It was easy to say, but difficult to do. Ever since Xu Damao finished getting his meal, he had hidden away in his little room and no longer wandered around the factory.
He Yuzhu could not exactly barge in and give him a thorough beating with a double-kick firecracker, or he would be the one in the wrong.
As the seconds ticked by, he still could not think of a good idea, and He Yuzhu gradually grew restless.
If everyone returned to the Siheyuan today and shut themselves inside without going out, then with just over 400 System Currency tomorrow, they would not be able to exchange it for anything worthwhile.
“Master, what does ‘watching the melon’ mean?”
Just as He Yuzhu was racking his brains, Disciple Ma Hua asked quietly from the side.
This apprentice had not been at the factory for long. He never slacked off or wandered between posts in the Canteen, working diligently every day and rarely hearing any gossip.
The meaning behind something like “watching the melon” could usually only be understood by people who had spent several years at the factory, which was why he asked out of curiosity.
For some reason, when Ma Hua asked him that question, a flash of inspiration seemed to strike He Yuzhu, and he suddenly came up with an idea!
That was right! What could create more negative emotions than watching the melon? If Xu Damao got his melon watched today, would that not bring in several thousand units of negative emotion currency?
After a bout of deep thought, He Yuzhu finally came up with a practical and feasible plan.
“Ma Hua, run an errand for me. Liu Yanhong from the machine repair workshop, Wang Mei from the electrical workshop, Cao Caixia from the power workshop, Jiang Liqing…”
He Yuzhu had an excellent memory and listed all the most formidable Elder Sisters in the factory as casually as if reciting family treasures.
Afraid his apprentice would not remember them, he wrote the names down on a note and instructed Ma Hua to find these Elder Sisters in their respective workshops.
Ma Hua hesitated and said, “Master, it is working hours right now. What if they refuse to come? I need something to tell them.”
“Tell them that I have already obtained some supplies from Hongxing Commune and that they should come to the Canteen kitchen. If they do not come, then when I serve dishes next Monday, they had better not blame me if my hand happens to shake.”
Ma Hua obeyed his Master’s every command. Holding the note, he dashed all over the factory, visiting the workshops one by one to find the female workers.
Every one of these Elder Sisters was over forty and under forty-five, precisely the age when they were as fierce as wolves and tigers.
There was a saying in those days that women could hold up half the sky. These female masters did not distinguish between men and women when working at the factory. They might not all have been broad-shouldered and powerfully built, but they certainly had strength to spare.
After Ma Hua explained the matter, the Elder Sisters all headed for the Canteen. For one thing, they were afraid that He Yuzhu’s hand might shake while serving their food—a common trick among cooks, and not one they could afford to offend.
They also wanted to see whether he had really brought back any supplies. Besides, it was almost time to get off work, so they had nothing better to do.
Before long, six middle-aged female workers arrived in the Canteen kitchen. He Yuzhu led them inside and asked everyone unrelated to the matter to leave temporarily.
Just moments earlier, He Yuzhu had burned his boats and exchanged all the System Currency in the system for pork belly.
Four hundred and thirty-six units of System Currency had been exchanged for nearly forty pounds of pork belly. The piece looked enormous, and in this era, it was enough to make anyone jealous.
“Come, come. Xu Damao spread rumors that I could not obtain anything. Take a good look, everyone. What is this?”
As He Yuzhu spoke, he lifted the cloth covering the steamer basket, startling all six Elder Sisters.
“Such a large piece? Master He, you did not take meat from the factory and try to fool us, did you?” one Elder Sister asked suspiciously.
“From the factory? I obtained supplies for the factory and only brought back a few dozen pounds? Would that not be looking down on me? All this meat was given to me personally by Hongxing Commune!” He Yuzhu said with a smile.
“What?”
The several Elder Sisters were all dumbfounded.
They had heard that the Canteen did indeed have oil and calories, and that every day, more or less, people could bring things home. But this was the first time they had heard of such a huge benefit!
“You do not need to know about matters at the leadership level, and do not ask too many questions. In any case, I can decide what to do with this meat myself. Everyone who sees it gets a share today—two pounds each to take home!”
Before He Yuzhu had even finished speaking, the large chef’s knife in his hand flashed up and down, and in just a few strokes, he cut six strips of pork belly.
“Do not just stand there staring. One strip of meat each—consider it a personal gift from me. There is just one thing: Xu Damao spread rumors about me, and I simply cannot swallow this grievance!”
These Elder Sisters had spent most of their lives at the factory. They could understand the situation immediately from the tone of his words.
When you accept food, you are obliged to keep your mouth shut; when you accept a gift, you are obliged to lend a hand. Having received the benefit of two pounds of pork in these times, how could they not do something for him?
“When you go back, do not spread this around. If word gets out, there will never be benefits like this again. Next Monday, I will bring back pork and eggs.”
“When the time comes, come to the Canteen and lend a hand. Afterward, each of you can take two pounds of eggs home. I may only be the Canteen Director, but I can still make that decision myself.”
The several Elder Sisters were so excited that they did not know what to say. He Yuzhu really was an open and generous man, and he had been so lavish with his gifts!
“Master He, we never had much dealings before, and only today did we learn how righteous you are! That bastard Xu Damao has been spreading rumors about you everywhere these past few days. We absolutely will not stand for it!”
“Exactly. If Master He really could not obtain non-staple food, would he have so much meat and eggs to give away? That Xu Damao is a damned bastard—of all people, how could he spread rumors about you!”
Seeing that the moment was right, He Yuzhu lowered his voice and said, “Xu Damao challenged me in the Canteen today. If I do not let him watch his melon today, no one will respect me in the future.”
“You Elder Sisters are all warm-hearted and generous. Before the end of the workday, could you give Xu Damao a thorough beating in the Canteen? It would help me vent this anger.”
“Do not worry, Master He. Leave this matter to us!” the several Elder Sisters said in unison.
He Yuzhu told the several Elder Sisters to wait in the Canteen while he hurried toward the screening room of the Steel Rolling Mill.
This screening room was similar to a small screening hall. The leaders usually watched materials or internal reference films here, while Xu Damao was in a small room beside it.
When he pushed open the door, Xu Damao was startled as well. He had no idea why He Yuzhu had come looking for him.
“Xu Damao, you challenged me at noon. This afternoon, I made a trip and brought back pork and eggs. They are in the Canteen. Hurry and bring me the meat coupons you promised.”
Xu Damao was completely stunned. Was this not obviously complete nonsense?
Hongxing Commune was dozens of kilometers from the city. How could there have been enough time to make the round trip in one afternoon? This was clearly an attempt to extort him!
“You do not believe me? Then come with me to the Canteen. You will be dumbfounded when you get there!”
After saying this, He Yuzhu turned and left, not giving Xu Damao any time to consider the matter.
At this point, even a clay figure would have a temper. Xu Damao followed behind angrily, and the two entered the Canteen one after the other.
Poor Xu Damao still did not know that he was about to become the laughingstock of the entire factory!