Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

I can only wait until after get off work, then run into Sha Zhu at noon to get the money back, and then talk to the workshop director in the afternoon to sneak out early.

Having made up her mind, she smiled at Liu Lan and said softly:

"Master Liu, I'm not going. I have to go to work soon. Could you please pass on a message to Sha Zhu for me: Uncle San wants to introduce him to someone, and he can come to the workshop to see me when he has some free time?"

She deliberately didn't mention a timeframe, secretly hoping the deal would fall through. If it did, the days ahead would only be more difficult.

Liu Lan hesitated for a moment, unable to figure out what she was up to, and tentatively asked:

"You're really not going?"

"No, we need to get started soon."

"Please pass on a message for me: if he wants to know the details, he should come to the workshop to find me himself."

Qin Huai was certain that once he said this, Sha Zhu would definitely come.

Looking at her red, tear-filled eyes, Liu Lan felt a pang of pity. Remembering that she was a widow with three children and a mother-in-law, all supported by herself, she felt a surge of compassion and couldn't help but offer another word of advice:

"Master Qin, I heard yesterday that Banggeng stole a chicken from Xu Damao... Sigh, you must keep this a secret. If Xu Damao finds out, it will be troublesome."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu's head buzzed and her vision went black; she had no idea that the news had already spread throughout the factory.

Immediately, an image flashed into my mind: in a corner of the steel rolling mill, coworkers stood in twos and threes, pointing and whispering, "Look at what Qin Huairu has raised her child to be like..."

In the alley, all the neighbors forbade their children to stay far away from Banggeng, fearing he might get involved in any trouble; they treated him like a thief. In class, Banggeng had long been synonymous with "problem student"...

"this……"

Qin Huairu's heart tightened, and cold sweat beaded on her palms. Did everyone at the steel mill know?

What happened?

"What's wrong?"

"Master Qin, are you alright?"

As soon as Liu Lan finished speaking, she saw Qin Huairu sway, her face turn pale, and she was about to fall. She quickly stepped forward to support her arm, her voice full of worry.

How come this person suddenly became so weak?

It was just a casual remark; did it really make him unable to stand up?

"Master Liu, I'm fine... I probably didn't eat anything this morning, so I feel a little weak."

"I'm usually prone to feeling weak, but it's not a big deal."

Qin Huairu forced a smile, quickly covering it up. Those words from earlier felt like needles piercing her heart; she truly hadn't expected Liu Lan to say them so bluntly.

"Oh my god, that scared me to death!"

Liu Lan patted her chest, her voice still tinged with shock. She couldn't bear the responsibility if she had actually fallen to the ground.

"Master Liu, I have a question..."

"You just said that Banggeng stole Xu Damao's chickens. Where did you hear that from? You can't just say things like that! If word gets out, how will the child ever be able to hold his head up in public again?"

"later……"

Qin Huairu's voice trembled with anxiety. Her son's reputation was her lifeblood.

Once it's confirmed, everything will be ruined.

Upon hearing this, Liu Lan felt a rush of heat to her head and immediately regretted it, wondering why she couldn't control her mouth.

He Yuzhu had specifically instructed her that morning: "Keep this matter to yourself, don't let a single word slip out!" And yet, in such a short time, she had personally set the powder keg on fire.

"Please don't take it to heart. I'm just a quick-tongued person who doesn't think things through."

"Actually, I didn't hear who said it at all. I ran into two women at the factory gate just now who were talking about your yard. I was in a hurry and only heard half a sentence. Maybe I misheard it."

"Master Qin, I'm so sorry, I apologize to you."

Liu Lan spoke sincerely, but she felt uneasy inside. The person involved was right in front of her; who wouldn't feel hurt hearing that?

"Oh...that's good. By the way, Master Liu, please don't tell anyone else about this."

Seeing that Liu Lan was not going to continue, Qin Huairu didn't press the matter further. If this got out, she would truly be unable to recover.

She knew perfectly well that Liu Lan was not someone to be trifled with. Everyone in the factory knew about her affair with Deputy Factory Director Li. Offending her would surely lead to trouble.

Although she currently acts arrogantly in the courtyard, she is selective in who she targets: she specifically targets honest people and gains sympathy by feigning pitifulness.

So that's why she dared to mess with He Yuzhu. Would she dare to try with someone more influential?

Absolutely not. Anyone with real power in the factory can be bossed around and taken advantage of at will.

Qin Huairu and Liu Lan exchanged a few more pleasantries before silently turning around and returning to the workshop.

Along the way, her steps were unsteady, and her eyes were vacant...

at the same time,

The kitchen of the canteen.

He Yuzhu was already standing in front of the cutting board. He glanced at today's menu and then called everyone to knead the dough and make steamed buns.

Actually, this job doesn't happen every day.

These days, white flour steamed buns are very precious, and ordinary families rarely see them more than a few times a year.

The steel rolling mill only steams buns about ten times a month, and most of the time, it steams coarse grain cornbread.

The steamed buns had just come out of the steamer when He Yuzhu grabbed one, took a big bite, and started calling out to chop vegetables as he chewed. The work of preparing the communal lunch depended on this time of day.

This is his daily livelihood.

While he was busy, he suddenly felt someone staring at him from behind. He turned around sharply and saw Liu Lan standing at the door, her gaze fixed on him.

