Chapter 75: Truth

(The component classification that began in 1950, for technical staff needed as assistants—such as head chefs, carpenters, etc. —was based on the "medium‑wealth" standard.)

My personal guess is that He Daqing entered the steel mill at this time through connections and a sudden push.

Thinking of Lou Ban Cheng's wife, the possibility is high.

Three‑generation poor peasants serve as the background; the urban population's categories are set according to this background, so He Daqing is actually of the worker category.

Why He Daqing fled: one reason is his guilt over falsifying things; another is that the component work was entering its final stage, and Jiedao began re‑verifying backgrounds. The second reason is that, as a head chef, he had served many people, especially those whose daily lives were comfortable.

At that time, people with comfortable lives were very interested in our cuisine, and some movies and TV dramas even featured scenes of them collecting recipes to study our techniques.

He Daqing likely betrayed his own skills; as for the service, it was unavoidable, which made him panic.

He Yuzhu suddenly received this news, his heart filled with anger and helplessness.

Facing his questioning, Yang Qing simply stared calmly, waiting for him to settle down.

He Yuzhu saw Yang Qing's indifferent expression and did not answer his question.

First his anger flared briefly, then he forced himself to calm down slowly.

Obviously his current state made Yang Qing unwilling to continue speaking.

In other words, the subsequent news was even more explosive.

He took several deep breaths, soothing his mood.

"Go ahead, I can handle it."

He Yuzhu's demeanor made Yang Qing look at him with new respect; after so many years of obsession, with it right before him, he could still keep his emotions steady, which ordinary people cannot do.

That shows that He Yuzhu still has a bit of scheming.

"Keep calming down."

"Or tell me, is Yi Zhonghai the one pulling the strings behind this incident?"

He Yuzhu was startled for a moment, then recovered.

"That's not part of our deal."

That sentence already explains the issue.

Yang Qing smiled briefly; back when Chen Hong tried to make a name for himself by confronting Yi Zhonghai, and Xu Damao seized the chance to topple Yi Zhonghai, he already knew.

Yi Zhonghai would never give up peacefully.

The plan couldn't keep up with changes; the behind‑the‑scenes situation he had been striving to maintain failed by half.

Fortunately, Chen Hong has now established himself; his family's foundation has become much stronger, giving him the confidence to face Yi Zhonghai directly.

"You don't have to say it, I understand."

"But aren't you curious why Yi Zhonghai doesn't want you to get married?"

He Yuzhu looked up at Yang Qing and said plainly.

"You really do know."

"Were those words from Yu Shui also told by you?"

"Tell me, what exactly do you want to do?"

Yang Qing brushed away the hand he reached out with, and openly admitted.

"Yes, those words from Yu Shui were told by me, but so what, did I say something wrong?"

"And even after I warned you, you still messed it up; are you looking for the reason within yourself?"

"Is it your stupidity that created everything now, or your arrogance that ruined your good marriage prospects?"

"Regardless, if you don't change, your future will remain bleak."

"Just like now, being used as a weapon by others who intend to harm me."

"I'm an easygoing person; if it were someone else, your affair with Liu Shumin would also be over."

He Yuzhu felt Yang Qing's words hit his chest heavily, making his impression of Yi Zhonghai even worse.

He defended himself, saying.

"Stop sowing discord here."

Hehe……

Yang Qing spread his hands.

"Alright, it's me who sowed discord."

"Then, back to that question, why does Yi Zhonghai prevent you from marrying?"

He Yuzhu suddenly felt a bit panicked; why Yang Qing kept clinging to this.

"What exactly do you want to say?"

Yang Qing showed a faint smile, looking at He Yuzhu.

"You guessed some of it, right?"

He Yuzhu's body trembled slightly.

Yang Qing felt the groundwork was almost done.

"Everyone has selfish motives, even Yi Zhonghai, who was once close to your father, is no exception."

"Your father He Daqing entrusted you all to him."

"And every month he sends a sum of money to Yi Zhonghai."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu grabbed Yang Qing's arm tightly.

"What? What did you say, my dad sent me money?"

Yang Qing winced from the painful grip, and struck the numb tendon at his elbow with a backhanded finger.

He Yuzhu's arm went numb, and he let go of Yang Qing.

Yang Qing rubbed his sore arm.

You're an ox, aren't you, reckless and heavy-handed.

He Yuzhu knew he was at fault, flustered and anxious, he said.

What you say is true.

Yang Qing nodded.

Is it true? You used connections to ask someone to check at the post office how many letters and money have been sent from Baoding to Yi Zhonghai over these years.

The post office keeps records.

He Yuzhu believed his words, indignant and painful, he crouched on the ground repeatedly asking.

Why, why would he do this?

Yang Qing accompanied him in squatting, waiting until he calmed down, then he said.

Your father entrusted you to Yi Zhonghai, likely because he saw Yi Zhonghai had no sons or daughters.

He thought that for someone to support him in his old age and see him off, he would also treat you well.

But he was mistaken about one thing: he isn't dead; as long as He Daqing is alive, everything Yi Zhonghai does could ultimately benefit He Daqing, doing the He family's work as a wedding dress.

It's also possible your father thought the same; after all, those who lived through that chaotic era, who could have simple thoughts?

So Yi Zhonghai took advantage of the situation to accept this task, but he didn't follow what they had discussed; instead he also chose Jia Dongxu.

As for you, he constantly slandered your father, planting deep hatred for him in you, while at the same time raising you like training a dog.

Saying this, Yang Qing revealed a meaningful smile.

Have you seen how others raise dogs?

Not letting it eat its fill, giving it meat when it obeys, letting it bite whoever you say, until obedience becomes habit, food becomes dependence, and then dependence turns into loyalty.

He looked at He Yuzhu.

You say, would such a Yi Zhonghai give you money?

At this moment He Yuzhu's veins bulged, his eyes bloodshot, his teeth grinding loudly.

He suddenly stood up.

Damn it…

Yang Qing, at the moment he stood up, gave him a guillotine choke from behind.

No way, his body was too weak, while He Yuzhu was too strong.

He could only use this method to control He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu struggled while sounds came from his throat.

Let go of me, I want to kill him, let me kill him.

Yang Qing scolded him in his ear.

Brainless thing, killing him would just be the end of it.

You would also be buried with him.

Don't forget Yu Shui; what would you do if you died and she was left?

If the matter is exposed, your father will be finished, and your sister will become a black five category.

The future is long, the future is long, do you understand?

He Yuzhu simply couldn't listen, he was still struggling violently.

Yang Qing felt that using a dog as a metaphor might be too much.

But He Yuzhu, in Yi Zhonghai's eyes, is just a dog.

Let go of me, I want to kill him.

………

"Cough cough cough……"

The lock was a bit tight, He Yuzhu could barely breathe.