Chapter 155 Taking Control of the Wind and Cloud

As the sun gradually slanted westward, the light and shadow in the courtyard softened, and before long it was afternoon.

The gate of the He family's courtyard was gently knocked on; the sound was not loud, but it conveyed a deliberate respect.

He Daqing had just gotten up to open the door when he saw the gate being pushed open from the outside, and Butler Wu walked in first.

This time, however, Butler Wu did not come alone.

Behind him followed closely a middle-aged man wearing a dark woolen Zhongshan suit.

The man was dressed impeccably, the fabric smooth and crisp, his collar and cuffs meticulously groomed, exuding the composed demeanor of someone long accustomed to high positions.

He's clearly not someone an ordinary family could raise; he must be either rich or noble.

Butler Wu's hands were completely occupied.

In his left hand he carried two exquisite gift boxes printed with foreign words, in his right hand he carried two large bags of pastries and fruits wrapped in red paper, and in his arm he had a piece of fine cured meat slung over his shoulder.

The gifts, in large and small packages, were piled together, looking quite substantial and showing the sincerity of the visitors.

He Daqing squinted and carefully examined the man for a moment. When he saw the middle-aged man's face clearly, his expression suddenly changed.

He quickened his pace and hurriedly stood up from the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), his tone carrying a barely perceptible unease.

"Chairman Lou, what brings you here in person?"

Lou Zhenhua walked into the courtyard with a faint smile on his face, casually glancing around at the scene inside.

"You have to come."

"Your good son, I've sent people to invite him several times, but I just couldn't get him to come."

He Daqing looked embarrassed, rubbed his hands together unconsciously, and sighed helplessly.

"My son is all grown up now, he has his own ideas, and his mind is no longer on the family. As his father, I can no longer control him."

Lou Zhenhua nodded slightly, his tone calm but with an undeniable certainty.

"That's why I came in person."

"Where is Section Chief He now?"

He Daqing quickly composed himself and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

"Zhu Zi is resting in the east wing. I'll go and ask him to come out and see you."

Lou Zhenhua nodded slightly and uttered a single word: "Okay."

He Daqing turned around and walked into the house, shouting at the top of his lungs as he went.

"Honey, come out quickly! We have a distinguished guest. Make a pot of good tea and bring it in."

Chen Lanxiang's crisp and efficient response came quickly from inside the room.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Lou Zhenhua sat down at the wooden table in the courtyard at He Daqing's invitation.

His gaze slowly swept over the entire courtyard of the He family, as he secretly made his plans.

Years ago, this house was considered one of the finest residences in Beijing, spacious, well-organized, and meticulously laid out.

Unfortunately, after so many years of exposure to the elements, the walls of the house are somewhat mottled, and the wooden windows are also a bit old.

In Lou Zhenhua's view, the He family was clearly short of money and did not have extra funds to renovate or tidy up the house.

Chen Lanxiang patiently calmed the crying children in the inner room, gave them food, and then quickly came out.

She heard every word of the conversation between He Daqing and his son He Yuzhu in the house that morning.

She knew perfectly well that this Chairman Lou was here for He Yuzhu and had little to do with the He family.

So she made up her mind to treat the guests the same way she would treat ordinary guests: neither humble nor arrogant, not saying much or making a fuss, just providing good hospitality.

Before long, a steaming cup of tea was served.

The tea used is genuine Zhang Yiyuan flower tea, with a rich aroma and a clear, bright liquor.

At least it's not the cheap, broken tea leaves you find on the market, so you won't lose face in front of your distinguished guests.

The tea had just been placed steadily on the table when He Yuzhu walked out of the east wing with steady steps.

He stood tall and straight, his expression calm, without a trace of flattery on his face.

Upon seeing this, Lou Zhenhua immediately stood up, extended his right hand, and wanted to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu remained calm, without any polite formalities or refusal, and simply reached out to shake hands with him lightly before quickly withdrawing his hand.

"Section Chief He is really hard to invite!" Lou Zhenhua said with a smile, his tone tinged with both amusement and a hint of helplessness.

He Yuzhu spoke indifferently, without a trace of emotion.

"I've never been one to engage in these kinds of social niceties."

Lou Zhenhua suddenly realized and patted his forehead.

"I see! I hadn't considered that."

He Yuzhu looked at him and asked in a calm tone.

"Chairman Lou, what brings you here?"

Lou Zhenhua subconsciously looked around. There were too many people in the courtyard, so it was really inconvenient to talk about private matters.

He Yuzhu saw through his concerns at a glance and said calmly.

"If you find it inconvenient, you can move to the east wing to discuss this in detail."

Lou Zhenhua's eyes lit up, and he immediately nodded in agreement, "Okay."

He immediately stood up, turned to look at Steward Wu who was standing beside him with his hands at his sides, and gave instructions in a deep voice.

"Xiao Wu, you stay here and keep Brother He company. You don't need to come along."

Butler Wu immediately bowed and respectfully replied.

"Yes, boss."

He Yuzhu led Lou Zhenhua into the east wing and casually closed the door.

