Chapter 556

He rode the motorcycle back.

He kept busy with the cleaning work.

Don't say.

After wiping it down, the motorcycle looked much better, but the damaged paint spots affected its overall appearance.

He rode the motorcycle to the supply and marketing cooperative, bought a small bucket of green paint, mixed in a little gasoline, and evenly brushed it onto the peeled spots.

Later he also felt it was uneven.

He simply used a flat shovel to scrape off all the paint on the motorcycle body, then sanded it until the metal shone, then stopped.

He held the paint bucket mixed with gasoline and the brush, and painted the entire motorcycle.

Actually it's similar to the refurbished spray paint on second-hand cars nowadays; the process is quite complicated; if you just paint directly, there's no shine, the surface is also uneven, and it's very glaring.

Otherwise he wouldn't have just done this useless work.

After finishing the paint, he pushed the motorcycle to a relatively safe place, didn't need to lock it, and no one would be foolish enough to steal such a thing.

He stayed there and examined it for a moment.

He was about to leave.

He ran into someone who was a familiar stranger.

That person, because Shazhu accidentally pressed the motorcycle horn button this morning, was loudly demanding to give Shazhu a good-looking bald guy.

To be honest.

He really didn't know when this bald guy had appeared behind him.

"Comrade, is this your motorcycle?"

The bald guy was also someone who knows how to handle things; he spoke first, during the conversation his face was full of a fawning smile, and he also offered Shazhu a big front-door cigarette.

The first element of social interaction.

Offering a cigarette paves the way.

He waved his hand and refused the cigarette offered by the other party.

"I don't smoke."

"Not smoking is good, it's healthy." The bald guy, who had been refused, wasn't angry; instead he quickly thought of an excuse for himself: "I'm trying to quit smoking but can't."

"Anything?"

His tone of questioning carried a hint of doubt.

The gaze falling on the bald guy also carried a hint of scrutiny.

A weasel paying New Year greetings to a chicken.

This was the first thought that came to his mind when facing the bald guy.

He always felt that the bald guy in front of him was a bit not a good person.

"Indeed there is something; looking at your appearance, you look quite unfamiliar, you must be a new neighbor who just moved here; to be frank, I'm very familiar with this area." The bald guy pointed with his hand at the surrounding streets, then pointed his thumb at himself, saying, "The neighbors all know me, and I know the neighbors; my name is Yang Bailao."

Even though he is well-informed and knowledgeable.

but he still couldn't help laughing out loud.

This name.

Really fucking awesome.

Yang Bailao.

Also don't know how his parents came up with it.

Could it be that I've stumbled into the world of White-Haired Girl?

Last time I had a conflict with a person named Huang Shiren, now I've met Yang Bailao; I'm not sure if Xi'er will appear next.

"Sorry, I'm kinda…"

"It's fine, many people who know my name are like you; I'm used to it." Yang Bailao, being magnanimous, didn't hold it against Shazhu, then shifted the topic to mention the morning incident: "Looking for you isn't a big deal; it's just that morning thing; I was wrong, people inevitably make mistakes, you shouldn't take it to heart; I'm the kind of person with a sharp tongue but a tofu heart, no ill intentions; really, if you spend more time with me, you'll know what I'm like."

"Which thing are you talking about? It's also my fault for pressing whatever button early in the morning, disturbing the neighbors' rest; being scolded is deserved, I brought it on myself."

He didn't avoid his own mistake.

Whatever it is, that's what it is.

Yang Bailao probably didn't expect Shazhu to say that; he stood there slightly stunned for a moment, then asked Shazhu about Liu Jianguo's identity.

"That comrade who's about your age, what's his relation to you?"

He suddenly realized why Yang Bailao had come to apologize.

It's basically because he's afraid of Liu Jianguo.

There's a saying: 'shake the mountain to startle the tiger'.

Applied to Yang Bailao in front of him, it couldn't be more fitting.

He didn't deliberately hide Liu Jianguo's identity like some people do, because Liu Jianguo is a real person, and some things simply won't stand up to inquiry.

So he revealed Liu Jianguo's identity.

"You mean the guy in uniform? He's my brother-in-law; I'm his elder uncle by marriage, truly, truly his brother-in-law."

"I guess that's the relationship." Yang Bailao slapped his own thigh, "Looking at him, he looks quite capable."

He said a few polite remarks.

Yang Bailao steered the conversation onto Shazhu's identity.

