Silly Zhu's Moving: The Old Neighbor's Nightmare

Everyone gathered around, their eyes fixed intently on Sha Zhu, all hoping that Sha Zhu could take on apprentices.

After all, if Xiao Zhang can be taken on as an apprentice, then everyone will have a chance.

As long as you become Sha Zhu's apprentice, you'll have the chance to learn his skills.

That would allow them to escape the miserable fate of temporary workers and apprentices.

Temporary workers risk being fired from the factory if they are not careful.

Not daring to offend even a single person, they could only obediently do their work.

If you have a temper, unless you have connections, there's no place for you in the kitchen.

Getting promoted to a permanent position is extremely difficult; you not only need to gain the favor of everyone, but also...

You also have to give gifts to your superiors. If the gifts are too light, they won't open any doors for you. They'll tell you to go back to where you came from.

Apprentices fared slightly better, but not by much.

They all got in through connections; they had to be apprentices for three years, doing odd jobs in the kitchen.

Only then will you have a chance to become a permanent employee. If you don't learn the skills, even if you become a permanent employee...

She was still doing odd jobs in the kitchen, much like Aunt Liu is now.

Washing vegetables, chopping vegetables, steaming buns, cleaning—you have to do whatever work is available, and you can practically see the end of your life before you start.

Sha Zhu was a little scared when he saw everyone staring at him.

"You want to eat me?" he thought, swallowing imaginary saliva.

"I will definitely take on apprentices." After saying that.

Sha Zhu noticed a change in everyone's gaze; their faces lit up, and everyone smiled.

Sha Zhu continued, "But not now. We'll consider it after I turn 18."

Aunt Liu's face went from cloudy to sunny, then back to sunny before a thunderstorm was about to break. "Silly Zhu, are you kidding us?"

This was the first time I'd heard this title outside of the No. 95 compound, besides Master Shazhu and He Daqing.

No one in the courtyard has spread this nickname to the factory yet.

In her anger, Aunt Liu called out He Daqing's nickname that she always used.

After that, everyone in the kitchen called him "Silly Zhu." Where did that leave Silly Zhu's pride?

"Aunt Liu, this is where you're wrong."

Which master doesn't have a three-year apprenticeship and two years of service? I never said I wouldn't take on apprentices.

Before accepting an apprentice, shouldn't I test their character? If I teach them and they starve to death, who can I, as their master, complain to?

Sha Zhu must suppress Aunt Liu's arrogance.

Otherwise, the name of this fool Zhu would be known everywhere.

What if this affects my ability to find a wife? Even if I do get married, you can call her whatever you want.

“Just look at our kitchen supervisor Zhao and Chef Yang, do they have any apprentices yet?”

My dad, He Daqing, started teaching me basic skills when I was four, and by six he was having me flip sand in a big iron pot.

I was made to make steamed buns at home and sell them when I was only eight years old. I suffered so much.

Back then, I was selling steamed buns, carrying a steamer basket, when I was chased by Chiang Kai-shek's wounded soldiers with weapons for most of Beijing.

"You only got this 'silly pillar' nickname because of this, Aunt Liu, can't you watch your mouth?"

Before Aunt Liu could speak, Sha Zhu continued.

"We were finally liberated, and the people are now the masters of our own destiny."

My dad used connections and gave gifts to get me into Fengzeyuan to learn cooking.

In the end, he still ended up doing odd jobs at Fengzeyuan for over two years. If it weren't for a good mentor...

I'm still working odd jobs at Fengzeyuan. You, Aunt Liu, have quite the nerve!

You think you can get me to pass on my skills with just a few words? No way.

"Without some benefits, I absolutely cannot accept this apprentice."

After listening to Sha Zhu's words, everyone felt that this child had truly suffered.

It's truly pitiful that they've suffered so much.

But when they heard Sha Zhu say that he would only take on apprentices if he received benefits, they all looked at him with disdain.