He made no polite gestures whatsoever, neither refilling tea nor exchanging any further pleasantries, but simply gestured for Lou Zhenhua to have a seat.

Lou Zhenhua, having been in the business world for many years, was broad-minded and did not care about such trivial matters, and sat down calmly.

As soon as he sat down, Lou Zhenhua stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly.

"Section Chief He, I've come here specifically to ask you for a favor."

He Yuzhu smiled faintly, his tone tinged with self-deprecation.

"I'm just a lowly section chief, powerless and insignificant. How could I possibly be of any help to you, Chairman Lou?"

Lou Zhenhua's expression turned serious, and his tone became somewhat urgent.

"The steel rolling mill is currently undergoing a public-private partnership restructuring, and orders have been issued from higher levels, requiring a significant increase in production output."

"But the most critical problem for the factory right now is that it doesn't have enough steel raw materials, so it can't start production at all."

Without even thinking, He Yuzhu shook his head and refused.

"I can't help you with that."

"Don't be so quick to refuse," Lou Zhenhua quickly interjected, his tone earnest.

"I've heard a bit about your mission in Russia. You made great contributions and became a hero praised by everyone."

"I also went to hear your report on being a model worker. Section Chief He is so young, yet so accomplished!"

He Yuzhu remained expressionless and responded calmly.

"You flatter me too much; I was just doing what I was supposed to do."

Seeing this, Lou Zhenhua finally revealed his true purpose.

"I just want to ask you to help us get our steel mill placed in the queue for steel import orders."

"As for the payment, don't worry, it's all negotiable, and you'll definitely not be asked to help for nothing."

He Yuzhu raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with doubt, and directly pointed out the key point.

"That's not right. Steel orders from the rolling mill are not handled by our company. You should contact the West Suburbs Steel Mill."

Lou Zhenhua sighed, his face full of helplessness.

"It's all about human effort, so it can also be attributed to your side, can't it?"

"The steel mill in the western suburbs has too low a production capacity. Downstream factories throughout the city are waiting for steel, and we can't get any market share at all."

He Yuzhu looked troubled, but spoke in a calm tone.

"This is difficult; I can't do anything that violates procedures."

"Easy, easy, not difficult at all," Lou Zhenhua said quickly, his tone tinged with urgency.

"The company has already submitted an application to its superiors, and our steel rolling mill is also following the proper import channels."

He Yuzhu looked at him and asked in a calm tone.

"Then why did you come to me in the first place? Isn't it perfectly legitimate to just go through the proper procedures between government departments?"

"There are too many factories queuing up in the western suburbs. By the time it's our turn, the factory will have to shut down. That's why we're begging you."

He Yuzhu softened his tone and gave an ambiguous answer.

"I'll go back to the office and check the relevant orders. I'll talk about it after I see the specific orders."

"That's too slow, we can't wait any longer!" Lou Zhenhua said anxiously, leaning forward slightly.

"Section Chief He, can't you think of a way to make an exception?"

He Yuzhu's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

"The rules are there, and there's nothing I can do about it."

"We paid for the steel in full with real money, not a penny owed. We'll definitely get special treatment. Can we hurry?"

He Yuzhu spoke calmly, directly deflecting the question.

"You should go to our company's general manager about this, not me."

Lou Zhenhua sighed heavily, his face full of bitterness.

"I'd like to pay a visit, but there's simply no way to do so; I can't even get a meeting with the general manager!"

He Yuzhu made the suggestion in a calm tone.

"Then let the company's contact person officially connect with our unit."

"That's too slow. With so many layers of approvals, who knows how long it would take?"

He Yuzhu remained silent for a moment, then casually asked another question.

"If I may ask, how many tons of steel are you planning to order?"

Lou Zhenhua did not hide anything and directly reported the quantity.

"Ten thousand tons, at the very least, is enough to guarantee our steel rolling mill's production for a whole year."

A hint of surprise flashed in He Yuzhu's eyes as he asked to confirm.

"A one-time order of 10,000 tons?"

"No need for all the goods to arrive at once, we can supply them in batches, just in batches!" Lou Zhenhua quickly added.

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu instantly understood and completely saw through Lou Zhenhua's thoughts.

This Chairman Lou is not concerned about the so-called factory production tasks, nor does he have any awareness of the factory's development.

Everything he did was entirely for his own money and personal gain.

In Lou Zhenhua's view, this huge steel rolling mill is about to be handed over and become state property.

He can't spend his whole life working hard only to end up with nothing.

Naturally, we should take advantage of this last opportunity to handle as many supplies as possible and earn as much as we can, since the more we do, the more we earn.

Actually, helping him get more steel wouldn't be a loss for He Yuzhu.

But after much thought, He Yuzhu still felt that going through official channels was the safest and most reliable way to handle this matter.

But just then, a flash of inspiration struck He Yuzhu, and he thought of another, more profitable business opportunity.

This business deal involves steel rolling equipment.

Instead of helping him cut in line for steel, we should let him pay for and import brand-new steel rolling equipment from Russia.

