Xie Sui asked someone to investigate Hao Yuxiu in town. It wasn't too difficult. He delivered goods to the supply and marketing cooperative and had already become familiar with the people there, quickly uncovering the truth.
Lin Wanwan was also very curious and insisted on listening in.
"Hao Yuxiu's man is indeed a scoundrel. He drinks, gambles, and beats his wife. However, he's a truck driver and can earn money. Hao Yuxiu's current job was also arranged by him. Hao Yuxiu is good in every other way, except she can't have children. She blames it on her husband, and the couple fights often. This woman isn't innocent either; she's having an affair with the restaurant chef. As for why she suddenly approached Tie Zhu, that's unknown. It's likely their internal business, and outsiders can't find out."
Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan were both shocked by this revelation.
After the informant left, Lin Wanwan spoke first, "I knew that woman wasn't decent. Let's go tell Tie Zhu clearly."
Xie Sui said, "Even if you tell him, will he believe you? That kid is as stubborn as a mule. He might even think we're slandering her on purpose."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
Xie Sui thought for a moment, "We need to let Tie Zhu discover the truth himself. I'll make arrangements. We'll sort this out during the New Year. We're about to start working soon, and who has time for this kind of messy business? As for Tie Zhu, Xie Sui no longer had any good feelings for him. Stubborn people are never likable. He hits a brick wall and still won't turn back. He deserves to be a spare tire. If it weren't for Wang Daniang's sake, Xie Sui wouldn't have bothered with this meddlesome affair."
Xie Sui used his connections in the county and learned an important piece of news: the state-run restaurant was undergoing an audit at the end of the year. Many restaurants in the town had deficits, and the authorities were going to hold them accountable, even considering closing the town restaurants and only keeping the county's state-run establishments. In the future, they would no longer be called state-run restaurants but would be rebuilt into large hotels, offering accommodation, dining, and leisure. Xie Sui remembered this from his past life; the county's large hotel was six stories high and had an elevator. It was considered very prestigious to hold a wedding banquet there. Perhaps this was related. If the state-run restaurants were to be abolished, would Hao Yuxiu be unemployed? The town's chefs were skilled and could make a living anywhere, but Hao Yuxiu was different. She wouldn't even qualify as a waitress.
Xie Sui bought some gifts and visited Chef Lin, Lin Zhengxue, Tie Zhu's master. It was Lin Zhengxue who had arranged for Tie Zhu to become his apprentice. Xie Sui visited him out of old friendship.
Master Lin's home was easy to find. His wife had passed away long ago, and his two daughters were married. He lived alone, which was probably why he got involved with Hao Yuxiu. Xie Sui's visit surprised and pleased him. "You brat, you've made something of yourself, and you still remember to visit this old man?"
"Master Lin, you say that, but I've always remembered your help. I heard you're getting a promotion?"
Master Lin's eyes flickered. He was indeed well-connected in the county to know such internal news. He didn't deny it. "There's talk of it, but we'll have to see what the higher-ups decide."
Xie Sui said, "Then what about Tie Zhu, your apprentice? You won't take him with you to inherit your legacy?"
Master Lin's face darkened. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. Tie Zhu has been striking, and I can't control him. If he wants to follow me, I won't object, but I'm afraid he won't value our craft."
"Why?"
Master Lin didn't want to say, so Xie Sui didn't press further. He chatted with him for a while and then took his leave. As he was leaving, he slipped a small voice recorder onto the sofa. Xie Sui had spent a lot of money to get this miniature, state-of-the-art recorder from Zhang Weiguo. It was as small as a pen and cost him over a thousand yuan. Things that would cost a few dozen yuan in his previous life. Indeed, technology was the most profitable.
When Xie Sui returned home, he found Tie Zhu and asked him, "Aren't you planning to learn to be a chef anymore?"
Tie Zhu's eyes flickered. "Brother Xie, you know everything. It's not that I don't plan to learn. It's that Master is going to the county, and he's not taking Xiu Xiu. I can't abandon her."
Xie Sui wanted to slap him. "Does she have parents? Does she have a husband? Do you think she can't survive without you?"
"Her husband beats her, and her family looks down on her for being divorced and ashamed, so they won't let her come back. If I don't take care of her, she really won't be able to live."
Xie Sui laughed. "Ha, so you, Tie Zhu, are a great hero. A hero saving a damsel in distress, how moving. But for this beauty, you're willing to abandon your master, your half-learned culinary skills, and your parents. Do you think it's worth it?"
Tie Zhu was firm in his resolve. "It's worth it. As long as I can be with Xiu Xiu, anything is worth it."
"Alright, you're amazing. I've seen women with 'love brains,' but this is the first time I've seen a man like this. Do you know she can't have children? When your passion fades, and there are no children, can your life be long-lasting?"
Wang Tie Zhu retorted, "When Wanwan jie gave you two sons, I didn't see you being very family-oriented either. You only got better last year. Are children that important?"
Xie Sui was speechless. He couldn't explain it to him, and he might end up angering himself to death.
Soon, it was the sixth day of the first lunar month. Xie Sui had to return to the county, as the factory was to resume operations and some preparatory work was needed.
The next-door neighbor, Wang Daniang, came to find him. In just a few days, Wang Daniang's hair had turned gray, and she looked ten years older. Xie Sui thought to himself, "What a disaster!" If it were his own son, he would beat him to death and sever ties, rather than make trouble for himself.
"Xiao Sui, you're returning to the county. Auntie has something to ask of you."
"Auntie, please say it. There's no need to ask."
Wang Daniang wiped her eyes and said, "It's about Tie Zhu, that child. He insists he doesn't want to go to the restaurant anymore. Auntie wants you to see if you can arrange some work for him in your factory. Even doing odd jobs would be fine, as long as he gets meals. If he doesn't go to the restaurant, he won't be with that woman all day, and perhaps he'll come to his senses!"
Xie Sui refused, "I'm sorry, Auntie, I can't help with this. I'm powerless when it comes to Tie Zhu. A person isn't afraid of lacking skills, but afraid of not having enough ability and not listening. He's so stubborn. I don't want to bring such an ancestor back to my place; I'm afraid I'll be angered to death." Zhang Wenfeng was very obedient. He divorced Yang Yumei when he was told to, and refused to reconcile when told not to. That's why Xie Sui was willing to take him in.
Wang Daniang started crying again. "What am I supposed to do?"
Xie Sui didn't back down. She had reached this situation because of her son, and it had nothing to do with him. He could help once, but no one would help her forever. She still hadn't been ruthless with Tie Zhu, and she was still begging on his behalf. This made Tie Zhu feel emboldened, knowing his parents wouldn't abandon him. Ultimately, parents couldn't resist their sons. Xie Sui felt reluctant to tell her that the town's state-run store was being shut down and that the business of delivering wild game to the eldest would also cease. Their family's life would become even more difficult.