"Comrade, we've chatted this long; you know my name is Yang Bailao, but I still don't know your name, what's your surname?" Worried that Shazhu might give him a cold look, he quickly explained, "Don't take it to heart; distant relatives aren't as close as neighbors; we're neighbors, so when something happens, it's good to have someone to look out for each other."

"My name is He Yuzhu."

Yang Bailao seemed to have heard Shazhu's name before.

After Shazhu gave his name, he instantly widened his eyes, his hand trembling as he pointed at Shazhu.

You are the He Yuzhu who works as a cook at Yagangchang, the He Yuzhu nicknamed Shazhu.

Yes, I am that Shazhu.

He Shifu, you don't remember me? I once ate your food; I have to say, your cooking skills are indescribable, absolutely so.

A thumb was raised in front of Shazhu's eyes.

He lavished praise on Shazhu without sparing words.

Words like 'contemporary culinary god,' 'pillar of the Capital City's culinary world,' 'soon to be praised,' and so on were flung at Shazhu without cost; just as Shazhu was about to speak up to stop his flattery, Yang Bailao abruptly changed the subject to the Siheyuan.

Is the house across the way your He Shifu's courtyard? A standalone two‑entry Siheyuan must have cost a lot, right?

Six thousand.

How much?

Six thousand." Shazhu sighed. "Old Yang, I started saving money after May First, took on odd jobs relentlessly, and the savings I painstakingly accumulated over twenty‑five years all went into this house.

Saving six thousand over twenty‑five years and buying a Siheyuan instead of an apartment is a loss; if it were me, I'd definitely buy an apartment.

Yang Bailao wore an expression of pity for Shazhu.

But his gaze held an ulterior motive.

He revealed Yang Bailao's thoughts to Shazhu.

Shazhu, too, was weary from experience and thought Yang Bailao had recognized the value of the standalone Siheyuan.

With his current two‑entry Siheyuan, in a few decades it will surely be worth hundreds of millions.

I actually wanted to buy it, but I lack the qualifications; my family has many children, and I have a feud with the Jia family's woman in our compound—after Bangeng went to jail, she's nearly gone mad, resenting everyone in the compound; my wife worries about the children's safety and hastily bought this house.

Shazhu spoke about his conflict with the Jia family.

Some things, as long as they have a source, even if false, people will believe them.

So it's because of this that I said you're fine—why not buy an apartment? With such a big courtyard, at least you wouldn't have to queue for the toilet in a building.

Who says no? Regretting it now is useless; the kids come first—my wife is about to turn against me. Yang Bailao, I have other matters, I'm leaving first.

Take care.

Yang Bailao watched Shazhu's retreating back.

His complexion instantly turned somewhat unpleasant.

As a neighbor living across the street, Yang Bailao knew all too well what was inside Shazhu's Siheyuan.

Back when that director was in office, many wealthy people fell into his hands; he smashed their money jars, turning some over and pocketing others.

Recently.

That director fell from power, and a lot of things were found in his home.

Outsiders might think the compound had been emptied.

But Yang Bailao knew that at least twenty or thirty percent of the stuff remained left in the Siheyuan.

If he could get hold of a dozen or so items, Yang Bailao would have enough to last a lifetime.

As for where exactly these things are hidden, Yang Bailao only knows they're underground, not the precise spot; his reluctance to move stems from not wanting to part with those gold, silver, and valuables.

He once had the fortune to see those things himself.

At least a third of the valuable items were intercepted by that director.

Before Shazhu bought the courtyard, Yang Bailao took advantage of the street office accompanying the restitution personnel to sneak in and have a look.

The interior was empty; some rooms had wooden furniture, others were left with only walls.

The high walls all around made climbing in nothing but a daydream.

Moreover, this couldn't be accomplished in a day or two.

If Yang Bailao didn't know Shazhu's identity and background, he would surely try to deal with him; but now that he knows Shazhu's strength, he has no desire to use force—even if he did, he couldn't go head‑on; he'd need a clever approach, best to copy Shazhu's method exactly and spend money to buy the Siheyuan.

That's all.

Just Liu Jianguo alone is someone Yang Bailao can't afford to offend.

Moreover, Shazhu himself has strength; as the former canteen chief of Yagangchang, when Bai Xu opened, the Security Section was fully mobilized.

Would Yang Bailao dare to offend those Security Section people?