Heavy rolling mill equipment is bulky and fixed in the factory building, so no one can move it away or resell it at will.

It is both safe and can help Lou Zhenhua solve the fundamental problem while avoiding all risks.

Thinking of this, He Yuzhu looked at Lou Zhenhua and slowly spoke.

"Chairman Lou, let's put aside the matter of cutting in line for steel for now."

"I have something else here, I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Lou Zhenhua's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly spoke.

"Section Chief He, please speak freely, I'm all ears!"

"A brand new rolling mill manufactured by the original manufacturer in Russia."

He Yuzhu spoke calmly, yet each word was clear.

Lou Zhenhua was startled by these words and suddenly stood up from his seat.

His face was full of shock, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Can you get your hands on a Russian rolling mill? And a brand new one?"

He Yuzhu appeared calm and composed, his tone brimming with confidence.

"We can try to operate it. This kind of high-end equipment is simply not available on the domestic market."

"If you want to import it, you must go through a company like ours with foreign-related qualifications. Your orders will then be approved without any problems."

Lou Zhenhua slapped his thigh hard, his face full of regret and joy.

"That's right! How come I didn't think of such a simple principle!"

He Yuzhu smiled slightly and said calmly.

"You're just blinded by your own perspective, unable to see the bigger picture."

Lou Zhenhua suppressed his excitement, stepped forward, and carefully confirmed it again.

"Let me double-check one last time, is it really possible to get it? Is it the latest model of a new rolling mill?"

He Yuzhu's eyes were firm, and his tone was resolute.

"How will you know it can't be done if you don't try it yourself!"

"Great! That's wonderful!" Lou Zhenhua nodded excitedly, his face full of gratitude.

"As soon as I got back, I immediately started working on it, preparing the funds and paperwork in no time!"

"Thank you so much, Section Chief He! Thanks to your reminder, I would still be stuck on this problem!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand and gave a brief, indifferent instruction.

"You're welcome, but there's one thing you must never forget."

"All transactions must be settled in cash; this is of utmost importance and there can be no mistakes."

Lou Zhenhua nodded immediately, readily agreeing, his face full of understanding.

"That's only right. I understand the difficulties your foreign affairs departments face, and I absolutely won't cause you any trouble."

Seeing this, He Yuzhu knew that the matter had been settled, so he spoke up to conclude the discussion.

"That's settled then. We'll make further plans once you've prepared everything on your end."

Lou Zhenhua suddenly remembered something and quickly asked about it.

"Does the previous agreement regarding the steel still apply?"

He Yuzhu looked at him and responded in a calm tone.

"As I said, once I see a formal order, I will definitely prioritize procuring it for you."

"Okay! I'm relieved to hear that!" Lou Zhenhua said with a look of delight.

"Then I shall take my leave now. I will certainly repay you handsomely once this matter is accomplished!"

After saying that, Lou Zhenhua didn't linger any longer and turned to walk outside.

He Yuzhu didn't stand on ceremony. He simply got up and escorted him to the door of the east wing, then stopped and didn't see him out any further.

Watching Lou Zhenhua's retreating figure as he strode out of the He family's courtyard, He Yuzhu pondered to himself.

This Chairman Lou is Xu Damao's destined father-in-law from his previous life.

I really don't know what Xu Damao was thinking in his past life, that he insisted on marrying that pampered girl from the Lou family.

She can't carry anything on her shoulders, can't lift anything with her hands, and can't do any housework. Marrying her is just asking for trouble.

This is clearly a case of someone forcing themselves to live off a woman, enduring hardship without any real benefit; they're simply asking for trouble.

Of course, Xu Damao in his previous life did not come away without any benefits thanks to his connection with the Lou family.

However, the benefits he received were few, far less than the grievances he suffered.

In this life, I was reborn and changed so many people and things around me.

It's unknown whether Xu Damao and Lou's daughter, this destined couple, will meet and fall in love again like they did in their previous life.

He Yuzhu secretly pondered that the possibility was extremely slim, almost impossible.

After all, Xu Damao is now vastly different from his previous life.

At least until now, he has never heard of Xu Damao having affairs or misbehaving outside.

Even when Xu Damao's own father was sent to the countryside, Xu Damao avoided it as much as possible, not wanting to get involved in any family matters at all.

This kind of temperament is completely different from the unrestrained and dissolute Xu Damao of his previous life.

After Lou Zhenhua left, Butler Wu also left the He family.

He Daqing walked up to He Yuzhu and asked a question with a face full of curiosity.

"Zhu Zi, Chairman Lou personally came to visit just now. What important matter did he want to discuss with you?"

He Daqing was really curious. Lou Zhenhua was the big boss of the steel rolling mill. For him to come to his door in person, it must be something important.

He Yuzhu naturally wouldn't tell his father the truth; the fewer people who knew about this, the better.

He casually made up a reason for the factory's purchase and fooled He Daqing in just a few words.

Seeing that his son was unwilling to say more and his eyes were darting away, He Daqing did not press him further.

He knew in his heart that his son was now working in a foreign affairs unit and was dealing with confidential matters.

