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

Chapter 1047 Yi Zhonghai felt that Qin Huairu's words made sense

After speaking, He Yuzhu turned and left, his steps hurried, as if something was chasing him. Deputy Factory Director Li watched his retreating figure, snorted coldly, and turned back to his office. What did the Jia family's affairs have to do with him? It was just a rural assignment quota; was it worth all this fuss? His mind was now preoccupied with how to find leverage over Gu Nan, how to completely crush this thorn in his side who constantly outmaneuvered him. Everything else was just irrelevant noise.

He Yuzhu returned to the kitchen, seething with anger. He swung a cleaver and chopped the ribs with such force that the cutting board trembled. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became—he was, after all, one of Deputy Factory Director Li's men, always serving him hand and foot, shielding him from drinks at banquets, running errands for him, buying him cigarettes, doing all sorts of favors. Why was it so difficult to ask him for such a small favor? He'd even been publicly rebuked without any consideration. He'd thought of him as a confidant, but now it seemed he was nothing more than a tool to be used when needed and discarded when not, unable to even get a kind word in return.

The morning flew by as He Yuzhu worked tirelessly, picking vegetables, chopping meat, and tending the fire. He channeled all his frustration into his tasks. Just after lunchtime, as the canteen began to empty out, Qin Huairu rushed to the kitchen, her forehead beaded with sweat and her hair damp at the temples—clearly she had run all the way there. She grabbed He Yuzhu, who was carrying trays to wash them, her eyes filled with expectation, her voice trembling slightly: "Zhuzi, how did it go? Has Deputy Factory Director Li… softened his stance? Is he willing to help? Is there any hope for the corn cob matter?"

Seeing her anxious expression, He Yuzhu's face flushed, and he lowered his head even further, almost burying it in his chest. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word for a long time—he had confidently promised yesterday, "Leave it to me," but he hadn't even managed to get close to Deputy Factory Director Li; he had lost face completely. He had thought that with his relationship with Deputy Factory Director Li, this little matter would be no problem, but he hadn't expected this outcome. He felt ashamed, guilty, and inexplicably frustrated, as if he had been slapped hard across the face.

Qin Huairu frowned as she watched He Yuzhu remain silent for a long time, her voice filled with barely suppressed urgency: "Zhuzi, just give me a straight answer. You're now a favorite of Deputy Factory Director Li, he consults you on everything, big or small. Sending corn to the countryside is a piece of cake for you, isn't it? Why are you hesitating?"

He Yuzhu was sweating profusely from her urging. He had originally wanted to brush it off with a few vague words, but with Qin Huairu staring at him like that, he didn't know how to respond. He avoided Qin Huairu's gaze, scratched the back of his head, and lowered his voice: "Sister Qin, this matter... I really haven't had a chance to mention it to Deputy Factory Director Li. You know, he's been busy lately arguing with Deputy Factory Director Gu. The factory's technical upgrade project is being pushed hard, and he's been spending all his time in the workshop. I really haven't found a suitable opportunity to bring it up. Once this busy period is over, I'll definitely find an excuse to talk to him about it, what do you think?"

Qin Huairu took a half step forward, her eyes full of pleading, her voice trembling slightly: "Zhuzi, you really have to be careful. Although Banggeng is a bit naughty and doesn't know any better, it would be heartbreaking for me to send him to the countryside to suffer, having to work in the fields before dawn and not even having a thick cotton-padded coat in the winter. This is a huge deal for our family, bigger than the sky."

Seeing that her eyes were red with anxiety, He Yuzhu felt a little sorry for her. He quickly forced a smile and patted his chest to assure her, "Sister Qin, don't worry! I remember this matter and I'll definitely help you with it. I'm now Vice Director Li's right-hand man, and he always trusts me. I guarantee I'll handle this small matter perfectly. Just relax and wait for the good news."

Qin Huairu breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on her face. She wiped the corner of her eye and said, "Zhuzi, you're the most reliable one. In this courtyard, you're the one I trust the most. After all, you're the most promising person in our courtyard. Following Deputy Factory Director Li, your future is definitely bright. You're much better than Gu Nan."

He Yuzhu felt pleased with the praise, chuckled twice, and without saying anything more, turned and walked towards the workshop. Qin Huairu thanked him, then went to the canteen to get some free food from the factory—mostly yellowed cabbage stalks and half-cooked potatoes—before carrying her lunchbox home.

On the way, a sense of unease crept into her mind; something felt off. In the past, when He Yuzhu agreed to help, he would always pat his chest and speak with absolute certainty, practically shouting at the gate of the courtyard to let everyone know how capable he was. But today, his words seemed ambiguous, even his promises lacked their usual confidence, and his eyes darted around, as if he were hiding something. Could it be… that he wasn't actually confident he could do it?

Back at the courtyard house, Qin Huairu bumped into Yi Zhonghai, who was walking home, as soon as she entered. A thought struck her, and she quickly stepped forward, saying, "Uncle Yi, I'd like to tell you something."

Yi Zhonghai was strolling around with his hands in his pockets when he heard this. He stopped and could guess what was going on from her expression: "What's wrong? Did you go to see He Yuzhu? He didn't agree to help Banggeng?"

Qin Huairu briefly recounted her conversation with He Yuzhu, then frowned and said, "He did agree, saying he would mention it to Deputy Factory Director Li, but I still feel uneasy. Do you think his attitude means he's not confident he can pull it off? I'm so anxious and can't sit still."

Yi Zhonghai smiled and waved his hand: "You're just too meticulous and overthink things. He Yuzhu, although he sometimes likes to brag and can't keep his mouth shut, is still reliable when it comes to getting things done. Since he agreed, he'll definitely keep it in mind, so don't overthink it and cause yourself unnecessary trouble."

Qin Huairu listened with skepticism, but at the moment, besides relying on He Yuzhu, she couldn't think of any other solution. She couldn't really let Banggeng run back to his grandmother's house to hide, could she? She could only nod and sigh. She looked at Yi Zhonghai and added, "Uncle Yi, why don't you... take some time to mention it to Yuzhu? After all, you are his master, and you even took care of him when he was a child. Your words carry more weight than mine. Besides, if this matter can be resolved, it would be a chance for you and him to reconcile. Wouldn't that be great, so that the situation in the courtyard doesn't remain so tense?"

Yi Zhonghai paused, then realized there was some truth to it. He and He Yuzhu had become somewhat estranged because of Jia Dongxu's affair years ago, barely exchanging a few words in recent years. If this could help ease tensions, it wouldn't be bad. So he nodded: "Alright, I understand the situation. I'll talk to him about it when I have time. You go back and eat first; Banggeng and Xiaodang are waiting. By the way, keep a close eye on the production progress of that batch of parts at the factory. Don't let anything go wrong; Gu Nan doesn't tolerate any mistakes."