Siheyuan: A Cook in the 60s

"How is it? I heard that Fengze Garden closed down a few days ago. Has Master Cao found a job he likes? If not, I, an old man, have a good job to recommend. It won't ruin Master Cao's craftsmanship." The shopkeeper spoke in an elegant manner and was an old friend of Cao Wei's master.

"Hey, I found it. My master asked me to go to the steel rolling mill, so I went there. I was assigned a level 6 and can earn a lot every month."

Hearing what Cao Wei said, the shopkeeper frowned and said, "This shouldn't be the case. With your skills, Master Cao, you shouldn't go to the steel mill. The steel mill is at most level 6. If you want to go higher, you have to go to a state-owned hotel. It's not suitable. I'll have to go talk to Liu Sandao later."

"Hey, I think it's great. My master has his own ideas, and he won't harm me." Cao Wei didn't care.

In fact, although there are not many chefs in this era, there are indeed many masters in this city.

Especially among the state-owned restaurants, any one of them is the best, and all the eight major cuisines have their leaders in Beijing.

According to my master, just go and learn. As long as you are willing to learn, I can help you find it.

However, Cao Wei himself did not quite understand the operation of the steel rolling mill.

"Could it be..." The shopkeeper thought thoughtfully.

"Why? What else does the shopkeeper know?"

"I do have some ideas, but you should ask your master about this matter. I can't interfere." The shopkeeper's smile became gentler. He looked Cao Wei up and down, making Cao Wei feel scared. He was enthusiastic just now, but not to this extent.

"Master Cao, everything is ready. I've packed them for you in different categories." After a while, Cao Wei's things were ready.

"Okay, boss, how much is this?"

"Eight dollars and sixty-two cents. Just give eight dollars and sixty."

"Okay." Cao Wei didn't say much. He took out the money from his pocket, handed it to him, exchanged a few more words of greeting, and then said goodbye and left.

Thinking about eating pheasants when he got home, his steps quickened.

"Moth, moth." Xu Damao started yelling before he even got home.

"What's wrong?" Lou Xiao'e came out of the house and looked at Xu Damao who was in a hurry, with her eyebrows slightly frowned.

"Get ready. I'm inviting the chef next door to dinner at my house tonight."

"Him? Why did I ask him?" Lou Xiao'e immediately thought of her own predicament this morning. She just wanted to scare him, but who knew that this guy would punch her in the face. She still hasn't figured out whether he did it on purpose. If he didn't do it on purpose, he would stop punching her. If he did do it on purpose, it seems that she can't blame him.

The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

Xu Damao didn't notice his wife's strangeness, but raised his eyebrows and said in a low voice: "You don't know, Sha Zhu is afraid of the new cook."

"Shazhu, is there anyone you're afraid of?" Lou Xiao'e became interested now.

"That's not right. I provoked him last night but he didn't react. He must be afraid of the cook. So, I'll build a good relationship with the cook so that we can deal with Sha Zhu together."

Hearing Xu Damao say this, Lou Xiaoe rolled her eyes: "Childish or not, they are just neighbors, just don't mess with him."

"Grandma! Why? I just think he has a mean mouth." Xu Damao gritted his teeth.

Lou Xiao'e looked at Xu Damao and realized that he had to speak in a low voice when he was angry. She really didn't know what to say.

"People are coming to eat, what should I prepare? Do you want me to cook?"

"What are you thinking about? Change into some decent clothes. No matter what, coming here is a lesson, and you can also try out his skills."

"What? You invited someone to dinner and asked them to cook?"

"Letting him cook shows that we respect him. The pheasant tastes really good." Xu Damao was so excited when he talked about this that he almost drooled.

In this era, no matter who you are or what your status is, as long as you have meat to eat, it is wonderful.

Cao Wei was just returning home carrying a net bag. As soon as he entered the alley, he saw Yan Bugui sitting in front of the gate, happily watching people coming and going.

"Uncle, what are you doing here?" Cao Wei greeted him.

"Hey, Master Cao, you're back early."

"It's getting late. I went to the market specially and got some work clothes today. Look at this bag of things." Cao Wei raised the things in his hand.

"Hey, what are you buying at the market?"

"Nothing much, just some seasonings bought from the East Market."

"Got it. Secret recipe."

"That's about it. You haven't told me what you're doing here."

"I have nothing to do, so I'll just sit here and wait for the day." Yan Bugui rolled his eyes, and then seemed to have thought of something: "Master Cao, how is your cooking skill?"

"Oh, the factory gave me a grade 6."

"Level 6 cook? Wow, that's a lot of money a month."

"Not bad, about the same as when I was in Fengze Garden."

Hearing Cao Wei's words, the third uncle looked Cao Wei up and down and asked: "Master Cao is cooking in Fengze Garden?"

"Wow, I didn't realize that the third uncle is such an expert." Ordinary people don't know what goes on in the kitchen.

"Hey, I heard it from others, I heard it from others." Yan Bugui waved his hand, then looked around, saw that there was no one, and waved at him.

"What's wrong?" Cao Wei leaned over.

Yan Bugui asked in a low voice: "Master Cao, will you take the job?"

"Take it, do you have any connections?" Cao Wei was a little surprised: "Is it not taboo?"

"Hey, no, it's a teacher from our school. He's getting married soon and wants to set up a table. What do you think..."

"You set a date. I won't buy the food, I'll only cook it at your door. I'll give you one yuan for each trip." Cao Wei didn't hesitate and simply stretched out five fingers.

"Is this price appropriate?" Yan Bugui asked, frowning slightly.

"It's not really appropriate. I usually charge ten dollars. I'm only giving you this price because of your appearance."

"If I give you ten dollars, can you give me..."

"Same, I'll give you two. That's the rule. Don't worry, I'm not from a wild background."

"Okay, that's it, wait for my letter." Yan Bugui gritted his teeth and agreed: "In the future, if there is someone else."

"Then you'd better find out more clearly. I don't care. I just don't know how the chefs around here are. If you go to solicit customers like this, you will easily offend people."

"Is there any more secrets here?"

"Yes, there are rules in every business. Do you know why I charge ten dollars?"

"What?"

"Because my skills are worth ten yuan, if it's less, others won't get the job, and in the end, they'll have to blame me."

This is the unspoken rule between cooks.

The price should be determined by the craftsmanship, and not by the industry.