Siheyuan: Learning to be the sixth

In the evening, after dinner, the brother and sister were listening to the radio to digest their food when the third uncle suddenly brought Jie Cheng to visit. Seeing the two uncles coming so rashly, He Yuzhu hurriedly invited the third uncle Yan Fugui and Yan Jiecheng to sit at the table.

While pouring tea for the Third Uncle and Yan Jiecheng, He Yuzhu asked, "Third Uncle, Jiecheng, what do you want to talk to me about?"

The third uncle glanced at Yan Jiecheng and said, "Zhu Zi, thank you for finding a job for Jiecheng. I hope Jiecheng hasn't been slacking off at work recently."

He Yuzhu hurriedly said, "Uncle, Jie Cheng works very hard and delivers the goods on time. Our canteen director is very satisfied."

When the Third Uncle heard that the canteen director was very satisfied with Yan Jiecheng's work, he said with a smile: "Then I'm relieved, as long as Jiecheng doesn't delay things and doesn't embarrass you, Zhuzi."

Yan Jiecheng beside him interrupted and said, "Dad, don't worry. It's hard to find a job now. My brother Zhuzi has given me a chance to find a job. I will work hard."

He Yuzhu said quickly: "Uncle, Jie Cheng, we are neighbors. Jie Cheng and I grew up together. It's just a small thing, don't thank me anymore, it's so strange."

Seeing Third Uncle Yan Fugui hesitate to speak, He Yuzhu took the initiative to ask: "Third Uncle, you came tonight not just to talk about Jie Cheng, right? Is there anything else?"

After hesitating for a while, the third uncle Yan Fugui slowly took out two dollars from his pocket and put them on the table.

Seeing Third Uncle Yan Fugui taking out money and putting it on the table, He Yuzhu asked in confusion: "Third Uncle, what do you mean?"

Uncle Yan Fugui took a sip of water and said slowly: "Zhu Zi, you have helped my family a lot by helping Jie Cheng find a job. Today you asked Auntie to help you make a few clothes. Auntie was greedy for money and accepted the two dollars privately. It was really rude."

When He Yuzhu heard that it was this matter, he didn't take it to heart at all, and hurriedly said: "Third Uncle, you are talking about this matter. You and Jiecheng suddenly came to my house together, and I thought something big had happened. I asked Third Aunt to make some clothes for my brother and me. Third Aunt also needs time and labor, so it is only natural for me to give her some labor fees."

Uncle Yan Fugui replied: "Zhuzi, you must remember the kindness you have received. Your aunt is idle at home anyway, so she can help you make clothes to kill some time. You have given Zhuzi a lot of cloth, so I cannot accept any more money."

Yan Jiecheng, who was standing next to him, also hurriedly said, "Zhu Zi, just take the money back."

He Yuzhu saw that the father and son were determined to let him accept the two dollars, so he said helplessly: "Uncle, if it's resolved, then I will accept the two dollars. If I don't accept it, then I'm being hypocritical."

The third uncle Yan Fugui said: "Zhu Zi, this is right, otherwise the third uncle will not be able to face you in the future."

He Yuzhu said: "Third uncle, you are too kind. Let's forget about this matter and have some tea."

Seeing that the matter was resolved, the third uncle Yan Fugui gave Yan Jiecheng a look, and the two of them stood up and prepared to say goodbye. He sent the third uncle to the door and watched him walk towards the front yard.

He Yuzhu sighed and said, "The Third Master is also a pitiful man. He has preserved the character of a scholar, but he has lost his family affection due to calculations."

However, just because the Third Uncle knew how to be grateful, He Yuzhu had a higher opinion of him in his heart.

He Yuzhu no longer thought about these bad things, shook his head, closed the door, and went back to his room to sleep.

When the third uncle Yan Fugui returned home, he said to the third aunt who was waiting at home: "Mother, this matter is over."

The third aunt said: "It's all over now."

