Su Qinghe worked at Lao Gu’s house for more than an hour in the morning and finally gained another skill point. She also got a rag… Forget it, the reward isn’t important. What’s important is leveling up quickly.
She happily touched her chest. There were still three days left. After three days, she would be able to activate the auxiliary skills.
She hurriedly rode her bike to work at the state-run restaurant.
In the evening after school, Su Qinghe returned home with her second brother, Gu Changping. When they entered the house, they found everyone sitting in the living room.
There was still food on the table, obviously untouched.
Seeing the two of them come back, Gu Ma quickly called Su Qinghe to come sit and eat.
Su Qinghe changed her shoes and asked curiously, “Dad, Mom, you didn’t have to wait for us to eat. It’s already so late. Why did you all go hungry together?” She usually ate well at the state-run restaurant, but doing physical work every day—if she didn’t watch herself, she would’ve gained a whole lap of fat by now.
Gu Ma smiled and said, “Your dad asked us to wait. He said he’s in a good mood today. He didn’t want to start without our little hero.”
Su Qinghe sat at the table next to Gu Ma. The two children had already eaten, and now she joined the adults, staring at the meat and fish on the table. Everyone looked at Deputy County Magistrate Gu, waiting for him to speak before starting.
Deputy County Magistrate Gu looked at everyone and said with a smile, “Someone from the city came today. We went to the Huanghe production team to see the situation. The city’s plan is to promote this across the whole county. Other places in the city will also find testing sites. This is all thanks to Qinghe. Qinghe has brought hope to our county. I must toast to Qinghe for this and thank Comrade Qinghe for her contribution to the county.”
He raised his small wine glass as he spoke.
Everyone followed and picked up their own cups. The men drank wine, and the women had sugar water. Su Qinghe also quickly raised her own glass of sugar water and sincerely said, “Dad, it’s all for the county and the people. There’s no need to thank me.” Her father-in-law was really something!
Deputy County Magistrate Gu smiled with approval. “You deserve it. If it weren’t for you, we might still be helpless now. Comrade Qinghe, well done!”
He said a few words of official praise.
Gu Changzheng said, “Speaking of which, I feel a bit ashamed. As a public servant, I haven’t done as much as Qinghe. This is my shortcoming. From now on, I will pay more attention to the people’s lives and work harder for them.”
Gu Jie nodded and said, “I should reflect too.”
“I was wrong!” Second Sister-in-law immediately said, “I will definitely work harder in the future!”
Gu Changping rubbed his head. “I think we should all learn from Qinghe’s spirit.”
Gu Lei and Gu Lin said, “We also want to learn from Auntie and study hard to improve!”
Su Qinghe blushed as she listened. She smiled and said, “There’s nothing to learn from me. Let’s all improve together. Let’s just drink this cup first.”
Everyone clinked glasses and took a big sip.
Su Qinghe looked at everyone laughing and thought to herself, God, being watched by so many people… how am I supposed to live a cool and carefree life in the future?
The next morning, Su Qinghe went back as usual to do a general cleaning. After getting another skill point, she rushed to the state-run restaurant.
She arrived relatively early, and no food had been made yet. Qiao Da was still busy cooking a new dish with a big spoon.
Seeing Su Qinghe arrive, Qiao Da’s eyes lit up. “Qinghe, you’re just in time. The county committee called and said they’ll be here for lunch at noon. They specifically asked for the master’s braised pork. I’m a bit nervous.”
Su Qinghe was just about to sit and read a book. Hearing this, she was surprised. “Doesn’t the county committee have their own cafeteria?”
The county committee cafeteria’s food wasn’t much worse than the state-run restaurant’s. They usually ate there to save on public expenses.
“They came for our food, said the braised pork here is delicious. I don’t even know when they tried it.”
Su Qinghe suddenly remembered those people from last time. Could they be coming again? Not even disguising themselves this time? She put down her backpack, rolled up her sleeves, and said, “It’s okay, it’s just a meal. You cook first. If you’re worried, I’ll redo it.”
At noon, Aunt Li and Li Laixi set up a round table for the county committee.
Just as the others were finishing their meals, a group of officials from the county committee arrived. Su Qinghe also spotted her father-in-law, Deputy County Magistrate Gu.
Seeing Su Qinghe, Deputy County Magistrate Gu had a proud smile on his face.
Seeing his expression, Su Qinghe felt relieved. When someone’s in a good mood, everything they eat tastes good.
Looking at the others, they were all familiar faces from last time. Only one or two were new, likely department heads.
They gathered at a large table, and Aunt Li and Li Laixi quickly came over to serve them tea and water.
Secretary Jiang smiled and said, “Today’s lunch is on me. I’m happy. Starting today, the county will start promoting the plan. Once we return, we’ll implement it citywide. This year, we won’t let the people starve.”
Everyone’s faces showed joy.
Aunt Li stood by and said, “Leaders, I’ll have the master prepare the dishes.”
Secretary Jiang said, “Yes, let’s order first. Hmm, let’s start with braised pork.”
