69novels Chapter 1060 He Yuzhu Doesn't Want to Get Involved
Chapter 1060 He Yuzhu Doesn't Want to Get Involved
Yi Zhonghai's heart tightened. These words were like a needle chilled to the bone, precisely piercing his most vulnerable and guilty conscience. He hadn't been able to concentrate on his studies these past few days, his mind preoccupied with how to trap Gu Nan. This reminder threw him into a panic. He wanted to say something more, such as inquiring about the exam scope or subtly asking if Gu Nan had any "handle" that Deputy Factory Director Li had recently given him, but Gu Nan didn't give him the chance. He gave a slight nod as a greeting, turned, and went into his office. The door clicked shut from the inside, choking Yi Zhonghai's words and leaving him red-faced with embarrassment.
Yi Zhonghai stared at the tightly closed door, its red paint gleaming in the sunlight, as if mocking his overestimation of his abilities. His smile vanished completely, replaced by a sinister glint in his eyes, like poisoned steel needles. He spat on the ground, his voice low and menacing, barely audible to himself: "What are you so arrogant about? You just got lucky and became a deputy factory director? How long can you be so cocky? Once Deputy Factory Director Li has investigated the shady dealings behind your 'promotion by special privileges' and sent them upstairs, you'll be stripped of your deputy director title, and even your senior engineer title will be taken away. You'll be stuck in the workshop like me, screwing screws in!"
The more he thought about it, the more smug he became, his steps almost floating. He could already see Gu Nan's pathetic state on the day he was dismissed—carrying an old canvas bag, head down, walking out of the office building, not even bothering to greet Old Zhang, the gatekeeper. Gu Nan would be a powerless technician, while he, thanks to Deputy Factory Director Li's "patronage," would smoothly pass the review and remain a renowned "Level 8 Yi" in the factory. Who would dare disrespect him then? And in the courtyard, it would be even more so. Gu Nan would have to respectfully call him "Uncle Yi" and bring him snacks during holidays. How could Gu Nan dare to be so domineering towards him now?
"Then you'll see who really calls the shots in this factory, who's the boss here!" Yi Zhonghai smugly chuckled, his mouth stretching to his ears, a smile spreading across his face. He walked briskly towards Deputy Factory Director Li's office, his heels clicking on the floor as if celebrating his impending "victory." The sunlight streaming through the corridor windows shone warmly on him, but it couldn't penetrate the moldy, hidden calculations lurking in his heart.
The deafening roar of the machines in the workshop filled the air with the smell of machine oil and metal shavings. Qin Huairu had just polished the parts in her hands until they were smooth and shiny when she looked up and saw Yi Zhonghai standing by the workbench not far away, a vague smile on his lips. His file was idly scraping the workpiece, but his eyes were drifting towards the workshop door; his mind was clearly not on his work. She wiped the oil off her hands, picked up the parts box, and walked over—she and Yi Zhonghai worked in the same workshop, both were first-class fitters, and they saw each other all the time, so she had to greet him.
"Uncle Yi, you look so cheerful today, what's the good news?" Qin Huairu put the parts back in their place, a polite smile plastered on her face. The work she was doing wasn't heavy, but the repetitive filing and polishing day after day had long since worn thick calluses on her fingertips, and even the area between her thumb and forefinger bore red marks left by years of hard work, making it look exceptionally rough.
Yi Zhonghai's heart skipped a beat—he was just plotting how to get a few old buddies to spread rumors that Gu Nan had cheated on his exams, hoping to ruin his promotion, when Qin Huairu unexpectedly caught him in this state. How could he dare tell the truth? Especially since he was currently stuck at the fifth-level fitter level and was working hard to get promoted to the eighth level. If Qin Huairu found out about his plans, given her shrewdness, she might exaggerate and pass the information to Gu Nan's ears, and his dream of becoming an eighth-level fitter would be completely ruined. Besides, Qin Huairu had been trying to talk to Gu Nan lately. Although Gu Nan hadn't given her a warm welcome, there was no guarantee that they wouldn't actually get on each other's good side someday, and he couldn't afford to cause trouble at this crucial moment.
He quickly suppressed his strange smile, grabbed a rag, and hastily wiped his hands. "Hey, what good news could there be? I just heard that Deputy Factory Director Gu was promoted to senior engineer, so I'm happy for the factory. He's so young and already has this ability. Our factory's technology will definitely be top-notch in the future, and we'll benefit from it too, right?"
Qin Huairu's smile faded slightly—she didn't believe it. Everyone in the workshop knew that Yi Zhonghai and Gu Nan were openly and secretly competing. Last time, they even argued at a meeting over a spot in a technical research project; how could she possibly be genuinely happy for Gu Nan? She was about to ask a few more questions when Yi Zhonghai spoke first, his tone deliberately concerned: "By the way, how's things going with your 'banggeng'? Did He Yuzhu give you any definite news?"
Actually, he had intended to ask about the "banggeng" (a type of wood) program in Deputy Factory Director Li's office earlier, but then he realized that his own job evaluation for level eight fitter was more important, so he swallowed his words. Now, he was using this to change the subject, so that Qin Huairu wouldn't press him for more information.
Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu's face showed worry again. She tapped the file on the table lightly, making a soft "tap-tap" sound. "I was just about to go find He Yuzhu. Deputy Factory Director Li came to work today. I don't know if there will be any progress on the matter of the stalks. You know, the day to go to the countryside is just around the corner. There are only a few days left. If we delay any longer, it will really be too late."
"Then you'd better hurry up," Yi Zhonghai urged, glancing towards the workshop door. "Vice Factory Director Li must be in the office building right now. If He Yuzhu were smart, he would have gone there already. Go and take a look, don't delay important matters."
Qin Huairu was indeed anxious. Without thinking further, she nodded and walked out of the workshop. A few oil splatters on her dark blue work jacket from the machines made it quite noticeable. She walked quickly, the wind whipping her clothes around her, her heart heavy with worry—if Banggeng really went to the countryside, how would he endure those hard times?
In the kitchen, He Yuzhu was leaning against the stove, smoking and idly playing with a gleaming wok, completely unhurried. A pile of freshly picked vegetables sat beside the stove, and steam still rose from a large pot next to it, indicating he had just finished a busy day. Qin Huairu entered and saw him like this, and her anger flared instantly—she was so anxious at home that she had blisters in her mouth and couldn't even eat, while he was here leisurely smoking!
"Zhu Zi, what are you doing? You still have the leisure to smoke here?" Qin Huairu's voice trembled slightly, and her eyes were almost overflowing with urgency. "Didn't I tell you to talk to Deputy Factory Director Li about the corn cob? Why are you still dawdling here!"