A big 'worry' appeared on Yang Bailao's forehead.

He thus gave up.

He couldn't bear to part with it.

He needed to consider it further.

His gaze fell on the motorcycle; after looking it over repeatedly, an idea suddenly struck him.

……

Bai Xu.

Shazhu walked here.

Seeing the gate open,

he stepped straight inside.

Liu Lan, Thus: Thus: Mahua, and You Fengxia—who knows what they were saying—were all grinning ear to ear; seeing Shazhu, they hurried forward, each face wearing a satisfied expression.

Shazhu had only just taken charge of Bai Xu for two short days.

On the first day he made a profit of three hundred.

On the second day he made a profit of two hundred.

Together they created a profit of five hundred.

Before Shazhu even entered, You Fengxia and the others were privately muttering that, according to this profit method, Bai Xu would surely make at least seventy‑five hundred a month.

That's simply an astronomical figure.

Everyone was frightened by this number, and they also daydreamed about the day they themselves would be honored as a model worker.

"What are you laughing at?"

Thus: Thus: Mahua just did a quick calculation, saying that based on yesterday's and the day before's customer flow, we could earn about seven thousand plus per month; seven thousand a month, twelve months a year, that's a hundred thousand—so much money that if it were mine, I doubt I could spend it all in a lifetime.

Lan Sis, you're muddle-headed? Twelve months times seven thousand is eighty-four thousand, not a hundred thousand.

Unlucky kid, deliberately sabotaging me.

Let's all say a few less words.

The room gradually grew quiet.

Everyone looked hopefully at Shazhu.

Liu Lan, I recall you had a relative who was village head in Mountain-reliant Village, who a few years ago led the villagers in raising pigs, chickens, and ducks.

Later they were dealt with, you know this, and I even did a self-criticism at Ershitang.

Whether or not we criticize, we won't talk about that now; let's just ask whether he could continue raising pigs and chickens.

I'm not too sure; why don't I write him a letter to ask?

Don't write a letter; take a day off, I'll go with you, and we'll talk to him in person.

No problem.

Thus: Thus: Mahua, your uncle seems to have done something similar too; if you have time, come with me as well.

Thus: Thus: Mahua nodded.

Everyone present was not foolish.

As soon as Shazhu said that, everyone knew he was thinking of sourcing goods from those places.

"Master, are you worried?"

Although Thus: Thus: Mahua didn't say the rest, the people in the room shrewdly guessed what he was going to say.

Let's prepare for a rainy day.

People all have selfish motives.

Bai Xu, under Huang Shiren, achieved nothing; under Shazhu, he achieved results, which would make Huang Shiren look worthless and also drag down Deputy Factory Director Li, who introduced Huang Shiren.

What Shazhu worries about isn't Deputy Factory Director Li, but the people behind him.

If Bai Xu's current booming business is actually orchestrated by those people, then once Bai Xu peaks, they could suddenly stage a drama of cutting off supplies.

Even a clever woman cannot cook without rice.

Even if Shazhu's cooking skills are superb, he can't conjure food out of nothing.

Seek a retreat in advance.

So as not to be flustered later.

This isn't Shazhu shooting blindly; based on his past life experience, this is highly likely to happen.

In his previous life.

Capital City had a very popular private restaurant called Food is Heaven; the first half-year, business boomed to the extreme; starting from the sixth month, its business plummeted.

The cause was someone deliberately cutting off Food is Heaven's supplies—no pork, no chicken, no mutton, not even enough seasonings.

They manipulate you in every way.

Customers who came to eat couldn't get the dishes they ordered; over time, there were no customers, business was bad, so to cut costs they laid off some people—waitstaff and chefs alike.

Service couldn't be improved.

The knife work on the dishes was also unwatchable.

The taste was also poor.

Finally it vanished into the vast sea of people.

Yu Li and her husband opened a restaurant years later, still inspired by Food is Heaven, but by then the market had become much more vibrant and supplies could be obtained from other channels.

The predecessors planted trees.

The later generations enjoy the shade.

Shazhu, who possesses memories of two lifetimes, clearly knows that the present Bai Xu is exactly the Food is Heaven that seemed booming in his past life but only had a six-month lifespan.

He doesn't want Bai Xu to end up exactly like Food is Heaven.

Some things need to be done in advance.

Buying a motorcycle is also a kind of retreat.

Use the motorcycle to haul those supplies back.