He Yuzhu was taken aback: What is she doing here?

He casually handed her the half-eaten steamed bun and said with a smile:

"Master Liu, getting hungry? You still have two in your pocket, don't you?"

"Get lost! You're so old, why are you still talking nonsense!"

Liu Lan was chopping vegetables when she heard this. Her hand trembled, and she grabbed a handful of vegetable leaves and threw them at his face.

He Yuzhu grinned, stepped aside to let the vegetable leaves fly past his ear, and then turned to shout to Ma Hua, "It's ready! Stir-fry quickly!"

Liu Lan stared blankly at his brisk back, completely forgetting the message Qin Huairu had asked him to convey.

I haven't recovered from that moment of disorientation yet.

She always felt that He Yuzhu wasn't the same as before. He would never have joked like that before, let alone offer her a steamed bun or make a joke.

This wasn't the only time. She had been observing him these past two days: he no longer sipped his tea slowly from his enamel mug, nor did he squat in the corner to doze off; he seemed much more cheerful, spoke less harshly, and got along well with everyone in the cafeteria, addressing them as brothers without any awkwardness.

She saw all these changes, but couldn't figure out why.

But one thing she was certain of was that He Yuzhu was much more pleasing to the eye now than before.

Just then, the cafeteria manager rushed in, panting, and shouted to He Yuzhu:

"He Yuzhu! Come with me right now, the factory manager wants to see you!"

"The factory manager wants to see me? Surely not? I'm just a cook, what could he possibly want from me?"

He Yuzhu was taken aback. In these days, a factory director was no small fry; he was a powerful figure with real influence. Otherwise, why would they specifically call him, a humble cook by the stove, over?

"Alright, stop asking questions you shouldn't. Just follow me. Why are you talking so much!"

The cafeteria manager said this, grabbed his arm, and started walking out.

As soon as they stepped out of the cafeteria, their eyes lit up: a military green sedan was parked there quietly.

Holy crap! It's a real car!

This was the first time He Yuzhu had seen the real thing since he transmigrated.

That's really exciting!

Although these kinds of cars were everywhere before I traveled through time, nowadays, only officials and nobles could afford to drive one; they were definitely not something ordinary people could get close to.

What surprised him even more was that, besides Director Yang, Xu Damao was also sitting in the back passenger seat with a projector in his arms.

This guy got involved too?

It seems the factory manager not only selected him, but also included Xu Damao in the list.

"Hey, you little brat, squatting here too?"

The moment He Yuzhu saw the man, he blurted out "grandson," which made Xu Damao's face turn green with anger. He was about to retort when...

Director Yang, sitting in the front row, cleared his throat and abruptly cut off the conversation with a cough.

"That's enough! When you're at the leader's house, keep your mouth shut and do your work. Anyone who talks nonsense or asks unsolicited questions will be in trouble later!"

The factory manager had a stern face and spoke in a heavy tone.

This trip is to the home of a high-ranking leader, so there can be no carelessness. He must give them a proper warning beforehand.

"Xu Damao, just make sure the film is placed securely; He Yuzhu, you're in charge of the food for the leaders during the screening. Did you hear me clearly?"

"Ding! A new task has been triggered by the system. Two options are currently available."

Option 1: Refuse this banquet task, reward one yuan.

Option 2: Accept the task, receive a reward of 10 yuan, plus an unknown additional reward.

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat: an extra reward?

This is truly unexpected.

It seems this job is unavoidable; the word "unknown" is really getting on my nerves.

At this moment, Xu Damao glanced sideways and saw He Yuzhu still standing there, staring blankly. He really thought that He Yuzhu was seeing the world for the first time and was stunned. He was secretly pleased with himself.

Ah, the opportunity has arrived!

What kind of situation haven't I seen?

The thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately patted his chest and expressed his determination to Director Yang:

"Don't worry, Factory Manager! I've already adjusted the footage; I guarantee the leaders will be satisfied with it!"

Factory Director Yang nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, now it's up to you how you perform."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao felt a surge of joy; his time to shine had come!

"By the way, factory manager, could you tell me which leader it is? I'd like to make some preparations in advance..."

The words had barely left his mouth when He Yuzhu had already recovered. He rested his elbow on the car window sill, his chin on the back of his hand, his eyelids half-open, staring at Xu Damao's earnest performance without uttering a sound.

In front of your superiors, speaking little shows composure, and doing a lot shows reliability.

Asking irrelevant questions, especially about the boss, is just asking for trouble.

really,

Factory Director Yang's face darkened, and his eyebrows furrowed.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

"Yes, yes, I won't ask, I really won't ask!"

Xu Damao's heart skipped a beat. He quickly smiled apologetically and almost broke out in a cold sweat. His previous remark was indeed rash.

Looking at his obsequious manner, a word suddenly popped into He Yuzhu's mind:

Traitor.

That's so apt.

……

Before long, the car drove into the gate of the leader's house.

Xu Damao was led to the living room to adjust the projection equipment, while He Yuzhu was taken into the kitchen to prepare the banquet.

He glanced at the cutting board: there were vegetables, tofu, and eggs. Then he looked to the side and, wow, there was a whole braised pork knuckle right there!