The fewer people who know about something, the safer it is for the whole family.

The next morning, He Yuzhu went to work as usual.

He did not specifically inquire about the matter entrusted to him by Lou Zhenhua, nor did he take the initiative to ask anyone about it.

Since it was Lou Zhenhua who was anxious, not him, he had no need to take the initiative to approach him.

As the days went by, the weather grew colder and colder, and the end of the year drew ever closer.

Time flies, and it's already the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month.

The office was filled with joy as employees were officially given New Year's welfare supplies.

The benefits were very generous; everyone received a lot of things.

A full five-pound bucket of pure soybean oil, five pounds of fresh pork with a good balance of fat and lean meat, ten pounds each of rice and wheat flour, and five pounds of bright red sweet apples.

Such welfare benefits, in that era of scarcity, were enough to make others envious throughout Beijing.

Other companies would consider it excellent if they offered half the benefits.

After receiving his company's benefits, He Yuzhu went to a familiar place and bought a lot of New Year's goods.

When he rode his bicycle home, both handlebars were covered with items.

In addition to the company's benefits, there was also a huge pig's head hanging there, along with two live carp, each weighing five or six pounds, whose tails were still swaying.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, the eyes of the aunties and grandmas chatting in the yard immediately fell on He Yuzhu's bicycle.

Their eyes were wide open, filled with envy and longing, and they couldn't look away.

There was nothing they could do; He Yuzhu brought back so many and such good things that they couldn't help but be envious.

Soon, a quick-witted middle-aged woman chimed in, her tone full of envy.

"Zhu Zi, your company's benefits are amazing! I'm so envious!"

Another older woman quickly echoed her sentiment.

"Exactly! They post rice, noodles, oil, meat—it's so comprehensive!"

Others spoke with a hint of flattery and a sour tone.

"Sigh, being a cadre is really different; the benefits are a hundred times better than ordinary people!"

He Yuzhu didn't want to pay attention to these idle gossips and pushed his bicycle toward the Intermediate People's Court.

Upon hearing the last part, which was meant to be a sarcastic compliment, his expression darkened, and he had no choice but to stop and explain.

"This pig's head and fish weren't provided by my workplace; I bought them with my own money."

"The employee benefits at the steel rolling mill are quite good; everyone gets them."

He knew very well that if the phrase "being a cadre makes a difference" got out, it would definitely cause unnecessary trouble.

At best, people will gossip about you; at worst, they will report you for seeking special treatment, and you won't be able to defend yourself even if you're in the right.

The women persisted, pressing for more questions.

"That's good enough, Zhu Zi. What kind of great company do you work for? The benefits are so generous!"

This time, He Yuzhu did not respond at all. His expression was calm as he pushed his bicycle directly into the Intermediate People's Court.

He knew in his heart that there was no point in talking to these gossipy women in the courtyard.

Once you start a conversation with them, you can easily get carried away with the chatter and end up causing more and more trouble.

Before long, the steel rolling mill workers also went home after get off work.

Each worker carried a piece of pork, two fish, and five pounds of flour as employee benefits.

Seeing such practical New Year's goods, the women in each household finally showed happy smiles.

Of course, this does not include Yan Bugui's family.

Yan Bugui works as a teacher at a school, and the benefits and treatment there are incomparable to those of factories or foreign-related organizations.

During the Chinese New Year, we were only given two jin of pork and five jin of flour, barely enough to make dumplings and steam some buns when we got home.

Even with just two jin of pork, Yan Bugui had to be very careful with his spending. He didn't know how many meals he would have to save by eating so little back in his rural hometown.

The stove in the backyard that the He family had renovated has long been fully repaired and can now be used for cooking.

Taking advantage of the cold weather, which made it easier to store food, He Yuzhu cleaned the pig's head he had bought and put it in a pot to boil.

While stewing the pig's head, he also casually threw eight cleaned, fatty pig's trotters into the pot.

Four more pig tails, a large piece of pig liver, and a pig heart were added and put into the braising pot to be braised together.

Since it's all cooked in one pot anyway, it will keep well in cold weather. Making more will give us more meat for the New Year.

The rich, mellow aroma of meat wafted from the stove in the backyard, filling the entire alley.

The aroma wafted through the two courtyards to the front yard, making the group of children there cry with envy.

In the courtyard, children could be seen sneaking by from time to time, peeking into the He family's backyard from behind the wall.

Unfortunately, none of the households in the Zhongyuan area had the means to make braised meat, so the children could only smell the aroma and turn away in disappointment to go home.

After the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere in Beijing becomes increasingly strong.

On the streets and alleys, pedestrians all had smiles on their faces, and when they went home, they would usually bring some New Year's goods.

He Yuzhu never comes home empty-handed after get off work.

Today I brought back a free-range chicken, tomorrow I'll bring back a piece of mutton, and the day after tomorrow I'll bring back a basket of eggs.

Others watched with envy, but there was nothing they could do.

Who told He Yuzhu to have a high salary and good benefits, allowing him to spend more money on New Year's goods?

