MM Racing Chapter 1181 He Yuzhu Offers Advice
Chapter 1181 He Yuzhu Offers Advice
Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and they moved out with their heads down, their steps so light as if afraid to crush their shadows on the ground. Yi Zhonghai walked at the back, feeling both frustrated and resentful—such a great achievement, yet he couldn't seize it. He knew all too well Gu Nan's position in the factory; let alone taking away his power, even touching one of his team leaders would have to consider the workers' reaction. Gu Nan could increase the workshop's output by 30% in three months, make the canteen's meals both cheap and plentiful, and turn the warehouse's waste into treasure… This wasn't something that could be achieved with just power; it was something that truly won over people's hearts.
As soon as the office door closed, He Yuzhu walked in carrying an enamel mug. He had just finished delivering some refreshing mung bean soup to the factory director. Seeing Zhu Tao's unpleasant expression, he rolled his eyes and leaned closer: "Director, don't get angry with those people, they're brainless. But I overheard something outside and thought of someone who might be able to help."
"Oh?" Zhu Tao looked up at him, his tone tinged with suspicion. He Yuzhu was the cafeteria's head chef, and his skills were indeed good, but when it came to scheming, what clever ideas could he possibly have?
“Zhong Yi from the canteen!” He Yuzhu lowered his voice and took two steps closer. “He was promoted by Gu Nan himself. Now he’s the canteen director, in charge of meals for thousands of people in the factory. He’s closest to Gu Nan, practically glued to him every day. If we can get him on our side, wouldn’t we have Gu Nan’s weakness in our hands?”
Zhu Tao's eyes suddenly lit up. The canteen manager, though seemingly a low-ranking position, was responsible for the livelihood of everyone in the factory. If Zhong Yi were to betray them and deliberately tamper with the food—today there were too few vegetables, tomorrow too much salt, the day after the meat wasn't fresh—the workers would definitely protest. When the investigation came down to it, the first person held accountable would be Gu Nan, the "old leader," because he had promoted someone who had gone wrong. At that point, forget about seizing power; it would be difficult for Gu Nan to even keep his current position.
“Not bad, that’s an interesting idea.” Zhu Tao suddenly stood up and paced around the office, his steps becoming lighter. “I’ll go talk to Zhong Yi right now and offer him some benefits—a deputy section chief position, or an apprenticeship for his son. I’m not afraid he won’t be tempted.”
"The factory manager is brilliant!" He Yuzhu quickly flattered, but a barely perceptible glint of calculation flashed in his eyes. "If Zhong Yi really comes, then the canteen's location..."
He'd worked in the cafeteria for so many years, mastering every cooking method, so why was he being outmaneuvered by Zhong Yi, that greenhorn who only knew how to manage accounts? Wasn't it all thanks to Gu Nan's promotion? He'd long been itching to take over the cafeteria manager's position.
Zhu Tao could easily see through his thoughts. A knowing smile appeared on his lips as he patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, you are the most trustworthy confidant of mine. After we deal with Gu Nan, if Zhong Yi knows what's good for him, he can be put in charge of the warehouse; if he doesn't, then the position of canteen director will naturally be yours."
He Yuzhu was overjoyed inside, but on his face he pretended to be extremely grateful, bowing like a shrimp: "Thank you for the promotion, Director Xie! I will definitely work hard for you, no matter what, and I will never let you down!"
Zhu Tao waved him out, then walked to the window, gazing towards the distant canteen, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Gu Nan, Gu Nan, you think you'll be safe now that you're gone? How naive. When you come back, I'll show you who really calls the shots at this steel mill."
Meanwhile, in the canteen kitchen, steam filled the air like a white mist. Zhong Yi stood in front of the stove, directing the workers to wash and chop vegetables, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. He held a small notebook in his hand, diligently noting the amount of food needed for the day: "Peel five more potatoes. Workshop Two is working overtime today, so we need to prepare more." Little did he know that a conspiracy against Gu Nan had quietly drawn him in, much like the fumes from the kitchen, and that he himself had become the most crucial pawn in their eyes.
Zhong Yi's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the blue cloth notebook, the words "Canteen Work Record" on the cover worn white. He had just stepped out of the office building when the early autumn wind, carrying the smell of coal smoke from the factory, swept over him. He instinctively pulled his sleeves tighter—he had originally intended to report the month's accounts to Gu Nan. The notebook contained worker feedback slips and recipes for several new stews he had tried. Chef Gu always said the canteen needed to offer a variety of dishes to keep the workers motivated.
But Old Zhang in the office said that Gu Nan had gone to the city for training early that morning and wouldn't be back for three months. Zhong Yi felt empty inside, as if a pillar of support had been missing. When he first arrived at the steel rolling mill, he was just an apprentice who couldn't even hold a kitchen knife properly. It was Gu Nan who taught him how to control the heat, calculate costs, and even gave him the position of canteen manager. Even now that Gu Nan had been promoted to deputy factory director, he still maintained the habit of reporting to him every week, and in his heart, he always recognized this mentor.
He stuffed the notebook into his canvas pocket and turned to head back to the canteen—Aunt Wang in the kitchen was waiting for him to decide on the lunch menu. Yesterday, the second workshop complained that there wasn't enough meat, so they needed to prepare more braised pork today.
"Director Zhong, where are we going?" The voice from behind had a slightly sour tone, like vinegar that hadn't been properly pickled.
Zhong Yi turned around and saw He Yuzhu standing under the sycamore tree with his hands on his hips. There was a greasy stain on his gray apron, and he looked annoyed. He was not happy, but his expression softened: "Why is Chef He wandering around here instead of keeping an eye on things in the kitchen?"
In terms of seniority, He Yuzhu had been there five years longer than him, but in terms of position, he was now the canteen manager, in charge of all the affairs in the kitchen. He Yuzhu always felt that he had gotten his position easily, only because of Gu Nan's promotion, and he often acted arrogantly because of his seniority. The two had never gotten along. Just like last week when they were steaming buns, He Yuzhu insisted that there wasn't enough baking soda and insisted on adding more to the dough. As a result, the steamed buns turned out yellow like lumps of dirt. In the end, Zhong Yi had to work overnight to ferment the dough again so that the workers' breakfast wouldn't be delayed.
He Yuzhu usually had to be more discreet when he saw him, but today was different—having just received instructions from Director Zhu and harboring ambitions of becoming the "canteen manager," he was brimming with confidence. He took two steps forward, his chin held high, like a victorious rooster: "I just came from the director's office. Director Zhu called a meeting. Oh, and he specifically asked me to pass on a message, asking you to come over too."
Zhong Yi didn't even lift his eyelids. He knew He Yuzhu's personality all too well; boasting without thinking was commonplace for him. Zhu Tao was indeed the factory director, but he never cared about the trivial matters in the canteen. Besides, if there was a meeting to be held, the office should issue a notice and shout it from the factory by banging on an enamel basin. Why should He Yuzhu be the one to relay the message?
"Director Zhu is too busy to worry about whether the canteen food is too salty or bland," Zhong Yi said, glancing at him dismissively with a hint of sarcasm. "Chef He, you'd better hurry back to the kitchen. The porridge for breakfast needs to be thickened. The other day, a worker said it tasted like rice water, have you forgotten?"