RPAGF Chapter 179 Cooking
Chapter 179 Cooking
The mahogany round table exuded a faint woody fragrance, and the rich dishes on the table were steaming hot, which aroused people's appetite. Just as Sha Zhu brought the last dish of fish-flavored pork shreds to the table and wiped his sweat, he heard the big leader sitting in the main seat say with full energy: "Zhu Zi, don't be busy, come on, come and sit with us!"
Sha Zhu was somewhat flattered. How could a cook like him dare to sit at the table of the big boss's house? But since the big boss had spoken, he did not dare to refuse. He could only rub his hands, smile and sit down next to Chu Tian.
The boss's wife smiled and served Sha Zhu a bowl of rice, and filled the wine glass in front of Chu Tian, saying: "Zhu Zi, the dishes you cooked today are really delicious, especially the fish-flavored pork shreds, which are just the right amount of sour and sweet. My old man loves the dishes you cook!"
"Ma'am, thank you for the compliment. I'm just a rough guy, and I only know how to cook." Sha Zhu was praised, and a simple smile appeared on his dark face.
The big boss raised his glass and said to Chu Tian: "Xiao Chu, come on, let's have a drink!"
Chu Tian quickly picked up the wine glass, clinked it with his leader, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Xiao Chu, you have been working in the ministry for a while. You are very capable and I admire you very much!" The big leader put down his wine glass and looked at Chu Tian kindly. "Young people should be aggressive and enterprising. In the future, you need to work harder and make greater contributions to the country!"
"Leader, I will work hard and live up to your expectations!" Chu Tian quickly expressed his opinion.
The big boss nodded with satisfaction, picked up the chopsticks and picked up a piece of braised pork for Chu Tian, "Eat more, you look so thin."
Chu Tian thanked them and complained in his heart: This leader, really, always saying the same old clichés, nothing new. He secretly glanced at Sha Zhu who was sitting next to him, only to see that he was feasting on the braised pork on the table, not noticing them at all.
The big boss chatted with Chu Tian about some work matters. Chu Tian responded in a perfunctory manner, but he was thinking in his heart: What is this meal for?
At this moment, the big boss suddenly put down his chopsticks and his tone became serious: "Xiao Chu, I called you here today because I have something important to tell you..."
The big boss cleared his throat and said slowly: "Xiao Chu, you know that I am about to retire..."
Chu Tian's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes. This is the real purpose of this meal. He pretended to be confused and asked, "Leader, you are in such good health. You can work for another ten years without any problem!"
“Hahaha, you only know how to say nice things!” The big boss was amused by Chu Tian’s words and pointed at Chu Tian and said, “The Yangtze River’s new generation pushes the old generation forward. It’s time for me, an old man, to make room for you young people!”
Chu Tian quickly echoed: "Leader, you are an old horse waiting in the stable, with great ambitions!"
The big boss waved his hand, signaling Chu Tian not to interrupt, and continued: "As for me, I don't have any other hobbies in my life, I just like calligraphy. Look, the city is going to hold a calligraphy exhibition recently, and I was thinking, I should join in the fun and write a piece of calligraphy to participate in the exhibition..."
Chu Tian was confused. Why did they end up talking about the calligraphy exhibition?
The big boss paused, observing Chu Tian's reaction. Seeing his puzzled expression, he continued, "I heard that you have good calligraphy and have won some awards, right?"
Chu Tian suddenly realized that this was the real purpose of the meal! He pretended to be modest and said, "Thank you for the compliment, leader. I can't compare with you at my level! I only practiced calligraphy for a few years when I was a child, but I have abandoned it now."
"Hey, that's not the way to say it. For calligraphy, persistence is the key. Since you have the foundation, you have to practice hard!" The big boss said, taking out a scroll from the cabinet next to him and slowly opening it. On it was a magnificent work of running script. "Look, this is what I just wrote a few days ago. Can you take a look at it and see how it works?"
Chu Tian secretly complained in his heart. This leader, after going around in circles for so long, actually wanted him to be his ghostwriter! He gritted his teeth and looked at the calligraphy. He saw that the handwriting was vigorous and powerful. It was indeed a rare masterpiece. However, this handwriting looked familiar...
Suddenly, Chu Tian had an idea and remembered something that happened in the office a few days ago. That day, he was sorting out documents when he heard a quarrel coming from the office next door. He walked over curiously and looked through the crack in the door. He saw the secretary of the big boss, Xiao Li, arguing with a young man.
"What do you want? I've already told you that the calligraphy was not written by me, you stole it!" Xiao Li said angrily.
"I stole it? What evidence do you have? These words were clearly written by me!" the man said righteously.
"You..." Xiao Li was so angry that he couldn't speak. He pointed at the man and said, "Don't think I don't know that you are just a ghostwriter who specializes in writing for others!"
Ghostwriting?! Chu Tian's heart skipped a beat. Could it be... Could it be that this calligraphy was ghostwritten by the big boss?
Thinking of this, Chu Tian calmly moved his gaze away from the calligraphy and painting and looked at his leader. He was looking at him expectantly, his eyes full of... cunning?
Chu Tian's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that this old fox was setting a trap for him on purpose?
Chu Tian's mind was spinning rapidly. What was this old fox up to? Was he testing him? Was he trying to taunt him? Or was he setting him up? He calmed down, forced a smile on his face, and complimented him, "Leader, your handwriting is becoming more and more like a master. The force that penetrates the paper and the freehand strokes are truly astonishing!"
The leader showed a proud look on his face, but he said modestly: "Hey, my level is still far from that. I just doodled a few strokes when I had nothing to do."
Chu Tian followed his words and said: "Leader, you are too modest. With your level, if you take it to the exhibition, it will definitely be the material for the first prize!"
The wrinkles at the corners of the boss' eyes deepened a little, and he said with a smile: "Hahaha, Xiao Chu, I like what you said! However, I've been too busy with work recently and I really can't spare the time to write. You see..."
Chu Tian sneered in his heart. This old fox finally showed his true colors! He pretended not to understand what the leader said and asked, "Leader, what are you looking at?"
The big boss coughed dryly and said in a low voice: "Xiao Chu, how about this? Let me borrow this calligraphy for the exhibition. When I win the prize, I'll treat you to a drink!"
Chu Tian cursed in his heart, this old fox, he really has a good plan! He borrowed his calligraphy to participate in the exhibition. If he wins the award, it will be the leader, and if he loses face, it will be Chu Tian! He was thinking about how to refuse, and Sha Zhu suddenly interrupted and said, "Leader, if you like this calligraphy, I will give it to you, why are you borrowing it!"