Chapter Sixty-Six: Silly Zhu Seeks Help

After spending so much time with Shaozhu, the Chen family had already come to regard him as a close friend—almost like family. Now that Shaozhu needed their help, Father Chen and Mother Chen agreed without hesitation.

When they asked which restaurant they’d go to that evening, Shaozhu admitted he hadn’t decided yet; he’d work it out with Liu Siyuan after his shift at noon, then let Father and Mother Chen know.

At this, Chen Liang couldn’t hold back. “I say, Shaozhu, you really do live up to your name…”

Just as Chen Liang began to speak, Father Chen shot him a sharp look and cut him off. “Watch your mouth! Is that any way to talk to Shaozhu? Can’t you even call him ‘brother’?”

Hmph! Don’t think I don’t know you’re always looking for a chance to give me a hard time.

“Dad, you don’t get it. Shaozhu and I have always been like this since we were kids. If you want me to call him ‘brother,’ he has to be willing too!” Chen Liang replied with a careless grin.

“Exactly! Father Chen, I’ve known Liangzi for decades, and this is just how we are!” Shaozhu chimed in, adding another jab straight to Father Chen’s heart.

“Alright, enough—just listen to me,” Chen Liang continued from where he’d left off. “Shaozhu, when it comes to cooking, aren’t you one of the best in this whole city?”

Shaozhu replied with absolute confidence, “No doubt about it!”

“So why, as a master chef, would you invite your future father-in-law out to eat at some restaurant instead of showing off your own skills? Are you being thick on purpose?”

“You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? Liangzi, I have to admit, you’re sharp!” Shaozhu smacked his forehead in regret.

“Alright, Shaozhu, don’t say I never look out for you. Write up your shopping list and bring it over—I’ll handle the grocery run for you, and you’ll have everything ready before you get off work tomorrow.”

As soon as Chen Liang finished, Shaozhu was already out of his seat. “I’ll write it right now. Thanks, Liangzi!”

“No need for empty words between us. If you really want to thank me, just make sure you bring out the good booze and cigarettes tomorrow!”

“No problem at all! Just a moment—I’ll go get them now!”

With that, Shaozhu dashed off and soon returned, his list in hand, along with cigarettes and liquor.

The cigarettes Shaozhu brought were all loose packs, but even the lowest tier was Hongtashan. Among them, Chen Liang even spotted a white-pack special-edition Panda, reserved for officials of vice-ministerial rank or higher—a rarity never seen on the market.

Damn, what a find!

“Shaozhu, this is something else—how did you even get your hands on these? Incredible!”

Just then, Mother Chen poked her head out from the kitchen. “Shaozhu, stay for dinner, won’t you? No need to leave.”

Then, turning to Chen Liang, she said, “You rascal, go fetch Grandma so she can join us.”

“Got it, I’ll go now!” Chen Liang gave Shaozhu a shove. “Come on, let’s pick up Grandma for dinner.”

At Grandma’s place, Chen Liang first checked the small room to inspect the wine jar, making sure there were no leaks before nodding in satisfaction.

“Grandma, let’s go—come eat at my place. It’s a special day! Shaozhu’s getting married!”

He crouched down in front of the old lady, letting her climb onto his back. As they set off, Shaozhu asked, “Hey, what’s that you’re brewing in Grandma’s jar? I smell something strong.”

Chen Liang shot him a look. “Forgot the six hundred pounds of sorghum liquor you helped me get last time? I’m making a special medicinal brew—good for vitality. Once it’s ready, I’ll send you a couple of pounds.”

“You still need that? Are you trying to wear your wife out?” Shaozhu was so surprised his voice cracked.

“You single dog, what do you know? Once you get married, you’ll understand. In this world, oxen die from exhaustion, but fields are never ruined from too much plowing,” Chen Liang said with a sigh.

At that, Grandma gave him a gentle smack on the back. “Liangzi, don’t you lead my Shaozhu astray. I’m still counting on him to give me a great-grandchild!”

“Heh! Grandma, you’re so biased! What did I say? You always blame me for corrupting Shaozhu,” Chen Liang protested.

Grandma gave him another playful tap. “Your future wife can’t compare with Xiaoyu. Just look at that girl—back in the day, she’d have been chosen as a royal consort!”

“Haha, Grandma, I love hearing you say that. My wife really is the best!” Chen Liang beamed with pride.

Shaozhu remembered Grandma’s words and, upon arriving at the Chen house, couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Xiaoyu’s shapely figure, her curves evident even beneath her padded jacket. Jealousy pricked his heart.

How did Chen Liang end up with all the luck in the world?

Still, his own wife wasn’t bad, and as a chef, once he brought her home, he’d feed her well—she’d surely develop a fine figure in time!

That evening, Chen Liang and Shaozhu enjoyed a good drink together—half a pound each, just enough to get pleasantly tipsy.

When the family finally retired for the night, Chen Liang snuck out a pair of tight yoga pants from the supermarket.

Heh heh! Tonight promised to be another fun and lively round of Landlord’s Delight! Too bad for Shaozhu in the next room, once again left to polish off half a bottle by himself.

The next day, after sending his wife off to work, Chen Liang began shopping for ingredients according to Shaozhu’s list. Near lunchtime, he returned home with two huge net bags stuffed with supplies.

He then headed to the library. While picking up his meal, he flashed Shaozhu—who was working the kitchen window—a thumbs-up, signaling everything was ready.

Pleased, Shaozhu ladled out a heaping spoonful of braised beef for him—not a single potato to be seen.

Previously, Shaozhu had been subtly warned by Chen Liang about his habit of skimping on meat. Since then, Shaozhu had honed his technique: with one scoop, he’d manage not to serve a single piece of meat if he didn’t want to.

All cooks practiced this, and though some had complained before, after Shaozhu served them a couple of scoops with no meat at all, even the deputy director in charge of the kitchen had nothing to say.

Shaozhu’s reputation as a chef in the library was second to none—they were all too eager to keep him. Fire him? Not a chance.

With job security, Shaozhu became even bolder; if you complained, you’d get not a scrap of meat, and you’d have no grounds to argue. Over time, his word in the kitchen carried more weight than even the deputy director.

And stubborn as he was, aside from Xiaoyu and Old Man Lu, no one in the library could get through to him.

Why? Because you couldn’t accuse Shaozhu of intentionally skimping on the meat—everyone got the same ladleful, no shortchanging. If you didn’t get meat, tough luck. As for whether it was deliberate—well, Old Man Lu certainly didn’t have the time to investigate!