Chapter 148

The scheming between Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu is not worth mentioning.

It has nothing to do with Shazhu; the matter concerning him is marrying a wife.

One of the four great joys in life.

It must be put on the agenda.

Better early than late.

As much as possible, let Yu Li bear a qilin son for the He family.

This is the top priority among important matters.

After night fell, the well-fed and drunk Shazhu, following his plan, prepared to send Yu Li home; as he was about to leave, he unintentionally glanced and saw a strange black shadow flash across the glass of the Jia family opposite— that pig-like figure, besides Jia Zhangshi, there was no one else.

Jia Zhangshi was furtively sizing up her own home.

Don't ask.

Surely he's not holding back a good fart.

Shazhu gave Yushui a reminder, telling him to guard the house no matter what, and pointed toward the Jia family's direction.

It's not that Shazhu is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Opposite is the Jia family, whose bones are engraved with thieving genes; yet Shazhu, contrary to expectation, brought back many things in big and small packages, not fearing thieves stealing, but fearing thieves taking a fancy.

In just over an hour, Shazhu learned a bit of melodramatic gossip from Yu Li, Yushui, and Xu Daming: the Jia family's thief saint Bangeng, who still shows his talent despite his young age, having awakened the thief saint's gift; many neighbors in the Siheyuan have already fallen victim to Bangeng's thieving ways—the east household's cabbage hearts, the west household's carrots.

A moment's inattention, and the thief saint Bangeng steals the home.

There's fun to be had.

Being careful brings no great mistake.

After reminding Yushui, Shazhu carried Yu Li on his bicycle, taking the things to Yu Li's home.

Shazhu's unexpected appearance.

It made Yu Li's parents especially happy.

Five years of silence.

Yu Li's parents also thought Shazhu had met with an accident and wouldn't return; they worried Yu Li would be branded with the bad reputation of killing her husband, and no one would want her.

Shazhu's return.

It dispelled all the worries of Yu Li's parents; the person wasn't dead, and the rumor that Yu Li, unmarried, had jinxed her husband-to-be naturally disappeared as well.

Yu Li's parents could finally breathe easy, straightening their backs before the neighbors.

During these five years of Shazhu's absence, the rumors about Yu Li killing her husband hung over the family, making the family act timidly; now that Shazhu has returned, Yu Li's parents can confidently tell those people, 'Our Yu Li is not a husband-killer; you are spreading false rumors, you are lacking in virtue.'

Yu Li's father could still maintain the dignity of a family head, but Yu Li's mother could not; upon seeing Shazhu, she kept wiping her tears.

Crying happily.

Strike while the iron is hot.

Seeing that the family's emotions were all in place.

Shazhu opened the satchel and laid those things before the whole Yu Li family.

Looking at the satchel full of food.

They were all dumbfounded.

Edible things.

Inside there were also red sausage and canned meat.

These things cannot be bought even with money and coupons.

"Gurgle!"

Everyone inside, each and every one, was silently swallowing saliva; their bellies, barely filled by soup at night, awakened in the face of real food, and the crying of their five viscera and six bowels was intense.

If you ask what feeling.

The answer is just one.

Hungry.

Grain is precious.

Shazhu brought this big bundle; does that mean there's nothing left at his home? He should return some, after all he still has Yushui to support.

"Zhuzi, we appreciate your sentiment; we'll keep a bit of this grain, and you take the rest back."

Shazhu refused his parents-in-law's kindness; to put their minds at ease, he even dragged the Yagangchang cafeteria out as a shield, and kept calling them 'dad' and 'mom'.

"Dad, Mom, what I brought for you, you keep; I'm a cook, I don't lack food or drink, and in a few days I'll start work at the Yagangchang cafeteria."

Upon hearing that Shazhu works at the Yagangchang cafeteria, Yu Li's parents, without hesitation, agreed to the marriage of Shazhu and Yu Li, letting them go to the Jiēdào tomorrow morning to obtain their marriage certificate.

Such a good son-in-law like Shazhu is hard to find even with a lantern.

Seeing that he could bring the beauty home.

Shazhu's heart.

Also settled down.

He chatted casually with Yu Li's parents for a while, seeing that it was already late, he rode his bicycle back to the Siheyuan.

The neighbors weren't asleep.

All the lights were on.

