Chapter 64: with translation of chapter title

He Yuzhu knew Xu Damao was looking for a way out, and he was a little surprised—this kid really does have a trick up his sleeve, and he even plans to come up with a roundabout solution.

We can't let him succeed.

After glancing at the supply group's roster, He Yuzhu already found a way to deal with him.

First, let's swap the pillowcase back; five catties of sesame paste is simple for him, but he also wants to get some benefit from it—he'll take the sesame paste out, and workers usually exchange it with grain coupons.

But now he isn't short of food, so producing that many grain coupons isn't very useful; after thinking, he reckons exchanging them for money is more appropriate.

"Director Jin, how does this sesame paste look?" He Yuzhu directly carried over a large jar, "This is what I managed to get after visiting several Supply and Marketing Cooperatives."

Director Jin lightly dipped his finger in, licked it, found the taste fine, and then showed a slight smile. The sesame paste's taste is a bit different, but not by much.

"Director He, you're really impressive."

Director Jin ordered the workers to take it away, then bring over the things he had prepared.

"How much do you know about that Xu Damao? Yesterday I told him I wanted to get him out of the Street Cleaning Squad, but this kid looked unhappy, and he got dead drunk."

He Yuzhu nodded and told Director Jin, this kid has mental issues; at the Steel Rolling Mill nobody likes to deal with him, fearing he might cause trouble someday.

He placed the items on his bicycle and sped back to the factory.

Liu Lan opened the bundle he brought back in the office, felt the contents, and said somewhat surprised, "You brought back this much? What did you exchange for it?"

Sesame paste.

He Yuzhu asked her to find the notice for registering to exchange pillowcases, come over sometime to pick up the things, and then say that if anyone else wants to, they can also come take a look.

It's not necessary to have coupons.

"Keep a low profile, understand?"

Liu Lan indicated she understood how to do it.

When afternoon break time arrived, dozens of workers surged into the office; that bundle of pillowcases had been put away, otherwise they could have examined everything.

"These pillowcases are really nice—look at how auspicious the pattern is."

"Sigh, these kids these days really have it good; back when we got married we didn't have this—we just found scrap cloth and sewed two ourselves, and they weren't even the same color."

"Exactly, I myself would like to make a pair like that."

While these people were selecting, He Yuzhu pulled a logistics leader in charge of hygiene out into the hallway and asked, "Auntie Li, is there anything your daughter still needs? Just speak up."

"Big brother, you're being too polite."

He Yuzhu smiled and asked how Xu Damao was doing in the Street Cleaning Squad.

"Lazy to death, boasting all day, everyone is sick of him." This person also knew Xu Damao's relationship with He Yuzhu, "Their team leader scolds him all day."

He Yuzhu shook his head and told her he had heard from the leaders that Xu Damao was going to be transferred out, thanks to a section chief from another factory pulling strings.

Based on his understanding of Xu Damao, if he gets out of the Street Cleaning Squad he will surely come back to settle scores with these people.

When Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he bombarded the Hall of Celebrating Merit; nobody wants others to see his down-and-out state.

"Really? Which blind‑eyed leader is that?" The person paused, then lowered his voice to ask if it was an order from Deputy Factory Director Li.

"No, I don't know exactly who, but it's not one of those higher‑ups."

Auntie Li nodded, saying it didn't have to be a top leader; she used to be in charge of new‑employee training, had seen all kinds of troublemakers, and dealing with Xu Damao like this takes no effort.

Concerned about her own interests, Auntie Li took the pillowcase and returned to the hygiene office, summoning the Street Cleaning Squad's team leader.

"I say, Xiao Ma, can you actually manage this Street Cleaning Squad? If you can't, you should replace him quickly—I've heard that the guy named Xu Damao in your squad is quite capable."

Xiao Ma gave a few vague replies in a low voice.

At the Steel Rolling Mill, the workers all know that Team Leader Xiao Ma is especially narrow‑minded and has a bad temper; anyone who threatens his authority gets scolded by him.

"Xu Damao, you're quite capable, I hear you can go straight to the heavens and want to replace us leaders." Team Leader Xiao Ma found Xu Damao and started ranting.

"No, no."

Xu Damao swore an oath while giving Qin Huairu a deadly stare; few people know about this, and the suspect is her.

"Isn't your usual work too easy? From now on you're also in charge of the leaves on the eastern forest—if you don't finish, you can't go home." Team Leader Xiao Ma felt this wasn't enough and continued, "From now on, your duty shifts in the factory are also yours; you're not allowed to leave your post arbitrarily, and if I catch you, you'll pack your bedroll and go home."

Xu Damao stared for a moment—this added workload is too much, and he's not allowed to leave, so how can he still find someone to intercede?

"Team Leader, did someone say something to you? I've been giving my all here; you shouldn't believe others' words—you can see my work yourself."

"Hmm, I am seeing it—you do nothing all day, just pulling and tugging with someone; this is a factory, not your home's kang bed, have you forgotten why you came here?"

Seeing Xu Damao's face shifting, Team Leader Xiao Ma assigned two people to help him, actually to monitor him and prevent him from causing trouble here.

Xu Damao's face had turned as black as ink; he still wanted to keep looking for people, but this is essentially putting him under house arrest in the factory.

After everyone else had left, he grabbed Qin Huairu and asked her to do him a favor.

"No way—if I offend Team Leader Ma, I might end up staying here too, and I have two kids at home." Qin Huairu shook her head, "Unless you come up with twenty yuan and twenty catties of grain coupons."

This is taking advantage of someone's peril.

Xu Damao raised his hand and slapped Qin Huairu across the face, pointing at her nose and shouting, "You still dare to pull this on me? Believe it or not, I'll broadcast your dirty business."

"I have nothing shady, don't spout nonsense."

"Really? Who did you go to the warehouse with that day…"

"Say what you have to say."

"Go find my parents."

Xu Damao is now at his wit's end—he couldn't connect with Deputy Factory Director Li, the Lou family would love to trample him, and other leaders need not be mentioned.

After finally thinking of a shortcut, he found it blocked.

Now the only ones who can still help him are his parents; needless to say, they'll surely handle this matter splendidly.

Qin Huairu nodded and hurriedly walked out of the factory.

He went home to cook and pacify the children; Xu Damao also couldn't receive outside information—does he know whether he found it or not?