Chapter 29: He Yushui Confirms Her Betrothal

He Yuzhu’s words, "Who can bear the responsibility?" struck Director Zhao’s heart like a lump of ice, and cold sweat instantly soaked through the back of his work uniform.

If the chicken farm were truly struck by a cholera or typhoid outbreak, it wouldn't just be the contract at stake; he would be stripped of his position entirely!

"Team Leader He... you must help me!" Director Zhao, setting aside all pride, grabbed He Yuzhu’s arm, his fingers trembling. "Since you’ve identified the problem, you must have a way to fix it, right? Our technician... he... he can’t make sense of it!" He glared fiercely at Technician Xiao Sun, who stood nearby with a face as pale as a sheet, looking completely lost.

Xiao Sun shrank back under the glare, casting an imploring look at He Yuzhu. Having just graduated, he lacked experience and was truly at his wit's end in this situation.

"I am a procurement officer, not a veterinarian!" He Yuzhu shook off the director’s hand. His tone remained calm, but he no longer spoke of leaving. "Do three things immediately!"

"Tell me! Tell me! We’ll do it!" Director Zhao clung to his words like a drowning man.

"First, isolate the rows of chicken coops showing symptoms immediately! Spread quicklime around the area for disinfection, and anyone entering or leaving must change their shoes and be disinfected. Even the coops with no symptoms must have improved ventilation, and the water troughs and feeders must be cleaned and disinfected daily!" He Yuzhu spoke rapidly and clearly.

"Good! Good! Xiao Sun! Go! Do as Team Leader He says!" Director Zhao pushed Xiao Sun toward the coops.

"Second, stop feeding all the chickens sulfonamides!" He Yuzhu looked at Xiao Sun. "Sulfonamides might be somewhat effective in the early stages of cholera or typhoid, but the fact that the chickens are becoming even more listless suggests either it’s the wrong diagnosis or the dosage is incorrect. Misusing medication will only accelerate their death! Stop it immediately!"

Xiao Sun blinked, then nodded vigorously. "Right! Right! You’re absolutely right, Team Leader He! I... I’ll go stop it right now!"

"Third," He Yuzhu turned to Director Zhao, "select a few sick chickens with typical symptoms and send them to the municipal livestock and veterinary station immediately! Have them confirm the diagnosis."

"Only by knowing what the disease is can we apply the right medicine. Relying on observation alone is just guessing!"

Director Zhao slapped his thigh. "I’ve been so foolish! I’ll send someone right away! By bicycle, hurry!" He bellowed for his staff.

Watching the farm workers finally spring into action, following his instructions to implement emergency isolation, stop the medication, and arrange for laboratory testing, He Yuzhu felt his tense nerves relax slightly.

He walked to the edge of the wire fence, frowning as he looked at the listless, drooping, purple-clawed sick chickens inside. If this epidemic couldn't be contained, the meat processing plant's major contract would fall through. Without a stable source, everything else was in vain.

Ma Hua stood behind He Yuzhu, watching his team leader bring order to the chaos with just a few words. He was filled with admiration. He wondered where his master had learned such skills.

After half a day of hard work, the preliminary isolation measures were in place, and the sick chickens had been rushed off for testing.

Director Zhao shook He Yuzhu’s hand, offering endless thanks and insisting they stay for a meal.

"I won't be staying for dinner," He Yuzhu waved him off. "Director Zhao, the top priority now is waiting for the veterinary station's diagnosis. Once the results are out, listen to the professionals regarding what medicine to use and how to treat them."

"Our plant’s major contract depends on your supply of live poultry! You must keep a close watch these next few days and notify me immediately if there are any new developments."

"Certainly! Certainly! You can rest assured, Team Leader He!" Director Zhao patted his chest in guarantee. He personally walked He Yuzhu and Ma Hua to the farm entrance, watching them ride away before wiping the sweat from his forehead. He turned and roared, "Everyone, stay alert! Keep your eyes peeled! If there’s another slip-up, you can all pack your bags and get out!"

