Chapter 677: Inviting Disaster Upon Oneself

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat; he knew Zhou Hao had started taking action again. He must have discovered the Expert was missing and guessed the general situation.

He remained silent for a long while, then said, "Uncle Wang, do you know what Xu Damao is investigating this time?"

Wang Qiang nodded: "That kid has his eyes on Qin Jingru. He is convinced that you arranged Qin Jingru's job. He intends to investigate you through this line."

He Yuzhu's heart sank.

This matter was originally insignificant; it was Man Yatou who helped out by arranging for Qin Jingru to work as an attendant in the Computer Laboratory.

It was originally a small matter, and he had once arranged things for Man Yatou in the same way. But if someone were to target him and blow it out of proportion, even the smallest matter could turn into a blade.

"Uncle Wang, thanks. I need to take a trip to the Computer Laboratory."

He Yuzhu turned and left, heading straight for where Man Yatou was.

Seeing that his expression was off, Man Yatou asked curiously: "Siqiang, your state isn't very good today? Are you too tired from the journey?"

He Yuzhu sighed and said: "I'm not physically tired, just mentally exhausted. Now someone is investigating Qin Jingru's employment issue, so we need to make some proper arrangements. What kind of work is she doing now?"

"Secretary-type work, the kind where she serves tea and pours water. Don't I even have the right to hire someone?" Man Yatou said with dissatisfaction.

"I don't fear bad things, I only fear bad people. By the way, how far has your computer research progressed? Are there any difficulties?" He Yuzhu asked.

Man Yatou immediately perked up and said proudly: "The prototype is almost ready, but the input method still uses Pinyin input, which is a bit troublesome; it's very difficult to find characters."

A flash of inspiration struck He Yuzhu's mind, and he said: "I will spend fifteen days leading Qin Jingru to develop a set of Chinese character input codes to solve your problem. At the same time, you promote Qin Jingru to a Researcher in the laboratory."

Man Yatou was startled and said: "That will cause trouble!"

"I want those who are looking for trouble with me to focus on this matter," He Yuzhu said firmly.

"I'll do it right away!" Man Yatou was still very obedient.

"I haven't been to the Rolling Mill these past few days; you tell people outside that I am at a secret location helping the Computer Laboratory research a text input method."

Man Yatou nodded and said: "To tell you the truth, the current laboratory doesn't even have a Chinese character Typewriter, so processing documents is very troublesome. If you could research such a machine, that would be great!"

"Then Siqiang will build one for you," He Yuzhu paused, "However, Qin Jingru needs to be with me for half a month. If anyone asks, just say I took her home to conduct research."

Man Yatou nodded without a second word.

He Yuzhu brought Qin Jingru back to the East Cross Courtyard.

Qin Jingru was completely confused and asked timidly: "Factory Director He, Liu Siman said you wanted to take me to do research... but I don't know how to do anything!"

He Yuzhu didn't beat around the bush with her: "What is your education level? How is your literacy?"

"Junior high school graduate. My grades were actually quite good, it's just that my family wouldn't let me continue," Qin Jingru said, a flash of unwillingness crossing her eyes.

He Yuzhu nodded, stared into her eyes, and said word by word: "Starting from today, you put 120 percent of your energy into this. I will teach you a set of codes. From now on, if anyone asks you, you must say that you have had this set of codes memorized in your head since you were a child."

Qin Jingru was stunned: "But... I don't have them."

"From now on, you do," He Yuzhu's tone was unquestionable, "Remember, you cannot tell anyone that I taught you. Otherwise, you won't even be able to keep this current job."

Qin Jingru shivered and nodded vigorously: "Factory Director He, don't worry, I won't say a word even if it kills me!"

He Yuzhu immediately began teaching her the Wubi Code from later generations.

Seven days later, many rumors spread throughout the courtyard.

The general gist was that He Yuzhu's wife was in poor health, and he had already set his sights on Wang Shucheng.

Half of these words were intentionally released by He Yuzhu, and the other half were spread by Jia Zhangshi based on her own wild guesses.

Ten days later, He Yuzhu found Wang Qiang.

