Chapter 24: Game

"When you need it, go directly to the logistics warehouse to pick it up, and give the money to the Finance Department."

"Thank you, Director! You've been a great help."

"Okay, grab your food and go back to eat."

Yu Zhiyuan took the two tickets and the cigarette, nodded to the secretary, and walked out of the office towards the cafeteria.

Yu Zhiyuan then called out Sha Zhu.

"Brother Zhuzi, prepare some wine and food tonight. I have something good to discuss with you."

"Really? I'll go shopping later. I'll wait for you at my house tonight. Don't cook at home. I'll ask Yu Shui to deliver the food to your house when it's ready."

After saying that, he asked Sha Zhu to find two pieces of newspaper, wrap two packs of cigarettes in each, and then went back to the workshop to eat and go back to work.

When I get home from get off work, I turn on the stove, feed the chickens, soak my clothes in the hot water from the stove, and then drink tea while reading my notes.

When Yang Xuemei brought Qiaoqiao into the house, He Yushui followed behind with two plates.

He gestured to He Yushui to take the dishes to the old lady's room to eat, and told Yang Xuemei what happened.

I took Mantou and Qiaoqiao for a walk with them, and when I arrived at Shazhu's house, I ran into He Yushui walking towards the backyard with a pot of stewed potatoes and chicken.

"Finally you two are here. Please take a seat first. I'll go get a bottle of wine."

Yu Zhiyuan sat down, reached out to his daughter and took the chicken feet and told her to eat them first.

Qiaoqiao knelt on the chair, nibbling on chicken feet with her eyes narrowed, and ignored Yu Zhiyuan even when he asked her questions.

Sha Zhu sat down with the wine and asked Yu Zhiyuan to eat first.

After they had eaten half their fill, Qiaoqiao had already gone out and returned to the backyard.

"Brother Zhuzi, two things. Let's talk about your work first. You weren't the one who entertained Director Li, were you?"

Sha Zhu sneered: "I don't like that guy very much, so I ignored him. What's wrong?"

"Brother Zhuzi, are there any rules in your business?"

Sha Zhu's face changed and he nodded.

"Brother Zhuzi, why do you care about how others behave? They are not asking you to do it together. They just ask you to complete your job. Have you forgotten your rules? This is your industry rule, and don't talk about your personal interests anymore." After saying that, Yu Zhiyuan took a sip of wine and ate a bite of food.

Sha Zhu looked at it anxiously.

"Director Li is in charge of logistics. He should be in charge of the canteen, and he should be in charge of your assessments! Don't you understand?"

"Zhiyuan, you mean Director Li blocked my assessment because of the banquet."

"Of course not. You should cook your food and take what you are supposed to take. It's none of your business who eats it or how they eat it. You don't have to show loyalty. That's your job."

"I am in the middle of the situation and can't see things clearly. Thank you, Zhiyuan, for telling me this."

After saying this, Sha Zhu gave a wry smile, raised his wine cup and clinked it with Yu Zhiyuan's, then drank it in one gulp and exhaled heavily.

No one knew what Sha Zhu was thinking. He didn't say anything and Yu Zhiyuan ate his food slowly.

Now that I have food in my stomach, I am not so hungry anymore.

"Thank you, Zhiyuan. I'll treat you to a meal after the assessment."

"You've asked too much, so let me tell you about another matter."

"The girl is 22 years old, has been in high school for one year, lives in the textile factory community, and her name is Hao Yingjuan."

"I knew you were capable, come on, let's go."

Putting down the wine cup, Yu Zhiyuan took two bites of the food.

"She has been doing odd jobs for the past year. Her brother has a child at home, and her mother wants her to get married soon because she feels uncomfortable at home. How about it? Do you still want me to give you some advice?"

Sha Zhu attentively poured wine for Yu Zhiyuan!
"His mother will probably come to our yard in a few days. You clean up the house and I'll show her around. Then you can meet outside and have a meal. Don't be stingy. Be generous and treat her to a good meal. I think that girl is smart and capable."

After Yu Zhiyuan finished speaking, he raised his glass and gestured.

