Chapter 469: Heading South

Very soon, He Daqing pushed the door open and returned; he took off his cotton-padded jacket and hung it on the coat rack.

Zhao Yingzi immediately went up to him and said with a smile, "Uncle He, this time I want to follow Jia Dongxu to Guangdong. Once we get there, could you help me arrange a job?"

He Daqing glanced at her and asked, "Your child isn't even two years old yet; who will help you look after him?"

Zhao Yingzi was slightly taken aback, then said, "Zhuzi said that the factory will establish a Children's Center in the future. I don't want to just look after the child and not work; I wouldn't feel secure that way."

He Daqing pondered for a moment and slowly nodded: "I can't give you a definite answer right now. The factory site is still a stretch of wasteland; there is nothing there. Things aren't accomplished in a day or two. However, as long as you are willing to work, I will arrange it for you when there is an opportunity!"

Zhao Yingzi nodded.

Shen Guizhi spoke up: "His father! Yingzi didn't originally want to go along, but her mother-in-law heard that Jia Dongxu was leaving and wanted to come over to watch Yingzi. Yingzi doesn't want to be with her, which is why she wants to go along! If you can help, then help her!"

"I know! If she goes, you'll have one more companion. Rest assured, I'll keep it in mind!" He Daqing promised.

He Yuzhu interjected: "Yingzi, don't worry, in half a year, the factory over there will be mostly built!"

He Daqing asked: "Yingzi, are you decent at cooking? We didn't bring a chef this time; you can start by working in the kitchen."

Zhao Yingzi shook her head repeatedly, "I, I don't really know how to cook. I only know how to make a hodgepodge stew!"

"You don't necessarily have to go into the kitchen; once we get there, there will be plenty of things for you to do," He Yuzhu said.

Zhao Yingzi nodded and said in a low voice, "I'm going back to cook." After saying this, she picked up Bang Geng, who was crawling on the kang, and turned to leave the room.

He Yuzhu turned and asked, "Dad, you are taking the train this time; did you manage to get sleeper tickets?"

"We got them," He Daqing replied, "Lao Yang asked Secretary Liu to help coordinate, and we managed to get over a dozen. At the very least, your mother will be able to get one."

"That's good, otherwise the little sister would have to suffer!"

"You must be careful leading the team this time. I heard that the bandit suppression in Hunan hasn't completely ended yet," He Daqing cautioned.

He Yuzhu smiled dismissively: "I wasn't even afraid on the Korean War battlefield; could I be scared off by a few gangs of bandits?"

Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, the courtyard gate was knocked upon.

Wang Xia stood at the doorway carrying a heavy bundle and said, "What are you standing there like a tree stump for? Why don't you help me take it!"

He Yuzhu hurriedly brought the package inside and opened it to see that it was full of chili sauce, braised pig trotters, braised chicken feet, and other food items made by the Street Office.

"Did you bring these things to apologize?" He Yuzhu asked half-jokingly.

Wang Xia rolled her eyes at him: "Don't flatter yourself. I only prepared some food for you because I knew your family was leaving soon. You haven't reached the age, and I won't issue you a certificate; I don't regret that."

"Your mouth is still quite tough!" He Yuzhu curled his lip.

Wang Xia looked up at him: "Aren't you going to let me come in and sit for a while?"

"Am I such a stingy person?" He Yuzhu stepped aside to make way, "Come in and have something to eat with me; Ershuan helped me buy these."

Wang Xia saw the steamed buns and tofu pudding on the table and shook her head: "I'm not used to eating tofu pudding; it feels like it doesn't digest once it's in my stomach."

"You really have the airs of a young lady. In a few years, you'll have your share of suffering!" He Yuzhu turned to make her a cup of malted milk, steam rising from it, "Yushui loves drinking this the most."

Wang Xia took it and sipped a few times, then suddenly asked: "I heard your family is planning to leave He Yushui behind?"

