Chapter 39

He Yuzhu returned to the kitchen, and Xu Damao was already waiting for him there.

"Wu Mishu, there are still some dishes left over from plating; if you don't mind, join us for a bite," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Master He, then I won't stand on ceremony, Comrade Xu, come over and have something to eat," Wu Mishu also invited Xu Damao over. Having been with the Factory Director for so long, he understood the leader's character very well; today he observed the leader's words and deeds, especially the leader's fondness for He Yuzhu, which was obvious. How could Wu Mishu possibly refuse He Yuzhu's invitation?

"Sure, I haven't had Brother Zhu's cooking in a long time," Xu Damao said with a smile.

At this moment, Wu Mishu seemed like a different person from the start, chatting and laughing with He Yuzhu and Xu Damao.

After the meal, the Factory Director had Wu Mishu arrange a driver to send Xu Damao and He Yuzhu back. On the way back, the Factory Director's wife not only gave He Yuzhu two lunch boxes of leftovers, but also deliberately gave him some meat and grain. She also gave him some grain and ten yuan; no matter how He Yuzhu refused, it was no use. The Factory Director's wife said the things were not for him, but for his sister He Yushui, and she let He Yuzhu have the chance to bring He Yushui over to play.

After He Yuzhu left the restaurant, the Factory Director asked Deputy Factory Director Yang about He Yuzhu's background, and Yang told him everything: He Yuzhu lost his mother at a young age, and a few years ago his father abandoned the siblings and followed a widow to Baoding.

Especially when hearing Deputy Factory Director Yang say that during that difficult period He Yuzhu went out doing odd jobs and selling scrap to support his sister, the Factory Director's wife's maternal feelings overflowed, and tears kept falling.

The Factory Director then explicitly stated that Deputy Factory Director Yang should pay more attention to He Yuzhu in the future—so young yet he had held up a family, and despite such hardship he never abandoned his sister, showing his precious character.

The Factory Director's jeep dropped He Yuzhu and Xu Damao off at the Siheyuan gate before heading back.

"Hey, Zhuzi, Damao, you two are something—now you even have a dedicated car to pick you up," Yan Butgui said enviously.

"Third Grandpa, don't say that; we two just went to help the leader with a favor. Since we didn't have a bike, the leader looked after us and had the driver give us a ride."

"It also has to be that the leader is satisfied before he'll send a car, Zhuzi—you're carrying quite a bit of good stuff; let Third Grandpa have a look!" Yan Butgui stared at what He Yuzhu held in his hands, his eyes almost popping out.

"Never mind, it's just some leftovers and grain—nothing worth seeing," He Yuzhu said, then went into the Siheyuan.

"Damao, tell Third Grandpa where you went," Yan Butgui said, seeing He Yuzhu ignore him, then turned his attention to Xu Damao.

"Sorry, Third Grandpa, the leader said we may ask what's appropriate but not pry into what's not," he said, then also went into the Siheyuan.

"Hey, you two little brats, today you're teaming up to squeeze me, aren't you?" Yan Butgui said angrily, watching Xu Damao's retreating back.

In the second week after He Yuzhu finished cooking for the Factory Director, the Factory Director had Deputy Factory Director Yang pass along a message hoping He Yuzhu would come again to cook a meal; He Yuzhu agreed without hesitation.

"Zhuzi, you're troubling me again today," the Factory Director said happily upon seeing He Yuzhu arrive.

"Factory Director, you're being too polite; if you ever want to eat my cooking again, just have Deputy Factory Director Yang let me know," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"All right, then I won't stand on ceremony with you from now on," the Factory Director said, surprised at how easygoing He Yuzhu was.

"Then please wait a moment; I'm off to the kitchen now."

"Okay."

Today the Factory Director didn't invite anyone else; it was just the couple plus He Yuzhu. After the meal was prepared, He Yuzhu was also invited to sit at the table, and the two chatted very pleasantly.

"Zhuzi, do you play chess?" the Factory Director asked He Yuzhu.

"I can play Go, but not very well," He Yuzhu said modestly.

"Then after eating, keep me company for a couple of games."

"Sure."

After the meal, the Factory Director's wife didn't have He Yuzhu clear the table; she directly had him keep the Factory Director company for a game of chess.

The two spent an entire afternoon playing, with wins and losses on both sides.

"Zhuzi, I didn't expect you to not only cook well but also play a decent game of chess," the Factory Director remarked.

"Factory Director, you don't know—when I first started learning to cook, I was impatient, so my master had me learn chess to temper my temperament, saying chess can cultivate one's disposition; in the process I not only learned to play chess but also grew to like it, and I don't really have any other hobbies," He Yuzhu said embarrassedly.

"You have a fine master," the Factory Director sighed.

"Factory Director, to be honest, the two people I should be most grateful to in this life are my master and my sworn brother Li Qiang."

"Oh? You also have a sworn brother?" the Factory Director asked curiously.

"Yeah, when my father passed, Yushui was only seven. I was an apprentice at Fengzeyuan, and the apprentice wages all went to my master. To support Yushui I went out doing odd jobs, but such work wasn't always available; it was my elder brother, Li Qiang, who got me a job at the Yagangchang."

"Tell me about your sworn brother's situation?" the Factory Director said, now interested in Li Qiang.

"He returned from the Korean battlefield in 1952 after being transferred. Though he was only 21 then, he was already a full regiment cadre; if he hadn't been wounded, he'd probably still be in the army. His situation is similar to mine—his parents died early, his older brother is a few years older and raised him. According to the older brother, it was his brother Li Bin who, not wanting to burden his elder sibling, secretly enlisted at around sixteen. I know he's willing to help me because our families' circumstances are alike. His brothers have always looked after me and Yushui, my partner was introduced by his sister-in-law, and they also arranged our wedding." As He Yuzhu said this, his eye sockets turned a little red.

"He's a fine comrade. Then how did you two become sworn siblings?" the Factory Director asked.

"It just happened by chance—one day I was eating with Yushui at their place, and Yushui said he would henceforth be her real brother, so I suggested we simply become sworn siblings, and that's how it was done," He Yuzhu said a little embarrassedly.

"Zhuzi, last time I told you to bring Yushui over to play when you had time. This time why didn't you bring her?" the Factory Director's wife said as she approached.

"I'm just a bit shy," He Yuzhu said, scratching his head.

"What's there to be shy about? Usually it's just me and the Factory Director at home; we have a son and his family living in the south. Next time you come, you must bring your sister—I've always wanted a daughter. But back then we were constantly marching and fighting, and after I got wounded I couldn't have any more children." As she said this, the Factory Director's wife's expression instantly darkened.

"All right, I'll definitely bring her next time," He Yuzhu said, noticing the Factory Director's wife's expression wasn't good, and quickly agreed.

"Then how about this coming Sunday? If you're free, bring Yushui over," the Factory Director's wife said, seizing the moment.

"Okay," He Yuzhu nodded in agreement.

He Yuzhu stayed at the Factory Director's home until the sun was about to set before heading back.