Chapter 52: Blind Date

Finally, He Yuzhu still expelled the thoughts he shouldn't have from his mind.

Being a cook is nothing in itself, but if one is oblivious and dwells on what one shouldn't, trouble will surely follow.

Sha Zhu never managed to become an official his whole life—is it really because he lacks ability?

Do they really think the canteen can't function without his cooking skills? They've kicked him out of the canteen repeatedly, only to take him back each time.

This shows that He Yuzhu has a strong grip over the canteen.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be easy to find a skilled cook for a factory of tens of thousands?

That's certainly not difficult; the root cause is He Yuzhu's infiltration and control of the canteen.

So Sha Zhu isn't stupid—could a truly stupid person play Deputy Factory Director Li like a top?

Just now he almost ruined this blind date.

Now his mind is a bit dazed.

"Getting married, why so many things?"

He Yushui chuckled.

The next day.

Chen Hong returned.

Because a letter arrived from her hometown, from Chen Hong's mother.

Upon seeing the letter's content, Chen Hong burst into tears of joy.

"It's fine, really fine."

"It was originally quite difficult, but with money it's not difficult."

Yang Qing asked.

"Should we bring them over?"

In these times, a widow with a child actually has a tough life, and in some places there may even be cases of wiping out the entire household.

Chen Hong shook her head, wiped away a tear, and said.

"No need, our family is fine; the clan elders look after us well, and my mother doesn't do heavy work."

"Back home, after the disaster there was still enough food to eat, but coming to the city, there's only your ration, and we have no jobs—are we supposed to drink the northwest wind?"

Yang Qing looked at Chen Hong; after twenty days of recuperation, she had more flesh on her face.

Her figure also became alluring.

Seeing this, Yang Qing felt a heat rise in his chest.

However, with people present, he could only endure it.

Today was the final finishing touches on Yang Qing's house, and Master Lei also arrived rather early.

He also brought over a lot of furniture.

After a round of tidying up, the Yang family's home became completely renewed.

The double-layered doors and windows looked especially sturdy.

The ground was also fully tiled, extending all the way to the front courtyard.

"Finally, it's completed."

Master Lei let out a sigh; this was the most tiring house he had ever built.

"It cost a total of 366; you just need to give another 166."

Yang Qing counted out 170 and handed it to Master Lei.

"Now it's not considered finished yet; the toilet over there and the collapsed courtyard wall are still your responsibility."

"However, the rest you need to hand over to our eldest uncle and Uncle Liang behind."

Lei Gensheng actually didn't want to deal with their courtyard matters anymore.

Building a house brings one trouble after another; building another toilet, who knows how many more issues there will be.

But refusing is not an option, because they are the street's work team and must accept assignments from the street.

When Yang Qing brought Master Lei to the front courtyard to hand over to Yi Zhonghai.

Wang Meipo brought in a pretty young lady.

He Yuzhu, with his freshly groomed hair, full of spirit, wearing a Zhongshan suit, his polished leather shoes shining, was quite eye-catching.

Add to that his mature appearance, and he exuded an extra air of temperament.

Yi Zhonghai also came out at that moment, his face grim as he watched He Yuzhu happily usher the person inside.

Just as he was about to lift his foot to walk toward He Yuzhu's house.

Master Lei and Yang Qing stopped him.

"Eldest uncle, over there the work is done, totaling 370; I've already paid Master Lei."

"This is the remaining 130; you hold onto it."

Yang Qing stuffed the money into Yi Zhonghai's hands and then said to Master Lei.

"Master Lei, we're even now; later you just need to give me the settlement slip."

"The rest you discuss with our eldest uncle."

"Our eldest uncle has been waiting a long time."

Yi Zhonghai looked at the money in his hand, then at Lei Gensheng, knowing it wasn't the time to be busy with He Yuzhu's affairs.

"Master Lei, come in, have a cup of tea, and let's talk about the construction work."

Actually, they had already communicated well earlier; now they're discussing money.

On the other side, Qin Huairu watched the new bride enter the He household, and also saw the eldest uncle being held up by matters.

She gritted her teeth and could only go herself.

She brought out a plate of peanuts that had been sitting for who knows how long.

She just went into the He family's door.

She didn't knock on the door, as if entering her own home.

This left the matchmaker and Qiu Fengling looking astonished.

He Yuzhu, acting as if nothing were wrong, smiled and spoke affectionately to Qin Huairu.

"Qin Sister, how did you come here?"

His behavior made it obvious at once that this wasn't the first time.

The matchmaker and Qiu Fengling's faces changed instantly.

He Yuzhu still hadn't noticed anything amiss.

He Yushui, however, said at this point.

"Sister-in-law, why didn't you knock? You scared me."

Qin Huairu set down the peanuts and then sat down.

"I'm just here to see Zhuzi's matchmaking; I came to take a look."

She then turned her head and spoke to Qiu Fengling.

"Zhuzi is a good person; if it weren't for his frequent help these past few years, our whole family wouldn't know how to get by."

While saying this, she put on a show of being moved to tears.

This made He Yuzhu feel embarrassed.

The matchmaker's and Qiu Fengling's faces grew even uglier.

Everyone had been saying that Sha Zhu and his brother's wife had an unclear relationship; now it's confirmed, right here on the spot.

He Yushui kicked He Yuzhu under the table.

After he looked over, he flicked his lips at the matchmaker and Qiu Fengling.

Only then did He Yuzhu see the two with grim faces.

He panicked instantly and even forgot about Qin Huairu.

He Yushui took the opportunity to speak.

"After my father passed, my older brother still has to work, and the Jia family's sister-in-law has been looking after me, so our two families are quite close."

He Yuzhu hurriedly nodded.

"Exactly, exactly, that's right."

The matchmaker's and Qiu Fengling's complexions finally improved a bit.

Qin Huairu still wanted to say something, but He Yushui took over the conversation.

"Sister-in-law, my brother made some extra dishes; come, take them home for the kids to eat."

Saying that, she pulled Qin Huairu away.

He Yuzhu breathed a sigh of relief and greeted the matchmaker and Qiu Fengling.

"Come, don't be shy, try my cooking."

He Yuzhu also put thought into this meal.

He took out the meat coupons saved at home, bought half a jin of meat, got a fish from the old angler, and had the remaining shredded potatoes, cabbage, and tofu.

Even now, that counts as luxurious.

Qiu Fengling took a bite and was instantly delighted.

"This person isn't much to look at, but this meal is really good."

The matchmaker took a bite and also kept praising it.

"Well, don't say it, Comrade He Yuzhu, your cooking skills are on par with the chefs at a restaurant."

He Yuzhu said proudly.

"I can't guarantee anything else, but when it comes to cooking, nobody in our factory dares to say they're better than me."

"The reception meals at our steel rolling mill are all made by me."

"Our factory director trusts my cooking, treats me kindly, and often sends me tea."

Hearing this, Qiu Fengling's eyes lit up.

"So you're saying you get along really well with the factory director?"

He Yuzhu repeatedly demurred.

"No, no, I just can chat; if there's nothing, I'll ask if you have any difficulties."

The two clearly sensed his humility.

The previously dull atmosphere because of Qin Huairu also became lively.

Qin Huairu came out holding a dish, saw the situation, her face sank, and she wanted to sit down and perform a ritual.

But He Yushui urged her on.

"Jia family's sister-in-law, hurry up; if it sits a while and gets cold, it won't taste good."

"Bang Geng and Xiao Dang must be starving."