Chapter 33: Stinky Eggs

The canteen's reserves were still quite ample; Ma Hua rummaged in the warehouse for a while, pulling out half a bag of soybeans and some dried fish, as well as nearly five jin of eggs.

Early in the morning He Yuzhu received this news; he went to the warehouse and took a close look—the soybeans and dried fish were fine, but those eggs had gone bad.

What a pity.

Nowadays worker families can't even guarantee eating an egg every day, so these eggs are quite valuable; I'm afraid the canteen's accounts won't balance easily.

"When were these bought? They actually went bad. If word gets out, we'll all be criticized." He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly, "We need to think of a way to handle this discreetly."

"These must be June eggs; I don't know who hid them at the bottom of a pile of torn bags."

It's probably the doing of that Director Qi from before.

The canteen can now be said to be as tight as an iron barrel, but the fewer people who know about these things, the better. He Yuzhu thought for a moment and ordered Ma Hua and Liu Lan to each take a few after work; they didn't have to deal with them today.

Then they could find a place to dump them outside later.

"Understood, Master." Ma Hua nodded. "What should we make for lunch today? Soybean stew with dried fish?"

Ma Hua's brainhole is really big; this dish would absolutely be a dark cuisine among dark cuisines.

"Take the soybeans out to exchange for some tofu, then we'll make braised tofu for lunch; set the dried fish aside for now."

He Yuzhu also told him to keep tidying the warehouse; the cabbage and potatoes they've been expecting will arrive in a few days—this is a winter vegetable, and it absolutely cannot be neglected.

As the Canteen Director, he must ensure the winter vegetable supply runs smoothly; besides the old three staples, he also needs to contact other vegetables to adjust the meals or entertain guests.

For example, garlic shoots, spinach, scallions, and so on.

After finishing lunch, He Yuzhu went to help the supply group; many people needed things afterward, and various requests came in.

Nothing beyond cigarettes, alcohol, and the like—his grocery shop could provide all of that.

After preparing everything, he dragged his weary body back to the courtyard house; today the laundry lady wasn't around, but Jia Zhangshi was outside chatting with Eldest Aunt.

She was still holding a bowl.

Eldest Master was also all smiles, his every gesture bearing the air of someone who could point out the country's direction.

"I still have some face with Director Zhang; if I mention the matter to him, he'll pat his chest and guarantee there's no problem. Eldest Sister-in-law, let Bang Geng study hard from now on—he'll definitely have a future."

"That's for sure—I've used up all my family's eggs to give him a good supplement." Jia Zhangshi laughed like an old monkey, "In a bit you need to get Silly Zhu to apologize, bringing stuff like that."

Qin Huairu took advantage of Eldest Master regaining power to ask him to get Bang Geng out. With Director Zhang's guarantee, Bang Geng was released from the Juvenile Detention Center today.

He had only been there for half a month.

He Yuzhu didn't care about that; if he ever fell into his hands again, he'd just send him back in.

Seeing He Yuzhu return, Jia Zhangshi nudged Eldest Master, who hurried over and said, "Ah, Zhuzi, Bang Geng behaved well in the Juvenile Detention Center and was released early. From now on you mustn't cause trouble again, bullying widows and orphans."

"As long as he doesn't cause trouble, just keep his hands clean—even a rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its burrow, let alone bandits who wouldn't steal from their surroundings."

Eldest Master pulled He Yuzhu aside, wanting to give him a lecture. He Yuzhu didn't want to engage, they tugged at each other a few times, and actually tore a seam in He Yuzhu's shirt.

"You two, don't keep tugging—let the neighbors see, it's embarrassing." Eldest Aunt separated them, "Zhuzi, take off your shirt; I'll quickly mend it so it won't interfere with your work tomorrow."

He Yuzhu's sewing skills were poor, so he just gave the shirt to Eldest Aunt.

"It's just a small tear; I'll have it fixed in five minutes."

Eldest Aunt fetched the sewing kit, and absentmindedly felt two eggs in her pocket; she didn't think much of it, carefully placed them on the ground and began mending He Yuzhu's shirt.

Jia Zhangshi's eyes glowed green—she had always thought her family's eggs were too few, and now it seemed as if heaven had dropped two down.

She gave Eldest Master a look, pointing at the two eggs on the ground.

"Zhuzi's shirt is done." Eldest Aunt worked swiftly.

He Yuzhu came out to get his clothes, and Jia Zhangshi approached with a beaming smile, saying, "Ah, Zhuzi, you know how hard our life is—could you lend us those eggs for now?"

"Exactly, you're a grown adult—you don't need extra nutrition."

He Yuzhu hesitated a moment, and Jia Zhangshi quickly picked up the two eggs, gave them a light tap—both cracked, and a watery egg liquid spilled into the bowl.

A stench instantly spread.

Those two rotten eggs ruined her bowl of eggs.

Jia Zhangshi stared blankly for a long while; Eldest Master wanted to rush over to rescue her, but it wasn't that easy.

"You have to compensate my eggs, compensate my eggs." Jia Zhangshi sat there wailing, "My eggs—I'd saved them for so long."

"Zhuzi, what are you doing? It's not easy for the Jia family to have two eggs." Seeing that rescue was hopeless, Eldest Master began to blame He Yuzhu, "Hurry back and get a handful to compensate Jia Zhangshi."

A handful equals ten eggs.

"What do you mean compensate her? Who let her touch my eggs." He Yuzhu shook his head, "No wonder Bang Geng ended up in lockup—an old thief woman raises a little thief."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi sprang up from the ground, shouting that she'd fight He Yuzhu to the death, and lunged at him.

With a unified stance, He Yuzhu's fist shot out from his waist; Jia Zhangshi struck like hitting a wall and collapsed limp on the ground. Eldest Master turned pale with fright—if anything happened, his position as Eldest Master would be over.

"Zhuzi, what are you doing? How can you lay such heavy hands on an elder."

"I can't go on; everyone, hurry and look—someone's bullying widows and orphans." Jia Zhangshi lay there throwing a tantrum, "Silly Zhu's bullying people!"

"Dare call yourself Silly Zhu, and you still need to be taught a lesson."

One move blocked He Yuzhu, who still wanted to come over and hit her; Eldest Master hurriedly had Eldest Aunt take Jia Zhangshi away. But He Yuzhu shoved Eldest Master aside, picked up the egg bowl from the ground, and placed it over Jia Zhangshi's head.

"Don't take what isn't yours, don't say what shouldn't be said." He Yuzhu pointed at Jia Zhangshi, "Consider this a lesson—don't thank me."

Jia Zhangshi reeked of rotten eggs all over; Eldest Aunt also hurriedly kept her distance, for if it got on her clothes it would be hard to wash.

"Eldest Master, you gotta stand up for me—you can't just watch Silly Zhu bully people like this." Jia Zhangshi chased after Eldest Master, saying, "You are the Eldest Master of our courtyard house."

"Let me think it over, let me think it over."