r18novel Chapter 1167 The Weekend Promise
Chapter 1167 The Weekend Promise
Yi Zhonghai didn't think much of it. With the new factory director in charge, there were many things to do at the steel rolling mill. He was in a hurry to clock in, so he waved his hand and said, "Okay, then hurry up and don't be late. The new factory director is very strict about attendance." After saying that, he hurriedly walked away, and his blue work clothes disappeared into the alleyway.
As soon as Yi Zhonghai disappeared from sight, He Yuzhu tiptoed over like a thief, a forced smile plastered on his face: "Sister Qin, I really didn't expect this. Banggeng just went to the countryside without warning. I heard Aunt Jia mention the other day that she wanted to ask someone to help her find a connection. I thought it would take some time."
Qin Huairu had been waiting for him to say this for a long time, but she pretended to be worried and sighed heavily, her voice trembling with tears: "Yes, who can say otherwise? We were hoping that Uncle Yi, who had been in the factory for a long time, could put in a good word for us, but he failed us at the crucial moment and did nothing to help. He's a real useless piece of trash. It's a waste of the respect people in the compound had for him, calling him 'Uncle Yi'."
He Yuzhu nodded, a hint of barely perceptible smugness in his voice: "That's right, that old man's long gone, nobody listens to him anymore. Sister Qin, you don't know, but now I, He Yuzhu, am a favorite of Director Zhu at the factory. I cook for the director's family, and I have a say in many things, big and small. If I were to suggest to the director that Banggeng move to a place closer, do you think Director Zhu would give me that kind of face?"
Qin Huairu was just waiting for these words. She immediately forced a friendly smile, took half a step forward, and softened her voice: "Zhuzi, we've lived in the same courtyard for so many years, seeing each other all the time. Everyone has their difficulties. If we don't help each other out now, that would be too much to ask, don't you think?"
Seeing the barely concealed urgency in her eyes, He Yuzhu's calculations accelerated even further. He leaned closer, almost able to smell the faint scent of soap in her hair, and lowered his voice, hinting, "Sister Qin, of course I want to help you; this is nothing. But you know, my wife is pregnant, and as her husband, there are some things... that aren't convenient to do openly. You understand what I mean, right?"
A blush rose on Qin Huairu's face, like a layer of rouge, but she quickly calmed down. She looked up at He Yuzhu, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her tone carrying a hint of seduction: "Zhuzi, I understand what you mean. As long as you can help Banggeng get things done and prevent him from going to that far and hard place, I will naturally not treat you unfairly in the future. I will be available whenever you call for any work in the yard."
The rest of the words were left unsaid, but the meaning in their eyes was clear to both of them. He Yuzhu felt a surge of heat in his heart, as if he had drunk two cups of strong liquor, and quickly said with a smile, "Don't worry, Sister Qin, leave this to me. I'll arrange where we'll meet, I'll make sure everything is perfect."
Qin Huairu nodded, said nothing more, and turned to walk into the house. Her steps seemed lighter than usual, the straps of her apron swaying gently behind her. He Yuzhu watched her retreating figure, stroked his chin, chuckled twice, his eyes full of smugness, and harbored many thoughts. He strolled leisurely towards the steel mill, his steps almost unsteady.
"Sister Qin, have you been waiting long?" He Yuzhu deftly untied his canvas bag, took out a steaming white steamed bun, and stuffed it into Qin Huairu's hand. "It's fresh out of the steamer. Give it to the children to tide them over, so that Xiaodang and Huaihua won't complain about being hungry again."
Qin Huairu took the steamed bun, her fingertips touching its warmth, and her heart stirred slightly. The bun was soft, white, and had a faint wheat aroma—a precious treat in those days. Before, when He Yuzhu spoke to her, his face would always turn red to his ears, and he would hesitate, clutching anything in his hand for a long time before handing it to her. But now it was different. His brows held a more mature composure befitting a father. When he handed her the bun, his fingers had inadvertently brushed against hers, but he simply withdrew them naturally. The awkwardness of the past was gone from his eyes; instead, a familiar concern had filled them.
The two walked side by side toward the steel mill, their footsteps tapping out a light rhythm on the uneven cobblestones of the alley. He Yuzhu talked about the newly pickled cabbage in the canteen, saying it was incredibly sour and perfect with cornmeal porridge; Qin Huairu chatted about how the old hen at Aunt Zhang's house in the courtyard had laid a double-yolk egg, attracting half the courtyard to come and see the novelty. As they were talking, He Yuzhu suddenly reached out and gently touched the back of her hand, as if touching a feather.
Qin Huairu's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively wanted to dodge, but her steps faltered, and her hand remained frozen in place. How could she not know He Yuzhu's intentions? Over the years, he had been helping her both openly and secretly; who in the courtyard couldn't see it? But her family's current situation—Xiao Dang and Huaihua were at the age where they were practically starving—if it weren't for He Yuzhu occasionally giving them a steamed bun or a piece of meat, the family would have been starving long ago.
"Zhu Zi, don't do this." Her voice was lower, like a mosquito's hum, but she didn't pull her hand away, letting the rough warmth remain on the back of her hand.
He Yuzhu's fingertips, calloused from years of tossing food in the pan, gently grasped her hand: "Sister Qin, I know you're having a hard time." He didn't say anything else, just held her hand and walked forward. The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric, like a small flame dancing in the cool breeze.
Time flies, and Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye. As the afternoon shift ended, the setting sun cast long shadows of the factory buildings. He Yuzhu stopped Qin Huairu at the workshop entrance, a mysterious smile on his face: "Tomorrow is the weekend, I'm off. Come with me, there's something I need to do."
Qin Huairu looked up at him and saw a hint of expectation in his bright eyes, her mind clear as day. She smiled and deliberately dragged out her words, "Okay, but I have a condition."
“Go ahead! Don’t just say one, I’ll agree to ten or eight!” He Yuzhu’s eyes shone like two stars.
“You know, Banggeng is a glutton,” Qin Huairu looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, lowered her voice, “When you go out, could you bring back some meat and vegetables? Not much, just a small piece, enough for the child to have a taste of something fresh.”
"What's the big deal!" He Yuzhu patted his chest, his clothes shaking with the force. "Leave it to me! I'll just mention it to Director Zhu later. Bang Geng's little problem is nothing. I guarantee he'll come back safely, and he'll get his share of the spoils!"
Qin Huairu felt a warmth in her heart, as if something had soothed her. She looked up at him and said, "Then... whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it."