Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Lou Zhenhua and his wife stayed until the third day of the Lunar New Year and then went back. During the Spring Festival, Xu Damao went to No. 88 Courtyard to pay New Year's greetings to Zhang Taihe. He stayed in the small courtyard on Yandaixie Street and even guided his sister Xu Xiaoling's homework for the first time. This surprised Xu Xiaoling, who was about to graduate from high school in the first half of this year.

"Brother, you are so good at studying, why didn't you get into college?"

Xu Damao was helpless. At that time, there was no memory of Xu Damao's sea of ​​consciousness. There was no way to explain it.

Damn, Xu Damao suddenly remembered Xu Damao’s parents, as if they were not born yet. He vaguely remembered that Xu Damao’s biological father was born in 1962 and his biological mother was born in 1964.

Oh, yes, my grandfather is from Haidian District. Xu Damao has been to Haidian so many times to show movies that he actually forgot about the chance encounter with his grandfather's house. Haidian Gongzhuang. Yes, I will go to the countryside to look for my grandfather's whereabouts this year. Xu Damao really has no memory of Haidian now. The current Haidian is still full of farmland. Jingdian is the main rice production area, and Jingxi rice is very famous. Yes, I have to secretly stock up some food when I go to the countryside this year. This important matter cannot be forgotten. Otherwise, I will really starve for the next three years.

Xu Damao made a decision. He didn't want to spend more money, but to help his family and friends get through the difficult three years. He didn't have the energy to take care of more people, but at least he felt that it was his responsibility to help those who needed help. It was just spending more money. The current situation could be considered an investment, which would be very profitable. This was the most money-conscious idea. It was worth it.

On the sixth day of the New Year, I started working again in the new year.

Xu Damao arrived at the information room early in the morning, mopped the floor, wiped the table, and turned on the water. It took him half an hour to finish. After making some tea, he went to Li Huaimin's office.

"Chief, Happy New Year. Are you busy today? How about I invite you out for a few drinks at noon?"

"Xiao Xu, forget about it today. It's the first day of work. If you go out to drink and get caught by the boss, it will be a mistake. Let's do it after the Lantern Festival. The middle-level cadres may have to attend a meeting today. You guys should also take it easy."

"Listen to the chief and make sure you get off work on time. I'll be leaving first. Chief, you're busy. If you need anything, just take care of it."

Xu Damao actually just came here to show his face. Huaimin gave him a training opportunity before the New Year, so he had to share some of the benefits he had gained with him. He came to pay New Year's greetings before the New Year because he had a lot of gifts, which were definitely worth more than 30 yuan, equivalent to one-fourth of this year's salary increase. The first-level salary was 132 yuan, which was yuan more a year.

Xu Damao was quite happy. Not everyone can get a raise. One step early means every step is early. He was drinking hot tea, smoking a Xiangshan brand cigarette and crossing his legs when a voice came from the door:

"Secretary Xu seems to be feeling very relaxed. Is he flattering his boss and is he secretly happy about it?"

Xu Damao stood up and said, "Wu Lingjuan, you can't talk nonsense in the company. I'm not trying to flatter you. I went to ask the leader about this year's task arrangement on my first day at work. I don't have anyone to share my work with. If I had known, I would have arranged it earlier so that I wouldn't be so busy. Also, I've told you many times not to call you Xu Guanshi Xu. You can call me Xu Damao, Xiao Xu, or Lao Xu."

"Would you like a cup of tea and sit in my little place for a while?"

"Forget it. I don't like tea either. Besides, your smoke is so bad that it stinks. What's wrong with you men? You all smoke so much. You all stink. I don't understand what's so good about smoking that stuff. It costs money and is not good for your health."

"Wu Lingjuan, you are right. Men are all smelly. Otherwise, why are they called stinky men? Does your husband smoke too?"

"Well, about one pack a day, more than 30 cents, it's really expensive."

"You come to me so early in the morning to complain? Sorry, I smoke a pack of cigarettes every day."

"No, I'm not. Who would come to you to complain?"

"Hey, Wu Lingjuan, after all, we're classmates who fought in the trenches together. It's normal for you to come to me to complain."

"You are so conceited. I have something to inform you. The food factory under my mother's unit does have a quota for temporary workers this year. I asked my mother to reserve one for you, a food factory packer, with a salary of about 20 yuan a month. You can decide for yourself. I don't care about your relationship with that young wife in your compound, but if you go to report for work when the time comes, you should at least give a gift to the workshop director of the factory. Remember, it's valid for three months, understand?" He handed over a form with the official seal on it.

