Chapter 142: Even if you

"It was Shazhu who sought out Li Huaide. That grandson Shazhu is truly not a human being..." Xu Mu cursed loudly.

"Enough, stop cursing! Is cursing useful? If cursing were useful, the four of us would curse together! If you, this spendthrift woman, can't solve the problem, then don't add to the chaos!" Xu Fugui barked coldly.

Upon hearing this, Xu Mu immediately clamped her mouth shut.

"I ask, you answer. Are you certain about this matter? Was it Shazhu who sought out Li Huaide, and did Li Huaide take action to exile our family of four to the Great Third Front?" Xu Fugui made a final confirmation.

"Yes," Xu Mu said.

Xu Fugui understood that He Yuzhu must have spent money, and quite a lot of it; otherwise, he could not have moved Li Huaide.

"Did Lou Bancheng say anything?" Xu Fugui asked again.

"The Lou family doesn't care about our family's affairs at all," Xu Mu said.

Xu Fugui's expression was dark and uncertain. He had spent his whole life hunting geese, only to have his eyes pecked blind by a goose.

"Dad, what should we do? I don't want to go to the Great Third Front," Xu Damao said with a mournful face.

"Go find Li Huaide. If Shazhu can use money to get things done, we can also use money to avert disaster," Xu Fugui said in a deep voice.

Immediately, Xu Fugui rummaged through boxes and cabinets, taking out all his family's savings. At this moment, Xu Fugui knew it was not the time to be frugal. He emptied his entire stash, which amounted to only three thousand yuan, two small yellow fish, and some silver dollars and copper coins—the silver dollars and copper coins were worthless and could be ignored.

Xu Fugui found a bag, put the three thousand yuan and the two small yellow fish inside, and then said to Xu Damao, "Let's go, we're going to find Li Huaide."

"Dad! Isn't this too much?" Xu Damao said, very reluctant.

Xu Fugui was so angry he nearly had a stroke. Even at a time like this, he was still worried about money; he truly was someone who saw small gains and forgot about the greater good.

"Too much? I'm afraid it's not enough! Do you think this is just about hosting a dinner or giving a gift? This is a major matter concerning our fate. What time do you think it is, and you're still worried about this bit of money?" Xu Fugui said, hating that his son wouldn't live up to his expectations.

"Isn't this just hosting a dinner and giving a gift?" Xu Damao muttered softly.

Xu Fugui rolled his eyes at Xu Damao and told him to lead the way. The two went together to give the gift to Li Huaide. In such a life-or-death matter, Xu Fugui dared not trust Xu Damao.

In Xu Fugui's view, Xu Damao was still too immature and too shortsighted.

Xu Damao brought Xu Fugui to the Rolling Mill's family quarters, only to be dumbfounded, because Li Huaide no longer lived there.

After the incident where Factory Director Yang's house collapsed last time, Li Huaide stopped living there and instead stayed with his father-in-law. His father-in-law's place was safe, and furthermore, his father-in-law had many rooms and a large space, so there was a place for him to stay.

In the past, Li Huaide was unwilling to live with his father-in-law because seeing him every day put him under great pressure. Now, no amount of pressure was as important as his life.

Moreover, Li Huaide and his father-in-law did not live in the same building, but had found a small courtyard to live in.

After making inquiries, Xu Damao found out Li Huaide's new address. However, after the father and son arrived at Li Huaide's new address, they couldn't get through the door, because this kind of courtyard had soldiers on guard; it wasn't a place you could enter just because you wanted to.

The guard had already called Li Huaide, but Li Huaide simply said he wouldn't see them and hung up the phone. No matter how Xu Damao and Xu Fugui begged, the guard wouldn't let them in, and of course, wouldn't make another call.

Xu Fugui and Xu Damao were very helpless and had to leave dejectedly. Xu Fugui understood that this place was not like the Rolling Mill; if they pushed the guards too far, they would truly dare to open fire.

"How was it? Did it work?" Seeing Xu Fugui and Xu Damao return in such a sorry state, Xu Mu already had a bad feeling, but she couldn't help asking.

"Sigh, we couldn't find the person; the guards wouldn't let us in," Xu Damao said dejectedly.

