Chapter 9: Promotion to Squad Leader, The Emergence of Procurement

The next morning, He Yuzhu arrived at work full of energy.

The atmosphere in the canteen kitchen was tense. The news of Bang Geng’s theft and the disgrace the Jia family suffered at the all-factory meeting had spread overnight to the steel rolling mill.

Liu Lan and the others looked at He Yuzhu with a hint of awe, while Ma Hua’s eyes shone with admiration.

“Master, good morning!” Ma Hua quickly handed over an apron.

“Mm,” He Yuzhu accepted it, his gaze sweeping across the stove. “The ingredient list for the big pot dishes.”

Just as he took the list, the canteen team leader, Wang Dahai, hurried in, his face flushed with excitement and relief. “Yuzhu! Great news! Tremendous news!”

All eyes turned to him.

“Deputy Director Li just talked to me!” Wang Dahai said excitedly. “The newly built fifth branch canteen needs a manager. The leadership has specifically appointed me to transfer there! I’ll start next week!” He patted He Yuzhu heavily on the shoulder. “Yuzhu! I recommended you for the canteen team leader position! Deputy Director Li agreed! We’re just waiting for the official notice!”

The kitchen fell silent for a moment, then a suppressed intake of breath rippled through the room. Team leader? Is silly Zhu getting promoted?!

He Yuzhu’s eyes flickered slightly, then he nodded calmly. “Thank you for the recommendation, Chief Wang.”

“No need to thank me!” Wang Dahai’s face glowed. “It’s your own skill! Bringing in that batch of meat solved a huge problem! Even Director Li remembers. From now on, this canteen is in your hands! Work well!” He looked around, raising his voice. “Everyone heard that? From now on, what Team Leader He says is what I say! Get your spirits up!”

“Yes!” the group responded in unison, their eyes toward He Yuzhu transformed completely. Liu Lan and the others forced smiles full of flattery.

Wang Dahai then pulled He Yuzhu aside to go over some work details before humming a tune as he went to the logistics office to handle formalities.

He Yuzhu immediately slipped into his role.

“Ma Hua, check the blower damper. The sound’s off—might be stuck.”

“Liu Lan, inventory the spices in the storeroom and report to me this afternoon.”

“Master Zhang, make sure the big pot cabbage stalks are cleaned thoroughly. No slacking off.”

His commands were clear and decisive, leaving no room for argument. Everyone sprang into action, working more efficiently than usual.

Approaching noon, as He Yuzhu checked the steaming baskets’ heat, Xu Damao appeared again, persistently lingering, followed by a young officer from the factory office.

“Master He? Busy, I see?” Xu Damao dragged out his tone, a fake smile plastered on his face. “The factory office received an anonymous complaint from the workers. They say the batch of ‘processed meat’ you used yesterday came from an unknown source, raising concerns over food safety. This is Officer Chen from the office, here to inquire.”

Anonymous complaint? He Yuzhu sneered inwardly. Who else but that bastard Xu Damao? Officer Chen looked serious as he pulled out a notebook. “Comrade He Yuzhu, please explain the source, price, and receipts for the frozen pork batch used yesterday. We need to verify.”

Tension instantly filled the kitchen. Liu Lan and the others looked at He Yuzhu anxiously. Just promoted to deputy team leader and already getting stabbed in the back?

He Yuzhu remained calm, setting down the pot lid and walking to his locker. He pulled out a small locked metal box, turned the key, and opened it with a click. Inside were neatly organized receipts.

He took out two documents: a shipping list stamped by the Meat Processing Plant and a purchase certificate from the steel rolling mill canteen. He handed them to Officer Chen.

“Officer Chen, please see. This is the Meat Processing Plant’s cold storage shipping list and the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill Canteen’s purchase certificate, both officially stamped. The processed frozen pork, 320 jin, was bought at seventy percent of the first-grade meat plan price. The amounts and prices on the receipts match perfectly. All procedures were compliant and lawful.” He Yuzhu’s voice was steady and firm. “Officer Chen can verify the processing plant’s procedures. As for food safety…”

He shifted his tone and picked up a cleaver from the cutting board, heading toward the cold storage door.

Ma Hua immediately understood and brought out a half slab of pork that had already thawed, with the outer white, bruised parts trimmed away. He Yuzhu’s sharp blade effortlessly sliced into the pink flesh, revealing clear grain and fresh color.

