Comfortable life in Siheyuan

At noon, the weather was getting a little hot. Nine-year-old Banggen stood in the courtyard with a reluctant look on his face, holding a crumpled self-criticism in his hand. He had been caught by the adults in his failed attempt to steal a chicken, and now he had to read his self-criticism in public.

Banggeng lowered his head and read the words in his self-criticism in a voice as soft as a mosquito. His eyes kept looking around, as if observing if anyone was laughing. The sun was not strong, but he was sweating profusely, and the sweat flowed down his forehead and soaked his collar.

The people in the courtyard gathered in a circle, some looked dissatisfied, while others looked like they were watching the fun. Banggeng's face was as red as a ripe apple, and he felt like he had become the laughing stock of the crowd. He read more and more quietly, and in the end it was almost impossible to hear what he was saying.

Everyone could only vaguely hear him say "I was wrong, I shouldn't have stolen the chicken..."

When Banggeng finally finished reading the self-criticism, he raised his head with a sense of relief, but was met with the stern gazes of the adults. He quickly lowered his head again, silently waiting for the adults' criticism and punishment. At this time, his heart was full of regret and grievance. He knew he had done something wrong, but he felt that it was too shameful to review in public.

At this time Qin Huairu also stood beside Banggeng, facing the gazes of everyone, and said loudly: "I'm sorry to trouble you all. I hope you can supervise Banggeng and let him be a good boy in the future." Finally, Qin Huairu took Banggeng and bowed deeply to everyone.

When the two returned home, everyone in the courtyard started chatting. The third aunt said with a look of disdain: "This child will have a hard time in the future. What good can he learn from an old hag? Qin Huairu should send that old hag back to the countryside."

Aunt Li also echoed, "Yes, it has only been a short time since the vegetable stealing incident, and now they are stealing chickens again. Did you see the look in Banggeng's eyes just now? My goodness, such a young child, what kind of look is that."

Everyone was chattering non-stop, and finally an old man shouted and the crowd dispersed.

At this moment, Liu Qingshan was sitting leisurely at the dining table in his father-in-law's house, holding a wine glass tightly in his hand, chatting and laughing with his family.

"Dad, Xiaolei is about to graduate, right? I remember he should be facing job assignment this year." Liu Qingshan said as he poured wine into the glass and cast a concerned look at his father-in-law.

"That's right! In the blink of an eye, Shitou is about to start his job. Time flies. I just don't know where he will be assigned in the end." The father-in-law responded worriedly.

"Oh, by the way, I remember that Xiaolei seemed to be studying accounting at that time. How about this, I will go back and ask if our factory has any recruitment plans. After all, there is a steel rolling mill near our home, and it would be very convenient if we could work there; in addition, the leather factory is not far from our home, and the conditions are pretty good." Liu Qingshan put forward his suggestions at the right time.

"Really? It would be great if Xiaolei could get a job in either of these two factories! This way, the workplace will be closer to home. Besides, the eldest brother is away from home for a long time. If Xiaolei goes to work somewhere farther away, wouldn't our home become deserted?" Feng's mother murmured to herself, her mood becoming increasingly heavy, with a hint of loss in her eyes.

"I don't think so! When these technical secondary school students graduate and wait for the school to assign them jobs, unless there are any special accidents, they will usually be arranged to work locally. So, you can put your mind at ease and don't worry too much." Liu Qingshan comforted the other party in a gentle tone and explained to him in detail.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Qingshan! When you go back, please help me find out the details. Both of these units are good, either one will do." The father-in-law expressed his gratitude with a smile and sincere words.

"Father-in-law, you are too polite! We are all family, why are you so polite to me?" Liu Qingshan responded with a smile.

Liu Qingshan stayed at his father-in-law's house until dark, and then returned home with his wife and children.

In the second uncle's house in the backyard, the family was eating together. Cui Dake brought a bottle of wine today and also sat at the table.

"Master, I have consulted Deputy Director Liu about your work. It is indeed a bit difficult for you now. The production in the factory is in charge of the director. If he wants to help you, you may have to put in some effort." Cui Dake said tactfully.

Liu Haizhong listened carefully. He knew that this was not an easy task, but he still held out a glimmer of hope.

"Dake, Master doesn't ask what to do, just spend what you need to spend, Master still has some money." Liu Haizhong said hurriedly. Cui Dake took a sip of wine and said with a smile: "Master, don't worry. Deputy Director Liu said that this matter needs to be done slowly. You also know that the production in the factory is tight now, and the director must be paying attention to it. However, as long as you are willing to spend money, this matter should be able to turn around."

Liu Haizhong nodded, thinking about how to raise money. He looked at Cui Dake and asked, "Dake, how much do you think I need to prepare?"

Cui Dake hesitated for a moment and said, "I can't say for sure, but it's probably inevitable. Master, you'd better be mentally prepared."

Although I feel a little reluctant about the bangs, compared with being a leader, it is nothing.

"Can you ask Deputy Director Liu what to do about this? Can we just listen to him?" Liu Haizhong said cautiously.

"Master, I still can't ask directly about this matter. No matter where it is, it's not acceptable. I can only go and deliver some first, and then slowly ask for help." Cui Dake said with a smile.

Liu Haizhong's face was full of expectation. He smiled and took out a handkerchief, counting out twenty yuan from it. Then he whispered, "Dake, send a few bottles of wine first and see how things go. Come back to me if you need to send more later. Master is leaving this matter to you. You must help Master do it. Master will never treat you unfairly."

Cui Dake took the money with both hands and put it into his pocket. A look of loss flashed across his face.

"Master, I don't have the wine tickets for the wine you're sending me. The money is not enough. I have to go to the Pigeon Market to get some wine tickets." Cui Dake said in embarrassment.

"Is twenty yuan not enough? Why don't you exchange some wine tickets first and then buy two bottles of wine?" Liu Haizhong asked puzzledly.

Cui Dake kept complaining in his heart, how can you ask someone to do something for you like this, do you not understand or are you pretending to be stupid? You still want to be a cadre? You are dreaming.

"Master, the wine we give to the deputy director cannot be bad. It has to be Xifeng at the very least. We're asking someone to do us a favor, so two bottles of Moutai would be best." Cui Dake said helplessly.

It’s not that Liu Haizhong was reluctant, but he didn’t understand the ins and outs of the matter. He hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, yes, look at my brain, I’ll give you some more money, and it must be a good thing.” Liu Haizhong took out two five-dollar bills from his pocket and handed them to Cui Dake.