"Wu Lingjuan, why don't you believe me?"

Xu Damao went to the door, looked around, and then closed the door of the document room.

"Wu Lingjuan, I'm just defending someone who is not happy. To tell you the truth, the man of the young wife in the compound is Jia Dongxu from the third workshop. You know Jia Dongxu, the one who was punished by the factory for not passing the work grade assessment and fighting with a co-worker. Later, because of gambling, he was punished by the factory and was not allowed to take the grade assessment for three years. He also has a club in Juer Hutong, with a half-closed door, which means no one went to catch him in the act, otherwise Jia Dongxu would definitely be paraded through the streets with a whore hanging on his back."

"So it was him, how could I not know that? It seems like you and her are actually innocent."

"Hehe, it's not that I'm innocent. Actually, I just don't like Jia Dongxu and I want to find some trouble for him. I'm pretty mean too."

"You're right, this trick of cutting off the source of the trouble is really vicious. I didn't realize that you, Xu Damao, are so mean. I have to be careful of you in the future, or else I'll be sold out by you and count the money for fun."

"Wu Lingjuan, what are you talking about? There is no conflict of interest between you and me. Besides, you won't be able to stay in the steel mill for long. From now on, I will be the only one looking up to you. How dare I sell you out?"

"Xu Damao, don't say that. I think it's good to work in the Propaganda Department. It's comfortable and free. I don't want to work anywhere else. Remember, don't say that. I'm leaving."

Xu Damao looked at the application form with the seal on it and was really surprised and happy. He was surprised that Wu Lingjuan handled things so quickly. He was happy that he could now fulfill his promise to Qin Huairu.

What Xu Damao didn't know was that there was another surprise waiting for him at home.

Accompanied by Tan Yali, Lou Xiao'e went to the hospital for a checkup today and found out that she was indeed pregnant. Lou Xiao'e's premonition was accurate.

After get off work, Xu Damao arrived at Yandaixie Street. Even his mother-in-law, Tan Yali, was there. "Mom, why are you here?"

"Da Mao, I accompanied Xiao'e to get a checkup today. Xiao'e is pregnant. I want you to come over and discuss it. Let Xiao'e and Huo Huo live with me for a while. You can also move in there. It's not too late to live there."

"Wow, my daughter is so awesome." Xu Damao excitedly hugged Lou Xiao'e who was sitting next to him.

"It will be around this time next year when our Huo Huo will have a partner. This happiness comes too suddenly. Let me digest it."

Tan Yali looked at the excited Xu Damao and truly felt how good Xu Damao was to Lou Xiaoe.

"Mom, go live there. First, Xiao'e will have someone to talk to, and second, you and Dad won't be too lonely. I'll move in too. I'll move in tomorrow."

Dinner was simple, there was some leftovers from yesterday, so we just had to heat it up. Unexpectedly, Lou Zhenhua asked the driver to come and pick us up that night.

Xu Damao also happened to be going to the No. 95 compound to pick up something, and to see if there was a chance to give the registration form to Qin Huairu, so he chose to ride his bike to the Lou family.

After packing up the things from Yandaixie Street, he checked the kang, locked the doors inside and outside, then got on his bicycle and headed to No. 95 Courtyard in the dark.

He was indeed here to pick up something. Three professional books on ceramic cultural relics that Hu Tianhua had lent him years ago, and they were ancient editions, which he didn't have with him. He was going to go back and get them, carry them with him every day, and read them whenever he had time.

The courtyard of No. 95 was relatively quiet, mainly because it was late and the weather was cold. He really didn't run into Qin Huairu. There was no way, Xu Damao didn't dare to go to the door to call her.

Xu Damao tidied up his room, carefully stuffed the books into his briefcase, turned off the lights, locked the door, pushed the cart, and prepared to go to Lou's house.

He had just carried the bike out of the steps of the courtyard gate, stepped on the bike, and pedaled forward, and almost bumped into Qin Huairu who was standing on the side.

Qin Huairu's guess was correct. She vaguely saw Xu Damao, who had not returned to the compound for a long time, through the window of her house. She guessed that Xu Damao might come out again, so she deliberately waited for Xu Damao in this corner of the alley.