Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

He Yuzhu paced back and forth by the stove, hands tucked into his sleeves. Smoke billowed from the rapeseed oil in the wok, but he didn't even lift an eyelid. Lu Jia's words still echoed in his ears—"Gu Nan is reliable," "Deputy Factory Director Li is unreliable"—but how could he suppress the fire burning within him?

The position of canteen manager—that's nothing compared to tossing woks at the stove. He sipped his freshly brewed flower tea, the bitterness on his tongue unable to mask the warmth in his heart. If he were really in that position, the purchasing lists would need his signature, the head chefs' schedules would need his approval, and even who gets the best peanut oil in the warehouse and how much would depend on his whim. His dozen or so subordinates would all have to call him "Director He." Walking around the factory, if they bumped into a former colleague who hadn't paid him much attention before, they'd be sure to offer him a cigarette: "Director He, what's the main dish in the canteen today?"

Needless to say, at the dinner table. Before, he would at most be pulled aside to show off his skills, and after cooking, he could only eat steamed buns in a corner; but as the director, he would be invited to the head seat, raise his glass, and say, "Please give me your opinions," and everyone would agree. Just for that prestige, he had to give it a shot.

He glanced sideways at Gu Nan, who was chopping vegetables not far away, and sneered inwardly. What could Gu Nan offer? A little raise, of course, to manage a run-down stove, covered in grease and grime every day, like a donkey pulling a millstone. Even if his skills were excellent, at best he'd only earn the reputation of "Chef He's cooking is the best," what good was that? Without power, his words were like farts. Those two lads, Zhong Yi and Ma Hua, weren't they just trying to compete with Gu Nan because they were close to him?

"Alright, alright, stop nagging." He Yuzhu waved his hand impatiently, cutting off Lu Jia's words. "I know what I'm doing."

His mind was racing with calculations: he'd appease Deputy Factory Director Li first, and once he was firmly in the position, he could kick Gu Nan aside. Then, the first to be dealt with would be Zhong Yi and Ma Hua. Zhong Yi loved to boss people around in the preparation area? He'd transfer him to wash the large iron woks, making him deal with grease all day long. Ma Hua relied on his youth and strength? He'd send him to chop firewood; if he didn't chop enough, he wouldn't be leaving get off work. Everyone in the kitchen needed to know who was in charge!

The more he thought about it, the more wonderful it seemed, and he couldn't help but smile. He could almost see himself in a Zhongshan suit—the fabric crisp and clean, a little notebook with "Canteen Director" printed on it tucked into his pocket, strolling around the canteen with his hands behind his back. If any chef dared to slack off, he would glare at them, and they would immediately have to put on a smiling face; the warehouse manager would have to quickly hand over the ledgers when he saw him: "Director He, please take a look."

And Gu Nan? He'd probably still be wearing that greasy work uniform, head down, reporting to him, "Director He, the dishes are all prepared for today." He'd slowly sip his tea, not even lifting his eyelids, "Hmm, I know." If Gu Nan had any family troubles, like his mother being sick and wanting to take leave, he'd deliberately drag it out: "We're short-staffed at this crucial time, who will cook if you leave? We'll talk about it later." He'd make him taste the bitterness of being bullied before, and settle all the old and new scores—the last time he wasn't voted for as an advanced worker, the last time his temper was criticized in public, and the last time… every single one of those things would have to be paid for!

Once he becomes the director, there's just too much to do. He'll have to switch to his second uncle's shop for purchasing, calculating exactly how much profit he can make per ton of rice, flour, and oil; he'll transfer all those who don't get along with him to the hardest and dirtiest jobs, leaving them nowhere to cry; and he'll show everyone in the courtyard that He Yuzhu has made something of himself, no longer just a cook stuck around the stove—his nickname "Silly Zhu" needs to be changed!

Looking at his vacant gaze and smirking smile, Lu Jia sighed inwardly. If there weren't so few eligible men in this courtyard, why would she have chosen him? In terms of meticulousness, he wasn't as good as Gu Nan; in terms of stability and reliability, he wasn't as good as Old Man Wang, the old worker in the courtyard. His only redeeming quality was his cooking, and yet he was restless, always looking for shortcuts.

But she couldn't be bothered with any of that now. Who was the factory manager, who was in charge of the canteen—what did it have to do with her? She was just seething with anger—why was Gu Nan always better than He Yuzhu? Why did all the girls in the factory secretly gossip about how steady Gu Nan was? She had to make him suffer a huge setback, to let him know that her man, Lu Jia's man, wasn't someone to be trifled with.

As for what will happen to He Yuzhu in the future… Lu Jia touched her lower abdomen, where a little life was already growing. After dealing with Gu Nan, she would settle down and live a quiet life with him. After having a child, she would still need him to earn money to support her; what else could she expect? She could only hope that he would be more stable, stop causing trouble, and stop making her and the child worry.

A day slips away like sand through your fingers. Before you know it, it's morning again, the aroma of breakfast wafting through the alleyways—the crispy scent of fried dough sticks mingling with the rich aroma of soy milk, spreading in the cool air. Gu Nan, carrying a heavy tool bag, walks unhurriedly towards the steel mill. Inside are the machine tool modification drawings he'd worked on overnight, the edges slightly wrinkled from being rubbed by his fingers.

Just as he reached the alley entrance, he heard a series of urgent ringing bells. Xu Damao, riding a gleaming old-fashioned bicycle, turned from the opposite direction, a leather briefcase hanging from the handlebars, wobbling violently. Seeing Gu Nan, he slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching against the ground. He braced himself with his feet on the ground, and his face instantly broke into a warm smile. He practically jumped off the bike: "Deputy Factory Director Gu! Deputy Factory Director Gu! Wait a moment, I have something important to tell you!"

Gu Nan stopped, sunlight falling on his face, making his features exceptionally clear. He looked at Xu Damao, who was panting heavily, raised an eyebrow, and asked calmly, "What is it?"

Xu Damao glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then quickly took two steps closer, deliberately lowering his voice with a mysterious excitement: "Deputy Factory Director Gu, you wouldn't believe it, but last night Deputy Factory Director Li hosted a big banquet at 'Jufulou' restaurant! He didn't invite me at all, but he invited that kid He Yuzhu instead. Isn't that infuriating?"

When he said this, his eyes were wide open, and his face was full of indignation, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Looking at his expression, Gu Nan's lips barely curved, and her tone remained indifferent: "Oh? How did you know?"

Xu Damao immediately perked up, puffing out his chest and patting it, saying, "Deputy Factory Director Gu, don't underestimate me just because I'm in charge of projection. I know a lot of people in the factory! Xiao Wang, the waiter at Jufulou, is my neighbor. He came to my house last night to tell me—he personally saw Deputy Factory Director Li invite He Yuzhu into the innermost private room. The two of them drank and chatted like old friends!"