The entire courtyard is full of villains

"Zhang Erhe!" Zhang Guowei couldn't help but stand up abruptly. "What happened to you?"

"What have I become?" Zhang Erhe also suddenly stood up. "Back then, I was a fucking idiot. I thought you were some kind of good person!"

"What you're doing is tarnishing the reputation of Dajiang!"

"Zhang Guowei!" Zhang Erhe slammed his fist on the table. "Anyone else has the right to say that, but you don't! My brother died taking a bullet for you—how old was he back then? And now you have the nerve to stand here? If I were you, I wouldn't even have the face to see me! How dare you question me like that? How dare you mention my brother?!"

“You…” Zhang Guowei’s voice trembled, “If I had known it would turn out like this, I shouldn’t have risked my future to save you.”

"Ha!" Zhang Erhe laughed loudly, "So you finally said that, huh? Then let me ask you this too—if I hadn't risked my life to bring out that list back then, you'd be overgrown with weeds by now! Why have you never mentioned this before? Huh?"

He took a step closer, his eyes reddening: "So many years have passed, if Wang Zhian hadn't exposed this, I wouldn't even have received that reward back then! Don't tell me you didn't know!"

Zhang Guowei slumped back into his chair. He had indeed thought that Zhang Erhe's personality was not suited for a career in government, so he had suppressed certain matters. Now, it seemed that this had only caused a deeper misunderstanding.

He suppressed his temper and tried to explain: "Erhe, listen to me—"

"I won't listen!" Zhang Erhe pointed to the door. "Zhang Guowei, get the hell out of here right now! From this day forward, we're severing all ties! Even if I've wronged everyone else, I've done right by you, Zhang Guowei! Go back and ask your stupid son how many messes I've cleaned up for him all these years!"

"My son?" Zhang Guowei was completely stunned.

"Go back and ask him yourself!" Zhang Erhe pushed him out the door.

"Erhe!" Zhang Guowei wanted to knock on the door again, but he saw that many heads were already peeking out from both sides of the corridor. He sighed and could only turn around and leave alone in frustration.

Zhang Erhe sat alone in his office, gulping down several mouthfuls of tea. He rubbed his temples, feeling a surge of annoyance—the original owner of this body was truly a pig-brain back then, having been bewitched by Zhang Guowei for who knows what, always believing that the other was doing the right thing. Over the years, not only had he cleaned up countless messes for his stupid son, but he had also kept it a secret from Zhang Guowei, simply because the other had once casually praised him, saying, "Erhe is no worse than Dajiang."

But he's not the original owner, so why should he indulge Zhang Guowei?

Just then, the phone on the table rang.

Zhang Erhe grabbed the receiver: "This is Zhang Erhe!"

"I am Li Huaide. Erhe, come to my office."

"Row."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Erhe straightened his clothes, turned around, and went upstairs to Li Huaide's office.

Li Huaide was writing something at his desk when he saw him come in. He gestured for him to sit down and then instructed his secretary to make tea. After the secretary brought the tea, Li Huaide finished writing his document, put down his pen, and sat down opposite him.

"Who did you kick out of the office just now?" Li Huaide picked up his teacup and blew on it.

"Hey, Director Li—"

“It’s just the two of us, why are you calling me factory director?” Li Huaide glared at him.

Zhang Erhe smiled and corrected himself: "Brother Li. It's Zhang Guowei from Jiaodaokou Police Station."

What's he doing here?

"It's just some old saga in our compound," Zhang Erhe briefly recounted the events.

After hearing this, Li Huaide's eyes widened slightly: "Just because of one sentence from that Yan guy, he came to the factory to question you?"

"you do not say."

"How can this person be so clueless?" Li Huaide frowned.

"He's getting senile, living in his own set of principles, always thinking he's incredibly righteous."

Li Huaide nodded thoughtfully: "Alright, Zhang Guowei, right... I'll have my father-in-law pass on a message to the Municipal Bureau later. Since he's confused, he shouldn't be occupying the position; it should be given to the younger generation."

"Thanks, Brother Li."

Zhang Erhe knew that Li Huaide was doing him a favor, but he accepted it—some relationships are meant to be used by each other.

Sure enough, Li Huaide changed the subject: "Erhe, can you get some supplies recently? Meat and the like. I heard that the supply may be tightened again this year. Get some in the next couple of days, and I'll go talk to the leaders of the grain bureau and see if we can get more grain, even coarse grains."

