Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

After more than an hour of hard work, Xu Ma finally brought over the stewed rabbit meat, which was mixed with dried mushrooms and vermicelli in a large pot, as well as a plate of scrambled eggs with black fungus and a plate of peanuts. This was already very rich, and it would definitely beat most families in the city. As for the two pheasants, they were packed and frozen. At that time, the winter in the city was still relatively cold, and the outside was a natural large freezer.

Everyone's appetite was aroused by the smell of the fragrant rabbit meat. Father Xu said, "Okay, stop watching and start eating."

Sister Xu Xiaoying was the first to take a piece of rabbit meat and put it in Xu's mother's bowl, and then picked up a piece for Xu's father. "Mom and Dad, try it while it's hot." She also picked up a piece and put it in her mouth.

"Hey, Xu Xiaoying, have you forgotten that you have a brother? You weren't polite when I asked for a gift just now, but now you don't care about your brother. You are the typical person who uses people first and doesn't care about them later." Xu Damao teased while pouring wine.

The wine was Xifeng that Xu Damao brought over. In his previous life, Xu Damao loved to drink this, and he liked this special Fengxiang type. He was indifferent to the sauce-flavored type of Maotai. Later, Xifeng Liquor was counterfeited by a large number of unscrupulous manufacturers just like Fenjiu, and it never recovered. In fact, the leader of liquor in this era is Fenjiu, followed by Wuliangye, Xifeng, Gujing Gongjiu, Luzhou Laojiao Tequ, Maotai, Dongjiu, and Quanxing Daqu. These are the eight famous liquors selected by the second liquor evaluation meeting in 1963. Maotai is far from reaching the status it has in later generations.

"Dad, let's have a drink." Xu Damao picked up the wine glass and clinked it with Xu's father, then quickly picked up a peanut and chewed it to wash down the wine.

At this time, Xu's mother said, "Da Mao, you are not young anymore, it's time to find a wife and get married. Look at Jia Dongxu in the courtyard, he is only a few years older than you, but he already has two children, and Bang Geng'er is in elementary school. You can't compare with that scoundrel Sha Zhu, he is destined to be a family wretch, and your father and I are still waiting to hold our grandchildren!"

"We have to look for her. Please take the trouble to look around for her. Otherwise, I can ask the matchmaker Wang at the street corner to keep an eye out for her." Xu Damao said.

Although this era advocates free love, it is still more about parents' orders and matchmakers' words. With Xu Damao's ability to flatter the young widow, it is not difficult for him to find a partner. But it is also fun for parents to arrange marriages, so that Xu's mother doesn't get bored at home. Being urged to get married is also a kind of happiness, which means that there are still people in this world who care about you.

"Hey, this is really a coincidence. I went to my employer's house a few days ago. Miss Lou is not young anymore, and Mrs. Lou is looking for a family for Xiao'e. She doesn't have any other requirements. She just wants to find an ordinary working-class family with a good background." Xu's mother said.

"Don't matchmake people randomly. Marrying someone from the Lou family will be troublesome. Besides, Damao has just made some progress in being promoted to deputy section chief. If he really marries Lou Xiao'e, he will never be able to make any progress in his life." Father Xu said in a deep voice.

"Hey, I was thinking that they are about the same age, and have known each other since they were young, so they can be considered childhood sweethearts. The Lou family has always been good to us, and now that the host family is in trouble, we have to lend a hand. Besides, if he really marries Miss Lou, he will never lack for food and drink for the rest of his life, so why would he need to be an official?" Xu's mother explained.

It can only be said that Xu's mother still has some knowledge, but not much. After all, it is still early for the storm to start, and no one can predict what will happen in five or six years. If they really get married, the relationship between the two families can't be concealed at all. At that time, will you report it for the sake of justice, or will you take refuge in Hong Kong with him and come back in ten years?

Xu Damao was thinking in his mind. "Hey, going to Hong Kong seems to be a good choice. With the capital of the Lou family, plus my grasp of the general situation, and my system space to bring all my property over, it doesn't seem too difficult to make a career in Hong Kong. If it really comes to those years when the wind blows, you won't be able to do anything with the general environment like that."

The more Xu Damao thought about it, the more he felt that there was a way out. However, if he married Lou Xiao'e, he would forget about getting promoted in the next few years. Besides, that young lady had a very irritating temper. He had to give it more thought.

"You have long hair but little knowledge. Don't agree to this matter yet. Think about it first and eat first." Father Xu said.

The family chatted and laughed, and the meal took more than an hour to finish. Strangely enough, Xu's father and mother were not really good people, but Xu Damao also felt a lot of warmth from them. Could this be the power of blood?

After Xu Damao finished his meal, he drank a cup of tea at home to sober up before heading back to his home in Nanluoguxiang. The weather was a bit cold today, and it was a bit late, so the third uncle Yan Bugui was rarely standing guard at the door, and he was probably staying in the house to warm himself by the fire.

The courtyard was relatively quiet, with only a few houses with dim lights on, and some strange noises coming from time to time. Xu Damao felt a little hot when he heard it. The sound insulation of this house was not good. In the middle of winter, he had nothing to do, so he just stayed in the house with his wife to make love.

Xu Damao pushed the door open and walked into the house, which seemed a little deserted. Xu Damao was too lazy to light the stove himself, so he saw that the light was still on in the second uncle's house, so he took a new coal ball and replaced it with a burning one, so that he could put it in his own stove and use it directly.

The second uncle was still awake, reading a newspaper under the lamp, and readily agreed to the invitation when he heard the purpose of the visit. Xu Damao saw how serious the second uncle Liu Haizhong was in studying, and couldn't help but want to tease him.

"Second uncle, what are you studying so hard so late?"

"Hey, I'm too old to go to bed early, so I read the newspaper and learn the instructions from my superiors." The second uncle replied.

"My second uncle, you can't be a leader just by reading newspapers."

The second uncle immediately became excited when he heard about being a leader. "Then how can I become a leader? If you can let me be a leader, I will reward you handsomely."

"What's the most important thing for an official these days? Reputation! The next is culture and relationships. Just like when I brought up the issue of provident fund at the last meeting, did you think it was a good thing? If you do it well, will you be praised by the street office? Will people in our hospital be grateful to you? Once this matter gets out, your reputation will be established!" said Xu Damao.

"You have a point. But what about the cultural aspect? You know your uncle. I only have primary school education. It was in the 1950s. They wanted to promote a team leader, but they gave the position to Lao Zhang because of my low education. Now he is the director. I was always slow." Liu Haizhong said.

"Uncle, did you know that some schools now offer night schools? They are places specifically for adults to learn knowledge and pursue progress. You can go there to learn cultural knowledge. You can ask the street office for details."

"Also, you have to build good relationships with your leaders and colleagues in the factory, so that there will be people speaking up for you at critical moments. You also need to have achievements or contributions that you can show off, so that people know about you, what you have accomplished, and how much you have contributed to the factory. Then, becoming an official will be a natural progression!" Xu Damao said as his mustache curled up.

"Oh, you are right, Damao. Why has no one ever told me this before? I will reward you handsomely when you succeed." The second uncle said happily.

"Okay, then I'll go back first. You think about it." Xu Damao returned home with a coal briquette. He first made a fire and boiled water. Then he washed his face and soaked his feet. He lay down on the bed and fell asleep soon.