Chapter 41: A surprise awaits

He Yuzhu had just arrived at the Steel Rolling Mill when the Factory Director, smiling broadly, waited at the cafeteria door—clearly there was good news. He called He Yuzhu to the office, saying it wasn't convenient to talk here.

"Zhuzi, there's a huge piece of good news." The Factory Director patted He Yuzhu's shoulder, "I've seen you work diligently for years at our factory, so I managed to get this for you."

"Heh, after all those years of hard work, I never even mentioned a promotion for myself; I just hoped it wasn't the carrot dangling in front of a mill donkey."

"Speaking of which, this matter actually has something to do with him."

After Xu Damao reported this to the factory, things were different from last time—the Lou family didn't back him, and the Security Department could only follow procedure. He no longer needed to work as a projectionist; he was assigned to the Street Cleaning Squad to keep Qin Huairu company.

By rights he should have been fired outright, but Xu Damao insisted on saying just a few words, and the key is that Qin Jingru has vanished.

"We can only do this for now."

"I heard you have a sister who's about to graduate, right?" the Factory Director said with a smile. "I'll keep this projectionist position for her, but she should start within six months."

"This projectionist job is indeed a good profession—everywhere people fight hard to get it."

"The pay is decent for a relaxed job, you can go to the countryside to show films and bring back local specialties; if a man does this, matchmakers will beat a path to his door."

"He Yuzhu doesn't want Yushui to do this."

"It's mainly because this position falls under the Deputy Factory Director Li, and he's no good bird."

He Yuzhu smiled and said to the Factory Director, "Ah, if you'd said this two days earlier it would've been fine—I've already asked someone to find a job for her; can I recommend someone else instead?"

The Factory Director was somewhat surprised; he knew He Yuzhu's background well—how could he find someone to get him a better job than this? Could it be that a higher-up intervened?

"Tell me what job could be better than being a projectionist."

"A sales clerk at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative."

"This is 'keeping the wealth in the family'—arranging a position for Yushui at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative is only right, isn't it?"

The Factory Director looked at He Yuzhu in shock; a sales clerk position is top-notch, far better than a projectionist—He Yuzhu really has connections.

"Impressive, truly you can't judge a book by its cover." the Factory Director said with a laugh. "Then I'll find someone else for this projectionist spot—think about who you could recommend."

After waiting a while in the Supply Group, He Yuzhu returned to the cafeteria to take his seat, noticing that everyone looked at him a bit oddly, as if there was a hint of envy.

"Master, you're amazing." Ma Hua gave a thumbs-up. "Even the projectionist job doesn't faze you—what a great job."

"You want to go?" He Yuzhu thought, something's off—"How did this get around here? Are there still secrets in our factory?"

"It was Long-tongue Old Lin who spread it."

He's notorious in the factory for spreading gossip; although I don't know where he got the info, now it seems the whole factory knows about this.

Returning from the cafeteria to the Courtyard House, as soon as he entered the central courtyard he saw Yi Daye and Yushui sitting there talking, as if they were doing some ideological work again.

"Yushui, why did you run back? Is something wrong?"

Character brought him a cup of water, saying Yushui had heard she could be a projectionist and had purposely come back from school.

"Brother, I'm not afraid of hardship—I'll definitely do well at this job; you just need to talk nicely with your superiors." Yushui said, looking at He Yuzhu.

"How can you not listen to advice, kid? This job isn't right for you..." Yi Daye muttered.

When the news spread, He Yuzhu wasn't too surprised—after all, the Steel Rolling Mill has Yushui's classmates, so it's normal for the news to get passed along. But these people are drunk; they only ever pass along half the message.

"Yushui, I also think this job isn't right for you, so I've found you a sales clerk position."

"I won't do it—what! A sales clerk." Yushui stared at He Yuzhu with wide eyes, "This isn't a joke, or just random nonsense—can you actually find a sales clerk job?"

Yushui had always thought her brother wasn't too bright and his relations with the leaders were just average; now the sales clerk job is in high demand, and their school has so many people.

"Not a single one could get it. m."

"That's right, in a few days you'll be able to start work." Character said with a smile, "We'll be partners, learning from each other."

Yushui happily hugged Character and jumped up and down.

Yi Daye coughed, thinking Yushui's reaction was overly strong, and after hearing Character's words he realized she should be assigned to the original grocery shop.

"Isn't this just favoritism?"

"Zhuzi, after thinking it over I still think the projectionist job suits you." Yi Daye, not caring about saving face, did an about-face right there: "Actually the sales clerk job doesn't require much skill; Yushui, being so young, should learn a trade."

Yushui was just basking in her happiness and didn't hear a word.

Yi Daye slapped the table, pointed at He Yuzhu and said solemnly, "We few think this matter still needs discussion; our Courtyard House has many families in difficulty, we must help each other."

He glanced at the Jia family without leaving a trace.

This time Yushui heard clearly, she put her hands on her hips and said, "This is the job my brother found for me—what does it have to do with outsiders? You're so old, Yi Daye, and you still can't figure this out. I've forgotten your moral decay; you're surely thinking up some bad scheme again."

Yi Daye's face flushed red with anger.

San Daye came over at some point, chuckled, and said, "I think Yi Daye has a point—if your brother does that, outsiders will surely say he's practicing favoritism."

"There's also a saying: 'internal recommendation avoids no kin.' Have you heard of it?"

"So what do we do about the projectionist job?"

"There aren't many people anyway—you don't need to worry about it."

San Daye's eyes lit up—"He Yuzhu isn't going to recommend me, is he?"

He Yuzhu watched Yi Daye being scolded, feeling inexplicably delighted, and patted Yushui's shoulder, saying, "I still have a surprise for you—I guarantee it'll make you jump for joy."

"What?"

"A radio."

He Yuzhu has a radio provided by the system; this one for Yushui he bought from the mall, deliberately getting the latest model.

"Ah—"

Watching the excited Yushui and He Yuzhu creating the surprise, Yi Daye felt uneasy inside—himself having He Yuzhu help others, he went crazy buying things for his home.

This is just slapping himself in the face.

"Shut up, can't you be quiet? This isn't your own home." Jia Zhangshi, who had been hiding in the room listening, also felt miserable: "All a bunch of bastards—they killed my eldest grandson."

Seeing Character move forward a few steps, Jia Zhangshi again drew back her head and bolted the door.