“Okay, Brother Li. But pork is really hard to come by lately. How about mutton? It’s Tan sheep from Gansu. The taste is absolutely authentic, much better than the kind used for hot pot.”

“Then I’ll have mutton. But—” Li Huaide looked up at him, “where’s the cook you found for me?”

Zhang Erhe slapped his forehead, realizing he'd forgotten something: "Don't worry, Brother Li, the meat has arrived, and the cook will definitely be here too!"

Li Huaide laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, don't just agree with empty words. Hurry up and get it done, I'm waiting to treat you to a meal."

Chapter 138 Kidnapping Nan Yi

In the suburbs, at a machine repair shop, Guan Linpeng had just finished organizing the documents in his hand and stretched.

"Xiao Guan—"

Shouts came from outside the door.

Guan Linpeng quickly replied, "Hey! Brother Liu?"

"Quick, the section chief is calling you!"

Section Chief? Guan Linpeng was a little puzzled; he hadn't made any mistakes at work recently. But when he entered the section chief's office, he saw the section chief having tea with a man—his brother-in-law, Zhang Erhe. He immediately understood.

"Section Chief." Guan Linpeng walked over, then hesitated and turned to the side, "Sister...Brother-in-law."

"What's wrong? Is it too much trouble for you to call me brother-in-law?" Zhang Erhe laughed.

"No, no." Guan Linpeng's face turned slightly red.

“This kid is just too timid,” Zhang Erhe said to Section Chief Huang beside him. “Old Huang, you’ll have to look after him in the department from now on.”

"Of course, Section Chief Zhang, don't worry." Section Chief Huang said with a smile. "Although Xiao Guan hasn't been with the factory for long, I can tell he's a good candidate. He's meticulous and highly educated. Since he came, the department's purchasing accounts are much clearer than before."

"That's good." Zhang Erhe nodded. "Old Huang, you know I have a straightforward temper. From now on, I'll have to put in a lot of effort for my brother-in-law in the department. If he encounters anything difficult, just give me a call to the steel rolling mill, and I'll definitely help you solve it."

"That's great!" Section Chief Huang exclaimed with delight. He had connections at the steel rolling mill; everyone knew that Deputy Section Chief Zhang was well-connected and capable. With that assurance, he felt much more confident in a crucial moment.

Section Chief Huang glanced at his watch: "Section Chief Zhang, it's time to get off work. How about we grab something to eat here tonight?"

"Oh? You have special meals here?" Zhang Erhe was a little surprised.

"There's no such thing as a special kitchen," Section Chief Huang said with a wry smile. "The factory's special kitchens stopped operating last year. But we have a cook in our canteen. Although his background is... a bit lacking, his cooking skills are undeniable. He can make even coarse grains and wild vegetables taste delicious. If you don't mind, why don't you give him a try?"

Zhang Erhe nodded. He had come today partly to assess the craftsmanship of this master.

The three quickly arrived at the canteen. Section Chief Huang whispered a few words to the canteen director, who then led them into a small private room. A short while later, someone brought out three bowls of wild vegetable and coarse grain rice.

The presentation is clean and elegant, but I wonder how it tastes. Section Chief Huang handed over chopsticks: "Section Chief Zhang, would you like to try some?"

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony." Zhang Erhe took the chopsticks and started eating. The coarse grains were indeed coarse grains, and the wild vegetables were ordinary wild vegetables, but they didn't have that rough and astringent taste. Instead, they had a refreshing fragrance.

After finishing his bowl of rice, Zhang Erhe put down his chopsticks and said, "Old Huang, this chef's skills are really good. It's a pity to keep him in your factory."

"Hey, I think so too." Section Chief Huang understood the implication. "It's just that this Master Nan... his family background isn't very good."

“This is a new society now.” Zhang Erhe waved his hand. “Even if your class background is bad, sending you to our steel rolling mill to serve the workers is a kind of reform, isn’t it? Dapeng, go and invite Master Nan over, let’s ask him what he thinks.”

“Okay!” Guan Linpeng hurriedly ran out. A moment later, he led in a man with a simple, honest face.

"Brother-in-law, this is Master Nan Yinan."

Zhang Erhe stood up and extended his hand: "Hello, Master Nan."

Nan Yi glanced at Section Chief Huang beside him, called out "Section Chief Huang" in a low voice, and then shook hands with Zhang Erhe somewhat awkwardly.

