Chapter 577: Half-True, Half-False Lou Xiaoe

Yan Fugui and the butcher left.

Lou Xiaoe furtively poked her head out from the back courtyard.

Her face bore a hint of panic.

It wasn't fear of Yan Fugui.

But rather to avoid some rumors.

Mainly she didn't want to cause trouble for Shazhu.

As the former wife of Xu Daming, Lou Xiaoe lived in the courtyard of Xu Daming's good friend Shazhu; but the people of the Siheyuan were the sort who didn't take well to outsiders, being beastly, and they had also tried to force Lou Xiaoe and Shazhu to pay for renovating the Siheyuan, which failed—just thinking with your toes you could figure out that they surely resent Shazhu, resent Lou Xiaoe, and harbor grudges, so if they found out Lou Xiaoe was living in Shazhu's house, who knows how they'd scheme against Shazhu.

Lou Xiaoe, who had been neighbors with those beasts for years, knew their nature all too well—they were the sort to lie without even drafting a script; dealing with them, being careful is never harmful.

Seeing that only Shazhu and Thus: Thus: Mahua remained in the courtyard, Lou Xiaoe stepped to the beat and swayed as she appeared before Thus: Thus: Mahua.

Knowing Thus: Thus: Mahua was an honest kid, without Liu Lan's big mouth, she wasn't worried he'd spill the beans.

Moreover, Lou Xiaoe had her own countermove; by the time she came out, she had already thought up an excuse to extricate herself.

In the corner of her eye she caught Thus: Thus: Mahua's startled expression; Lou Xiaoe gave him a slight nod, then sat down openly opposite Shazhu, sizing him up.

When Yan Fugui and the butcher had come earlier, Shazhu, considering Lou Xiaoe was present and thinking the weather wasn't cold, moved the table to the outer courtyard.

He placed a few stools.

On the table he put a teapot and several teacups.

Lou Xiaoe naturally sat in the seat Yan Fugui had previously occupied and began speaking to Shazhu.

"Zhuzi, Thus: Thus: Mahua isn't an outsider either; he counts as half an acquaintance of ours. I couldn't say those things earlier in front of Yan Fugui and that guy."

Thus: Thus: Mahua didn't think much of it.

He thought Lou Xiaoe also had something to discuss with Shazhu.

But because of the Siheyuan matter, he deliberately hid in the back.

His heart sank instantly.

He had also mistaken Lou Xiaoe's relationship with Shazhu, believing Qin Huairu's words were true—that Lou Xiaoe and Shazhu had that sort of improper relationship.

He wondered whether he should side with Yu Li, or with Shazhu, or perhaps with Lou Xiaoe.

He felt relieved.

Lou Xiaoe was letting herself ruin the meeting with Yan Fugui and them.

She said a sentence.

"Master, Sister Lou, you two keep talking; I'll head back first."

He thought staying on the scene wasn't appropriate.

He wanted to take his leave.

But because Lou Xiaoe disagreed, Thus: Thus: Mahua could only stay on the spot and continue being his third wheel; Lou Xiaoe thought to herself, 'If you left, it would make me and Shazhu look even more improper.'

She simply used Thus: Thus: Mahua as a tool to dispel rumors.

"Zhuzi, let's continue our earlier topic: your cooking skills—I trust them. I've also tasted your delicious dishes at Bai Xu; they're really this."

Lou Xiaoe's thumb.

held up in front of Shazhu.

Thus: Thus: Mahua looked at Lou Xiaoe's fair fingertips, and his heart gave a sudden thump; Lou Xiaoe is a few years older than Yu Li, but her current appearance makes her look several years younger than Yu Li—he thought to himself, 'Rich people really know how to take care of themselves!'

"I told you before, no matter how well you're doing at Bai Xu now, it's not for your own sake."

Thus: Thus: Mahua heard this.

His heart gave a thump.

Even an idiot would know why by now.

In other words, Lou Xiaoe is here to poach people.

As for Shazhu's cooking skills, who doesn't know?

The booming business at Bai Xu—isn't it all thanks to Shazhu's cooking?

"Not long ago, you were even had your peaches picked—Bai Xu, which you built up single-handedly, is no longer yours; later, when the superiors saw Bai Xu was about to close shop, they let you take charge again as its head, and you proved yourself with your own abilities. What I mean is, I'll put up the money to lease a premises, also go into catering, on a scale not inferior to your current Bai Xu, and have you come along with me."

Thus: Thus: Mahua gazed at Shazhu.

He wondered how Shazhu would choose.

Anyway, he'll follow Shazhu—if Shazhu wants him, fine; if not, Thus: Thus: Mahua won't bear a grudge against Shazhu.

This point.

Unlike with the fat guy.

"I'll give you shares and dividends; I won't handle the daily catering management—it's all up to you. I don't know how much Thus: Thus: Mahua and the others earn a month now, but I guarantee their wages will be at least double what they are now."