In those days, wages were high, so spending a little more money during the New Year to make the family more comfortable was perfectly acceptable.

He Yuzhu also prepared plenty of firecrackers, peanuts, melon seeds, and candy, all the essentials for the Chinese New Year.

Only the firecrackers and melon seeds were purchased by him from the supply and marketing cooperative.

The peanuts grown in the space are plump and there are as many as you want to eat; you simply can't finish them all.

All sorts of candies were piled up in the space, forming a small mountain, and he didn't even know how many kilograms they weighed.

Just a few pounds is enough to feed the whole family for the entire New Year.

After bringing the peanuts home, He Yuzhu personally cooked and stir-fried them.

He wasn't frying the bland, tasteless boiled peanuts you find elsewhere, but rather fragrant spiced peanuts.

The spiced peanuts are very flavorful, fragrant and crunchy, except for elderly ladies with poor teeth who have difficulty chewing them.

Everyone in the family, adults and children alike, loves to eat it.

As a result, before even New Year's Eve, the peanuts that had been roasted in advance were almost all eaten up.

He Daqing even complained to He Yuzhu that the peanuts he had specially saved to go with his drinks had all been secretly eaten by He Yushui and the other children in the yard.

Having no other choice, He Yuzhu took out more than ten kilograms of peanuts from his spatial storage.

With and without skin, everything is prepared perfectly, enough for the whole family to celebrate the entire New Year.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the He family's reunion dinner was exceptionally lavish.

The entire eight-immortal table was filled to the brim with chicken, duck, fish, meat, braised dishes, cold dishes, and hot and stewed dishes, leaving no space at all.

The whole family sat together in a warm and harmonious atmosphere. The old lady of the He family was the first to raise her glass, her face full of kind smiles.

"Wishing the He family a prosperous and healthy year ahead!"

"good!"

The whole family cheered and raised their glasses to toast in celebration.

The old lady turned to look at He Daqing beside her and said with a smile.

"Daqing, on behalf of the family, please say a few words of blessing."

He Daqing was a little reserved. He picked up his wine glass, cleared his throat, and began to speak.

"Then I'll say a few words too. I wish the old lady good health and a long life."

"I also wish the children in my family academic success and a safe and healthy growth."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and took a sip of wine, which marked the end of his speech.

The old lady looked at him and asked with a hint of helplessness.

"That's it? Nothing else to say?"

He Daqing smiled sheepishly and nodded.

"It's over."

The old lady glared at him and reminded him.

"Have you forgotten your eldest son? Zhu Zi is doing so well at work now, aren't you going to give him a few words of advice?"

He Daqing then realized what was happening and quickly added with a smile.

"Hehe, I just forgot in my haste. Well then, I wish my eldest son all the best in his work and that everything goes smoothly."

"Bring back another outstanding individual award from the company next year!"

"good!"

This time, everyone shouted even louder in unison, their faces full of pride.

In those days, the honor of being an outstanding individual was far more prestigious and glorious than a child's "Three Good Student" certificate.

Wang Cuiping has worked hard in the factory for so many years, but she has only received the title of "Advanced Individual" once.

It's easy to imagine how fierce the competition for this honor is, and how rare the spots are.

Xiaoman is well-behaved and sensible, studies hard, and brings home several certificates of merit for being a "good student" and an "excellent student" every year.

On the other hand, He Yushui's mind was not on her studies at all.

All he thinks about is eating delicious food, and he's going further and further down the path of a foodie, while his talent for learning remains unawakened.

The old lady looked at He Yuzhu, wanting him to say a few New Year's greetings as well.

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hands, refusing repeatedly, not wanting to say more in this situation.

Finally, the old lady insisted that he say a few words, so He Yuzhu reluctantly picked up his wine glass.

His eyes were firm, his tone steady, and he spoke in a clear voice.

May our motherland prosper and flourish, and may our nation enjoy peace and prosperity!

May the world be at peace, and may the people live in tranquility and prosperity!

"Wishing my whole family a better and better life, and ever-increasing happiness!"

"Good! Well said!"

The whole family applauded and cheered, their faces full of admiration.

The old lady nodded with a smile, her tone full of satisfaction.

"No wonder he's educated and worldly-wise; his words speak with such class!"

"Alright, enough talk, everyone's hungry, let's eat!"

At the old lady's command, she was the first to pick up her chopsticks and take a bite of fish, symbolizing abundance year after year.

The children under the table were already impatient and picked up their chopsticks, reaching for the delicious dishes on the table.

Wang Siyu is not old, but she already uses chopsticks quite skillfully.

He was staring intently at a piece of braised pork rib in his bowl, taking small, careful bites, his face full of focus.

He Yushui, on the other hand, had no regard for appearances. She grabbed a huge chicken leg with both hands and gnawed on it, her mouth dripping with oil.

Xiaoman is the most ladylike when she eats, sitting upright and behaving elegantly.

But she was quick to pick up food, precisely choosing her favorite dishes without missing out.

He Yuxin and He Yuchen, the two youngest sons, have just grown their milk teeth and can already eat complementary foods and soft meals.

