The Courtyard House: He Yuzhu Returns with Boundless Hatred for Revenge

The next morning, at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, workers flooded into the various workshops like a tide, and the roar of machines gradually rose, thus beginning a new day.

Factory Director Yang Weiguo arrived at his office on time, made himself a cup of hot tea, and picked up the day's work schedule that his secretary had already placed on the table. Seeing one of the notes about dealing with canteen worker He Yuzhu, he remembered the phone call from Director Wang of the Subdistrict Office yesterday, and without hesitation, he instructed his secretary, "Based on the information reported by the Subdistrict Office yesterday and my proposed handling, draft a notice and send it to the broadcasting station immediately for broadcast throughout the factory."

"Yes, Factory Manager." The secretary acknowledged the order and left.

Yang Weiguo sat down and began to formally handle the matter. In his eyes, the punishment of a canteen cook was a trivial matter, not worth his time. But he was unaware of the immense trouble this hasty decision would later cause him, even jeopardizing his political future.

Soon after, announcements read by a female announcer came over loudspeakers throughout the steel rolling mill.

"Attention all factory workers! This is a disciplinary notice. He Yuzhu, an employee of the canteen, has been disciplined for repeatedly engaging in conflicts with others in his residential courtyard, bullying his neighbors, behaving badly, displaying moral depravity, undermining team unity, and causing extremely negative social impact. An investigation by the Hongxing Subdistrict Office has confirmed the facts, and the evidence is conclusive."

"To uphold factory discipline and regulations and to educate the individual involved, the factory office has decided, after deliberation, to impose the following disciplinary actions on Comrade He Yuzhu: 1. His canteen cook qualification is revoked, and he is transferred from the No. 1 canteen to work in the foundry workshop, effective immediately. 2. Three months' salary is deducted as punishment. 3. He receives a demerit. All factory employees are urged to take this as a warning, strictly abide by factory rules and regulations, and uphold the good image of the working class."

The broadcast echoed over the steel rolling mill, clearly reaching every workshop and every office.

In the workshop, Yi Zhonghai was at the control panel when he heard the broadcast. His hands paused, and his face lit up with undisguised joy. "That little bastard has finally fallen! Heaven has eyes!"

"Master, did you hear that?" Jia Dongxu and a few henchmen crowded around, their voices filled with excitement. "That idiot Zhu finally got his comeuppance! The foundry workshop? Hmph, he's got strength, huh? We'll work him to death! It would be best if we crippled him in the end. Master, why don't you go check out the foundry workshop..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yi Zhonghai interrupted him, shouting, "Dongxu, how have I taught you? You must be upright and honest. Although Zhuzi made a mistake, he was punished. As long as he recognizes his mistakes and corrects them, he will still be a good comrade and a good neighbor."

"Yes, yes, Master is right." Jia Dongxu pretended to be humble and accepting of the teaching, but in his heart he was not convinced. How many dirty tricks had that old man done? What was he doing pretending to be a gentleman here? Disgusting!

"The factory's punishment is fair. You must behave well, study the technology diligently, and never follow his example."

"Understood, Master!"

"It has to be Master Yi. Having someone as respected as you is truly a blessing for our courtyard house."

In Workshop Two, Liu Haizhong was vigorously swinging a sledgehammer. When the broadcast came on, he was stunned for a moment, then a look of wild joy appeared on his fat face, and he almost dropped the sledgehammer.

"Good! Good! Director Yang is brilliant!" These words drew sidelong glances from the surrounding workers. Liu Haizhong quickly coughed twice, putting on a stern face, but the smugness in his eyes was impossible to hide. "I knew it! The leaders would deal with this kind of troublemaker sooner or later! The foundry workshop? Hahaha, this is truly gratifying! Let's see if he dares to bare his teeth at his old man again!"

In other workshops, workers who had heard of He Yuzhu's bad reputation or were affected by the rumors spread by these beasts were also whispering among themselves.

"Transfer to the foundry workshop? That's the most tiring and dangerous place; you might never recover your career that way."

"So those rumors outside are true? He Yuzhu really is a bad element; he should be expelled immediately."

"Serves him right! People like him need to be taught a lesson!"

The whole factory was talking about it. For a time, He Yuzhu was the most popular person in the factory and his name was known throughout the steel rolling mill.

. . . . .

Meanwhile, in the office of the first secretary of the factory's Party committee.

Secretary Tan Jin was reviewing documents when he heard He Yuzhu's name and the subsequent disciplinary action. His pen suddenly stopped, his brows furrowed, and his face darkened.

He put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and stared sharply.

This young chef, He, was promoted to a level six chef and canteen supervisor by Yang Weiguo without any meeting or discussion or consultation. He was dismissed on a pretext, transferred to the foundry workshop, and his wages were deducted and he was given a major demerit.

What does this mean?

Due to health reasons, Tan Jin has not been involved in the factory's specific affairs much in recent years, mostly delegating them to Yang Weiguo. However, this does not mean he has lost control of the steel rolling mill. He remains the First Secretary of the Party Committee and holds absolute authority within the factory.

But now, Yang Weiguo has dealt with the person he just promoted without even asking a question? And the punishment is so severe, it's almost like he's trying to kill He Yuzhu!

What's going on? Are they seeing that Tan Jin has been ill for years and thinking he's weak and easily bullied? Or do they think that those Tan Jin promoted can be manipulated at will? Perhaps... this is testing his bottom line? Is this a challenge to him, the Party Secretary?

Anger surged within him. He was a low-key person who disliked vying for power, but that didn't mean he was without temper! You must know that back on the battlefield, he was known for his fiery temper; it was only because his injuries and illnesses had rendered him unable to manage affairs in recent years that he gave the illusion of being a kind-hearted person.

"Hmph!" Tan Jin sneered, a cold glint in his eyes. "Are you taking advantage of my age, or my inability to wield a knife? Yang Weimin, don't forget, I'm still a member of the Party Committee of the Ministry! Even if your backer came in person, he'd only dare to speak to me politely! Who do you think you are?"

Coming to my senses, I forced myself to calm down. As the Party Secretary and the top leader, I couldn't openly oppose the second-in-command; that would be detrimental to team unity and would make me appear petty.

However, this does not mean he will swallow his anger!

"Xiao Chen!" Tan Jin pressed the call bell on his desk and instructed his secretary who had entered, "Go to the cafeteria and invite Comrade He Yuzhu to my office."

"Yes, Secretary," Secretary Xiao Chen replied respectfully.

"In addition," Tan Jin paused, "go and tell the personnel department and the canteen director that Comrade He Yuzhu's job transfer is temporarily frozen. Without my personal approval, no one can transfer him out of the No. 1 canteen."

"Understood, I'll take care of it right away." Xiao Chen understood immediately and turned to go out to make the arrangements.

Tan Jin watched his secretary leave, his gaze returning to the documents, but his mind was no longer on them. This matter still needed to be investigated thoroughly: was He Yuzhu truly as despicable as the radio broadcast described? If so, then he would have to reconsider his attitude towards He Yuzhu. After all, facts must be established, and the matter had to be handled according to regulations. In any case, he would first summon He Yuzhu and get to the bottom of things.