Chapter 402: Catching the Scoundrel

He Yuzhu looked at Tian Dan's dark circles and knew she had been under significant pressure lately, so the resentment in his heart dissipated. "Dan, I know it hasn't been easy for you, but those well-connected people really shouldn't be used... especially that kid; he has absolutely no compassion. He'll cause trouble for you sooner or later!"

Tian Dan returned He Yuzhu's credentials to him and said, "That day, when we searched the spies' residence, they only set up one hand grenade, and it wounded two people! If you had been there, that wouldn't have happened!"

He Yuzhu's tone softened, and he said, "Sister, I'll listen to you."

Tian Dan gave a bitter smile. "Actually, I haven't wanted to do this job for a long time either. But the higher-ups won't let me go."

"Dan, I think you can continue to put in effort regarding Lin Wanning. She is a very smart person, but she also has weaknesses. She cannot endure hardship, and she is unwilling to kill..."

Tian Dan smiled. "It seems the impressions you left on each other are quite different; she is cursing you every single day!"

"What is she cursing me for?"

"She says that when you speak, it's like passing gas." After Tian Dan finished saying this, she laughed.

He Yuzhu also laughed: "That woman is quite Tianzhen. At the time, I said I would take her away safely, and she actually believed I would let her go. As a female spy, isn't she too Tianzhen?"

"Her way of thinking is indeed very bizarre!" Tian Dan said.

"She is someone who likes to trade. As long as you give her tangible benefits, I think she will say anything," He Yuzhu said.

"That is indeed a breakthrough point! When you have time, you should go meet with her."

"Knock, knock!"

Two short, sharp knocks on the door interrupted the conversation between He Yuzhu and Tian Dan.

He Yuzhu got up to open the door, and Qin Huairu was standing outside.

"Do you need something?"

Qin Huairu glanced into the room, her gaze landing on Tian Dan with a hint of surprise, then she squeezed out a smile. "Zhuzi, dinner is served; we're just waiting for you two."

The two followed Qin Huairu downstairs.

The banquet was already laid out in the main hall, and it was noisy with human voices.

The tables with the children were especially lively; not one of them was sitting properly. Some were kneeling on their chairs, others were clinging to the edge of the table, their eyes fixed intently on the plates of food that had just been brought out.

As soon as a plate of food hit the table, a dozen pairs of chopsticks scrambled to poke at it, and in an instant, it was empty.

Qin Huairu led them toward the main table, looking back as she walked: "Cai Shu specifically saved the main table for you."

He Daqing saw them and hurriedly stood up, pointing to the seat of honor to greet Tian Dan: "Section Chief Tian, you are my younger brother's superior; you should sit here."

Tian Dan waved her hand: "Uncle He, I am friends with Zhuzi. You are an elder; I will just sit next to you."

He Daqing smiled and pulled He Yuzhu over: "This is my son; he is the Technical Department Minister at the Northern Automobile Factory." He turned to the others at the table and introduced them one by one: "This is Niu Ye... this is Qiangzi, a good friend of your second uncle... this is Cadre Fan..."

After the round of introductions, just as He Yuzhu was about to sit down, Cadre Fan suddenly spoke up: "In our Si Jiu Cheng, there is a custom: father and son do not share a table. He Family kid, you need to change tables. Or, let your father change tables."

The smile on He Yuzhu's face did not fade, and he nodded: "So there is such a rule. That's fine, I won't be a guest then; I'll go help serve the dishes." After saying this, he turned and left.

Cadre Fan had originally wanted to provoke him, but he didn't expect this person to not take the bait, which only made him look quite dull.

He Daqing handed out cigarettes to everyone at the table. Fan Jinyou lit one, took a few puffs, and said: "Cadre He, I've known Cai Quanwu for many years, but I've never heard that he had an older brother?"

He Daqing picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said: "My father passed away years ago, and he went to remarry with his mother. I didn't feel right constantly going to find him, fearing his stepfather would overthink it."

"Cai Quanwu's life wasn't easy before; didn't you think about lending a hand?" Cadre Fan continued to ask, looking like he had no good intentions.

"When the Japanese were here, who had it easy? At that time, I was worried about my next meal after finishing the current one, barely able to look after myself. Later, I joined the army, and that was when I finally found a way out. In the end, we have to thank the new society."

Niu Ye saw the situation and interjected: "On a day of Daxi, digging up those old accounts is boring. If you have wine and don't drink it, aren't you a fool?"

He Daqing took the opportunity to raise his glass: "Today is my younger brother's big day; I will toast everyone on his behalf."

Everyone at the table followed suit and picked up their glasses, except for Cadre Fan, whose hand remained on the table, unmoved.

