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

He Yuzhu was taken aback by his words. He hurriedly caught the fruit candy that Deputy Factory Director Li threw to him. The colorful candy wrappers rustled in his palm. He quickly waved his hand, a sheepish smile on his face: "No, no, it has nothing to do with Deputy Factory Director Gu. It's... it's about Bang Geng, a little family matter."

The smile on Deputy Factory Director Li's face vanished instantly, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. His brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed even more tightly, almost forming a knot. Bang Geng? The name sounded somewhat familiar, but he had completely forgotten who it was—the factory had hundreds of employees, plus their families and neighbors, all sorts of people, how could he possibly remember the name of a complete stranger? He impatiently tapped the table with his knuckles, making a "tap-tap" sound, and pressed on, "Who is Bang Geng? An employee of the factory? Which workshop? I don't remember him."

He Yuzhu quickly explained, his tone cautious, afraid of offending anyone: "It's not from the factory, it's from the courtyard house where I live. It's that boy from the Jia family, Jia Dongxu's son. Do you remember him? Jia Dongxu passed away recently, leaving Qin Huairu to raise three children alone. It's not easy for a widow and orphans. She was thinking of sending Banggeng to the countryside, and Qin Huairu was almost frantic. She kept pestering me, wanting the children to stay in the city, and asked me to ask if the factory kitchen needed anyone, if they could give us a temporary job, even just to tend the fire or do some odd jobs..."

After listening, Deputy Factory Director Li picked up the enamel teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, and watched the tea leaves swirl and float to the surface. He didn't even lift his eyelids; he already knew what was going on. This kind of neighborhood squabble was of no benefit to him whatsoever—he couldn't gain any personal advantage, it wouldn't showcase his political achievements, and he might even be accused of "abusing his power for personal gain." Why would he bother getting involved? He slammed the teacup down with a "thud," the bottom making a crisp sound on the table, and his tone instantly turned cold: "What does this have to do with me? The factory's policy is clear: eligible young people must go to the countryside. That's the national rule, and no one is exempt. I can't break the rules just because he's from your compound, can I? How can I manage the factory's affairs after that? What will the other employees' families waiting to go to the countryside think? If they all come to me for favors, will I still be able to keep my position as deputy factory director?"

In truth, Deputy Factory Director Li knew the Jia family inside and out—he'd already experienced their ways firsthand. After Jia Dongxu's accident, that old woman from the Jia family had acted like a madwoman, causing chaos at the factory. She threw tantrums, wailed and cried, demanding double the compensation, spitting all over the dispatch room. In the end, security had to intervene to drag her away. Just thinking about it gave him a headache. From then on, he'd never given the Jia family a kind look.

Later, Qin Huairu got a job at the steel rolling mill through connections, doing mending and sewing work in the logistics department. At first, she seemed decent enough, not talkative, and hardworking. But as time went on, she revealed her overly shrewd nature—borrowing a bar of soap one day, scraping some cotton yarn the next, fawning over the leaders with a beaming smile, but ignoring the ordinary workers with an arrogant look in her eyes. Many people in the factory gossiped behind her back, saying she was "opportunistic" and "snobbish."

Not to mention that kid named Banggeng, his reputation has long since spread from the staff quarters to the factory. Just the other day, some older workers in the canteen were gossiping about him, saying that this young man is a bad influence, frequently stealing chickens and dogs in the courtyards. One day he'd steal eggs from the Zhang family, the next day he'd steal cornbread from the Li family, and he even dared to break into He Yuzhu's locked cupboard and take the flour. When caught red-handed, he stubbornly refused to admit it. This kid with such a tarnished reputation wants to work as a temporary worker in the factory kitchen? The kitchen manages rice, flour, oil, and salt; does he really think the steel rolling mill is his personal garden, where he can just take whatever he wants?

Deputy Factory Director Li glanced at He Yuzhu, and seeing that he was about to say something, he simply waved his hand to interrupt him: "Alright, there's no point in discussing this. Tell Qin Huairu to give up on this idea and stop thinking about these crooked ways. Following the policy is the safest course of action. The factory positions are reserved for decent people, not for shady characters to take advantage of."

He Yuzhu rubbed his hands together, his fingertips turning red, his face showing some difficulty. He glanced at Deputy Factory Director Li, his tone tentative and cautious: "Deputy Factory Director Li, what do you think about this... After all, Qin Huairu blocked me at the canteen entrance early this morning, crying and sobbing, saying that Banggeng has never suffered since he was a child, and he really can't endure the hardships of the countryside, carrying water and farming, he's afraid he won't be able to take it. Do you think you could... make an exception and find someone else?"

Deputy Factory Director Li's face darkened instantly, as if he had been doused with cold water. His eyes were filled with obvious impatience. Before He Yuzhu could finish speaking, he raised his hand to interrupt him: "What do you mean now? Do you think I've been too lenient with you, making you think you can climb over me and order me around as you please?"

Seeing that he was truly angry, with his brows furrowed, He Yuzhu quickly waved his hands and took a half step back, bending even lower, almost like a shrimp: "Deputy Factory Director Li, what are you saying! How dare I order you around? I wouldn't dare even if you gave me ten lives! You are the leader, and naturally you have the final say on all matters, big and small, in the factory. I just... I just feel that this matter is a bit tricky. Qin Huairu is crying so pitifully, and I wanted to ask you for your instructions to see if there is any other way."

Deputy Factory Director Li stared at him, his eyes like ice, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority: "He Yuzhu, I've made myself clear. You only have two tasks now: one is to keep a close eye on the kitchen—the purchasing accounts, the warehouse inventory, the cleanliness of the stoves—none of these can go wrong—the kitchen is the face of the factory; the food supply for thousands of workers is of paramount importance. The other is to keep an eye on Gu Nan. Any slight movement from him, even if he talks to someone more than necessary, must be reported immediately. You don't need to worry about anything else, understand?"

He Yuzhu wanted to say something nice for Qin Huairu, and opened his mouth, but when he met Deputy Factory Director Li's cold, piercing eyes, the words stuck in his throat. He knew that he didn't hold enough influence with Deputy Factory Director Li to interfere in personnel changes, and saying too much would only annoy him. So he gave an awkward smile, his wrinkles deepening: "Deputy Factory Director Li, you're right, I was being naive. I'll go back to the kitchen right away and make sure everything—pots, pans, oil, salt, soy sauce—is perfect!"

After saying that, he turned and left, his steps hurried, as if something was chasing him. Deputy Factory Director Li watched his retreating figure, let out a cold snort, and turned back to his office.