“Officer Chen, please look,” He Yuzhu pointed at the fresh red meat. “The bruised outer layer has been fully removed. The inner meat is fresh without any off odors. This is the batch used in yesterday’s big pot dish. All factory workers ate it without any issues. If Officer Chen still has doubts, samples can be taken for testing.”

Officer Chen scrutinized the receipts again, then glanced at the fresh pork on the cutting board. His taut expression softened, and he nodded. “The paperwork is complete, and the meat is fine. Master He, sorry to disturb you.” He closed his notebook and turned to leave, not even glancing at Xu Damao.

Xu Damao’s fake smile froze, as if he’d swallowed a fly. He hadn’t expected He Yuzhu to keep such impeccable records, nor anticipated such a flawless response.

“Officer Xu,” He Yuzhu’s gaze turned icy as he held up the gleaming cleaver. “Anonymous complaint? That ‘anonymous’ worker—could it be you? So concerned about the canteen work, maybe I should have Deputy Director Li transfer you there as a kitchen assistant? That way you won’t be so bored, wandering around looking for attention!”

“You… you’re talking nonsense!” Xu Damao, exposed, grew furious and ashamed. “I was just trying to supervise…”

“Supervise?” He Yuzhu stepped closer, eyes sharp as knives. “I think you’re retaliating! Failed to slander me yesterday, now you try dirty tricks? Xu Damao, if you keep stirring trouble in the canteen…” He tapped the cleaver with a metallic ring. “Be careful, or I might chop you up!”

The cold blade and He Yuzhu’s ruthless glare sent a chill down Xu Damao’s spine. He instinctively took a step back. This silly Zhu really dares now! He pointed at He Yuzhu in a bluffing rage. “You… you’re threatening me? Just you wait!” Spouting threats, he fled after Officer Chen in embarrassment.

A stifled chorus of laughter rose in the kitchen.

“Pah! What a scoundrel!” Liu Lan spat.

Ma Hua beamed with admiration. “Master! That was so satisfying!”

He Yuzhu sheathed the knife, his expression returning to calm. “Back to work.”

That afternoon, the official appointment document arrived at the canteen. He Yuzhu was named team leader of the third canteen. Wang Dahai was officially transferred.

Holding the appointment letter, He Yuzhu called a brief meeting with the entire canteen staff.

“Being team leader is a responsibility, not a privilege.” His voice was low but carried weight. “From now on, the big pot dishes must be plentiful and tasty. The small stove servings for guests must follow standards, no excess. Storeroom inventory must be cleared daily and monthly, with whoever is responsible signing off. Waste and theft will be severely punished.” His eyes swept over everyone, finally resting on Liu Lan. “Liu Lan, you’ll manage the storeroom keys and ledgers. If anything goes wrong, you’re accountable.”

Liu Lan was both surprised and delighted, nodding repeatedly. “Team Leader He, you can trust me! I’ll take good care of it!”

Everyone was convinced. He Yuzhu had skill, means, and fairness. With a leader like this, they felt secure.

At the end of the day, just as He Yuzhu stepped out of the canteen, a middle-aged man wearing a four-pocket cadre uniform, with a sharp face, approached. It was Zhao Guoqiang, head of the Procurement Department.

“Comrade He Yuzhu? Congratulations on your promotion!” Zhao smiled, extending his hand with a look of appraisal mixed with subtle admiration.

“Director Zhao? What can I do for you?” He Yuzhu shook his hand evenly, neither humble nor arrogant.

“Nothing major,” Zhao said warmly. “I heard you’re resourceful, good at sourcing materials. That batch of processed meat was handled brilliantly! If the canteen ever has special needs or discovers any unofficial material sources, come directly to me. The Procurement Department’s door is always open to you.” He patted He Yuzhu’s shoulder with a meaningful smile and turned away.

He Yuzhu watched Zhao’s retreating figure, his gaze sharpening. Procurement Department?

[Ping! Suitable location detected: Red Star Steel Rolling Mill factory grounds. Would you like to check in?]

“Check in.”

[Check-in successful! Gained: Basic Accounting Knowledge (fragment). Knowledge has been assimilated.]

Fragments of knowledge about receipts, simple bookkeeping, and cost accumulation flooded his mind. He Yuzhu understood clearly.

After work, pushing his bicycle, He Yuzhu headed toward the factory gate.

Just outside, in the shadow of the street corner, a short, stout figure glared venomously at He Yuzhu’s back, clutching half a brick—none other than Bang Geng!