After the round of drinks was finished, Cadre Fan said sourly: "Cai Quanwu is the one getting married, you drinking on his behalf, what kind of sense does that make? Why don't you go into the bridal chamber on his behalf too?"

He Daqing, who had spent his life in the world, naturally wouldn't take a silent loss. He slammed his glass onto the table and said: "Cadre Fan, I think you should go outside and rinse your mouth; your mouth is a bit stinky!"

Cadre Fan stiffened his neck: "Don't use your Section Chief's airs to suppress me? I am a neighborhood Cadre; you can't control me!"

Seeing this, Tian Dan stood up: "Uncle He, today is a good day; don't lower yourself to the level of a petty person."

"Petty person?" Cadre Fan immediately glared, "Which word did I say wrong? I was just speaking the truth."

Teacher Xu, who was to the side, also stood up and patted He Daqing on the shoulder: "Daqing, some people are just jealous. Why? A toad wants to eat swan meat, but didn't get to eat it."

Cadre Fan's face turned red instantly, and he pointed at Teacher Xu: "Xu Hesheng, it's as if you haven't pined after Xu Huizhen yourself!"

"I am a person who knows my own limitations; if someone isn't interested, I back off. Unlike some people, who still stir up trouble on someone's big day; their skin is thicker than a city wall," Teacher Xu said, mocking himself.

Just as they were talking, Cai Quanwu led Xu Huizhen over to toast.

Xu Huizhen scanned the table and asked: "Where is Zhuzi? Why isn't he at this table?"

He Daqing shook his head: "Cadre Fan said there is a rule here that father and son cannot share a table. Zhuzi had nowhere to sit, so he went to serve dishes."

Xu Huizhen shot a glare at Cadre Fan, her voice clear: "A rule not set by law doesn't count. Hurry up and call him over!" She turned her head and said to a waiter.

"He seems to have made a table of dishes himself; they are even better than the things here!" the young waiter replied in a low voice.

"Stinky brat!" Xu Huizhen laughed and scolded.

Cai Quanwu filled his glass with wine and said: "Huizhen and I would like to toast everyone."

"Happy wedding!" Niu Ye said.

Cadre Fan stood up and said with some ill intent: "Cai Quanwu, you poor wretch, how did you trick Xu Huizhen into your hands? Why don't you introduce your experience to us!"

Cai Quanwu held Xu Huizhen's hand and smiled: "If you insist on calling the way I treat Huizhen 'tricking,' that's fine. Then I will trick her for a lifetime."

"Well said!" Niu Ye took the lead in cheering.

"Cai Quanwu, not bad! You're getting better at talking! However, with your conditions, being able to marry Xu Huizhen is simply dog-shit luck. One glass isn't enough; you have to toast three!" Fan Jinyou chimed in from the side.

Xu Huizhen took over the conversation: "Cadre Fan, what you said isn't right. Old Cai has a house, and his job isn't worse than yours! Plus, Old Cai's brother and sister-in-law are both very good. I actually feel that I am the one who married above my station!"

Everyone applauded one after another.

Cadre Fan still wanted to pester them, but He Daqing reached out to stop him: "Quanwu, there are over twenty tables waiting over there; hurry over."

Just then, He Yushui ran over and pulled on He Daqing, saying: "Dad, I'm not full. Those little kids, as soon as a plate of food comes up, they snatch it; I didn't even get to eat any food!"

"Your brother is in the back kitchen; go find him for something to eat!" He Daqing said.

"Alright!" He Yushui shook her little braids and ran off.

Fan Jinyou, who had been cold and sarcastic the whole time, suddenly felt isolated by everyone at the table; no one would pay him any mind, so he could only drink his sorrows away alone. Before long, he had drunk too much, stood up, and began to sway as he walked outside.

Seeing Xu Huizhen hurrying upstairs, he relied on the liquid courage of the alcohol to follow her up, wanting to ask why she hadn't chosen him, but instead chose Cai Quanwu, that "porter"!

In fact, Xu Huizhen had gone upstairs to change her clothes.

Two minutes earlier, when she and Cai Quanwu were toasting some regular customers, they had bumped into a young waiter serving dishes, and a plate of stir-fried cabbage in vinegar had spilled all over her clothes.

In the Manager's office, Xu Huizhen had just taken off her oil-stained outer garment and was wearing only a bodice when Fan Jinyou pushed the door open and entered.

Seeing Xu Huizhen's fair, exposed skin, Fan Jinyou, who had drunk a bit too much, found himself unable to move his feet.

"Ah!" Xu Huizhen shrieked, hurriedly grabbing her clothes to cover her front.

With the alcohol going to his head, Fan Jinyou actually forgot to back out for a moment and walked toward Xu Huizhen.

Xu Huizhen immediately shouted at the top of her lungs: "Catch the pervert!"