Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 165 Am I that popular?

He Yuzhu entered the Intermediate People's Court, where He Yuxin and He Yuyao greeted him.

"Mom, my eldest brother is back from buying fish."

"What a big fish."

The two shouts drew Li Guihua, who was at home taking care of the children, out as well. After glancing at her, she went back inside.

She felt only envy, not jealousy. Her current husband was alright, a level-three worker in a furniture factory, earning a decent income. The only problem was his leg; he'd been single all this time. Otherwise, he wouldn't have married someone as old as her who hadn't had a man yet.

She herself was a registered resident of Beijing, and her family had enough food to eat, at least better off than the other families in the compound.

As for fish and meat, she rarely ate them when Yi Zhonghai was around, and she was used to it. Now, even if there is some, it is mostly given to her son Hu Zi, and she only takes a bite. Her husband brought it up a few times, but when he saw that it had no effect, he stopped mentioning it and just considered it for the sake of their son.

An old bachelor naturally cannot understand what it's like when an old widow has children.

"Zhu Zi, where did you buy the fish?"

"I rode Da Mao's bike around for a bit, and when I saw someone fishing, I bought some of their catch without needing a ticket."

"You really caught it? It's so big!"

"I was lucky, I just happened to run into them. I told them that my company bought it and that's why they sold it to me."

"People believe you just because you say so."

"I still have my old work ID."

"Oh, you can't do that anymore. What if they go to your workplace and ask?"

"I see."

"This fish needs to be marinated, otherwise it will taste bad after a day. We'll eat it together tonight."

"it is good."

He Yuzhu parked the car, took out a basin, and started scaling the fish, washing the fish, and then marinating it.

After marinating, Chen Lanxiang took it away and hung it up, saying, "I'll eat one tonight, and the other one in a few days."

“Okay.” He Yuzhu did not object this time.

When the two girls came back at noon, He Yuxin and He Yuyao dragged them to present them with a treasure. He Yushui asked why they didn't eat lunch, but Chen Lanxiang forcefully suppressed her.

He Yuzhu completely ignored her pleading gaze, while Wang Siyu was well-behaved, though she would occasionally glance at the hanging fish.

When He Daqing came back in the evening and saw that there were fish, he started frying peanuts.

Wang Cuiping came back quite early today. Chen Lanxiang said, "You're lucky you made it in time, otherwise those kids would have messed with you again."

Wang Cuiping said, "Sister-in-law, it's fine if the children eat more. I don't mind."

"You always say that. Look how thin you are now. It's because of the high intensity of your work and the lack of oil in the company cafeteria. Eat more tonight to replenish your body."

"I understand, sister-in-law." Wang Cuiping couldn't refute it; this was the reality. She could only say that she was able to eat her fill, but if she went on a mission, she would definitely go hungry halfway through, as the food she was eating wouldn't sustain her during the activity.

The aroma of the cooked fish caused quite a commotion in the front yard, with everyone secretly cursing, "The He family, are they tired of having meat and fish all the time?"

Xu Damao was also involved in the drinking, and He Daqing cooked the five-pound grass carp, braised with a lot of side dishes.

I originally wanted to make sauerkraut fish, but I didn't have any sauerkraut at home, so I could only make braised fish instead.

He Daqing even added extra broth, because even though the fish was quite big, it wasn't enough to eat just the meat.

After dinner, He Yuzhu said he was going out for a while, but Xu Damao insisted on going with him. He Yuzhu saw that he was a little tipsy again, so he sent him home.

He needs to go to that warehouse to put things away, but he can't take Xu Damao with him.

Chen Lanxiang even asked her son where he was going, so late at night.

He Yuzhu said he was going to visit a colleague, and Chen Lanxiang asked, "Aren't you going to bring anything?"

"Why bring anything? I can go myself. I'm the one who takes care of them in Russia. I don't owe them any favors."

"Alright, you handle it yourself, but don't offend anyone."

"understood."