"Since the guards wouldn't let us in, then we'll go to the factory tomorrow to find Li Huaide," Xu Fugui said after thinking for a moment.

Xu Damao had no choice but to nod in agreement.

"Dad, should we take revenge on Shazhu? He dared to get us sent to the Great Third Front, so I dare to break both his arms and make it so he can't be a chef," Xu Damao said viciously.

"Don't rush this matter for now. Let's wait until we've resolved our own affairs. Shazhu must be retaliated against, but even if we take action, we shouldn't do it ourselves. It's best to borrow a knife to kill," Xu Fugui said.

"Borrow a knife to kill?" Xu Damao was taken aback.

"Old woman, tomorrow you spread the word that Shazhu is the one who got us sent to the Great Third Front, and say he did it just to get Lou Xiaoe. While you're at it, spread the word about the affair between Shazhu and Qin Huairu."

"I don't believe Lou Bancheng won't overthink it. As long as Lou Bancheng overthinks it, he will take action against Shazhu. Lou Bancheng wouldn't dare touch Li Huaide, but can't he touch a Shazhu?" Xu Fugui sneered.

"High! Truly high!" Xu Damao couldn't help but give a thumbs up, extremely admiring his old man's craftiness.

Xu Damao had originally been interested in Lou Xiaoe, but He Yuzhu had forcibly taken Xu Damao to the hospital, and now Xu Damao only cared about his own body.

"Done, leave this to me," Xu Mu said.

"It must be fast! At worst, spend some money; you must get these things into Lou Bancheng's ears as quickly as possible," Xu Fugui said.

"Good!" Xu Mu said.

"Damao, sleep here tonight," Xu Fugui said, dismissing Xu Damao to go to sleep.

Xu Damao sensibly found a room to sleep in. After seeing Xu Damao leave, Xu Fugui couldn't help but let out a long sigh, frowning as he smoked continuously.

"Master of the house, is there really no room for maneuver in this matter?" Xu Mu asked.

"It's very difficult! The documents have already come down, and they've all been stamped. Sigh! I truly didn't expect that brat Shazhu to be so ruthless," Xu Fugui said in a deep voice.

Xu Fugui said it was difficult, but in reality, it was even harder. Anything that had been stamped was almost a settled matter; the higher-ups also avoided changing orders once they were issued.

"At worst, let Damao quit; we won't take this kind of bullying," Xu Mu said in a deep voice.

"What do you know? Not to mention whether Damao can resign, if he really resigned, he would definitely have a record of 'incorrect ideology' left in his file. With this record, he won't even think about finding a job for the rest of his life. No unit will accept him; even if he sweeps the streets, no one will want him. Then he can only starve to death," Xu Fugui said angrily.

Upon hearing this, Xu Mu stopped talking and instead turned to curse He Yuzhu.

"Enough, prepare for the worst. Remember, tomorrow you must spread the things I told you. If we aren't having a good time, we can't let Shazhu have a good time either. Lou Bancheng's anger is not so easy to bear," Xu Fugui said.

"How about I go to Shazhu's house tomorrow and make a scene?" Xu Mu said.

"It's useless. Attending to the real business is what's important," Xu Fugui waved his hand and said in a deep voice.

At the same time, in the Siheyuan, after He Yuzhu and He Yushui finished their meal, He Yuzhu told her about Xu Damao's situation. Of course, He Yuzhu didn't mention the matter of sending the small yellow fish, only saying he had cooked a few extra meals for the leaders.

"Brother, you're amazing! From now on, I won't have to worry about Xu Damao interfering with your matchmaking," He Yushui said excitedly.

"En, no need to worry from now on. But be careful these two days; watch out for Xu Damao jumping over the wall in desperation and doing something unfavorable to us. Like this, starting tomorrow, you come with me to the Rolling Mill," He Yuzhu said.

He Yushui clearly knew the severity of the situation, so she nodded.

The next morning, after He Yuzhu and He Yushui finished their meal, the two went to the Rolling Mill together. After arriving at the Rolling Mill, He Yuzhu reported to his immediate superior, Niu Fen, saying he needed to bring He Yushui to and from work for just a few days.

