Chapter 310: Undercurrents Surging

He Yuzhu glanced at the greasy cooked food in Xu Damao's hands and teased, "Not bad, Damao. Are this pig's head meat and garlic sausage you bought all prepared for today's gathering?"

"That's a must!" Xu Damao patted his chest with a loud thud. "Hearing that you, Master He, were hosting a banquet, how could I, Xu Damao, come empty-handed? That would make me a freeloader!"

He Yuzhu looked at him with rare approval. Compared to those in the courtyard who only brought their mouths, this one at least understood some etiquette.

Just as they were speaking, the neighborhood committee director, Wang Xia, walked in with a beaming smile and waved at He Yuzhu from afar. "Comrade He Yuzhu! I've come on behalf of the neighborhood to congratulate you! You are the pride of our neighborhood! I've decided that we will organize a report meeting tomorrow afternoon, and you must attend. As a neighborhood leader, I cannot eat your food for free today; here is five thousand yuan."

He Yuzhu did not stand on ceremony and took the money directly, putting it into his pocket. "Director Wang, please don't put me on a pedestal; I just had good luck. Those American devils were too arrogant, flying their planes extremely low, so I just stood on the mountain, picked up a bamboo pole, and poked—hey, I actually poked a few down! It was just a blind cat bumping into a dead mouse..."

"Stop spouting nonsense with me!" Wang Xia lowered her voice, her expression turning serious. "Right now, many families in the neighborhood are struggling. You, a war hero, are throwing such a grand banquet here—are you just showing off? Later, the dumplings will be boiled in separate pots; it's freezing out, so let each family bring a basin to take them back home to eat."

"My father promised the banquet, so I have no choice. Thank you for the reminder, Director."

"You must come to the neighborhood office tomorrow afternoon to give a report; this is a political task," Wang Xia said sternly.

"Understood. Sis, you were at the Military Control Commission, how did you become a neighborhood director?" He Yuzhu asked in a low voice.

"This is all an organizational arrangement; I had no choice."

"Why isn't Li Xiangxiu with you?"

"She was requested by Lao Zhou. Lao Zhou is now the Deputy Bureau Chief at the East City Branch Bureau, and Li Xiangxiu is a staff member in his office," Wang Xia said.

"It seems this girl has a bright future!" He Yuzhu said.

"There are over a hundred idle laborers in the neighborhood now. If I don't find them some work, I'm afraid there will be trouble. Give me an idea!" Wang Xia said.

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment. "You should talk to Chen Xueru about this; she makes clothing there and happens to need female workers."

"I've already gone to her, but the Qianmen neighborhood is closer to the source, so they intercepted all the sewing work."

"Then... how about starting a Food Processing Plant?"

"What would we sell?"

"I'm a chef; I can easily come up with a dozen varieties. Spicy chicken feet, five-spice pig trotters, braised rabbit heads... we'll specifically pick those scraps and turn them into delicacies. But most importantly, we must make a chili sauce!" The image of Old Gan Ma appeared in his mind. "In the future, this thing I make will not only sell well domestically but also open up foreign markets."

Wang Xia's eyes lit up as she listened, and she grabbed He Yuzhu's arm. "My heart suddenly feels clear! We'll start working on it tomorrow!"

"Does the neighborhood have money?"

Wang Xia shook her head.

"I can only go find Liu Rusi and see if she has any ideas," He Yuzhu said.

Wang Xia gave He Yuzhu a meaningful look, knowing clearly in her heart—the person before her was not short on money. It was just that this kid was too slick, always claiming he was going to ask Liu Rusi for money.

Ever since she started working for the organization, she felt more and more that He Yuzhu was not simple, as if he had a pair of eyes that could see through the future.

The dumplings were indeed boiled in separate pots, and each family brought their basins to collect them, even getting some cooked food; everyone was overjoyed.

He Yuzhu specifically set up three tables in the East Cross Courtyard to host the He Family's closest neighbors.

The aroma of Twice Cooked Pork was mouth-watering, the Northeast-style stew was steaming hot, and paired with the pig's head meat and garlic sausage brought by Xu Damao, there were four solid main dishes.

The three uncles accompanied them, and Xu Damao even brought two bottles of Fen liquor, finally managing to secure a seat at the main table.

He Daqing raised his glass first. "Having lived in this courtyard for decades, this is the first time I've had a drink with the three of you. On behalf of my whole family, I thank the uncles and the neighborhood leadership for their concern for our family."

