Courtyard House: In this life, I have a new home!

31

He turned around, went back into the house, and lay down.

The next day, after brushing my teeth and washing my face, I went to work. Just as I finished preparing breakfast, someone ran over and said, "Manager Fang, Factory Director Yang wants to see you."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Fang Chengxuan responded and walked towards the factory director's office. These days, he would secretly deliver sauces to Director Yang every few days. Although there weren't many formal visits, there were still favors between them.

When he reached the door, he raised his hand and knocked.

"Come in."

Factory Director Yang looked up and beckoned him to sit down.

Fang Chengxuan settled into his seat.

Factory Director Yang put down his work and looked at him: "Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. The film studio, the soda factory, the meat processing plant, and our own operations are all thinking about giving our employees some benefits. Let's put aside the old rice, flour, and cooking oil for now. I was thinking, could we add some new items to the meals?"

Fang Chengxuan blinked and asked, "What are your thoughts, Factory Director?"

"Ever since you took over the cafeteria, everyone says they eat comfortably. You can tell that you put thought into every meal, so there's no need to make any major changes to the food."

"How about... something else?"

Fang Chengxuan's mind raced for a moment: "Factory Director, it's Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes are the proper thing to do. I happen to know how to make them, so why not use mooncakes as an extra perk? It'll be presentable for the leaders to give as gifts later."

Factory Manager Yang pressed further, "Is it easy to do? How are the costs calculated?"

"Our factory has one or two thousand people. We buy our own flour and fillings and make them ourselves, which is definitely cheaper than buying them outside. I'll go back and do the math first, then I'll show it to you, the factory manager, and you can decide whether it's acceptable or not."

Upon hearing this, Factory Director Yang nodded readily: "Alright, get the plan out first."

Just as Director Yang finished speaking, he was about to turn and leave when he suddenly seemed to remember something and called out to Fang Chengxuan.

"I've approved the exchange of workstations between MCA and Ho Yu Chu. Ho Yu Chu has an injury on his hand, so you should consider the arrangements yourself."

Fang Chengxuan felt a slight stirring in his heart, but didn't show it on his face and nodded.

"I will do as you say regarding matters at the factory."

Fang Chengxuan left the factory manager's office and went straight back to the kitchen without stopping.

Upon entering, I saw He Yuzhu leaning against the corner of the rest area, his legs crossed, shaking like a leaf.

As soon as Liu Lan saw Fang Chengxuan return, she quickly went to greet him.

"Manager Fang, Sha Zhu said the factory manager made him switch positions with Ma Hua."

Fang Chengxuan nodded.

"Okay. Go to the kitchen and tell them that Liu Yang is in charge of overseeing the kitchen. Everyone else should continue to do what they were doing before."

Liu Lan's expression changed, she glanced at He Yuzhu, and turned to inform him.

He Yuzhu raised his chin, glanced at Fang Chengxuan, and smirked.

"Fang Chengxuan, you think you're so capable? I'm still in the kitchen, aren't I? I'm sitting in the MCA's seat now."

Fang Chengxuan ignored him.

This kind of person is incredibly stupid. If I weren't so bloodthirsty, his hands would have been crippled long ago.

The kitchen suddenly became much quieter. Everyone was busy with their work and didn't say much.

Occasionally, someone would glance in He Yuzhu's direction.

Liu Lan stayed in the kitchen for a short while before quietly slipping out.

After a moment, she returned, beckoned to Fang Chengxuan, and pulled him outside.

"Manager Fang, do you know why Factory Director Yang suddenly put Sha Zhu back in the kitchen?"

"What did Old Li say to you?"

Fang Chengxuan spoke in a flat tone.

Liu Lan's eyes widened.

How did you know I went to see Old Li?

Fang Chengxuan glanced at her indifferently.

Liu Lan didn't press further and lowered her voice.

"I heard that yesterday Sha Zhu took Ma Hua to see Director Yang."

"Old Li said that Director Yang is using Sha Zhu to give you a warning."

Fang Chengxuan's face didn't change much.

"Is there anything else?"

"Old Li said this matter is almost certainly related to the younger brother you arranged. Director Yang wants to help Sha Zhu get back on his feet and go against you."

Liu Lan spoke these words with a hint of anger in her voice.

"You know, Director Yang is a really shady guy. You've been so good to him, and he, knowing you and Sha Zhu don't get along, still insists on sending people over here."

Seeing her huffing and puffing, Fang Chengxuan said, "Alright, Sha Zhu is in the kitchen now, so watch your mouth. Know what you should and shouldn't say; walls have ears. Go get busy."

Liu Lan nodded, then asked another question.

"So, we're just going to leave that idiot Zhu like that? Let him do no work and collect money for nothing?"

Fang Chengxuan glanced at her.

"It's not your money, why are you worrying about it?"

He paused, then added, "When you get home tonight, ask your husband. If he wants to get ahead in front of the boss, he should know what to do."

Liu Lan hadn't quite grasped the situation yet: "Who? Which one are you talking about?"

Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask.

Fang Chengxuan left those words behind and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

Once inside, he glanced at He Yuzhu and began to arrange things: "Your hand is injured, so you can't do heavy work. Today you'll do odd jobs in the kitchen and clean up while you're at it."

He Yuzhu didn't even lift his eyelids, snorted through his nose, and turned his head to the side.

Fang Chengxuan ignored him.

He had arranged the work; whether or not He Yuzhu did it was his own business.

A whole day.