"Master Nan, I'll get straight to the point." Zhang Erhe gestured for him to sit down. "Your skills are quite good. Would you like to come work at our steel rolling mill?"

Nan Yi looked troubled. Section Chief Huang, who was standing next to him, became anxious: "Nan Yi, this is Section Chief Zhang from the purchasing department of the steel rolling mill. As long as you agree, he can transfer you there. It's better than being stuck in our small factory."

Seeing the hesitation in his expression, Zhang Erhe understood seven or eight parts of the situation: "Master Nan, is there some difficulty?"

Guan Linpeng spoke up in a low voice: "Brother-in-law, Master Nan has recently been pursuing Dr. Ding from our factory clinic. He's afraid that if he goes to the steel rolling mill, the two of them will be too far apart."

"Is that so?" Zhang Erhe turned to Nan Yi.

Nan Yi nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Is Dr. Ding perhaps Ding Qiunan?" Zhang Erhe muttered to himself, then looked up at Section Chief Huang.

Section Chief Huang immediately understood: "Dr. Ding is Dr. Ding from our factory clinic. She was assigned here last year and can be considered the most beautiful girl in our factory. No wonder Master Nan is so infatuated with her."

"How much does the new doctor at your factory earn per month?"

“Our factory pays a little less, it comes down to forty-two yuan and fifty cents,” Section Chief Huang quickly explained.

"And what about Master Nan?"

Section Chief Huang looked embarrassed, but Nan Yi spoke up himself: "Because of my family background, I was assigned the salary of a level nine chef, which is 27.5 yuan a month."

"Twenty-seven yuan and fifty cents..." Zhang Erhe clicked his tongue.

He turned to Nan Yi, his tone blunt: "Master Nan, let me be frank. Your appearance—let's put it nicely as unassuming, but to be honest, you're just average-looking. Dr. Ding is the factory's most beautiful girl, so she must be quite attractive, right?"

“Yes, yes, yes,” Nan Yi nodded quickly, “Dr. Ding is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

"She's a young and pretty doctor, earning 42.5 yuan a month. Since your family background isn't good, the factory probably didn't allocate you housing, right?"

“Um… I’ll stay in the dormitory,” Nan Yi said with difficulty.

"how old are you?"

"I'm twenty-seven."

“Look at you, you’re older than her, average-looking, your salary isn’t as high as hers, and you don’t even own a house.” Zhang Erhe spread his hands. “Why do you think she should agree to be with you?”

“Dr. Ding isn’t that kind of person. She won’t look down on me,” Nan Yi’s face immediately darkened—this steel mill leader’s words were too hurtful.

“Master Nan, don’t blame me for being blunt. With your conditions, even if I were Dr. Ding, I might not be able to agree.” Zhang Erhe stood up, walked over to him, and patted him on the shoulder. “When a couple lives together, what doesn’t involve the mundane details of daily life? You say Dr. Ding doesn’t mind—but did she agree to your request?”

Nan Yi lowered his head and remained silent.

"Listen to me, come with me to the steel mill. Once you get in, I'll start you as an eighth-level chef. If you do well, I'll make you the canteen manager, plus a two-yuan allowance, which will be thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents. As long as your skills are really good, I guarantee I can promote you to sixth level next year, which will be forty-five yuan."

Zhang Erhe said confidently, "I'll try to get you another apartment. With an apartment and a high salary, won't you have more confidence in pursuing Dr. Ding? Even if she doesn't agree right away, you can take a roundabout approach—her parents will be happy to see your conditions."

He paused, looking into Nan Yi's eyes: "I guarantee that as long as you work at the steel mill and do a good job, no one will criticize your background."

Chapter 139 Forced relationships are never sweet, but they quench thirst.

In the end, Nan Yi got into Zhang Erhe's car. He clutched the transfer document in his hand—it was personally arranged by Lao Huang with Liu Feng. Nan Yi had thought that, given his skills, Liu Feng probably wouldn't let him go. But to his surprise, when Liu Feng heard that Zhang Erhe could help the factory procure a batch of coarse grains, he signed the document without hesitation.

"Let's go, Master Nan, go to your dorm and pack your things."

Nan Yi didn't say anything, turned around and went into the house. A little while later, he came out with a huge pear wood box, struggling to carry it out. Zhang Erhe opened the car door and helped him lift the box into the car. When Nan Yi came out again, he had a bundle on his back and was carefully holding a potted plant in his hands.

Zhang Erhe glanced at it: "What kind of flower is this?"