed instantly. He moved closer to Sha Zhu awkwardly and said in a low voice, "Brother-in-law, this time thanks to you..."
However, before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Sha Zhu: "Stop!" Sha Zhu stuffed a basket of vegetables into Wang Jianjun's arms and said unhappily, "If you want to thank me, just help me pick the vegetables, don't do those empty words!"
Wang Jianjun nodded quickly and started picking vegetables in a hurry.
After the event, the leaders of the Industrial Bureau praised the food in the canteen of the steel mill and presented a silk banner to the canteen. Director Liang was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling and praised Sha Zhu's cooking skills.
In order to express his gratitude and encouragement to Sha Zhu, Director Liang specially asked the announcer of the factory radio station to praise Sha Zhu on the radio, which made Sha Zhu's reputation in the factory even more famous.