Chapter 21

The factory director knew what He Yuzhu was like before—his sharp tongue never spared the leaders, and if it weren't for his genuinely good cooking skills, he would have been transferred to a subordinate factory long ago.

Now that he's treating me to fish, he definitely has an ulterior motive.

As for the canteen problem, he knows it full well; even without workers complaining about the thin, watery dishes, he himself knows there's an issue.

Before, when He Yuzhu ate in the canteen, aside from when leaders treated him, his meals were no different from ordinary workers'. Since he arrived, he's been eating either braised pork or big meatballs every day.

The factory director doesn't know the exact canteen reserves, but eating like that certainly won't last till the end of the month.

He thought He Yuzhu understood the situation and wanted to use him to overthrow this chef.

"Director, do you think just because people call me 'Silly Zhu' I'm really stupid? I just want to return to the canteen, but I'd have to do so as a leader."

The factory director nodded approvingly.

Now the Supply Section has caused quite a stir, and He Yuzhu can bring more prestige here himself.

"However, Director, I really have a few matters I need your help with." He Yuzhu refilled the director's cup, "If the deputy team leader isn't looking for you, at least assign me an assistant."

The Supply Section is swamped; although we're supposed to be austere and thrifty, hospitality can't be neglected. If there's no way, there's nothing to do, but if there is, we certainly hope the menu can be more varied.

"How about transferring Yu Haitang over to you?" the factory director asked after taking a sip.

He Yuzhu gave a bitter laugh: "Yu Haitang herself is someone I can't afford to provoke; if her sister Yu Li were here, she'd be tolerable—she's merely somewhat shrewd—but Yu Haitang is not just shrewd; she also has a streak of fanaticism."

Having her around would be like sitting on a bomb.

After the dishes had been tasted five ways and the wine three rounds, the Factory Director was a little tipsy; he glanced at He Yuzhu and asked, "Zhuzi, you invited me to eat fish for no reason—do you want to go back to the cafeteria? You're a cadre now; don't keep thinking about the iron pot."

The factory director smiled and asked if he already had someone in mind.

"How about transferring Liu Lan over? She's also a miscellaneous worker in the canteen, and if she came over she'd still be a miscellaneous worker—basically a lateral transfer," He Yuzhu said.

To the factory director, this is a minor matter; he just needs to give the order and the secretary can handle it.

"There's one more thing: I sent a report upward, but I haven't heard back at all." He Yuzhu asked, "Is someone interfering?"

The factory director sighed; he was a bit afraid of He Yuzhu asking about this matter—what Elder One did was simply outrageous, making virtually every leader who saw it seethe with righteous anger.

However, both are skilled workers, and the workshop work still needs to be done by them, so it's been dragged out until now.

"I'm not asking you to execute them; you can't punish them just for working in the workshop—that makes no sense." He Yuzhu said, "They've gone too far, showing not the slightest remorse."

After pondering at his seat, the factory director nodded, saying this matter definitely needs an explanation; if it escalates, it won't be easy to wrap up.

"Alright, I'll have the secretary settle the punishment as soon as possible; Old Liu is still on suspension, so the punishment should be a bit harsher."

These two matters are settled; He Yuzhu drank a few more sips with the factory director and asked how Xu Daming managed to return to work so quickly, given that what he did isn't easy to get away from.

"Zhuzi, this fish you're eating…" the factory director shook his head, "Xu Daming can't stomach it for now, and you also need to learn to compromise and coexist."

Now Lou Xiaoe is still Xu Daming's wife, meaning he still belongs to the Lou faction, and the Lou family are shareholders of the steel mill, so they still have some influence here.

He Yuzhu also understands that to deal with Xu Daming in the steel mill, the only way is to separate him from Lou Xiaoe.

Moreover, we must not let him climb onto other leaders during this period.

That poses some difficulty.

The Factory Director smiled and asked him whether someone had already been chosen.

Elder One and Elder Two returned to the courtyard with faces full of helplessness and anger; seeing their neighbors also not surprised, because the factory had already issued the disciplinary notice.

"In view of Comrades Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, whose moral character is corrupt and who show no remorse, their wages are to be downgraded two grades, they are to be kept under observation at the factory, and the entire factory will be publicly criticized."

The coming-and-going neighbors seemed to be watching his joke; Elder One couldn't stay at home, so he went to the deaf old lady's place to avoid the spotlight.

The Factory Director sighed; he was a little afraid that He Yuzhu would ask about this matter—what Yi Daye had done was simply outrageous, making almost every leader who saw it feel indignant.

"Man is the knife and cutting board, you are the meat on the board; if you can't see that, you'll probably end up trapped here."

Elder One doesn't want to understand this reasoning; he thinks he's already repaid the money, so why is He Yuzhu still holding on? This is simply unreasonable—being in the right yet showing no mercy.

Yet the idea of letting He Yuzhu support him in old age is still deeply etched in his mind; he thinks He Yuzhu is so capable that he'll surely live a good life in the future, and they as a couple will also do well.

If He Yuzhu knew Elder One's thought, he would surely shout, "Isn't this Stockholm syndrome?"

These two matters are basically settled; He Yuzhu accompanied the Factory Director and had a few more drinks, then asked Xu Damao how he could be reinstated so quickly—what he had done wasn't that easy to get out of.

"Zhuzi, this fish you're eating…" the Factory Director shook his head, "Xu Damao can't be dealt with for now; you also need to learn compromise and coexistence."

Now Lou Xiaoe is still Xu Damao's wife, meaning he still belongs to the Lou family faction, and the Lou family are shareholders of the Steel Rolling Mill, so they still have some influence here.

He Yuzhu also understands that to deal with Xu Damao in the Steel Rolling Mill, the only way is to separate him from Lou Xiaoe.

Moreover, we cannot let him climb onto other leaders during this period.

There is some difficulty.

…

Yi Daye and Er Daye returned to the Courtyard House with faces full of helplessness and anger; seeing their neighbors, it wasn't strange, because the factory had already issued a punishment notice.

"In view of Comrade Yi Zhonghai and Comrade Liu Haizhong, their moral character is corrupt and they show no remorse. Their wages will be downgraded two grades, they will be retained at the factory for observation, and the entire factory will be criticized in a notice."

The coming-and-going neighbors seemed to be watching his joke; Yi Daye couldn't stay at home, so he could only go to the deaf old lady's place to avoid the spotlight.

Ordinary people wouldn't come here.

"Man is the knife and cutting board, you are the fish and meat; if you don't understand this, you'll probably be trapped here."

Yi Daye doesn't want to understand this reasoning; he feels he has already repaid the money, so why is He Yuzhu still holding on? This is simply unreasonable.

His idea of having He Yuzhu support him in old age is still deeply etched in his mind; he thinks He Yuzhu is so capable that he will surely have a good life in the future, and they as a couple will also live well.

If He Yuzhu knew Yi Daye's idea, he would surely exclaim, 'Isn't this Stockholm syndrome?'