Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 256

Chapter 190 The Accusation Against Yi Zhonghai

"Okay, okay, it's good that something's up."

Factory Director Yang was overjoyed. He had long known that He Daqing's son had obtained a first-class cook certificate and wanted him to cook a meal so that he could taste just how delicious a first-class cook's cooking could be.

Previously, the conditions were not right. Director Yang believed that as long as he asked, He Daqing could invite his son over, but things were not that simple.

The first time he came was out of respect for his father, but if we want to invite him again later, we may not be able to succeed.

Today's situation is different. He Yuzhu came to me himself and asked me for a favor.

As a large machinery factory with thousands of employees, it can solve 99% of the problems a person might encounter.

If he can't solve something, He Yuzhu probably won't encounter it either.

If he can resolve the problem smoothly by speaking up, wouldn't that bring them closer?

Asking He Yuzhu to help with cooking again in the future will be a natural thing.

Just as He Yuzhu was about to speak, Director Yang invited him out and into the reception room next door.

After sitting down, Director Fan from the canteen made him some tea, and only then did Factory Director Yang ask what was going on.

He Yuzhu said, "This is actually a public matter, not my private matter. There is a glass bottle factory on the street that can produce wine bottles."

When Director Yang heard that it was a public matter, he was a little surprised. He thought it was He Yuzhu's private matter. If it was a private matter, he would get more favors by helping him get it done.

If it's a matter for the public, even if it's accomplished, you'll receive fewer favors from others.

But she still asked with a smile, "What exactly is it about?"

"The only supporting equipment we have is the mold for producing glass bottles. We would like to come to the steel rolling mill to ask Yi Zhonghai if your factory can produce a set of molds for canned food bottles."

"In theory, we should be able to produce any mold, but we should ask the workers for specific details."

Factory Director Yang had never handled such business before. He gave Director Fan a look, and the other party understood immediately, nodded, and turned to leave.

Factory Director Yang stopped talking about the molds and the two started chatting. Their conversation gradually shifted to He Daqing's improved cooking skills, and they praised He Yuzhu.

Ever since Yi Zhonghai saw He Yuzhu, his eyelids had been twitching. He kept thinking to himself that the damned He Yuzhu was someone who wouldn't suffer a loss, and that he had never gotten the better of him before.

This time, He Yuzhu came to my door. Although I refused him readily, would he really let it go and stop causing me trouble?

My mind was racing with random thoughts. After a while, I heard the workshop director calling my name. I turned around and saw Director Fan from the canteen standing next to the workshop director.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of anger. He Yuzhu had actually gone to Director Fan to complain and reprimand me?

After hesitatingly approaching and nodding in acknowledgment, he asked, "Director Fan, what is it?"

Director Fan said, "Factory Director Yang is waiting for you in the meeting room next to the canteen. Come with me quickly!"

Yi Zhonghai was stunned. He thought it was outrageous enough that He Yuzhu had asked Director Fan for support, but this was even more outrageous that he had to ask Factory Director Yang to reprimand him.

He secretly groaned to himself, wishing he hadn't openly opposed He Yuzhu. He should have just agreed on the surface but secretly refused to do it for him. Wouldn't that have been better?

Why was I so stubborn and refused outright?

He quickly came to his senses and politely said, "I'll go right away."

Feeling uneasy, Yi Zhonghai followed Director Fan to the reception room. Just as he had guessed, Director Yang and He Yuzhu were chatting and laughing inside.

Instead of the sharp criticism I had expected, Director Yang said with a beaming smile, "Master Yi, you've worked hard. Please have a seat."

After exchanging pleasantries, Yi Zhonghai sat down somewhat nervously, with half of his buttocks dangling outside, looking quite awkward.

This time he's been humiliated again. He just rejected He Yuzhu, but unexpectedly he became Director Yang's honored guest in the blink of an eye, and even brought him here. Isn't this a slap in the face?

Factory Director Yang then said, "Master Yi, Comrade He Yuzhu is here on behalf of the street office. He wants our factory to make a set of molds for producing canned goods for the glass bottle factory. Whether we can make it or not, you'll have to tell us."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai hated He Yuzhu to the core. At first, when He Yuzhu spoke, he thought it was a private matter requiring him to build some tools, so he readily refused.

But it turns out that a glass factory on the street wanted a mold.

Recently, several factories have been set up on the street, one of which is a glass factory. I heard that it can produce saline bottles, so I thought of making canning jars and wanted to make a set of molds.

She secretly resented He Yuzhu for not saying earlier that he was representing the street.

Although I work at a steel rolling mill, my home is still under the jurisdiction of the local street office. If the leaders of the street office hear that I have refused their request, wouldn't I offend them?

They might have different opinions about themselves. If everyone else is scrambling to help the neighborhood and make their presence felt, they might find themselves directly refusing.

I wonder if He Yuzhu called back to complain about me. Even if he didn't go back now, he could still say a few words to the leaders later, and the image I've worked so hard to build over the years would collapse, turning me into someone who doesn't work for the collective.

Yi Zhonghai looked at the smug He Yuzhu and really wanted to punch him, but he knew that he was just thinking about it. He could only agree now, otherwise, wouldn't he, the best fitter in the steel rolling mill, be just a decoration?