Thinking about needing to go get the marriage license tomorrow, the family really needed an elder to help with the arrangements; He Daqing was in Baocheng and couldn't come back; Yi Zhonghai is a hypocrite, and Shazhu couldn't be bothered with him; Long Laotaitai is a walking plague god, and Shazhu keeps his distance; Liu Haizhong can't even handle his own affairs fairly, let alone help Shazhu arrange the marriage.

After thinking it over, the only choice was Yan Fugui.

Among the short, pick the tall; Yan Fugui is scheming, yet he's still stronger than Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Long Laotaitai combined, at least having his own scheming bottom line.

When asking for help, showing up empty-handed isn't appropriate; Shazhu deliberately brought a small packet of Northeastern mushrooms and, taking advantage of the night, knocked on Yan Fugui's door.

"Bang bang bang!"

Who's there?

San Daye, it's me. Have you slept?

Inside, Yan Fugui, upon hearing Shazhu's voice, instantly perked up; he had just seen Shazhu escorting Yu Li away on his bicycle, and took it all in.

A satchel bulging with things.

When he returned, the satchel was gone.

It was obvious.

The items were delivered to Yu Li's home.

Also, Xu Daming, not long after Shazhu escorted Yu Li away on his bicycle, Xu Daming also walked past Yan Fugui's gate carrying a bundle. Xu Daming had dinner at Shazhu's house, arriving empty-handed and leaving with a bundle; that bundle must have been given to him by Shazhu.

This shows Shazhu has plenty of stuff.

It's not greed.

But rather it occurred to him that Shazhu wouldn't show up empty-handed.

Five years ago, Shazhu got engaged to Yu Li and went to Dongbei to support the effort; five years later, upon his return, Yan Fugui shrewdly guessed what Shazhu intended to do.

To marry a wife.

Shazhu's household had no elder in charge, and he wasn't close to Yi Zhonghai or Liu Haizhong; the only one who could help him arrange the wedding was Yan Fugui.

According to Shazhu's nature.

This matter can't be left to Yan Fugui for nothing.

Yan Fugui hadn't slept; he was waiting for Shazhu. Hearing Shazhu knock, he rushed to the door barefoot, pulling it open while saying, "It's Shazhu, you haven't slept? It's still early—why go to bed so soon?"

Yan Fugui, who opened the door to let Shazhu in, at once saw the string of wild mushrooms in Shazhu's hand.

He thought to himself, "These are fine things; even if I don't eat them, I could trade them on the black market for a lot of barley flour. Figuring on food and drink, I estimate they'd be enough for the Yan family to eat well for several days."

Upon entering, Shazhu didn't see the Yan brothers—Yan Jiecheng, Yan Jiefang, and Yan Jiekuang—whether they were deliberately hiding or simply not there, he couldn't tell.

He guessed it was the former.

Speaking of Yu Li.

Shazhu and Yan Jiecheng were rivals in love; coming to Yan Fugui's door to ask for help arranging the wedding, in Yan Jiecheng's eyes, was an open display of force.

Not seeing Shazhu is understandable.

Shazhu had come for Yan Fugui, not for Yan Jiecheng.

The gift opens the way.

First, he brought out the small wild mushrooms in his hand.

This is for show.

"Third Aunt, I brought these small wild mushrooms back from Dongbei for you and San Daye to try. There isn't much, so please don't disdain them; this is all I can manage."

Third Aunt took the wild mushrooms Shazhu handed her and, with a backhand, poured him a cup of tea.

Yan Fugui then took the opportunity to make the subject clear.

"Shazhu, I just saw you escort Yu Li home—have you settled things?"

"I was still thinking about how to bring it up with San Daye, but since he already knows, I might as well not hide it—we've settled it. Yu Li's parents mean for us to go get the marriage license tomorrow. I figure, after all, marriage is a lifelong matter; given our family's situation, which you know, San Daye, we've never married before and don't know the local customs, so I'd like you to help us arrange things, to see what taboos there are and what we should watch out for."

"Shazhu, you've come to the right person." Third Aunt took the chance to praise Yan Fugui, saying, "Your San Daye was just discussing with me how you and Yu Li should get married, what needs to be done."

"San Daye, thank you; you've really helped me a lot."

"Marriage is a big deal; tomorrow you and Yu Li will go get the marriage certificate, and I'll have Third Aunt round up a few people to help you tidy up the house—there's a saying, new persons, new things."

"Sorry to trouble you, Third Aunt."

"You kid, what's the trouble? You didn't bring Third Aunt some millet and mushrooms? This stuff is very precious."

"Go to the bookstore and buy two sets of books—you know what books, right?"

Shazhu of course knows what books.

Classics.

