I am doing well in the Siheyuan

The eldest sister was a little amused and helpless.

This person doesn't look stupid, but why does he keep saying weird things?

I've been working in this scrap collection station for a long time, but this is the first time I've met someone who wants to buy scrap here.

"Xiao Ma, what's going on?"

A middle-aged man wearing glasses, tall and thin, with a very elegant temperament walked over. He was Stationmaster Shen.

"Stationmaster Shen, this guy actually wants to buy scrap from us. This must be a joke." Xiao Ma responded.

"Buy scrap?" Shen Jianguo was slightly surprised when he heard this. You know, once the items in the scrap collection station are put into storage, they become the property of the state.

Every account must be clearly recorded. Even as the stationmaster, he has no right to sell the waste in the station without authorization.

"Comrade, according to regulations, our scrap collection station only collects and does not sell. We have no right to deal with even a broken piece of wood.

If you need it, you may go to the trust store to have a look." Shen Jianguo explained patiently.

Ye Ming knew what the trust store he was talking about was.

It was a special trading platform. In that era of material scarcity, even daily necessities such as needles, thread and buttons had to be purchased with tickets.

Consignment stores allow people to consign old and unused items at home. Their function is somewhat similar to that of scrap collection stations, except that most of the goods there are old items that can be used directly, such as old clothes, watches, bedding, radios, etc., and the prices are naturally much lower than the market price.

When daily necessities are not enough to meet daily needs, the importance of commission stores becomes apparent.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can even find a second-hand bicycle there, but such large items are strictly controlled and all the necessary documents and proofs are required.

Ye Ming came to the purchasing station to look for opportunities. After all, in this era, people who collect junk can often accidentally receive some antiques.

Sometimes, when a family is in urgent need of money, some valuable old items may be thrown into a scrap collection station as junk.

There might be some of these things in the commission shop, but not in large quantities.

In this day and age when everyone is struggling to make ends meet, few people will spend too much energy on these trivial matters.

The stationmaster was kind, and Ye Ming did not embarrass him. He just said, "If that's the case, I'll come back another day to ask."

After saying that, Ye Ming took Xiao Xin and left the purchasing station.

"Come back and ask another day? Hey, there are all kinds of people nowadays. You just told him so much, but this guy didn't listen to a single word you said." Xiao Ma muttered to the side.

Shen Jianguo waved his hand, "Forget it, don't worry about him, just do your own work well."

On the other side, inside the compound.

Aunt Er brought her family to find Yi Zhonghai, because Liu Haizhong had not returned yet and his life or death was unknown.

She asked anxiously, "Uncle Yi, what happened to him in the sea? It's already dark and there's still no news. How come he was taken away by the security department?"

"Don't mention it. I'm no longer Uncle Yi in the compound. I said that day that I will no longer interfere in the affairs of the compound." Yi Zhonghai said firmly. In fact, he knew in his heart that even if he knew about Liu Haizhong's affairs, he would be powerless to do anything. What's more, it involved Director Yang and Deputy Director Li, which was not something a grassroots worker like him could interfere with.

He had just had a few days of peace and quiet, and he didn't want to be caught up in the vortex of right and wrong again.

Qin Huairu came over when she heard the noise and comforted Aunt Er: "Aunt Er, don't worry too much. There may be some misunderstanding. Once the security department investigates it clearly, Haizhong will be back.

The factory has not officially notified us yet. What we have heard so far are just rumors. You can ask Master Ye for the details. "

"Master Ye? Are you talking about Ye Ming? Oh, I almost forgot. My son Haizhong was taken away by the security department at the doorstep of his house. This matter must be related to this little bastard." When Aunt Er heard Ye Ming's name, her face changed immediately. Thinking of Liu Haizhong's trance state in recent days, she couldn't help but secretly guess that Ye Ming might really be behind this matter.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Qin Huairu, put his hands behind his back and went straight to the deaf grandmother's house in the backyard.

He Yushui and Aunt Yi were there.

"Grandma, Aunt Yi, Uncle Yi is here."

"Zhonghai, I heard from Aunt Er that Liu Haizhong was arrested by the factory?" Although the deaf old lady was hard of hearing, she was extremely well-informed about the affairs of the compound.

Yi Zhonghai nodded and replied, "He was indeed arrested. I have inquired about it. It is said that the charges are falsely accusing the leadership and creating trouble. The specific notification from the factory has not yet come down, but if it is true, it will at least be a punishment. If it is serious, he may be fired."

"You brought this upon yourself!" He Yushui had no good feelings towards Liu Haizhong. Before, Liu Haizhong had taken advantage of the situation and snatched away Uncle Yi's position, and she often blamed him for that.

Now that he has gotten into trouble and been arrested, many people in the compound’s first reaction is “he deserves it.”

"The fourth one..."

The deaf old woman sighed softly and said something that confused everyone.

Yi Zhonghai quickly asked: "Old lady, what were you mumbling just now?"

"Nothing, it's cold. Zhong Hai, bring some quilts and some seasonal clothes to my grandson tomorrow. It's not as warm there as at home, don't let him get cold."

"Don't worry, the bedding and clothes are ready. I will send them with the deliveryman tomorrow. Do you have anything else to give him?"

"Tell him not to cause any trouble in there. I'll be waiting for him at home for the New Year."

It was almost five in the evening when Ye Ming returned home.

When the neighbors who were familiar with him saw him return, they all gathered around him.

Today's scene is unusual, obviously something big has happened.

"Xiao Ye, what happened to Lao Er from the yard next door? Why did he come to our house?"

Hearing this, Xiaoxin nervously grabbed Ye Ming's sleeve, with concern in her eyes.

"It's okay." Ye Ming smiled at the girl and explained to the neighbors: "It's just a misunderstanding. Liu Haizhong was taken away to assist in the investigation and will be back tomorrow."

"Misunderstanding?" Although this statement was a bit vague, since Liu Haizhong said that he could go home tomorrow, it was probably not a big problem.

After all, three people have already been locked up. If even the new number one figure is caught, the yard next door will really become a laughing stock.

Eager to go back and cook, Ye Ming did not bother with the others.

"Brother, what are you busy with?"

"milk tea."

"What kind of tea is milk tea?" Xiao Xin widened her eyes. Her brother always managed to come up with something new.

"Wait a moment, it will be ready soon." Ye Ming said as he started making milk tea. It was actually not complicated. Milk, sugar and black tea were enough.

The pearl part is a little more complicated. Since tapioca starch is unavailable, Ye Ming can only use corn flour instead, which results in a slightly inferior taste.

After boiling brown sugar and water, pour in corn flour and stir, knead into dough, roll into pearls, and finally put into hot milk tea.

Xiaoxin's face was full of anticipation. Ye Ming handed her the prepared milk tea with a smile: "Try it, be careful it's hot." Unfortunately, he couldn't find a straw, and it always felt like it was missing something soul.