Chapter 28: Unsuitable

He Yuzhu wasn't actually very busy that day; he went to the library in the morning, returned the borrowed books, ran into Ran Lao Shi on the way, they exchanged a few words, and only then did he come back a little late.

Afterwards he kept busy inside the grocery shop.

At dusk, He Yuzhu figured nobody would come by, so he slowly returned to the Courtyard House. San Daye seemed to be waiting for him on purpose, his face full of an expression wanting something.

"Zhuzi, what are you doing?" San Daye opened his mouth to complain, "You can't look for a partner among country girls; our school has plenty of suitable ones."

He Yuzhu asked what was going on; he already had a wife, who was spreading rumors that he was looking for a partner—this wasn't letting him act like a hooligan, and if mishandled he could be executed.

"Qin Huairu's cousin said she would introduce her to you; she was still here this morning, but I already persuaded her to leave for you. It's still more appropriate to have a teacher from our school."

"I don't know what cousin you're talking about; San Daye, you'd better not spout nonsense like this, or else try my fist to see how hard it is."

San Daye jumped in surprise, never expecting He Yuzhu to use such a savage method on him; his eyes shifted, and he also blurted out that Xu Damao knew about this matter.

Qin Jingru was the one Xu Damao sent to the station.

Good fellow, a lamb into the tiger's mouth.

He Yuzhu doesn't need to worry about Xu Damao; this kid won't do anything good.

Back home he lit the fire and cooked; in less than a quarter hour a bowl of steaming hot dumpling soup was ready, tender green scallions added to the previously braised meat, and He Yuzhu ate happily.

Jia Zhangshi was still worrying about her family's grain; seeing He Yuzhu come back, she had Qin Huairu hurry to get the grain back—if this grain wasn't compensated, there would surely be a fuss.

"This was bought with my salary, it has nothing to do with you; shut up and stay put."

Qin Huairu didn't dare to face He Yuzhu, afraid that if he flew into a rage he'd beat her again.

After eating and drinking his fill, He Yuzhu thought at home about how to deal another blow to Yi Daye and his group; their courage had grown, daring to use this tactic against him.

What tactic should he use?

In the deep autumn morning there wasn't much sun; He Yuzhu lay in the warm blanket, unwilling to get up, the house still hadn't lit the stove, which really was a bit cold.

In the bitter cold wind, He Yuzhu heard a commotion outside; originally intending to watch the fun, he lifted the curtain and saw that Qin Jingru had returned to his sister's house again.

Interesting.

"Jingru, where did you go last night? Don't you know how worried I was?" Qin Huairu frowned, "How could you leave without telling me?"

"I didn't leave on my own; Damao brother sent me."

Hearing this, Qin Huairu felt her head swell—how did this involve Xu Damao? This was supposed to be a match for He Yuzhu.

"Sister, I don't want to marry that He Yuzhu; I heard from Damao brother that his position as canteen director won't last long, in a few months he'll still just be a cook, and he's old and dark-looking with a bad temper."

Qin Huairu trembled with anger.

"Don't listen to Xu Damao's nonsense; what else did he say?" Qin Huairu poked her cousin's forehead, "You don't know he already has a wife."

"I know, but he said his relationship with his wife is bad and they'll divorce soon." Qin Jingru said excitedly, "He said if I marry him he'll get someone to help me convert from agricultural to non-agricultural status."

The lure of converting from agricultural to non-agricultural status is still great, not much different from a big villa in later generations.

Yi Daye also came out of his house at this time, joining Qin Huairu in criticizing her younger sister; seeing this posture, Yi Daye even had the urge to strike.

He Yuzhu ignored these things; he had already thought of a way to deal with Yi Daye, and after work he would become Lao Yi.

Yi Daye was now so angry smoke seemed to rise from his seven orifices; his plan hadn't even been carried out yet when San Daye and Xu Damao interfered—what were those two trying to do, were they planning to rebel against him?

Looks like the general courtyard meeting will have to be held.

He Yuzhu started busy as soon as he went to work, needing to manage the cafeteria's meals and figure out supplies for the supply team; this whole day could tire him out enough.

He had just walked to the middle courtyard gate when he heard Yi Daye already giving an impassioned speech there.

"Our Courtyard House absolutely cannot allow this to happen; Xu Damao, you're already married—why are you being unclear with a young female comrade? You must give everyone an explanation for this."

Xu Damao's face was black as a coal ball; he also hadn't expected that Qin Jingru, that fool, would come back—wasn't this just roasting him over a fire?

Even blacker than his face was Lou Xiaoe; she hadn't expected Xu Damao to be like this, which was practically trampling her own family's face underfoot.

Seeing He Yuzhu return, Yi Daye became unable to contain his excitement; he asked He Yuzhu what his opinion was, whether to severely punish Xu Damao.

Although there wasn't really any relation yet, Qin Jingru was also introduced to him; in Yi Daye's view, He Yuzhu would definitely strike a heavy blow.

"The matter of Xu Damao and Qin Jingru has nothing to do with me, but I think our Courtyard House actually shouldn't meddle in this." He Yuzhu smiled, "Just let the factory handle it."

"We still shouldn't bother the factory with this; I and Yi Daye can handle it." Er Daye spoke first, "The leaders are all very busy."

"Er Daye, you're still in the period of self-reflection, right? And the organization has deemed you morally corrupt; how many people would accept the outcome of your handling?"

Upon hearing this, Er Daye became anxious—if nobody acknowledges it, doesn't that mean his performance as Er Daye is unqualified? This is about to topple him.

"This… this, you can't say that; we've been leaders for so many years, everyone acknowledges it."

"Right, today we're talking about Xu Damao's problem, which has nothing to do with us."

"Hand over Xu Damao's problem to the suitable person to handle; you lot come out looking for some sense of presence." He Yuzhu gave a cold smile, "Let me make my words clear: I think you and Liu Haizhong are unfit to represent our Courtyard House,"

Everyone hearing this thought it was somewhat reasonable; these two were reported by the factory as morally corrupt, and going out to represent the Courtyard House would just be smearing dirt on their faces.

Whoever takes the role would be more suitable than those two.

"Well then, Lao Yi and Lao Liu really aren't suitable, so from now on I'll be Yi Daye?" Yan Butgui's face lit up with delight.

"Do you think you're suitable?" Yi Daye and Er Daye slammed the table and shouted.

"Let Director Mi decide who's suitable; from now on Yi Daye and Liu Daye will have to tuck their tails and behave, not dare to do anything—even if we don't twist your head off, we can still step on you."

The general courtyard meeting ended in a strange atmosphere.