Chapter 86: A Pleasant Surprise

One afternoon, He Yuzhu explained this bursting technique to Ma Hua in full, and had him practice making a dish of stir-fried kidney, believing that in his absence these few days, he could keep the canteen running.

In the evening, returning home, the two of them, Character, had already come back. On the table were steamed corn buns and a bowl of cabbage, the rising steam making He Yuzhu feel a bit happy.

"I have something to tell you." He Yuzhu had already obtained the needed train ticket and introduction letter that afternoon, "I will be away on a business trip for these few days."

Yushui looked at He Yuzhu with a shocked expression, then glanced at Character, seemingly meaning: "Is there something between the two of you that you're hiding from me?"

"Older sister Character will also be away these few days; you two really have fate."

"Where are you going?"

"Gangcheng."

He Yuzhu was truly shocked; the two of them actually had the same destination, so on this journey they would have companionship and need not worry about safety on the road.

Their purposes for going to Gangcheng were completely different; He Yuzhu went to contact fruit suppliers, and according to the address on the introduction letter, he should go to the Fortune Mountain area of Gangcheng.

Character went there to observe and study, probably in the city centre.

"Actually it's not far at all; many people commute between the two places by vehicle. Going to my master's place is far, so I'll definitely need to find someone to help."

Regarding the Ancient Fist Manual, Character wrote to inform her master, and this time she will also bring a handwritten copy for him to examine carefully.

As for the fruit matter, Character also told him not to worry, since she herself works at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative; after arriving she will ask her peers to see what can be done.

He Yuzhu nodded.

After finishing his meal, he strolled over to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, not for any other reason; this time, going to ask for help, he would definitely need to bring something.

Although the current items are of decent quality, their style and design still need to be modern; from the already available products, He Yuzhu selected a few that are now rare.

When he returned to the Courtyard House with the items, Qin Huairu was diligently washing her family's clothes, while Jia Zhangshi sat at the doorway muttering complaints, as if the two had argued again.

Seeing He Yuzhu walk by without even a greeting, Jia Zhangshi muttered that he was impolite, disrespectful to elders, and unaware of what neighborly affection meant.

"Stop muttering; he's now a high-ranking official, not someone like you, a good-for-nothing, can cling onto." Qin Huairu returned with the clothes, "I heard he can even be dispatched outside the watch factory."

Upon hearing that He Yuzhu could go on an external business trip, Jia Zhangshi was the first to doubt it, "What would a canteen cook do going out? Go cook somewhere else."

They might not even be satisfied with his cooking skills.

"I heard he's going out to get something, apparently apples."

A look of joy appeared on Jia Zhangshi's face; at this point, where could one get apples? It seemed as if she were sending He Yuzhu far away, surely he had offended someone at the Steel Rolling Mill.

"That's great; if he can't bring back apples, he wouldn't have to come back." Jia Zhangshi grinned from ear to ear, "Someone like him deserves this punishment."

Jia Zhangshi felt her mood was excellent, her stomach a little hungry; she hurried back and grabbed a corn bun to eat, without even a side of pickled vegetables.

"I don't know about that."

Qin Huairu also knew from what the garbage collectors said, but she wasn't fully aware of the other circumstances.

"Can't you be transferred back? Then you could earn a bit more, at least buy some meat for me to eat." Jia Zhangshi asked anxiously, "Try to pull some strings."

Qin Huairu felt stifled inside; "What's wrong with buying some meat to bring back, earning a bit more to buy something for my daughter?" Had she forgotten that she had just scolded herself?

Moreover, they had only heard this rumor; on what basis did Jia Zhangshi conclude that He Yuzhu had lost favor? If it weren't true, she herself would likely be targeted.

Ignoring Jia Zhangshi gnawing on her corn bun, Qin Huairu efficiently went back to tidy the household.

He Yuzhu had gathered all his things, prepared his clothes, and was busily enjoying himself at home; meanwhile, Deputy Factory Director Li was out drinking, feeling dazed and confused.

As for why he wasn't drinking at home, well, he temporarily still didn't have his own house.

"Factory Director Li, you're really something—just a few words and you can persuade someone, sending He Yuzhu off to Gangcheng to get apples." The Materials Section Chief laughed like a mouse that had stolen a sweet potato.

"Haha, just a little trick, not worth mentioning."

Deputy Factory Director Li's face, however, showed great pride; He Yuzhu is the factory director's man, this time he fell into a pit, or rather was trapped by himself, and he still needed another drink.

The Materials Section Chief cautiously asked, "Should we transfer Lao Qi over? The canteen can't lack a leader; with Lao Qi here, our materials section could also enjoy some better provisions."

We certainly can't do that now; He Yuzhu hasn't left yet, and if he found out, it would be another troublesome matter, especially since he had already arranged everything before his departure.

The canteen won't disband that quickly.

Moreover, Deputy Factory Director Li had other thoughts; Lao Qi wasn't really suitable—he spent his days just eating and drinking, his belly bigger than a pregnant woman's, handling affairs ineptly, making it easy for others to catch him in a mistake.

Probably also seeing Deputy Factory Director Li's meaning, but the Materials Section Chief, with a grimace, kept saying nice things, noting that Lao Qi had some familial ties with him; otherwise, he couldn't associate with Deputy Factory Director Li.

"I heard that Lao Qi's side is due for disciplinary action; transferring him over now would cause gossip in the factory." Deputy Factory Director Li shook his head, "Let's see how things turn out for He Yuzhu's side."

What results still need to be seen? The Materials Section Chief himself didn't believe He Yuzhu could obtain apples; nowadays, it's the season when apple tree leaves have all fallen.

"Anyway, this is a happy matter; let's have a few more drinks. Is He Yuzhu stupid to have accepted this task?"

"He's not stupid at all, but the bait from the factory director's side is indeed effective; otherwise, how would he have fallen for it?"

They kept clinking glasses and eating until about ten o'clock; Deputy Factory Director Li drank so much he didn't know how to get home, and could only spend the night making do at the Materials Section Chief's place.

In the morning sunlight, the glazed tiles of the Courtyard House seemed to be gilded; He Yuzhu came out carrying a large bundle together with Character.

This surprised the other residents of the Courtyard House.

It's only a few days until New Year's; what are they two doing? Getting a marriage certificate wouldn't require carrying things, so could they be moving house? But there's no reason for that either.

"Yushui, what are your brother and sister-in-law up to?"

"There's nothing to hide," Yushui spoke frankly.

Upon hearing this, the neighbors felt quite resentful, knowing that He Yuzhu was going to Gangcheng in Lu Province; they thought he should help bring something back.

Things like vermicelli and dried fish can be kept for the New Year.