Yan Jiecheng's Leisurely Life in Siheyuan

Chapter 53 Catching the Wind
Although Wang Shaoquan was not sure who was the chef, he had to answer when faced with questions from the old secretary, Director Yu and others. He could only bite the bullet and say that it was Yan Jiecheng who was the chef.

When they heard that Yan Jiecheng was the chef, the senior executives of the iron and steel plant all showed an expression of disbelief.

Director Yu even spoke directly.

"Yan Jiecheng, it's just him, that's impossible, right? Old Wang, are you mistaken?"

Although Wang Shaoquan had just said it out of spite, since he had said it, he couldn't deny it. He could only continue.

"Director, please don't underestimate Yan Jiecheng. The cafeteria hasn't had a chef lately, and all the staff meals here are prepared by Yan Jiecheng alone. The workers are full of praise for the meals and are very satisfied."

After Wang Shaoquan finished speaking, Li Huaide said to Ding Nianrong who was serving at the door of the private room.

"Hey, go see if Master Yan is done with his work. If he is, have him come to the private room and have a drink with me."

In such occasions, Ding Nianrong was not qualified to sit at the table and could only serve everyone at the door of the private room.

Don’t think that being a waiter is degrading. It depends on who you are serving. The job that Ding Nianrong is doing now is something that many people in their department can’t even get.

After hearing Li Huaide's instructions, Ding Nianrong quickly agreed.

When Ding Nianrong arrived at the kitchen, Yan Jiecheng was almost done, with only a dish of chicken soup still simmering on the stove.

"Brother Yan, are you done with your work? Secretary Li asked you to go to the private room. He said he wanted to have a drink with you."

When Yan Jiecheng heard that it was Li Huaide calling him, he was not surprised at all.

When he was at the steel rolling mill before, whenever Li Huaide organized a reception, he would call Yan Jiecheng and toast him with a glass.

"Almost done. All that's left is a chicken broth simmering on the small stove."

"What are you waiting for? Come with me."

Yan Jiecheng nodded, turned around and said to Sun Jifeng who was not far away.

"Xiao Sun, just keep an eye on it. I've already adjusted the flavor. Just simmer it on low heat for another ten minutes and then I'll have it served."

After Yan Jiecheng gave his instructions, he followed Ding Nianrong to the private room.

As soon as Yan Jiecheng entered the private room, Li Huaide called him over.

Li Huaide proudly showed off to everyone present.

"Everyone, don't underestimate Jie Cheng's youth. He's my favorite general and the darling of the steel mill. He's proficient in all kinds of cuisine, especially Sichuan cuisine, which is the most authentic."

"Ordinary people can't taste the dishes cooked by Jie Cheng himself at the steel mill. This time, follow me to the ironworks, and everyone will be in for a treat."

Facing Li Huaide's praise, Yan Jiecheng quickly lowered his head and said with a smile.

"This is all thanks to your constant guidance and support, without which there would be no success today."

Although Yan Jiecheng's words were flattering, he did not deny his cooking skills, which made everyone present's eyes light up.

Wang Shaoquan quickly took over the conversation.

"What a shame, Jie Cheng! If we had known you had this skill, we wouldn't have had to wait until now to taste this delicacy. You deserve to be punished! Xiao Ding, what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and pour Jie Cheng a glass."

At this time Li Huaide said with a smile.

"Hahaha, besides his superb cooking skills, Jie Cheng's drinking capacity is unmatched by ordinary people. Many leaders who come to the steel mill specify Jie Cheng as their companion."

"Really? Then we're going to have a good look today."

Seeing Yan Jiecheng chatting and laughing with the leaders of the ironworks at the table, Ding Nianrong, who was pouring wine beside him, was envious. He secretly made up his mind to maintain a good relationship with Yan Jiecheng.

After three rounds of drinks, Yan Jiecheng was planning to leave, but Li Huaide wouldn't let him and insisted that Yan Jiecheng stay.

Seeing this, Yan Jiecheng had no choice but to stay and help Li Huaide drink. The meal lasted until almost the end of the day, and they drank more than a dozen bottles of baijiu.

Seeing that everyone was drunk, Li Huaide suggested ending the party at the right time.

As everyone left one by one, Yan Jiecheng looked at the drunk Li Huaide and said.

"Leader, can I help you to the office to rest for a while?"

Ding Nianrong, who was still in the private room at this time, hurried forward and said.

"Secretary Li, your accommodation has been arranged. It's in the family housing complex not far away. Would you like to go back and rest?"

Afterwards, Li Huaide, supported by Ding Nianrong and Yan Jiecheng, came to the family building in the factory area.

Although the family buildings and staff dormitories are both located within the iron and steel plant, their conditions are very different.

The staff dormitories are made up of a series of dilapidated bungalows. Except for a few individuals, most of them have more than a dozen people living in one room. There is not even a toilet. If you want to use the toilet, you have to go to the factory toilet hundreds of meters away. The conditions can be said to be very difficult.

The family building is different. Although it is also located in the factory area, it is separated from the factory area, forming a relatively independent area.

Although there are three residential buildings, each building has six floors and each floor has three households. They are fully equipped with kitchens and bathrooms.

Li Huaide lived on the second floor of the middle building. After Ding Nianrong opened the door, Yan Jiecheng helped Li Huaide walk in and found that the room had been decorated. The living room was fully equipped with sofas, TVs and other furniture.

After helping Li Huaide sit on the sofa, Ding Nianrong placed the room key on the coffee table and spoke humbly.

"Secretary Li, if you see anything else that needs adjusting in the room, just give us a command and we'll make the improvements right away."

Li Huaide waved his hand drunkenly, signaling Ding Nianrong to leave, and then spoke to Yan Jiecheng who was standing beside him.

"Jie Cheng, go get me a glass of water."

"Ok."

When Yan Jiecheng came back after pouring the water, Ding Nianrong had already said goodbye and left, while Li Huaide, who was originally drunk, was sitting on the sofa very sober.

At this time, Yan Jiecheng also realized that Li Huaide was not drunk.

After putting the hot water on the coffee table, Yan Jiecheng said goodbye, but Li Huaide asked Yan Jiecheng to sit down.

"Jie Cheng, you've been at the ironworks for almost a month now. What are your thoughts?"

Yan Jiecheng was very hesitant when he heard this and didn't know how to answer.

Li Huaide said with a smile upon seeing this.

"Don't worry, just speak up. I won't blame you if you're wrong."

After hearing Li Huaide's assurance, Yan Jiecheng spoke tentatively.

"Boss, I've been at the ironworks for over a month, and I feel the atmosphere there is incomparable to that of the steel mill."

After Yan Jiecheng finished speaking, he carefully observed Li Huaide's expression.

Li Huaide leaned on the sofa with his eyes closed, his expression expressionless, but he was talking.

"Oh, tell me more."

Yan Jiecheng couldn't see anything and could only continue speaking.

"When I was working in the cafeteria, I often heard fellow workers talk about how the three factory directors, Yu, Hou, and Wang, were fighting fiercely, and that the workers here weren't as motivated as those in the steel mill..."

Li Huaide listened quietly to Yan Jiecheng's story without expressing any opinion, which made Yan Jiecheng feel uneasy.

(End of this chapter)