Chapter 73: with translation of chapter title

The Factory Director also arranged for several workshop supervisors to come and observe; although everyone had words of praise, they didn't really take it to heart.

He Yuzhu had already known this result and didn't think much of it; he still had things to do, namely to find out where the purple cabbage in the storeroom had gone.

If this matter isn't cleared up, it's a major loophole for the canteen.

If one day we urgently need some materials and can't find them in the storeroom, that could cause a serious problem.

When he returned home in the evening, he kept pondering this problem—who in the canteen nowadays has such a low hand as to dare steal things from the storeroom.

Yushui heard He Yuzhu muttering, walked around the house, and said: 'I don't think it was your canteen staff; they'd only dare take a little bit at a time like mice moving house—how could they possibly take the whole package stew?'

He Yuzhu thought about it and also felt it made some sense.

"You really have been using your brain lately, Yushui—you've been eating walnuts these days."

Character smiled and said: 'She's been obsessed with the Peng Gong case these days, wanting to solve it all day long.'

This book seems not suitable now; He Yuzhu told Character not to let Yushui read these books anymore, but to read more things related to herself and study well.

"Hmm, I think it might be a flying thief; their lightness skill is impressive—leaving no trace in the snow." Character said softly, 'Why not put some bells or something inside?'

Would such a skilled flying thief really go to the storeroom to steal purple cabbage? Why not steal the pork? Character must have been reading martial arts novels these days.

"Alright, you go do what you need to do; I'll think quietly for a moment."

Character's comment need not be considered, but Yushui's point does have some merit; He Yuzhu pondered, wondering if it hadn't been lent somewhere.

He simply has no memory of it.

The next day, arriving at the Steel Rolling Mill, he called Ma Hua to the office and asked if he had figured out who might have stolen the purple cabbage and done it so ruthlessly, leaving nothing behind.

"I can't think of anything either, Master." Ma Hua said with a worried face, 'If the finance side comes to inspect, will they make me compensate?'

"What are you worried about? I've got your back on the canteen side." He Yuzhu patted Ma Hua's shoulder, 'Don't overthink it; let's think of another way.'

Actually, He Yuzhu doesn't have a better idea either; for now he can only continue using the 'lure the snake out of its hole' tactic.

"Today you leave a big sea‑bowl of braised pork on the chopping board in the canteen; I have some purple cabbage here—just put it first behind the storeroom door."

Ma Hua understood immediately.

At noon, after the canteen sold out its meals, people trickled back to the back kitchen in twos and threes; almost everyone saw the braised pork on the board, but nobody cleared it away.

"This must be prepared for some leader—such a big bowl, all fatty meat." A master reached out to grab a piece to taste, 'Ma Hua's cooking has improved a bit.'

Master Luo slapped his hand away and scolded: 'What are you reaching for? If you're that hungry, go home and buy meat to cook yourself. Your father pulled strings and spent who knows what to get you in here—don't get fired over a mouthful of meat.'

"It's Master Luo."

After He Yuzhu's meeting last time, Master Luo's status rose a bit; ordinary young workers dare not talk back to him.

"The Factory Director just praised your canteen's cleanliness, yet you leave the cooked dishes lying around." Deputy Factory Director Li, who had entered at some point, said, 'You can't even keep it tidy for a week?'

Several people present immediately looked uneasy; Deputy Factory Director Li, when did he start meddling in such trivial matters—it's just criticism for criticism's sake.

"What's the point of leaving it here? The workshop workers outside are working themselves to death; how much meat can they eat? You lot are getting fat in the canteen day after day."

"Director Li, we ordinary folks can't afford such good meat; it must be reserved for some leader, temporarily placed here."

"This isn't the place to store meat; if it's for leaders, it should be kept hot in the pot—this braised pork gets cold and doesn't taste good."

Deputy Factory Director Li furrowed his brows, inspected inside, and before leaving pointed out two minor flaws, then slowly exited the canteen.

Ma Hua, hiding in the dark, punched the wall—what a great opportunity today, but Deputy Factory Director Li interrupted, so the thief probably won't strike today.

As for putting out another bowl of meat next time—

—that would be not luring the snake out but waiting by the stump for a rabbit.

He Yuzhu also waited in the storeroom for half an hour; that bag of purple cabbage sat safely there, with nobody coming to reach for it—could his method have failed?

As night fell, He Yuzhu had packed up and was about to leave work when a figure rushed in from outside, nearly bumping into him.

He Yuzhu frowned at the person.

It was Old Ma from the Materials Section, holding a black synthetic‑leather satchel.

"What are you doing here at the canteen this late? We don't serve meals." He Yuzhu said coldly; he didn't get along with the Materials Section, so he saw no need to be polite.

"Of course there's business; why else would I come?" Old Ma glanced around, 'We have top‑grade roast duck to eat—who would want to eat your coarse grain steamed buns?'

He Yuzhu's eyes narrowed, and he was about to retort with a few more sarcastic remarks.

"Last time we went out to liaise on supplies, they were short on purple cabbage, so we took some from the storeroom; now they're returning it to you." Old Ma threw a few pieces of purple‑cabbage cake onto the board.

He turned to leave.

He Yuzhu grabbed him, asking who he had told about this and how he could just take things from the storeroom.

"What do you mean your storeroom? This is the Steel Rolling Mill's storeroom; we in the Materials Section need to report to you when we use things." Old Ma snorted, 'You're acting like you own the whole dish.'

After searching for so many days, it turned out to be this—He Yuzhu was furious enough to snap.

"I'm not staying here to waste words with you—I still have to go drink alcohol and eat duck."

Watching the Materials Section personnel leave, He Yuzhu narrowed his eyes and stood by the window; if he didn't give them a lesson, they'd soon trample his canteen underfoot.

"Ding, as a transmigrator, how can I be bullied like this? Please quickly take strong measures to deal with the arrogant Materials Section."

"What rewards are there?"

"If the task succeeds, the reward will be a big New Year goods package and the release of textiles."

This reward is indeed good; He Yuzhu began to think in his mind how to proceed—last time with the cake wouldn't work; this time he needs to give them a bigger incident.

Regardless of anything else, this Old Ma must receive some punishment.

He eats his fill in the Materials Section, yet still thinks about drinking alcohol and eating duck—from now on let him eat nothing at all.

While scheming a good plan, he pedaled his bicycle back to the Courtyard House.