You should have said so earlier if you wanted something in return. It's not like we're not going to give you anything.

Seeing that everyone's gazes were strange, Sha Zhu quickly said...

"Hey, what are you all thinking? I meant I want some benefits."

But are the benefits I'm talking about the same benefits you're thinking of?

You think you can become my apprentice by giving me some gifts? Let me tell you, you're sorely mistaken.

The benefit I'm referring to is that you temporary workers and apprentices need to be more observant.

You need to be observant and aware of what tasks I can do that you can also perform without me having to ask.

They offered to do it for me. I'll have to put them through a long period of testing until I'm an adult.

Only then will you have the chance to become my apprentices. Of course, I didn't ask you to do that.

It's not me, He Yuzhu, looking for apprentices; it's you who are looking for masters.

When opportunity presents itself, you must have a keen eye.

Only with unwavering faith and a never-give-up spirit can you see the light at the end of the tunnel in your life.

Only then can your life undergo a complete transformation.

Squad Leader Zhao, who was sitting next to Sha Zhu, overheard his words and joked,

"Alright, Zhu Zi, stop trying to motivate everyone. It's almost time. Everyone get back to work and don't let the workers miss their lunch break."

Sha Zhu was still eager to share some more inspirational quotes and find himself a few more free laborers, but he was interrupted by Squad Leader Zhao.

Everyone dispersed and went about their own work.

The two chefs remained seated, continuing their conversation and banter.

Sha Zhu, being new, wasn't thick-skinned enough, so he had to find some work to do himself.

Go chop the vegetables. Once they're done, we can cook a big batch of rice.

No sooner had he picked up the kitchen knife than Xiao Zhang ran over and said...

"Master He, you go and rest, I'll cut them." Xiao Zhang snatched the cleaver from Sha Zhu's hand and started cutting potatoes on the cutting board.

Sha Zhu thought to himself, "Well, I'm new here, and I want to show off, but they won't even give me a chance."

I was just about to go over to Aunt Liu's place to help her make cornbread when a cleaning lady came over and took my spot.

"They don't want me to mop or sweep, do they?" Just as I was about to pick up the mop next to me, a temporary worker came over with a cup of tea.

"Master He, please sit down and rest. I've made you a cup of tea."

"I've put it on the table next to you. Drink it slowly. I'll make you another one when you're done. Please sit down, I'll mop the floor."

Sha Zhu was so frustrated. He wanted to help with some work, but he wasn't given a chance.

Everyone was very enthusiastic. I didn't need to give them any pep talks.

Thinking about it, it makes sense; learning a skill isn't that easy.

Alright, back to what you were doing. Sha Zhu sat down in the next seat and started drinking tea, as if it were his due.

Upon picking up the enamel mug used for brewing tea, a layer of foam appeared on top, indicating that it was made from tea leaves that had been broken up and used for brewing.

I glanced at the two masters; they were selling the same tea.

Sha Zhu took a small sip, his mouth full of foam, wondering who had brought the tea.

Alright, I'll just have to bring my own tea secretly from now on. He placed the enamel mug on the table.

Sha Zhu began inspecting the cafeteria kitchen, wanting to understand the specific tasks involved.

You need to have a clear understanding of things. Sha Zhu took a quick look around the kitchen, then lost interest.

The ingredients are few, the dishes are simple, just a few kinds of vegetables, no soaking or side dishes are needed.

There's no need to make broth anymore; the only staple food is steamed buns and cornbread. It's nothing like what I had at Fengzeyuan.

Right now, Squad Leader Zhao is going to the small kitchen next door to cook special meals for the leaders; there are only a few dishes there.

The cafeteria is currently well-staffed, so Sha Zhu has nothing to do for the time being.

No wonder Sha Zhu in novels and TV dramas never gets out of bed even when the sun is high in the sky.

I don't get to the cafeteria until around 10 a.m. every day. Is this my goal for the future?