He Yuzhu left quickly and returned just as fast. Although it was summer and the gate was locked late, the place He Daqing had found for him wasn't close at all, so knocking on the door when he came back was a hassle.

After returning, he went to the backyard and returned the bicycle to Xu Damao.

"Brother Zhu, you don't need it tomorrow?"

"No need. You keep this key. Give it to my dad around noon tomorrow and tell him everything is in place."

Why don't you give it to yourself?

“I’m afraid he won’t be able to resist going to see it himself, and if he runs into someone else, you know what happens.”

"Okay, okay, I understand." Xu Damao hadn't been working for nothing these past few years; he'd been to Pigeon City a few times, so he naturally knew what He Yuzhu meant.

After making the arrangements, He Yuzhu went back to the Intermediate People's Court to tell his parents that he was back, and then went back to his east wing room.

As for the gun, Wang Cuiping didn't say anything, and he naturally wouldn't press her for details; it certainly wasn't that easy to get.

The next morning, He Yuzhu went to his former company.

Those who knew him looked at him like he was a monster. He disappeared after working for a short time, so how did he suddenly come back?

When he knocked on Zhang Weimin's office door, Zhang Weimin was stunned for a long time when he saw him.

"Xiao He, you're back? When did you get back?"

"Director, I came back yesterday." He Yuzhu couldn't say that he had been back for several days and just didn't want to report to the office.

"Why didn't you take a break? You've been staying here for years. Is this your way back to work?"

"Yes, the work over there is finished, and they said I can go back to my original unit."

"That's not right. Your work records have been transferred. I handled it myself. Nobody told you?"

"Huh? It's been transferred? Where did it go? Nobody told me!" He Yuzhu was dumbfounded.

"The Ministry of Foreign Trade, our direct superior department."

"Oh, it didn't say what kind of work?"

"I don't know, they just transferred my relationship with someone else."

"Ok."

"Now that you're back, come with me to see General Manager Feng. He keeps talking about you."

"Okay, by the way, where are Lao Wei and Xiao Zheng?"

"They've all been transferred. Lao Wei went to the transportation department, Xiao Zheng went to the steel company, and most of the other people in your department have gone to work in their respective fields."

"All four subjects are gone?"

"Yes, the Fourth Department is gone, but the company will remember your contributions," Zhang Weimin said with some emotion.

"Okay." He Yuzhu immediately lost interest in staying at this company. All the people he used to work with had left, so what was the point of seeing a general manager?

Zhang Weimin could tell that you were upset, so he said, "I know you're not feeling well, but with you gone, the Fourth Division will be without its leader. Besides, they are all technical talents, so it's normal for them to go elsewhere. The comrades who took over at the Azov Steel Plant are doing a great job, so don't worry."

He Yuzhu thought to himself, "I've already ruined all these relationships, if I can't do this right, I might as well go home and take care of my kids."

"Let's go. Mr. Feng still has some connections up there. You should meet him."

"Row."

He Yuzhu didn't need to offend anyone over such a small matter, so he went with Zhang Weimin. After exchanging a few polite words, General Manager Feng told He Yuzhu to continue to shine in his new position and that he could come back if he was unhappy with his job.

He Yuzhu verbally agreed, but he didn't really mean it.

"Why come back? To compete with others for jobs? You're just wasting your time!"

After leaving the company, He Yuzhu looked at the sky, let out a long breath, and headed towards the Foreign Trade Department without looking back.

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Foreign Trade, He Yuzhu presented a letter of introduction, and his previous work ID from the company was taken back.

The security guard made a phone call inside and asked him to register before letting him in.

When he arrived at the HR department, they asked him to wait, then invited him to a meeting room and brought him a glass of water.

He Yuzhu started waiting, and more than half an hour passed before the door to the reception room was opened.

Several people walked in, and He Yuzhu was surprised to see that some of them were acquaintances.

"Comrade He, we meet again. I think I've completed the task you entrusted to me." Team Leader Fang smiled and extended his hand first.

"It's done, it's done." You can't hit a smiling face, so He Yuzhu reached out and shook his hand firmly.

