Chapter 55

Old Ma and Old Hou both realized the next day how arduous this task was; they searched many places in the city but could not find this kind of cake, and the workers were already complaining bitterly.

Several senior staff members had already gone to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to voice their complaints.

He Yuzhu can get it, yet you in the Supply and Marketing Cooperative cannot—are you just brushing off the workers, or is your work not up to par, doing nothing but eating and drinking, not handling any real business?

At a small stall still open for business, Old Ma sipped scalding wonton soup while muttering, 'What are we to do? If we can't find it again, we'll have a hard time explaining ourselves.'

"Old Hou, you little rascal, you've got some sneaky ideas—think of a way," Old Ma said, wiping sweat from his forehead, "We can't ruin our reputation."

Old Hou closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "This time we really need to show some capability—we have lots of friends; ask around and we'll surely find it."

The two of them split up to act.

He Yuzhu watched Ma Hua finish cleaning the canteen, then rode his bike back to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative; over the past few days, noticeably more neighbors had come to shop, and those settling accounts were lined up.

"Being a sales clerk isn't easy either—I thought I could just sit around all day," Yu Shui complained, "Brother, hurry back and fix me something tasty, like that cake."

"Are you as tired as I am? You should go home and cook."

The brother and sister were bickering when San Daye suddenly walked in with a beaming face; he had been angry that He Yuzhu had slighted him before, but now he saw some benefit and still wanted to join in.

As for the benefit, Xu Damao promised him some local specialties.

Although Xu Damao was down on his luck, he still had some savings; San Daye wasn't worried he'd default on a debt, for then he wouldn't be able to stay in the courtyard house.

Xu Damao had San Daye inquire about the cake's origin, and of course he also had friends who found him.

"Zhuzi, come out a moment; I want to ask you about something," San Daye said, blinking his eyes, "It's a very important matter."

Before coming, San Daye had gathered some information from the sidelines, knowing that Yi Daye had lost face here, so he couldn't repeat Yi Daye's mistake.

"This is my sister, that's my fiancée—there's nothing to hide; just say it straight."

San Daye glanced toward the door, then lowered his voice to ask, "I heard you've gotten some good cakes, fragrant and sweet—where did you get them from?"

At this time, the cake was entirely a costly delicacy, something San Daye's sort of family had no connection to; why was he inquiring about it, and even asking where it came from?

"San Daye wants to change professions—no more being a cultured person."

"What are you talking about? You can't just spout nonsense." San Daye waved his hand, "I'll be frank: a friend asked me to look into this, and I can't really refuse."

He Yuzhu chuckled; San Daye really has a lot of friends.

"This isn't exactly a state secret—what's there that can't be said?"

San Daye's standing isn't enough; this is meant to embarrass Deputy Factory Director Li—he has no right to meddle in this, and if he, and if he knew the details, he probably wouldn't have come at all.

Seeing He Yuzhu stay silent, San Daye grew anxious; over there, the dried mushrooms and chilies were still waiting for him—he couldn't just watch these things slip away.

His eyes darted, and he came up with another idea.

"Zhuzi, is there some taboo here? If I can't ask, I won't." San Daye smiled, "I'll just buy some general goods."

He Yuzhu told him not to bother; he guessed it was someone from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative pulling strings, but he had already handed over the box to them—if it can't be found, it's not his fault.

"I've long said the factory's Supply and Marketing Cooperative are just freeloaders—even with the box in hand they can't get anything done." San Daye shook his head, "Even if I went myself, I'd do better than them."

San Daye turned and left; for a task that's destined to fail, he could do nothing.

Xu Damao, drinking at home, was also somewhat surprised upon hearing this—really, the Supply and Marketing Cooperative are useless; with the box in hand, just asking around at pastry shops would tell them.

Damao, this is also important news, right? What local specialties, ah.

Now Xu Damao doesn't dare say anything either; if San Daye had spoken like that before, he would have already driven him away. Even wanting something like this, he could send a dog to get it.

He Yuzhu was drinking tea at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, watching the passersby come and go, when suddenly a lovely figure appeared from outside—Lou Xiaoe, who hadn't been seen in a long time, arrived here.

She now wore a fashionable Western-style dress and indeed looked like a wealthy lady.

"Miss Xiao'e, what would you like to buy?" Yu Shui stood up and asked, "The things here are still not bad."

Lou Xiaoe laughed and told her she had come to find He Yuzhu.

"Zhuzi, I heard your Steel Rolling Mill got hold of some kind of cake—could you help inquire where it's from? A friend of mine wants to buy some."

This is interesting—having someone ask around has ended up landing right at my door.

"What friend asked you to inquire? This cake isn't easy to come by even at the Steel Rolling Mill." He Yuzhu said with a laugh, "It's probably the Supply and Marketing Cooperative's responsibility."

Lou Xiaoe was also helping a friend; she herself didn't know some of the circumstances.

However, He Yuzhu had made up his mind to embarrass Deputy Factory Director Li, and besides, his relationship with Lou Xiaoe was merely ordinary—there was no need to forgo this opportunity for her sake.

"I don't know either." He Yuzhu shook his head, "You'd better go look for someone else."

Lou Xiaoe felt somewhat helpless; she also saw that He Yuzhu didn't want to help, so she could only turn and leave.

"So this is Lou Xiaoe." Character said curiously, "I heard her family is quite well-off, but I've never seen this kind of cake before—where exactly did you get it from?"

"Shandong Province."

Character nodded; she had stayed there for a while and thought it was fine.

When it was time for the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to close, the three of them finished up their chores, chatting and laughing as they headed home to cook.

Old Ma and Old Hou, waiting for news, wore worried faces; it was already 8 p. m., and not a bit of good news had come back—tomorrow at work they'd surely get another scolding.

"Who did you ask to pull strings? Ordinary people probably haven't even seen this cake." Old Ma took a sip of liquor, "Now it's up to the few on my side."

A young man wearing a woolen cap returned to the house, somewhat excited, and said, "Brother, Ma Brother, I've found out—this cake was made by someone in your factory named He Yuzhu."

"Nonsense, I don't need you to tell me that—I asked where the cake is produced."

"Just go ask He Yuzhu yourself—maybe he made it himself."

The two shuddered, slapping their heads in regret—He Yuzhu is a renowned master in the factory; if he made the cake himself, where could one buy it?

Tomorrow we'll have grounds to report upward.