However, they are too young to feed themselves and need to be fed by an adult.

At this moment, Chen Lanxiang and Wang Cuiping were each holding a child and carefully feeding them soft, well-cooked food.

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast, all prepared by He Daqing and his son He Yuzhu.

The father and son had a clear division of labor: one was busy at the stove in the front room, and the other was cooking at the stove in the backyard.

If it's just one person cooking, by the time the first dishes are finished, the rest will be completely cold.

The stove in the backyard was constantly burning, providing a constant stream of smoke and fire to support this sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the whole family put on brand-new clothes and were all smiles.

Xiaoman and He Yushui both changed into the most fashionable Lenin suits of the moment, looking both smart and good-looking.

Even He Daqing took out his treasured woolen coat, which he had kept for many years, and put it on solemnly.

The old lady, Chen Lanxiang, Wang Cuiping, Wang Siyu, and even the two youngest sons of the He family all changed into new clothes.

These new clothes were all hand-cut and sewn by Chen Lanxiang herself, staying up all night. The stitches are fine and the clothes fit well and are warm.

He Yuzhu wore the dark Zhongshan suit he had ordered when he went to Russia to carry out a mission.

With upright posture and extraordinary demeanor, the whole family looked brand new, full of the fresh atmosphere of the New Year.

When visiting relatives and friends on the first day of the Lunar New Year, red envelopes are an essential part of the greetings.

The old lady gave red envelopes to all the younger generation, but the red envelope she gave to He Yuzhu was particularly generous.

The children in the family also surrounded He Yuzhu, chattering and asking for red envelopes.

He Yuzhu has always been generous and never stingy with money when it comes to children, giving each child a substantial red envelope.

However, not long after the children received the red envelopes, their mothers took them back for safekeeping.

The only exception is Xiaoman.

At first, the girl was too embarrassed to accept the red envelope from He Yuzhu and kept declining it.

Only after Wang Cuiping spoke up and told her to accept it did she carefully put the red envelope away.

After the New Year's greetings were over, Xiaoman sensibly took out all the red envelopes she had received and handed them over to Wang Cuiping for safekeeping.

Looking at the sensible Xiaoman, Wang Cuiping felt a pang of heartache and smiled gently as she spoke.

"Girl, you should keep it. You're all grown up now, it's time to save up some money for your dowry."

Xiaoman's eyes reddened slightly as she held Wang Cuiping's hand and spoke softly.

"Aunt Ping, I don't want to get married. I want to stay with you and be with you forever."

Wang Cuiping burst into laughter, gently patted Xiaoman's hand, and teased her.

"Hahaha, silly girl, what girl never gets married? I can't afford to support you for the rest of your life."

Xiaoman's eyes were firm as she spoke earnestly.

"I will be able to go out and work in the future, and earn money to support myself."

"I also want to be like you and Brother Zhu, and become a successful person."

Wang Cuiping smiled and gently patted Xiaoman's head, her tone tender.

"Hehe, I was just kidding. But being like us isn't easy; you'll have to work hard!"

Xiaoman nodded heavily, her tone extremely firm.

"I will! I will definitely work hard and live up to Aunt Ping and Brother Zhu's expectations!"

Before we knew it, it was the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, a day for visiting relatives and friends and going out for sightseeing, according to old customs.

Seeing that his family spent all day in the yard, He Yuzhu suggested that the whole family go to the temple fair together to have some fun.

At first, the old lady said that she was old and had difficulty walking, and did not want to go out and make a fuss.

In the end, He Yuzhu pleaded and begged, and personally helped her out.

He Yuzhu told the old lady that he would be going back to work after the New Year and would be busy soon.

By then, we'll have very little time to spend with our families at home. Let's take advantage of the free time now and go out for a walk together.

The old lady was moved by these words and finally nodded in agreement to go to the temple fair together.

When you arrive at the temple fair, the scene is filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and there is a wide variety of acrobatics, snacks, and trinkets.

The children in the family immediately started playing wildly, running around excitedly.

If it weren't for the large number of adults in the family, with several people dividing the work of looking after them, it would be impossible to keep an eye on these naughty children.

After the New Year, it's time to officially start work.

He Yuzhu's department has not yet received any new foreign-related tasks, so the work is relatively relaxed.

But this peaceful period didn't last long, and an important person came knocking on their door.

The visitors were none other than the expert team from the Sijiucheng Iron and Steel Research Institute.

The person who came specifically to see He Yuzhu was his direct supervisor, Director Zhang Weimin.

When Zhang Weimin found He Yuzhu, his face was gloomy and his tone was full of resentment.

As He Yuzhu's direct superior, he was the last to know about such a significant matter.

As soon as the two met, Zhang Weimin couldn't help but start complaining.

"Xiao He, this is such a big matter, why didn't you let me know beforehand so I could be prepared?"

He Yuzhu looked at Zhang Weimin, who was clearly displeased, and asked with feigned ignorance.

"Breathing? Breathing what? Director, I don't understand what you mean."

Zhang Weimin spoke urgently, getting straight to the point.

