Chapter 638: Go Get Me a Knife

Lu Ying is angry because she finds Xie Baichuan inexplicable.

How could you just say her dad is dead!

Anyone would get angry.

"Xie Baichuan, I just promoted you to Section Chief, and now your tail is up in the sky, right! What do you mean? I didn't offend you, did I?"

Xie Baichuan blinked, terrified, and stood there unable to move.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this Factory Director is a woman; she's usually formidable, otherwise she wouldn't be Factory Director.

Also, although this factory now belongs directly to the Railway Bureau, it isn't truly state‑owned; at most it's a Collective Enterprise.

So, to put it plainly, they're just Temporary Workers; a single word from the Factory Director can dismiss them.

At this moment, Xie Baichuan feels only regret; had he known, he wouldn't have mentioned it, especially after Lu Jingzhang specifically instructed him before leaving.

Xie Baichuan really wants to slap his own mouth, but it's too late to regret now.

"Lu, Factory Director Lu, didn't you say you were in a good mood? I, I just…"

Lu Ying inhaled deeply; she didn't understand what was wrong with Xie Baichuan today—normally so steady, yet today he said something incomprehensible.

"Did you have some problem before you entered the factory, is something wrong with your brain? No matter how good my mood is, you can still say my dad is dead!"

Lu Ying was almost furious to death, nearly losing her sanity, and on the spot said she would fire Xie Baichuan.

She took another deep breath, forcing herself to calm down; Xie Baichuan is quite capable, having just reached a cooperation with Marcus.

He must produce three thousand induction cookers on schedule; failure to meet the deadline incurs a penalty.

"You may leave!" Lu Ying pressed both hands on the table, trying to suppress her anger.

Seeing the Factory Director like that, Xie Baichuan hurriedly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Factory Director Lu, I shouldn't have brought it up, causing you to miss your father. I promise I won't mention it again, please don't be angry; I'll leave right now…"

Xie Baichuan was about to step out when Lu Ying's anger flared again; she extended her hand and gestured.

"Factory Director Lu, is there anything else?"

Lu Ying inhaled again: "What do you mean 'won't mention it again'? And what do you mean 'you made me miss my father'? Isn't it still that my dad is dead?"

Since the matter had already been brought up, Xie Baichuan lowered his head and said consolingly.

"Factory Director Lu, please don't be sad. I know you can't accept this fact, and I can't either. Minister Lu was such a good person, made great contributions for us Educated Youth, he lives forever in our hearts, we will always remember and cherish the old man…"

Lu Ying was so angry her body trembled; this Xie Baichuan really didn't want to work here… wait!

Lu Ying looked up: "Minister Lu?"

Seeing Xie Baichuan nod earnestly, Lu Ying became even more puzzled.

Xie Baichuan wouldn't have said her father died for no reason; there must be some misunderstanding.

Especially since this Minister Lu also shares the surname Lu, could they have mistaken him for her dad?

This is nonsense; if she had a father who was a minister, why would he work at such a collective unit?

"You… you tell me clearly; if you can't explain today, don't even think of walking out this door."

Xie Baichuan blinked: "Speak, speak what?"

"Huh? Tell me exactly what's going on with Minister Lu. And you said he did something for us Educated Youth—what exactly did he do? No detail may be missed."

Xie Baichuan sighed helplessly; he thought Factory Director Lu was overly missing his father and wanted to hear Minister Lu's past.

To give Factory Director Lu some comfort, Xie Baichuan recounted everything from his first meeting with Minister Lu, including Minister Lu's speeches and promises to us Educated Youth.

As Lu Ying described, Xie Baichuan spoke in great detail, because Minister Lu died from overwork for us Educated Youth, so every word Minister Lu said is firmly etched in his mind.

After finishing, Xie Baichuan couldn't help but sigh.

"Minister Lu truly is a good man; all of us Educated Youth will cherish him. Even if you don't let me pay respects, I'll burn some paper for him at the crossroads…"

Lu Ying sat back down, fully understanding; most likely the Minister Lu Xie Baichuan mentioned was impersonated by her brother.

Lu Ying's fist unintentionally clenched: "Fine, it's perfect to settle both new and old accounts today…"

Xie Baichuan, puzzled: "What new and old accounts? Are you talking about those State‑owned Stores that owe money?"

Lu Ying looked over; no wonder Xie Baichuan said his father died; this isn't his fault.

If anyone's to blame, it's her brother's audacity; even if he didn't go abroad, he still arranged this cooperation by finding people, so he deserves credit.

Considering his contribution, a few scoldings would suffice; after all, the wages she earned didn't go to anyone else.

But Lu Cheng actually said his dad was dead; Lu Ying could no longer tolerate it.

"Go get me a knife."

"Ah, find, a knife?"

…

In Hu Tong Li, a jeep was parked at the intersection; Lu Cheng got out, locked the car door to prevent children from running into the cabin.

Marcus had already been taken to the Friendship Guesthouse and settled, but what made Lu Cheng uneasy was that his sister would probably find out he hadn't gone abroad.

It turned out his sister grew suspicious and didn't follow a step; Marcus said in the car that when he entered the Materials Technology workshop, Factory Director Lu, via a translator, asked him some questions.

One of the questions was how he knew Lu Cheng.

Marcus honestly replied that he met him through Yang Dong, who also persuaded him to come to Hua Guo for a survey.

Thus, his sister would naturally know.

He probably can't avoid this meal when his sister returns tonight.

But Lu Cheng wasn't afraid; after all, the 200 yuan had already bought a Monkey Ticket, and he cared more about his life than about money.

Besides, whether or not he went abroad, he got the deal done; in any case, the outcome is the same.

His sister, considering this, could also let him off the hook.

Swinging his keys, Lu Cheng entered the courtyard; after school, Da Hu was climbing the locust tree at the gate.

"Da Hu, keep an eye out for me. When my sister returns, let me know."

"Lu San'er, did you cause trouble again!"

Lu Cheng glanced, said nothing, and walked into the Inner Courtyard.

"Dad, I'm reading the newspaper, where's my mother?"

"Ah, didn't you go abroad? When did you return?"

"Oh, I just came back today. Where's my mother?"

"Since you're back, go rest in your room first."

"Alright."

Lu Cheng turned to go back to his room, then turned back and said, "You still haven't told me where my mother went?"

Lu Beitang put down the newspaper and said, "Then what! As soon as you came back you ask about your mother—your mother—your eyes have no place for me, your father. Why don't you ask where I went? In this family, who truly is the head of the household!"

Lu Cheng sighed, "No, look, you're the one sitting here, after all."

Lu Beitang thought for a moment and said, "Your mother went to buy groceries."

"Fine, saying it like that never ends, sigh…"

Lu Cheng turned back to his room, then suddenly turned again and said, "By the way, Dad, you just said you're the head of the household. I completely agree, but now, I'm afraid that's no longer the case."

Lu Beitang looked over and asked, "What do you mean?"

Lu Cheng stepped forward and said, "My older sister wants to challenge your authority."