All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

"Is the chicken leg delicious?"

The young man who was patted on the shoulder was afraid that Deputy Factory Director Li would take away his chicken leg, so he quickly stuffed it into his mouth and took a bite. The taste made him feel like his soul had been elevated. When asked if it was good, he nodded hurriedly and mumbled something indistinctly.

"It's so delicious! This is the best chicken leg I've ever had. It's boneless and all meat!"

Deputy Factory Director Li looked at the white "chicken" under the golden skin, swallowed hard, nodded with a smile, and called out to the people in the canteen.

"Everyone, eat with peace of mind. I asked Chef He to add these chicken legs for everyone. The food has been so bland lately, so we need to add some meat. We working class not only need to eat our fill, but also eat well, so that we can have more energy to build the country!"

Deputy Factory Director Li continued his performance, rambling on for several minutes, winning rounds of applause!

After the performance, he led a few people slowly into the kitchen through the back door!

As soon as he entered the kitchen, his face fell instantly, and he pointed at He Yuzhu, who was cleaning up.

"He Yuzhu, you have repeatedly disrupted factory unity, stolen factory property, indulged your appetite, and attempted to bribe ordinary workers with chicken legs to instigate sabotage. This is a serious crime of treason and death!"

Deputy Factory Director Li pointed at He Yuzhu triumphantly and berated him at length, finally ordering his henchmen to subdue He Yuzhu!

The others in the kitchen were already pale with fright. If the charges against Deputy Factory Director Li were proven, He Yuzhu would be shot.

He Yuzhu hadn't expected that Deputy Factory Director Li would be so cunning. He almost believed his righteous demeanor in the canteen and among the workers. This sudden change of attitude caught him off guard.

However, he quickly realized that he couldn't let this guy mess with him, so he waved his hand and said to Deputy Factory Director Li.

"Stop, stop, Deputy Factory Director Li, you can't wrong someone like this. I'm just an ordinary canteen manager. Think about it, do you think I have that much money to buy chicken legs? Besides, these days, even if you have money, can you buy thousands of chicken legs?"

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Li was momentarily stunned, then his mind cleared instantly. "Right," he thought, "what right does He Yuzhu have to procure thousands of chicken legs from somewhere?"

Something's not right!

Chapter 29: Three Steps

He Yuzhu had anticipated this, so he prepared a few leftover chicken legs in advance, which was just enough for the kitchen staff.

He just didn't expect that Deputy Factory Director Li would use this matter to settle personal scores, so he decided to just lay it all out directly.

He Yuzhu picked up a chicken leg, stepped forward, and handed it to Deputy Factory Director Li, saying with a playful expression.

"Whether it's a chicken leg or not, Director Li, you'll know once you taste it!"

Deputy Factory Director Li was pleased to be addressed as "Factory Director Li" without the "Deputy," took the chicken leg, smelled it, and found it was a bit cold, so he couldn't smell anything.

After thinking for a moment, he took a bite of the chicken leg, tore off the golden skin, and chewed it carefully a few times. As soon as he chewed, Deputy Factory Director Li realized something was wrong.

Why didn't so many ordinary workers notice that the chicken leg was fake?

Because if you only eat meat twice a year, and then you're given something that tastes about 70% like meat, you'll imagine that you're actually eating meat in your mind.

And who is Deputy Factory Director Li?

Chicken, duck, fish, and meat are not something he eats at every meal, but he can easily have them two or three times a week. Moreover, he is a chicken expert. But as soon as he started chewing, he realized something was wrong.

He swallowed it and spoke after a while.

"This isn't chicken. It contains flour, glutinous rice, and some other things that I can't really taste. Sha Zhu, did you make this?"

He Yuzhu nodded and shrugged.

"Director Li, as you know, the workers haven't had any meat for two months, and everyone has a lot of complaints about the canteen. You also know that the canteen has to follow the leaders' orders when it comes to what to do. I'm just trying to save face for the leaders, aren't I?"

