Chapter 17: with translation of chapter title

This time three people worked together, but He Yuzhu saw it as an opportunity, because he had finally crossed a great divide and become a grassroots leader.

Interpretation: "This time it was three people acting together, but He Yuzhu felt it was an opportunity, because he finally crossed a gulf and became a grassroots leader."

We need to keep meaning. Use "grassroots leader". Provide translation.

However, this matter still lacks the right timing; he prepared to add fuel to the fire himself.

The next morning, the cold wind still howled; He Yuzhu entered the factory early carrying a wooden box, while the supply group was located in a shack at a corner.

In one word: the old, weak, sick, and disabled.

The entire supply group had become a garbage recycling station; let alone going out to procure supplies, they might not even be able to walk to the cafeteria in one go at lunchtime.

He didn't speak to those few people, carrying the wooden box as he went to wait in the Factory Director's office.

"Zhuzi, why aren't you cooking this morning and coming to see me instead?" The Factory Director, seeing He Yuzhu, looked somewhat surprised and asked, "Is something troubling you?"

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes.

It seems the Factory Director indeed didn't know he had been transferred.

"I'm no longer a cafeteria person; Deputy Factory Director Li assigned me to the supply group."

The Factory Director pondered for a while before recalling the supply group's staffing.

"Nonsense, do you want to go back to the cafeteria? I'll go find Deputy Factory Director Li right now."

He Yuzhu shook his head; he really didn't believe just any cook could have his skills, and besides he had a few confidants in the cafeteria—if he caused trouble, nobody could stay there.

"Factory Director, I have two things to discuss today. First, the supply group: it's all old-timers and disabled people who can't do anything; I'm the only young and strong one—could you let me be the group leader?"

The Factory Director was somewhat taken aback; it was the first time someone had so openly asked for an official position.

He thought of the old leader's instructions.

"Alright, I'll have the factory office handle it shortly." The Factory Director took a sip of tea and said, "However, this supply group isn't a place to stay long-term; in a few days I'll transfer you to the security department."

He Yuzhu shook his head; the supply group currently doesn't work because they can't procure supplies; if they could help workers get things done, it would become a hot position.

The kind where you don't even have to queue for meals.

"What's the second matter? I'll handle it together with you."

"This is my private matter; my house is dilapidated, I want to renovate it."

"Do you need cement, bricks, and such?"

"No, I have a particularly beautiful table lamp at home; I'm afraid it'll get damaged if I keep it there—could you help me store it for a while? It won't take long."

After speaking, He Yuzhu opened the wooden box; inside was a table lamp that looked ordinary. The Factory Director plugged it in, took a look, and discovered it had a hidden mechanism.

The lamp's shade could rotate slowly, like a revolving lantern.

He felt the pure copper base below; the Factory Director asked where the lamp came from, as it looked much better than those sold in stores.

Of course it's much better; it's that batch of retro-style goods he custom-ordered in his previous life. Although it looks somewhat similar to today's lamps, neither the carving nor the quality control can compare to current lamps.

"I went elsewhere to liaise for supplies, saw this table lamp and bought it." He Yuzhu said with a smile, "I'm also studying hard now, striving to improve."

The Factory Director nodded, saying the lamp could stay here; he would definitely keep it safe.

"Vehicle Secretary, take Zhuzi to find an office in this building." The Factory Director instructed his secretary, "Then tell Office Director Ni that the supply group will no longer be under logistics but will fall under the office's jurisdiction."

The Factory Director's move was indeed effective; in one go he took He Yuzhu away from Deputy Factory Director Li's hands. Moreover, the original supply group was disbanded; aside from He Yuzhu, everyone else went to the sanitation team to clean.

After strolling around the building, He Yuzhu chose a small room by the window on the second floor; Office Director Ni furnished it with a desk, chair, hot water flask, etc.

They also gave He Yuzhu a steel pen.

Placed in his clothing pocket, it gave him a bit of a leader's appearance.

"Group Leader He, I'll go to the workshop to call a few workers over to help tidy up." The Factory Director's secretary said, "We can finish the arrangement this morning."

"No need, no need, I'll find people myself."

He wasn't very familiar with the workshop workers; his base was still in the cafeteria, so he asked someone to summon Ma Hua over, and he first moved whatever he could.

Not only did Ma Hua come, but Liu Lan also came; the three of them busied themselves for less than an hour, and the place was set up.

"Zhuzi, you really have some skills—whose connections did you use to move from that little shack to the building?" Liu Lan praised, "From now on you're truly a leader."

"Now the supply group is no longer under logistics but is a subordinate unit of the factory office; from now on I won't be under your old Li's management."

Liu Lan's face looked somewhat unpleasant; she said she had broken up with that bastard Li, and from now on they'd have nothing to do with each other.

"Master, the supply group now is just you alone, right? I see we're missing a member; why not transfer us over as well?"

He Yuzhu told them with a smile, "Here we not only lack members, we also lack a deputy group leader; but he's a bit torn—should he choose someone steady and experienced, or someone clever and adept at handling affairs?"

As for those two, once he gets things sorted here, they will definitely be absorbed in.

There was still work in the cafeteria; as they were leaving, He Yuzhu quietly arranged a task for Ma Hua, having him spread a few rumors in the cafeteria.

He unfolded a newspaper, while reading he pondered how to deal with his enemies; Yi Daye is easy to talk about—just spread the word that he withholds wages.

He will have a stain on his record for life.

"Group Leader He, would you like some tea?" The office door suddenly opened, and a dark-skinned old man stood outside, smiling.

He Yuzhu also knew him; he was a workshop group leader downstairs, everyone called him Black Copper Head. He was quite honest, usually looked after the workers, but he had no particular acquaintance with He Yuzhu.

"Group Leader Tong, please come over and sit."

Black Copper Head got straight to the point, saying his son was getting married; they had prepared almost everything, but the bride's side was a bit picky, so he wanted to add a household appliance, so no one could complain.

He had no industrial coupons, so he sought the Factory Director's help, but was then sent here.

"Would a table lamp do?"

"Surely possible—can you get one? I… I don't have industrial coupons."

Isn't this exactly what this place is for—solving such matters?

"Do you have sugar or grain coupons? Add twenty yuan, and you'll have it this afternoon."

Black Copper Head readily agreed, left the money and coupons, and went out with a beaming smile.

This was the first service of the new supply group; He Yuzhu looked at the system's available table lamps, picked an ordinary one, and took it out.

This table lamp is entirely plastic shell, painted with the country's landscapes, and it's quite popular nowadays.

After obtaining the black copper head, I wrapped it in five or six layers before carefully taking it home.