"It's about the steelmaking formula! You have access to the steelmaking formula!"

He Yuzhu then realized what was happening and explained calmly.

"At first, I wasn't sure if that recipe was completely correct or if it had any practical use."

"It just so happens that Xiao Zheng and his colleagues in the department are studying materials science, so I had them take it and study it to verify it first."

"What's wrong, Section Chief? Has something happened?"

"What else? Something terrible has happened!" Zhang Weimin said irritably.

"Our entire team of experts from the Beijing Iron and Steel Research Institute came here specifically to see you!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu turned his head without making a sound and looked at Xiao Zheng not far away.

Xiao Zheng noticed He Yuzhu's gaze, secretly winked at him, and looked knowing.

He Yuzhu immediately understood that Xiao Zheng had known about this all along, and had even taken the initiative to report it.

He glared at Xiao Zheng without making a sound, and Xiao Zheng immediately shrank back, no longer daring to make any more small movements.

Zhang Weimin looked at He Yuzhu and urged him urgently.

"Don't just stand there, come with me right now! The experts and top company leaders are all waiting in the conference room!"

He Yuzhu quickly followed Zhang Weimin's footsteps, comforting him as they walked.

"Director, please don't be angry. I was just testing the waters first because I wasn't sure if the formula was genuine, in case I made a mistake."

Zhang Weimin snorted coldly, his face full of "I don't believe you" expressions, and didn't say anything more.

The two walked briskly into the company's large conference room.

He Yuzhu hadn't even had a chance to greet the leaders in the conference room.

Then an elderly man with gray hair and a vigorous spirit stood up from his seat.

The old man's gaze fell on He Yuzhu, and he asked in a kind tone.

"This must be Comrade He Yuzhu, right?"

Zhang Weimin quickly stepped forward and respectfully introduced the situation.

"Yes, Mr. Huang, this is Comrade He Yuzhu, the head of our Fourth Section."

The old man, referred to as Elder Huang, nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration.

"Young and promising, truly young and promising!"

"I heard that Comrade He even served on the battlefield and made outstanding contributions? General Manager Feng, your company has really struck gold!"

Upon hearing this, General Manager Feng, who was sitting in the main seat, burst into laughter, his tone full of smugness.

"Hahaha, I just found out too! Our colleague, Xiao He, is so capable and talented!"

Zhang Weimin quickly turned around and introduced him to He Yuzhu.

"Xiao He, this is Professor Huang, the director of the Beijing Iron and Steel Research Institute. He is a top expert in the industry."

He Yuzhu immediately stepped forward and greeted them respectfully.

"Hello, Mr. Huang."

Old Huang nodded repeatedly, waving his hand with a smile.

"Alright, alright, Director Zhang, Comrade Xiao He, please sit down. Let's get down to business."

"it is good."

The two sat down as instructed, their posture upright and their expressions serious.

Old Huang didn't beat around the bush; he got straight to the point.

He first appeared serious and emphasized meeting discipline, stressing that all the contents of today's meeting were top secret and strictly prohibited from being circulated by anyone.

He then stated directly the purpose of his visit.

First, they demanded all the other steelmaking-related formulas that He Yuzhu possessed.

Secondly, He Yuzhu was instructed to do everything possible to obtain more steelmaking formulas when he went to Russia on his next mission.

The organization will fully cooperate. If any personnel, materials, or technical support is needed, please feel free to ask, and we will never refuse.

Third, we must use every possible channel to obtain the latest steelmaking processes and core production technologies from the Russians.

Mr. Huang also specifically explained that this matter has been reported to the national ministries and commissions at all levels, and the higher authorities will coordinate all parties to fully cooperate.

After stating his demands, Old Huang looked at He Yuzhu and asked in a solemn tone.

"I've finished speaking, Xiao He. You are the key person involved in this entire mission. Tell me yourself, can this mission be completed, and how should it be completed?"

General Manager Feng and Director Zhang exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.

They originally thought this matter only revolved around a few steelmaking formulas, but they didn't expect it to involve such a large area.

It even involved the latest steelmaking processes and core technologies from abroad, at a level far beyond their imagination.

After Huang finished speaking, he introduced the people who accompanied him one by one.

In addition to top experts from the Iron and Steel Research Institute, there are also staff members from special departments.

It was only then that General Manager Feng and Director Zhang fully realized that they were merely there to accompany each other at the meeting.

With Huang Lao's and the special department's authority, he could have bypassed the unit and directly contacted He Yuzhu.

The reason we notified them to come over today was simply out of respect for them, since they are He Yuzhu's direct superiors.

All eyes turned to He Yuzhu, waiting for his answer.

In fact, this was exactly the result He Yuzhu had always wanted to achieve.

In fact, he felt that the progress of this matter was too slow.

As for the delays, he was well aware that they were simply due to background checks and loyalty investigations conducted by special departments, which would take time.

Looking at the silent He Yuzhu, Old Huang softened his tone and patiently comforted him.

"Xiao He, don't have any worries or be nervous."

"After a detailed investigation, the organization learned that you are a comrade who has been tested on the battlefield and has made many great contributions."