A single finger.

held up.

"I can still come up with a hundred yuan a month."

Thus: Thus: Mahua's heart.

If his throat weren't blocking it, it might have flown right out.

He was truly startled.

Thus: Thus: Mahua is currently a Level 7 Cook Staff Position, earning forty-six yuan a month; Lou Xiaoe, without blinking, gives him a hundred yuan a month, which comes to twelve hundred yuan a year.

That amounts to two years of Thus: Thus: Mahua's salary.

He involuntarily swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Although he was startled, he hadn't dismissed the idea of secretly collaborating with Lou Xiaoe against Shazhu. Weighing the pros and cons, Thus: Thus: Mahua could tell the difference: he knew Lou Xiaoe was after Shazhu, and he himself was merely the bait to lure Shazhu away. If Shazhu didn't go, he guessed he wouldn't either.

Seeing Shazhu's expression unchanged, showing not the slightest hint of being moved, nor any excitement, he inexplicably felt a bit of admiration for Shazhu.

Thus: Thus: Mahua mistakenly thought of Shazhu.

Facing Lou Xiaoe's monthly price of one hundred, Shazhu instead thought of those things from his previous life, and the image of Yu Li and her spouse opening a restaurant in their previous life sprang to mind.

Because there was no suitable chef, Yu Li suggested they could ask Shazhu to be the head cook; the couple, in front of Yan Fugui, found Shazhu idly chatting with Yan Fugui and Yi Zhonghai, and asked him to help cook; Shazhu put on airs, saying, "Do you think I'm someone you can hire? Even your father Yan Fugui couldn't afford me."

Yu Li snapped, "How much do you want? You tell me."

At that time, because Bangeng had returned, Shazhu couldn't find work or a place to sleep, and was repeatedly manipulated by Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi, holding a surge of anger inside.

He demanded a monthly wage of 2500, and in the evening must also bring four dishes and one soup to feed the livestock.

Yan Fugui was dumbfounded; this wage equals half a year's salary for him, and he still has to bring dishes in the evening, leaving him heartbroken.

Yan Jiecheng thought the money was too much, unwilling to pay, saying, "You little brat, earning so much of my money, and still having to bring food to feed the siheyuan's livestock—I'm not happy."

Yu Li, however, with a grandiose demeanor, agreed to Shazhu's request to bring food and to his monthly wage of 2500, but demanded that he put forth twelve-tenths of his true skill and not fool customers.

Thinking of these past events, Shazhu felt somewhat laughable and exasperated; in his previous life, it was Yu Li who dug him to cook; in this life, he married Yu Li, but now it's Lou Xiaoe who wants to dig him to cook for her.

All told, a lifetime of cooking has come to this.

He thought about his occupation.

He felt relieved.

Seeing Shazhu's face break into a smile.

Lou Xiaoe thought she had persuaded Shazhu, and laid out even more generous conditions, setting aside personal feelings and viewing the problem from a market perspective; she believed Shazhu would make her restaurant profitable.

"If we achieve results by year-end, we can still open a branch; then you, He Yuzhu, will be the overall person in charge, the company will provide you with a car, and can also provide housing."

Thus: Thus: Mahua and everyone were numb.

A small car.

And also housing.

During these days, after contacting the livestock in the siheyuan for a while, one can understand the livestock's shamelessness; the reason they pressure Lou Xiaoe and Shazhu to give them money is nothing but wanting to enjoy the pleasure of not having to go out to use the toilet.

Gazing at Shazhu's eyes.

Full of admiration.

This is his master.

"The company will regularly let you go abroad for sightseeing; a 20-inch color TV will also be given as a reward to outstanding employees. Shazhu, if you find these conditions I proposed unsatisfactory, you can still raise them; as long as I can do it, I will certainly satisfy you."

Shazhu stared blankly at Lou Xiaoe.

He was astonished.

He didn't know whether Lou Xiaoe was acting or trying to tempt Shazhu.

He let out a sigh.

He expressed his attitude.

He still wanted to stay at Bai Xu.

Going out to work independently can make money, but the current big environment is still somewhat unsatisfactory; even the melon seed seller got roused.

Seeing Shazhu's firm attitude, Lou Xiaoe no longer insisted, took out a brick-sized object, pulled out its antenna, pressed a few numbers, and said a few words.

Soon after, the horn of a small car sounded at the siheyuan gate.

Lou Xiaoe told Shazhu that she would leave the Capital City for Hong Kong Island in a day, letting him consider her proposal as much as possible; then, under the attention of Thus: Thus: Mahua and Shazhu, she got into the small car and left.

"Master, that thing can talk, no wires needed, can be carried around anytime."

Thus: Thus: Mahua after Lou Xiaoe left.

Excitedly, he began to explain to Shazhu, his words full of strong envy.

Today he gained some insight.

