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

33

Fang Chengxuan figured he'd had enough of acting, so he turned around, lifted the kitchen curtain, and saw Director Yang standing at the door. His face showed surprise.

"Director Yang."

He smiled, a slightly reserved smile, and moved to the side.

Factory Director Yang stared at Fang Chengxuan, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Fang Chengxuan, I knew you were a smart man."

Factory Director Yang glared at He Yuzhu and raised his voice: "Hey, you're getting out of the steel rolling mill right now. If you cause any more trouble here, don't blame me for calling the security team to deal with you."

"You have the nerve to complain about others."

Factory Director Yang was seething with anger. "I kindly offered to reduce your workload because you were injured. Who would have thought you'd use me as an excuse and not even respect your superiors?"

"Director Fang said you're both stupid and foolish, and he wasn't wrong at all!"

"I shouldn't have been clinging to old feelings; it was such a waste of my time!"

Factory Director Yang pointed at He Yuzhu, furious. Thinking back to how he'd tried to help He Yuzhu out of a confrontation with Fang Chengxuan, he felt like he'd been infected by He Yuzhu's foolishness and his brain had gone mad.

Fang Chengxuan chimed in from the side, "That's right. To prevent others from using his name in the factory, Director Yang didn't even arrange for his own relatives to get in."

"You silly Zhu, you're quite the troublemaker."

Factory Director Yang suddenly remembered why he and Fang Chengxuan had quarreled. Now that he thought about it, Fang Chengxuan was helping Factory Director Li to cover for him and prevent him from being criticized.

"You two, keep an eye on Sha Zhu and leave. If he doesn't behave, call the security department."

Factory Director Yang turned his face away from He Yuzhu, turned to Fang Chengxuan, and patted him on the shoulder with a hint of trust.

"You did well. This time, I was too sentimental. Keep up the good work, and no one can kick you out of the steel mill."

Director Yang's eyes were filled with admiration, and his tone was warm.

Fang Chengxuan nodded in agreement, "We can't let Director Yang down."

Factory Director Yang smiled and nodded, then turned and walked out of the kitchen. As he walked, he wondered why he had suddenly made a mistake this time.

Knowing He Yuzhu was unreliable, I kept him as the cook, but how come this time...

I recalled the things my wife had been saying a few days ago.

Factory Director Yang's eyes darkened; he decided to go back and investigate thoroughly.

As soon as he left, the kitchen became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone in the kitchen remained silent, their eyes darting back and forth between He Yuzhu and Fang Chengxuan.

"Fang Chengxuan, you treacherous bastard, it must have been you who did this. You just wait, this isn't over!"

He Yuzhu glared at Fang Chengxuan as he looked at the people standing on either side of him, waiting to kick him out. He was convinced that Fang Chengxuan was the one who had tripped him up behind the scenes.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at him indifferently and uttered two words: "Idiot."

After saying that, he turned and glanced at the people in the kitchen: "Everyone, take a break when you're done. We'll start preparing the dishes for tonight when it's time."

"Liu Lan, go to the personnel department and tell them that Ma Hua and He Yuzhu should switch positions. He Yuzhu has been fired from the factory, and the kitchen is short-handed. The person was arranged by Factory Director Yang, so I can't speak up. You should ask Factory Director Yang to talk to them and see who can fill the vacancy."

Liu Lan immediately agreed, "Okay, I'll go right away."

Fang Chengxuan found a place to rest. No sooner had he left than the people in the kitchen started whispering among themselves.

"Have you guys thought about it? Is this really just such a coincidence?"

A woman lowered her voice, her words carrying a hidden meaning, "Manager Fang never paid any attention to He Yuzhu's arrogant behavior, but within two days, that guy was dealt with."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Liu Yang immediately retorted, "Have you forgotten? Nobody knew the leaders were coming. It was Sha Zhu who brought this upon himself, not even respecting the factory manager. When has Manager Fang ever mistreated us? Have any of you ever seen a chef who wouldn't take on apprentices?"

After thinking about it for a moment, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that's just a coincidence."

"Even a fool knows not to act arrogantly in front of the boss. But he did it anyway, putting on airs in front of Director Li."

We chatted briefly in the kitchen, and then it was over.

Liu Lan went to the personnel department and conveyed Fang Chengxuan's message. The personnel manager frowned after listening but remained silent.

"What's wrong? Is this a big problem?"

Liu Lan peeked out and asked.

The HR manager looked up at her, then shook his head: "It's nothing. Go back and tell Manager Fang I understand, and he'll arrange for someone to be sent there soon."

Liu Lan didn't think much of it, just nodded and left.

The door closed.

The HR manager chuckled to himself, muttering, "Director Yang, what kind of person have you hired?"

"Luckily, they don't have the ambition to climb the ladder, otherwise, it's hard to say whether you would be able to keep your position."

After muttering to himself, he flipped through the documents a couple of times, then got up and headed to Director Yang's office.

There are only a few official workstations in the steel rolling mill, and everyone has relatives who want to get in. This needs to be done quickly, or who knows what kind of trouble might arise.

That evening.

The HR manager led a young man into the kitchen, and as soon as he saw Fang Chengxuan, his face immediately lit up with a smile.

"Manager Fang, this is my younger brother, Xu Pei. Please take good care of him."

After saying that, he turned to the young man and added, "This is Manager Fang from the kitchen. From now on, you'll work hard under him. Don't try to be clever; treat him like your mentor."

You're too kind.