"Factory director, please rest assured that no matter how difficult or arduous the task, I am confident in completing the task assigned by the street leaders."

Look how eloquent Yi Zhonghai is. He first expressed his determination, saying that no matter how great the difficulties, he was confident that he could complete the task smoothly. He also specifically pointed out that this was the task of the street office.

It was also implied that this matter had nothing to do with He Yuzhu; it was a matter between the steel mill and the street leaders on an official basis.

Factory Director Yang understood that He Yuzhu's procedures for approaching Yi Zhonghai were incorrect, and Yi Zhonghai's refusal to help was not a procedural error, so he could not be punished.

He just smiled and said, "That's good. The neighborhood has helped our steel mill and solved a lot of practical difficulties. Now that the neighborhood needs our help, we will do our best to help."

"Yes, I will definitely make that mold." Yi Zhonghai assured him.

Factory Director Yang smiled and said, "That's good. Starting tomorrow, you will be temporarily seconded to the street office to help them make molds."

"Yes, I promise to complete the mission."

Factory Director Yang raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. The leaders conducting the impromptu inspection were about to arrive, and time was running out.

Yi Zhonghai was a shrewd man. Knowing that the matter concerning him was over, he quickly got up and said goodbye.

Factory Director Yang stood up, shook his hand, gave him a few words of advice, and then sent him back to work.

He Yuzhu had originally planned to take out and use that big bomb, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better, and Director Yang stepped in and solved the problem.

As for why Director Yang was so enthusiastic, He Yuzhu could guess that his most significant identity was that he had obtained a first-class cook certificate.

It should be noted that a first-class cook is already the highest level among chefs, and there are even higher levels. The head chefs working in the kitchen of the Great Hall of the People are known as special-class cooks.

But they were all serving the leader.

Although many people pass the exam to become a first-level cook, the vast majority of them become head chefs in large restaurants and rarely cook.

Even when dining in a private room at a restaurant, it's difficult to taste their culinary skills. Only for some distinguished guests or acquaintances will the restaurant owner specifically instruct the head chef to prepare a few of their signature dishes.

So He Yuzhu was well aware of Director Yang's enthusiasm; he just wanted him to cook a meal for him.

An ordinary, honest person would have to wait for Factory Director Yang to speak, but He Yuzhu said directly, "Thank you for your help, Factory Director Yang. Now the production of canned food jars can be completed smoothly."

"Comrade He, you're too kind. It's all what I should do," said Director Yang, patting He Yuzhu's hand with a gentle breeze.

"You're too kind. Since you're here today, I'll take the liberty of cooking a few dishes for you to taste. Please point out any shortcomings."

Although this reason was somewhat far-fetched, it pleased Director Yang. No matter how good He Yuzhu's skills were, he was just a cook. In the past, cooks were considered a low-class profession, serving others and having a very low status.

The steel rolling mill is a top-tier factory within the ministry. Although Director Yang is very polite, his status far surpasses that of He Yuzhu, the cook.

Seeing that he so tactfully offered to help with the cooking, her smile widened even more. She grasped He Yuzhu's hands, thanked him repeatedly, and then said:

"Thank you, Master He. It's really unfortunate, I have to go pick up the inspection team. I'll leave the meal arrangements to you."

"You're busy."

After seeing Director Yang off, Director Fan asked, "Master He, is there anything you need?"

"You're too kind. Let me see what ingredients we have first."

"Alright, this way please."

He Yuzhu followed Director Fan to the small warehouse next to the kitchen. There was plenty of fresh meat inside, including chicken, duck, fish, and some mountain delicacies.

He Yuzhu nodded and asked, "Which province are the leaders who came to inspect from, and what are their hobbies?"

The most important thing in life is to tailor your approach to the individual. The quality of the food is secondary; the most important thing is to make the food delicious for the guests.

Director Fan said, "The big leader who came this time is from Sichuan Province, so he doesn't have any dietary restrictions. Just cook a table of Sichuan dishes."

"Ok, I see."

After taking some ingredients, the two left the storeroom and went into the kitchen. A diligent and sensible worker came forward to take them. Upon closer inspection, He Yuzhu realized that this was Xiao Mahua.

The MCA in front of me is not yet an adult, just a half-grown child, but he is very sensible and knows how to show off in front of others.

He Daqing came over and asked, "How is it?"

He Yuzhu said, "Director Yang was very enthusiastic. He found Yi Zhonghai and asked him to start making tools for the street starting tomorrow."

"That's good, it's good that the matter is resolved."

He Daqing then pointed to the ingredients and asked, "What is this?"

"I'll cook a table of Sichuan dishes."

He Daqing nodded: "That's only right."

Director Fan gave a few instructions, then went out to get a brand new apron, hat, arm protectors, etc., and handed them to He Yuzhu.

Then they told me the exact time; there was still almost an hour left, so I had plenty of time.

He Yuzhu personally prepared the ingredients, with He Daqing and Ma Hua helping out. After the ingredients were prepared, there was no rush to cook. Ma Hua brought a brand-new enamel mug and brewed some tea.

"Master He, please have some tea."