Niu Fen clearly understood that He Yuzhu was worried about He Yushui's safety, so he readily agreed.

He Yuzhu told He Yushui to stay in his office; if she was truly bored, she could wander around the kitchen, but she could not leave He Yuzhu's sight. After Xu Fugui and Xu Damao arrived at the Rolling Mill, they went straight to Li Huaide's office. This time, the father and son met Li Huaide quite easily.

"Damao, I can understand your feelings. I know you're very anxious, but don't be anxious yet. This matter has already been reported, and the higher-ups have already stamped their approval. It cannot be changed."

"It's the same everywhere; it's all about serving the people. Damao, your perspective needs to be broader. Our Sijiucheng is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and talented people are everywhere. Once you get there, you will be a talent. Work hard and strive to make a name for yourself soon," Li Huaide said, not giving Xu Damao a chance to speak.

Seeing this, Xu Fugui couldn't help but sigh. Although Xu Fugui had had a premonition after failing to give the gift last night, when the premonition became reality, Xu Fugui was still unwilling. However, no matter how unwilling he was, there was no other way.

"Factory Director Li, you can't do this! Dad, hurry up and give the things to Factory Director Li," Xu Damao said incoherently.

Xu Fugui, however, knew that no amount of money would be useful now. With this money, it would be better to use it to pull strings over there; perhaps they could return sooner.

"Factory Director Li, my son is rude and has made you laugh. We will leave now and not disturb you any further," Xu Fugui said.

Although Xu Fugui was very helpless and filled with grief and indignation, the matter was already a settled fact, and saying anything was useless. It was better to make a dignified exit.

"It's fine, I understand," Li Huaide said dismissively.

Seeing that Xu Damao still wanted to say more, Xu Fugui dragged him out of Li Huaide's office.

"He's a sensible one," Li Huaide chuckled. Li Huaide had long been prepared for Xu Damao to be unreasonable. If Xu Damao had truly been unreasonable, Li Huaide would have called the Security Section.

The reason Li Huaide was so decisive was not only because He Yuzhu had given him a generous gift, but also because in Li Huaide's heart, He Yuzhu's value was far higher than Xu Damao's.

"Dad, why didn't you give the gift to Factory Director Li?" Xu Damao asked.

"It's useless. I had a premonition last night when the gift couldn't be delivered. I went to the cinema to ask around, and it was also useless. The arm cannot twist the thigh. Instead of throwing the money away by giving it to Li Huaide, it's better to find an opportunity to pull strings after we get there."

"With money, we are masters wherever we go!" Xu Fugui said.

Xu Fugui appeared carefree, and in his heart, he was actually quite carefree.

Xu Fugui had thought about it all night last night and finally decided to go to the Great Third Front. Xu Fugui not only considered that the matter was a settled fact that couldn't be changed, but also thought about the entire family and the issue of continuing the family line.

In Xu Fugui's view, Xu Damao was already a waste.

In the future, Xu Damao could only marry a widow with children, and it could only be a widow with daughters, let the children take the surname Xu, and then recruit a son-in-law to live in;

Or, Xu Damao could marry a young maiden and then adopt one or two children;

Or, let Xu Xiaoling recruit a son-in-law to pass on the Xu family's incense.

However, Xu Fugui was unwilling. Xu Fugui still wanted his own biological grandson. So, after thinking for a long time, Xu Fugui decided to go to the Great Third Front.

In Sijiucheng, everything was strictly controlled. Once they reached the Great Third Front, the sky was high and the emperor was far away. Xu Fugui could secretly find a mistress and let her bear him a son.

Since Xu Damao was already a waste, he would just start a new account.

"Really, can we still come back?" Xu Damao clearly didn't realize he had already been abandoned and asked hurriedly.

"Of course! No matter what, a film projectionist is a technical job. We father and son will be popular wherever we go. Once we get there, we'll first establish a foothold, then figure out the ropes, and then use money to pull strings," Xu Fugui said.

"That's good! But, we can't let Shazhu off easy! Dad, give me some money, I'll secretly find someone to teach Shazhu a lesson," Xu Damao said hatefully.

