Early the next morning, He Yuzhu left the house. Qin Huairu had pestered him relentlessly all day, so if he did not leave early, she would probably block him in the front courtyard again.
But just as he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Xu Damao dressed in a Woolen Mao suit, looking like a foolish son-in-law as he hummed a tune and headed out.
In 1961, a Woolen Mao suit was considered top-tier clothing. Even when getting married, not everyone could afford to wear one.
Xu Damao was definitely not going to the Steel Rolling Mill this early today. Judging by the looks of it, he had taken leave again. He must have something going on.
He had spent too much System Currency yesterday. He had to seize every opportunity to make these villains generate negative emotions!
“Xu Damao, not going to work first thing in the morning and dressed up like a foolish son-in-law—where are you off to harass a respectable woman this time?”
“You’re the one harassing respectable women!” Xu Damao said irritably. “I’m meeting Lou Xiaoe to watch a movie today. Just wait and see—the two of us will be married before long!”
“You two? It won’t happen.” He Yuzhu said with a laugh. “Believe it or not, all I have to do is say one word, and from now on, Lou Xiaoe will spit at you whenever she sees you.”
Xu Damao felt a wave of frustration, but he did not dare say anything harsh. He hurriedly quickened his pace and left through the courtyard gate.
Everyone knew that He Yuzhu was truly ruthless. If words failed, he would use slaps, fists, and double-kick firecrackers; three or five men could not get close to him.
He had often been beaten up because of that mouth of his. Seeing the confidence in the other man’s eyes today, he could not help feeling guilty.
It seemed that if he wanted to make that damned Silly Zhu submit, he would still have to win over this girl, Lou Xiaoe.
He had to find an opportunity to take Lou Xiaoe around the factory, then pay a visit to the neighbors in the Siheyuan.
With Lou Xiaoe’s looks, he was sure Silly Zhu would be so envious that his eyes would practically bleed!
The houses in the Siheyuan were all built of brick and wood, so the soundproofing was poor. Any neighbors who were awake heard He Yuzhu and Xu Damao talking.
Qin Huairu was busy preparing breakfast for her mother-in-law and the children. She usually got up early and always listened for movement outside.
As soon as she heard Silly Zhu’s familiar footsteps, she would grab the lunchboxes and go out. These lunchboxes were the lifeline of the whole family and absolutely could not be lost.
Now that she heard voices outside, she could not even finish preparing the meal. She picked up the lunchboxes and hurried out, only to find no one there.
He Yuzhu had not deliberately lingered in the front courtyard as he usually did. Instead, he had quickened his pace and gone far away long ago, specifically to avoid receiving Qin Huairu’s lunchboxes.
Was this widow’s family pitiful? Yes, they were.
But there were plenty of pitiful, struggling people in the world. That did not mean everyone with difficulties at home had no bottom line and could cheat others!
He Yuzhu made up his mind to sever ties with this ill-intentioned widow and her family as soon as possible.
After seeing things clearly, he felt much more refreshed.
Qin Huairu negative emotions +120, +21, +17, +13…
Xu Damao negative emotions +157, +121, +71, +31…
The negative emotions of Xu Damao and Qin Huairu in the system changed again, continuously increasing without pause. Before long, the total amount had exceeded 1,000.
Today was also He Yuzhu’s first day officially taking up his new post as the Canteen Director.
The feeling of being an official really was different. Not to mention his Disciple Ma Hua—even the workers who usually called him Silly Zhu now addressed him as “Director He” every other word.
The Canteen Director’s position was basically a full-time administrative post. Aside from handling receptions for the leaders, he now mostly held a large metal teacup and offered occasional management and guidance.
In a daze, it felt as though he had returned to his days as the executive chef at the Seven Star Hotel.
In the afternoon, while He Yuzhu was dozing beside the radiator, he suddenly heard Xu Damao’s loud, booming voice.
“He Yuzhu, sleeping during work hours and slacking off here again? I have something to discuss with you.”
He Yuzhu looked up and could not help being stunned. Standing beside Xu Damao was a beautiful girl—none other than Lou Xiaoe!
“Stop staring. Your eyes are practically popping out.” Xu Damao said smugly. “Let me introduce you first. This is my girlfriend, Lou Xiaoe.”
It was obvious that after watching the movie, Xu Damao had deliberately brought Lou Xiaoe over to show her off.
The two of them had been on the verge of open conflict in the canteen last time, and now he wanted to embarrass He Yuzhu in front of everyone. What a rotten scheme.
He Yuzhu smiled and said, “What do you want? Get to the point first and stop spouting nonsense.”
“Xiaoe and I fell in love at first sight. We’ll be married before long. I know your cooking is excellent, so when the time comes, as neighbors, I’d like you to help prepare a banquet.” Xu Damao said.
At the same time, a trace of surprise and displeasure flashed through Lou Xiaoe’s eyes, but she did not lose her temper.
He Yuzhu noticed this fleeting change in her expression.
He knew that Lou Xiaoe actually looked down on Xu Damao, but because her own mother had actively pushed the match, she had rashly agreed to the marriage in the end.
He Yuzhu felt he had the situation figured out and said indifferently, “You’ve only known each other for a couple of days, and you’re already talking about marriage? Just what makes you think you’re qualified, Xu Damao, you incompetent fool?”
“Who are you calling an incompetent fool?” Xu Damao panicked and shouted, “You’re just a cook, while I’m educated and technically skilled!”
“Technically skilled? Educated? Stop making a fool of yourself.” He Yuzhu said with a laugh. “I cook and you screen films. Which of those isn’t a skill?”
“And you, Xu Damao, dare claim to be educated? Whose books have you read? Gorky? Chekhov? Ostrovsky?”
Xu Damao was completely dumbfounded. When had this Silly Zhu ever read books, from childhood until now? How had he suddenly rattled off so many foreign names today?
But how could he lose face in front of Lou Xiaoe? Gritting his teeth, he said, “You… What kind of random people are those? I’ve never even heard of them.”
“They’re all great Russian writers. Forget reading their works—you haven’t even heard their names, have you? You still refuse to admit that you, Xu Damao, are illiterate?” He Yuzhu said.
“Among them was a great proletarian writer and a Bolshevik fighter. How dare you call such people random nobodies?”
Xu Damao was badly startled. In those days, one could not speak carelessly. He had never expected Silly Zhu to know so much.
A look of surprise and admiration flashed through Lou Xiaoe’s eyes. From what this man named He Yuzhu had said, it was clear that he really had read quite a few books.
“Do you… like reading?” Lou Xiaoe asked. “I enjoy reading too.”
“I’ve read a little of this and that, but not much. We should exchange thoughts when we get the chance.” He Yuzhu said with a smile.
“I’m something of a polymath. I know a little about novels, music, and poetry. I especially like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and I have some of my own opinions about it.”
Xu Damao was utterly dumbfounded. Novels, music, and even poetry—could this Silly Zhu possibly have anything to do with them?
But the facts were right before his eyes. This was truly thunder rolling across the sky!
He had originally wanted to show off, but after bringing his girlfriend over, he had instead given Silly Zhu a chance to shine!
When he looked at Lou Xiaoe again, her gaze had already changed. She was excited, as if she had encountered a kindred spirit!
The system funds were skyrocketing!
After this exchange, Xu Damao had contributed more than 600 negative emotion currency!
He Yuzhu had the photographs of Xu Damao committing hooliganism, generated at great cost, tucked in his pocket. He wondered whether he should take them out now.
This was his trump card!
As long as he found an opportunity to show the photographs to Lou Xiaoe, Xu Damao would be nothing but rotten dog manure for the rest of his life!