Old Yan immediately said, “I want your little master to make it—Su Qinghe.” They didn’t specify last time and got tricked once.
When Aunt Li heard that they asked for Su Qinghe’s braised pork, she couldn’t help boasting, “I’m not exaggerating, but our Master Xiao Su’s dishes are really top-notch. She can make anything—braised pork, Kung Pao chicken, pickled cabbage fish, steamed fish…”
Aunt Li listed several dishes, and everyone began to swallow. Though they were officials, it wasn’t easy to eat such meals often.
These were all signature dishes. Just hearing the names made them crave it.
Secretary Jiang was pleased. “Good, let your Master Xiao Su prepare a few more special dishes. Let’s eat well and celebrate today!”
“Okay—” Aunt Li ran into the kitchen with a smile.
Su Qinghe was drinking tea and reading when she almost spit out her water hearing what Aunt Li said.
“So many dishes?” That’s a lot of work.
Aunt Li smiled and said, “Exactly. The city leaders specifically asked for you.”
Qiao Da looked at Su Qinghe with envy, but he also felt relieved. After all this time, he was convinced. The skill gap was too wide—he couldn’t even be jealous.
Su Qinghe put down her book, wiped her hands, and reluctantly started working again.
She stewed the meat first, then cooked the other dishes.
First came pickled cabbage fish to whet the appetite, followed by spicy chicken…
The restaurant was filled with delicious smells. Just the aroma made stomachs growl.
As the dishes were brought to the table one by one, no one moved their chopsticks without Secretary Jiang’s permission. They just stared.
The braised pork came out last.
Everyone looked at it with interest. Secretary Jiang said, “This is the braised pork that Vice Governor Xu praised.”
They’d been sitting for a while without eating, and now, seeing the braised pork, no one could sit still.
Secretary Jiang smiled, “I’m not stopping you from eating. It’s just that we still have a guest. This is a hosted meal, and we can’t start until everyone’s here.”
Old Yan asked curiously, “Who else is Secretary Jiang inviting? Surely not Comrade Sun and Comrade Lin?”
Those two hadn’t been proactive in promoting the fertilizer, which really upset people this time.
“Don’t mention them. They’ll ruin our appetite. Our guest is Comrade Su Qinghe, who cooked this meal for us. This table of dishes is her work. This whole fertilizer thing is also thanks to her, right?”
Deputy County Magistrate Gu nodded. “That’s right.”
Secretary Jiang said, “So tell me, shouldn’t we invite this comrade to join us for this meal?”
Everyone quickly agreed, “Of course, of course!”
In the kitchen, Su Qinghe was just resting comfortably when Li Laixi came calling, saying she needed to come out and eat—and socialize. Su Qinghe felt dizzy.
Qiao Da and Aunt Li looked at her enviously. Aunt Li said, “Master Xiao Su, hurry up. Not just anyone gets to dine with city leaders. Even the county party committee cadres might not get this chance.”
Su Qinghe thought she didn’t want this honor at all. She just wanted to rest. She’d cooked so many dishes this morning and noon… And now they wanted her to socialize too? So tiring.
Su Qinghe tidied her clothes and hair before stepping out of the kitchen.
Everyone outside was still waiting. When they saw Su Qinghe, Secretary Jiang stood up. “Here comes Comrade Su Qinghe.”
Su Qinghe smiled and said, “Hello leaders, I’m Su Qinghe.”
Secretary Jiang smiled at the others. “See? If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe someone this young had such skills. Comrade Qinghe, come join us. We have a lot to say to you.”
Su Qinghe obediently sat down at the edge of the table.
Secretary Jiang asked, “Comrade Qinghe, I have a question. How are your cooking skills so good at such a young age? I’ve seen people cook for years and still not as well as you.”
Of course, that was the system’s credit!
Su Qinghe slightly pursed her lips and modestly said, “Actually, I didn’t think too much about it. I just believe that whatever I do, I should strive to do it perfectly. That includes cooking. As long as I feel something is lacking, I’ll work to improve it next time. Naturally, the taste keeps getting better.”
“Excellent, constant improvement. That’s the way to excellence!” Secretary Jiang lightly tapped the table.
“I heard you’re attending night school? What major are you studying? I don’t think night school has a cooking course.”
Deputy County Magistrate Gu smiled and said, “She told me she wants to be a doctor who saves the wounded. So I arranged for her to attend night school to continue her studies.”
Su Qinghe thought to herself that her dad was really good at saying the right things… Obviously Comrade Gu arranged the school for her, and she couldn’t even choose her major...
Hearing this, Secretary Jiang admired the young Su Qinghe even more.
Talented, high ideological awareness, and eager to improve. This was exactly the kind of youth New China needed.
“Comrade Qinghe, even though it’s a pity you don’t plan to keep cooking long-term, your ambition is commendable. We all support it. When the time comes for you to enter university, we’ll help you apply through the organization. That’s the city’s reward for you. Comrade Qinghe, the organization truly cares about your growth.”
Su Qinghe: “…” No, please don’t care!