Chapter 314: Deep Feelings in Wind and Rain

"Really? Then I cannot take this money! Catching spies is the duty of us common folk!" Cai Quanwu hurriedly pushed the money away.

"Second Uncle, this money isn't for you. You need to find more people, and asking around costs money!" He Yuzhu insisted.

Cai Quanwu hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright! Then I'll head to the Small Tavern later and treat Niu Ye to a meal; he has wide connections." As he spoke, he tucked the money into his bosom.

At this moment, He Yushui ran over and tugged at the corner of Cai Quanwu's clothes, whispering: "Second Uncle, I haven't seen you in a long time. Why don't you come to our house?"

Cai Quanwu affectionately patted her head: "Second Uncle is very busy during the day!"

"My father is coming back for the New Year, you must come over and sit for a while. You two brothers haven't seen each other for many years either," He Yuzhu continued.

"Done! I'll be there on the first day of the New Year!" Cai Quanwu readily agreed.

On the other side, the four young girls each picked out two outfits, and Chen Xueru insisted on not taking money, saying it would count as offsetting the design fee.

The group then bustlingly walked toward He Ji Restaurant in Qianmen.

As soon as He Yuzhu entered the door, he saw Qin Huairu greeting him with a face full of smiles: "The great hero He Yuzhu is here!"

He Yuzhu glared at her and said in a low voice: "Regarding the matter of Jia Dongxu that I told you about, why did you tell Zhao Yingzi?"

Qin Huairu's face turned red, and she stammered: "We... we were just having a private chat, how was I to know she really wanted to marry Jia Dongxu..."

He Yuzhu shook his head: "From now on, watch your mouth."

"I was wrong! I'm sorry!" Qin Huairu apologized repeatedly.

"Don't tell anyone else about this matter from now on," He Yuzhu said.

"Okay."

"Why are you no longer over at Shichahai?" He Yuzhu changed the subject and asked.

"We store managers are now on a rotation system, transferring once every six months. Isn't this all an idea you gave my uncle-in-law!"

"Which store did my Siqiang go to? I haven't seen him since I got back," He Yuzhu asked again.

"My aunt gave birth to a daughter, and my uncle-in-law has been at home taking care of the child!" Qin Huairu replied.

"Then I really must go and see, otherwise I'm not being a very responsible apprentice," He Yuzhu said.

After dinner, He Yuzhu brought the four young girls home.

As soon as he entered the door, he froze.

"Secretary Liu, you've returned from the battlefield?" He Yuzhu hurried forward and shook his hand tightly.

Secretary Liu smiled and said: "I've been back for three days. I just found some time today, so I came over to see you."

"You don't have to be so polite!" He Yuzhu said hurriedly.

"How can I not? You are my lifesaver," Secretary Liu said sincerely.

"Please don't think that way. Come, let's go to my place and chat."

Shen Guizhi interjected from the side: "Comrade Liu hasn't eaten yet. I offered to make him something, but he wouldn't let me lift a finger."

"Mom, I understand!" After saying this, He Yuzhu took Secretary Liu to the East Cross Courtyard.

Secretary Liu looked at the tidy little courtyard and said: "Your life here is quite good!"

"To tell you the truth, I've been helping people design some things, so I can earn a little pocket money!" He Yuzhu said.

"It seems you didn't go to school much?" Secretary Liu asked.

"The textbooks arranged by the little Japanese made me want to vomit just looking at them, so I often went to the Qianmen area to chat with some capable people... I met a learned person who taught me quite a lot. Later, I studied by reading books myself. Come, let me show you my study."

Secretary Liu looked at the room full of foreign books and widened his eyes—they were all technical books, covering automobile manufacturing, the electronics industry, and weapons manufacturing.

Most of these books were "picked up" by He Yuzhu from the villas of rich people when he first went to the United States, and some were bought with the help of Zhao Ying.

He Yuzhu had long known that sooner or later someone would investigate him, so he had to explain the source of his knowledge clearly.

"I'll make you a few dishes and let you taste my craft."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I must say, I am actually a bit hungry." Secretary Liu picked up a book on "Economics" and said: "Lend me this one to read!"

"It's yours. I don't understand economics; this book was a gift from the shopkeeper when I bought too many books," He Yuzhu said.

Secretary Liu laughed, feeling that He Yuzhu was truly a sensible person.

He Yuzhu was quick and nimble; in no time, he had prepared Braised Pork, Diced Chicken with Chili, Fish Head with Tofu, and Pickled Cabbage with Pork.