Fang Chengxuan waved his hand, "Since you're here, stay. There's not a lot of work in the kitchen, but it's not a little either. I'll have someone take you under my wing."

He looked up and called out, "Liu Yang."

Liu Yang rushed over.

"You'll be in charge of this person from now on."

Fang Chengxuan pointed at Xu Pei, "Now that you've been promoted to head chef, you need someone to help you out."

"Understood, Manager Fang."

Liu Yang responded loudly.

After everyone left, the HR manager took a cigarette out of his pocket and offered it to him. Fang Chengxuan raised his hand to stop him: "My girlfriend can't stand the smell of smoke, she doesn't smoke."

The HR manager put away his cigarette and added, "I've taken Xu Pei's matter to heart. If there's anything I can do to help in the future, just let me know."

Fang Chengxuan smiled and said, "We help each other out; we're all friends."

The two exchanged a glance, smiled at each other, and the HR manager turned and left.

Fang Chengxuan returned to the kitchen, and together with Liu Yang and the newcomer Xu Pei, the three of them busied themselves. After dinner time was over, he washed his hands, straightened his coat, and pushed his bicycle outside.

In the courtyard house.

After being kicked out of the steel mill, He Yuzhu started cursing as soon as he entered the room, smashing things around and his face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He paced back and forth in the room.

The anger hadn't subsided.

He moved a stool and sat down in the backyard near Fang Chengxuan's house.

Seeing He Yuzhu's murderous look, Ying quickly grabbed Fang Lianyun and hid back inside, locking the door behind her.

As soon as Fang Chengxuan stepped through the archway, he saw someone sitting in his own yard, and his brows immediately furrowed.

"Fang Chengxuan, you've ruined my livelihood. How do you explain this?"

Upon seeing the person, He Yuzhu stood up abruptly, his face contorted with rage.

Fang Chengxuan glanced at him, didn't say anything, and pushed the bicycle under the eaves to prop it up.

"You lost your job because of your own stupidity. The boss was there, and you kept yelling. Did you think he'd praise you instead of reprimanding you?"

Fang Chengxuan's tone was cold, and his words were barbed.

The neighbors in the courtyard who had been peeking out to see what was going on every now and then since He Yuzhu came back all widened their eyes in surprise upon hearing this.

"Did He Yuzhu get kicked out of the steel rolling mill?"

The person who came back from the factory nodded: "Yes, he was fired. I heard that when the leaders came to inspect, He Yuzhu, relying on the fact that he was arranged to work for Director Yang, acted like a big shot in the kitchen. He didn't respect the leaders and Director Li when they came, and kept calling Director Yang by his name. Even Director Yang got implicated and was reprimanded."

"The boss dug up his past, thought he had ideological problems, and fired him immediately."

Everyone gasped, and their gazes toward Fang Chengxuan were filled with contemplation and speculation.

"Bullshit! You clearly set me up, deliberately attracting the boss here!"

He Yuzhu yelled and cursed.

Fang Chengxuan sneered: "A brain is a good thing, but unfortunately you don't have one. Do you think I can just summon someone of that leadership level?"

"If you really performed well in front of the boss, would I force them to fire you?"

"Think about it yourself. What have you been doing in the kitchen? And how were you behaving when the boss came in today?"

Fang Chengxuan's words were full of sarcasm.

He Yuzhu recalled the scene and gritted his teeth: "You dug a pit for me to fall into! You deliberately made me do some chores, knowing full well that I would resist you."

Are you sick?

"I'm the kitchen manager. When the boss arrives, you sit there and rest. Shouldn't I give you a way out? Do you really want the boss to think I'm completely incompetent?"

"Do you think everyone is like you, so stupid and vicious, unable to bear seeing others succeed, harming both yourself and others?"

Fang Chengxuan showed no mercy in his words.

After Fang Chengxuan finished speaking, he waved his hand at He Yuzhu.

"Get out of here, don't cause me any trouble. If you scare my sister, I might get physical."

Hearing the commotion, Yang Yuande rushed over, his face flushed with anger.

"Silly Zhu, you're brainless, who can you blame?"

"As for your firing, just ask anyone who knows the inside story; who would blame it on Brother Fang?"

"You're so stupid, you've not only ruined yourself, but even Director Yang couldn't protect you. And you still have the nerve to cause trouble?"

"If you keep causing trouble, don't blame me for being impolite!"

He grabbed He Yuzhu's arm and dragged him out with all his might.

He Yuzhu tried to break free, but Yang Yuande punched him without saying a word.

The deaf old lady listened to the commotion outside and unconsciously sat up straight, turning her head to look out the window.

She hesitated for a moment, got up and walked to the door, put her hand on the door panel, but in the end she didn't push it open.

Once Yang Yuande had pulled He Yuzhu away, the courtyard quieted down.

The deaf old lady, leaning on her cane, slowly walked out.

"Fang Chengxuan, do you really have to pick a fight with Sha Zhu?"

Her voice trembled, and her words carried a hint of resentment.

"He's lost his job now, how is he supposed to survive?"

Fang Chengxuan gave a cold laugh.

"What does it matter to me whether he lives or dies?"

"Back when my great-grandfather and I were unemployed, who in this courtyard cared about us?"

"Deaf old lady, aren't you being a bit nosy?"

The deaf old woman frowned, her tone becoming even harsher.

"Shazhu is an honest man, he can't beat you. Do you dare say that today's incident has nothing to do with you?"

Fang Chengxuan snorted, a smile playing on his lips.

"So what if it concerns me?"

"If he doesn't put himself in the trap, what can anyone do to him?"