"Buy a painting; when you get married, you should offer your blessings before it. As for other things, if conditions allow, set up a few banquet tables; if not, buy some candy to distribute among the neighbors of the Siheyuan."

Just thinking about the current situation.

Shazhu instantly gave up the idea of setting up banquet tables.

The Siheyuan has over twenty households, more than a hundred people, who haven't eaten a full meal in over a year and are like starving wolves.

This damn, if Shazhu sets up banquet tables, it would bankrupt his family and still not be enough for all these people; in his anxiety, he'd be gossiped about in all sorts of ways.

Better not to waste words on that; it's better to cut off people's thoughts at the root—no banquet.

No banquet.

Many people in the Siheyuan would be unhappy.

The person least pleased would be Jia Zhangshi, who bears a grudge against Shazhu; while eating and drinking at Shazhu's expense, she can also nauseate him—killing two birds with one stone—and Jia Zhangshi has always been enthusiastic about such things.

Just give the neighbors some wedding candy.

Jia Zhangshi's scheming would have no outlet.

It would make Jia Zhangshi so angry she'd go mad.

Shazhu certainly hasn't forgotten that Jia Zhangshi, in front of He Yushui, claimed he was dead out of spite, and to Yu Li's face she bluntly said Yu Li was a husband‑killer who deserved to die.

Saving resources while also angering Jia Zhangshi—why not?

……

Yan Fugui was taken care of.

Shazhu rode his bicycle through the night to win over Deputy Factory Director Li.

Reborn into a second life.

Only he understood Deputy Factory Director Li's influence.

This bastard is a big shot who holds sway over Yagangchang for the next ten-plus years; whether Lou Xiaoe's parents are impressive or not is just a matter of one word from Deputy Factory Director Li. In their previous life, Liu Haizhong and Xu Daming relied on Deputy Factory Director Li's backing to do how many wicked deeds.

That era.

He openly had an ambiguous relationship with Liu Lan.

Deputy Factory Director Li is no fool; he knows the consequences of messing around, he clearly knows the consequences yet still acts without restraint—this can only mean his background is deep.

The key is, this bastard eventually landed safely, riding the wave and becoming one of the first to get rich; Yan Fugui and Liu Haizhong even followed suit, dealing in televisions.

Shazhu sometimes wonders too.

Could it be that Deputy Factory Director Li is the one holding the protagonist's script?

He also thinks Deputy Factory Director Li's secretary You Fengxia is not bad.

Relying on his foreknowledge.

There's no harm in maintaining good relations with Deputy Factory Director Li.

Carrying a pack of red sausage and a can of meat, Shazhu knocked on Deputy Factory Director Li's door under the cover of night.

Bang bang bang!

The door opened.

But there was only a tiny crack.

Deputy Factory Director Li's face was behind the crack, Shazhu's face in front of it.

That saying really came true.

Turn a blind eye.

"Hey, is that Master He?" Deputy Factory Director Li recognized Shazhu, quickly opened the door, and let him in, saying, "Please come in quickly."

While greeting Shazhu.

But Deputy Factory Director Li's gaze fell on what Shazhu was holding.

Unlike Yan Fugui and the others, he couldn't see any trick.

Deputy Factory Director Li's gaze still had some skill.

Red sausage.

Meat can.

On it, faintly, were the words "Harbin Aircraft Factory".

He couldn't help but think more highly of Shazhu.

Just with the things Shazhu brought, Deputy Factory Director Li was shocked, and it reminded him of Shazhu leaving five years ago, the answer almost forming.

"Factory Director Li, this isn't a gift." He naturally placed the items on the table in front of them, so that Deputy Factory Director Li and his wife could see what he had brought: "It's been five years since we last saw each other; I miss Factory Director Li, so I came to have a drink with him."

"It just so happens I also wanted a drink; I was thinking it's boring drinking alone, wondering who to find, and then Master He showed up." Deputy Factory Director Li fetched an unopened bottle of premium erguotou; Yan Fugui's erguotou can't compare to this. "Let's drink this today and get drunk."

"Don't open it, I just thought of something." Shazhu stopped Deputy Factory Director Li from opening the alcohol, saying, "The doctor said I can't drink these days; I forgot about that."

On Shazhu's face rose the gloom of not being able to drink with Deputy Factory Director Li.

He came to give a gift.

He didn't come to drink.

If he hadn't known that Deputy Factory Director Li would be a big shot in Yagangchang, holding sway over life and death for the next ten-plus years, Shazhu wouldn't have rushed to curry favor with him.

