Silly Zhu's Moving: The Old Neighbor's Nightmare

Chapter 198 Arrive together

"Teacher Yan, you said your family can't eat this many fish, could you sell me one for a discount?"

Hearing this, Sha Zhu, who was standing nearby, found it amusing; the neighbors' opportunistic nature was showing.

Mr. Yan, who had been beaming with pride, disappeared and reverted to his dignified self in the classroom.

"Ahem, Pillar, may I borrow your fish bucket?"

Old Yan coughed twice, picked up the empty bucket that was usually used to hold fish, and put the three fish he wanted to take into the bucket.

Ignoring everyone else, he picked up the fish bucket and hurriedly left Sha Zhu's courtyard.

You think you can take advantage of me, Yan Bugui? You probably don't know that.

It's common knowledge throughout Nanluoguxiang that I, Yan Bugui, like to take advantage of others. How come there are still people coming to me to beg for money?

I really don’t know what to say.

The old lady who wanted to buy fish watched Yan Bugui's hurried departure, spat twice in his direction, and muttered, "What a stingy old man."

The onlookers burst into laughter.

"Aunt Li, you've picked the wrong person if you're trying to take advantage of someone. You can't possibly take advantage of Teacher Yan."

The onlookers burst into laughter again.

Just as everyone was laughing and joking, Sha Zhu's disciple, Wang Chaoyang, walked in with the manager of the small restaurant.

The crowd gathered in the courtyard hurried over to greet Manager Jin.

The manager who came from the small restaurant was surnamed Jin, but his given name was unknown. The neighbors all called him Manager Jin.

Director Wang said that the higher-ups would arrange for two people to come to the small restaurant: one was Manager Jin, and the other was a female accountant surnamed Huang, both of whom were former soldiers.

Leader Jin greeted everyone with a smile, then came over to Sha Zhu's side.

He said, "Hello, Master He! You just got back from fishing? Your house looks lively. I came over to talk to you about something, what do you want to say?"

As he spoke, Leader Kim politely shook Sha Zhu's hand.

The onlookers, seeing that Manager Jin had something to discuss with Sha Zhu, reluctantly retreated, despite Manager Jin's cheerful demeanor.

That was something he had just developed over the past few months. When Manager Jin first arrived at the small restaurant after the New Year, he was very serious and rarely smiled. He usually wore a military uniform and had the demeanor of a soldier.

Many people in the neighborhood were too scared to eat at the small restaurants, and it was only after spending more time there that their habits changed a little.

The weasel was offering New Year's greetings to the chicken, which made Sha Zhu very wary. He knew that his disciple bringing people over meant trouble.

When Wang Chaoyang saw his master looking at him, he quickly tried to explain, "Master, it's not my fault. Manager Jin asked me to bring him here."

Sha Zhu subtly withdrew his hand and led the person to sit down at the stone table under the grape trellis in the courtyard.

He said to Yushui, who had followed him curiously, "Yushui, go brew a pot of tea."

Rain Water had a favor to ask her brother today. On her way back, she wanted him to make her a grilled fish. Upon hearing her brother's instructions, she immediately ran into the house.

The adults in the yard had left, leaving only a few children still gathered around the bucket, watching the fish inside.

After sitting down, Leader Jin said, "Master He, I apologize first. I transferred your two disciples without your permission."

Damn, that sounds nice, but if you're going to apologize, what were you doing for the past few days? Now you're here to apologize.

"Leader Jin, there's absolutely no need for you to say that. Although they are my disciples..."

"But transferring them was entirely within your job responsibilities, so why are you apologizing to me?" Sha Zhu asked, feigning ignorance.

"Master He, I've come to apologize to you sincerely. There's nothing I can do about this. When the higher-ups came to inspect, they were impressed with the chef's skills."

Back then, they asked your three disciples in the kitchen which one had the best skills. Upon learning that all three disciples knew the same technique, the higher-ups felt it was a waste of talent.

They forced two junior trainees to leave me; I had no choice, they were practically my former bosses.

Moreover, the manager assured me before leaving that the salary would be no less than what I was getting here, and the working environment would be better. I didn't think too much about it at the time and let him go.

