Chapter 46: with translation of chapter title

He Yuzhu rushed back to the Steel Rolling Mill to take charge; the supply group is busy now, especially since they know his fiancée is from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and all kinds of demands come at him.

He seems to be a treasure bag now, containing everything.

As for these demands, He Yuzhu certainly won't pay attention; although he could indeed profit from this title, it's still a bit risky.

After work, the three of them bustled about at home laughing and joking, which made Jia Zhangshi grit her teeth listening; how could they be so happy all day, with so many happy things?

Now Qin Huairu is like a rotting piece of wood; when she comes back she doesn't talk about factory matters, either staying silent or cursing Jia Zhangshi.

The previous lessons from He Yuzhu are still fresh in her mind; Jia Zhangshi now dares not provoke him, and can only vent by beating the torn quilt on the kang.

Besides Jia Zhangshi's fury, the Courtyard House also has Second Grandfather; his status has declined greatly, though he still bears the title, his activity level is even less than San Daye's.

「You say you have some use? Following you is really unlucky. 」 Second Grandmother, although she fried eggs, kept chattering, 「If I had known, I would have married an officer. 」

Second Grandfather sipped his small drink, seeming not to hear.

「The factory has been downgraded, and in the Courtyard House our words carry no weight; when will you win us some face back? 」 Second Grandmother kept nagging, not noticing Second Grandfather's face darkening.

After finishing the egg on his own plate, Second Grandfather slammed his chopsticks down, gave Second Grandmother a look, and coldly said, 「Really, long hair, short sight; even marrying an officer, you'd be divorced. 」

「Let me tell you, I'm not far from becoming a leader; now the Factory Director's deputy, Li, values me highly, entrusting me with a very important matter. 」

「If you pull it off, you'll become a leader? 」 Second Grandmother suddenly got excited.

「That's a given. 」

「What exactly do we do? 」

「Give He Yuzhu a lesson. 」

Second Grandfather told him that He Yuzhu's cafeteria was about to slip out of Deputy Factory Director Li's jurisdiction, and He Yuzhu wasn't giving Li face, so he needed to teach him a lesson.

He Yuzhu doesn't even save face for himself in the Courtyard House, so he wants to seize the opportunity to knock He Yuzhu down, reducing him back to a worker.

Hearing about giving He Yuzhu trouble, Second Grandmother trembled all over; He Yuzhu's fists pull no punches, and Character's kung fu needs no mention— for someone like Second Grandfather, one punch could take out three or five.

How dare we provoke them again?

「Long hair, short sight. I don't know how formidable he is; no need for you to remind me—this time I won't charge ahead, I'll strike from behind. 」

「Who do you plan to get help from, and what charge? 」

He already has the helper in mind, and the charge as well; since he's decided to crush him, he'll arrange a more serious charge.

Something like illicit sexual relations, with solid evidence.

Second Grandmother had some doubts; this didn't seem very suitable for He Yuzhu, did it?

His wife is right beside him; how could he indulge in illicit relations?

「You really are short-sighted; has Character held a wedding with him? They're just an ordinary man and woman now, but they're together all day—I don't believe this old bachelor He Yuzhu can hold back. 」

Second Grandfather laughed wantonly and went out to find helpers.

When he arrived at the middle courtyard, He Yuzhu's family had just finished eating; the aroma of the food kept rising with the steam, making Second Grandfather, who had eaten eggs, still salivate.

Seeing that no one around was paying attention, he sneaked into the Jia Family.

Qin Huairu and they were startled; a man suddenly burst in at night, and such an ugly one at that—mother-in-law and daughter-in-law almost cried out.

「Second Grandfather, what are you up to? 」 Qin Huairu frowned, 「If people see, they'll gossip about us. 」

「Well, you go out for a stroll first; I need to speak with your mother-in-law. 」

Second Grandfather didn't trust Qin Huairu, because she was too close to Yi Daye; if this plan were known to Yi Daye, it surely couldn't be carried out.

Qin Huairu gave them a half‑smile, then vanished out the door in an instant.

Jia Zhangshi sat on the kang and asked Second Grandfather what the matter was, all this mystery; she herself had spent her whole life as a widow and couldn't bear to be gossiped about in old age.

「Coming to find you is naturally important; your grandson was taken away—do you hate He Yuzhu in your heart? Now is the time for revenge. 」 Second Grandfather said quietly.

Jia Zhangshi's eyes lit up; to speak of revenge she didn't have that courage—He Yuzhu could really lay hands on her—but she cursed him every day at home, hoping he'd meet misfortune.

Now Second Grandfather says this—could there be a way for her to get revenge, though she doesn't know what the price would be.

「What can you do? That little bastard is now a leader, and they say he holds real power. 」 Jia Zhangshi doubted, 「Just you taking him on? 」

Second Grandfather smiled and quietly told Jia Zhangshi his plan.

「Good, good! 」 Jia Zhangshi slapped her thigh in approval, 「Putting a bowl of meat before him—what man could resist the temptation? That's a good method. 」

「Jia Zhangshi, if you want revenge, now is the time; in a few days they'll get their certificate, and then we'll really have no chance. 」 Second Grandfather also got a bit excited, 「Your task is to listen at the wall at night; we'll contact the Security Section and catch them in the act. 」

Hearing this, Jia Zhangshi's body suddenly shuddered; she recalled He Yuzhu's warning that if she approached his house he wouldn't be polite, and the slap she'd gotten before had really hurt.

If He Yuzhu caught her again, it'd likely be another round of ear‑slaps; just thinking about it hurts.

「No, no. If that silly Zhu catches me, it'll be a brutal beating; this old bones of mine can't take it. 」 Jia Zhangshi shook her head like a rattle drum.

«Think of your grandson; if you lose this chance, you'll never get revenge later. » Second Grandfather continued, «Besides, I'm here—I'll step in if he hits you. »

Jia Zhangshi snorted; people like Second Grandfather would surely abandon her at the crucial moment, and even if he had to step forward, he couldn't beat He Yuzhu.

Even if he could fight He Yuzhu to a draw, he definitely couldn't beat Character.

After thinking it over, Jia Zhangshi decided to ask Second Grandfather for some benefit.

«I'm risking my life to listen at the wall for you—you ought to show something for it. » Jia Zhangshi calculated, «Give me five yuan and ten jin of grain coupons. »

Although Second Grandfather isn't as stingy as San Daye, Jia Zhangshi's move still disgusted him—this is also for avenging her grandson, so why must there be a benefit?

But thinking that he himself could become a leader, Second Grandfather agreed anyway.