“You two know each other? That explains why you specifically told us to notify you as soon as the person returned. Comrade He Yuzhu, hello, your name is very well-known. I am Liang Hong, the assistant minister.”

"You're joking, Assistant Liang. I don't have any famous name." He Yuzhu shook hands with him as well.

"Haha, it seems our little He doesn't know he's already famous."

"Hello, Comrade He Yuzhu, I am Bai Liwei, the deputy manager of the import and export company!"

"Hello, Deputy Manager Bai."

"Hello, Comrade He Yuzhu, I am Zhu Ziheng, the deputy manager of the China National Grain Import and Export Corporation."

"Hello, Deputy Manager Zhu."

"Alright, now that everyone has introduced themselves, let's get down to business."

"Let's get down to business, let's get down to business." The first to respond was Team Leader Fang.

"Old Fang, you're the most enthusiastic one."

"How can we not be proactive? This is a talented individual."

"That's true."

"Assistant Liang, Comrade He Yuzhu's personnel file is with our department, shouldn't we be given priority?" Bai Liwei said.

“That’s right, that’s right,” Zhu Zhiheng echoed.

"Hehe, that depends on Comrade Xiao He's personal wishes. Now you can state your conditions."

"Shouldn't you speak first?" Team Leader Fang asked.

“I’ll stay until the end,” Assistant Liang said.

"Alright, then I'll get to the point. I'll say it again: I hope Comrade He Yuzhu will join us. We've expressed our sincerity, and Comrade He Yuzhu should have received it. As for the position, how about he become a deputy group leader under me?"

His words surprised the other three people present. This old Fang seemed unassuming, but he was actually quite high-ranking.
To be his deputy, this young He must be a colonel. According to their records, He Yuzhu was only a deputy battalion commander when he returned from the peninsula. If he hadn't left the army, he could have been promoted to major. Now he's jumped so many ranks. It seems they only know a tiny fraction of what Comrade He did in Russia.

The Ministry of Heavy Industry had previously requested our personnel files, but we refused to release them. The conditions and positions they offered were also very high.

Why are they so familiar with each other? Because they work in foreign affairs, they naturally have more dealings with Team Leader Fang and his department.

"I still refuse."

"Aren't you going to reconsider?"

"What I did is something you can't do, and I've already proven that. Do I need to say more?"

"Why can't you do it? Is there any difference between what Lao Fan and the others are doing and what you are doing?"

"No, not really, but I just want to walk in the sunlight." He Yuzhu didn't want to just disappear like before; the impact of his mother and grandmother on him when he first got home was still quite significant.

Although it was unpleasant to hear, it was the truth, and Team Leader Fang had no way to refute it.

Of course, this doesn't mean they live in the shadows; it just means they can't live like ordinary people. There are many things they can only know themselves, including their families.

He's a veteran underground worker; he knows all too well that once you join this job, it's for life.

He Yuzhu does do things in this area, but it's too special, and he only knows a little bit about it.

Based on the little he knew, he deduced that what He Yuzhu did was basically an isolated case, something that others could not imitate or replicate.

Now that their mission has been gloriously accomplished, otherwise they wouldn't be here, and several other units wouldn't be trying to poach them.

"Hey, I still hope you'll think it over carefully. We really need someone like you here."

"I will think about it."

"That's fine, that's fine."

"Is it my turn? It seems I wasn't prepared enough. Well then, I'll take the liberty of doing this. I'll explain to our boss when I get back. Comrade He Yuzhu, I hope you'll come and serve as the deputy director of our purchasing department," Bai Liwei said.

"I'll make a call right now, we can offer you a section chief position." Zhu Ziheng said, getting up to leave.

"Old Zhu, a section chief isn't something you can just give away like that." Bai Liwei grabbed him.

"Deputy Director, it seems like you don't have any vacant positions either?" Zhu Ziheng retorted sarcastically.

"Alright, it must have been an oversight on the part of the ministry. Comrade He Yuzhu's rank is division level, full division level. Shouldn't you two go back and discuss this?"

