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

Chapter 1015 He Yuzhu is a little confused

Mentioning this, Yi Zhonghai also sighed heavily, his wrinkles crinkling at the corners of his eyes, his eyes filled with undisguised regret. How could he not regret it? If he hadn't stood up for Jia Dongxu and gotten so estranged from Gu Nan, if he had used his seniority as an eighth-grade fitter and taken the initiative to speak to Gu Nan and improve their relationship, would his family be struggling so much now? Tie Dan's family in the front yard was a perfect example—just because Tie Dan was close to Gu Nan in the workshop, his family not only ate fine grains every month, but also bought a brand-new bicycle last month. Every time he saw it, it made him feel envious.

He gazed at the tightly closed wooden door of Gu Nan's house. The door panel was freshly painted a deep maroon, so shiny it reflected one's image. Even the door knocker was polished to a gleaming shine. Compared to the dusty appearance of the other houses in the courtyard, it exuded an inexplicable air of respectability. Yi Zhonghai murmured, "Sigh, I really didn't expect this... Gu Nan, who used to ask me about lathe tool angles in the courtyard, is now qualified to compete with Deputy Factory Director Li for the position of factory director." His tone was full of complex emotions—envy for Gu Nan's meteoric rise, regret for his own missed opportunity, and a vague sense of loss, as if he had been left far behind by a younger generation, leaving him feeling empty inside.

He Yuzhu squatted to the side, holding a half-smoked cigarette in his hand. Listening to Yi Zhonghai's words, he couldn't help but look up and ask, "Uncle Yi, in your opinion, is it really possible for Gu Nan to become the factory director?" The atmosphere in 1966 was getting more and more tense, and the personnel changes in the factory also had an inexplicable subtlety. He really had no idea.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at him, his brow furrowing. "It's really hard to say right now. Gu Nan has certainly established himself in the factory these past few years. He's technically skilled, well-connected, and even the leaders at the head office have praised him several times. His position isn't low. But don't forget, Deputy Factory Director Li also has powerful backers. I've heard he's related to officials in the district. When it comes to navigating the complexities of the business, Gu Nan probably can't compete." He paused, smacked his lips, and added, "At this crucial juncture, it's very difficult to say who will have the last laugh."

After saying that, Yi Zhonghai suddenly felt something was wrong. He stared at He Yuzhu for a long time, his eyes filled with vigilance: "Zhuzi, why are you asking this? You're not trying to get on Gu Nan's good side, are you?"

He Yuzhu smiled, a hint of helplessness in his expression, and flicked his cigarette ash. "Uncle Yi, you know my situation at the steel mill. The canteen may look inconspicuous, but it's a hotbed of conflict. Both sides are vying for power right now. If I don't act wisely and choose sides early, I might not even get a hot meal once the situation settles down. What will become of my family then?" He thought of Qin Jingru's pregnancy and the several children waiting for food, and his tone grew heavy. "I have no choice."

Yi Zhonghai fell silent, puffing on his cigarette. He knew He Yuzhu was telling the truth; these days, in the factory, skill alone wasn't enough—you also had to be opportunistic and choose your side. But the thought of Gu Nan, once so inconspicuous in the courtyard, now the object of everyone's flattery, still lingered in his mind, a sense of unease he couldn't shake. The wind howled through the courtyard, swirling up withered leaves, as if lamenting the hardships faced by those within.

He Yuzhu shook his head, his tone carrying a complex mix of emotions and a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "Forget it, there are some things you don't know the inside story. Otherwise, with your qualifications, you wouldn't still be just a level 5 fitter, stuck in this factory wasting your time."

These words were like an ice-cold awl, piercing Yi Zhonghai's heart with a "plop," instantly igniting a fire within him. He hadn't expected He Yuzhu to say such harsh words; his face darkened instantly, and the veins on his forehead throbbed. He opened his mouth to retort—if he hadn't offended Gu Nan back then, why would he be stuck at level five? But the words ultimately turned into a heavy, cold snort as he turned and walked towards his home, his back ramrod straight, exuding a pent-up, unvented anger.

He Yuzhu watched Yi Zhonghai's figure disappear around the corner, then turned to look at the tightly closed gate of Gu Nan's house, his brows furrowed in worry. He wasn't entirely sure himself. Gu Nan was currently riding high at the factory, but Deputy Director Li was a veteran with real power in logistics. How should he phrase the issue of taking sides? What if he offended Gu Nan? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble? Frustrated and with nowhere to vent, he angrily kicked a pebble under his feet and turned to go home.

As soon as Yi Zhonghai entered, he slammed his enamel mug down on the table with a loud crash, splashing a few drops of tea. He angrily addressed Aunt Tan, who was sewing shoe soles under the lamp, saying, "I'm so angry! I never thought He Yuzhu would become so unruly! He thinks he's all that now that he's got wings?"

Aunt Tan's needle and thread didn't stop; the silver needle moved nimbly across the cloth. Seeing how angry he was, she slowly raised her eyes, a slight smile on her lips: "What's wrong? You've been dealing with him for almost ten years. It's not like you just met him today. Why are you getting angry with him? Is it worth it?"

Yi Zhonghai plopped down at the table and recounted his argument with He Yuzhu in detail. He then slammed his hand on the table and said, "What kind of behavior is this? Openly and secretly going against me. Isn't he just trying to climb the social ladder because Gu Nan is in power now? Doesn't he even remember who brought him into the factory in the first place!"

After hearing this, Aunt Tan burst out laughing and slapped the shoe sole on her leg: "I thought it was a big deal. He's grown up, he knows how to plan for himself, find a backer, and choose sides. Isn't that common in the factory? It shows he's getting clever, which isn't a bad thing."

When Yi Zhonghai saw that she not only didn't speak up for him, but also defended He Yuzhu, his anger flared up even more. He suddenly turned his head and sat on the edge of the kang, his back to Aunt Tan, and remained silent, not even bothering to glance at her again—there was no way to reason with this old woman!

On the other side, as soon as He Yuzhu pushed open his courtyard gate, Lu Jia came to greet him, carrying a bowl of lukewarm water and Uncle Yi Zhonghai: "I heard you talking to someone outside just now, your voice was quite loud, and your face was red. What happened?"

He Yuzhu took the bowl of water and drank it all in one gulp. He wiped his mouth and told Gu Nan and Deputy Director Li about their open and covert struggle for control of the steel rolling mill. Finally, he frowned and asked, "Given the current situation in the factory, whose side do you think we should take? If we make the wrong move, we might not even have a chance to hold our heads high in the factory anymore, and life will definitely be tough."