"Didn't I say last night that we can't do this kind of thing ourselves? Do you still want to come back? If you want to come back, don't take action. Even secretly finding someone won't work. This is Sijiucheng; we don't have the ability to do it without leaving any trace," Xu Fugui said in a deep voice.

"But nothing happened last time, did it?" Xu Damao said.

"Last time, no one was willing to keep investigating. Do you believe that if you take action this time, and Shazhu uses money to find Li Huaide again, once Li Huaide exerts pressure, people will definitely investigate with their lives? Don't think that just because you followed to the Great Third Front, people will let you off. One phone call and you'll be in trouble."

"With a record left in your file, how do you plan to pull strings? Go home first, and we'll discuss this with your mother," Xu Fugui said coldly.

After Xu Fugui and Xu Damao returned home, Xu Mu had just finished spreading the rumors.

"This won't do, it's too slow. Today we'll pack up for the day, and tonight you go to Lou Bancheng's house to say goodbye and tell Lou Bancheng's wife about this in person," Xu Fugui said in a deep voice.

"Master of the house, you didn't give the gift to Li Huaide?" Xu Mu asked.

"No, it couldn't be delivered. The matter is settled, and giving gifts is useless. It's better to save this money to pull strings when we get there. Pack up first," Xu Fugui said, very unwillingly.

However, no matter how unwilling he was, there was no other way. Xu Fugui could only comfort himself.

Xu Fugui couldn't help but think of He Daqing, who had also been forced to go to another place. At the time, Xu Fugui had laughed at He Daqing, but now, it was his turn.

"Shazhu, let's wait and see. I hope you're still alive when our family returns," Xu Fugui couldn't help but say with hatred.

Xu Mu was helpless and could only pack up the house.

Xu Damao returned to the Siheyuan and began to pack up. Xu Damao had once been unable to resist the urge to smash He Yuzhu's house to pieces with a brick, but he suddenly remembered that things were not like before.

In the past, everything was resolved in the courtyard, but now, if he really smashed He Yuzhu's house, He Yuzhu would definitely report it to the police station.

Reporting to the police station was considered light; what he feared was He Yuzhu going to the square to hold up a sign.

In the end, Xu Damao endured it.

"Damao, what happened to you?" Third Aunt couldn't help but ask.

"Sigh, what else could it be? Just a couple of days ago, I sabotaged Shazhu's matchmaking. To take revenge on me, Shazhu found the leaders and had our family of four exiled to the Great Third Front. I'm back to pack up the house," Xu Damao said mournfully.

Although Xu Damao couldn't smash He Yuzhu's windows to vent his anger, he wouldn't let He Yuzhu have a good time either. At the very least, he had to ruin He Yuzhu's reputation and leave everyone with the impression that He Yuzhu was mean-spirited and ruthless.

Upon hearing this, Third Aunt's expression changed drastically.

"Third Aunt, from now on, your family must be careful and not offend Shazhu. Second Uncle and I are the cautionary tales. You don't know yet, do you? Second Uncle also offended Shazhu and was driven to the Great Third Front by Shazhu's dirty tricks."

"Also, this time Shazhu's revenge on me wasn't just because I sabotaged his matchmaking; it was also because he had his eyes on Lou Bancheng's daughter. My mother wanted to set me up with the Lou family's daughter, but I was an eyesore to Shazhu and blocked his path, so he used dirty tricks to clear me as an obstacle," Xu Damao said mysteriously.

After spreading the rumors, Xu Damao went to the Street Office to register the house under the Street Office's name. Xu Damao's house was private property; Xu Damao wouldn't sell it, but would keep it, indicating that he would return one day sooner or later.

For the sake of the house, Xu Damao not only went to the Street Office but also to the police station, just in case.

Director Wang of the Street Office even notarized it in front of everyone.

"Damao, you're registering the house with the Street Office to rent it out, but do you still want the furniture?" Third Aunt asked.

"Third Aunt, don't even think about it. I've donated the furniture to the Street Office," Xu Damao sneered.

After Xu Damao finished speaking, he ignored Third Aunt. After packing everything up, he found a flatbed cart, loaded it up, and went to his parents' house.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 143 =====