"This, Assistant Liang, isn't that a bit unfair of you? Why didn't you tell us about such a big thing in advance? We weren't prepared at all."

"That's right, that's right, I wonder what the ministry plans to do with Comrade He?"

"Deputy Director of the Market Development Department."

The two deputy managers were completely dumbfounded; this rank was half a level higher than the section chief position they had been given.

The highest-ranking department head in their company earns a salary of 13-15, while others are mostly 14-17. In the ministry, 12-14 is equivalent to a county magistrate or other county officials. That's about the same level as them, though the titles sound better.

"Assistant Liang, isn't Comrade Xiao He, the deputy director of the department, not qualified enough? Isn't it required to serve as a section chief for five years?" "That's enough. His past few years are included, so it's about right," Assistant Liang said.

If you calculate it that way, the two of them really can't refute it. Team Leader Fang smiled. That's the level he can give. He is a deputy bureau chief, while the deputy team leader is a bit of a leap, from deputy division chief to division chief.

"Xiao He, what's your choice now?"

"I'd like to ask what the responsibilities of the Market Development Department are?"

“Developing emerging markets is not limited to buying and selling, nor is it limited to the types of goods.”

Are there any national restrictions on all foreign markets?

"You have a long-term vision, young comrade. Due to environmental restrictions, there are limitations on the countries you can trade with. You'll understand once you start working there. This applies whether you go to the General Import and Export Corporation or the Grain Import and Export Corporation."

"So, we've agreed on who will be responsible for the liaison?"

"Naturally, it's the counterpart company under the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Just like your previous workplace mainly dealt with hardware and electromechanical products, not to mention grain, the China National Import and Export Corporation is involved in almost everything. But in terms of specialization, it's a bit less specialized than the other counterparts, since they deal with all categories."

"Does the organization trust me so much that they put me in such an important position and expect me to do the job well?"

"Hahaha, Xiao He, you underestimate yourself. If it weren't for your seniority and age, you wouldn't be a deputy director. The things you brought back from Russia, are they something that ordinary people can do?" Team Leader Fang laughed.

"That's true," said Assistant Liang. He knew a little more than the two company's deputy managers, but only a limited amount.

"Excuse me, do I have to make a choice now?"

"I can give you some time to think it over. You can also learn more about the specifics of the positions. Of course, the arrangements for your position in import and export and grain import and export may need to be adjusted slightly."

"Yes, yes, we need to go back and have a meeting before we can decide," the two deputy managers, Bai and Zhu, said in unison.

"Hey, Xiao He, have you really not considering our side?"

"No, Team Leader Fang, thank you for your high regard. If you need any help in the future, please feel free to contact me, and I will do my best to assist you."

"Okay, that's good enough. Lao Liang, you'll have to give us the green light when we need to find Xiao He in the future," Team Leader Fang said with a smile. He hadn't achieved his goal of poaching people today, but this promise was still very good. What he valued most about He Yuzhu was his ability.

“No problem,” Assistant Liang said.

"Can I leave now?"

"Sure, but you only have three days. After all, jobs don't wait for anyone," Assistant Liang said. Of course, this was just a formality; you couldn't possibly stay home and rest all the time.

"Okay, I'll do it as soon as possible."

"We'll head back and get busy, so we won't see you off."

"No need, I know the way."

The other three left, but Team Leader Fang stayed.

"Xiao He, come with me."

"Where to?" He Yuzhu asked warily.

"What's with that look on your face, kid? I'm not going to eat you."

"I don't want to go to your place."

"Something good is happening, are you really not going?"

"Tell me what it is first, and then I'll decide whether to go or not."

"Hey, Xiao He, where's your basic trust among comrades?"

"This is not a matter of trust."

"Okay, I heard you've been looking for someone to get you a gun license these past few days. Why didn't you contact me?"

"I don't know where you are."

"You'll find out if you come with me."

"What, you think you can do it for me?"

"Pistols and shotguns are fine, but nothing else. You have to understand that this is Beijing."

