Chapter 32: Giving Two Hundred Yuan to Younger Sister He Yuzhu as a Dowry

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The Joint Emergency Response Team operated efficiently for three days.

The poultry farm in the western part of the city was thoroughly disinfected. The area where the slaughtered chickens had been buried was covered with a thick layer of quicklime and strictly sealed off. After repeated examinations by veterinarians, the healthy flocks were confirmed to be uninfected.

The emergency shipment from the northern suburban poultry farm arrived on schedule, and supplies from the eastern suburban farm were once again put back in line.

The Municipal Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station also gradually sent back its inspection reports on several other backup poultry farms. Every one of them passed.

At last, the huge weight pressing on the hearts of the heads of the five factories was lifted.

Deputy Director Zhao of the Meat Processing Plant personally came to the Procurement Department of Red Star Plant. He slapped a statement and a letter of thanks, both stamped with the official seals of all five factories, onto He Yuzhu’s desk.

“Team Leader He! We owe you one this time! You kept your head in a crisis and directed everything brilliantly! Our meat processing plant will remember this favor. If you ever need anything, just say the word!”

Representatives from the other factories also came forward one after another to express their gratitude.

There was no trace of pride on He Yuzhu’s face. He merely nodded.

“It was simply my duty. We still have to keep a close eye on the subsequent supply. We can’t let our guard down.”

After seeing the various factory heads off, He Yuzhu had only just sat down to catch his breath when Deputy Section Chief Sun Jianguo pushed open the door. His face wore a smile of relief.

“Little He, splendid work! The factory leadership knows all about it! Director Yang personally issued instructions. This joint emergency response saved the factory from major losses and prevented a damaging impact. Your team is to be formally commended!”

“Deputy Section Chief Sun, it was the result of everyone’s efforts.” He Yuzhu stood up.

“Whatever credit belongs to you won’t escape you!” Sun Jianguo patted him on the shoulder, then lowered his voice. “There’s one more thing. The report submitted by Logistics has been signed by Deputy Director Li.”

He Yuzhu’s gaze sharpened.

So it had finally come.

Sun Jianguo let out a cold laugh.

“That fellow Zhang certainly knows how to write a report. He said the procedures had been somewhat flawed, but that extraordinary measures were justified by the emergency; the destination of the supplies was clear, their use legitimate, and then he tacked on a recommendation that it not happen again.”

“Hmph. Li Huaide signed it as reviewed, then added, ‘The Procurement Department is expected to learn from this and strengthen the standardization of its material-management procedures.’ He’s clearly taking a swipe at you!”

After listening, He Yuzhu’s expression remained calm.

“Understood. I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Don’t take it too much to heart.” Sun Jianguo comforted him. “Anyone with eyes can see who was stirring things up behind the scenes this time. Li Huaide was simply unhappy and used the matter as an excuse to make things unpleasant for you.”

“His little schemes are nothing to be proud of! This time, you solved such a major problem for the factory and for five partner factories. Your achievements are real and undeniable. He can’t erase them!”

“Mm,” He Yuzhu replied.

Moves like Li Huaide’s were well within his expectations. They were irritating, certainly, but could not damage him in any fundamental way. What concerned him more was the stability of the supply going forward.

…

The courtyard compound seemed to have returned to its former peace as well.

When He Yuzhu came home from work, he had just propped up his bicycle when he saw his younger sister, He Yushui, hurrying out of the middle courtyard, her face brimming with undisguised delight.

“Brother! The Zhou family sent word through Chairman Liu!” He Yushui’s cheeks were flushed. “They… they said the bride price has been settled! This Sunday, Uncle Zhou and Auntie Zhou will bring it over themselves!”

“That’s wonderful!” A smile appeared on He Yuzhu’s face as well. “Good, it’s settled! Your brother will be home waiting for them.”

“Mm!” He Yushui nodded vigorously, then remembered something. “Oh, right, Brother. Chairman Liu also asked whether our family had any requests.”

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“We’ll follow the traditional customs,” He Yuzhu said, waving his hand. “Our family isn’t after empty formalities. The Zhou family are honest people. As long as Yushui isn’t mistreated after she marries into their family, that’s all that matters.”

“I know!” He Yushui smiled so brightly that the corners of her eyes curved upward. Then she turned and ran back to the middle courtyard, probably to share the good news with Grandma Deaf.

Watching his sister’s joyous retreating figure, He Yuzhu felt considerably more at ease. Life was moving forward, after all.

He wheeled his bicycle into the middle courtyard and prepared to return to his room.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Jia family’s door open a crack. Qin Huairu’s haggard face flashed behind it before the door quickly closed again.

He Yuzhu did not slow down. The Jia family had finally become completely quiet. Ever since Banggeng had been frightened out of his wits the last time, he rarely even left the courtyard gate. Qin Huairu, for her part, had become meek and cautious. For the time being, there was unlikely to be any more trouble from that household.

Sunday morning arrived beneath pleasant sunshine.

Just as promised, Zhou Weimin’s parents came over. Zhou’s father wore a neat Sun Yat-sen suit, while his mother was dressed cleanly and smartly.

The two of them carried heavy net bags. Inside were two bottles of malted milk powder wrapped in red paper, four boxes of pastries labeled “Beijing Eight Delicacies,” a bundle of fine cotton cloth wrapped in red paper, and a small red packet that evidently contained the bride price.