Sha Zhu hurriedly met with Yu Zhiyuan. "Then you should meet more often and explain the situation to him clearly. Don't hide anything. Tell him openly."

Sha Zhu kept nodding and told Yu Zhiyuan to speak quickly.

Yu Zhiyuan chuckled: "You've been promoted this time, and the factory is going to recruit more people in May or June. If the two of you get your certificates in advance, it won't be difficult for you to squeeze someone into the kitchen, right?"

After Yu Zhiyuan finished speaking, he looked at Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu kept nodding his head, his face full of longing.

"My idea and the coach's talk are worth how many drinks. Count it on your fingers."

"Okay, Zhiyuan, I'd like to thank you here. When I'm done, I'll treat you to a few drinks." After saying this, Sha Zhu raised his wine cup again.

"Control your bad temper. When you hear what the girl is talking about, ask her clearly before you reply. Don't get angry like a firecracker. It feels like you are teaching your son."

Sha Zhu chuckled and said, "Okay, let's do as you say."

Just as he poured the wine, he heard a knock on the door. Sha Zhu got up and went to open the door.

"Hey, Third Uncle, you came here just because you smelled the scent."

"Silly Zhu, you are like a dog that can't spit out ivory. Third uncle, I have something to ask you."

After Yan Bugui finished speaking, he squeezed into the room without caring whether Sha Zhu was willing or not, looked at the food and wine on the table, pulled a chair and sat down.

"Why are you drinking again? Tell me, Uncle Third, let me hear it."

"It's none of your business. Is there anything wrong? If not, leave now."

Yu Zhiyuan thought that he would not target Hao Yingjuan, but didn’t Yan Jiecheng marry Yu Li in the play?

"Okay, Brother Zhuzi, quickly add some bowls and chopsticks for Uncle San. How come you forgot to entertain the guests?"

"It's still Zhiyuan who is sensible."

"I don't know anything. Anyway, it's not my food and wine, and I'm full." Yu Zhiyuan complained in his heart.

Sha Zhu brought bowl and chopsticks to Yan Bugui, and the two of them watched him eat and drink.

Yan Bugui ate and drank for a while before he said to Sha Zhu, "Sha Zhu, you can't even let your uncle drink?"

Sha Zhu helplessly went to get a wine cup for Yan Bugui: "Hey, Third Uncle, are you okay? You're not just here to eat and drink for free, are you?"

Yan Bugui poured himself a glass of wine and drank it before he spoke: "I just came from your uncle's place, I have something to ask you young people."

Sha Zhu and Yu Zhiyuan looked at each other.

"Uncle, if you have something to say, just tell me." Yu Zhiyuan said.

"I heard that the steel mill is going to expand production. I was thinking that Jie Cheng wasn't doing well in school and he's almost 18, so I wanted to ask him to work in the steel mill."

"To enter the steel rolling mill, why don't you just go find an old man? He is a level seven worker and a master craftsman. It will be easy for your Jie Cheng to become a formal worker after working for two years." Yu Zhiyuan praised.

"I thought the work in the workshop was too hard, so I asked him to go to the kitchen to learn some skills from Sha Zhu. I also trust Sha Zhu."

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu and Yu Zhiyuan's faces turned dark.

"No, Third Uncle, what do you think? I only have a level nine chef now, but I can't arrange for anyone to work in the kitchen. You should ask someone else for help."

"No, Silly Zhu, I just want Jie Cheng to learn some skills from you and work in the kitchen. If it doesn't work out, I'll go and ask the old lady for help."

Yu Zhiyuan thought to himself: "You are really using an anti-aircraft gun to kill a mosquito, a waste of talent. I don't know if the old lady will take it up. I'll go and tell her about it later."

"Uncle, this is impossible. I have two apprentices now. I need to practice on my own. How can I have the time to teach one more?"

"No, Shazhu, they are all from old neighbors. They are comfortable to use, and I will feel at ease teaching them something in the future, right?"

Seeing Yu Zhiyuan winking at him, Sha Zhu hurriedly said, "Okay, if you can arrange for him to stay in the cafeteria, I'll take care of him."

Yan Bugui then smiled and started talking about other things.

(End of this chapter)