Chapter 674: Xu Damao Seeks a Backer

He Yuzhu carried Chen Xueru on his back, leading He Jia and He Zheng as they walked out of the courtyard.

He Zheng was also carrying several bundles in his hands; the whole family looked like refugees.

Just as they reached the moon gate, they ran into Yang Ruihua, who was carrying a basin of leftovers and walking home happily.

"Zhuzi, are you moving?"

He Yuzhu said irritably, "This courtyard is impossible to stay in."

Yang Ruihua handed the vegetable basin to Yan Bugui and asked, "What exactly is going on?"

He Yuzhu said, "In front of my children, Jia Zhangshi said that Xueru wouldn't live much longer, and also said I was going to take a new wife... and that a stepmother would bully the children... Isn't she deliberately stirring up trouble? She made He Jia cry uncontrollably. You tell me, how can we stay in this courtyard?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Ruihua started cursing: "That Jia Zhangshi, she's been running her mouth everywhere lately, spreading our courtyard's business until the whole Nanluoguxiang knows about it. She's even quite proud of it, saying that people on the whole street love hearing about our courtyard's affairs!"

"Why don't the few managing elders do something about her?" He Yuzhu said helplessly.

"How can they manage her? She doesn't talk about it in the courtyard anymore; she goes out to the street to talk, and after she's done, it gets passed back to our courtyard from the street," Yan Bugui explained, not putting down the basin of leftovers.

He Yuzhu laughed, "So, I can't afford to provoke her, but I can afford to avoid her!"

Not long after He Yuzhu left, Xu Damao returned.

He walked all the way into the courtyard, but no one in the courtyard paid him any mind. It was mainly because the matter of Xie Xiaolan had been spread by Jia Zhangshi until everyone knew about it. Everyone felt he was a piece of trash.

When Xu Damao reached the Houyuan, he saw Liu Guangfu squatting alone at the base of the wall smoking, looking preoccupied.

His eyes rolled, and he pulled a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket and shoved it into Liu Guangfu's hand: "Brother, take these and smoke."

Liu Guangfu took the cigarettes and eyed him sideways: "Xu Damao, when did you become so generous?"

Xu Damao chuckled and leaned in closer to him: "Guangfu, are you feeling depressed here because you still haven't caught up to Yu Haitang?"

Liu Guangfu replied indifferently: "I've tried my best, but it's still no use. Now she won't even pay attention to me."

Xu Damao curled his lips: "Guangfu, how about you come work for me?"

"You want me to follow you to clean toilets?"

"Hey! Why are you acting just like Yan Jiecheng, talking so sharply? I used to think you were quite good at handling things."

Liu Guangfu grew impatient: "I'm annoyed. If you have something to say, say it quickly; if not, I'm leaving."

Xu Damao hurriedly grabbed him, smiling apologetically: "Guangfu, what do you think is the most important thing in this world?"

"Nonsense, of course it's having power and money!" Liu Guangfu said without thinking.

"I have money, can you help me introduce someone?" Xu Damao said.

"Introduce who?" Liu Guangfu immediately became alert, staring at him sideways, "What are you trying to do?"

Xu Damao waved his hands quickly: "Don't worry, I'm not trying to steal your business. I just want to pass a message through him!"

Only then did Liu Guangfu roll his eyes and hold out his hand: "Ten yuan."

Xu Damao frowned, pulled a ten-yuan note from his pocket, and slapped it into his palm.

"Help me introduce that guy who wears glasses!"

Liu Guangfu grinned and said: "Liu Yahui likes to eat mutton. If you invite him to dinner, he'll definitely go!"

Xu Damao asked tentatively: "Besides eating, what else does he like?"

Liu Guangfu thought for a moment and said: "He likes calligraphy; his brush calligraphy is quite good, and he also likes some old paintings and calligraphy—though he doesn't talk about this much to outsiders. I've seen him collect two pieces."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao's eyes lit up: "Alright, go help me set a time, and I'll treat you all to dinner at Hongbin Building."

Three days later, at Hongbin Building.

Xu Damao brought three pieces of calligraphy and painting: a bamboo painting by Zheng Banqiao, a fan face by Ren Bonian, and a horse painting by Xu Beihong, all packed in an old cloth bag.

Liu Yahui glanced at him a few times and asked: "You're from the same courtyard as Guangfu? That means you live in the same courtyard as He Yuzhu?"

Xu Damao nodded vigorously, keeping his posture very low: "That's right, that's right, I grew up with He Yuzhu."

After saying this, he hurriedly handed over the cloth bag, smiling obsequiously: "Comrade Liu, I had some old items at home, and I picked out these three this time. I don't know if you like them."

Liu Yahui waved his hand, not taking them, and instead asked unhurriedly: "You suddenly came to find me, what's the matter?"

Xu Damao sighed, looking sincere: "Years ago, I knew Comrade Zhou Hao, but later there was a misunderstanding, so we stopped keeping in touch. These days I've been thinking about it, and it must have been my fault. I heard that you can get in touch with Comrade Zhou Hao; could you help me pass a message, just saying that I regret it? That's all."

Liu Yahui pondered for a long time, staring at him: "You have to tell me the truth. What are you trying to do? Otherwise, I won't help you pass this message!"

Xu Damao said bitterly: "To tell you the truth, He Yuzhu recently introduced the person I had already been courting to someone else. Liu Guangfu can testify to this. I really can't swallow this anger, so I want to get in touch with Comrade Zhou Hao and have him help me vent my frustration."

When Liu Yahui heard this, his eyes lit up—their goals were essentially the same. He nodded immediately: "Fine, I can help you. But I can't guarantee whether Comrade Zhou Hao will see you."

Three days later, Xu Damao finally got his wish and met Zhou Hao.

The two met at Hongbin Building. Zhou Hao didn't bring anyone and came alone; Xu Damao was also by himself.

Once the private room door was closed, Zhou Hao had no expression on his face, just looking at Xu Damao like that.

Xu Damao knelt on the ground with a thud, tears streaming down his face: "Comrade Zhou, I was confused for a moment and held some resentment toward you. Now, I'm divorced, and I've made a clean break with Duan Xiaojie. I asked someone to bring you a message this time because I want to continue following you..."

Zhou Hao didn't reply, nor did he reach out to help him up, only asking coldly: "You're still not being honest. I think there's more to it than just that, isn't there?"

Xu Damao cried with snot and tears: "Comrade Zhou, your eyes are like torches! Actually, I hate He Yuzhu. I was about to start a family, and he forcibly introduced the person to someone else. I hate him, and I want to take him down!"

Zhou Hao said: "So you want to use my hand to deal with He Yuzhu?"

Xu Damao nodded fiercely.

Zhou Hao suddenly burst into loud laughter, and after he finished, he said: "You, you're quite the villain, but you're also quite direct. I don't dislike people like you. Get up."

Only then did Xu Damao crawl up and hurriedly pledge his loyalty: "From now on, wherever Comrade Zhou points, I will strike!"

Zhou Hao patted his shoulder and said unhurriedly: "I'll only say one thing—once you've followed me this time, don't betray me again."

Xu Damao nodded vigorously: "Absolutely not!"

Zhou Hao said: "Next week, a Deputy Director from the Revolutionary Committee will come to your factory, surnamed Nie. How your affairs are arranged will be decided by him. Whether he wants to use you or not depends on your own performance."

Xu Damao said hurriedly: "I will definitely perform well! I will definitely perform well!"