“A hunting rifle will do. I just want to go for a walk in the mountains. You know the situation now. I only realized how much our living standards have dropped since I came back.”

"Hey, it'll pass. The country needs to rebuild now. And never mind, it'll pass anyway."

He Yuzhu knew after a moment's thought that this person must have heard some rumors, and they were bad ones at that.

"Okay, I can go with you, but it's a deal: I'm just getting a certificate. Don't make me hear or see anything I shouldn't. By the way, do you provide guns?"

Did you bring any photos?

"Bring it."

"That's good. As for the guns, have we ever used our domestically produced Type 54 rifles?"

"No, I've used Tokarev once."

"Hey, how could I forget about that? On the way back last year, we were talking about how we still owe you a credit. We'll make it up to you when we have the chance."

"No need, it's what I should do."

"Your contributions should be remembered. This isn't a question of whether you should or shouldn't have done it. You should understand the importance of those international students better than I do, because you are one of them."

He Yuzhu nodded.

"Alright, come with me. I'll give you a gift after we're done."

"I dare not accept your gift; I would be obligated to do so."

"Hahaha, don't worry, I know to pass it on. It was sent by Lao Fan."

"Then I'll take it. By the way, how's Lao Fan doing over there?"

"Why are you showing favoritism, young comrade? Old Fan is a great guy!"

He Yuzhu could tell that the latter half of his words were insincere. How could things be alright now? They're practically fighting by now. But he couldn't say that. He had been in the desert for almost a year. If he knew what was going on outside, he would really be locked up in a dark room.

"Come on, come on, my men have said so many times they want to see you, He Yuzhu, to see if you have three heads and six arms."

"Walk."

The two left the Ministry of Foreign Trade building and got into a GAZ jeep. Once inside, He Yuzhu immediately closed his eyes.

"What's wrong, are you tired?"

"I just don't want to remember the way."

"Great job, you're really good." Team Leader Fang patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder.

When the car stopped, He Yuzhu heard Team Leader Fang say, "We're here. Open your eyes. Aren't you afraid I'll lead you astray?"

"That can't be."

After getting off the bus, He Yuzhu looked around at the place. It was an ordinary office building, and it was old. It was obviously left behind by the Bald Party.

As we walked in with Team Leader Fang, some people saluted us, some gave us way, and some stopped in their tracks as soon as they saw us from afar.

He Yuzhu could sense the fear in his voice and thought to himself, "This guy is not someone to be trifled with."

When he arrived at Team Leader Fang's office, Team Leader Fang asked him to sit down, and then he made a phone call to ask the person on the other end to come over.

After the person arrived, Team Leader Fang asked He Yuzhu to take out the photo and give it to that person. He himself wrote something, stamped it, and gave it to the person as well.

After everyone left, Team Leader Fang got up and made two cups of tea. He Yuzhu smelled the tea and said, "You're getting good treatment. You can even drink Longjing tea now."

"What kind of treatment is this? This was sent by a comrade-in-arms. It's only a few ounces. You have quite the nose for this."

"Of course, I'm a chef, so my sense of taste and smell have to be good."

"I heard about it. Chef He, when do you have time to arrange a meal for us?"

"If you have any ingredients, just come to me. By the way, can you drink alcohol?"

"What does this have to do with drinking?"

"What good food is not paired with good wine?"

"I can drink, but only once or twice a year, during my vacation."

"Oh, then just wait until you're on vacation to contact me. Let me know in advance if you can't find the ingredients."

"What, you have this connection?"

"My dad is also a cook and the head of the cafeteria, so buying some ingredients shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"I had forgotten about that."

After a while, the person who had come earlier brought over two certificates, a Type 54 pistol, two magazines, and a box of bullets. He Yuzhu took them and saw that one of the certificates was issued by a special department and granted special permission to carry firearms. It also listed the type and serial number of the pistol. He Yuzhu picked up the gun and saw that it was a matching one.