While deep in thought, Deputy Factory Director Li continued to finish the chicken leg in his hand. Only after finishing the whole chicken leg did he look with lingering satisfaction at the few remaining chicken legs in the bowl.

During this period of conflict with the factory director, both sides were afraid of giving the other a handle to use against them, so they hadn't held any banquets for a long time. The money in their bellies was dwindling day by day, and the factory director's family was also running out of food!

Right now, this "chicken leg" isn't a real chicken leg, but it'll still satisfy your craving!

Seeing this, He Yuzhu helplessly took the bowl away.

Deputy Factory Director Li coughed, and seeing the sensible He Yuzhu, he immediately nodded, picked up one from the bowl, then thought for a moment, picked up another, and then frowned and said.

“This chicken leg may not be a real chicken leg, but how much oil and flour is wasted? He Yuzhu, you need to write a self-criticism for this. I will convene a factory committee meeting tomorrow to seriously discuss this issue!”

After saying that, he took two chicken legs and carefully walked out the back door. When he got to the door, he looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he picked up the chicken legs and stuffed them into his mouth.

The henchmen following behind him swallowed hard. After Deputy Factory Director Li left, one of his henchmen secretly went into the kitchen and pointed to the two chicken legs that were left.

"Shazhu, wrap up those two chicken drumsticks for me!"

He Yuzhu was furious and picked up a kitchen knife, pointing it at his lackey and yelling.

"roll!"

He Yuzhu didn't expect this bastard to still want to hold onto this matter. Oh well, who cares? At worst, he'll quit being the cafeteria director.

He Yuzhu never expected that this matter would actually become a handle for Deputy Factory Director Li to attack the Factory Director. The next day, a notice was issued that He Yuzhu was dismissed from his position as the canteen director.

The newly appointed canteen director was one of Deputy Factory Director Li's men. He Yuzhu was not only dismissed from his position as canteen director, but was also required to have his salary deducted for the month as a fine.

He Yuzhu was furious. Since that was the case, he decided he wouldn't serve them anymore. He returned to the kitchen and spent his days slacking off.

It was during this time that Xu Damao, who lived in the compound, finally achieved his wish and officially divorced Lou Xiao'e.

This divorce shattered Lou Xiao'e's last illusions about Xu Damao.

Because she never imagined that a man could be so shameless, so despicable, and so vicious!

If it weren't for Xu Damao's drunken ramblings that night, Lou Xiao'e would never have believed that her husband of seven years could be so cruel.

Lou Xiao'e's parents' home was ransacked. Liu Haizhong led the team, and her parents were also taken in. Their home was also sealed off.

Lou Xiao'e is already married and works as a factory worker, so she has little to do with her parents anymore and they won't affect her for the time being.

However, Xu Damao was determined to go all the way. On the very day of the raid, he forced Lou Xiao'e to get a divorce and threatened her that if she didn't, he would imprison her as well!

Lou Xiao'e was already heartbroken at that time. She didn't argue and went straight to get a divorce from Xu Damao.

After the divorce was finalized and she returned home, Xu Damao threw her luggage at the door and told her to get out of the house. Lou Xiao'e stood there dumbfounded, like a statue. At that moment, she became a homeless woman.

In the end, an old man couldn't stand it anymore and took Lou Xiao'e to the deaf old lady's house. The deaf old lady was so angry that she smashed Xu Damao's window with a stone!

But Xu Damao, feeling smug, began working on the second part of his plan.

The first step of the plan, to take revenge on Lou Xiao'e's entire family and force her to divorce him, has been completed.

The second step in the plan is to use Liu Haizhong as a stepping stone to rise to the top and become a favorite of Deputy Factory Director Li!

The third step in the plan is, of course, to marry a new, beautiful wife and have a big, healthy son!

That evening, Xu Damao brought two jin of groceries to Liu Haizhong's house to express his gratitude to Team Leader Liu!

At home, Liu Haizhong also exudes a leader's aura, occupying most of the table by himself, picking up peanuts and drinking a little wine. When he saw Xu Damao enter the room, he put on airs and said...