"The language is different over there, and I'm afraid it will delay her studies," He Yuzhu explained, "Besides, she still has to sing at the Children's Palace here."

"But for a ten-year-old child, living by herself is too difficult," Wang Xia frowned slightly.

"You just don't want to acknowledge Chen Xueru's good points. You aren't being fair; I remember Chen Xueru even helped you procure supplies back then!"

"Don't try to sow discord. I have no opinion of her; it's just that she isn't suitable for you!" Wang Xia said.

"Let's not talk about this today, okay? After our whole family leaves, please come and check on He Yushui when you have time!"

Wang Xia nodded: "You can rest assured about that."

In the Qianmen Small Courtyard, the kang was steaming hot.

Xu Damao, Wang Baosheng, and Zheng De were sitting around eating hot pot.

Wang Baosheng raised a glass of wine and said, "Damao, you are our God of Wealth!"

Xu Damao's eyes crinkled into slits: "It seems you two have succeeded."

Zheng De carried a tattered cloth bag onto the kang and "clattered" as he poured everything inside out.

The kang was instantly filled with a golden glow.

Spread out before them was a pile of Big Yellow Fish, Small Yellow Fish, jade ornaments, and some exquisite jewelry.

Zheng De rubbed his hands, his eyes shining: "This old guy's family fortune is truly deep. Fifty Small Yellow Fish, twelve Big Yellow Fish, and so many jewelry and jade pieces. Damao, you divide them!"

Xu Damao lowered his head and glanced at them, saying in a leisurely tone: "Split the Small Yellow Fish in half. You two take eight of the Big Yellow Fish, and I'll keep four for Lao Tong. Give him all the jade; that's what he likes. Is that okay?"

Wang Baosheng had no interest in jade anyway and nodded immediately.

Zheng De grinned from ear to ear: "Damao, you really have the ability. Yan Jiefang actually ran back on his own and even asked me to bring him along next time there's a good job!"

"Yan Laoxi is truly realistic!" Xu Damao shook his head.

After Wang Baosheng and Zheng De had eaten and drunk their fill and left, Xiaomei came out from the inner room, smiling meaningfully: "Damao, you are truly ruthless. Lao Tong clearly only wanted ten percent, yet you stubbornly took fifty percent."

Xu Damao pulled her into his arms and kissed her face hard: "Tell me, what is the most valuable thing in this world?"

"Gold, of course," Xiaomei said casually.

"Wrong," Xu Damao laughed triumphantly, "It's information. I only told these two thieves a piece of information, and I could trade it for so many Big and Small Yellow Fish."

Xiaomei seemed to realize something and said, "Damao, when drinking water, don't forget those who dug the well; don't try to swallow it all yourself. If it weren't for my friend introducing you to Lao Tong, you wouldn't have gotten this information."

Xu Damao counted out ten Small Yellow Fish and handed them over: "These five are for your friend, and keep the other five for yourself."

"You're so good," Xiaomei's eyes lit up, and she stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the lips.

On the last night, Chen Xueru seemed to have something on her mind; she clung to He Yuzhu and wouldn't let go, as if she wanted to drain him dry.

When dawn was about to break, He Yuzhu dragged his exhausted body up quietly, not disturbing the sleeping Chen Xueru.

The alley was silent, and the ground still held the chill of the night, covered in a layer of white frost.

At the entrance of the Red Star Rolling Mill, fifteen large trucks were lined up, their cabs looming in the morning mist.

Seeing He Yuzhu walk over, Deputy Captain Liu Erhei trotted over, his voice filled with excitement: "Captain, everything is ready; we can depart at any time!"

He Yuzhu nodded, walked straight to the first truck, and pulled open the door to find Kajia already sitting in the driver's seat.

"You can drive if you want," He Yuzhu said, patting the car door. "Just say the word if you get tired, and I'll take over."

Kajia grinned: "Alright."

He Yuzhu sat in the passenger seat, leaned his head out, and waved at the convoy behind them.

"Move out!"