Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 714 - 362: Xu Nuo (Part 1)
The colleague listened to Shi Dadan speak and shook his head helplessly, his expression showing no sign of any derogatory meaning. It seemed he was used to Shi Dadan’s actions and could only accept: "You, really, I don’t know what to say about you. It’s not like anyone asked you to take bribes or kickbacks; they only asked you to have a meal at the garment factory, and you’re this cautious. Truly the gold standard of our fleet, the number one honest man."
"If you go out on the road a few more times, I doubt anyone will say our fleet is swimming in profits."
Shi Dadan had no reaction to his colleague’s teasing, he merely showed a sincere and somewhat ingratiating smile, and that was the end of it.
The colleague continued to mutter: "Today the captain went to Jinling to deliver goods and will be staying overnight. Before he left, he told me to help you inspect the car. Did you encounter any issues driving today? I think our fleet should switch to some new cars. These old ones have been driven for many years. New for three years, old for three years, patch it up and ride for another three, but that’s clothes, not cars."
"The cars were practically antiques when they arrived, sometimes I’m afraid they’ll fall apart while driving. Two more years of driving and we won’t need to be in the fleet, we’ll be working repairs with all the skills we’ve gained."
Shi Dadan still said nothing, focusing on the tires and pressing on them.
The colleague saw Shi Dadan staring at the tires and asked, "Xu Mo, is there a problem with these tires?"
Qin Huai was startled, realizing that Shi Dadan was called Xu Mo in his first life, a name that indeed suited his character.
The guy simply didn’t talk; he was quite silent.
Seeing his colleague take the initiative to ask, Shi Dadan finally spoke, his pace of speech very slow: "There seems to be a little problem, on the way back I kept feeling the car was a bit off."
The colleague didn’t pay much attention: "It’s normal, let me check it for you."
Then he started working.
This colleague, although he talked a lot, was still quite capable in his work. He checked the vehicle thoroughly, not just looking at the tires because Shi Dadan pointed out a possible issue there.
The colleague kept talking about fleet matters even while working, even when he crawled under the car, he had to talk. Even though Shi Dadan barely responded throughout, occasionally saying "Hmm", he couldn’t stop the colleague’s enthusiasm for talking.
Clearly, he was a chatterbox.
Through the colleague’s gossip, Qin Huai managed to get quite a bit of useful information.
For instance, Shi Dadan and Xu Nuo were already very close, practically inseparable. After graduating from vocational school, Xu Nuo didn’t join the factory or further his studies; he idly stayed at home for two years.
Doing nothing gave him plenty of time, and he showed up at the factory every day right when Shi Dadan was finishing work, regardless of the weather. Listening to his colleague’s tone, he seemed to mistakenly believe Shi Dadan was some kind of cousin to Xu Nuo, often sighing that Shi Dadan was truly a fool blessed with good fortune.
Even though Shi Dadan hadn’t studied much and wasn’t very smart, he had great relatives. With Mr. Xu’s connection, even if Shi Dadan didn’t join the fleet, he could easily land a cushy job at the cotton-spinning factory as a driver. Besides, although not smart, Shi Dadan had a knack for driving, a big build, and was hard-working, which barely made him fleet material.
Qin Huai had even heard from the colleague that the fleet captain admired Shi Dadan and wanted to train him. Usually, when aiding Shi Dadan with vehicle inspections, teaching him how to repair and inspect them, the captain himself provided the guidance. This was a privilege beyond what ordinary contacts could hope for.
Aside from the connection with Xu Nuo, Qin Huai also learned that Shi Dadan was popular in the dating market. In this era, single young guys like Shi Dadan, who were sturdy, honest, simple, not bright but hard-working, with a good job, were rare. Matchmakers from miles around seemed to have their eyes on Shi Dadan, frantically introducing him to girls.
Shi Dadan was so scared that after work, he didn’t dare return to the dormitory, for fear that matchmakers would come knocking to introduce him to a girl.
Speaking of which, the colleague laughed aloud and mocked Shi Dadan: "Xiao Xu, honestly, are the girls really that scary? You’re hiding from matchmakers as if they’re some fierce beasts; people might think they’d swallow you whole. At your age, you should be getting married. How old are you now? You must be twenty-two, right."
"When I was your age, my eldest was already able to munch on buns."
"Pass me the wrench."
Shi Dadan silently handed over the wrench.
"Sigh, I wonder what they’ll serve at the canteen tonight," the colleague lamented.
"Boiled cabbage with bean sprouts, minced meat with beans, vegetable tofu soup, and mixed grain buns," Shi Dadan answered immediately.
Colleague: ...
The colleague was a bit speechless as he crawled out from under the car, his hands completely covered in oil, handing the tool to Shi Dadan, who hastily accepted it.
"You remember that quickly."
"Your car is fixed; same old problem. Tomorrow, if the car stalls halfway while going out, check the parts underneath to see if they’re loose. You’ve been taught by the captain for so long, you definitely know how to do it. We’re short on hands in the fleet tomorrow, so you’ll be on your own."
"Hey, aren’t you heading to the meat processing plant tomorrow? Their food there is..."
The colleague hadn’t finished speaking when a young, fair-skinned, well-off-looking young man approached the two. Judging by his clothes, which were notably newer and cleaner than Shi Dadan’s and the colleague’s, the fabric was more upscale, his skin didn’t seem exposed much to the elements, his hands were smooth without noticeable callouses. Qin Huai remembered this young man.
