Comfortable life in Siheyuan

In the afternoon, the weather was still a bit hot and humid, like a big steamer, enveloping people. The streets and alleys were quiet, as if they were asleep. People in the courtyards hid in the shade, whispering to each other about today's exam.

"Have you heard? It seems that Xie Cheng failed the exam?" Aunt Wang in the front yard whispered in a low voice.

"Need I hear about that? When he came back, his face was like an eggplant hit by frost. It was obvious that he failed the exam. It was so long." Aunt Li in the backyard also whispered in agreement.

At this time, Sha Zhu walked in from the door. He was all smiles and greeted everyone enthusiastically: "Hey! You're all chatting!"

"Zhu Zi, have you passed the test?" Aunt Li in the backyard raised her voice and asked loudly.

"Aunt Li, what you said is true. Look at my level, how can I not pass? In a while, I will be a level 7 cook." Sha Zhu said proudly, patting his chest.

"Congratulations, Zhuzi. Your family is getting more and more prosperous." Aunt Li flattered with a smile.

"Yes, Zhuzi. You are really capable. You passed this test." Aunt Wang in the front yard also said with a smile.

"I think Zhuzi's wife is capable. Everything has been going smoothly since Zhuzi got married." Aunt Li said with a smile.

"Thank you for the compliment. I have to go back and tell my wife the good news." Sha Zhu didn't want to chat with these aunts, so he found an excuse and went home.

Looking at Sha Zhu's back gradually walking away, the few of them started chatting again.

"You know what, this silly Zhuzi is so lucky that he can find a wife who brings good fortune to her husband at such an old age."

"That's right. Look at Second Master's Guangqi. He didn't choose the right wife and she ran away with someone else. How ridiculous!"

"That's right. Zhuzi's wife gave birth to a big fat boy in the first year after she got married. Look at Jiecheng's wife. It's been more than half a year, and there's still no movement in her belly."

"If that's what you mean, then Liu Xiaosan's wife is the one who can give birth. She already had two children in just two years."

"Who can compare with his family? I heard that Qingshan's monthly salary is over a hundred yuan now. My God, how can I spend all this money?"

"That's because Qingshan is very capable. He even found a dairy goat for his family. How could his wife lack nutrition? How could it be difficult for her to have children?"

"Do you think Jie Cheng's wife is lacking in nutrition? There is no sign of anything happening. Could it be the same as Lou Xiao'e's?"

"How can they be the same? Lou Xiao'e and Xu Damao, Xu Damao can't have children, but Lou Xiao'e should be fine. She is the daughter of a capitalist, how can she lack nutrition?"

"Yes, otherwise why would the Xu family find a widow with a child for Damao?"

Auntie watched the people outside the house talking to each other, and leaned against the door, listening, but the more she listened, the angrier she got. She simply pushed the door open and said, "Hey! It's almost time for dinner, why don't you go home to work? What are you talking about? It's so lively."

"What else can we talk about? Zhuzi just came back and said that he passed the exam to become a level 7 cook. Why don't we just chat about it?" Aunt Li said calmly.

"Auntie, how is the solution in your house? Is it over?" Auntie Wang asked with a smile.

"Hey, Jie Cheng is just testing the waters this time. He's only been in the factory for a short time. How can he just pass it like that? If it were that easy, wouldn't everyone be a formal employee?" The three aunts subtly found a way for Jie Cheng to back down.

"Yeah, Jie Cheng has only been in the factory for a short time, so it's really not easy for him." Aunt Liu echoed.

Just then, Xu Damao and the second uncle from the yard came back.

The two men walked over with gloomy faces like Bao Gong. The crowd chatting in the front yard consciously made way like a tide, for fear of being contaminated by the bad luck.

After the two walked away, everyone began to discuss cautiously: "I guess there is no hope for these two people, right?"

"Is there any need to ask? Look at that face, it's longer than a donkey's face, everyone can see it." The third aunt also came over and said in a low voice.

"It's very difficult for Second Uncle to become a level eight worker. I heard that to take the exam for a senior worker, one needs to have some cultural background. He suffers from his lack of education." Aunt Wang interrupted with a smile.

"That's right, but how did they get together?" said the third aunt softly.

"What else could it be? He doesn't have much in common with those who passed the exam. It would be irritating for them to be together!" When they said this, several people laughed.

"Look! Look, all the students who passed the exam are back together!" Aunt Wang said with a smile.

As they were talking, Liu Yaohui and Yi Zhonghai walked into the courtyard together. The two of them usually didn't interact much, but now they were walking side by side.

"Old Liu, why didn't you ride your bike today? Why did you walk back with an old man?" Auntie asked with a smile.

"Hey, I got up early today, and thought it was only a few steps away, so I just strolled there." Father Liu explained with a smile on his face.

"You two look so happy, you must have passed the exam, right?" Aunt Li asked with a smile.

"You have to publicize it well. Our factory has produced an eighth-level worker! This time, the uncle is very famous. There are only a few eighth-level workers in our factory!" Father Liu said happily.

"That's a big happy event, Uncle Yi, you have to treat us all!" The third aunt is worthy of being a member of the Yan family, and she is exactly the same as the third uncle.

"That's not appropriate. There are still people in the hospital who haven't passed the exam. This is like rubbing salt into someone's wounds!" Yi Zhonghai said modestly.

"That's true. It's indeed not appropriate. What a pity." The third aunt couldn't help but speak out her true thoughts, causing other people in the yard to laugh uncontrollably. Some people even laughed so hard that they fell forward and backward.

"Mr. Liu, did you pass the exam?" Aunt Li's voice and laughter came from the backyard.

"Yes! In a few days I will be a level 6 electrician!" Father Liu replied with a smile on his face.

"Good job, Lao Liu. Really good!" Aunt Li praised.

"You guys take your time chatting, we're going home first." The old man turned around and walked towards home in a hurry.

Seeing this, Liu's father hurriedly followed and returned home.

As soon as he entered the house, Liu's father couldn't wait to share the good news with Liu's mother: "Old lady, I have great news to tell you! I passed the exam and will be a level 6 electrician in the future!"

Mother Liu was also very happy after hearing this, with joy flashing in her eyes: "Oh, the old man is really amazing! This is really great..."

"We have to keep a low profile. There are several people in the yard who haven't passed the exam. The second uncle Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao in the backyard also failed. If we show too happy, others will definitely be jealous." Father Liu lowered his voice and reminded his wife carefully.

"Well, that makes sense. You've thought it through. We can just enjoy it secretly at home. Just imagine how happy Qingshan must be when he finds out the news!" As Liu's mother muttered, she couldn't help but think of her son Qingshan who was far away from home.

"Who says it's not true? Qingshan has been away for more than half a year. He couldn't even come back to see his two children when they were born. It's really hard for the children..." Father Liu sighed heavily, with a look of helplessness and heartache in his eyes.