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

As for Sha Zhu, he wasn't afraid at all. He figured the printed books would just leak out from his apprentices occasionally.

The era of joint public-private ownership has long passed.

Business at major restaurants was much worse than before, especially after years of famine.

Nobody cares where these occasionally appearing books come from anymore.

Besides, Sha Zhu only passed it on to his apprentices and didn't sell it on the market.

Sha Zhu looked at Professor Wu and Reporter Li, and said tactfully,

"Professor Wu, Reporter Li, we originally wanted to invite you over to draw color illustrations for each dish."

You've all had today's food, but I didn't consider the budget.

I had hundreds of different recipes in my mind, and I made three or four different dishes every day for two months.

However, my salary plus my mentor's salary is barely enough to make ends meet.

But that would mean we wouldn't be able to pay Professor Wu's wages.

Professor Wu frowned slightly after hearing what Sha Zhu said.

I thought to myself, "Your cooking is really delicious. It makes me happy to come here every day and enjoy your food."

However, it takes a lot of effort to draw each dish myself, and I feel a little uncomfortable that I'm not paid at all.

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Reporter Li was not willing to let this opportunity slip by.

I already have a draft in mind, and I'm already thinking about the delicious food column I'll be starting in the newspaper when I get back.

Besides, we can come and enjoy the delicious food every day, so how could we possibly miss this opportunity?

Seeing that he was about to lose this opportunity over a small amount of money, he immediately said,

"A feast like today's is indeed a bit extravagant; dishes like boiled cabbage in clear broth and beef with tomatoes..."

Making it into the newspapers isn't something ordinary people can afford, so why don't we...

"By reducing our spending on vegetables and meat, and cooking simple, everyday meals for ordinary people, Professor Wu can lower his wages."

Professor Wu was torn; the food he ate today was no worse than what the famous restaurants in Beijing served.

Even with their own salary, they are reluctant to spend money on dining out.

Instead, I thought of my beloved granddaughter at home, and an idea popped into my head.

Professor Wu then stood up and called Sha Zhu to the courtyard outside the door.

Professor Wu smiled and said to Sha Zhu, "Zhu Zi, the dishes you make are indeed no less than any of the Eight Great Restaurants."

It's a great pleasure to be able to taste such delicious food.

I don't want any wages, but you have to grant me one request.

I can draw pictures of every dish you make, free of charge.

Sha Zhu was overjoyed. "Professor Wu, just say it. As long as it's within my power, I'll agree to anything you ask."

Professor Wu was a little embarrassed to say it, but then he thought of his granddaughter at home...

He said, "How about this, when you cook, you make a little more portion each day."

Could you pack a lunchbox for me so my granddaughter can try it? Would you be willing to do that?

Sha Zhu was taken aback. This old man really doted on his granddaughter. How much could a little one eat?

Sha Zhu asked cautiously, "Professor Wu, how old is your granddaughter this year?"

"Hehe, don't worry, my granddaughter is about the same age as your sister, she won't eat much," Professor Wu knew what Sha Zhu meant from his words.

Sha Zhu quickly covered up his embarrassment and explained,

"Professor Wu, what I mean is, why don't you bring your granddaughter with you when you come?"

You can try more dishes, and you can also play with Yu Shui and the others.

"Hehe, I'd love to too. We could bring them over to play on the weekend."

"I can't leave the house normally; my wife keeps a very close eye on me," Professor Wu said helplessly.

"Since Professor Wu has said so, I will certainly fulfill your request."

"I'll make extra so your family can try it too," Sha Zhu said, patting his chest.

"Not too much, just my husband and I taking care of our granddaughter at home."

Her parents usually work and don't come home often.

"Too much would be a waste; just try it once, and I'll take that as your agreement."

“No problem,” Sha Zhu said, then suddenly remembered that the old man was a painting professor.

I wasn't sure if I knew Qi Baishi or Zhang Daqian, so I asked Professor Wu for information.

"Old Qi is a very famous person, how could I not know him? It's just a pity we haven't had much interaction."

I heard that Mr. Qi went to Shenyang recently to participate in a charity exhibition of calligraphy and paintings commemorating the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

As for now, I don't know if I've come back or not.

As for Zhang Daqian, I've only heard of him; it seems he settled in Hong Kong.

"Why are you interested in calligraphy and painting, young friend?" Professor Wu looked at Sha Zhu with a puzzled expression.

"No, that's not it. I've just heard of their great reputations."

Professor Wu is also an expert in painting; I can just ask him casually.

Sha Zhu thought to himself, "I'm barely making ends meet by cooking; I don't want you to know I have too much money to squander."

If you knew what I was thinking, I wonder how you would feel.

Are you so angry you've collapsed to the ground, or are you going to grab the hammer in the house and give me a couple of whacks?

Sha Zhu escorted Professor Wu back to his room for tea, discussed with the others that he would come over every day after get off work, and told his master that he had to go out.

After exchanging pleasantries with the guests for a while, we left the lobby.

They found Liu Guangtian playing in the yard and told him not to tell anyone about what happened here.

He then left the compound, took out the address of the construction team given to him by his master's wife, and went there.

The construction team is a medium-to-large-sized privately-owned enterprise.

There is a dedicated shop on the edge of Qianmen Street that accepts construction projects.

The boss often dined at Fengzeyuan Restaurant, which is how he got to know Shazhu's chef.

When Sha Zhu found the shop, the owner was in the back room greeting customers.

Sha Zhu had no choice but to wait inside the shop. The outer room of the shop was only about 20 square meters, and there was only one employee serving customers inside.

About 10 minutes later, Sha Zhu met the owner of the construction team in the inner room.

Sha Zhu quickly stepped forward to greet him. The owner's surname was Zhang, and he was roughly 40 years old.

His forehead was completely bald; in this day and age, it's rare to see a bald boss like Sha Zhu.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang. My mentor is Wang Yijun from Fengzeyuan. He introduced me to this place."

"Oh, young man, please sit down. Your master told me about your family situation."

To be honest, if we didn't know your master, our construction team wouldn't have taken on the kind of work you did at home.

Our construction team takes on large projects, like townhouses.

"The Million Manor Plan, or taking on some big government contracts," Zhang the Bald said, shaking his head.

She really looked down on Sha Zhu's little courtyard and felt a bit resistant, but she didn't directly refuse, as if she wanted Sha Zhu to back down on his own.

Sha Zhu thought to himself, "Why don't you go build the Forbidden City? Anyone can talk big. I really want to slap you against the wall."

"Boss Zhang, don't listen to what my master says."

I've built almost a two-story villa now; it's all about making money, right?

"If Boss Zhang doesn't accept, I'll go ask other construction teams." Sha Zhu stood up and said.

"Hey, young man, that's not what your master told me. Wasn't it supposed to be a small bungalow?" Boss Zhang looked up at Sha Zhu, his heart filled with doubt and unease.