The other gun's type and serial number were left blank. Team Leader Fang stood up, took out a large box from the bottom of the cabinet behind him, and placed it on the table.

He gestured for He Yuzhu to open it himself. He Yuzhu opened it and saw, wow, a double-barreled shotgun, brand new, with gun oil still on it.

I picked up the gun with the inner lining and examined it. It was made in Russia, an MP series double-barreled shotgun, with an upper and lower barrel configuration, MP-94, firing 12-gauge shotgun shells.

He used this gun in the Soviet Union; Mikhail and his men had it. To be honest, the 12-gauge shotgun shells are quite powerful, and the workmanship is also good.

"This gun is pretty good; I've used it before."

"I knew you'd like it; Lao Fan picked it out himself."

"Where's the bullet?"

"We don't have any ready-made. You'll have to go back and pack them yourself. We have both shotgun shells and slugs." As he spoke, Team Leader Fang handed over two more deerskin bags.

"Gunpowder, that's also regulated."

"Please pick up some points here and register before you leave."

"Seriously? I have to come back to you guys to get more after I'm done using it?"

"That's exactly what I mean. Of course, you can't come empty-handed. I know you're a great shot. Do you want to show us your skills?"

Do you have room here?

"Of course, you haven't used our latest domestically produced automatic rifle, have you? Come on, let me show you. Xiao Zhao, help Comrade He register the hunting rifle."

"Yes, team leader."

He Yuzhu followed Team Leader Fang to the underground shooting range. There were quite a few people practicing shooting, but they were all using pistols. Being able to handle a rifle was a remarkable feat, so pistols were the most common tool used.

Team Leader Fang led He Yuzhu to collect a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle and a Type 54 pistol, and then found an empty target position.

"I don't need to teach you how to load, do I?"

"No need, I've used both the AK and the Tokarev, they're the same."

"You've used it even more thoroughly than we have."

"The security department of the steel mill over there in Russia is just playing around."

"Then show us how to fight it, and tell us?"

He Yuzhu skillfully disassembled the gun, reassembled it, and then loaded it.

"Are all the guns here calibrated?"

"Why don't you trust our gunners?"

"No, that's not it. Let's start with 50 meters for pistols and 150 meters for rifles. I'll give it a try first."

"Okay." Team Leader Fang responded and then ordered someone to get the targets.

However, during this time, the area behind the target became crowded with people. Team Leader Fang had personally brought them to test the guns, and they were all very curious.

Team Leader Fang didn't hide anything and directly mentioned He Yuzhu's name, which made everyone even more curious. However, what they were curious about was just how skilled this sharpshooter on the battlefield really was.

The target was set up, and a flag was raised to signal. He Yuzhu raised his gun and fired. It wasn't that he didn't aim, but that he had already scouted the target beforehand. The pistol magazine was empty, and then he fired a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle.

"Bang, bang, bang," the rhythmic gunshots at the shooting range stirred the hearts of everyone present.

After He Yuzhu finished shooting, Team Leader Fang quickly had someone raise a flag to signal the person watching the target to report the score.

After a series of bullseyes, Team Leader Fang thought it was pretty normal. He had specifically inquired about this kid's headshot from a target 260 meters away without a scope.

He was instructed to move the pistol target back 20 meters and the rifle target back 50 meters, and then He Yuzhu was instructed to load and fire.

He had his reasons for this. His arrogant and fierce subordinates were usually very haughty, and today he would show them what it meant to be outmatched.

The pistol got two 9s this time, while the rifle still got tens. Everyone knows what happened. The effective range of the pistol is only 50 meters, so this is a very good result at 70 meters.

After the shooting was finished, Team Leader Fang said, "Should we move the target a little further away?"

"No need, it's pointless. Who stands still on the battlefield and lets you hit them?"

"Yes, yes, yes, it's a pity we don't have any moving targets."

"We'll find a place to make it for you; it's not that hard."

"Forget it, let's not take up resources. Let's save them for where they're needed more."

"Well, you'll have to be paired up eventually anyway."

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(End of this chapter)