Chapter Ninety: Zhang Weimin Comes for Dinner

Chen Huajiang increasingly felt the urgent need to deal with the two men, and his hatred for them grew deeper with each passing day. Lin Jiayin would never deceive him; clearly, something had changed regarding the barbecue stand. Wu De and Gou Weidong's fathers were both leaders in the factory, and ordinary workers dared not offend them. Take what Wu De did, for example—though nothing was said outright, just his standing at the entrance spoke volumes. In such matters, it was hard to call him out. After all, no one could claim Wu De wasn't qualified to stand at the factory gate. Simply put, they were playing dirty tricks, making things unpleasant for others.

"Wu De and Gou Weidong—I’ll deal with them sooner or later. Don’t worry, they won’t be causing trouble for much longer."

"As for the gossip among the factory workers, don’t let it bother you. Their mouths belong to them; we can't stop people from talking."

"Our shop was acknowledged by the provincial inspection team and Director Liu. Their chatter can't change that. Trust me, everything will turn out fine."

Chen Huajiang comforted his wife, feeling guilty inside. He had been so busy with Southern Sky Restaurant lately that he had neglected the barbecue stall at Red Flag Factory.

Seeing her husband understood her difficulties, Lin Jiayin nodded and said, "But this bit of hardship is nothing; we’re still making money. It's not as much as before, but even now we earn ten yuan a day. That’s pretty good, two days’ earnings equal a regular worker’s wage."

She smiled happily as she spoke.

Chen Huajiang smiled and nodded, though he knew in his heart that in another year or two, many would become bolder, and more people would go into business. First, the factory’s performance was poor, and people had to eat regardless. Second, the East Wind was gradually prevailing over the West Wind; as the factory declined, more people would go into business, creating a trend. Even if the situation was uncertain, people would become braver, much like the belief that the law cannot punish everyone.

After dinner, Chen Huajiang helped his wife wash the dishes, earning a tender glance from her.

That evening, as he held his wife close, he brought up the topic of the female factory director.

"Nonsense, how could I ever become a factory director? Don't say that outside, it would be bad if others heard."

Though it was just a whisper between spouses, Lin Jiayin became nervous, covering his mouth and glaring at him in warning.

This was no joke; if rumors spread, she’d have no place in the factory. Besides, being a factory director wasn’t easy in those days. That was a government position, either appointed from above or earned through seniority, and even then, one needed considerable luck.

Lin Jiayin felt that being a team leader was already good enough for her; becoming a workshop supervisor was the highest position she could imagine.

Seeing her reaction, Chen Huajiang didn’t continue the topic. In the end, he gave the team leader a little guidance, offering advice on her work.

"Get up, damn it! We messed around all night and now it's late. I still need to take Huanhuan to school."

When she glanced at the alarm clock by the bed and saw it was already half past six, Lin Jiayin panicked and pushed at Chen Huajiang’s arm.

He yawned and got up as she hurried him. After a quick wash, Lin Jiayin had already left with Huanhuan, clearly pressed for time and planning to buy breakfast on the way.

With only noodles in the kitchen, Chen Huajiang hesitated and decided to eat at the restaurant instead.

In the morning, he went to Southern Sky Restaurant and asked Chef Li for two fried eggs and a fried chicken drumstick for breakfast.

"General Manager Zhang."

"Manager Zhang."

"Manager Zhang, Manager Niu."

Before he could start eating, he saw Zhang Weimin, Niu Quan, and another man in his thirties enter the restaurant together.

Most of the staff were veterans from Southern Sky Hotel, so they recognized the general manager and deputy general manager, greeting them promptly.

Zhang Weimin walked through the restaurant, nodding to them with a smile.

Chen Huajiang glanced at them but lowered his head to eat, feeling famished after yesterday’s exertion.

"Mr. Chen, you’ve got quite the appetite—such a rich breakfast this early?"

"Bring me two steamed buns and a bowl of millet porridge. Order whatever you like," Zhang Weimin said, sitting down opposite Chen Huajiang with a teasing smile, then addressed the waitress, Zhang Hong.

"The same for me."

"Same here."

Niu Quan and the other middle-aged man echoed him.

"Certainly, coming right up," Zhang Hong replied, quickly heading to the kitchen to relay their orders.

"Rich? Not at all. Eggs and chicken are high-protein foods, hardly greasy. If there were milk, I’d add a glass," Chen Huajiang retorted.

"On the contrary, General Manager Zhang, the millet porridge you ordered is the real culprit, raising blood sugar too quickly. I advise you to drink less millet porridge—it’s better for your health," Chen Huajiang said, rolling his eyes. Even in later years, this kind of thinking was trendy, and now it represented a sort of truth.

Zhang Weimin scoffed, "Nonsense. Millet porridge is nourishing, what does it have to do with blood sugar? Besides, I don’t have any of those health issues. Enough, stop talking, or I won’t be able to eat."

Seeing his reaction, Chen Huajiang didn’t argue further, quickly finishing his eggs and then biting into the chicken drumstick with relish.

The middle-aged man beside them glanced at Chen Huajiang in surprise and smiled, "Young man, did you study abroad?"

His name was Yang Hang, a senior engineer from the power company. He had been sent to investigate and research because Zhang Weimin’s repeated reports had convinced the higher-ups there was potential for implementation.

Yang Hang had studied abroad and knew that over there, breakfast typically included milk and eggs, sometimes with bread.

"No, not really. Just picked up a bit here and there. I’ve read some nutrition books, so I know a little," Chen Huajiang replied, surprised, then brushed off the question.

At that moment, Zhang Hong brought their dishes.

"Hmph, so foreign things are automatically better? Domestic things are inferior?"

"Millet porridge has been around for centuries, everyone says it’s nourishing and good for the stomach—how could it be wrong?" Zhang Weimin grumbled as he took his food.

Chen Huajiang smiled, letting the matter drop.

He knew it was simply because the economy hadn’t developed yet; in later years, milk and eggs for breakfast became standard in most households with children.

After the four finished breakfast, Chen Huajiang stood up to leave.

"Wait a moment."

"Engineer Yang, this fellow was the one who inspired me last time. He’s not specialized, but he’s well-versed in many fields—a real talent."

"You two should have a chat. Chen, this is our department’s senior engineer. I brought him here to talk to you. If you have any questions, speak freely—you’re an outsider, so it’s fine if you make mistakes."

Zhang Weimin stopped Chen Huajiang, gestured for him to sit, and introduced the middle-aged man, then finished his millet porridge and wiped his mouth with a napkin.