MM Racing Chapter 1103 He Yuzhu Has Learned to Be Smart
Chapter 1103 He Yuzhu Has Learned to Be Smart
Qin Huairu rubbed her hands together on her apron, her fingertips still bearing the small, red marks from the needle pricks she'd gotten that morning while sewing shoe soles. She took a few steps forward, glancing around to make sure no one was in the yard, before lowering her voice and speaking to He Yuzhu in a slightly mysterious tone: "Yuzhu, you've heard, haven't you? Li Jianjun... he's no longer the deputy factory director. I heard he was dismissed and is now working as a regular worker in the workshop."
Seeing He Yuzhu wiping the pot and nodding slowly, she quickly leaned forward, almost touching his ear, and lowered her voice, pleading, "Look at you now, although you haven't become the canteen chef yet, you have a wide network of connections in the factory, you're familiar with the workers in each workshop, and you can even talk to Director Gu. Could... could you do me a favor and find an opportunity to talk to Director Gu properly, to ask him to make an exception and let Banggeng not go to the countryside? Don't worry, as long as this is done, I will never forget your kindness. I'll save the eggs at home for you, and once I've collected ten, I'll send them over to you. I'll also make sure your child gets new clothes from the new cloth we bought for the New Year. I promise I won't go back on my word."
He Yuzhu couldn't help but chuckle after hearing this, slapping the rag he was holding onto the enamel basin with a crisp "clang." He straightened up, looked at Qin Huairu, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Sister Qin, you really overestimate me. You know my relationship with Director Gu. Back in the canteen, we'd argued countless times because he complained that my cooking was too salty or too bland. It was a miracle if he gave me a kind look. How could I dare to plead for him? Besides, going to the countryside is a regulation from above. The documents are clearly posted on the bulletin board at the factory gate, stamped with an official seal. It's not something that can be changed just like that. If I dared to bring it up, I'm afraid Director Gu would scold me, and I might even lose my current job."
Qin Huairu, unwilling to give up, moved closer, her eyes instantly reddening, her voice trembling with pleading sobs, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes crinkling together: "Zhuzi, good Zhuzi, please help your sister-in-law this once! Banggeng is only fifteen, still a half-grown child, unable to lift a finger. In the countryside, facing the yellow earth with his back to the sky, how could he possibly manage the farm work? How could he survive such hardship? In this courtyard, you're the most capable and well-connected, knowing everyone up and down the hierarchy. Besides you, I really don't know who else to ask. Please have pity on us, a widow and her orphan..."
He Yuzhu shook his head, picked up the broom beside him and swept the vegetable leaves on the ground. His tone was more resolute than before: "Sister Qin, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that there's really no way to do it. Going to the countryside is a policy, it involves too many things, and it's not something any one person can decide. I'm just a cook in the canteen, I have no power or influence, how could I have such great abilities? Please stop thinking about this, so as not to waste your energy. It's better to prepare Banggeng's things for going to the countryside as soon as possible, that's more practical."
He knew perfectly well that going to Gu Nan to plead for him at this time would only be asking for trouble. Gu Nan was an upright and principled man, and besides, Li Jianjun had just gotten into trouble, which was a sensitive time. If he went up to him now, he might be misunderstood as having a connection with Li Jianjun, and he couldn't afford to ruin the situation he had finally managed to stabilize at the factory.
Seeing his resolute attitude, leaving no room for negotiation, Qin Huairu's smile froze instantly, like a crumpled and unfolded painting. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more conciliatory, but the words caught in her throat. In the end, she only sighed heavily, turned, and walked dejectedly home. Her hunched back conveyed an indescribable sense of loss, like a scarecrow drained of its life force.
He Yuzhu watched her figure disappear through the courtyard gate, sighed softly, and lowered his head to continue washing the vegetables by turning on the tap. The tap water flowed smoothly, washing away the mud spots on the spinach leaves and also dispelling the inexplicable irritation in his heart. The troubles in this courtyard were like a tangled mess; it was best to stay away and not get involved, lest he get himself into trouble.
He Yuzhu tossed the wok in front of the stove, the iron pot and spatula clanging together with a crisp sound, the slices of meat sizzling and glistening with oil. But his mind was racing—Gu Nan was now a big shot at the steel mill, holding the reins of a technological innovation project. He'd heard that even higher-ups had to ask for his opinion before holding meetings. He didn't want to offend someone like that.
The Jia couple were still stirring things up in the yard yesterday, saying that Gu Nan had just taken over and was already bullying the older employees, and that he, as the "kitchen manager," should teach Gu Nan a lesson. He Yuzhu brushed it off at the time—he wasn't stupid. The Jia couple's motives were nothing more than jealousy that Gu Nan had gotten the welfare housing they used to have. He wasn't going to risk his lucrative job in the kitchen over such a trivial matter.
He sprinkled some chopped scallions into the pot, and a vibrant green aroma burst forth, mingling with the scent of meat and wafting far and wide. He Yuzhu tossed the pot in his hand, thinking to himself: No matter how much they talk, I have to stay calm. I should just focus on cooking the dishes properly, get my full salary at the end of the month, and maybe even take some meat and vegetables home to improve my sister's meals—that's the proper thing to do.
Gu Nan's work has become a bit easier lately. A while ago, to meet deadlines for the new equipment drawings, he was constantly in the workshop, his desk covered in pencil shavings, and he even came home smelling strongly of machine oil. His wife always joked that he smelled stronger than the machine tools in the workshop. Now that the technical upgrade project is gradually getting on track, the old production line at the steel rolling mill is being gradually reduced in output, waiting for the new equipment to be debugged before being replaced. His workload has suddenly decreased significantly, and he can finally leave work on time.
The wall clock ticked, pointing to five in the afternoon. The bell rang precisely on time, signaling the end of the workday, like a reprieve. Gu Nan tidied up the drawings on his desk, putting them in a brown paper bag. He then quickly wiped the surface with a cloth, removing pencil marks and grease. He picked up his coat from the back of his chair, shook off the dust, and walked briskly out the door—tomorrow was the weekend, a perfect opportunity to spend time with his wife and children. His wife had said she'd stewed pork ribs this morning, which were probably already overcooked.
Meanwhile, Li Jianjun wandered around the steel rolling mill entrance for almost an hour, his hands tucked in. Autumn winds swept fallen leaves past his feet, and he shrank back, a surge of anger rising within him. He had originally intended to go into the factory to find Gu Nan. Some things could be said in the office, where at least there would be others present, and if things got out of hand, his colleagues could judge the situation, making Gu Nan appear to be abusing his power.
Unexpectedly, the security guards at the gate were like stubborn mules, refusing to let him in no matter how much he pleaded, not even offering to "announce" his presence. "Deputy Factory Director Gu said that without his permission, no one is allowed to enter," said the head security officer, arms crossed, not even raising his eyelids, his attitude as hard as an iron plate.