Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Chapter 1183 Zhong Yi Agrees to the Plan

Zhong Yi sneered inwardly. Sure enough, there were conditions. He knew it wouldn't be that easy. But on his face, he pretended to be interested, leaning forward as if he had been persuaded: "Director Zhu, please give your orders. As long as it's within my power, I will do my best."

Zhu Tao stared at him for a long time, his eyes like searchlights, as if he were weighing his sincerity. Suddenly, he sneered, with a hint of mockery: "You are Gu Nan's prized student. He has treated you well, hasn't he? He taught you the craft step by step and promoted you from apprentice to director. Can you really turn around and help me?"

Zhong Yi knew he had to play his part, so he immediately put on an indignant expression, raising his voice slightly, with a hint of suppressed anger: "Factory Director, you have no idea! My position as director looks prestigious, but he controls everything! He has to meddle in everything—what vegetables to buy, how much oil to use; if someone makes a small mistake, he has to reprimand them in front of me, making me lose all my authority! He always thinks I can't live without him, and he has to interfere in everything, big or small. I've had enough of this controlled life!"

This was half true and half false—his master did indeed manage him a lot, but it wasn't intentional manipulation; it was more out of fear that he would make mistakes because he was young. By saying this, he both pleased Zhu Tao and didn't actually slander his master. Zhong Yi secretly gloated at his quick thinking and impeccable wording.

Zhu Tao believed him most of the time, his smile widening. He patted Zhong Yi's shoulder, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy: "That's right! Young people need ambition, they can't always be suppressed by the old! Gu Nan's old ideas are outdated and can't keep up with the times." He paused, a calculating glint in his eyes, "This is an opportunity for you. Help me get this done, and you'll be the deputy factory director in the bag. From now on, you, Zhong Yi, will be able to speak with more authority in the factory and won't have to be subservient to others anymore."

Zhong Yi deliberately gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, as if he had made up his mind: "If the factory director can really give me this opportunity, I, Zhong Yi, will work for you from now on! But... what exactly do you want me to do? As long as it's not something immoral, I will have no objections."

Zhu Tao was about to speak when his lips moved, but he abruptly stopped himself. He stared at Zhong Yi for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly—after all, Zhong Yi was Gu Nan's apprentice, someone he'd followed for so many years. What if this was a trap set by Gu Nan, deliberately getting him to reveal something so they could tip him off? No, he had to observe further. He changed his words, saying, "This isn't urgent. Go back and think it over first. Once you've really figured it out, we can discuss it in detail. I promise you won't suffer any losses."

Zhong Yi knew perfectly well that Zhu Tao still didn't trust him; the old fox was indeed cunning. But it didn't matter; since the other party had thrown out the bait, there was no fear of not being able to catch it. He feigned a sigh, pretending to be regretful yet expectant: "Alright, Factory Director, you're busy. I'll go back to the canteen first; they're waiting for me to arrange the lunch purchase."

As he turned to leave, Zhong Yi clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white—Zhu Tao's move was clearly an attempt to poach his master's man; it seemed he was truly going to make a move against him. He needed to quickly find a chance to speak with his master and have him prepare in advance; he couldn't afford to be defeated by this new factory manager.

Zhu Tao watched Zhong Yi's departing figure, his fingertips tapping lightly on the smooth desk, producing a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound. A hidden calculation flashed in his eyes. He naturally wouldn't easily believe this sudden show of goodwill—Zhong Yi was Gu Nan's protégé, the two had worked together in the technical department for five years, their bond was there for them, how could he just turn against him like that? But as long as Zhong Yi dared to take this step, regardless of whether it was genuine or not, he would always find a way to find something to use against him. At that time, whether to beat him or pull him, to tie him up or let him go, it would all be up to Zhu Tao.

In the kitchen, He Yuzhu was wiping the stove with a greasy rag, making the white tiles shine with oil stains. His eyes, however, never left the doorway. He had clearly seen Zhong Yi and Zhu Tao whispering to each other in the shadows at the end of the corridor, exchanging a meaningful glance as they left. He knew then that these two were probably forming an alliance to deal with Gu Nan.

He Yuzhu's lips curled into a cold smile as he tossed the rag in his hand onto the stove with a crisp "thud." Fine, let them fight it out first. Once Zhu Tao uses Zhong Yi to deal with Gu Nan, given Zhu Tao's vengeful nature, he'll definitely take care of Zhong Yi too—after all, he's a traitor, and keeping him around is always a threat. Then, wouldn't the position of canteen manager be his? Director Zhu had already given him the hint that as long as he could keep the kitchen under control and prevent any trouble, the position would be his sooner or later.

Just as he was pondering this, Zhong Yi lifted the curtain and entered the kitchen. The sleeves of his blue work clothes were rolled up to his elbows, revealing half of his forearm. He Yuzhu hurriedly went up to him, his face beaming with a warm smile, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were even more pronounced: "Director Zhong, what brings you here? Look at the cleanliness of my kitchen, it's impeccable. Even the cracks in the walls are wiped until they shine. Not even a fly can land on them. You can't find a single fault with it."

Zhong Yi knew that He Yuzhu was now a favorite of Factory Director Zhu. Last time the factory entertained its superiors, it was He Yuzhu's "Nine-Turned Intestines" that received the most praise. Zhong Yi had to be careful with his words and actions. He forced a smile, raised his hand and patted He Yuzhu's shoulder, the force not too light or too heavy: "Alright, Zhuzi, do you think I don't know your abilities? The hygiene is indeed impeccable, and your cooking skills are even more outstanding. With your skills, the head chef position naturally belongs to you."

He Yuzhu was secretly delighted, feeling as sweet as if he had drunk honey—it seemed that Director Zhu's words had indeed worked. In just a few days, Zhong Yi had changed his attitude towards him, even changing his form of address from "He Yuzhu" to "Zhuzi." He raised his eyebrows smugly, his tone carrying a hint of probing: "So, Director Zhong thinks we're on the same side now? If there's anything you need in the future, just let me know."

Zhong Yi knew perfectly well what He Yuzhu meant—he wanted to get him on his side and use his influence to climb the ranks. He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was calculating—his open allegiance to Zhu Tao was merely a ploy to infiltrate their ranks, gather evidence of Zhu Tao's embezzlement, and then relay it to his master, Gu Nan. To truly associate with a snobbish person like He Yuzhu would be a disaster.

He suppressed his smile, his tone becoming serious and earnest: "Zhu Zi, we're aligned on the same goal now, so it's fair to say we're working together. But you need to understand that I'm still officially Gu Nan's apprentice, and that relationship can't be broken—otherwise, how can I work for Director Zhu? So, I can't openly help you, and you need to keep that in mind."