Because the ingredients were all ready, it didn't take much time for the dishes to be served on the table.

Secretary Liu tasted them one by one and couldn't stop praising: "Your family's ancestral craft is truly high-level, but the best part is this chili sauce of yours—it's superb!"

He Yuzhu nodded: "I have a good relationship with the Street Office Director here. She said there are many people in the neighborhood without jobs, so I helped them set up a workshop specifically to make this chili sauce. When you leave, I'll give you some."

"Good, I must take some with me," Secretary Liu said happily.

The two drank and chatted, talking about everything from the development of Anti-aircraft Guns to the progress of Radar and Computers.

Secretary Liu was more interested in economics. Although He Yuzhu was not an expert, he had the advantage of having lived in an era of knowledge explosion in his past life, where short videos contained all sorts of content, so he could speak eloquently and always keep up with the conversation.

He Yuzhu was more focused on the development of science and technology. Under Secretary Liu's questioning, he used scientific analytical methods to describe a possible future technological landscape, which greatly shocked Secretary Liu.

Four hours passed without him realizing it. When they parted, Secretary Liu said: "Chatting with you is truly a pleasure. I might not go back to the battlefield. I will be doing other things in the army from now on and will often go to the Military Factory."

"That's great. If our anti-aircraft gun automation system is developed, the American devils' planes won't dare to show off their power anymore," He Yuzhu said.

Secretary Liu nodded happily.

By the time He Yuzhu saw him off, it was already ten-thirty.

Yan Bugui leaned in and asked: "Who is that person?"

He Yuzhu tossed him a pack of cigarettes: "A Battalion Commander."

Yan Bugui took the cigarettes and said: "That man is quite polite; he was especially courteous when he saw me."

"Is that so? He has a good upbringing!" He Yuzhu replied dismissively.

The next day at noon, He Yuzhu went to Liu Rusi's house.

Before he could even enter the door, he was pulled outside the courtyard by Pingping.

She frowned and whispered: "About that matter, the young lady is unhappy. Why don't I return the bracelet to you?"

"No need. What kind of person do you take me for? This is a major matter; you cannot influence it. Let's go, I want to see my sister," He Yuzhu said in a calm tone.

Pingping had no choice but to lead him into the living room.

Liu Rusi was sitting there reading a novel—*Baofeng Zouyu*.

He Yuzhu poured himself a cup of tea and slowly took a few sips.

Liu Rusi never once looked up at him.

He Yuzhu didn't speak either, just sat quietly on the sofa, holding the cup of tea in his hands, rubbing the side of the cup, but he didn't take another sip.

Liu Rusi held the book, but her gaze wandered aimlessly between the lines; eventually, feeling agitated, she tossed the book to the side and asked, "Why do you want to marry me?"

"I like you."

"Since when did you get that idea?" Liu Rusi stared fixedly at He Yuzhu.

"From the very first moment I saw you, I started liking you!"

"Do you know what kind of psychology this is?" Liu Rusi raised an eyebrow at him.

"What is it?" He Yuzhu widened his eyes.

"You have an Oedipus complex!"

"That's not it, I've been an adult psychologically for a long time!" He Yuzhu said, stiffening his neck.

"You little brat, you've really grown some nerve! You're still wet behind the ears and you're already having filthy thoughts! I'll beat you to death!" Liu Rusi grabbed the book and hit him on the head with it. Once, twice—He Yuzhu didn't dodge or evade, letting her vent.

Not until her arm grew sore did Liu Rusi stop, looking at him while panting slightly.

After a long while, her voice lowered, "Actually, I quite like you too, but I've always seen you as a younger brother... it's not romantic love. You, you should give up on this idea."

He Yuzhu remained sitting quietly, but his eyes suddenly dimmed, and his whole person seemed drained of strength, like an abandoned child.

Yet the next second, he took a deep breath, suddenly stood up, walked in front of Liu Rusi, and solemnly extended his hand: "Miss Liu, I am He Yuzhu—from today on, I am a reborn He Yuzhu. Let us get to know each other all over again."

Liu Rusi was slightly startled, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes, which then turned into a faint appreciation. She extended her hand and gave his a light shake: "Very well."

He Yuzhu said, "Miss Liu, after reading this book, do you have any realizations?"

Liu Rusi said indifferently, "A violent storm is coming, isn't it? Aimed at people like me."

He Yuzhu nodded.

"I understand. Is this why you want to marry me?" Liu Rusi asked.