"It's Xiao Xu!"

"Team Leader Liu, are you eating?"

"Hmm, I just got back from a meeting, and I'm still hungry. Whatever you need, we can talk in my office tomorrow!"

With bangs in his hair, he looked very busy and didn't seem to want to talk to Xu Damao.

Xu Damao, however, became even more respectful, squinting his eyes as he flattered him.

"Team Leader Liu, you're such a busy person. Why are you eating so lightly? I have some cured meat that I just brought back from the countryside. Why don't we go over and have a couple of drinks? I happen to have something I'd like to ask you!"

Liu Haizhong glanced at Xu Damao, but didn't give him a friendly look. He picked up his small wine glass, took a sip, and said with an impatient expression.

"We can talk about it tomorrow. You should keep the cured meat for yourself!"

Xu Damao saw Liu Haizhong and realized that he was being stubborn and ungrateful. He was being given a friendly face, but Liu Haizhong really thought he was someone important.

Xu Damao's smile gradually faded. He no longer cared that Liu Haizhong's family was around. If he didn't appreciate the respect he had shown him, then he couldn't blame him!

Immediately, Xu Damao slowly stepped forward, his face cold, and whispered in Liu Haizhong's ear.

"Team Leader Liu, aren't the gold and jewelry behind Lou Xiao'e's bookcase very tempting?"

Liu Haizhong's chopsticks fell to the table with a thud. His body, which had been so aloof just moments before, suddenly hunched over. He looked at Xu Damao with unease and a hint of pleading in his eyes!

Chapter 30: The Night Is Hard to Bear

Seeing Liu Haizhong's appearance, Xu Damao cursed him inwardly as an incompetent fool. It was outrageous that someone like him could gain power!

This further strengthened his determination to climb the ranks.

From the moment he revealed that Lou Xiao'e's parents' home contained gold and jewelry, Xu Damao was setting a trap for Liu Haizhong.

In Xu Damao's mind, Liu Haizhong was always just a greedy but cowardly old dog.

Therefore, if this kind of person sets a trap, the other party will definitely not be able to resist the temptation!

So at the dinner table that day, Xu Damao specifically mentioned that there was a safe hidden behind Lou Xiao'e's bookcase, containing gold and jewelry.

Lou Xiao'e's family used to be big capitalists. Although they have to be more careful now, they are still a force to be reckoned with. They have hidden their assets in several places, and the safe behind the bookcase is one that Xu Damao knows about.

Xu Damao had been tempted countless times by the gold and jewels inside, but he never actually took any action. Now, however, this was the perfect opportunity for him to make his move.

Using Liu Haizhong's dirty tricks, he first got Lou Xiao'e's parents arrested, then successfully divorced Lou Xiao'e and severed ties with her. Now it was time for him to put on his own show.

Seeing Liu Haizhong's appearance, Xu Damao said with a half-smile.

"Team Leader Liu, how about it? Can we go grab a couple of drinks now?"

Liu Haizhong felt somewhat apprehensive and fearful. He didn't want to go over, but he remembered Xu Damao's threat.

At that moment, all that came to mind was his secret stole of gold and jewelry, how Xu Damao reported him to the steel mill, how he was eventually brought down, and how he was criticized after taking office.

Thinking about his fate, Liu Haizhong felt sweat pouring down his forehead as if it were free, and he couldn't wipe it all away.

"Xiao Xu, no, Da Mao, you go ahead first, I'll be right there!"

"Alright, Team Leader Liu, I've prepared the food and drinks and am waiting for you!"

Xu Damao emphasized the word "wait," and Liu Haizhong immediately understood. He quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded hurriedly.

Xu Damao left satisfied this time.

Just then, Liu Haizhong's wife, who had just brought the dishes into the house, saw that Liu Haizhong was sweating and quickly asked him about it.

"Honey, it's so hot!"

"Get out of my way and don't bother me!"

At this moment, Liu Haizhong didn't care about his wife at all; that's just his temper at home.