Chapter 2328
The Innocence of Friends
He Yuzhu has been in the workplace for a long time and has a set of platitudes.
Now that he's in this position, his perception is definitely different from before.
Even his third senior brother had different ideas.
The third senior brother's first reaction upon learning of this was fear.
He Yuzhu, however, thought of both trouble and opportunity.
This is not because He Yuzhu is thinking of making any contribution in this matter.
In his current state, any merit he earns will be of no use.
He's already very content to be able to stay at the CNC Institute for a few more years and do more things.
In fact, he was saying all this on Lao Lu's behalf.
After all, this is exactly what Lao Lu and his men outside are busy with right now.
When an opportunity arises that I feel would benefit my friend, I simply tell them—it's that simple.
Last time, Lao Lu casually mentioned to He Yuzhu that the higher-ups were planning to make a movie about a bald guy living a simple life, and asked He Yuzhu if he was interested in going in to see it.
However, He Yuzhu refused, using the excuse that he was "busy".
There was no other reason, it was simply because He Yuzhu knew that some of his busy work was in vain.
We've already missed our best opportunity.
In other words, He Yuzhu knew that what Lao Lu and his group were doing would likely not end well.
Those things are unlikely to succeed, at least until Old Lu retires.
Therefore, he is not very enthusiastic about such things.
The fact that they could casually remind Lao Lu of something is because their relationship is very close.
Furthermore, given He Yuzhu's position, this level of sensitivity is unavoidable.
If he knew about his second senior brother's situation, he wouldn't have said a word to Lao Lu.
Who knows what kind of trouble they might cause in the future?
He Yuzhu was doing this with a helpless mentality, knowing it was impossible but having no other choice.
There's nothing we can do; that's just how things are now.
He Yuzhu also has to keep up with the trend.
Old Lu took out a pack of white cigarettes from the drawer and tossed it to He Yuzhu.
Over the years, He Yuzhu has seen quite a few cigarettes like this.
Putting everything else aside, Xiao Song's grandfather has now quit smoking and drinking.
The old man's usual possessions were all stolen by Xiao Song and given to his father-in-law.
But this is the first time Lao Lu has offered something on his own initiative.
This action, however, left He Yuzhu completely bewildered.
He Yuzhu blurted out, "Old Lu, you've struck it rich?"
"Cough cough...cough cough...no, the doctor recently said my lungs aren't good."
So I quit smoking. "Old Lu's cough was indeed severe."
However, He Yuzhu didn't think much of it. He himself had been smoking for decades and sometimes had a persistent cough.
So at this moment, He Yuzhu was still in the mood to joke, "Then give me all the cigarettes in your drawer."
What's the point of giving me just one packet?
Unexpectedly, Lao Lu actually opened the drawer and tossed the remaining half-pack of cigarettes to He Yuzhu.
Old Lu forced a smile and said, "Smoke less; it's really bad for your lungs."
He Yuzhu couldn't help but frown and ask suspiciously, "Old Lu, are you alright?"
Have you had it checked at a major hospital?
In He Yuzhu's memory, Lao Lu was always stingy and miserly; asking him for something was like squeezing toothpaste out of him.
When has it ever been this easy?
If Yan Bugui's death a while ago only made He Yuzhu pause for a moment...
That's because Yan Bugui was merely a memory of his past life; they didn't actually have much interaction in this life. From the moment he moved out with his wife and sister, everyone in the old courtyard had severed all ties with their past lives.
But Lao Lu, Lao Xiao, and Guo Lei, who has already retired, are the people who have been He Yuzhu's life.
A few days ago, when He Yuzhu saw Lao Xiao off on the train, his eyes welled up with tears.
These days, even carriages and horses aren't that fast.
For some, parting is a final farewell!
It's very likely that we'll never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime.
His concern for these people is genuine concern.
Just like him and Lao Lu, the two of them have been both teasing and helping each other since they got to know each other. They are stingy with each other, but they can also be quite generous when they are being generous.
When the two meet, as long as there are no outsiders present, they will definitely exchange a few sarcastic remarks within three sentences.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. I've already checked." Old Lu's eyes darted away for a moment, but he waved his hand to deny it to He Yuzhu.
He Yuzhu wanted to ask something more, but in the end he held back.
What could he say?
He didn't want to think about the negative aspects either.
In the face of many things, He Yuzhu actually felt powerless.
Whether it's a big deal or a small matter.
"Let me check and I'll let you know in a couple of days."
"Want a drink? I still have some good wine." Old Lu gave He Yuzhu an answer.
He Yuzhu rolled his eyes at the other person, completely ignored him, and got up to leave.
As he unlatched the door, Lao Lu suddenly said from behind, "Old He, thanks for your concern!"
He Yuzhu's eyes welled up again, but he opened the door and walked out without looking back.
He was able to lose his temper with Guo Lei back then, which led to Guo Lei receiving treatment.
That's because He Yuzhu knows that no matter how heroic Guo Lei was in the past, he is now just an ordinary person addicted to alcohol.
If he wants what's best for his wife and children, he must change.
Furthermore, his relationship with Guo Lei goes beyond just childhood friendship.
There are also two women from the same family who are best friends.
It would be perfectly fine for him to reprimand Guo Lei from Fang Juan's perspective.
But now he's unsure whether Lao Lu is doing well or badly, and since Lao Lu won't say, He Yuzhu can't do anything about it.
To put it bluntly, even if He Yuzhu forcibly dragged Lao Lu to the hospital for a check-up.
As long as Lao Lu shows his work ID, the doctor won't dare to make a move.
Furthermore, He Yuzhu also felt that Lao Lu was really too tired.
This girl is much older than him; logically speaking, Lao Lu should be of retirement age.
Perhaps it's because their department is special that Lao Lu has never retired.
Moreover, He Yuzhu had also thought about his old friend; if he didn't let his old friend work, the guy would probably be living a life worse than death.
Most people have their own lives besides work.
And most people work in order to improve their lives.
And there are people like Lao Lu in this world.
They kept quiet and never shouted any loud slogans.
But he dedicated his entire life to his so-called ideals.
Everything they do is in the struggle for their ideals.
Sometimes He Yuzhu thought that the best outcome for someone like Lao Lu would be to die at his post.
This wasn't He Yuzhu being cold-hearted.
For idealists, the best end is to die on the road to pursuing their ideals.
No stopping, never looking back!
Always chasing after that light.
He Yuzhu didn't drink with Lao Lu, but after returning home, he took a bottle of wine and drank himself into a stupor.
To be honest, he didn't know why either. (End of Chapter)