Chapter 12

The morning clouds were gorgeous and varied, ribbons of rosy light enveloping the Courtyard House, giving everyone coming and going a different hue; a few elders had already gone out for a stroll, and those heading to work began preparing.

He Yuzhu stepped out of his room and saw Qin Huairu carrying a plate of white flour mantou to Yi Daye; Jia Zhangshi at the door had a face as long as a donkey's, but she didn't stop them.

Now at home she is already in a weak position.

Probably because of Bang Geng's matter, he now has no time to deal with them, so let Yi Daye busy himself.

At the gate of the Steel Rolling Mill, the Factory Director was already waiting there; he patted He Yuzhu's shoulder and said that today he didn't need to go to the canteen, but follow him to a leader's place to cook.

This was the key to his promotion, so he didn't hesitate at all and hurried over.

"My master, my master!" Ma Hua said excitedly, "We're already in a little jeep; this must mean we're going to be promoted, right."

The workers going to work chattered away; some were simply envious, some envious with a touch of jealousy, and some already had red eyes.

"Heh! Sha Zhu, what luck did he run into—no education at all yet he can ride in a car." Second Elder pulled Yi Daye to complain, "I even have some primary-school education."

Yi Daye's eyes shifted, not knowing what he was thinking.

Xu Damao brought his projector and also got in the car; seeing He Yuzhu sitting there calm and composed, he felt a twinge of sourness and wanted to provoke a few words.

"Sha Zhuzi, how are you also in the car? With your skills you dare to show up, aren't you afraid of being shouted down? Then you'd lose face for the Steel Rolling Mill."

"Xu Damao, you don't feel right unless you hit someone, huh? You still owe me a beating." He Yuzhu glanced at him, "This is collecting interest."

The leader's living environment is indeed nice, with multicolored roses encircling the house, a few tall green trees providing shade, and the birdsong all around feeling harmonious.

Upon entering the house, He Yuzhu hadn't yet gone into the kitchen when the leader's secretary already came over, saying please He Yuzhu go to the study to meet; as for the others, just wait.

This isn't quite like the TV dramas!

The leader isn't particularly old, looks like a resolute person, though there's a hint of scholarly air between the brows, like someone both literary and martial.

"Leader, good." He Yuzhu said respectfully.

"Have a seat, do you know why I called you?"

He Yuzhu shook his head.

"I've wanted to meet you for a while; I heard Lao Wen handed the Grocery shop over to you, and also betrothed Character to you."

Originally, this leader was a university student in the city, also participated in student activities, later engaged in underground work, and back then hid from the enemy's pursuit in the Grocery shop.

He had an extremely good relationship with the deceased Lao Wen.

"Character is out performing; she'll probably be back in about a month, and when she returns you must definitely treat me to a drink." The leader said with a smile, "From now on, come over often to hang out."

This connection is pretty solid; according to his memory, this leader is the highest-ranking figure to have appeared in this Courtyard House world.

From now on, I can really take off.

Besides explaining the relationship to him, the leader just wanted to handle the Grocery shop.

In his early years, Lao Wen held sway; indeed no one dared to cause trouble, and he allowed it to continue operating this way, but He Yuzhu lacks that prestige—trouble could arise at any moment.

"So what should I do?"

"I know a director at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative; I think we can set up a file, first treat it as a small Supply and Marketing Cooperative—what do you think?"

He Yuzhu knows the days ahead will be tougher, but when the Grocery shop was handed over to him, he was supposed to keep things as they are; otherwise, how would his marriage to Character work out?

Becoming a Supply and Marketing Cooperative would probably also require hiring help and getting the accounts straight; what about those reward materials he earned? Although they were vintage back then, they're still top-notch today.

"This matter I say alone doesn't count; let's wait for Character to come back and discuss it."

The leader nodded; that's appropriate.

"My secretary can't stop praising your dishes, saying that after all these years he's never tasted anything better." The main matters having been settled, the leader turned to other concerns, "But you haven't moved up yet—should I say hello to your Factory Director for you?"

That's actually a good thing; with the leader's greeting, I could surely manage a petty official post, but upon reflection, that's not a good approach.

It would only make the leader look down on me.

"Our leader already said he'd promote me, so no need for greetings." He Yuzhu said with a smile, "If there's nothing else, I'll go prepare the dishes."

"Don't rush, how are things with your coworkers? I know a bit about what goes on in the Steel Rolling Mill; in there you need to be a bit sharper, but if someone gives you trouble, come find me."

The leader seems not to like behind-the-back talk, so He Yuzhu kept his head low and said nothing.

"Go on, I also want to understand the situation; just speak freely."

The leader was still sincere; He Yuzhu thought a moment and told the senior leader, the other people are fine, but coming over to show a movie today isn't anything worthwhile.

Just go to the countryside to show a movie, and you'll definitely bring back some local specialties.

Isn't that damaging the reputation of the Steel Rolling Mill?

"Hmph, turns out you're a weasel—what's the difference from those white puppies before?"

He summoned the secretary, ordering him to drive away Xu Damao who was showing the movie downstairs, and also told He Yuzhu to read more books when he returns—lack of education won't do from now on.

Xu Damao downstairs was absentmindedly fiddling with the movie equipment when he saw the secretary come down from the second floor, coldly saying, "The leader isn't watching a movie today; you go back first."

"Ah? I've got it all set up; the leader can just come down and start it." Xu Damao felt somewhat unwilling; this was a great opportunity, and with his eloquence he could surely make connections.

"It must be Sha Zhu tattling on me upstairs." Xu Damao wore a displeased face, "Back in the Courtyard House, just wait till I deal with him."

In a moment, his anger made him froth at the mouth.

At that moment He Yuzhu was happily scooping in the kitchen; today he made a few extra Sichuan dishes, but since the incoming leader might not be from Sichuan, he also added scallion‑exploded meat and tofu in supreme broth.

Both of those are Shandong cuisine.

Shandong cuisine leads the eight great culinary traditions, emphasizing harmony of flavor; the whole North's dishes use it as a base, so it has a broad audience. Back in the Eight Great Buildings, seven of them were Shandong establishments.

Originally He Yuzhu didn't plan to take a lunch box from here, but the leader's wife, knowing his relationship with Lao Wen, specially prepared a heap of food for him.

There were canned goods, pastries, and dried fish.