Chapter 30: The Third Master Plays Matchmaker for He Yuzhu

Zhou Weimin lived in a quiet alley in the southern part of the city. His home was a small, independent courtyard with gray bricks and tiles, kept impeccably clean and tidy.

His father, a middle-school Chinese teacher, wore glasses and carried himself with a refined, scholarly air. His mother, warm and gentle, worked at the neighborhood committee.

On the dining table sat four dishes and a soup—homely fare that clearly reflected the care put into its preparation.

"Section Chief He, Yushui, please, sit down." Father Zhou smiled warmly, offering a hospitable welcome.

"Teacher Zhou, Auntie Zhou, thank you for having us." He Yuzhu handed over two boxes of pastries as a greeting gift, and He Yushui offered her greetings with a sweet, polite demeanor.

The atmosphere at the table was harmonious.

Father Zhou inquired about production at the rolling mill and chatted about current events, his conversation marked by a perfect sense of propriety.

Meanwhile, Mother Zhou took He Yushui’s hand, asking softly about her life and work at the textile mill, her eyes filled with gentle affection.

"Yushui is a steady, diligent girl; Weimin has praised her often since he returned," Mother Zhou said with a smile to He Yuzhu. "As parents, we only hope for our children to find a reliable partner and live a peaceful life."

He Yuzhu nodded. "Yushui has been sensible since she was young. I’ve met Technician Zhou, and he is a steady and dependable man."

Zhou Weimin sat beside He Yushui. He spoke little, but his eyes were clear and bright, and his movements as he served her food and water were completely natural.

By the end of the meal, the last of He Yuzhu’s reservations had vanished.

The Zhou family had strong morals, the parents were reasonable, and Zhou Weimin himself was a reliable man. His sister would not be mistreated if she married into this family.

Over tea after the meal, the elders from both families exchanged a silent, knowing look. Father Zhou cleared his throat. "Section Chief He, since the children are both happy with each other, we, as the elders, are naturally pleased to see it through. About this marriage..."

"We have no objections on our side," He Yuzhu replied immediately, his stance clear. "As long as the children are happy, anything works. As for the specific arrangements, please follow the traditional customs—you and Auntie Zhou decide, and we will cooperate."

The smiles on the faces of Father and Mother Zhou deepened. Mother Zhou patted He Yushui’s hand gently. "Good, good! Then it’s settled! We’ll pick an auspicious day soon to make the betrothal gifts official!"

He Yushui’s cheeks flushed pink. She lowered her head, but the corners of her mouth curled upward, and Zhou Weimin wore a look of immense relief.

As they left the Zhou residence, He Yushui’s steps were noticeably lighter. Seeing his sister so happy, He Yuzhu felt a weight lift from his own heart as well.

Securing his sister’s future was a major milestone in fulfilling his duty for the original owner of this body.

Just as they returned to the front courtyard of the residential compound, Yan Bugui, the "Third Master," stepped out from his room, cradling a chipped enamel mug as if he had calculated their arrival to the second.

"Oh, Yuzhu, Yushui, back already? You look so radiant—is the matter with the Zhou family... settled?"

He Yuzhu nodded. "Yes, it’s decided."

"Splendid! A wonderful thing!" Yan Bugui’s face immediately broke into a grin. He stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Yuzhu, now that Yushui’s lifelong matter is settled, as her older brother, shouldn't you start considering your own?"

He Yuzhu paused and looked at Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "I have a distant niece who is a teacher at the elementary school! She’s pretty, has a good temperament, and is just the right age for you! What do you think? Should I..."

"Third Master," He Yuzhu interrupted him, his tone indifferent. "I’ve only just settled Yushui’s affairs; I’m not in a hurry for myself. Besides, the factory has a mountain of work waiting for me, so I truly don't have the heart for it. I appreciate your kind intentions." With that, he signaled to He Yushui, and the two walked straight toward the middle courtyard.

Yan Bugui stood where he was, holding his enamel mug, his smile frozen. Watching the siblings' backs, he curled his lip and muttered under his breath, "Hmph. Just because you’re a procurement section chief, you’ve become arrogant? An elementary school teacher isn't good enough for you? Ungrateful..."

He Yuzhu acted as if he hadn't heard a word. He could hear the clicking of Yan Bugui’s abacus from all the way in the front yard.

The next morning, before He Yuzhu had even entered the procurement office, Xiao Wang rushed out to meet him, his expression grim. "Section Chief! A call came in from the chicken farm in the western suburbs! They’re looking for you! It sounded very urgent!"

He Yuzhu’s heart sank. He strode into the office and grabbed the phone. "Hello? This is He Yuzhu."

From the other end came the hoarse, anxious voice of Farm Manager Zhao, trembling with a hint of terror. "Section Chief He! It’s bad! A catastrophe! You... you must come over here! They’re dying! So many chickens are dead!"