"We have also conducted a detailed verification with the units you previously served in, and the actual merits you have made far exceed the military awards you have received."

"I also heard that you joined the organization on the front lines, and that you are steadfast in your beliefs, reliable in your stance, and trusted by the organization completely."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately stood up from his seat and said firmly.

"Thank you for the organization's trust!"

Old Huang quickly raised his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

"Sit down, sit down. We're here to ask for your help to contribute to the country, not for an interrogation. There's no need to be so tense."

He Yuzhu slowly sat down, looked at Old Huang, and said calmly.

"Then, Dean Huang, let me tell you my thoughts and needs."

Old Huang nodded solemnly.

"Feel free to speak freely, you can make any request you have."

"I can tell you definitively, once we leave this meeting room, anyone who dares to leak today's content knows exactly how serious the consequences will be!"

"Alright, then I'll be frank."

He Yuzhu's eyes were firm as he clearly stated his requirements.

"First, the operation requires sufficient funds, preferably in the form of gold, luxury watches, or other valuable items that can be easily circulated overseas to facilitate connections with various parties."

As soon as these words were spoken, General Manager Feng and Director Zhang's expressions changed, and they immediately wanted to interrupt.

After all, gold and luxury watches are controlled resources in the country, and using so much of them is against regulations.

But Old Huang stopped them with just a stern look, telling them to listen attentively and not to interrupt.

He Yuzhu continued.

"Secondly, I need a high-precision miniature camera and a sufficient amount of specialized film."

"It's best to obtain it directly from the local area in Russia; otherwise, it will be difficult to pass through border inspection and it's easy to be exposed."

"Third, we need professional steelmaking and materials experts to come with me to Russia. You will be in charge of selecting the candidates."

"With professionals around, I can have targeted discussions with the other party and obtain useful technologies and information."

"Fourth, all accompanying personnel, whether experts or staff, must follow my instructions in all actions while abroad."

"I'm done talking."

Old Huang looked at him and asked with concern.

"Any other needs? Do you require professional personnel to protect your safety throughout the journey?"

He Yuzhu smiled slightly, his tone full of confidence.

"No need. I have the absolute ability to protect the safety of those who follow me."

Old Huang turned his head and looked at the staff of the special department beside him.

The group exchanged glances and all revealed bitter smiles.

They possessed far more classified information than Elder Huang, and were much clearer about He Yuzhu's capabilities.

On the battlefield, He Yuzhu was a veritable god of death, single-handedly killing countless enemies and even shooting down many enemy warplanes.

Looking across the entire special department, there wasn't a single person capable of protecting him.

His skills and courage far surpassed those of ordinary people.

At this moment, Team Leader Fang from the special department finally spoke up and asked a question.

"After crossing the border, will you need our undercover agents to provide you with weapons and equipment for self-defense?"

He Yuzhu smiled faintly, his tone calm.

"Having weapons is good, but not having them isn't important. After all, we're going there to discuss business, not to fight a war."

Upon hearing this, Old Huang smiled and nodded.

"Yes, we're there to discuss business, it's perfectly aboveboard, there's no need to worry."

He Yuzhu suddenly looked at Team Leader Fang and said in a calm tone.

"Also, I have something I'd like to ask this comrade."

Team Leader Fang straightened his expression and began to speak.

"Tell me, and I will tell you everything I know."

"Miniature cameras can only capture some of the data, but the Soviet Union's steelmaking technology data often consists of thousands or even tens of thousands of pages, along with a large number of blueprints."

"If I successfully obtain these complete documents, can you safely and quickly transport them back to China?"

Team Leader Fang looked troubled and hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Well... I can't give you a definite answer right now. I need to go back immediately and ask my superiors for instructions."

He Yuzhu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

"I have no other questions."

Old Huang looked at He Yuzhu and asked in a gentle tone.

"When it comes to you personally, don't you have any requests or difficulties that the organization needs to resolve?"

He Yuzhu remained silent for a moment, then spoke in an extremely solemn tone, saying only one sentence.

"Protect my family."

Old Huang turned to look at Team Leader Fang beside him and asked in a serious tone.

"Team Leader Fang, can you do this?"

Team Leader Fang gave a wry smile and said in a deep voice.

"We did our best."

Old Huang's face darkened, and his tone became more forceful, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

"I don't want just my best effort, I want a 100% guarantee!"

"They risk their lives overseas to acquire core technologies for the country and safeguard national interests. If we can't even protect their families, how can we talk about serving the country?"

Team Leader Fang was startled and suddenly stood up from his seat, his expression solemn and his tone firm.

"Yes! I guarantee it! I will protect Comrade He Yuzhu's family to the death!"

Old Huang looked serious and said in a deep voice.

"I hope you can keep your word. I will also personally speak with your superiors and urge them to handle this matter."

"I guarantee the mission will be completed!" Team Leader Fang shouted in response.

Old Huang turned to look at He Yuzhu, his tone softening.

"Xiao He, can you rest assured now?"

He Yuzhu nodded, his tone calm.

"That's fine."