He Yuzhu was huddled in a corner, his legs crossed high, his left hand on his knee, humming a tune.

Every time he did this, Fang Chengxuan would glance at him, his gaze deep, as if he were suppressing his temper, and his expression wouldn't be very pleasant.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu became even more enthusiastic.

As evening approached and it was almost time to leave work, everyone was busy. Only He Yuzhu remained sitting there motionless.

Someone in the kitchen, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up: "Manager Fang, Sha Zhu's hand is injured, but he's not paralyzed. Since he's in the kitchen, shouldn't he at least do some work he can?"

Fang Chengxuan said in a nonchalant tone, "He was transferred here by Director Yang; it was a job rotation arrangement. If you have any objections, go talk to Director Yang."

The man immediately shut up.

He Yuzhu became even more smug, shouting, "Did you hear that? I'm Director Yang's man. Who does Fang Chengxuan think he is? Knowing my hand is injured, he still dares to make me do heavy work?"

After saying that, he bumped Fang Chengxuan with his shoulder, causing him to stumble.

Then, grinning, he swaggered away.

Liu Lan and several kitchen staff were furious: "Sha Zhu wasn't this annoying before, now he's just getting more and more irritating."

"Exactly. It's just a hand injury, but he acts like he's done something amazing, showing off all the time."

The group chattered on and on, but no one knew what they were really thinking.

Fang Chengxuan patted the dust off his sleeves, his expression indifferent, a half-smile playing on his lips, but his eyes were dark and unfathomable, as if he were lost in thought.

at night.

Liu Lan went to see Factory Director Li and recounted Fang Chengxuan's words from earlier that day. She then asked, "Old Li, who exactly is this 'someone' he mentioned? Did you understand?"

Factory Director Li put his arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss her: "Tell him I know what I'm doing."

"What exactly do you mean? Just tell me."

Liu Lan pouted and acted coquettishly.

Factory Director Li smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that. To be honest, this whole thing started on my end."

His tone shifted, becoming somewhat sarcastic: "I never expected Old Yang to have this trick up his sleeve. Helping He Yuzhu up to go head-to-head with Fang Chengxuan, that's quite something."

Fang Chengxuan had previously helped arrange jobs for the people in Lao Yang's factory, but Lao Yang hadn't taken it seriously at the time. However, someone mentioned it later, and given that Fang Chengxuan had offended many people when he was reorganizing the kitchen, things quickly escalated.

I heard that those women who were kicked out of the kitchen are going to Director Yang's house every day. They play mahjong with Director Yang's wife, chat, and even help clean the house.

A woman's pillow talk is no joke.

As Director Li spoke, he shook his head.

Fang Chengxuan is a very capable person, but he doesn't have much ambition. He just wants to live a comfortable life.

But Lao Yang insisted on making things difficult for others.

This person...

Factory Director Li's eyes darted around, his mind racing. He was called Factory Director Li, but in reality, he was just a deputy. Maybe…

Once the thought was over, Director Li, having finished his argument with Liu Lan, said to her, "Tell Fang Chengxuan that I want to climb the ranks."

"Climb up?"

Liu Lan was taken aback.

Factory Director Li smiled and said, "You don't need to understand. Just tell him, and he'll get it."

Liu Lan nodded: "Okay."

Early the next morning.

Liu Lan, filled with questions, stood at the kitchen door, looking around. He Yuzhu arrived and squatted in the corner.

He brought his own plate of peanuts and was lazily munching on them.

"Manager Fang."

As soon as Liu Lan saw Fang Chengxuan, she immediately called out to him.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at her: "What is it?"

Liu Lan glanced around and lowered her voice: "I told you everything you asked me to tell my husband. He said he knows and asked me to pass on a message that he wants to take another step forward."

"Manager Fang, what exactly do you mean by that?"

Liu Lan looked on with curiosity.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at her indifferently and waved his hand: "If you don't understand, then you shouldn't know. Alright, get back to work."

Liu Lan was unwilling to give up and followed behind.

"Manager Fang, please tell me about it. I'm really curious. Also, don't you have anything for me to take back?"

Fang Chengxuan glanced at her and casually said, "Tell him that I can't help him much with climbing the ladder."

Director Yang is a decent factory manager.

In the original series, the main characters left later on, and the steel mill was never mentioned again. However, Director Li was briefly mentioned because of Liu Lan. Given Director Li's shrewdness, he might actually be able to bring Old Yang down.

Liu Lan was completely confused. She pouted and reluctantly went into the kitchen to help.

When He Yuzhu saw Fang Chengxuan come in, he turned to look at him, his neck held high, a look of provocation and smugness on his face, and he was throwing peanuts into his mouth one after another.

one day.

Two days.

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Fang Chengxuan glanced at Qin Jingru's worried expression and shook his head.

"Jia Zhangshi would not deny Qin Huairu's identity."

"That kid Banggeng..."

He's such an ingrate, always trying to get something for himself. In the original series, after he grew up, he completely forgot how good Qin Huairu and Sha Zhu had been to him, all for the sake of a job. He hooked up with Xu Damao and even went so far as to serve Xu Damao in that way.

As long as Qin Huairu gains a foothold with Uncle Yi Zhonghai and has a salary in hand, how could Bang Geng not acknowledge her as his mother?

"Qin Huairu is much smarter than you, you'd better mind your own business."

Fang Chengxuan stared at Qin Jingru with a detached expression.

Qin Jingru shrank her neck.

"Am I being too polite to you? Making you feel like you can actually get a say in my conversation?"