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

Chapter 1143 Zhu Tao Finds Yi Zhonghai

He had to find a backer. He secretly calculated in his heart. Director Zhu had just been transferred from the main factory and needed people to build relationships and establish a foothold. If he could use his culinary skills to get close to him, Gu Nan wouldn't be able to bully him like before. Even if he couldn't get a high-ranking position, at least he could be the head chef in peace, and no one could touch him.

Zhu Tao quickly ate most of a bowl of rice from the two dishes, put down his chopsticks, picked up a handkerchief from the table to wipe his mouth, and looked at He Yuzhu standing to the side, his tone full of praise: "Zhuzi, your cooking skills are really good. The steel mill's canteen is really a waste of your talent. With this ability, you could easily be the head chef at a big restaurant on Qianmen Street."

These words struck a chord with He Yuzhu, who immediately put on a humble smile, rubbing his hands repeatedly on his apron, his tone slightly embarrassed: "Factory Director, you flatter me. This is all I'm good at cooking. I'm content as long as I can make a hot meal and some dishes that suit the tastes of the brothers in the factory. I don't dare to dream of those fancy restaurants." But in his heart, he was overjoyed—it seemed that this move had been the right one, and Factory Director Zhu indeed appreciated his culinary skills.

Seeing that Zhu Tao had almost finished eating, He Yuzhu quickly stepped forward to clear the dishes, his movements as swift as if he had practiced a thousand times in the cafeteria kitchen. The dishes on the white porcelain plate were completely cleaned, and even the broth from the braised pork was mixed with rice and eaten clean, which gave him more confidence and made him feel that his efforts had not been in vain.

"Factory manager, do you think these two dishes I made are to your liking?" he asked tentatively as he stacked the plates, his eyes filled with anticipation, like a student waiting for a teacher's grade.

Zhu Tao leaned back in his large office chair, picked up the enamel teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "It's good, much better than the usual communal food in the canteen. It tastes like home. If the factory has any entertainment or business dinners in the future, I'll have the office notify you in advance. Please take care of things then."

"Yes, sir! Don't worry, I'll make sure it's done perfectly!" He Yuzhu replied quickly and loudly, his heart filled with joy—this meant they considered him one of their own. He quickly and carefully packed the bowls and chopsticks into the aluminum food container, then wiped the table with a cloth to make sure there wasn't a trace of oil left. Seeing that there was nothing left to clean up, he stood up respectfully: "Director Zhu, you can continue with your official business. I'll head back to the canteen now. I still need to figure out how to prepare dinner for the workers this afternoon."

Zhu Tao waved his hand, his gaze falling on the food box in his hand. As if he suddenly remembered something, he added, "By the way, ask the canteen to stew more radish and pork rib soup at noon from now on. It's been getting cold lately, and the workers in the workshop sweat a lot while working. Drinking some hot soup to warm themselves up will also help them stay healthy."

"Okay! I've got it! I'll make sure it's stewed until it's very tender and the brothers will enjoy it!" He Yuzhu replied loudly, turning to leave. As he reached the door, he couldn't help but glance back at Zhu Tao. Seeing that the other man was already looking down at his documents, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and his steps became lighter—it seemed that he had firmly secured this powerful backer.

Stepping out of the office building, the midday sun felt warm on his skin, casting short shadows. He Yuzhu carried the food box towards the canteen, his steps lighter than before. He was already thinking about what to cook for Director Zhu tomorrow—how about stewing an old hen? Stewing it with shiitake mushrooms and goji berries would be nourishing, the soup delicious, and it would also look classy; Director Zhu would definitely like it.

As for Gu Nan? He Yuzhu glanced at the smoke-filled production area in the distance and snorted disdainfully in his heart. Now that Director Zhu was backing him up, he'd see if Gu Nan would still dare to cause him trouble or make things difficult for him!

He Yuzhu knew perfectly well that arguing with Zhu Tao here would be pointless. Zhu Tao, the new factory director, looked refined, but his calculating eyes were unmistakable. If he let slip a word and gave Gu Nan something to say, it would be a huge loss. He decided to slip away. Just as he reached the office door, he felt an invisible tug on the back of his collar—Zhu Tao's voice came from behind him.

“Perfect timing,” Zhu Tao said, sitting motionless in his large office chair, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table, making a soft “tap-tap” sound that seemed to strike He Yuzhu’s heart. “Go and invite Master Yi Zhonghai over. I have some things I’d like to ask him about.”

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat, followed by a surge of inexplicable smugness. Send Yi Zhonghai? That's perfect! That old guy has been in the factory for most of his life; in terms of seniority and connections, he's far superior to him. They could team up perfectly. Then, the two of them could gossip about Gu Nan to Director Zhu, giving them an extra hand when it came to dealing with the kid. He nodded quickly, a warm smile plastered on his face: "Okay! I'll go right now!" He turned and left, his steps lighter than when he arrived, thinking to himself: It's pointless to stand here listening to Zhu Tao's affected manner; it's better to hurry and find Yi Zhonghai to figure out how to trip up Gu Nan.

Although he and Yi Zhonghai had been at odds lately—they'd argued about finding work for Sha Zhu and hadn't even bothered to greet each other since, acting like enemies—he had to temporarily put that grudge aside to deal with Gu Nan. After all, as the old saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and getting rid of Gu Nan, this thorn in his side, from his position as deputy factory director was the most important thing right now.

He Yuzhu walked quickly towards the courtyard house, mentally planning what to say to Yi Zhonghai. Just as he reached the gate, he saw Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu talking under the eaves. Yi Zhonghai had just finished eating, still clutching an empty, coarse porcelain bowl with some splattered soup on the rim; Qin Huairu looked anxious, her brows furrowed, her eyes red-rimmed, as if she had just been crying.

"Uncle Yi, do you think you can think of a way?" Qin Huairu's voice was choked with tears, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Banggeng is about to be sent to the countryside. You know his personality; he's been spoiled since he was a child, he can't lift a finger. If he really goes to the countryside, facing the yellow earth and turning his back to the sky every day, won't he break his little bones? I've talked to Gu Nan several times, begging him to help out out of our neighborly relationship, but he just won't show any mercy, he's as cold as a stone... We're all neighbors in the same courtyard, how can he be so heartless..."

Yi Zhonghai sighed, shook his head, and said with a helpless tone, "You know my situation now. I'm retired, I have no power or influence, and my words carry no weight. Which of the new managers in the factory still recognizes me? How can I be of any help?"