Chapter 16: Xu Damao Gets Driven Away

Xu Damao sheepishly got into the car, hugging the jeep door tightly, staying as far away from He Yuzhu as possible, while constantly stroking the seat and sighing in wonder.

He Yuzhu placed his knives to the side, tilted his head, and couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the bumpkin-like Xu Damao.

After a bumpy ride, the driver took the two back to the factory to pick up Xu Damao's tools, then headed straight for the Big Leader's Family Courtyard.

As soon as they got out of the car, the Factory Director stepped down from the vehicle in front.

"Come here, both of you." The Factory Director beckoned to them.

"Do your jobs well. Speak less, do more, listen less, watch less, talk less. Do you understand?"

He Yuzhu and Xu Damao hurriedly nodded repeatedly and agreed.

At this moment, Secretary Chen walked out of the house.

"Secretary Chen, has Bureau Chief Wang arrived?"

"Factory Director Yang, he has. He's been here for a while."

"Haha, I thought I arrived early. Sigh, let me introduce you. This is the chef, He Yuzhu."

He Yuzhu hurriedly nodded with a smile, stepped forward, wiped his hand, and shook hands with Secretary Chen.

He knew full well that one must never offend any secretary; a single word from them could make your life miserable, regardless of gender.

Xu Damao curled his lip, thinking to himself: What kind of pathetic behavior is this from He Yuzhu?!

He Yuzhu didn't care about Xu Damao's inner turmoil; he greeted him respectfully, "Hello, hello, Secretary Chen."

"Hello, Comrade He Yuzhu." A respectful attitude is always satisfying, and Secretary Chen nodded with a smile.

"Alright, this is the projectionist, Xu Damao." Factory Director Yang pointed to the fawning Xu Damao beside him and introduced him.

Xu Damao bent his waist even lower in an exaggerated manner and grabbed Secretary Chen's hand with a fawning expression.

"Secretary Chen, hello."

"Uh, hello, hello."

Seeing a grown man acting so obsequiously, Secretary Chen pulled his hand away the moment they touched, feeling a sense of revulsion toward this mustachioed, small-eyed Xu Damao.

Respect is acceptable, but fawning is repulsive.

Because fawning often implies that a person is a petty character.

He Yuzhu was secretly overjoyed; he could naturally see Secretary Chen's attitude. Xu Damao, who had never mixed in the bureaucracy, clearly didn't understand how to gauge the situation. He probably thought the more respectful he was, the better, not realizing that going too far is as bad as not going far enough.

"Alright, Secretary Chen, you make the arrangements. I'll head inside first." Factory Director Yang looked at the still-bowing Xu Damao, nodded expressionlessly, and walked in.

"Chef He, you go to the kitchen first. Comrade Xu Damao, you go to the reception hall to set up the projector; we'll screen it there later."

Seeing Secretary Chen, He Yuzhu nodded with a smile.

Xu Damao, still acting like a wooden block, patted his chest and said, "Don't you worry, Secretary Chen. I've already prepared the films. I guarantee you and the leaders will be satisfied!"

"What good is my satisfaction? We aren't using the films you brought. I have films here; you just need to handle the projection."

"Ah? What film is it, Secretary Chen? Our collection is complete; I've already wound the reels. Tell me, let me see if I have it?" Xu Damao looked surprised and immediately asked.

"Do you have *Reed Fire Seeds*? Stop talking nonsense."

He Yuzhu's heart stirred; he vaguely had a new idea.

"Oh, oh, oh, I don't have that. Hey, by the way, Secretary Chen, let me ask you, who exactly is this leader?" Xu Damao, lacking any sense of propriety, continued to ask.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't! Comrade, why are you so talkative?!" Secretary Chen's face fell, looking very displeased.

"Hehe, I was just curious. Understood, I won't ask."

He Yuzhu was thoroughly delighted inside at this fool Xu Damao, then followed Secretary Chen into the kitchen.

Once inside the kitchen, He Yuzhu put away his knives, clicked his tongue in wonder at the dazzling array of vegetables and meats, and then began to tidy up.

"Hey, young man, you're quite diligent." The Leader's wife walked in and smiled with satisfaction at seeing He Yuzhu wiping the stove.

The shrewd He Yuzhu naturally wouldn't be like he was in the TV show, snapping at everyone he met. He looked up and smiled: "Sigh, I'm just used to being clean. I feel uncomfortable if I'm idle."

He Yuzhu looked sincere. If He Yushui knew this, she would probably roll her eyes—you wash your feet once a week, you're really "clean."

