Chapter 26: New Media Comes Calling, The Fragrance of Meat Tests the Gold

The embers of the Dianqi disturbance were completely extinguished by the news brought by Deputy Section Chief Sun Jianguo. Within the Procurement Section, the status of He Yuzhu’s team had grown subtly more stable.

"Master, there’s a call from the Meat Packing Plant," Ma Hua said, holding his notebook. "The quota for extra-plan fresh meat for next month has been approved. They’ve added 5% to our factory’s share as per the contract. Also, they’re asking if we still want the offal and trimmings. There’s a large quantity, and the price is negotiable."

"We want it!" He Yuzhu replied without hesitation. "Tell the Meat Packing Plant we’ll take all the trimmings they have. Price it at 75% of last time's rate. Also, arrange a time with Deputy Factory Director Zhao; I’ll head over next week to discuss the joint procurement of poultry for the second half of the year."

"Got it!" Ma Hua went off to make the call.

He Yuzhu spread out a map, his gaze landing on several large-scale chicken farms on the outskirts of the city. Poultry supply was a tough nut to crack; he needed to scout the situation in advance.

***

The bell for the end of the workday rang. As He Yuzhu pushed his bicycle into the front courtyard of the traditional residential compound, he saw his younger sister, He Yushui, coming out of the flower gate pushing a 26-inch ladies' bicycle. A mesh bag hung from her handlebars, containing lunch boxes.

"Brother! You’re back?" Yushui’s eyes lit up when she saw him, and she stopped.

She was wearing the blue uniform of the textile mill, her hair styled in two shiny braids, looking neat and sharp.

"Yes. Just off work? Where are you headed?" He Yuzhu asked.

"To Sister Xiaoe’s place." Yushui lifted the mesh bag. "Her family had someone bring some dried longans from the south and gave me some. I’m going to thank her and bum a meal while I’m at it!" The "Sister Xiaoe" she referred to was Lou Xiaoe, who lived in the back courtyard and had a good relationship with Yushui.

"Alright, take it slow on the road," He Yuzhu instructed. He had always been at ease regarding his younger sister.

Yushui worked diligently at the textile mill and was a sensible person; the only thing was that her personal life had never been settled, which had become a source of worry for the original owner of his body.

Yushui rode off. He Yuzhu pushed his bike into the middle courtyard and happened to see Qin Huairu washing vegetables by the water basin.

When she saw He Yuzhu, she lowered her head with a complex look in her eyes and quickened her movements.

He Yuzhu ignored her and parked his bike, preparing to go inside.

The "Third Uncle," Yan Bugui, poked his head out from his room. For once, he wasn't calculating anything, but instead spoke with a touch of concern: "Yuzhu, Yushui is getting on in years, isn't she? Her personal affairs... any prospects yet?"

"Thanks for your concern, not yet," He Yuzhu replied casually.

"Tsk, a good girl like her shouldn't be delayed!" Yan Bugui shook his head. "I know a few decent young men..."

"Third Uncle!" He Yuzhu interrupted him. "Let Yushui make her own decisions regarding her affairs. Thank you for your trouble." He dared not let Yan Bugui act as a matchmaker; who knew how many schemes were hidden in that.

Yan Bugui sheepishly pulled his head back.

Just as He Yuzhu took out his key, Xu Damao’s raised voice drifted over from the back courtyard, as if spoken specifically for the middle courtyard to hear:

"...Some people shouldn't think they’re all that just because they’re a small procurement team leader! Skimming from the workers' food budget to save for their sister's dowry! As for those trimmings from the Meat Packing Plant, who knows whose pot they really end up in..."

He Yuzhu’s eyes went cold. He inserted the key into the lock, turned it firmly, stepped inside, and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Getting into a shouting match with Xu Damao was beneath him. But if this mad dog wasn't put in his place, he would only bark louder. It seemed it was time to make a move.

***

The next day was a factory holiday. He Yuzhu, for once, slept in. As he was cooking millet porridge, there was a knock at the door.

Opening it, he saw Director Wang from the neighborhood committee, accompanied by a middle-aged woman in a grey Zhongshan suit, wearing glasses, with a refined air.

Director Wang smiled brightly. "Yuzhu, resting? Hope I’m not interrupting? This is Chairman Liu from the textile mill’s labor union."

"Director Wang, Chairman Liu? Please, come in!" He Yuzhu was surprised and hurriedly ushered them in.

Chairman Liu looked around the clean and tidy room and smiled. "Comrade He Yuzhu, don't be nervous. I’m here today on behalf of someone else, acting as a matchmaker!"

"A matchmaker?" He Yuzhu was taken aback.

"That's right!" Director Wang took over the conversation, laughing. "Chairman Liu is here for your sister, He Yushui!"

Chairman Liu nodded. "Yushui is a wonderful girl at our textile mill! She works hard, has great technical skills, and is named an advanced worker every year! It’s just that her personal situation hasn't been resolved."