"It started dying in the middle of the night! The rows in quarantine... they’re all gone! The two rows next to them are starting to wilt too! The results from the veterinary station just arrived—it’s... it’s Newcastle disease! A virulent strain!"

Newcastle disease?!

He Yuzhu’s heart plummeted. He had heard of this disease; it was highly contagious, had an incredibly high mortality rate, and was one of the most feared plagues for any poultry farm!

The symptoms he had seen last time—purple claws—matched the late-stage progression of the disease perfectly.

"Is it confirmed?" He Yuzhu’s voice turned cold and sharp.

"Confirmed! The veterinary station says there’s no saving them! They’ve ordered us to cull and bury them immediately! And to disinfect everything thoroughly! Otherwise, the whole farm will be finished!" Manager Zhao was on the verge of tears. "Section Chief He, you must help me find a way! This contract... our farm... we are ruined!"

"Cull and bury them, disinfect thoroughly—follow the veterinary station’s requirements and execute immediately! Do not delay for a single second! Isolate and observe everyone who has had contact with the infected birds!" He Yuzhu spoke with rapid, unquestionable authority. "I’m on my way!"

He hung up the phone, his face ashen. The worst-case scenario had occurred! And it had erupted with such ferocity!

"Ma Hua! Xiao Wang!" He Yuzhu barked.

"Here!" Both men stood at attention.

"Contact the procurement heads of the other four factories we have contracts with immediately! Tell them the farm has an emergency outbreak and the situation is grave."

"The original supply may be disrupted. Tell them to send their people to meet me at the entrance of the western chicken farm in an hour! Be quick!"

"Yes!" Ma Hua grabbed another phone and began dialing.

"Xiao Wang, go to the logistics warehouse immediately! Get ten sets of work clothes, masks, gloves, rubber boots, and disinfectant! As much as you can get! Load them onto the truck! You’re coming with me to the farm!"

"Understood!" Xiao Wang turned and ran.

He Yuzhu grabbed the jacket hanging on his chair and strode out, shouting to Ma Hua as he walked, "Once you’ve notified them, go immediately to the meat processing plant and find Deputy Factory Manager Zhao! Tell him the situation! Tell him I, He Yuzhu, requested his personal attendance! Fast!"

The entire procurement office was instantly engulfed in a tense atmosphere.

...

At the western chicken farm.

Long before they arrived, they could smell the pungent, acrid scent of disinfectant mixed with the stench of rotting chicken.

A perimeter line had been set up at the entrance. Several workers in blue work uniforms and masks were hoisting baskets of dead chickens onto a truck covered with heavy canvas.

The chickens were in a wretched state, their necks twisted and feathers disheveled.

Manager Zhao sat slumped on the stone steps outside the office, his face gray and his eyes dull, as if he had aged ten years overnight.

When he saw He Yuzhu’s vehicle arrive, he jolted as if pricked by a needle, scrambling up and stumbling toward him.

"Section Chief He! Section Chief He! You’ve come!" Manager Zhao grabbed He Yuzhu’s arm as if it were his last lifeline, his voice hoarse with despair. "It’s over... it’s all over... the culling order was just given, we haven't finished moving the dead ones... the two rows next to them are... they’re failing too..."

He Yuzhu shook him off, ignoring his wailing, his gaze scanning the chaotic scene with sharp intensity.

Xiao Wang, dressed in his protective gear, was directing men to unload disinfectant and protective equipment from the truck.

"Manager Zhao!" He Yuzhu’s voice was icy and carried an overwhelming air of command. "Now is not the time to cry! Organize your men immediately. According to the veterinary station’s requirements, cull every single infected or suspected bird!"

"Have you selected the burial site? It must be far away from any water sources! Sprinkle a generous amount of quicklime after burying them!"

"Use the disinfectant I brought to spray every contaminated coop, tool, and surface! If once isn't enough, do it twice, three times! Do not miss a single corner!"

"And another thing! Move all healthy flocks to the furthest, fully disinfected backup coop! Put them under dedicated management and strict quarantine!"

"Disinfectants must be used for all entries and exits! If you find even one lethargic chicken, cull it immediately! Do you hear me?!"

He Yuzhu’s series of commands landed like thunder, swift and ruthless. Manager Zhao was cowed by the sheer force of his presence and instinctively stood straight. "I... I hear you!"

"Then get to work!" He Yuzhu pointed toward the interior of the farm. "If you waste any more time, your farm will truly have to close for good!"

Startled by the shout, Manager Zhao scrambled back into the farm, his voice raspy as he yelled at the workers to get moving.

He Yuzhu put on his mask, gloves, and rubber boots, and said to Xiao Wang, "Take a few men and come inside with me to assess the situation!"

As they reached the edge of the quarantine zone, the acrid stench hit them full force.

Just then, several cars bearing the logos of different factories rolled up in a cloud of dust and pulled to a halt at the farm entrance.

Deputy Factory Manager Zhao of the meat processing plant and the procurement heads of the other four factories stepped out of their vehicles with grave expressions and walked quickly toward them.