Chapter 504: Hard-line Against Li Huaide

"Speak if you have something to say, don't dawdle!" Tian Dan tapped the tabletop.

He Yuzhu glanced at the two of them and said, "I have a bold hypothesis. Duan Yunpeng has very likely already made contact with An Daiyuan and utilized An Daiyuan's past underground organization connections."

Tian Dan nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"On the way back, our convoy was poisoned by An Daiyuan twice. I thought he would find an opportunity to do it a third time, but he didn't. So where did they go? Two possibilities. First, they followed me all the way to Guangzhou, started investigating me, and followed the vine to find Secretary Liu. Second, they didn't continue following the trucks but instead doubled back to Reshui Town, inquired about my name from the locals, reported it to the Taiwan Secret Service Bureau, and then the Secret Service Bureau used high-level sleeper agents to dig out Secretary Liu and me, thereby dispatching Duan Yunpeng to carry out assassination activities."

Tian Dan crossed her arms and nodded thoughtfully.

"Therefore, the investigation can be conducted in two directions," He Yuzhu said. "One is to start from the City Government and screen the people around Secretary Liu; the other is to go to Reshui Town. That town is very small, and I have people I know there who can help you verify if any strangers have been asking about me in town recently."

Tian Dan nodded: "In my opinion, it is more likely that An Daiyuan returned to Reshui Town. Judging by his style of using poison, he isn't very bold and isn't the type who can engage in bloody combat. Relying on his own abilities, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to find out who Bureau Chief Liu is."

Li Xiangxiu immediately chimed in: "Then I will go to Reshui Town to investigate; it is more convenient for Bureau Chief Tian to handle matters at the City Government!"

Tian Dan, however, shook her head and said: "The situation there is complicated. Didn't Zhuzi say that the remnants of Xie Zhuqing's forces haven't been cleared out yet? My Kung Fu is better than yours, so I am more suitable. At the same time, you are also more skilled at conducting investigations within government offices."

He Yuzhu added: "Last time, the secret agents had information on Secretary Liu's travel plans that was too accurate. I suspect that the mole in the City Government is right beside Secretary Liu, perhaps even a staff member on the same floor. And—" he lowered his voice, "there is very likely a contact point of theirs near the City Government."

After the three finished discussing the division of labor, they each prepared to take action.

Tian Dan pulled back He Yuzhu, who was about to leave, and suddenly changed to a lighthearted tone: "By the way, Zhuzi, I heard your father makes Big Yellow Fish very well, take me to eat some!"

He Yuzhu was stunned, then smiled: "You have this hobby too?"

Tian Dan also smiled, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothing out: "Have you forgotten where I'm from?"

"Fine, I will definitely have my father make it for you," He Yuzhu promised.

Just as he returned to the factory area, the noisy sounds of people and machinery rushed toward him.

A worker saw He Yuzhu and immediately said urgently: "Engineer He! Man Yatou brought you mountain goods, but she was given a hard time by Li Huaide. You better go over and take a look!"

He Yuzhu's heart tightened; he quickened his pace toward the logistics department, with Tian Dan following closely behind him.

At the entrance of the logistics department, an old truck with peeling paint was parked there, with high piles of goods stacked in the cargo bed, covered by a rain tarp.

Standing by the truck was a thin, small figure—it was indeed Man Yatou.

She was wearing a faded floral cloth shirt, her two braids were somewhat messy, and standing beside her was the driver from Reshui Town, Sun Shifu.

"Man Yatou!" He Yuzhu blurted out.

As soon as Man Yatou saw him, her eyes immediately turned red. She ran a few steps, threw herself at him, hugged He Yuzhu's waist tightly, buried her face in his clothes, and began to sob, her shoulders trembling.

He Yuzhu patted her small shoulder and said: "Were you wronged?"

Man Yatou looked up and finally revealed a smile.

Only then did He Yuzhu notice a distinct bruise on her forehead, which looked particularly jarring against her fair skin.

"Man Yatou, tell Brother, did someone in the town bully you?"

Man Yatou only shook her head, sobbing and unable to speak.

The truck driver, Sun Shifu, walked over, rubbing his hands, a fawning smile on his face: "Brother He, I'm Xiaosun from the town; we've eaten together before."

He Yuzhu smiled and asked: "Sun Shifu, did someone give you a hard time?"

Man Yatou raised her teary eyes and shook her head: "I saw Section Chief Li, and he said... you can't handle this matter, and that I have to wait for Director He to return... He also said that he likely couldn't take our goods, so I thought the factory didn't want them anymore... and I just thought if it really didn't work out, I'd just drive them back!" As she spoke, tears welled up again.

"Didn't you tell Director Li that I was the one who asked you to come?"

"I did," Man Yatou choked out, "but he said you aren't in the logistics department and that your word doesn't carry weight!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's temper flared up.

Since Li Huaide came to this place, without the support of his upper-level connections, he had achieved nothing, yet his jealousy was growing day by day. Now, he didn't even give him any face. It seemed that having a Chief Engineer title here wasn't enough; he needed to be at least a Deputy Factory Director.

Thinking of this, He Yuzhu calmed down instead.

He looked at the Deputy Director of the canteen, Lao Fang, and said: "Deputy Director Fang, since you don't want these things, I'll send them to the City Government!"

Seeing He Yuzhu's attitude, Lao Fang knew he was angry and hurriedly leaned in to explain in a low voice: "Engineer He, it was Section Chief Li who wouldn't let us unload the cargo; there was nothing we could do..."

He Yuzhu said loudly: "Man Yatou mentioned my name, and it didn't work here. On such a hot day, you didn't even offer her a cup of tea. You are not giving me face, so from now on, you can go get your own rice, Big Yellow Fish, and Small Yellow Fish!"

Cold sweat broke out on Lao Fang's forehead: "I'm sorry, Engineer He..."

"No need to be sorry," He Yuzhu interrupted him, his tone cold and hard. "From now on, even if my father asks me, I won't help you get anything anymore."

Tian Dan pulled his arm from the side: "Zhuzi, can't you talk things over properly?"

He Yuzhu leaned toward Tian Dan and lowered his voice: "Sister, you don't know, this little girl saved our convoy twice."

At this moment, Li Huaide strolled over with a smile, holding an enamel mug, looking leisurely: "Zhuzi, I really didn't know where this truck of goods came from just now, so I didn't dare to make the decision on my own. Don't take it to heart!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Since your logistics department feels that my word doesn't carry weight, from now on, we go our separate ways!"

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide's expression changed instantly. Just as he wanted to say something more, He Yuzhu had already turned around, holding Man Yatou's hand with one hand and signaling Sun Shifu with the other: "Let's go, we're taking the goods to the City Government."

He Yuzhu knew that Li Huaide had been feeling stifled for a long time, and today, seeing a delivery of unknown origin, he thought he could throw his weight around.

When Secretary Liu saw the truckload of goods He Yuzhu brought, he smiled and said: "Zhuzi, you kid finally remembered that I'm 'living under someone else's roof' over here and finally brought us some benefits."

After the goods were weighed, the finance department settled the payment.

Man Yatou clutched the thick stack of bills, looked up at He Yuzhu, and said: "Brother Zhuzi, thank you!"

He Yuzhu ruffled her hair: "Next time you come, look for me directly; no need to look for anyone else."

Man Yatou nodded vigorously and finally revealed a smile.