Chapter 67

When he heard the news, He Yuzhu froze for a moment—Xu Damao really knows how to stir things up; that's a nasty trick, handing over his house to secure his future.

He really can't bear to part with his child, so he can't catch the wolf.

The houses they live in aren't public housing from the Steel Rolling Mill; they're all privately owned—even He Yuzhu's father lives there—and as for earlier times, he doesn't really know the origin.

After pondering at home for a while, He Yuzhu still felt he knew too little, so he decided to send someone to inquire when he went to work.

He kept his two enforcers just for a moment like this.

Liu Lan's sources are still extensive; she went out for less than half an hour and already knew most of it, and with Ma Hua's gathered information, the matter was basically pieced together.

No need to mention the first part—Xu Damao's plan was thoroughly ruined by himself, dealing him a heavy blow, as if he were about to sink.

But after a day passed, he suddenly found time to go to Deputy Factory Director Li's office, where he deeply examined his mistake, and to correct it he was willing to give his house to the factory.

This represented his firm resolve.

He saw that Deputy Factory Director Li lacked his own house and lived a stifled life after work.

Hearing Xu Damao's words, Deputy Factory Director Li said he would bring it up at the factory affairs meeting, though that didn't guarantee approval. But that same afternoon he sent people to inspect the Courtyard House, even ordering furniture.

"Zhuzi, that Li bastard is really nasty; if he finds out you're trying to sabotage this, he'll definitely clean you up."

He Yuzhu chuckled, saying that as long as they don't sabotage each other, Deputy Factory Director Li can coexist peacefully.

"Then what do you plan to do?"

"First sabotage this factory affairs meeting, then we'll talk."

Ma Hua came in from outside and said the meeting room was set up; He Yuzhu could go over and sit.

Of course He Yuzhu couldn't sit in the front row; his position only allowed him near the door, and his seniority wasn't enough—he hadn't spoken in any of the previous meetings.

The meeting room was filled with smoke; several workshop chiefs were loudly arguing, as if disputing who had this month's highest output, while a few office staff on the side whispered about what movie they'd seen.

The Factory Director spoke about work, arranged next month's tasks and some miscellaneous matters; when he lifted his teacup, Deputy Factory Director Li spoke.

"I'm the factory's steward; anyone with something to say can come to me. Yesterday an employee came to me, weeping bitterly, regretting past events."

Those who knew the news didn't pay much attention; it had nothing to do with them, and they weren't even whispering to gather information.

"I feel we're all brothers in the same trench; we can't just give up on him, so I suggested we might waive his punishment. Factory Director, what do you think?"

Before anyone noticed, a pit appeared.

The Factory Director set down his cup and asked, "You're talking about Xu Damao, right? He's always good at putting on a show—Old Li, don't be fooled."

"He doesn't have the guts for this; this time, to correct his mistake, he's willing to contribute his house." Deputy Factory Director Li shook his head. "Many in our factory face housing shortages."

"What about others' opinions?"

A noisy clamor rose from below; everyone was also surprised by Xu Damao's decision.

"A prodigal's return is worth more than gold—I think Xu Damao truly intends to reform this time; I suggest the factory give him this chance." said the head of the Materials Section.

He was also a senior officer under Deputy Factory Director Li.

"Yes." Deputy Factory Director Li's people seized the moment to stir up support from below.

The Factory Director instinctively found the behavior distasteful; he looked around, pointed at He Yuzhu, and asked him to share his opinion.

"I won't say more—Xu Damao's mistake isn't minor; if higher-ups ask later, how will we explain? We'll say he donated his house, so we forgave him."

At that time, the Lou family still had some connections.

Only then did everyone realize Xu Damao's mistake wasn't trivial; if investigated, probably no one would dare to take responsibility.

"Xu Damao has already decided to correct his mistake—why can't we give him a chance? And he's donated his house; that still doesn't show his attitude?" the Materials Section chief continued, "We can't abandon any comrade."

He Yuzhu clapped, laughing, and said the Materials Section chief now acknowledges Xu Damao as a fellow trench-mate—isn't he the same? And who can guarantee he won't make mistakes again.

"Besides, if everyone who made a mistake donated some property, we'd revert to feudal society; we're in a new society now—this can't happen again."

The Materials Section chief was speechless; he didn't know how to answer.

The Factory Director also smiled and nodded; He Yuzhu seemed to have not wasted his usual reading, as he knew these things.

"I think we should temporarily suspend this matter and discuss it further with the higher authorities."

Deputy Factory Director Li didn't want that; first, he had already promised Xu Damao's request—if it fell through, who would come to him for help at the Steel Rolling Mill later?

Second, Xu Damao had also promised to help gather He Yuzhu's mistakes in the future.

We can't just let it go like that.

"We should discuss this matter, but Xu Damao's attitude is still commendable—why not first transfer him out of the Street Cleaning Squad?"

"Isn't that just letting him find a loophole? I think even if higher-ups agree to let our factory take the house, we shouldn't transfer Xu Damao out of the Street Cleaning Squad—only then would it show he's truly repentant."

Deputy Factory Director Li's face turned black with anger.

After a few days apart, He Yuzhu's gift of gab had improved noticeably.

The Factory Director looked down and asked for any other opinions, urging everyone to speak up—this matter was quite rare, and we needed to consider all aspects.

This was to have our own people add fuel to the fire, suppressing Deputy Factory Director Li's arrogance.

"I'm an old hand; I just want to ask the leadership: if in the future our workshop turns out defective products, will we also have to put up a house as compensation? And what if we have no house?"

"Exactly—we can't just hand over a house for every mistake; we're the Steel Rolling Mill, not a residents' committee—what use would so many houses be?"

This group's nonsensical wrangling left He Yuzhu stunned.

A few sentences strayed from the topic—from Xu Damao handing over his house to atone for his mistake, to the idea that workers in the future would have to surrender houses for errors.

Deputy Factory Director Li angrily slapped the table and shouted, "What nonsense! Meeting adjourned!"

Everyone just sat there, motionless.

The Factory Director took a sip of tea, then slowly said, "I've heard all sides; we'll have the leadership study this further. Over the next few days, the health side will monitor Xu Damao and report back to me promptly. Meeting adjourned."