"That's called a mobile phone; I heard only the wealthy on Hong Kong Island have them, saying you can call anytime, anywhere."

"Master, rest assured, I believe we will definitely have them in the future, and you will be the first person to use a mobile phone."

Thus: Thus: Mahua to Shazhu.

He had an inexplicable confidence.

Looking at Thus: Thus: Mahua's pleased face.

Shazhu ultimately did not speak of those past-life facts; two years later, those troubled people in the Capital City will also have their mobile phones; mobile phones are even more compact than the one Lou Xiaoe uses now; twenty or thirty years later, palm-sized mobile phones will be ubiquitous.

He said something to Yu Li; Yu Li locked the courtyard gate; Shazhu rode the niezi, carrying Yu Li and Thus: Thus: Mahua, and hurriedly arrived at Bai Xu.

After the morning meeting ended.

Then the formal busyness began.

Just as Shazhu was busy cooking to make a living with his head down.

Yu Li entered the back kitchen and found Shazhu, saying that Secretary Zhao was looking for Shazhu.

This person, Secretary Zhao.

Shazhu was familiar with him.

In his previous life, he had dealt with Secretary Zhao for many years.

Later, Shazhu could only see Secretary Zhao on TV and in newspapers, and told Bangeng and them that he had drunk with Secretary Zhao, who still called Shazhu "brother".

Bangeng and them all thought Shazhu was bragging.

In his previous life, Xu Damu was a deputy director; when it came time to settle accounts with Shazhu and Qin Huairu, Shazhu learned from Secretary Zhao the trick of "borrowing a knife to kill", using so-called documents with red headers to scare Deputy Factory Director Li, saying Xu Damu wanted to overthrow him, and Li Deputy Factory Director stayed up all night to utterly crush Xu Damu.

Finding work for Bangeng, letting him go to a ministry to drive for others, were all handled through Secretary Zhao, which counts as owing Secretary Zhao a favor.

This lifetime.

Shazhu does not associate with the Jia family, so he also did not receive Secretary Zhao's favor.

Originally planning to wait a few days, then repeat the old trick of having Secretary Zhao come to Bai Xu to scare people, but unexpectedly Secretary Zhao came to him early, full of doubts.

He came out from the back kitchen.

While walking, he also used a scarf to wipe his hands.

He arrived at the hall.

He took a careful look.

It really is Secretary Zhao.

Shazhu thought the leader had something in mind for him—maybe he wanted to eat the food Shazhu made, or perhaps he wanted to hear Bai Xu's performance; with various thoughts, he stepped toward Secretary Zhao.

"Secretary Zhao, what instructions does the leader have?"

As a secretary.

They are all quick-sighted.

Shazhu and Bai Xu's standing in the leader's mind is something Secretary Zhao knows very well.

Perhaps before, Shazhu was just a cook who could make food, and the leader liked his cooking.

With Bai Xu's grand performance unfolding, Secretary Zhao no longer dared to regard Shazhu merely as a cook; Bai Xu's layout before his eyes left Secretary Zhao in awe, pondering how Shazhu could have such wild imagination, hearing that some restaurants have already begun to imitate it.

Moreover, while serving tea and delivering documents to the leader, he heard the leader praise Shazhu several times, saying Shazhu did well, indicating that Shazhu had already gained the leader's deep approval.

Don't look at Bai Xu currently being attached to Yagangchang, but Secretary Zhao knows that perhaps not much time will pass before Bai Xu becomes independent.

Thus he had the thought of currying favor with Shazhu.

A smile rose on his face, and he replied to Shazhu.

"Brother Zhu, just call me by my name; otherwise, calling me Xiao Zhao or Secretary Zhao makes us brothers seem distant."

"You represent the leader."

"Brother Zhu, are you giving me the cold shoulder?"

"Then I'll call you younger brother."

"That's right." Secretary Zhao said to Shazhu: "Brother Zhu, I wouldn't come without a reason; this time I'm not sent by the leader, and the leader himself doesn't know I'm coming to find you."

Having said that.

Even a fool knows Secretary Zhao has something to ask of him.

Shazhu now harbors doubts about what matter it is that even Secretary Zhao can't resolve, despite having the leader behind him, yet he ends up seeking help from this little cook.

"Little brother, tell me what you need; you know your Brother Zhu—aside from cooking, that's all he does. If I can help with what you say, I will certainly help; if I can't, I'll try to find someone else to help you solve it."

Upon hearing Shazhu say that.

Secretary Zhao's heart, hanging in midair.

Finally it could settle down.

He came to find Shazhu because Secretary Zhao judged that Shazhu could help him; besides Shazhu, others could help too, but that would affect Secretary Zhao's future to some extent, and others' help wouldn't be as thorough, so he still needs to ask someone else.

After thinking back and forth.

He could only turn to Shazhu.

"Brother Zhu, actually there's nothing much; I just want you to help me exchange some US dollars!"