Just consider it as seeking his own future.

Human relations society.

You're useful.

You are talent.

You're useless.

You are a fool.

In an era when everyone only ate half-full, everyone knew working in the canteen meant a full meal, and everyone wanted to work there—a typical situation of many wolves and little meat. It's not that just because your cooking skills are good you can become the head chef; it's not that simple.

"Master He, this is boring."

"Factory Director Li, we agreed that once I'm healthy I'll cook and we'll definitely have a good drink; today I really can't, health is important."

Smart person.

Often, a little insight makes everything clear.

Seeing Shazhu so insistent, Deputy Factory Director Li gave up the idea of drinking.

"Master He, what's your work?"

"Five years ago, I worked at the Red Star Scrap Station; you know this. I did five years of support, the scrap station merged, it's far from home, so I thought I'd come find you, Factory Director Li, to see if I can enter Yagangchang to serve the factory workers."

"Master He, you're here for this?"

"Just this."

As Deputy Factory Manager of Yagangchang.

In the current situation, arranging for someone to work in the back kitchen is a bit conspicuous.

Tens of thousands of eyes are watching.

Except that when you think about it, the other party is Shazhu, who is known as the Cooking God in Yagangchang and also represented Yagangchang in five years of support construction.

Then Deputy Factory Director Li had no reservations about that.

He boldly said: "I'll write you a note; when the time comes, take my note and go straight into Yagangchang's canteen to become the canteen director."

"Becoming canteen director? I think that's unnecessary; as long as I can cook good meals for the vast Yagangchang workers, I'll be content. I've just arrived; let's not upset anyone."

"Who would dare not be happy? You, Master He, are a meritorious servant of Yagangchang; you represented Yagangchang in five years of support in the mountain areas. Anyone who isn't happy, I'll make them do five years of mountain area support."

"Will it cause you trouble?"

"No trouble; I'm specifically in charge of Yagangchang's logistics. Once you, Master He, enter the factory, you'll be my subordinate—you'd better flatter me well, or I'll give you small shoes to wear."

「The train runs fast, all thanks to the engine; with you, Factory Director Li leading me, there's no mistake. 」

Deputy Factory Director Li was very satisfied with Shazhu's attitude.

Someone fetched a pen.

Wrote something something in a vigorous, flamboyant style, something something He Yuzhu comes to work at my factory, in view of his good cooking skills, now appoint He Yuzhu as the director of the Ershitang of Yagangchang, responsible for something something etc., and also said he would personally greet Shazhu at the Yagangchang gate tomorrow, which made Shazhu feel rather embarrassed.

……

On the way back to the Siheyuan.

Shazhu rode his bike while recalling those bits and pieces from his previous life.

Mainly, the three words 'Ershitang' unlocked Shazhu's long-sealed memory fragments.

In his previous life, he worked at the Ershitang.

He was not a leader.

He was just a cook who did cooking; when there were reception tasks, he prepared reception meals; when there were none, he directed a few subordinates to cook big pot meals.

Because of Qin Huairu, Deputy Factory Director Li put him through several ordeals; eventually, after Deputy Factory Director Li left Yagangchang, Shazhu, relying on his years of seniority, stubbornly became the head of Yagangchang's canteen.

Even as canteen head, he was also schemed against.

Relying on Shazhu's cooking skills, if he casually went out to find a cooking job, the monthly pay others gave him would be equivalent to several months' salary at Yagangchang.

At Yan Jiecheng's restaurant, Shazhu demanded a monthly salary of two thousand.

Five months would make him a ten-thousand-yuan household.

It goes without saying.

In order to tie Shazhu down, they temporarily promoted him to canteen head.

This empty title of canteen head, to Shazhu at the time, was like a dog leash tying him down, firmly binding him to Yagangchang, to the eucalyptus board of the Yagangchang canteen; as a result, Shazhu had no money and even had to borrow from his apprentice Thus: Thus: Mahua.

Thus: Thus: Mahua.

Liu Lan.

the fat person

Names like that, and also the familiar and unfamiliar faces, appeared one after another in Shazhu's mind.

Shazhu always thought he was not an emotional person.

But when he re-entered the Yagangchang Ershitang and faced those people again, a faint, nameless feeling arose deep inside.

He stopped his bike.

He tilted his head up.

He looked up at the stars in the night sky that urges the vegetables on, giving Shazhu a feeling of refreshment and delight; anxiety suddenly vanished.