"Uncle Wang, I've figured out how to deal with Xu Damao," a cold light flashed in his eyes, "You tell Xiao Qiu to drop a hint to Xu Damao—just say that not only did I bring Qin Jingru into the factory, but I also promoted her to a Researcher in the laboratory, and her salary is very high."

Wang Qiang was startled and widened his eyes: "Zhuzi, if you really do this, won't something go wrong?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and smiled playfully: "If we don't set Xu Damao up this time, he will be like a fly; you swat him once and he runs, but he'll come back later."

Wang Qiang looked at his expression and nodded heavily: "Alright, I'll go find Xiao Qiu now."

In a small restaurant, Xiao Qiu held a wine glass, his eyes darting around: "Damao, I got some really explosive news. Can you treat me to a bottle of good wine today?"

Xu Damao waved his hand with a grin: "Bring a bottle of Fen liquor!"

Four dishes were placed on the table, and after two glasses of wine, Xiao Qiu leaned in and lowered his voice: "Damao, I heard Wang Qiang and Li Lin chatting today; they said Qin Jingru has become a Researcher at the computer center. Do you know what a Researcher is?"

Xu Damao slapped the table, and the surrounding diners all stared over in unison.

He quickly lowered his voice and said: "Do you take me for an illiterate? Isn't it just a job with a high salary!"

"I heard Qin Jingru's salary is about the same as Factory Director He's. Damao, tell me the truth, is this woman particularly good-looking?"

Xu Damao squinted his eyes into slits and muttered sinisterly: "In terms of looks, she's still not as good as Yu Haitang. However, I've also heard some news from the No. 95 Courtyard. Qin Jingru is in the East Cross Courtyard with He Yuzhu every day and doesn't come out; I don't know what they're up to. I used to think He Yuzhu was helping Wang Shucheng find a wife, but now it looks like he's using the 'feign an attack on one front while attacking another' strategy... Wang Shucheng is just being used by him as a smokescreen."

Xu Damao gritted his teeth and cursed He Yuzhu for a long time; Xiao Qiu didn't respond, just drank his wine glass by glass.

"Xiao Qiu, you bastard! You drank the whole bottle of wine," Xu Damao cursed after seeing the bottle was empty.

"Damao, I gave you such big news, you have to get another bottle of Fen liquor at least."

"Xiao Qiu, let's pace ourselves, pace ourselves; we can't drink any more today."

"Fine, then bring another plate of fried rice, that's okay, right?" Xiao Qiu suggested.

"Hey! Why do you always want a plate of fried rice at the end of every meal? I don't have time to wait for you," Xu Damao slapped five yuan on the table, jumped on his bicycle, and dashed off, heading straight for Deputy Director Nie's house.

Deputy Director Nie opened the door, saw it was him, paused for a moment, and let him into the living room: "Xu Damao, looking for me for something? Why not go to the office tomorrow?"

Xu Damao was full of excitement and lowered his voice: "Director Nie, I've caught He Yuzhu in the act!"

Deputy Director Nie raised an eyebrow and asked unhurriedly: "What kind of act?"

Xu Damao then described what he had heard with added embellishments, becoming more and more agitated as he spoke: "Deputy Director Nie, you must stand up for me! I originally thought He Yuzhu was introducing my fiancée to the Wang family, but now it looks like he's set his own sights on her! This is too bullying!"

After listening, Deputy Director Nie gritted his teeth: "For a Factory Director to do such a thing is too excessive. That Computer Laboratory area isn't under my jurisdiction, but I will definitely report this to the higher-ups; it's simply lawless! Damao, you've performed a great service this time. If this succeeds, I'll promote you to my office!"

Xu Damao was so happy he couldn't close his mouth: "Got it! As long as I can take down He Yuzhu, I'm willing to keep sweeping the toilets!"

Deputy Director Nie patted him on the shoulder: "Go back early and wait for good news!"

As soon as Xu Damao left, Deputy Director Nie called Zhou Hao.

After listening, Zhou Hao was silent for a long time, his voice low: "Old Nie, He Yuzhu is very cunning. This matter is very suspicious; how would he dare to promote a village girl to a Researcher? You need to investigate it thoroughly; we can't wrong him, but we also can't fall for his tricks. Right?"

"Understood!"