Yi Zhonghai quickly replied, "Daqing, you're being too formal. A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor; helping each other is only right."

Seeing this, the Second Uncle, Liu Haizhong, also stood up with his wine glass and said with full official airs, "The current national situation is excellent. As the leading class, we workers must play a leading role, and in our courtyard, we must play a model role. In short... I wish for our lives to flourish day by day. On behalf of the whole courtyard, I toast the war hero!"

He Yuzhu almost laughed out loud hearing this nonsensical toast, but fortunately, Wang Xia stepped on his foot lightly under the table.

Wang Xia raised her glass calmly. "Seeing our courtyard so united, I am happy from the bottom of my heart. I am even more proud that the courtyard could produce two war heroes. I'll finish this cup!" After saying this, she drank it all in one gulp.

Xu Damao hurriedly chimed in, "Director Wang, if there's anything in the neighborhood in the future, just give the order. My, Xu Damao's, abilities are limited, but my heart for pursuing progress is sincere."

Wang Xia nodded with a smile. "Neighborhood work is complex and requires everyone's support. Taking this opportunity today, I'd like to announce something to the three uncles—starting this year, the neighborhood will be selecting a 'Model Courtyard', and those selected will receive rewards!"

Yi Zhonghai said, "Don't worry, Leader, we managing uncles will definitely manage the whole courtyard well and win a Model Courtyard by the end of the year."

"Good!" He Yuzhu clapped vigorously.

In the East Wing, Jia Zhangshi was stuffing dumplings into her mouth. Hearing the applause and cheers from the East Cross Courtyard, she cursed indistinctly, "The He Family is truly small-minded. Inviting neighbors to eat and still dividing them into different ranks—stingy ghosts!"

Jia Dongxu was terrified and quickly lowered his voice to persuade her, "Mom, keep your voice down! Now the whole courtyard treats Zhuzi as a hero. If these words of yours spread, the charge of slandering a hero won't be light!"

"What am I afraid of?" Jia Zhangshi threw her chopsticks down. "Let them come and arrest me! It would be perfect—they'd provide food and housing, saving me from having to look at you, a good-for-nothing, at home!"

Jia Dongxu's face turned red with frustration. "You curse the streets all day long... if this keeps up, I really will be a bachelor for life!"

"You have no ability yourself, yet you blame your mother?" Jia Zhangshi scolded.

"I'm not bad among my peers at the factory. If it weren't for you cursing this and that all day, would I have..."

"Stop making excuses!" Jia Zhangshi's eyes suddenly shifted. "If you ask me, that Zhao Yingzi who lives next to Xu Damao's house is not bad. Should I let Cui Xiu go and sound her out in a few days?"

"Absolutely not!" Jia Dongxu waved his hands in fear. "I wouldn't dare have that girl. The day before yesterday, I saw her kick a hooligan to the ground on the street. If I married her, wouldn't I be beaten every day?"

"What do you know!" Jia Zhangshi narrowed her triangular eyes. "A country girl with no relatives in the city—wouldn't she be ours to manipulate once she marries in? With your cowardly nature, you just need a fierce wife to hold down the fort!"

Jia Dongxu shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Anyway, I don't like her."

"Bah!" Jia Zhangshi spat on the ground. "She might not even like you!"

The banquet in the East Cross Courtyard dispersed, and everyone was full of food and drink.

Wang Xia stood up to take her leave, and He Yuzhu naturally had to see her off.

The two walked side by side in the alley, and He Yuzhu asked with concern, "Sis, are you really not planning to resolve your personal affairs?"

"I won't be getting married in this life," Wang Xia said in a calm but firm tone. "Living alone is peaceful."

"Then who will provide for your old age in the future?" He Yuzhu asked half-jokingly.

"Why must I rely on others for my old age? I'll keep my body in shape and take care of myself," Wang Xia laughed lightly. "At worst, when I'm about to die, I'll give you a call. Could you really ignore me?"

"Sis, you really see things clearly!"

He Yuzhu suddenly realized there had been a shadow behind him the whole time.

He walked Wang Xia to the entrance of her small courtyard, and after watching her go inside, he pretended to turn and leave, but flipped over the wall into the neighboring courtyard at a corner.

With a few leaps, he reached the roof next to Wang Xia's house.

Before long, a black shadow crept silently to Wang Xia's door, looked left and right, and then climbed over the wall to enter.