Yan Jiefang, who was just watching all this silently from the side, seemed to be thinking about something.

The third uncle Yan Fugui glanced at his eldest son and said, "Jiefang, as for your job, you should go to the street office and sign up for a job, then work as a temporary worker there, and then think of a way later."

Yan Jiefang opened his mouth, glanced at his brother Yan Jiecheng, and said disappointedly: "Dad, I understand. I'll go to sleep first."

Yan Jiecheng also said that he was tired after a whole day, so he went to rest as well.

The third aunt looked at her two sons leaving and said to the third uncle Yan Fugui: "Can you ask Zhuzi to think of a way to help Jiefang?"

The third uncle hurriedly said: "Don't even think about it. If you open your mouth, your friendship will be over."

Hearing this, the third aunt sighed helplessly and said, "It's getting late, let's go to bed too."

So on this night, everyone in the Yan family fell into a deep sleep with their own thoughts.

The next day, He Yuzhuzi, who was sleeping next to the small kitchen, was woken up by Yan Jiecheng who came to deliver the goods and said, "Zhuzi, Director Qian asked you to go to the office."

When he saw it was Yan Jiecheng, he asked, "Didn't Director Jiecheng tell me what he wanted to talk to me about?"

Yan Jiecheng replied: "Director Qian didn't say anything. I gave Director Qian the document with the quantity written on it, and he asked me to come over and call you over."

He Yuzhu, when he heard that it must be something important to discuss, said to Yan Jiecheng, "I understand. Jiecheng, you go back first."

He immediately stood up and walked towards Director Qian's office. He knocked on the door and walked in. He Yuzhu asked, "Director, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Director Qian threw the envelope containing this week's payment forward and said, "Can your father's friend give us some more meat? The factory director wants to hold a major campaign to finish building the factory before the New Year."

When He Yuzhu heard that they wanted meat, he asked, "How much do you want, Director?"

Director Qian sighed and said, "Our canteen's mission is to produce 1,000 kilograms per week."

He Yuzhu thought it was a lot, and after thinking for a while, he said, "Director, I'll go back and ask my father's friend. I'll give you an answer tomorrow."

Director Qian said: "Zhu Zi, ask as soon as possible and give me an answer tomorrow."

He Yuzhu said: "Director, if there is nothing else, I will leave first."

Since traveling through time, He Yuzhu has never been greedy. He doesn't want to attract too much attention, so most of the supplies to the canteen are grains, and meat is rarely supplied. It is not in line with his principle of being the sixth brother and making money quietly to attract attention.

After getting off work, He Yuzhu, who was undecided, went to the backyard to find Xu Damao, the second cobbler. Looking at the clean and tidy environment in the house, He Yuzhu said to Xu Damao: "This is like a home."

Xu Damao also said with emotion: "Someone cares about your well-being and helps you clean up the house. This is what life is all about."

He Yuzhu looked at Xu Damao who was sighing and said: "I told you that you are fat and you are out of breath. Treat Qin Huairu well and put your former frivolous mind under control. He then gave this week's share to Xu Damao."

Xu Damao took it and said quickly: "Brother, you have turned over a new leaf a long time ago. Tell me what you want from me?"

He Yuzhu then told Xu Damao what Director Qian had said that afternoon. Then he asked, "Damo, what do you think about this?"

Xu Damao thought for a while and asked, "Zhu Zi, how could Uncle He's friend get so much meat?"

He Yuzhu was silent for a while and then said, "It should be possible to get it. The quantity should be quite large."

Xu Damao took a deep breath and said, "Uncle He's friend is too powerful. We can't eat him, and we can't eat him. But Director Qian has to give an explanation. This matter is really difficult to decide."

He Yuzhu thought for a while and said, "Da Mao, this is what I think. Director Qian wants to supply 1,000 kilograms of meat every week. How about we supply 300 kilograms per week? This amount is both safe and can give Director Qian an explanation."