On the way back to the city, Ma Hua couldn't help but ask, "Master, that stuff you mentioned earlier... the isolation and disinfection, is it really going to work?"

"It works as a foundation to control the spread," He Yuzhu said, pedaling against the evening breeze. "But the cure depends on medicine. We aren't veterinarians; there's only so much we can do. The key is waiting for the veterinary station’s diagnosis." His brow remained furrowed. Poultry diseases spread rapidly, and he hoped the isolation had been timely enough.

...

When they returned to the courtyard, the sky was already dim.

As soon as he propped up his bicycle, the Deaf Old Lady shuffled over slowly, leaning on her cane, carrying a small ceramic jar tied with a red cloth strip.

"Zhuzi, you're back?" The old lady’s voice was soft.

"Old Lady, take your time," He Yuzhu hurried forward to assist her.

The Deaf Old Lady handed him the jar. "Here, I steeped some medicinal liquor for you. I added some aged dried tangerine peel and angelica to the Yunnan Seven-Star herb you brought back last time, all soaked in Erguotou liquor."

"It’s good for blood circulation and treating bruises. It’ll save you from having to go beg others for bamboo tubes."

He Yuzhu was taken aback. He took the jar; it was heavy, and a rich scent of medicinal liquor mixed with the unique aroma of the herb wafted from the gaps in the lid.

His heart warmed. "Thank you for the trouble, Old Lady."

"What’s there to thank?" The Deaf Old Lady waved her hand, her clouded eyes scanning He Yuzhu’s slightly weary face. "Things at the chicken farm... not going smoothly?"

He Yuzhu sighed inwardly at the old lady’s keen intuition. He didn't hide it. "A minor trouble. Found signs of bird flu, handled it, just waiting for the results."

The Deaf Old Lady nodded, asking no more, only whispering, "If the source isn't clean, nothing will be easy. Take care of yourself." With that, she leaned on her cane and shuffled back to the rear courtyard.

He Yuzhu looked at her receding figure, then weighed the warm jar of medicinal liquor in his hand. In this courtyard, she was the only one who truly cared about his predecessor.

Just as he put the jar away in his room, there was a knock at the door.

Opening it, he saw his younger sister, He Yushui, her face showing a rare mix of shyness and anticipation.

"Brother, Chairman Liu came to the factory to find me this afternoon," Yushui said in a low voice. "He said... he said Technician Zhou replied. His parents... would like to invite our family over for a casual meal this weekend... to see..." She trailed off, too embarrassed to finish.

He Yuzhu understood immediately. The Zhou family wanted to meet Yushui! It seemed Zhou Weimin had spoken well of her after that last meal.

"That's great news!" A smile appeared on He Yuzhu’s face. "This weekend? Fine! I’ll accompany you!"

"Mm!" Yushui nodded vigorously, a blush rising on her cheeks, her eyes sparkling. "Then... I’ll tell Chairman Liu?" Seeing He Yuzhu’s affirmative nod, she ran back to her room with light steps.

He Yuzhu closed the door, his smile slowly fading. His sister’s future was finally on the right track, which was a joyous occasion.

But the hidden danger at the chicken farm, and that man Li Huaide lurking in the shadows... He walked to the window, looking out into the deepening night.

...

In the office of the Rolling Mill’s Deputy Director.

The light was still on.

Li Huaide leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, his fingers tapping restlessly on the desktop.

His confidant had just finished reporting: Xu Damao’s re-education through labor was a certainty—three months, no room for negotiation. He Yuzhu had visited the chicken farm today. It wasn't clear exactly what he did, but he looked troubled when he returned.

"Chicken farm..." Li Huaide opened his eyes, his gaze fixed malevolently on a copy of the joint procurement contract for poultry with the meat processing plant lying on his desk.

The deal He Yuzhu signed had drawn too much attention! What if the source of this supply... were to run into some trouble?

A cold smile slowly curled the corners of his lips. He picked up the telephone and dialed an internal number.