Chapter 41: Qin Huairu Seeks Help Again

"Next, let us invite Factory Director Yang to announce the rankings for the Little New Year performance. Let's give a round of applause, everyone." Yu Haitang, dressed in a beautiful new outfit, stood on the stage holding a microphone, her face full of smiles.

"Clap, clap, clap!" Immediately, enthusiastic applause erupted across the Rolling Mill's playground.

"Haha, good, good, quiet down now. Next, I announce that the work winning first place is... 'The Fire in the Reed Marsh'. Let's invite the comrades from the Cultural Work Department to come on stage to receive their awards!" Factory Director Yang twitched the corners of his mouth, handed out gifts like thermos bottles and insulated cups to the young women and men from the Cultural Work Department who had come to assist in the performance, and then turned his head to glare fiercely at He Yuzhu, who was in the corner with his head lowered, drawing circles on the ground with his toe.

Seeing Factory Director Yang's expression and hearing Wang Danyang's accent, He Yuzhu felt even more depressed.

He had said it wouldn't work early on, but they just didn't believe him. Could he be blamed for this?

With that accent, the comedic effect was actually quite good; it made everyone burst into loud laughter...

"Next, I announce that the second-place winner is the Locksmith Group's program, 'I'll Put in Extra Effort for the Motherland'!"

"Next, I announce that the last-place winner is 'The Battle of Wits'!"

He Yuzhu buried his head in his chest, hunched his shoulders, and followed behind Wang Danyang. The three of them stood on stage with bright red faces, left to be "sunned" by Factory Director Yang on purpose for several minutes before they were finally able to get away.

"He Yuzhu! Is this how you fool me?" In the office, Factory Director Yang was spraying spit, his voice so loud that He Yuzhu kept shrinking his neck.

"Cough, cough, Leader, this can't all be blamed on me, right? Comrade Wang's accent..." He Yuzhu spread his hands, feeling aggrieved.

"What about Wang Danyang? Wang Danyang performed quite well. It's you, as a grassroots leader, who lacks organization and discipline and failed to set a model example. Is this the kind of result you bring me?"

"Ah?" He Yuzhu stared at Factory Director Yang, dumbfounded. Oh, so this had become his responsibility?

"Ah what ah! Right, come to my house on the third day of the Lunar New Year and cook me a meal. Remember that. I'll have the driver pick you up then. Get out." Factory Director Yang put his hands on his hips and waved impatiently. He Yuzhu nodded with a sense of relief and backed out.

As soon as he opened the door, Wang Danyang's raised hand happened to strike He Yuzhu on the head, which gave him a start.

"Uh, are you okay?" Wang Danyang felt a bit awkward and quickly apologized.

He Yuzhu shook his head, twitched the corners of his mouth slightly, and walked out.

Just as he was about to close the door, He Yuzhu saw Wang Danyang walk quickly to the side of the angry Factory Director Yang, affectionately holding his arm and calling out, "Uncle..." He Yuzhu then shut the door with a huff.

"How is it, girl? What do you think of this He Yuzhu?" Factory Director Yang sat down and chuckled.

"I feel like he doesn't seem to care for me; he never even looks at me." Wang Danyang thought for a moment, feeling a bit sad.

"Cough, cough, he might just be shy. It's fine, leave it all to your uncle. If he doesn't work out, we'll find someone else. Our factory has so many good young men; I'll definitely find you a good match." Factory Director Yang nodded and began to rack his brain.

He Yuzhu complained all the way to the workshop, where everyone was already lining up to collect their wages and benefits.

"Zhuzi, here, come here." Just as he finished getting in line, Qin Huairu's voice came from the front.

He Yuzhu smiled awkwardly at the person in front of him and walked over; after all, cutting in line wasn't a good look.

"Come, come in front of sister. Sister has been waiting in line for you for a long time." Qin Huairu smoothed her hair and said with a pale face.

Her health had been getting worse lately; she was sensitive to light and water, and her eyes were becoming increasingly bloodshot. She had a bad premonition in her heart, and she had become more and more kind in her dealings with others.

"Okay, thank you. Sorry everyone." He Yuzhu smiled and apologized to the people behind him as he stepped into the line.

"It's fine, Deputy Director He. After the New Year, when you're serving meals, just have your apprentices give us a bit more," a young man with a face full of acne joked.

"Easy, easy. I'll give you an extra scoop of meat."

"Haha."

The crowd didn't really mind He Yuzhu cutting in line; after all, he was a minor leader, and besides, he had been generous to everyone. Most importantly, He Yuzhu was in charge of the cafeteria, and he wasn't someone to be offended.

