Chapter 110: Returning Home in Wealth and Honor

This elderly man’s respectful demeanor toward the master uncle suggested they were old acquaintances with a deep connection; otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted this way.

The meeting was very brief—the elder publicly read aloud the master uncle’s official appointment, handed over the document, offered a few words of encouragement, and then it was over.

As expected, once the official business concluded, the master uncle grasped the elder’s hand, refusing to let him leave. “Old Commander? Such a trivial matter—why did you come in person?”

“Trivial? You big head, for ten years you’ve hidden away in this small steel rolling mill without showing your face. It’s been hard enough just to see you once. Now that I finally have, you call this a trivial matter?”

The master uncle’s forehead darkened immediately; those words made it seem as if he held a grudge.

“Old Commander, you’re wrong. You’re always busy with matters of state; I wouldn’t dare bother you lightly!”

The elder’s eyes widened in mock indignation. “What? You can go drink with that old Feng Shi out in Western Xinjiang, but when it comes to me, you can’t even spare a bowl of plain tea and simple fare?”

“Or is it that you only recognize your old company commander and not me, the old commander? Let me tell you, don’t even think about it—no way!”

The elder snorted coldly. “Do you know how Old Feng bragged to me? He said meeting an old friend in a foreign land was like peanuts paired with Moutai. And he even tried to sound literary on me. How many of his big fancy words do you think anyone knows? A whole basketful?”

“Today, I must have some Moutai too. I’ve never lost to him in my life, and this time will be no exception!”

Upon hearing this, the master uncle rolled his eyes. This was a battle of titans at a distance; he was merely a tool in their game. “Old Commander, please come to my office. I’ll make the arrangements right away…”

The elder’s words caused the few attendants who had accompanied him to exchange nervous glances. Who would have thought—a mighty dragon had emerged from such shallow waters?

This elder was the second-in-command of the Ministry of Public Security, a powerful leader with real authority. His tenure as commander dated back to the 1930s.

They furtively glanced at the master uncle who led the way, quietly committing his appearance to memory.

Moreover, according to the deputy minister, the master uncle’s network was frighteningly extensive. The big shots he knew were not limited to just the deputy minister; at least Old Feng was no ordinary figure.

Upon reaching the office, Chen Liang took care of the other guests and went to the reception room. Now that the master uncle was head of the Security Section, Chen Liang’s position had risen accordingly, and hosting visitors was his responsibility.

Just as Chen Liang finished entertaining the guests, the master uncle called him in. Opening the door and entering the office, Chen Liang saluted respectfully. “Section Chief, Commander!”

“That’s enough—this is my old commander. No need for formalities. Xiao Liang, prepare a good meal for me right now. Today, I intend to drink well with the old commander!”

The master uncle knew well that the chefs at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill rarely produced anything appetizing, so he entrusted Chen Liang with the task.

“Yes, I’ll get right on it. Commander, any dietary restrictions?”

“Big head, is this your nephew? Truly a man of talent. No wonder Old Feng praised him so highly!”

Having been a notorious womanizer in a previous life, Chen Liang knew how to make a good impression on someone in a day.

“Old Commander, don’t flatter him. That little rascal, give him a little leeway and he’d open a dyeing workshop for you!”

After confirming the elder’s dietary preferences, Chen Liang left the office, already planning the menu.

He hopped on his bicycle and headed straight to the library, where the only chef he trusted was Shazhu.

At the kitchen, Shazhu sat like a grand master before the stove, directing the culinary operations with authority.

“Shazhu, come here!” Chen Liang waved, interrupting his enthusiastic instructions.

“A rare guest! You, who can’t even steady a tipped soy sauce bottle, suddenly show up in the kitchen? Got a craving or maybe quarreled with Xiaoyu?”

Chen Liang rolled his eyes, then said, “Cut the nonsense. Shazhu, pack your things. We’re heading to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill!”

“Why? A good horse never returns to the old pasture—I don’t want to go back!” Shazhu shook his head emphatically.

“Are you sure? Today’s a big day—my master uncle just got promoted. You really don’t want to go?”

“Ah, Liangzi, you do love to talk big. Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m packing now. Ma Hua! Ma Hua, come here!”

“Master, what do you need?” Ma Hua ran over at Shazhu’s call.

“You handle the lunch menu. I have something to do, so I’m off first.” After giving instructions, Shazhu removed his arm sleeves and prepared to fetch his ancestral toolbox from home.

“Wait,” Chen Liang called out, handing him a menu. “Take a look and see if anything’s missing. There’s an old man with some dietary restrictions.”

“Whoa, this menu is quite bland. He can’t have sour or spicy, right?” Shazhu, the expert, guessed the restrictions just by glancing at the list.

“Hmm… Let me think. I’m missing some seasonings at home. I’ll write you a list—just use these.”

“Alright, I’ll prepare everything now. When you get to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, go to the old No. 3 canteen. You remember the way, right?”

Chen Liang took the additional list without a word and sped off on his bike, not even stopping to share a moment with Xiaoyu.

As the old saying goes, wealth without returning home is like wearing brocade at night—a show without meaning. Shazhu, now a well-established chef, carried his ancestral toolbox and rode his bicycle with pride on the way to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

Dressed freshly in a light blue short-sleeved shirt and army green pants, he looked particularly spirited.

When he arrived at the No. 3 canteen’s kitchen, the old kitchen staff all dared not acknowledge him.

Finally, Widow Liu Lan, relying on her own backing, stepped forward teasingly. “Shazhu, you’ve hit the jackpot? That outfit must have cost a fortune!”

“Liu Lan, your words are harsh. Just because I dress better doesn’t mean I’ve gotten rich.” Shazhu replied proudly, “You don’t know? I’m now a level-four chef at the city library, earning 47.50 yuan a month.”

“Besides, my wife works at the department store and earns no less than me. So what if we dress nicely?”