“Team Leader He, sorry to impose on you!” Zhou’s father said with a warm smile.

“Teacher Zhou, Auntie Zhou, please come in!” He Yuzhu ushered them inside.

He Yushui was wearing a newly made floral blouse that day. Her cheeks slightly flushed, she poured the tea. Grandma Deaf was also helped over by He Yushui and seated in the place of honor, a rare hint of a smile on her face.

The exchange of the bride price went smoothly. Zhou’s father placed the small red packet on the table and pushed it toward He Yuzhu.

“Team Leader He, according to the traditional customs, this is one hundred and fifty yuan, a small token of our sincerity.”

One hundred and fifty yuan! In the early 1970s, that was an exceptionally generous gift. It was roughly a year’s wages for an ordinary worker.

It showed just how seriously the Zhou family regarded the marriage and how highly they valued He Yushui.

He Yuzhu did not refuse. He accepted it openly.

“Teacher Zhou, Auntie Zhou, you’ve gone to a great deal of expense. I’ll save this money for Yushui. It will be for the two of them to use after they start their own household.” He turned to He Yushui. “Yushui, go bring out what your brother prepared for you.”

He Yushui answered and went into the inner room. She soon returned with a square object wrapped in red cloth and a small bundle.

When the cloth and bundle were opened, the red wrapping revealed a brand-new metal thermos. Its outer shell gleamed, decorated with a festive peony pattern. The bundle, meanwhile, contained twenty ten-yuan notes, amounting to two hundred yuan.

“Technician Zhou, Yushui, this thermos is a wedding gift from your elder brother.” He Yuzhu handed the thermos to Zhou Weimin. “And this two hundred yuan is my dowry gift for my sister—or you could call it a return gift.”

“Once the two of you begin your life together, you’ll have to deal with firewood, rice, oil, and salt, as well as each other’s hardships and comforts. I hope you’ll understand and support one another. That’s the only way to build a prosperous household.”

Zhou Weimin accepted the thermos and money with both hands. They felt warm and substantial in his grasp. He nodded solemnly.

“Rest assured, Big Brother! I’ll treat Yushui well.”

Zhou’s parents watched the scene with even broader smiles, repeatedly saying how wonderful it was.

Grandma Deaf sat beside them, narrowing her eyes as she looked at the bright red thermos and the two hundred yuan. Then she looked at He Yuzhu and gave a light nod.

With the bride price formally exchanged, the marriage was truly settled. The two families chatted about choosing a date and preparing the wedding, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

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After seeing Zhou’s parents off, He Yuzhu helped He Yushui clear the table. Grandma Deaf did not hurry away. She sipped her tea leisurely.

“Zhuzi, this marriage into the Zhou family is a good one.” The old woman set down her teacup, her voice low. “Yushui is a fortunate girl.”

“You saw it clearly, Grandma. You’re never wrong,” He Yuzhu replied with a smile.

Grandma Deaf’s cloudy eyes drifted toward the window. Then she suddenly said, “That rotten fellow from the Xu family… He’ll be coming back soon, won’t he?”

He Yuzhu’s hands paused.

By his reckoning, Xu Damao’s three-month term of reeducation through labor was indeed nearly over.

“Mm. Soon,” He Yuzhu said evenly.

“A dog never changes its appetite.” Grandma Deaf rose with the aid of her cane. “After suffering such a heavy loss, do you think he’ll come back and behave himself? Zhuzi, you’d better stay alert.”

“Understood.” He Yuzhu nodded, his eyes turning slightly cold.

Once Xu Damao returned, the courtyard compound would probably become turbulent again.

…

At the Steelworks, inside the deputy director’s office.

Li Huaide stared at the report on his desk concerning the Joint Emergency Response Team’s successful handling of the outbreak and its efforts to stabilize supplies. His expression was gloomy.

The praise lavished on He Yuzhu in the report stung his eyes like needles.

“He’s taken all the glory for himself…” Li Huaide muttered.

The move involving Xu Damao had failed. The crisis at the poultry farms had not ignited as planned; instead, it had given He Yuzhu an opportunity to make a spectacular impression before several partner factories.

Irritated, Li Huaide pulled open a drawer and took out a document. It was a notice the city had just issued concerning the disposal of a batch of surplus chemical raw materials.

The quantity was enormous, the varieties diverse, the deadline tight, and the task burdensome. It was a poisoned chalice—whoever accepted it would have a headache.

Li Huaide’s gaze lingered on the notice for a moment. Slowly, a cold curve formed at the corner of his mouth. He picked up the telephone and dialed the Procurement Department.

“Hello, Deputy Section Chief Sun? This is Li Huaide. Yes… the city has a batch of surplus chemical raw materials that needs to be disposed of. The deadline is tight and the task is heavy. I think… Comrade He Yuzhu should be put in charge of it.”

“He’s capable and resourceful. He’s just earned merit again, so this will be a good opportunity for him to gain experience. Yes… that’s settled, then. Notify him.”

After hanging up, Li Huaide leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the desktop.

He Yuzhu, aren’t you so capable? Let’s see how you turn this pile of unwanted junk into something valuable. Once you botch it, we’ll see how you keep basking in the limelight!

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