"Zhuzi, tonight is Little New Year, and Bang Geng will be released tomorrow. Sister has a favor to ask of you." Qin Huairu followed behind He Yuzhu, speaking with a look of difficulty.

"What is it, sister? Tell me." He Yuzhu didn't turn his head, moving slowly with the line.

"Take this, consider it rent. Yushui isn't coming back, and when she gets married, she'll be leaving from your room anyway. Lend Yushui's room to your sister to live in, and also, help your sister with a small matter in a few days."

He Yuzhu looked at the property deed Qin Huairu handed over and was stunned. He asked suspiciously, "Sister, what do you mean by this?"

"Don't be afraid, would your sister harm you? Just take it. You'll understand later; it won't make things difficult for you." Qin Huairu stuffed the deed into He Yuzhu's arms and gently smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes.

The people lining up around them began to tease them with ill intent, which Qin Huairu easily deflected with a few words.

"Fine, let's wait until after today. You can use it starting tomorrow morning. Yushui should be coming back tonight for Little New Year."

After collecting his wages, He Yuzhu called Ma Hua and went to the family residential building again.

"Master, look how it is. We're just waiting for spring to buy the furniture." Ma Hua led He Yuzhu in and introduced it.

"You didn't spend little money, did you? How much did you front? I'll pay you back." He Yuzhu naturally wasn't attracted to the cement floor, mosaic tiles, or the exposed pipes in the bathroom. He gently touched the white-washed wall that was almost dry, getting white dust all over his hand.

"Didn't spend much. My dad led people to do it, so we didn't count the labor. The materials didn't cost much, and there's still a lot left from what you gave me." Ma Hua laughed. During this time, he had learned a lot from He Yuzhu, his job title had been raised to a Six-level Chef, and his salary had increased quite a bit.

Ma Hua knew that He Yuzhu was looking out for him, so he put his heart and soul into the tasks He Yuzhu assigned him, even mobilizing many relatives to help.

Just by carrying the cement and sand upstairs, they saved a lot of money.

"Money is meant to be spent. Could I let your father work for nothing? Here's what we'll do: I'll send you some things later. Let's consider this money I owe you for now. My sister is getting married, and there are many places to spend money. You turn on the heating in the pipe well and bake the room. By tomorrow noon at the latest, whether you buy finished goods or use these materials, or even second-hand ones, get the bed set up first." He Yuzhu looked at the empty room and kicked the wooden boards and timber piled in the corner.

"Ah? Turn on the heating? The wall will bubble, Master." Ma Hua was stunned. The white-washed wall had only been painted a few days ago; if he baked it dry directly, wouldn't all that work be for nothing?

"Listen to me. If it doesn't work, we'll just redecorate, but this matter is very urgent," He Yuzhu said with a solemn tone.

Ma Hua scratched his head. Fine, whatever the master says goes. He picked up a pipe wrench, turned on the heating in the pipe well, and even carefully bled the air from every radiator.

"Whew, it's really warm, Master! This is much better than a stove." Ma Hua put his hand on the radiator and was soon grimacing from the heat.

The heating was provided free of charge to the family building by the factory, and the temperature was extremely high, unlike in later generations where you pay so much money to keep it at twenty degrees, claiming that heating is meant to make you comfortable, not hot, and that being too hot is bad for your health, and that the temperature fully complies with various regulations, etc...

"You silly thing. Work hard, and I'll get you a unit too." He Yuzhu patted Ma Hua on the shoulder. It was just an old, broken, small apartment; with his vision, he really didn't think much of it.

Ma Hua ran back full of energy, patting his thin chest and promising that by tomorrow noon, even if he had to pull the furniture from his own home, he would have the bed, chairs, nightstand, wardrobe, dining table, bowls, chopsticks, pots, and pans ready for He Yuzhu.

"Sign in!"

"Congratulations on your successful sign-in! You have received a Sewing Machine x1!"

Looking at the brand-new Sewing Machine, He Yuzhu found a good spot, extracted it directly, and set it up. It seemed he would have to come here often in the future; he might be able to sign in for some good things, which would save him some money.

It really was tragic; having transmigrated to this era, he didn't dare to do business recklessly or speak carelessly, and could only follow the routine and kill time. He didn't know when it would ever end.

He Yuzhu looked at the closed door across the hall, sighed, and walked back with a heavy thud-thud-thud.

In the evening, Yushui did indeed return. He Yuzhu prepared a hot pot and a few cold dishes, and Yushui made dumplings. They brought the old lady to his room, and after the three of them finished eating and the old lady rested, He Yuzhu finally spoke to Yushui about the room.

"Ah? Brother, it's almost New Year, so where will I stay?"

"I'll take you to a good place tomorrow!"