"Good, being clean is good. What's your name, young man? By the way, if you need anything, tell Secretary Chen and let him arrange it."

"You got it. My name is He Yuzhu. Don't you worry, I'll show you a few tricks in a bit that will definitely satisfy you."

Watching the Leader's wife leave satisfied, He Yuzhu dropped the rag, took out a cigarette, took a blissful puff, and blew the smoke into the stove.

Then, he picked and chose various seasonings from his System Space and swapped some of the kitchen's prepared ingredients with higher-quality ones from the space.

Everything is ready, save for the east wind.

The Leader's wife walked into the reception hall with a smile and saw Xu Damao busy at work.

"Young man, how is the preparation going?"

Xu Damao hurriedly stood up respectfully: "Hello, it's all ready. Do you have any instructions?"

"The leader is discussing matters and will be here shortly. There are no problems, right?"

"No problems, of course no problems. How could there be problems with such excellent internal films? Don't you worry, I guarantee the leaders will be satisfied."

"Good, that's good. What is your name, young man?"

"My name is Xu Damao, I'm twenty-eight this year. In the future, if you need any films played, just call me anytime. I'll drop everything to come and serve you."

"Oh my, you are just like that chef; your character is truly high. Good, I am very satisfied."

"What? His character is high?"

"What's wrong?"

"Sigh, I won't lie to you. He's just a rotten cook. He doesn't even wash up, his mouth is full of filth, and he likes to hit people. If his character is high, then there's no one in the world with low character. You don't know, everyone in our factory calls him Shazhu. You tell me, how high could his character be?"

"Ah? Really?" The Leader's wife was startled; that chef didn't look like that.

"Sigh, you don't know, he..." Before Xu Damao could finish, he saw the Leader leading Factory Director Yang and the others inside, and he immediately shut his mouth.

The Leader adjusted his glasses, said nothing, looked at the sheepish Xu Damao with an expressionless face, turned around, and walked back out.

"Factory Director Yang, badmouthing colleagues behind their backs—this employee of yours has a problem with his ideological awareness."

"Yes, yes, yes, I will certainly talk to him later."

"No need, Secretary Chen. Have that projectionist pack his things and leave immediately; he is not allowed to come to our house again! Also, notify that Chef He to start cooking."

Secretary Chen agreed with a nod and turned to walk out.

"Comrade Xu Damao, the leader has changed his plans temporarily. We won't be watching the movie. Please pack up your things and leave."

Xu Damao looked at the expressionless Secretary Chen and panicked instantly: "Secretary Chen, don't do this. I've got everything set up and it's ready to watch at any time. Could you put in a word with the leader for me?"

"Please leave immediately!" After saying this, Secretary Chen nodded to the security personnel and walked out.

"Pah! Who does he think he is!" Xu Damao tilted his head and spat on the ground.

At this moment, Secretary Chen poked his head back in from the doorway: "What did you say?"

"Ah! Nothing, nothing, Secretary Chen, I'm leaving right now." Xu Damao was startled again and hurriedly began packing up.

Secretary Chen nodded indifferently, turned his head, and instructed the security personnel: "Go tell the driver to walk back himself!"

Then, Secretary Chen came to the kitchen and saw He Yuzhu, who was wiping the glass.

"Hey, Chef He, start cooking. You can light the stove now. Why are you wiping the glass?"

"Secretary Chen, you're here. I just feel uncomfortable when I'm idle, so I'm tidying up a bit. I'll start right away." He Yuzhu smiled and tossed the rag into the vegetable washing basin.

"Good, you get busy. If you need anything, tell the Security Guard. I'm going to the leader's side first."

"Alright, take your time."

Secretary Chen walked out of the kitchen and shook his head. You can't compare people; they came from the same factory, so why is there such a huge gap in how they conduct themselves?

Returning to the living room, Secretary Chen reported the comparison between the two in a low voice, and the leader nodded.

"Sigh, I had prepared the latest 'Reed Fire' for everyone to watch. Today, you all missed out on that treat," the Big Leader sighed and complained.

"Oh? Is it the 'Reed Fire' from the Peking Opera rehearsals? Has it been made into a movie?" Director Wang asked with some surprise.

"It's a rough cut, you could say. Everyone has seen the stage play, right? Especially that 'Battle of Wits' scene, tsk tsk, it's truly superb! It's a pity about today."

"That is indeed a pity. This Xu Damao, he's more of a hindrance than a help! Just wait until I get back and see how I deal with him!" Factory Director Yang clenched his fists.