"No, as soon as those two apprentices left, I immediately gave you, their youngest apprentice, a raise." Boss Jin said, glancing at Wang Chaoyang standing beside him.

"Oh, really? Then I should thank Leader Kim," Sha Zhu said with a smile.

Rainwater brought over a teapot and teacups, placed them on the stone table, and prepared to pour tea for the group.

Sha Zhu waved his hand to shoo away the rainwater and poured himself some tea.

Seeing this, Yu Shui glanced at the group of people, then turned around and went to play with some of the other children in the yard.

"Master He, it's like this. I've learned about the family situations of the three young apprentices, and I know they are all children of martyrs' families."

The two newcomers are both children of my comrades, and their family situations are similar to Wang Chaoyang's.

They want the two new kids to learn a trade, and you, their apprentice, also want to teach them, but you're hesitant.

They said they wouldn't dare pass on their culinary skills without your permission. Master He, look…,”

"What am I looking at?" Sha Zhu thought, his head aching. He rubbed his face vigorously with both hands.

We can't agree to this now. We can't just do whatever Leader Jin says. Let that guy surnamed Jin talk to Director Wang and investigate first.

"Manager Jin, where have my two apprentices been placed?"

"Zhao Xiaohu has been assigned to the Municipal Bureau's guesthouse. I made a special trip to visit him yesterday when I went to the Municipal Bureau."

As for Zhou Biao, under normal circumstances, a master should indeed know the whereabouts of his apprentice. The only thing I can tell you is that it involves the security department.

"I don't know exactly where it is, and my superiors won't let me ask," Leader Jin said helplessly, spreading his hands.

The secret service? Damn, their own apprentice has only been working there for a few months and hasn't even graduated yet.

No, he hasn't even formally become an apprentice yet, and this fate has already befallen him.

He wanted to do it, he had the idea, but he didn't take action. His disciple rushed forward.

While Sha Zhu was lost in thought, Director Wang walked in with Sister Liu Qian.

Weren't you on a business trip to the lumber mill and the toy factory? You're back so soon.

Judging from Director Wang's beaming face, there must be good news about opening the factory.

When Director Wang saw Manager Jin arrive, he walked over with a smile and greeted him.

Sha Zhu and Manager Jin hurriedly stood up.

"Old Jin, what are you doing at Zhu Zi's house? His apprentice caused you trouble at the small restaurant," Director Wang said, glancing at Wang Chaoyang beside him.

"No, no, it's me who's causing trouble for Master He," Manager Jin said apologetically.

After exchanging pleasantries, the group sat down again, and Manager Jin briefly explained his situation to Director Wang.

Director Wang didn't expect to help He Yuzhu block the request from the kitchen staff at the steel rolling mill to become his apprentice.

Now, new apprentices have come to the kitchen of the small restaurant to learn the trade. Director Wang glanced at Sha Zhu and knew that it was fine for the kid to take on more apprentices, but he needed to supervise the apprentices himself.

Director Wang knew what had happened with the two foolish apprentices who had been transferred.

Manager Jin had also reported to himself a few days ago that the superiors had issued a notice, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Now, the two new recruits that Manager Kim has brought in also want to learn the trade. It seems that Sha Zhu's intention is for him to assess the other party's political background.

During the Chinese New Year, I stood up for this kid and refused to let all the kitchen staff at the steel rolling mill leave.

Now that Manager Jin has come begging again, should we refuse?

As Lao Jin just mentioned, they are all children of military martyrs' families. Lao Jin himself was also wounded in battle, so it's perfectly reasonable for him to arrange for the children of two of his comrades to live with him.

The key issue is what to do about the steel rolling mill. They're all from poor families, and this kid, at sixteen or seventeen, is just causing trouble for himself.

It's impossible to keep it a secret. Zhang Long, Sha Zhu's disciple, often comes to help in the kitchen of the small restaurant. How could it be a secret?

If Sha Zhu takes on two more disciples, the kitchen staff at the steel mill will probably come looking for him right away.

"Zhu Zi, what do you think?" Director Wang asked Sha Zhu for his opinion.

"I'll sit and watch!"