"As it happens, a young man named Zhou Weimin just transferred to our technical department. He’s 25, a vocational school graduate, and a key technical staff member! He has good character, his parents are both veteran teachers, and his family background is clean! I think he and Yushui are a great match, so I wanted to play matchmaker!"

He Yuzhu felt a stir of interest. Zhou Weimin? He hadn't heard the name. However, since the union chairman was personally making the introduction, the man should be reliable, at least on the surface.

"Chairman Liu, Director Wang, thank you for your concern for Yushui," He Yuzhu said sincerely. "However, this matter depends on Yushui's own wishes. As her brother, I cannot make that decision for her."

"Understood, understood!" Chairman Liu laughed. "I just wanted to touch base with you first, as her brother, to see if you’d approve. If you think it’s feasible, I’ll arrange for the two young people to meet and get to know each other?"

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment. "How about this, Chairman Liu? See which day next week is convenient. I’ll invite Technician Zhou over for a simple meal? Let me, as her brother, check him out?" He proposed the home meeting because he wanted to personally observe Zhou Weimin’s character.

"At home is good! At home is good! It feels more intimate!" Director Wang clapped in approval.

Chairman Liu nodded too. "Fine! I’ll go back and tell Xiao Zhou! We’ll notify you once the time is set!"

After seeing Director Wang and Chairman Liu off, He Yuzhu started to mull it over.

Zhou Weimin... a technician... the conditions sounded good. But one can know a person's face but not their heart; he had to test him well. Of course, the most important thing was for his sister to agree.

***

A few days later, in the small conference room of the Meat Packing Plant, He Yuzhu sat across from Deputy Factory Director Zhao Youtian once again, with Ma Hua in tow.

"Team Leader He, the fresh meat quota and the trimmings are all ready according to the contract!" Zhao Youtian was beaming. "Can your five factories really swallow such a large order for the poultry joint procurement in the second half of the year?"

"As long as the price is right and the channels are stable, volume is not a problem." He Yuzhu pushed a prepared demand estimate over. "We want chickens, ducks, and geese; a balanced monthly supply is best. Director Zhao, can you give me a solid price?"

Zhao Youtian looked at the figures, feeling both eager and nervous, but habitually tried to drive the price down. "Team Leader He, the volume is attractive, but the cost of raising poultry outside the plan is high! Look at this price..."

"High cost?" He Yuzhu smiled and interrupted him. "Director Zhao, have you forgotten we have another advantage?" He signaled to Ma Hua. Ma Hua immediately stood up and went out, returning shortly with a steaming large bowl.

A rich, overwhelming aroma of meat instantly filled the conference room! It was braised pork! The color was a glossy red, the fat and lean layers perfectly balanced, trembling and soft—it looked thoroughly stewed and flavorful at a glance!

"Director Zhao, have a taste." He Yuzhu handed him a pair of chopsticks. "Made with the cheapest pork skin and meat trimmings from our contract."

Zhao Youtian, half-doubting, picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth. His eyes widened instantly! It was fatty but not greasy, melting in his mouth, with a salty-savory, slightly sweet flavor hitting his taste buds! This... this was the flavor that could be made from trimmings?!

"How is it?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Incredible!" Zhao Youtian couldn't care about his image and picked up another piece. "Team Leader He, the skill of the chefs in your factory canteen... it's divine!"

"Not the canteen chefs," He Yuzhu pointed to himself. "I stewed it. Trimmings, as long as they are handled well, are treasures! With the five-factory alliance, you don't need to worry about our consumption capacity. We can make wonders out of trimmings, so the price of the main cuts..." He shifted his tone, his finger tapping the quote sheet on the table. "Shouldn't that also reflect some sincerity?"

Zhao Youtian looked at the enticing braised pork in the bowl, then at He Yuzhu’s calm but pressuring gaze. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed his pen and changed a number on the quote sheet. "Fine! We’ll go with this price! But there’s one condition, Team Leader He: you have to find time to teach our canteen master chefs a trick or two about how to handle these trimmings!"

"No problem!" He Yuzhu shook Zhao Youtian’s hand. With braised pork leading the way, the price was secured!

After signing the contract and walking out of the Meat Packing Plant, Ma Hua couldn't help but ask, "Master, since when did your braising skills get so good?"

"Just picking up the old basics of cooking," He Yuzhu didn't say much. This talent for braised pork was thanks to the [Home Cooking Essence] he’d obtained through "checking in," but there was no need to explain.

[Ding! Suitable location detected: Municipal Meat Packing Plant entrance. Check in?]

"Check in."

[Check-in successful! Obtained: Elementary Skill in Rapid Poultry Disease Identification. Knowledge has been imparted.]

A stream of knowledge regarding how to quickly observe poultry spirit, feathers, and droppings to identify common diseases flooded his mind.

He Yuzhu’s lips curled upward. He was going to the chicken farm next week to scout; this skill had arrived at just the right time!

He looked up at the sky. The new factory contract was signed, and his sister’s affairs in the residential compound were also showing promise.

Life, just like the braised pork fresh out of the pot, looked vibrant and smelled just as sweet.