Chapter 32

The general assembly ended just like that, silently and without a sound. Yi Daye was so angry his whole body trembled, and it was Qin Huairu who helped him back. Now she wants to cling to Yi Daye and then try to restore her relationship with He Yuzhu.

Second Elder was also furious, he originally thought he could sweep all opposition, but Xu Damao apologized on the spot, and He Yuzhu, now a leader, could still maintain respect for him.

After all, this time the street office supported him.

But in the end, nobody paid him any attention.

"That damned silly Zhu, he gives no face at all, yet he can be a leader like this—who knows if it's just officials protecting each other." Second Elder cursed loudly at home.

"They're really a leader, the canteen director and head of the supply group—you can't even hold one of those positions, how can you compare yourself to them?" Second Elder Mother mainly said this out of envy.

"In the courtyard house, he still has to respect us, right?" Second Elder shouted, "And that Xu Damao should be careful too—if I find any fault in him, I won't let him off lightly."

The weekend passed quickly, and before he knew it, it was time to work again. When He Yuzhu arrived at the canteen, he found the factory director already waiting for him.

This time he could meet the demands of the brother unit, and he felt proud.

"Zhuzi, I didn't expect your little shop to have quite a bit of stock. When they came back and told me, I was really surprised." The factory director patted his shoulder, "From now on they'll definitely never forget this place."

After chatting a few words with the factory director, he began preparing today's dishes. At month's end the canteen didn't have much left, so He Yuzhu told Ma Hua to search thoroughly and dig out all the old stores.

Today's dishes get extra salt and chili, straight into a big mixed stew.

The dish was extremely popular; the workers enjoyed it so much they seemed ready to lick their own lunch boxes clean.

"This dish is not bad; I'm stuffed from eating it today. I'll go out and find a place to digest properly." After finishing his lunch, Xu Damao planned to find a chance to go back.

Besides envy, the workers had no other recourse—who made them lack such a good father-in-law?

Leaving the steel rolling mill, he was about to find a place to rest when a pretty figure came running from afar, wearing a bright red coat and light-colored pants—looking utterly rustic no matter how you looked at it.

Xu Damao's eyes could be useful—this was Qin Jingru sent back. He sprinted toward the little alley beside the factory, thinking that if anyone saw him, he'd probably be in trouble.

Not to mention failing to become a projectionist; he'd likely have to go in and keep Bang Geng company.

After strolling around the little alley, Xu Damao just turned out when he met Qin Jingru, who was looking left and right, her face full of gloom as if something was bothering her.

"Xu Damao, if you run again I'll go to the steel rolling mill and report you." Qin Jingru glared, "You've actually started avoiding me—are you disgusted with me?"

Nonsense, you coming from the countryside—how could you possibly compare to Lou Xiaoe? Xu Damao still needs the Lou family's help right now.

"No, when have I been avoiding you?" Xu Damao said with a smile, "But how did you come here? Weren't you supposed not to come looking for me unless there was something?"

Qin Jingru raised her fist and swung at his chest.

"I've been missing you."

This is the condition she wants Xu Damao to agree to; if she doesn't seize this chance to cling to him, who will get her a non-agricultural conversion, who will let her eat commercial grain?

Xu Damao pulled her into the alley, wanting to scold her but afraid of being reported, so he could only persuade her kindly and promise her even more big benefits.

"Brother Damao, I'm not after anything material—I just miss you." Qin Jingru whispered, "Why don't you ever come see me?"

"The factory is evaluating me these days—I have no time at all, every day I have to deal with the leaders." Xu Damao opened his mouth and started spouting nonsense, "Next time you come, I'll be Leader Xu."

Qin Jingru shook her head and said she didn't want to go back.

What can be done about this?

"If you don't go back, where will you live? Your sister's place probably won't let you stay."

Qin Huairu originally planned to use her to hook He Yuzhu, but now it seems utterly impossible, so she won't support Qin Jingru either—unless she can bring some benefit.

And her relationship with Xu Damao can't be made public.

Does she have to become a wanderer?

"I don't have any good ideas either," he said. "If I became a leader maybe I could help you, but for now you either go back to the village or can only stay at your sister's place."

Qin Jingru thought it over—she didn't want to return to the countryside to haul manure and irrigate fields, so she could only go to Qin Huairu's place to apologize, then ask Xu Damao for some tickets or something.

Going by Qin Huairu's temperament, she'd let her stay for a while.

Besides, being able to watch Xu Damao is really a good idea.

After sending Qin Jingru away, Xu Damao felt cheerful again, thinking he might even enjoy the blessings of multiple beauties. He didn't notice that in an inconspicuous corner, a thin little man had witnessed everything.

He Yuzhu had just sat down after returning to the grocery store from work when Qin Huairu came over, swaying her waist. She wore a smiling face, like a weasel about to steal a chicken.

"Zhuzi, give me a pack of salt and a catty of sugar."

He Yuzhu glanced at her—coming over to buy sugar for no reason, he'd apparently swindled another big sucker.

"That's five mao altogether."

Qin Huairu didn't rush to take out the money; she smiled and told He Yuzhu that her cousin had come to her place again, saying she couldn't forget him after seeing him last time.

She hoped to formally get to know him.

In fact, this was something Qin Huairu had worked on for a long time to achieve; she didn't hold high hopes—just getting something out of He Yuzhu's hands would be enough.

"You little widow, starting to play matchmaker now?" He Yuzhu chuckled, "If you have this idle heart, you'd better first find someone for yourself—your days don't have to be so hard."

He really is a little tough guy—last time dealing with the Elder didn't scare her, and she still wants to set him up with someone; he ought to find a way to give her a good beating again.

Well, that's a mother‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law relationship.

"Zhuzi! You don't have to say it so harshly—my cousin's appearance is quite in demand; if you don't get to know her, that's your loss, so don't regret it later."

Just knowing someone like Qin Jingru would bring bad luck.

Regret? Stop the nonsense, hurry up and pay and leave—do you think a country girl like you deserves me?

Qin Huairu was also from the countryside; hearing He Yuzhu's words, she understood in her heart that even she looked down on herself. This time she came to the grocery shop just to swindle some things.

We don't even have enough food to eat, where would we get money to buy sugar?

"He Yuzhu, you little brat, now that you're an officer you don't acknowledge people—these junky things of yours, I don't even want them. Who knows where they came from." Qin Huairu flung the things away and left in a huff.

"Trying to get something for nothing, huh? Get lost." He Yuzhu snorted.