RNP Chapter 1142 Gu Nan just smiled
Chapter 1142 Gu Nan just smiled
Despite his firm words, he didn't hesitate for a moment, turning and running towards the office building. As he passed the cafeteria's food serving window, he happened to see the apprentices clearing away their dishes. He almost bumped into one of the apprentices carrying an empty aluminum basin. He hurriedly said, "Excuse me, please," his steps as fast as the wind, the airflow from his trousers making the broom in the corner shake.
Gu Nan's office was on the third floor, at the far east end of the office building. The door was ajar, and the soft rustling of pages turning could be faintly heard inside, "rustling, rustling," particularly clear in the quiet corridor. Zhong Yi ran to the door, his hand barely touching the handle before he pushed it open and went inside. His chest was still heaving, he was panting heavily, and sweat streamed down his face, soaking his temples and leaving strands of hair clinging to his forehead, making him look somewhat disheveled.
"Master!" He steadied himself against the doorframe, his voice still trembling with breathlessness from running. He recounted in detail how He Yuzhu had been summoned by Factory Director Zhu to cook, and the argument the two had had at the entrance of the food storage room. He even captured seven or eight parts of He Yuzhu's smug expression. At the end, he wrung his hands anxiously, his knuckles turning white: "Factory Director Zhu has only just arrived and he's already targeting the kitchen staff. It's obvious he wants to bypass you and seize control of the canteen himself! He's up to no good; he wants to plant spies right under your nose. You'd better be careful!"
Gu Nan was looking down at the production reports in his hand when he heard this. He looked up and smiled, a hint of composure in the fine lines at the corners of his eyes. His fingertips tapped lightly on the smooth tabletop, making a rhythmic "tap, tap" sound, as if he were weighing something. Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on his face and turning a few barely noticeable strands of silver at his temples a warm gold, adding to his dignified and composed demeanor.
"Alright, you don't need to worry about this anymore." He gently closed the report on the table, his voice as calm as a deep pool, without the slightest ripple. "Go back and keep a close eye on the kitchen. Make sure there are no problems with the food supply for the thousands of people in the factory. Keep clear accounts for the inbound and outbound of ingredients, and keep a clear record of the purchase list and inventory levels. Even if there's a missing scallion or a clove of garlic, there must be an explanation. You don't need to worry about anything else, understand?"
Zhong Yi was taken aback, his heart skipping a beat—his master's words sounded calm, but the certainty in his tone clearly indicated that he had anticipated this. His anxiety immediately subsided, and he nodded emphatically, "Yes, I understand! Don't worry, Master, I promise I'll keep a close eye on the kitchen and make sure no one takes advantage!" He then turned and walked out, his steps lighter than when he arrived. Since his master had said that, he must already have a plan in mind; worrying unnecessarily was pointless. He'd better focus on doing his job well.
Gu Nan was the only one left in the office. He reopened the report, his gaze falling on the "Monthly Canteen Expenses" column. His fingertip lightly tapped the numbers for "Pork Belly" and "Ribbonfish," a meaningful smile playing on his lips. A new broom sweeps clean, and Zhu Tao was even more impatient than he'd anticipated. Winning over He Yuzhu? That kid had some culinary skills, but he was too impulsive and easily swayed. A few sweet words and small favors were enough to make him go along with it. He was a good pawn for testing the waters, allowing people to see clearly what Director Zhu was really up to.
He picked up his pen and lightly drew a circle in the margin of the report. The pen paused, and his gaze gradually darkened. Was he planning to target the kitchen? Was he trying to use the canteen to plant people and cultivate influence? Fine, he'd like to see just how many chips Director Zhu held and where he intended to direct his actions. Now was not the time to act. He should remain still, wait until he understood the other party's tactics and knew his hand before making his move.
The sycamore leaves outside the window rustled in the wind, making a soft, whispering sound. Gu Nan looked up at the towering chimneys in the distance, from which grayish-white smoke billowed, leaving long trails in the blue sky. He continued to tap lightly on the table with his fingertips, the rhythm slow but carrying an air of confident composure. It seemed this new factory manager was going to muddy the waters of this steel mill even further. But muddier waters are easier to fish in.
The midday sun streamed through the gleaming windows of the office building, casting warm, yellow dappled light into Zhu Tao's office, illuminating the documents on his desk and infusing the air with a lazy warmth. He Yuzhu entered carrying an aluminum lunchbox emblazoned with "Serve the People," his steps unusually light, as if afraid of shattering the sunlight on the floor. The lunchbox contained braised pork and steamed fish, which he had specially prepared that morning. The braised pork was glistening and tender, the fatty parts trembling at the slightest touch, the broth so thick it clung to a spoon. The fish was a live carp, fresh from the market that morning, meticulously cleaned, steamed, and drizzled with hot scallion oil, sprinkled with vibrant green scallions. Even the white porcelain plate he used was the finest he had chosen from the cafeteria kitchen, its edges perfectly smooth.
He carefully placed the dishes on a corner of Zhu Tao's desk, then took out two pairs of washed-white bamboo chopsticks from the bottom of the food box. His face was full of eagerness, and his tone was somewhat ingratiating: "Director Zhu, would you like to try some? I specially stewed this braised pork for an extra half hour, using pork belly with the skin on, and all the fat was rendered out, so it's not greasy. The fish is a live carp that just arrived this morning, killed and steamed on the spot. Steaming brings out the freshness the best, so please give it a try."
Zhu Tao put down his pen, looking at the two dishes on the table. The rich aroma of meat and the fresh scent of fish filled his nostrils, and the fatigue from dealing with documents for days seemed to dissipate somewhat, actually making him feel a bit hungry. He picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of braised pork. It was indeed soft and tender, falling off the bone with the slightest touch of his teeth. The perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavor spread across his tongue, with a just-right soy sauce aroma. It was fatty but not greasy, and lean but not dry. "Hmm, not bad," he nodded. He then tasted a piece of fish. The tender, garlic-clove-like meat slid into his mouth, carrying the aroma of scallion oil. "The cooking time was just right, not overcooked, and the freshness was locked inside the meat."
He Yuzhu stood to the side, his hands secretly clenched on his dark blue coarse cloth apron. Seeing Zhu Tao eating with satisfaction, the weight in his heart finally lifted, and his smile became more genuine. Back when he was the head chef in the canteen, with his excellent culinary skills, had he ever been so attentive to any leader? Let alone personally bringing dishes to their offices, even if the factory director wanted to eat his signature dishes, it depended on He Yuzhu's mood that day.
But things are different now—Gu Nan's eyes were fixed on the kitchen like he was watching his prey. A while ago, he secretly gave Qin Huairu half a spoonful of meat extra, and the next day Gu Nan reprimanded him without naming him at the meeting. The weight of Gu Nan's words sent chills down Qin Huairu's spine, and he was afraid that one day he would be found out for making a mistake and lose his position as head chef.