Unbeknownst to him, Yang Xuan's Qián Gōng skills had been leveling up for over a month, and he had reached the "Great Accomplishment" level. His Qián Gōng skills had naturally taken a leap forward.
However, the steel mill had not granted Yang Xuan an expedited promotion. Director Yang seemed to have forgotten the instructions the two high-ranking officials had given him at the dinner table.
Director Yang actually remembered the high-ranking officials' instructions. However, seeing that so much time had passed and the officials seemed to have forgotten about it, he decided it was best to avoid trouble and shelved the matter.
After all, even if the two high-ranking officials came to the steel mill again, they might not remember what happened at that dinner table. These high-ranking officials would not possibly remember something as trivial as a cook.
However, to Director Yang's surprise, the high-ranking official requested that Yang Xuan and He Yu Zhu go to his home to cook and host a dinner for his fellow countrymen from Sichuan.
The high-ranking official had many fellow countrymen who worked in the capital, and they often met to catch up. These gatherings were not suitable for holding in restaurants, because at their level, every action drew attention. If people mistook them for forming cliques, it would be a big problem.
Naturally, hosting fellow countrymen at home was the best option. After all, it was a private dinner party, and no one could make a fuss about it.
There was just one issue - the high-ranking official's wife was from a wealthy family and had never touched a kitchen her whole life. Finding a chef from the company cafeteria was not appropriate, and the ministry's cafeteria did not have a chef specializing in Sichuan cuisine.
Therefore, the high-ranking official recalled the two chefs from the steel mill who were skilled in Sichuan cuisine.
Director Yang had thought the high-ranking official and the official from Hunan had forgotten about Yang Xuan and He Yu Zhu, but he didn't expect that the high-ranking official would call him today, asking him to bring the two chefs to his home tomorrow afternoon to prepare a family feast.
"I need to talk to you two about something very important," Director Yang called He Yu Zhu and Yang Xuan into his office.
Seeing that Director Yang had called him and He Yu Zhu together, Yang Xuan immediately guessed that the high-ranking official was having a family dinner, but he didn't say anything.
Director Yang continued, "The high-ranking official is entertaining very important guests, all high-level officials. There are many rules to follow in the compound, so once you are there, follow instructions, don't ask what you shouldn't, and don't say what you shouldn't."
Director Yang was worried that Yang Xuan would tell the high-ranking official about the steel mill not giving him a promotion. He was also worried that Yang Xuan wouldn't understand him and would directly mention it. So, he made it clear: "Before, the two high-ranking officials wanted the factory to give you a promotion. It's not that I wouldn't do it, but the resistance is too strong. I keep this in mind, and I will find a way to get it done for you sooner or later. So, let's not bother the high-ranking official about this. Yang Xuan, do you understand?"
Yang Xuan nodded, "I won't tell the high-ranking official. But what if he asks?"
Director Yang frowned, "The high-ranking official is very busy, and he may not remember this matter. Just don't bring it up. If the high-ranking official asks, I'll answer."
He Yu Zhu complained, "Aren't you deceiving the superiors and covering things up?"
Director Yang glared angrily, "Do you think I want to do this? I'm the director, but I can't decide everything in the factory. Besides, Yang Xuan hasn't been an apprentice for three years yet, so according to the factory's regulations, he shouldn't be promoted before that."
On the way back, He Yu Zhu pulled Yang Xuan aside, "Don't be stupid. You need to find a chance to mention this to the high-ranking official. Director Yang is not being sincere. He uses people when he needs them, but ditches them when he's done. The high-ranking official promised him when he asked him, but he went back on his word."
Yang Xuan smiled, "Sha Zhu, don't mention this. If we bring it up, the high-ranking official will think we're too ambitious, and his impression of us won't be good. Although he arranged it before, it wouldn't be right for us to ask him for it. When we interact with the high-ranking official more, it won't be a problem anymore."
He Yu Zhu nodded, "Then you're not at a disadvantage. You have the skills of a fifth-grade Qián Gōng, but you're still just an apprentice."
"Everything is up to us. When the opportunity arises, Director Yang will have to beg me to be promoted." Yang Xuan said.
"You're dreaming." He Yu Zhu naturally didn't believe it. Even if Yang Xuan was good, could he be better than an eighth-grade Qián Gōng? If the factory encountered any problem, an eighth-grade Qián Gōng would naturally be there to solve it.
The high-ranking official not only borrowed He Yu Zhu and Yang Xuan as cooks, but also the steel mill's film projectionist.
When Xu Da Mao heard that he was going to project films at the high-ranking official's house, he was overjoyed, thinking that his chance to rise to the top had come. Xu Da Mao and Liu Hai Zhong were two peas in a pod, both obsessed with power. They were always dreaming of becoming officials one day.
Therefore, when he got the news, Xu Da Mao was giddy.
When he got home that day, he brought out his new clothes.
"Are you crazy? These are new clothes for the New Year, why are you wearing them now? People will think you're crazy!" Lou Xiao E was disgusted with her husband's taste.
"I'm going to project films at a high-ranking official's house tomorrow. If I seize this opportunity, I'll be on my way to success." Xu Da Mao said excitedly.
"Just wear a normal white shirt. What kind of people hasn't that high-ranking official seen? If you act too much, you'll backfire. He'll think you're trying to get close to him for a reason. So, just act normal, project the films well, and he'll think you're reliable." Lou Xiao E, coming from a wealthy family, immediately hit the nail on the head.
However, Xu Da Mao didn't expect to see his nemesis among the group when they set off.
"Director Yang, Sha Zhu is going with us too?" Xu Da Mao couldn't help but ask.
"He's going to the high-ranking official's house to cook. The high-ranking official is from Sichuan, and he likes the Sichuan dishes Sha Zhu makes." Director Yang said.
When they arrived at the high-ranking official's house, He Yu Zhu and Yang Xuan went straight to the kitchen.
They didn't do anything, they just sat in the kitchen and chatted.
After a while, the high-ranking official's wife walked in.
"Take a look, see if you're missing anything. If you need anything, just tell me." The high-ranking official's wife was not happy with He Yu Zhu and Yang Xuan's lackadaisical attitude.
He Yu Zhu, however, thought the high-ranking official's wife was just a housekeeper, and his attitude towards her was also not very good. "We're missing one sesame paste. I guess you don't have it readily available, so we'll improvise later."
"I called you here to make Sichuan dishes, why do you need sesame paste?" The high-ranking official's wife asked.
"I cook the food, you eat the food. Ask what you should, don't ask what you shouldn't." He Yu Zhu still didn't give the high-ranking official's wife any good attitude.
The high-ranking official's wife walked away angrily.
Yang Xuan didn't deliberately tell He Yu Zhu to pay attention to his attitude. Doing so would be counterproductive.